I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Incarnation of the Wind, at Your Demolition Service

 

Possibly due to the very cool weather, it is very suitable for outdoor activities. The number of people coming to the café is relatively less than last Saturday. According to Ouyang Xue’s investigation, the flow of customers in the café is to some extent proportional to the severity of the weather outside.

 

For example, on sunny days like the ones a few days ago, there are a lot of people coming to the store. Some of these people intentionally come from far away after seeing the advertisement to try something new. Some are tourists in the vicinity, such as going to the Blue Sea Silver Sands to play in the water, or going to the Shenzhen River to ride a boat for fishing, or visiting the historical museum “Shenzhen Cruiser.” Others may be wandering in the small forest near Nanqi Tower. After playing tired, feeling thirsty under the scorching sun, unable to bear it, they discover the café as a place that “provides free air conditioning” and choose to come in to take a look.

 

I used to think that there were not many customers of this kind, but Ouyang Xue forcibly proved to me that anything is possible by advertising near tourist attractions. Ouyang Xue has almost won over the administrators of all the tourist areas nearby. Advertisements for the café can be seen in almost all areas where human activities take place—such as the entrances to the small lawns near the Shenzhen River, the ticket gates for the Shenzhen Cruiser, the entrance to the beach near Nanqi Tower, and the coconut trees at the Blue Sea Silver Sands…

 

In these places, Ouyang Xue has posted a map of the café, detailing how to walk from here to the café. It briefly introduces the various foods and drinks currently being sold at the café, emphasizing the word “free” and leaving a contact phone number.

 

Free water and drinks—whether it’s bottled water or plum juice, it’s all free to drink once you come in.

Free air conditioning and WiFi—open 24 hours, you can use them for as long as you want.

Free maid service and cat cuddling service—there are many cute maids and cats in the café.

 

With such publicity, all the tired tourists nearby, or those who don’t know where to go next, naturally develop a strong interest in the Shangjing Cat Cafe when they see the advertisement. Naturally, they will follow the markings on the billboard and come to the café to explore.

 

Now, with the development of the gaming industry, everyone knows that free games are the most expensive, but they may not realize that a free café also requires spending money. As long as those customers enter the café, unless they have thick enough skin, they will inevitably end up spending money in the environment of the café. Even if they don’t buy food or drink tea, and are not willing to spend money on the maids in the café, when they see the cute little cats and play with them, they will inevitably have the thought of “the environment here is so good, making me happy, I’ll buy some cat snacks to support them,” and then the idea of spending money becomes unstoppable.

 

Now, with the temperature dropping in Shenzhen City, the appeal of “air conditioning” for nearby tourists is not as significant, and consequently, the number of customers coming to the shop has decreased.

 

Although I am happy about the cooling down, the fact that this weather is due to the arrival of a typhoon makes me feel somewhat uneasy. Regardless of the typhoon’s level, if it directly passes through the city, it will definitely cause some degree of damage, and there may even be casualties among the city residents. Once a coastal city encounters a typhoon that comes directly from the sea, triggering a tsunami is inevitable, making it difficult to ensure the safety of coastal residents and various public properties.

 

For instance, the tourist attraction Blue Sea Silver Sands that I and Yin Xiamo visited before had many shops along the shore, with several directly situated on the beach. When a typhoon comes, these shops will undoubtedly be submerged, and they must complete all evacuation work within these two days.

 

“It’s really uncomfortable, another typhoon is coming. This typhoon seems particularly terrifying, but fortunately, we detected it in advance.”

“Yeah, last time the typhoon came about two days ago. That typhoon only grazed us a bit, but it destroyed two cargo ships, and two people died in the city.”

“I remember, there was someone delivering food at that time, didn’t wear a helmet properly, and a tree blown down crushed him. That’s how he lost his life.”

