Shen Mingxun wouldn't have provided so much if this young man were to bring such a car. There was a high probability that among that group of people, this young man in front of him was just there to make up the numbers.
Moreover, she could tell that the young man in front of her should be in great need of money.
Although the clothes he wore when he came to see her were very new, this apron was heavily patched and washed white, yet he hadn't changed it. And the old gentleman driving the car, those reading glasses were clearly no longer suitable for his prescription and appeared a bit loose, yet he hadn't replaced them either.
No one in this world dislikes good things; if conditions don't permit, no one likes to compromise themselves.
Then there was the photo placed not far away, a family of four smiling brightly in a pure white environment. Only one girl, the one with a full smile, had an exceptionally pale complexion and wore a red hat. The black long hair beneath the hat looked stiff and unnatural, clearly indicating it was a wig.
A young girl with a pale complexion and wearing a wig in a family photo, in a pure white environment…
When Xi Li heard Bai Xi's words, he was clearly bewildered, looking utterly lost. "No, this is not according to the rules…"
Bai Xi said lightly, "Whose rules are not being followed? Think carefully, are you employed by Commander Shen, or am I employing you?"
Xi Li paused for a moment, seemingly in thought, and then quickly appeared to have understood, his face breaking into a wide, happy smile. "Of course, I am employed by Miss Bai. But is this really, really, really okay?"
Bai Xi said lightly, "If I say it's okay, then it's okay."
Upon hearing this, a faint blush spread across the young man's sun-tanned cheeks. He instinctively grinned, revealing a row of clean, white canine teeth, looking pure and handsome. "Sister is so kind."
There was no flattery in that statement; he simply felt that way.
When he had gone to sell wine before, he had tried his best to please but hadn't sold a single bottle. Instead, he had almost been tricked out of something by a woman. But the sister in front of him was both generous and commanding. No wonder everyone before had said they wanted to please her and win her favor.
Bai Xi said lightly, "How much is it in total?"
Xi Li calculated, "One hundred and seventy-six yuan in total."
Bai Xi nodded and directly took out two hundred yuan, placing it on the table. "No need for change."
Xi Li looked at the money in his hand, a bright smile appearing on his face. "Thank you, Miss Bai."
Every cent, every yuan, was important.
Bai Xi glanced at Xi Li, took out her phone, and sent a text message to Shen Mingxun, then looked up at the island city that was already very close.
The island was small, but the city built on it was truly the one known as a resort destination, meticulously constructed.
Outside the island city, there was a huge wall separating the outside from the inside. One wall felt like it separated two worlds. There was a large gate on the wall. While the gate wasn't a light-screen wall like Black Gold Academy's, it was still full of technological feel. Operated by personnel from within the city, a massive gate was raised and lowered, separating the two areas.
Inside the city, there were high-rise buildings and vibrant scenery, bustling with the energy expected of a metropolis.
Outside the wall, there were cement roads with trees growing haphazardly on both sides, desolate and barren, like a remote town.
The car stopped not far from the gate. Xi Li gestured for Bai Xi and the others to get out. "Miss Bai, shall we get out and go in through the pedestrian passage?"
Bai Xi glanced lightly at the distance. "Doesn't this allow vehicles to pass?"
Xi Li's expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled. "It does, but… our car can't."
Bai Xi saw Xi Li's embarrassment but wasn't particularly interested in probing further. Besides, after sitting in the car for so long, it would be good to stretch their legs, so she stood up directly.
Seeing Bai Xi move, Xi Li's eyes lit up with joy. He quickly went to get their luggage, but saw Bai Han about to pick up his own. He hurried to say, "Sir, no, no, no. Let me, let me. I'll take your luggage, all of it. I'll handle it."
Not only did Bai Xi pay the meal expenses, but she also gave him a tip. How could he let his esteemed guests suffer any hardship? If their car could go in, he would never have let these distinguished guests get out of it.
After speaking, he neatly arranged all the luggage, some slung over his shoulder, some held in his hands, and happily walked ahead to get out of the car.
Just as Xi Li was leading Bai Xi and the others out of the car, several men in uniform walked over. Upon seeing Xi Li and the bus, their faces clearly showed expressions of disdain and mockery.
When Xi Li saw the two men, his expression also changed significantly. He eventually lowered his head in a panic, clearly trying to avoid them.
It was just that avoidance was the most ineffective way to solve problems. What was destined to come could not be avoided.
The two men in uniform exchanged a look and then walked directly over.
Neither of them was very tall; they were a head shorter than Xi Li and quite plump, clearly indicating they ate well. A glance made one think of the idiom "brain full and intestines fat."
The only difference between the two was that one had large eyes and the other had small eyes. The one with large eyes had dull eyes, giving the impression of constantly expending mental energy. The one with small eyes… well, you couldn't see any expression in them at all.
The leader, Da Kongyan, walked directly up to Xi Li, his face full of provocation. "Xi Li, you're here with your dad to escort guests into the city, have you paid the handling fee?"
Xi Li kept his head down, not wanting to get involved with the man before him, and tried to walk past.
But Da Kongyan didn't want Xi Li to leave. He directly placed a specialized security baton across Xi Li's path, his face showing a hint of malicious pleasure. "What? You're escorting guests into the city, and you dare not answer me when I ask you a question?"
Xi Li was already annoyed at having his path blocked, and hearing the man's words made him even angrier. "Wang Chong, what exactly do you want?"
Seeing Xi Li get angry, Wang Chong felt even better. Those large, dull eyes suddenly showed some emotion, a mix of mockery and ruthlessness. "What do I want? I'm just doing my duty. I'm interrogating potential dangerous individuals! You, and these people you've brought, are all targets I need to interrogate today. I'll personally search you all later."
As he said this, Wang Chong's eyes roamed over Bai Xi and Lin Yun with malicious intent.
Seeing his gaze, and then looking at Bai Xi and the others behind him, Xi Li instantly panicked.
They could insult him, but they absolutely couldn't let them insult his honored guests.
He immediately put down the luggage in his hands, clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth, shouting at Wang Chong, "Wang Chong, you're just a gatekeeper here. You have no right to search anyone! I advise you not to go too far!"
The phrase "gatekeeper" instantly ignited Wang Chong's rage. "I'm going too far? Then you haven't experienced 'too far' yet. I can… be even more excessive!"
With that, his face turned dark, and his eyes flashed with a malicious glint. He took out the whistle hanging from his chest and blew it forcefully.
As soon as the whistle sounded, it instantly attracted all the people in uniform who were guarding and patrolling here. Everyone immediately crowded over.
Wang Chong pointed at Bai Xi and the others and said to the people beside him, "These people are trying to force their way into the city gate and are refusing to cooperate with security checks. They must be carrying something dangerous and terrifying. Arrest all of them immediately!"