Wind Chime
The city was surrounded by two layers of sand-proof walls. Even so, the inside of the city was still surrounded by yellow sand. The sand on the roads was up to half a meter thick, and a single step would leave a deep footprint. Very soon, the strong wind would blow the sand away and bury these footprints, leaving no trace behind.
Gray buildings were built one after another. These buildings looked quite old. Fortunately, when they were first built, they had reinforced the doors, windows, and walls to withstand the harsh local climate. The walls were made of reinforced concrete that was thirty centimeters thick, and the doors and windows were all double or even triple layered.
Xia Fei wrapped his head in a blanket as he walked along the narrow and dark streets of the city. From the outside, he looked like a nomad from the plains. The local people were all dressed in the same way, wrapping themselves in thick and heavy cloth, making it difficult to distinguish whether they were men or women.
There were not many people on the streets, and only a few pedestrians were making their way along the walls, avoiding the sand and wind. They all looked like they were in a hurry.
Following the instructions of the microcomputer, Xia Fei managed to find Wind Chime Bar.
The bar was located on a relatively wide road. The thick alloy door was shut tight, and there was an incomplete signboard hanging on the door. It was covered in a thick layer of yellow sand, making it impossible to read what was written on it.
The bar was bustling with noise. It was only noon, but many of the patrons were already gathered in the bar, talking and laughing loudly. Even standing outside, one could hear them clearly.
He pushed open the first door, which led to a porch. Xia Fei shook off the sand on his body and hung the blanket on a hanger before spitting on the ground. Despite the blanket's protection, Xia Feis mouth and nose were still filled with sand, and even the spit he spat out was yellow in color.
Lighting a Hongtashan, Xia Fei walked into the bar.
* Clang! *
The crisp sound of a bell rang, and everyone in the bar turned around to look at Xia Fei, a stranger. Their coarse faces were like rocks in the desert, rough and hard. Their eyes were turbid, and they were all wearing strange clothes. Some were only wearing a singlet, while others were wearing thick leather coats. It was hard to tell if they lived in the same season.
Xia Fei wrinkled his nose and found a corner to sit down. There were still leftovers from other customers on the solid wooden table. There was a piece of black bread, and there was some black substance mixed in with the green peas, which seemed to be burnt pork.
The patrons turned their heads and ignored Xia Fei, though they would still glance at him from time to time. Their voices were also clearly softer than before. It was obvious that this place was not frequented by outsiders.
A young man wearing an apron walked up to Xia Fei. Xia Fei guessed that the apron should have been white, but he could not find any white spots on it. The young man's face was as dirty as his apron, as if he had not washed it for a long time.
"What do you want to eat?" The young man asked with squinted eyes. His voice sounded weak as if he had not woken up yet. His attitude did not seem like he was serving Xia Fei but more like he was asking for a debt.
"What's there to eat?" Xia Fei asked.
The young man pouted. "There's only stewed peas and pork."
Xia Fei nodded slightly. Alright, I'll take this.
"Absinthe?"
"I don't drink."
Upon hearing that Xia Fei did not drink, there was a burst of laughter in the bar. On this desolate planet, there were very few men who did not drink unless they could not afford it. Therefore, Xia Fei, who did not drink, became the target of ridicule.
The young man left with a satisfied smile. Not long after, he returned with a glass of water and a plate of red food.
This plate of stewed peas and pork was clearly different from the previous one. There was a lot more red substance in it, and the spicy smell could be smelled from several meters away.
The young man with the apron and the patrons around them all stared at Xia Fei with ill intentions, as if they were all waiting for something.
"Right, I'm looking for Windchime," Xia Fei said.
The young man was slightly surprised. "Who are you? Looking for our big sis Windchime? "
Xia Fei used two fingers to hold the cigarette and flicked it lightly. The sparking cigarette hit the wall with a bang and instantly extinguished.
"Just say that I came from afar."
With that, Xia Fei scooped up a spoonful of stewed peas and pork and stuffed it into his mouth. After chewing a few times, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Not bad."
The young man was dumbfounded. This plate of peas contained at least two or three grams of the local specialty chilli peppers. Let alone a human, even a cow would have a hole in its stomach after eating so much chilli. However, Xia Fei was not only eating, but he was also taking big bites without any expression on his face. It was as if he could not feel the spiciness at all.
The patrons around them had strange expressions on their faces. They were originally waiting for Xia Fei to choke on the chilli, but Xia Fei's actions had them momentarily stunned. Every one of them had their mouths wide open, shocked beyond words.
Xia Fei ate very quickly, finishing the large plate of peas in two or three bites. He then used a piece of black bread to wipe off the chilli sauce at the bottom of the plate. Even though the food on the plate was not exquisite, it was not his habit to waste food.
Xia Fei wiped his hands clean and lit another cigarette. "Get Windchime to see me."