“Sigh… Shenzhen City has good scenery, but it can’t withstand typhoons every year, especially this year’s, which seems too massive. It is said that the maximum wind force can lift cars…”

 

Just changed into maid outfits with Yin Xiamo and came out of the bathroom. When we returned to the first floor, the news playing on the LCD screen at the top of the central hall caught my attention:

 

“Typhoon ‘Orchid’ is currently moving southward towards the South China Sea of Shenzhen City at a speed of 28 to 30 kilometers per hour. The intensity is relatively stable or slightly increasing. It is expected to make landfall near Nanqi Bay in Shenzhen City in two days. All universities and employers are advised to adjust their holidays…”

 

“The current meteorological bureau has upgraded the disaster level from orange to red. From midnight to 18:00 on May 20, Shenzhen City’s New West District, Canjing District, and Dadong District will experience winds of level 8 to 10. The Shuiming District, Central District, and Gongjian District will experience winds of level 9 to 10. The Rongyao District, Pumpkin District, and Honor District will experience level 11 winds. The Shenzhen Department of Natural Resources has issued a tsunami warning…”

 

“Shenzhen City issues a red rainstorm warning.”

 

Oh my, is it really going to hit directly?

 

The weather forecast on the LCD screen made me feel a bit frightened. Rongyao District, Nanqi District, and Honor District will experience strong winds at level 11. What does a level 11 wind mean?

 

The speed of a level 11 storm is over 100 kilometers per hour, close to the speed of a high-speed train. Whenever it hits the land, there will be significant losses—especially at the docks, where moored ships, especially small boats and motorboats, are bound to encounter trouble. Buildings will surely be destroyed, and even things like coconut trees and green vegetation will likely be uprooted and blown away.

 

In other words… these newly planted coconut trees at the entrance of the café won’t withstand a level 11 wind without firmly anchoring their roots. At that time, they’ll probably be blown who knows where.

 

Moreover, such a terrifying storm will definitely generate huge waves in Nanqi Harbor, causing a sizable tsunami.

 

Tsunamis, typhoons, storms… with this heap of natural disasters stacking up, if we leave the cats in the café, they will definitely be in danger. Even if we assign someone to guard them, it’s useless. Cats don’t follow commands like dogs. Any significant noise will startle them, and they’ll scatter in all directions. If, at that moment, a large tree or something similar flies over and smashes through the café’s windows, and the frightened cats run out, the situation would likely be grim.

 

Don’t even mention the cats, under the level 11 super typhoon winds, it’s questionable whether the café’s structure, primarily focused on being cute like a mushroom house, can withstand it.

 

The café is a crucial part of the construction in the Nanqi District and the future construction of the cross-sea bridge. Once this area, including the commercial street behind it, is damaged, the plan Su Yunjin mentioned earlier to “revitalize the economy of the Nanqi District” will probably be in jeopardy.

 

It can be said that the direction of the typhoon’s movement is crucial this time. Natural disasters are still unknown to humans at present. For a phenomenon like a typhoon, even with the most sophisticated calculators, we cannot predict its final destination or whether its wind force will remain the same or decrease in two days. Nevertheless, we must prepare for the worst—just in case it maintains its current strength, speed, and direction. In that case, Shenzhen City in two days is likely to face a catastrophe.

 

“Level 11 winds… it’s really terrifying, isn’t it?”

“I remember the last typhoon that caused schools to close was around 2018, right? The heavy rain even flooded the subway.”

“Do you think this café will be okay? It’s rare to find a café I like so much.”

“It’s probably touch and go. I have a feeling that in the next two days, they’ll at least move the cats away…”

 

Amidst the discussions of several customers below the LCD screen, I saw Ouyang Xue coming back from outside. This woman, whose face had already improved significantly compared to before in the hospital, first glanced at the big screen and then walked over to me and Yin Xiamo.

 

“The meteorological bureau predicts level 11 winds. It’s too terrifying. After the wedding ceremony for your two friends this afternoon, we’ll work overtime and send the cats away first.”

 

“Send them where?”

 

I looked toward the living area where a few cats were lazily lying around, completely unaware that disaster was approaching and still playfully exposing their bellies.

