Chapter 31: Sorry, I'm a Newbie

"Yeah, I want a van," Lin Li said to Wang Xiaoming.

"Mr. Lin, we have four colors of vans available here: black, yellow, white, and silver. Which one would you like?"

As Wang Xiaoming spoke, he picked up a set of documents from a nearby table and handed them to Lin Li.

Flipping through the documents, Lin Li—who was intent on keeping a low profile—naturally chose the most common color: silver.

This car rental company, named "Lucky Star Car Rental," had only recently opened, but its efficiency was truly impressive.

After registering his ID number and filling out a form, Lin Li paid the rental fee and deposit, and immediately received the car keys from the clerk. The entire process took no more than fifteen minutes.

*Rumble...*

A silver van drove out of the "Lucky Star Car Rental" parking lot. Although it was a used vehicle, it was quite new.

"Starting from today, I can effectively consider myself part of the 'car-owning class'!"

It had been several years since he obtained his driver's license, and Lin Li hadn't touched a steering wheel since. Once he hit the road in the silver van, he immediately reduced his speed to a level that was staggeringly slow.

A car following behind the van couldn't stand the slow-moving vehicle any longer and promptly changed lanes to overtake.

As they pulled alongside the van, the driver, a man in his forties, shouted irritably at the visibly nervous Lin Li.

"Hey! Do you even know how to drive? If you're going to drive this slowly, you might as well ride a bicycle!"

Lin Li was not an unreasonable person. Knowing the fault was his, he said apologetically to the driver, "Sorry, I'm a new driver."

"..." The irritable driver was momentarily speechless upon hearing that Lin Li was a novice. He then offered a piece of kind advice: "You should find somewhere to get used to the car first! Avoid accidents in more complex traffic conditions."

"Alright, thank you for the warning."

After giving his warning, the irritable driver drove away.

As a novice, Lin Li drove the van to a section of road with light traffic and drove back and forth several times. Gradually, he regained his sense of driving, and his speed returned to a normal cruising pace.

"Phew... okay, next is the supermarket for some supplies." Having regained his confidence, Lin Li stepped on the accelerator and drove toward the large supermarket he frequented.

…………

"That will be five hundred and twenty yuan in total, sir. Do you have a membership card?"

"No, I'll pay via mobile."

"Alright, please show your payment code."

*Beep.*

After paying, Lin Li walked out of the supermarket carrying two large bags filled with items.

*Click...*

*Thud.*

After placing the two large bags on the passenger seat and closing the car door, Lin Li immediately drove toward the pharmacy.

On the way to the pharmacy, as the van entered a deserted stretch of road, Lin Li slowed down, reached out his right hand, and touched the two large bags on the passenger seat.

With a single thought, the two large bags filled with goods instantly vanished from the passenger seat; they had been collected by Lin Li into his mysterious island.

The large amount of items he had just bought were all convenient foods Lin Li had prepared for his upcoming wilderness expedition. They had a shelf life of at least several months, so he didn't have to worry about them spoiling on the mysterious island.

Of course, Lin Li didn't plan on staying overnight during his wilderness trips, even though he could store fresh ingredients on the island.

As long as it wasn't the flesh of a magical beast that had been harvested within the last hour, it could be stored safely on the mysterious island.

…………

After buying a tube of medicinal ointment at the pharmacy, Lin Li went to a wet market to buy groceries.

At 10:20 AM.

Driving his rented van, Lin Li entered the Ping'an Garden residential community.

Upon entering the complex, he took the opportunity to register his vehicle information at the security booth.

*Creak.*

After parking the van in a designated spot, Lin Li opened the door and got out.

Looking at the parking space, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "A parking space that sat idle for so many years is finally being put to use today...

I was even considering whether I should sell it or rent it out since I wasn't using it. Luckily, I didn't make a decision then; otherwise, I'd be stuck looking for the property management to pay for a rental spot right now."

After grumbling to himself, Lin Li began walking toward his home.

"Eh? Xiao Lin, did you buy a car?"

A somewhat familiar voice rang in Lin Li's ear. He turned around, and upon seeing the speaker, he thought in astonishment, "How is it Auntie Wang again? I've run into her three times in two days!!!"

"Hello, Auntie Wang," Lin Li greeted her with a smile. "I didn't buy this car; I'm renting it..."

"Renting it?"

"Yes." Lin Li nodded, not explaining why he needed to rent a van.

Just as Auntie Wang was about to ask why he was renting a car, the phone in her pocket suddenly rang.

It seemed a family member had something to discuss with her, so Auntie Wang left in a hurry after answering the call.

"What's the deal with Auntie Wang? We're way too destined!" Lin Li muttered to himself as he watched her leave, then continued toward his home.

…………

This time, he didn't have to climb the stairs because the elevator had been repaired. It was about time, too; after such a long delay, the residents would have likely filed complaints if it hadn't been fixed.

*Ding.*

Arriving at the sixth floor, the elevator doors opened.

As Lin Li stepped out and pulled his keys from his pocket to open his door, he heard the sound of a door opening behind him.

*Click.*

Two figures, one large and one small, walked out from the doorway—his neighbors from next door.

"Hello, Mr. Lin!" Xia Qing, who had a bag slung over her shoulder and was holding her daughter Zhou Tongtong's hand, greeted him immediately upon seeing him.

Hearing the voice behind him, Lin Li opened his door and turned around.

With long hair flowing over her shoulders and an oval face, Xia Qing was wearing a floral print dress today, paired with low-heeled sandals.

His neighbor's daughter, Zhou Tongtong, was also wearing a floral dress of the same style; it appeared they were wearing matching mother-daughter outfits.

"Hello, are you heading out?" Lin Li responded with a smile.

"Yes! I'm taking Tongtong to her swimming lesson," Xia Qing said with a bright smile.

"It's almost lunchtime; you're going to a swimming lesson now?" Lin Li asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Tongtong's lesson isn't until the afternoon. I'm taking her to stroll around the streets first, and we'll have lunch out before her lesson," Xia Qing explained.

…………

PS: Thanks to "chenky1993" for the 100-point tip, thanks to "08a" for the 2100-point tip, and thanks to "灲敩" for the 3000-point tip.

(End of Chapter)