Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 257 Making a Decision

Xu Xiaoyan was stunned for a moment, her mouth slightly open. She was completely confused, her mind a complete mess.

What happened?

When the "young master of a certain family" was mentioned before, this older sister implied that a "generous gift" was needed, but at least she didn't stop him, and even tacitly acknowledged the "existence" of that road.

Why was it that when it came to Director Chen, who sounded more "formal" and seemed to have higher authority, he was directly, decisively, and even somewhat harshly stopped?

That doesn't make sense!

Is Director Chen more difficult to deal with? More dangerous than that "young master"?

She looked at the female clerk with a puzzled expression, her eyes filled with a huge question mark and a sudden surge of vigilance.

She didn't ask any more questions rashly, but instead expressed her confusion and eagerness for an explanation with her eyes.

The female clerk did not explain immediately; her lips were pressed into a thin line, as if she was weighing something.

Then, she made a move that surprised Xu Xiaoyan even more, and could almost be described as "abrupt".

She swiftly snatched the approval slip from Xu Xiaoyan's hand, who was still somewhat dazed and whose fingers were slightly loosening!

Her movements were fluid, carrying an undeniable decisiveness, as if this was the most important thing for her to do right now.

"Come here." Her tone changed; it was no longer a tone of negotiation or explanation, but rather one of decisiveness that left no room for refusal and a sense of urgency.

She waved to Xu Xiaoyan, signaling her to follow, then turned and walked towards a small card-swipe door on the side of the service window that led to the internal office area.

Xu Xiaoyan hesitated for a moment, then her heart skipped a beat.

The approval slip has been taken!

But as she looked at the female clerk's back and profile, she saw no malice on her face, only a tense seriousness, as if she were eager to deal with something.

The other person's previous goodwill and the stern warning just now intertwined, creating a strange pull between trust and unease, and she subconsciously did as she was told.

With a soft "beep," the female clerk swiped her card to open the small door.

Inside, it's a completely different scene:

The space is divided into small cubicles by neatly arranged light gray office partitions, each equipped with a computer, file rack, and some personal items.

This is the "back area" for the management office staff.

The female clerk led her to a workstation on the inside and pointed to a slightly worn swivel chair prepared for visitors opposite her, telling her to "sit down."

Xu Xiaoyan sat down as instructed, but her heart was even more pounding.

She sat up straight, her hands unconsciously clasped together on her lap, her eyes still fixed on the approval slip in the other person's hand.

The female clerk sat down in front of her computer and skillfully placed the approval slip under a flat scanning device next to the keyboard.

With a crisper "beep," a red light swept across the paper, and the approval information was entered into the system.

Her hands immediately began typing rapidly on the keyboard, her movements fluid and swift, displaying a well-trained dexterity.

On the screen, windows kept switching, and various tables and dialog boxes with complicated titles popped up and closed, emitting a soft "ding-dong" or "buzzing" notification sound.

She was completely absorbed in the process, her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes fixed intently on the screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

This was clearly a routine official business, but the speed and smooth operation revealed something unusual... an urgency.

It's like they're trying to finalize things before something happens.

Xu Xiaoyan sat opposite, her heart pounding with anxiety. What on earth was going on?

Weren't we just talking about Director Chen and the upgrade of permissions?

Why are you suddenly engrossed in operating the system?

What are we doing?

register?

Only two or three minutes later, the female clerk pressed the last Enter key, and the laser printer next to her immediately started buzzing and making rhythmic printing sounds.

Soon, a sheet of A4 paper, still slightly warm and emitting a faint smell of ink, was expelled.

She picked up the paper, didn't even look at it carefully, turned around, and handed it directly to Xu Xiaoyan on the table.

"Here, sign your name." Her tone regained a certain calm.

But beneath that calm lies a decisiveness that says "things are settled" and "no need to say anything more," even carrying a sense of unquestionable dissent.

Filled with doubt, Xu Xiaoyan looked down at the paper.

At the top of the paper, bold black characters clearly read "Confirmation of Designated Operation of Featured Convenience Catering Service Vehicle in Area C and Vehicle Requisition Form".

Her name, ID number, approval slip number, and other basic information have already been filled in the table below.

In the "Operating Area and Location" section, the options printed out by the system are clearly the "3rd, 7th, and 11th Convenience Service Locations" that are clearly marked in black and white on the approval slip.

The corresponding, more specific parking space number and an "Estimated vehicle allocation time: within three working days" are also attached.

What's going on?!