 

“As for our café…”

 

Ouyang Xue’s mention of “working overtime” didn’t really have that meaning for me. After all, the regular working hours for Yin Xiamo and me were from 8 in the morning until midnight. However, these days, we’ve been leaving around 8 or 9 in the evening, so even if Ouyang Xue asked us to help with moving the cats until midnight, it was still within our agreed-upon working hours.

 

I just didn’t expect Ouyang Xue to be so decisive. Since the typhoon is currently just under a warning, usually, it’s possible to wait until tomorrow night to see if there’s a need for evacuation. However, she chose to move the cats two days in advance.

 

“This kind of typhoon is considered a once-in-fifty-years event. It’s our bad luck. Let’s prioritize the cats for now.”

 

During Ouyang Xue’s talk, Dingman, in the cat living area, seemed to think I called it when I glanced in that direction. It quickly stood up from its lazy belly-exposing position, stretched its front paws in a lazy stretch, arched its body, and trotted over. It rubbed against my ankles, wrapped in snowy white stockings.

 

I crouched down and picked up Dingman.

 

Quite heavy…

 

“We’ll move the cats tonight, close the café tomorrow, and move the main equipment out of the café.”

 

Ouyang Xue reached out and scratched Dingman’s chin. “No other choice, we can only do this for now. This typhoon came too suddenly and disrupted all our plans.”

 

“Don’t typhoons usually change direction?”

 

Yin Xiamo stepped forward, “Isn’t it still uncertain where it will make landfall?”

 

“Typhoons do often change direction, and the wind force probably won’t be as strong in two days as it is now. But I can’t take the risk with so many cats here.”

 

Ouyang Xue shook her head and said firmly, “In that case, you two go back to work. I’ll contact Tongmeng Net and the city leaders to see if they have any better solutions.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Watching Ouyang Xue ascend to the second floor, I lifted Dingman’s head from my arms and rubbed it vigorously in my hands. Then, I placed this large fellow, weighing about half of me, on the floor and skillfully used a lint roller to remove the cat hair from its body.

 

“Are you really going?” Even though I didn’t look at Xiamo’s expression at this moment, I could roughly guess her thoughts.

 

I’ve known for a long time that Yin Xiamo, as the “Grim Reaper,” must have formidable abilities. However, I have no idea of the extent of her power.

 

So far, the abilities she has shown me include spatial traversal, resurrecting the dead, transforming an uncle into a loli, and harvesting the life span of a dandy for twenty years.

 

Xiamo once mentioned that in this world, nuclear bombs are equivalent to the “highest-level magic” in another world, but she didn’t specify what level of magician she is herself.

 

But since she could defeat the then-world’s strongest “Demon King,” logically, this “Miss Grim Reaper” should also have formidable magical abilities—though I haven’t witnessed them. Anyway, resisting a typhoon head-on is just… beyond the scope of my little brain to contemplate.

 

“The thing should be under global satellite surveillance now. Intercepting it directly would be too conspicuous, and it would indeed require quite a bit of magical power. I might even need to tap into the ‘Divine Realm.'”

 

Facing my inquiry, Yin Xiamo neither confirmed nor denied, “But if I just make it change direction, that would be quite easy.”

 

“Change direction?” I looked up, “Is that something you can actually do?”

 

“Yes, I can either consume the typhoon directly or make it change course. The first option is more secure but might make the scientists in this world misunderstand, while the latter is less noticeable. However, because I won’t completely consume it, the remnants might still make landfall in another place.”

 

Yin Xiamo had a playful look, “How about letting Nuo’er decide? Should it turn upwards or downwards? North or south?”

 

My lips twitched, “Are you really planning to cause a stir? Is there any difference between the two?”

 

“It doesn’t matter to us. As long as it stays away from Shenzhen City,” Yin Xiamo replied, hands on her hips. “If it turns downwards, it will pass through numerous archipelagos. If it turns upwards, it will land in an island nation. While we can make this behemoth retrace its steps, the trajectory would be too bizarre. I’m afraid the scientists here would start believing in Jesus after seeing that.”

