She never stopped exploring the concept of dimensional space. Jing Shu firmly believed that everything in this world couldn't be explained by science. If something couldn't be explained, then it only meant that current technology hadn't reached that level yet.
The third mission was divided into two phases. In the first, Monk burned both his arms to obtain the cauldron. The charred skin was still thick with the scent of medicinal salve. He earned ninety percent of the total contribution points for that sacrifice, while the rest shared the remaining ten. The second phase took place at Rhine Manor, where the formula was secured from the tower. The credit for that was split evenly among Priest, Xiao Hei, and Monk.
As for materials, anything acquired without the involvement of Priest and Xiao Hei, such as auctioned or surrendered supplies, would be divided equally among the rest of the team.
"The last mission's contribution points will be distributed after evaluation once we're back home," Yang Yang said. "Everything from before is already settled, so now we just need to clear up the remaining balances."
He turned to look at Jing Shu. A troubled expression crossed his face as he stared at his notes. This report was going to be a nightmare to submit. What would the higher-ups think when they saw it? Where did all the contribution points go? For food? Cigarettes? A luxury lifestyle?
Out of everyone who had gone on multiple missions, Jing Shu was the only one who had managed to turn her daily expenditure of contribution points into a walking convenience store. She hadn't somehow created a full-service, all-purpose logistics system. Everyone spent tens, hundreds, or even thousands of contribution points a day on her.
She had everything: medicine, food, and daily necessities. Whatever anyone needed, she had it ready. She was literally a moving store that could satisfy anyone's needs at any time, even in a crisis.
Jing Shu would always bring along Xiao Dou and a massive pack. It was filled with fresh green onions, crisp lettuce, and fragrant cilantro. As long as you needed it, she could whip up egg fried rice, seafood egg custard, or even a pack of premium bone broth instant noodles. It cost fifty contribution points, and another fifty if you wanted an egg added.
Later, she even launched discount meals. There was the 88-point spicy hotpot that wasn't too spicy and wasn't too hot, but the oily fragrance was unforgettable. She also offered grilled ham, air-dried shredded beef, and other delicacies that made everyone's mouths water as the steam rose.
Of course, you could also skip the menu and pay a lump sum—128 or 648 points—to get a full-day or weekly meal plan. Jing Shu ate, and then you ate. Full meals were guaranteed. The picky eaters, Zhen Nantian and Ling Ling, immediately subscribed to the 648 plan. They followed Jing Shu's lead, eating three different meals a day. Each one was balanced with meat, veggies, and hot soup. Thanks to her, Ling Ling was literally glowing with health, her skin clear despite the stress.
And it wasn't just food. Jing Shu's attention to quality of life was nearly perfect. No clothes? No blankets? No tissue? If you were feeling cold, hot, sick, or craving a smoke, a drink, or a cup of coffee, she had the solution as long as you had contribution points. Forget paying 998 or 338; her life package cost only 199 points. If you recharged 1,000, she would throw in a 100-point bonus.
Yang Yang drummed his fingers on the table. He stared at Zhen Nantian's account, which was full of odd figures: -648, -199, -1000+100... His head hurt just looking at the columns. How was he supposed to explain this to the superiors? He couldn't just say their elite squad was running promotional deals like "Recharge 1000, get 100 free."
In the end, Yang Yang sighed. "Mirror, excluding the third mission's pending contribution points, you have got twenty-eight thousand now. Once you hit thirty thousand, you can apply for the Elite title, which is straight-up Class A."
He paused, then added, "When we're back, the state will reassess your rank. But tell me honestly, do you want a higher score or just a regular one?"
Jing Shu glanced at Zhen Nantian. He gave a slight nod. It looked like he had told Yang Yang about the dimensional object she possessed.
The others didn't seem to notice anything strange. That meant they probably didn't know about the dimensional space at all. That also implied something else: Yang Yang did know. Maybe he even had his own dimensional artifact. Otherwise, Jing Shu couldn't figure out how he had been evaluated as an A+.
His meaning was clear: did she want to keep her abilities hidden, or reveal them for a higher rating?
After a moment's thought, Jing Shu decided it wasn't worth it. She didn't fully understand this dimensional stuff anyway. If exposing her space was the price, she would rather stay ignorant. From her perspective, neither Zhen Nantian, Yang Yang, nor even that so-called Fourth Dimension seemed all that miraculous. They certainly weren't a match for her Rubik's Cube Space. Its uniqueness was best left as a mystery.
"Let's just go with whatever the country already knows," she said calmly. She wouldn't show off her true strength.
Yang Yang nodded. "In that case, once your contribution points and evaluation are finalized, you will probably fall around A- or A. That's already national-level elite territory."
He continued with the accounting and summaries. Even Zhen Nantian, who burned through contribution points like water, still had over ten thousand left. That didn't count the third mission's pending rewards. Everyone had earned big this time.
Meanwhile, Jing Shu closed her eyes. She focused on organizing the third mission's loot. She had brought back a lot from Rhine Manor. Her space was so packed that she had to rearrange everything carefully to maximize every bit of storage. After hours of mental sorting, she finally freed up a few more cubic meters.
She felt incredibly satisfied. Over five hundred cubic meters were filled to the brim with resources: energy, gourmet food, grain, live poultry, sea creatures, and land beasts. There weren't many species yet, but for someone who had once survived on rotten food, this was heaven.
Her next goal was to expand her collection. She wanted to fill her space with every species she could find, from the land to the skies, and stock up for the harsh days to come.
Finally, they arrived at the capital. The moment the wheels touched the runway, Jing Shu patted her chest in relief. Safe. They were finally safe.
Motherland, we're home! There would be no more threats from the American bastards!
Boom rumble!
The familiar roar greeted them the moment they landed. The capital still trembled three times a day. Thunder cracked and lightning flashed across the dark clouds like clockwork.
China's complex terrain meant it suffered more disasters than anywhere else, but the people had already started to find patterns in the chaos.
"Send Hao Yunlai, Monkey, and Monk to the government hospital first," Yang Yang ordered. "We will rest for two days, then report to the Special Intelligence Division for reassessment before heading back to Wu City."
That was the plan. Reality, though, went differently. Jing Shu called home first, letting her parents know she would be back in a few days. Then she promptly collapsed into deep sleep. Two straight days of unconscious rest followed; her body finally gave in after staying wound tight for so long.
When she woke up, a group of people in white coats were playing cards right in front of her. Xiao Dou stood guard by the bed like a protective mother hen, her feathers ruffled.
She blinked and looked around. She realized she was still on Qian Duoduo's plane, the cabin quiet except for the quiet murmur of the card game. Everything checked out.