Global Shelter Game

Chapter 225: Chapter 201: Diplomacy

Jack nodded, a flash of determination in his eyes. "I will give my all to the shelter."

With Jack on board, Zhou Mei was very pleased with the outcome of the recruitment drive.

She believed that the addition of Leo and Jack would be a tremendous help to the shelter.

After recruiting Jack, Zhou Mei and her team continued their efforts in Little Oasis, while also keeping a close watch on the settlement’s activities.

They noticed that while Little Oasis appeared prosperous on the surface, there was a hidden undercurrent at play. Various factions were active here, their paths crossing as they all seemed to be searching for something.

Zhou Mei realized these unidentified individuals could threaten the stability of Little Oasis. If she could uncover their secrets, it might also present an opportunity for her own shelter.

So, she decided to conduct some surveillance alongside her recruitment efforts to uncover the true purpose of these mysterious figures.

「A few days later」

At a market in Little Oasis, Zhou Mei and her team noticed a merchant who was acting rather suspiciously.

The merchant was selling ordinary goods, but his eyes were constantly darting around as if he were looking for something. He also seemed unusually wary of his surroundings.

Zhou Mei decided to approach the merchant and try to get some information out of him.

She instructed her team to remain on alert at the market while she quietly approached the merchant herself.

"Hello," Zhou Mei said, feigning the interest of a customer. "You have some interesting items here. Can you tell me where they’re from?"

The merchant glanced at Zhou Mei. A flicker of wariness crossed his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. "Oh, I brought all this in from out of town. If you like anything, miss, I can give you a good price."

Zhou Mei noted the wariness in his eyes. ’I can’t press him directly,’ she thought. She changed the subject and started chatting with him about the current situation in Little Oasis.

As they talked, the merchant gradually let down his guard and began to speak about recent events in Little Oasis. He mentioned that things had indeed been a bit unusual lately; some outsiders were snooping around, asking questions as if they were looking for something important.

"Do you know what they’re looking for?" Zhou Mei asked tentatively.

The merchant shook his head. "I’m not really sure, but I’ve heard they’re very interested in the history of Little Oasis, especially things from before the Great Cataclysm."

A thought struck Zhou Mei. She realized these mysterious people might be connected to her own mission.

"Things from before the Great Cataclysm?" Zhou Mei feigned surprise. "That was hundreds of years ago. Why would they be looking into that?"

The merchant shrugged. "I don’t know. I just heard they’re particularly interested in some of the old ruins and documents."

’This must be related to the genetic engineering clues we’re searching for,’ Zhou Mei thought.

She decided to dig deeper and see if she could find more useful information.

"Thanks for the information," Zhou Mei said to the merchant with a smile. "I’ll buy a few of these. We can chat some more as you get them ready."

Seeing that Zhou Mei was a genuine customer, the merchant’s face broke into a smile. "Of course! Just let me know what you’d like, miss."

Zhou Mei picked out a few items and continued to make small talk with the merchant, hoping to glean more information.

Meanwhile, Bena was carrying out his own mission: establishing diplomatic relations.

The settlement with which the shelter had the most contact was October Town.

That was why Ye Yun hadn’t wasted time deliberating; he had chosen October Town as their first diplomatic partner.

As the closest settlement, October Town was the shelter’s primary hub for trade and information exchange. Their relationship had always been amicable.

As the shelter’s diplomatic envoy, Bena shouldered an important mission.

He knew that establishing formal diplomatic relations with October Town would be crucial for the shelter’s development.

He had therefore prepared thoroughly to ensure he could secure an agreement.

On the way to October Town, Bena went over his negotiation strategy again and again.

He knew the mayor of October Town was a man who cared deeply about practical benefits. Empty promises wouldn’t be enough to persuade him.

Therefore, Bena decided to focus on three key areas: the shelter’s strength, its resources, and its future prospects, planning to present their advantages in detail.

Upon arriving in October Town, Bena immediately requested a meeting with the mayor and expressed his wish to establish formal diplomatic relations.

The mayor, a shrewd middle-aged man, was extremely cautious regarding Bena’s proposal.

"Mr. Bena," the mayor said, sitting behind his desk and looking at him, "October Town and your shelter have always maintained a good working relationship, but I have to consider the interests of my own town."

Bena nodded, understanding the mayor’s apprehension. "Mayor, I understand your concerns. But please allow me to present the advantages our shelter can offer."

Bena then went into detail about the shelter’s resources, strength, and future prospects, emphasizing the long-term, mutual benefits that would come from establishing formal diplomatic ties.

As the mayor listened to Bena’s presentation, his expression grew visibly more interested.

He began to realize that a formal relationship with the shelter could be just as significant for the development of October Town.

"Bena, your shelter’s strength and resources are indeed impressive," the mayor said after a moment’s thought. "But I still need to think it over. After all, this concerns the long-term development of my town."

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