 

“Then you choose, it’s up or down…”

 

Saying that, I added, “Doing this won’t pose any danger to you, right?”

 

Yin Xiamo smirked, “What’s this, little kitty is worried about me?”

 

She displayed a proud smile, “Of course, there is some risk. It will consume my magical power, but this magical power can be replenished with a little kiss from Nuo’er!”

 

While speaking, the elf-like girl approached me, “Quick, give me a little kiss, then there won’t be any danger.”

 

“Be serious!”

 

I held Yin Xiamo’s shoulders with both hands, “I need you to be serious, focused, and rigorous. You can’t hesitate in your answer. If I let you go this time, will there be any danger? Just answer yes or no.”

 

“……”

 

Facing my serious gaze, Yin Xiamo seemed to understand that I was genuinely concerned about her. After two seconds of silence, she shook her head, “No, this level of wind force poses no threat to me.”

 

“In another world, it only takes about ten or so top-level wind magic users chanting together for approximately ten minutes to generate a storm magic with a speed and scale similar to this. The Demon King could annihilate these magic users with just a snap of his fingers.”

 

Seemingly worried that I still didn’t grasp the situation, Yin Xiamo added, “And I, single-handedly, dealt with the Demon King.”

 

Since it was like that, I felt reassured.

 

“So, when do you plan to take action?”

 

Seeing that there weren’t many customers in the shop, I led Yin Xiamo to a table and chairs on the side, pretending to clean in a hygienic manner, “Shenzhen TV said this thing is flying towards us at a speed close to 30 kilometers per hour now, and it will arrive in Shenzhen in two days, which is 48 hours. The distance should be over a thousand kilometers. Can we make it?”

 

“I’ll pretend to eat a few sticks of spicy strips later, then ask Sister Ouyang for leave, claiming stomachache. The rest is up to you.”

 

Yin Xiamo added, “I’ll try to come back before Ye Zi’s wedding starts.”

 

So soon?!

 

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

 

It was now 8:30 in the morning. Assuming Xiao Mo and I casually worked for about ten minutes, she went to get and eat the spicy strips, then asked Ouyang Xue for leave—this process would probably take around ten minutes. So, she would set off around 9:00. Ye Zi and Jiang Wei’s wedding was scheduled to start at 2:30 in the afternoon, and we needed to clear the people at 2:00. If Yin Xiamo wanted to return by then…

 

From 9 a.m. to noon, it is three hours, plus 2 more hours in the afternoon, not counting the time spent “fighting” with the typhoon. If the round trip takes 5 hours, covering a total distance of over 3,000 kilometers, Xiao Mo’s speed would need to be at least 600 kilometers per hour. What kind of aircraft is this…

 

“If it’s not resolved by noon, the cats will be taken away in the evening. These little guys don’t like long journeys,” I remarked.

 

Yin Xiamo smiled, “Don’t worry, there’s enough time.”

 

“Hey, you two.”

 

As he spoke, the overseer, who was originally reinforcing the coconut trees outside, walked in. “It seems like there’s going to be a very strong typhoon here. Is Marisa’s Iron Butt okay?”

 

“Marisa’s Iron Butt?”

 

Hearing this term, I was also taken aback. “You know him too?”

 

“I’m also in his fan group. He’s getting married today, and a lot of fans will probably come in the afternoon.”

 

In a distinctive accent, the overseer continued, “But because I’ve been staying here these past few days and remembered there are trees planted here, I came over early to take a look. The construction workers said if it really is an 11-level wind later, those frames won’t be able to withstand it.”

 

“Turns out you’re also a fan of his.”

 

I pretended to be joking, “Come on, tell me, which other author’s fan groups are you in?”

 

“Many, over ninety. I don’t even remember them all. Some novels mention group benefits, so I join them. But then, I find out the benefits are a few girls who don’t even take off their dresses, so I just blocked the groups.”

 

The confident manner in which Xiongxiong spoke left me stunned, “Only a few groups are more serious, like your group where you can join voice chats to watch them play games and Marisa’s group where you can learn a lot of computer knowledge.”

