Chapter 9: Triggered Quest

In front of the nursing home.

The two young men with peculiar postures saw Shen He standing there in a daze. Whatever crossed their minds, they both lowered their heads and placed their hands behind their backs.

Such expressions had never been lacking in their lives, whether intentional or unintentional. Like a thorn, it had pierced their hearts deeply, leaving them unable to recover for a long time.

This was why they had always stayed in the nursing home, unwilling to venture outside, unwilling to face the strange looks of others.

Director Liu Qing hurriedly called out, “Xiao Shan, Xiao He, hurry up and help move the things.”

He spoke to them just as he would to ordinary people.

Liu Qing explained, “Mr. Shen, don’t mind that they walk a bit oddly. They’re no different from anyone else and are very diligent. The elderly here are fond of them both.”

Shen He snapped out of his reverie and quickly replied, “No, Director, you misunderstand. I was merely lost in thought just now.”

“I heard you call them Xiao Shan and Xiao He?”

Liu Qing puffed out his chest and grinned, “These two lads insisted on taking my surname once they grew up. So I named them Liu Shan and Liu He. What’s two more sons to raise? I can manage, and they help me a lot.”

“As for those popular new media platforms lately—I don’t understand them, but it’s all their doing.”

Shen He nodded slightly and gave the two a friendly smile.

Their expressions finally brightened, and they followed Liu Qing, carrying the goods inside.

Entering Evergreen Pines Nursing Home, Shen He saw elderly folks basking in the sun in the courtyard. Two caregivers moved about, wiping drool for one, resolving disputes for others.

Though simple, the place was clean—the environment and the people alike.

It was clear the residents here truly cared.

Shen He followed Liu Qing, delivering his donations to the nursing home.

Before his eyes, lines of small red characters flashed:

[Warning! Warning! You have entered the range of a Tier-One Abyss, triggering a daily quest branch.]

[Explore the entirety of the Tier-One Abyss.]

[Daily Quest Two progress increased by 15%.]

[……]

Shen He’s eyes lit up instantly.

So Daily Quest Two had hidden trigger conditions.

Tier-One Abyss range.

Could it be this nursing home?

In the logs, besides mutated flora and fauna, there was another kind that emerged from the depths of the earth.

These became known in the future as “Abysses.”

Abysses were classified by the strength of the monsters that emerged from them.

This place being called a “Tier-One Abyss” meant that the monsters destined to emerge here would not be especially powerful.

And with a triggered quest like this, Daily Quest Two wouldn’t be so straightforward.

It seemed it wasn’t as simple as just strolling around the area.

After settling the donations, Shen He asked, “Director, could someone show me around the nursing home? I’d like to see how it differs from what’s shown online.”

Liu Qing replied, “Of course, I’ll have Xiao He accompany you.”

He turned to Liu He behind him. “Take Mr. Shen around, introduce him to our nursing home. I need to help Old Zhang buy some supplies, so I won’t be joining you.”

Liu He nodded, “Alright.”

Liu Qing nodded back, then smiled at Shen He. “Excuse me, Mr. Shen.”

Shen He nodded in return.

Liu Qing and Liu Shan left, soon climbing into a battered van and driving off.

Liu He began showing Shen He around the nursing home.

As they walked, Liu He skillfully described the current state of the home, the backgrounds of the residents, and their health conditions.

According to his account, there were over twenty elderly residents, most suffering from chronic illnesses.

Fortunately, Liu Qing ensured everyone had medical insurance. Otherwise, that alone would have drained a significant sum.

Each room was equipped with air conditioning, with caregivers adjusting the temperature in summer and winter.

There were regularly replaced supplies, and daily expenses.

Thus, there was no spare money for renovations; they could only strive to keep the place clean and sanitary.

As they strolled, a large yellow dog followed them like a bodyguard.

Shen He watched the progress of his quest tick steadily upward.

When the exploration of the Tier-One Abyss was finally completed, he stopped, sighing, “Director Liu must bear tremendous hardship keeping this nursing home afloat.”

Liu He nodded gravely, “It’s tough. More than once, I’ve seen him sitting in the courtyard late at night, smoking. He’s never liked smoking.”

Shen He crouched down to stroke the yellow dog’s head.

Before this little guy mutated, he’d better enjoy petting him while he could—eventually, he’d have petted a Tier-Four mutant dog.

He stood up and asked, “Does the home have a direct donation QR code?”

At this, Liu He’s face lit up with joy. “We do! Are you thinking of donating, Mr. Shen?”

Shen He nodded. “I’ll donate a little, accumulate some merit.”

Liu He grinned broadly, “Rest assured, Mr. Shen, all donations go directly to the elderly here. You’ll earn great merit, I promise.”

[Ping! Player has gained favor with Liu He, one of the Tier-Six Gemini.]

[Ping! Congratulations, player has successfully activated the Favorability Function.]

[Liu He: 60 (Friendly)]

[……]

Shen He was momentarily stunned.

He had interacted with quite a few future mutants—why was the favorability function activated only now? Was it the duration of contact?

And besides favorability, what other functions did this thing have?

Surely it couldn’t always rely on passive triggers?

Lost in thought, he found himself in the director’s office, the only relatively new item being a laminated QR code.

Liu He produced a register for Shen He to fill out.

Later, Liu He would record the details of Shen He’s donation and upload them to their online account.

Shen He scanned the code with his phone, considered for a moment, and donated thirty thousand yuan.

It was a good deed, a comfort to his heart.

Not a minute passed after his donation when Liu Qing called, the booming voice echoing through Liu He’s phone and filling the office.

“Xiao He, who donated thirty thousand to our nursing home?”

Liu He was stunned, then looked up at Shen He. “Mr. Shen, did you donate thirty thousand?”

Shen He smiled, “Just doing what little I can.”

He patted Liu He’s shoulder. “You’re all remarkable.”

Then he walked straight out of the office.

Liu He stood there, a bit dazed, but Liu Qing’s shouting quickly brought him back, and he hurried to report what had happened.

At the other end, Liu Qing took a deep drag of his cigarette. “Good, I’ll head back right away. Have Mr. Shen stay for dinner tonight.”

“Damn, first time we’ve received so much charity. I don’t have to sell this old van after all.”

Hearing this, Liu He rushed out of the office.

But by then, Shen He had already vanished from the nursing home, leaving only the big yellow dog, who looked up at him, wagging its tail incessantly.