Chapter 523.3: A Polite Bandit

After seeing Kishur off, Ample Time returned to the dining table on the first floor and picked up a bun. Though a bit cold, the taste wasn’t affected. He wasn’t picky to begin with.

It was also then that Dori, who had been hiding in the other room, pushed the door open.

Looking at the bun in his hand that had already hardened, she couldn’t help but frown. “It’s cold... Let me heat it up for you.”

Downing a cup of hot tea, Ample Time laughed, “Nothing to worry about! Since you bought it, it’s delicious even if it's cold!”

“Hmph! You’re just saying that to make me happy! I didn’t even make the bun myself...” Dori stuck her tongue out at him and grumbled.

She tried it once, but back then, the engine oil in her prosthetic arm would fall in, causing there to be a strange taste in the buns she made. Now that she got a new arm, she planned to try again in a few days.

After settling his already cold breakfast in a few more bites, Ample Time grabbed the newspaper on the table, planning to finish reading them all.

Even though there would be announcements for the more important news, he wanted to experience life from the perspective of the NPCs. After all, there were things the players failed to catch published from time to time.

That was the best way for him to experience the new version of the game!

As he read the newspaper, Dori sat beside him with her chin resting on her hands. A look of curiosity appeared on her face as she stared at him while asking, “Right... What did you discuss with that weird fellow?”

Ample Time pressed his lips together and chuckled, “Oh... It’s something related to SB...”

“SB?”

“Ahem... Well, putting it simply, it can effectively complete our resources allocation.”

Well, if he had to explain it in the best possible way, he would shift the money in the hands of those SB[1] to those who weren’t idiots.

It couldn’t be more reasonable!

Looking at Dori whose eyes were still spinning, Ample Time couldn’t help but rub her head slowly. “Hey, you can’t write this into the newspaper. Our plan is to fleece the nobles of the inner city. If they learn about it, your husband is going to go bankrupt...”

“Oh? Really?!” Dori’s eyes lit up suddenly as she leaped onto his thighs. Drawing circles on his chest with her index finger, a mischievous chuckle left her lips. “Oh? Mr. Ample Time, I’m sorry to tell you some disturbing news. Because you’re such a crafty man who does so many bad things, you’re going to go bankrupt! However, you don’t need to be too sad. The kind Ms. Dori is willing to take you in. She will work hard to feed you. Come on, thank me!”

Ample Time couldn’t help but roar with laughter, “Hahaha! If you’re going to do that, I wouldn’t mind living off you.”

Actually, he didn’t care if he went bankrupt. He was doing everything to verify his guess anyway. If he was able to royally scam his neighbours while blaming someone else for it, he wanted to see how the administrator would evaluate his performance.

“NO! That’s the wrong answer!” Dori grumbled before pinching him as hard as she could. “You’re already a seasoned baddie... You should be trying to bribe me to keep your secret! Or... You could capture me and pin me down to prevent me from spreading the news...”

“Huh? Are you going to report me?!”

“NO! That’s the wrong answer again!” Dori pulled a long face and started grumbling, “Who the hell would care about those stupid old men and women in the inner city whose necks are probably strained from raising their heads too high?!”

Speaking of which...

He did the same thing yesterday! I already made it so obvious though...

Lowering her head, Dori bit her lips and her face flushed red. “Right.. I think... My arms feels much better than before.”

A relieved look appeared on Ample Time’s face as he sighed, “That’s great.”

Raising her head suddenly, her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Right, so can we...”

“No.” Ample Time stared at her shining eyes and he pinched her cheeks. He turned serious as he explained, “I don’t want you to do the surgery a second time. You better take these two weeks to recover. Don’t overthink it anyway. I’m not the type of guy who can’t wait for some time.”

With her thoughts spoken out loud, Dori immediately flushed red. She stared at him without even blinking and grunted, “Am I really so weak?!”

“It has nothing to do with whether you’re weak or not. You shouldn’t let me worry all the time...” Ample Time sighed.

If players like him underwent surgery, they wouldn’t feel the slightest pain. They used anesthesia so they wouldn’t scare the doctor, not because they needed it. However, things were different for NPCs.

When he recalled her face when she was lying on the operating theater the other day, he felt pain shooting through his heart.

Even if the medical technique of the wasteland was many times more advanced than on Earth, they were still cutting her.

Before he found a way to store her consciousness, all he wanted was for her to live happily and in good health.

After grunting softly twice, Dori no longer spoke. She simply pouted as she dug her way deeper into his arms while resting her head on his chest.

She was someone easily content... According to her, speaking words that would embarrass her once in a while was so that Ample Time wouldn’t be charmed by those bitches out there.

Whatever it was... As long as he wasn’t tired of her, she was happy.

Speaking of which... She felt extremely lucky that they could just feel each other’s warmth. There was no need for anything too extreme.

...

Back on Wasteland Online’s official website.

Like what Ample Time predicted, the important headlines on Survivor’s Daily appeared on the announcements page.

Without a doubt, Lifestyle Profession players were the most fired up.

Someone did the math. Just the new bidding for projects related to Daybreak City amounted to a staggering budget of 300 million silver coins!

And it wasn’t just about the money, it sent a huge signal! Soon, not only Daybreak City, but also Dawn City, Falling Leaves City, and the departments of the New Alliance would be ramping up investment!

It was visible to the naked eye. Far from hurting the New Alliance economy, the war had actually made the New Alliance richer!

The respected Administrator had no interest in luxury and hadn’t forgotten his original mission. Just like when he founded the New Alliance, he still intended to share all the spoils with those who supported him!

Tail: GIAO! 1,000 buildings incoming?! NPC count’s going up!

Sisi: Yay, our New Alliance is getting livelier... The next expansion will be in the South, right? Please say yes. (ᵕ • ᴗ •)

Sword Execution: Lifestyle Profession players are going to grow stronger now!

Escaping Mole: So... Building towers, huh? Got it! This version’s answer is how we’re going to scam everyone for their money!

Lightning Professor Yang: Please let me in, I’m begging you. T-T

Spring Water Commander: Damn, am I gonna be out of a job?! TAT

Garbage: Let’s head south! Join us on the southern march!

Mosquito: Gahaha, they’ll all fall beneath our scythes of profit!

Yaya: WUUUUUUUUU! The age of Lifestyle Professions players has finally arrived! Feels like I’ve been background noise for ages. QWQ

Night Ten: Hahaha, so here’s the real question... Do you think Boss Yaya knows how to build roads or houses? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Yaya: I...! What the hell?! Can’t I pick mushrooms?!

Teng Teng: Don’t make fun of Yaya! The rubber mushroom was her find, it’s super useful!

Night Ten: I was just joking!

Pineapple Jiujiu: Bro, you can’t just coast like that! Learn from your awesome buddies.

Old White: Hahaha, learn from that Ample Time guy. He’s young and capable, I gotta admit! Me and Gale are practically antiques now. (¬_¬")

Gale: Oh please. You’re the only old man here. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Makka Pakka: Hahahaha! Night Ten ran away! HAHAHAH! Loser!

Escaping Mole: Speaking of which, where’s Ample Time? Fun stuff like this and he’s not making a peep?

Irene: Who knows, the guy is probably already in-game by now. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

1. SB = chinese insult used on dumbasses ☜