 

Jiang Wei’s group?

 

Oh, he sells computers as his main job, and writing novels is a side job. It’s not surprising that there’s overlap in the fan bases of these two customer groups. People who buy computers from him might spend thousands on a ROG gaming setup with a large curved screen without knowing what to do with it. Jiang Wei can then recommend them to read his novels. On the other hand, readers who finish the latest chapters of Jiang Wei’s novels and don’t know what to do might be recommended to visit his computer store, and while browsing, they might inquire and end up buying a computer.

 

Well, it’s a win-win situation.

 

But I never expected that girls like Xiongxiong would also be interested in computers. Wasn’t she supposed to be the daughter of some chieftain or duke?

 

When Xiongxiong came here before, her blonde hair and fair skin initially made me think she might be a pure-blooded Caucasian from the Americas or Europe. However, during her days playing at Lake Shenzhen, her skin got tanned into this wheatish color, making me feel like… how should I put it, like a Latina.

 

Regardless, as someone who can travel directly with an ocean ship and doesn’t need to adhere to customs regulations, it’s clear that Xiongxiong’s identity is not simple. Perhaps that’s the reason she is reluctant to tell us her real name.

 

“By the way, I really suggest you two go out more, or take a trip during your vacation!”

 

Seeing both me and Xiamo not saying anything, Xiongxiong came closer, patting our shoulders in a hearty manner, “The Shenzhen Lake area here is very enjoyable, amigo, I really like it!”

 

What?

 

“Spanish, it means friend.”

 

While saying this, Xiongxiong took out a small microphone-like thing from the back of her shorts, “Alright, alright, you two don’t have to crouch outside. It’s so windy, come inside and have something to eat.”

 

After saying that, she turned to me and Xiamo with a mysterious look, “My bodyguard.”

 

A bodyguard!

 

“With a gun.”

 

Xiongxiong nodded, revealing a canine tooth, “A super assassin trained by the family, just like in the movies. They thought this mysterious Eastern continent would have sorcery and martial arts, worrying about my personal safety. Actually, it’s not that exaggerated. If there were sorcery here… that typhoon would probably change its course and fly north around noon today.”

 

Uh…

Well…

 

“Welcome!”

 

At this moment, the cafe’s door emitted the sound of a sensor, and two men with Western faces and wheatish skin walked in from outside.

 

“…”

 

After exchanging a few words in a language I couldn’t understand with Xiongxiong, these two men seemed dissatisfied with being called back by her, constantly signaling that they wanted to go out.

 

“There are no warriors here, don’t worry. Where would there be so much sorcery? The people here are all very friendly. I really like it here.”

 

Xiongxiong pointed to a nearby seat, “Sit down, take a look at the menu, and order something. My friend is getting married today, let’s celebrate a bit.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Seemingly wanting to say more, but ultimately, under Xiongxiong’s stern gaze, the two wheatish Westerners compromised and picked up the menu.

 

“Two steaks, two hamburgers, thanks… Thank you.”

 

Glancing casually at the menu, one of the “bodyguards,” looking like he had completed a mission, handed the menu to me.

 

“Okay, two steaks, two hamburgers.”

 

I casually scribbled a few lines on the menu, “What style of hamburger would you like?”

 

“Just the most expensive one here.”

 

Xiongxiong remarked casually, “They both love meat, no need for extra toppings, just more beef.”

 

“Got it.”

 

I added “Whopper Beef Burger” after “hamburger” and handed the list to the two guys.

 

“It will take about ten minutes, please wait.”

 

“I’ll have a cup of black coffee, no sugar!”

 

Xiongxiong raised her hand, and then as if remembering something, she asked, “Hey, can we order coffee here, or do we have to go upstairs?”

 

“The first floor can order all the dishes, but the second floor can only order drinks and desserts.”

 

I picked up the paper again, “Americano, right? Are you sure you don’t want sugar? It’s quite bitter.”