Only then did the young man return to his senses. He hurriedly put away the cutlery on the table and snuck out of the bar through the back door.
The patrons lowered their voices even more. Someone who could eat two or three grams of chilli peppers in one go was definitely no small fry. Most people would be crying for their parents the moment they tasted it.
Whether it was spicy or sweet, it was just a feeling. Mental ability users could use their ability to prevent these sensory signals from being transmitted to the brain, and Xia Fei, who had the psychic manipulation ability, was of course able to do so. Besides, Xia Fei had tried any edible food, no matter how unpalatable, during his one year on Heritage Planet. This bit of chilli was nothing to him.
About ten minutes later, a woman wrapped in a black cloth slowly walked in from the back door of the bar.
"Sis Windchime."
"Sis Windchime."
All the men in the bar greeted this woman. Regardless of their age, they all addressed her as Sis Windchime. It seemed that this woman had quite a reputation in the local area.
Xia Fei curiously sized her up. Windchime looked to be in her thirties. Her skin was tanned, and there was a red birthmark on the left side of her face. Her eyes were curved, and she looked like she was smiling even when she was not smiling.
Her figure, looks, and attire were all ordinary, and she had a very approachable temperament. Xia Fei knew that her ordinary smile was just a facade. If this woman did not have something extraordinary about her, there was no way she would have earned the respect of so many men.
Windchime glanced at Xia Fei. There seemed to be a hint of surprise in her eyes. She then looked out the window and softly said, "It's getting late. Let's close the bar."
"Yes." The young man wearing an apron and a bartender in his fifties hurriedly took out wooden planks from the corner of the bar and sealed the doors and windows from the outside.
The patrons all paid their bills and left. It was obvious from their expressions that they were somewhat displeased. After all, it was only noon, and it was too early for a bar to close. Of course, bars that opened in the morning were also very rare.
The patrons left resentfully, and the door to the bar was shut tight. The young man and bartender also tactfully left, leaving only Xia Fei and Windchime in the room.
Windchime sent her waiter off and bolted the back door before sitting across from Xia Fei.
Youre Xia Fei? Windchime asked, somewhat puzzled.
Xia Fei nodded. That's me.
Windchime's eyes turned into two crescent moons as she smiled. I didnt expect you to be so young.
Xia Fei smiled. I didnt expect Uncle Porters friend to be a woman, and one that has quite the temperament.
Windchime covered her mouth and giggled happily, letting out a tinkling laugh. Youre very good with words. Thats much better than that blockhead Porters.
There seemed to be some ambiguity in her words. Could this be Porters woman? Xia Fei thought suspiciously.
Lets get back to business. What exactly happened to Uncle Porters? Xia Fei asked with furrowed eyebrows.
The moment Old Porters name was mentioned, the smile on Windchime's face immediately disappeared, replaced by a faint sadness.
"Potter came here about a year ago," Windchime said. "I don't know why he came back here from the Alliance."
Back here? Xia Fei asked suspiciously.
Why? Old Porters didnt tell you anything about himself?
Xia Fei shook his head. Nope. I only know that hes been in the military before. Aside from that, I dont know anything.
"That's right. There used to be an Alliance patrol fleet that would patrol the Death Trio Star Region from the Alliance every year. Porter was the chief logistics officer of that fleet. Unfortunately, the Alliance has been paying less and less attention to us over the past few years. Even that fleet has been canceled," Windchime said as she reminisced.
The chief logistics officer of an Alliance special service fleet was not a low position, probably the third highest position in the fleet after the captain and chief of staff. It was true that Porters had been in the military when he was young, but he was no ordinary soldier.
However, why would he run off to the desolate warship graveyard to open a repair shop after leaving the military? To survive? Impossible. No matter how bad a soldier was, they would not have to worry about making a living. Old Porters must have his own special reasons for doing so.
Xia Fei thought about it and asked, When did Uncle Porters become the chief logistics officer of the special service fleet?
Windchime tilted her head and thought about it. Fifty-two years ago.
Xia Fei was not surprised. He already knew the connection between an ability rank and lifespan. Old Porters face looked to be in his seventies, so if he had been the chief logistics officer fifty years ago, he should be over a hundred by now. Xia Fei did not even dare to guess Windchime's age. She was friends with Porters, so she could not be young.
Did Uncle Porters ever say why he came back here? Xia Fei asked.
Windchime shook her head. Hes never mentioned it to me, but hes often come and go by himself in a hurry. Judging from his expression, he looks very disappointed every time he comes back. Recently, he called me to his side and gave me this thing.
With that, Windchime took out a golden disk from her spatial ring. This was the main body of the ancient communication system. Through it, messages could be sent no matter how far away they were.
What did he tell you? Xia Fei asked anxiously.
"He told me about you and told me that if he didn't come back in a month, I should use this to inform you."
"Tell me to come here?"
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