Xu Xiaoyan was so surprised she almost jumped off her chair!

She looked up abruptly, staring incredulously at the clerk who had been patiently explaining things before, but was now making decisions for her almost "arbitrarily."

What is this?

Without her consent, or even asking her, "Are you satisfied with operating at a fixed location? Would you like to try applying for full-area or cross-area permissions?"

Why not just print out the "designated business" confirmation form, put it in front of her, and have her sign it?

Is this a forceful arrangement made "for your own good," or a crude way of "getting rid of" someone?

Does she have free access to the entire C zone?

She had just been ignited by Li Xiaoli's information, and after weighing it herself, her ambition had risen to circulate throughout the entire B and C areas.

So casually, before she even had a chance to formally raise her hand, she was completely replaced and shut down by a "designated location confirmation form"?

There's not even room for bargaining or asking about the possibilities?

She opened her mouth, her throat dry, wanting to ask, "Why?"

I want to ask, "I haven't even said I only want a fixed location!"

I'd like to ask, "What exactly are the differences between 'all-region' and 'cross-region'?"

However, due to shock, confusion, and a hint of annoyance at being offended, she was unable to utter a clear sound for a moment, and just stared blankly at the confirmation slip that was still warm.

He suddenly looked up at the female clerk, his eyes filled with immense incomprehension, frustration at being ignored, and bewilderment.

Seeing Xu Xiaoyan's astonished and hesitant expression, the female clerk neither urged her nor offered an immediate explanation.

She simply watched Xu Xiaoyan quietly, observing the turbulent emotions in her eyes, and then she sighed deeply.

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the desk, and looked directly into Xu Xiaoyan's eyes across the narrow desk piled with documents and pen holders.

This time, her gaze was no longer peaceful or suggestive as before, but rather a mixture of admonition and even... Xu Xiaoyan seemed to catch a trace of indescribable... pity in it?

She lowered her voice and spoke slowly and clearly, in a volume that only the two of them could hear, saying "Miss".

She used a more intimate form of address, but her tone became more serious: "There are some things... I can't tell you in detail, and I can't say them."

She emphasized the word "cannot".

"The water here... is deeper and muddier than you imagine." She paused, as if giving Xu Xiaoyan time to process what she was saying.

Then she continued, her voice even softer, "If you believe me—" Her gaze was fixed on Xu Xiaoyan.

"Right here, check the information on this form, and if there are no problems, sign it."

Then take it, follow the flowchart on the back of the form, go to the warehouse and find the warehouse manager with the corresponding number to get your vehicle.

Once you've picked up the car, hurry up and prepare for your business. Take good care of those few fixed locations; at least they're clearly designated territory for you. Although they're small, they're safe and secure.

She paused, her tone becoming even more serious:

"Stop thinking about finding any higher-level channels or applying for 'all-region' or 'cross-region' status. Take my advice, those two paths..."

For you, it's not easy to walk, it's not just difficult, it's... impossible to walk.

Finally, her gaze lingered for a moment on Xu Xiaoyan's young face, which appeared somewhat pale with shock.

He paused particularly on her delicate eyebrows, her straight nose, and her lips that were slightly pursed due to nervousness.

Then, in a very low voice, but with an undeniable emphasis, she said, "Especially... you're a young and beautiful girl!!!"

These words struck Xu Xiaoyan unexpectedly.

It is no longer an implication or explicit statement about policies, authority, procedures, or gifts, but a blatant warning based on gender and appearance.

The unspoken, chilling meaning behind this statement.

Instantly, all her previous calculations and ambitions regarding "gift-giving," "building connections," and "getting things done in one step" were shrouded in an extremely dangerous and sordid shadow.

She suddenly understood the source of the clerk's sternness at that moment and the complex emotions in her eyes now.

The power wielded by that "unspeakable young master" and that "not recommended visitor" Director Chen may mean different "prices" for different people.

For a young girl with no connections but some good looks, the "price" would probably be far more than just a few bottles of wine or a few packs of cigarettes, and it would be something she could never afford.

The female clerk didn't say anything more.

She simply pushed a black pen on the table next to the confirmation form.

Then he leaned back, sat up straight again, and quietly looked at Xu Xiaoyan, waiting for her decision.

That look seemed to say:

All I can do is use this limited access to help you finalize the safest and most reliable route as soon as possible, so you can get the car and have a starting point.

Further up, the water is too deep, too murky, and too cold, especially for a young girl like you. If you get stuck, you might never get out.

Some doors may seem like shortcuts, but they are actually tiger's dens.