 

“No problem, don’t you have a saying, ‘Eat bitterness, become…’ become what?”

 

“Superior beings.”

 

I helped Xiongxiong complete her sentence, then wrote down the order and handed the hamburger list to Xiamo. “I’ll make the coffee.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Xiamo blinked at me, “I’ll go to Chef Wang first, then sneak to eat the spicy strips on the second floor.”

 

“Got it.”

 

Understanding her hint that the plan was starting, I nodded calmly, took the note and went upstairs, entered the work area, and then started looking for coffee grounds.

 

Soon, Xiamo also came upstairs. I quickly stopped her, “By the way, I have a request.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

While taking a pack of spicy strips from the snack cabinet next to her, the girl asked, “What request?”

 

I said seriously, “To prevent you from playing tricks like last time, I need you, Xiamo, to stay in contact with me during this time, preferably with video on.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Yin Xiamo was taken aback, “On the sea… there may not be a signal, you know?”

 

“Anyway, I want the video to be on. If there’s no signal, there’s no signal, but I hope to see you when there is one.”

 

While grinding coffee for Xiongxiong below, I said, “Is that okay?”

 

“Well… okay.”

 

Perhaps realizing that she was indeed at fault for the last “no-show,” Yin Xiamo nodded and took out her phone, “I’ll send you a video invitation then.”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Beep—”

 

The next moment, my phone inside the skirt received the video request from Yin Xiamo.

 

Accept.

 

“All right, I’m going to ask for leave from Sister Ouyang now.”

 

Holding her phone, Yin Xiamo waved to me, “See you in the afternoon!”

 

“Be careful…”

 

Although I knew that this time Yin Xiamo probably wouldn’t “disappear” again, I still took a few steps out with the coffee, feeling a bit worried, “If it doesn’t work out, just come back. I… I would rather you be safe than anything.”

 

“It’s okay, it’s just a small issue.”

 

The girl ran down the stairs with small steps, saying, “So moved, I didn’t expect to hold such a high position in Nuo’er’s heart.”

 

“I… I just don’t want someone to kick the bucket. I’d be left with no one to help with laundry tonight when I get home!”

 

Complaining, I returned to the worktable and continued grinding the coffee for Xiongxiong. Then I heated water and stirred.

 

A few minutes later, I plated the coffee and went downstairs.

 

Xiongxiong was still chatting with her two bodyguards. She happily raised her hand when she saw me approaching, “Such a rich aroma! Are the coffee beans here imported?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I placed the plate on the table and gestured to a few pieces of sugar and condensed milk beside the steaming coffee, “If you find it too bitter, you can add these.”

 

“It’s okay. I drink coffee without sugar in my hometown.”

 

While speaking, amidst the sound of footsteps, Yin Xiamo ran out from the nearby kitchen, rushing out of the café.

 

“Nuo’er.”

 

Following closely, Ouyang Xue also came out, “Do you want to take her to the hospital? Seems like she’s got a stomachache from eating something bad.”

 

“The same old problem.”

 

I quickly pretended to be very familiar with her situation and said, “Our home is nearby, and we have medicine. Taking some medicine and resting should be fine.”

 

“Well, alright then. Occasionally, call her to check on her, don’t make it as troublesome as I did before.”

 

Perhaps feeling that she didn’t have much authority to speak on such matters, Ouyang Xue sighed in helplessness. “Those spicy strips were specifically bought for Ai Luodi, extremely spicy. She insisted on eating them, and here we are.”

 

“I’ll mock her over the phone later.”

 

Seeing that Ouyang Xue didn’t have any suspicions, I walked upstairs with the tray and then took out my phone.

 

However, the scene on the video call left me stunned. Dressed in a maid outfit, Yin Xiamo had already dashed out into the ocean. I had no idea what magic she used, but her whole person seemed to create a terrifying wave in an uninhabited sea area, like a torpedo. The earsplitting sonic boom shook the phone continuously.

 

I quickly turned off the sound.

 

—Hopefully, this person is safe and sound.

 

“……”

 

……