Welcome to the Wasteland - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Fifth Avenue

After getting struck by the .45 caliber hollow point bullet, the man’s fate was sealed. As Leila Fox screamed in alarm, Zhou Qingfeng understood that he had once again put himself in grave danger. He started the police car immediately. The engine rumbled loudly, and the car zoomed away.

In order to deal with the kidnapping case in the hospital, the police had already cordoned several streets nearby. Zhou Qingfeng drove away quickly. Within seconds, the car was shooting forward at a speed of over 100 kilometers per hour.

Outside the police cordon, the reporters and police were rooted in shock by the unexpected twist that unfolded right in front of their faces. Who could have thought that the seemingly peaceful situation would be shattered so soon?

What did the Commissioner say before he was shot dead?

What was the deal with that policeman who fled?

And why did Leila Fox run away with him?

Countless questions flooded the reporters’ minds. They quickly swarmed around Commissioner Bratton’s body. They began snapping photos of the bloody corpse in an almost maniacal way, and then they babbled into their camcorders like their lives were in danger. The cops nearby were a few paces slower. A long moment passed before someone remembered that they should be pursuing the criminal who killed the Commissioner.

However, Zhou Qingfeng had immediately found the parking lot of a building after driving past two to three neighborhoods and deftly drove the car inside. A police car had given him some trouble once. All police cars in New York came with electrical locks that could be locked remotely. He needed to change cars before the police could react.

Zhou Qingfeng set his sights on a Ferrari sports car. When the owner got out of the car, Zhou Qingfeng darted forward, knocked the owner unconscious with a punch to the head, hijacked the car, and fled. However, Leila Fox did not fall behind; she had also managed to slip inside the car.

“Oi! Miss Fox, what are you doing, tailing me all the time?” Zhou Qingfeng did not want to take a burden along. “Didn’t you see me kill the Commissioner? Tons of cops will be after me now. Don’t you feel it’s too dangerous to stay with me?”

“My gut tells me that I’ll be in worse danger if I don’t.” Leila Fox could not quite explain the reasons for her actions. She shrugged and said, “If my uncle can bribe Bratton, he can bribe a whole lot of other people. That’s why I can’t trust other people carelessly. Before I figure everything out, I’m not leaving your side. I have a feeling that you’re blessed with good fortune.”

‘Good fortune, your *ss!’ Zhou Qingfeng was tempted to list out every misfortune he had come across the past few days. Any one of those experiences would be extremely harrowing to the average person, yet he had stumbled into them one after the other.

“Do what you want. It’s your own decision.” The woman would either be killed by the policemen or disappear when the right time came. Zhou Qingfeng did not bother to pay much attention to a woman who was destined to vanish sooner or later. He reminded her, “Remember your promise. Find someone to enter the lab and haul out all the equipment and research materials for me.”

“Sure, no problem. Give me your phone. I think I still have some friends I can trust.” Leila Fox took a mobile phone from Zhou Qingfeng and dialed a number. “Oi! Butcher, I got out. It’s a bit complicated, though. I need you to do me a favor…”

By the time Leila finished doling out instructions, Zhou Qingfeng had already restarted the car. Piecing together the conversation he had overheard, the noblewoman seemed to be talking with a person she was extremely close with. He asked, “Why didn’t you just go to this friend of yours? Should be better than tagging along behind me.”

“Butcher’s working as the head chef of the most famous restaurant in New York. His help was a key factor in my successful escape. But his personality is too…” Leila struggled to describe the person. After a pause, she said simply, “He’s not someone easy to talk to. He can be a friend, but it’s best to maintain some distance.”

“Weirdo.” Zhou Qingfeng voiced his thoughts.

“Hahaha… You’re pretty weird, too.” Leila Fox nodded with a small laugh. Then she asked, “Where are you heading to now?”

“I’m going to Columbia University.” Zhou Qingfeng raised his arm and glanced at the armband computer. The display on the screen told him that it was already 8 a.m. Ten hours to the Catastrophe.

Presumably as a response to Zhou Qingfeng’s gesture, the highly intelligent computer suddenly spoke. It asked, “Master, I sense that you’re driving a car. Do you need me to provide navigational assistance?”

‘Heh, technology!’

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at the projected virtual image. He quickly instructed, “I want to go to Columbia University. Can you help me find a path that avoids the police?”

The computer responded immediately. “I am currently connecting into the information web of New York City. Connection successful. According to traffic control information and the latest analysis of street cameras, I have designed the best path possible. Please head straight and turn right at the third junction.”

‘Oh, hahaha… Looks like I picked up a treasure.’

Zhou Qingfeng laughed happily. He had not expected the computer to be this intelligent. Not only did it have flawless language identification, it’s AI was sentient to some degree. He had a sudden thought. He ordered, “Computer, can you download information from the Internet, as much of it as you can? In particular, reference materials from high-tech libraries. The focus should be on biological pharmaceutical technology.”

“Understood. I will carry out this order at once.” The computer’s reply was simple and clear.

Leila Fox was also interested in this computer. She craned her neck and took a few peeks. She commented, “This computer seems to be a limited model produced by IBM. It’s really advanced. Where did you get it?”

“This was left behind by a certain Professor Alenzo.” Zhou Qingfeng said.

“Is this related to that lab you wanted to clear out?” Leila Fox’s curiosity was not sated.

“Yeah. I’ll tell you the details later.” Zhou Qingfeng could only sigh exasperatedly in the face of all the questioning. He really did not want to talk about it.

“Why are you going to Columbia University?” Leila Fox pressed.

“I made a bet with this annoying *sshole Tony Parker. We’re supposed to get our hands on a robot dog called Dog Meat, but I’m probably already too late to the party. That *sshole must have some plan for it, seeing as how he’s so damn confident.”

As Zhou Qingfeng racked his brain, thinking about the obstacles that might be waiting for him at Columbia University, his private computer sounded an alarm all of a sudden. “Master, the police have set barricades on all the roads ahead. According to information from police communication, you are driving a stolen car. The owner of the car has already called the police.”

“F*ck, I should have known that it won’t be easy.” Left with no choice, Zhou Qingfeng parked the car by the roadside. He looked left and right, scheming to steal another car.

Leila Fox glanced at the side of the road a few times as well. She suddenly laughed. “It’s futile no matter how many times you change cars. The police will stop all cars for their investigation.”

“What should I do now?’

“Please follow me.” Leila Fox pushed the door open and got out of the car.

“While I’m in this state?” Zhou Qingfeng was currently dressed like an NYPD agent. He was covered with the blood of other dead people, and he was heavily armed with several guns.

Leila Fox raised her head haughtily and smiled. “Welcome to Manhattan Fifth Avenue, hands down the most bustling avenue in America.

“This is a perfect place for you to exploit your identity and position. As long as you’re in the upper crust of society, you can get everything you need here. Believe me. With this spectacular face of mine, you can enjoy the best services you can imagine. Come, quick… Let’s start your trip in Manhattan, this time for real!”