boyutpedia Chapter 274 A Gift Across Time and Space
Chapter 274 A Gift Across Time and Space
After dinner, Lei Tao briefly explained a few things to everyone and hurried back to his room. He gently touched the Bagua spinning top, a glint of anticipation and determination flashing in his eyes. In an instant, a light flashed, and he was back in the modern Central African safe house.
The furnishings inside the house were still familiar, yet a chill air permeated the air, a stark contrast to the bustling, passionate world he had just left. Lei Tao took a deep breath, adjusted himself briefly, and strode toward the garage. The high-performance black SUV sat quietly there, like a loyal companion, awaiting its master's call. He expertly climbed into the driver's seat and turned the key. The roar of the engine instantly shattered the surrounding silence. Then, he sped toward the largest local shopping mall, the wheels rolling and kicking up a cloud of dust.
The mall was bustling with activity, the cacophony of voices, cheerful background music, and the constant stream of promotional announcements from merchants intertwined to create a vibrant atmosphere. Bright lights from the ceiling poured down unreservedly, illuminating the shelves brimming with merchandise. The dazzling array of goods dazzled the eye, creating a sense of being transported to a vast treasure trove.
Lei Tao walked into the men's clothing section, his steady gaze sweeping over each piece of clothing like a searchlight. His eyes were focused and intense. In his mind, each piece of clothing carried a special mission: a reliable shield for his companions in the hail of bullets, a capable assistant during dangerous missions. He gently stroked the fabric of the clothing, the delicate touch coming from his fingertips. He carefully felt the quality of the texture, and his mind kept picturing his companions wearing them as they shuttled across the battlefield.
Finally, he selected ten dark gray windproof jackets. This dark gray, like the color of night, is understated yet dignified, ensuring they remain discreet whether lurking in the mountains or navigating the city streets. The material is as tough as steel, offering excellent windproof performance. The fine stitching acts as a solid defense, and the high-quality zippers are smooth and reliable. Every detail demonstrates superior quality. He also selected ten pairs of durable overalls. The fabric is thick and stretchy, with special reinforcements at high-wear areas like the knees and hips, like a layer of solid armor for his companions. The ergonomic fit of the pants allows for easy and comfortable movements, and the numerous practical pockets act like small storage compartments for small items, providing great convenience for his companions' movements. Finally, he chose ten pairs of comfortable hiking boots. The unique anti-slip patterns are like the sharp claws of a cheetah, which can provide stable grip on various complex terrains such as muddy mountain roads, rugged rocks, slippery grass, etc. The waterproof and breathable upper is like a magical film, which can effectively prevent rainwater from seeping in and keep the feet dry at all times. The soft lining is like a gentle embrace, and people will not feel tired even if they wear it for a long time.
Leaving the men's clothing section, Lei Tao hurried toward the large outdoor gear store further inside the mall. Upon entering, a variety of outdoor gear was neatly arranged, exuding a professional and reliable aura, as if emphasizing their extraordinary mission. He headed straight for the sleeping bag section, his eyes radiating rigor and concentration. He meticulously compared each sleeping bag's thermal performance, weight, compressed volume, and other parameters, like a meticulous scientist selecting experimental materials. After careful consideration, he selected over 50 sleeping bags. Filled with high-quality thermal insulation, these bags, like the warmth of winter sun, withstand the extreme cold. Their exceptionally lightweight design allows them to compress into a compact bag, making them convenient for long hikes in the wilderness and providing companions with a warm and comfortable resting space even in challenging conditions.
Later, in the watch display area, Lei Tao immediately fell in love with a multifunctional outdoor luminous mechanical watch. The dial is simple yet elegant, yet extremely powerful. In addition to accurate timekeeping, it also has a built-in compass, altimeter, and barometer. This compass is like the North Star in the dark, guiding the way in the wilderness and ensuring that companions will not get lost in the vast wilderness; the altimeter and barometer are like sensitive sensors, providing real-time feedback on altitude and air pressure, helping to predict weather changes. The luminous design of the dial is even more thoughtful, allowing for clear readings even in the dark, providing great convenience for outdoor activities. He decisively chose a watch worth over 100 yuan. At checkout, he politely asked the merchant to remove the sticky note, carefully pack the watch, and arrange for home delivery.
Finally, Lei Tao came to the women's clothing area. Thinking of Meng Xiaoyu, his steps unconsciously slowed down, his eyes full of tenderness and attachment. A light blue floral chiffon skirt came into view. The soft chiffon fabric was like a spring breeze, and the lace at the neckline was delicate and elegant, like a blooming flower. He imagined how Meng Xiaoyu would look wearing it. Her gentle smile blooming in the sun must be even more beautiful than this skirt, so he gently took the skirt off. Then, a white lotus embroidered cotton dress caught his eye. The slim design perfectly outlined Meng Xiaoyu's graceful figure. The lotus embroidery was delicate and lifelike. Every stitch and every thread seemed to contain the gentle tenderness of the Jiangnan water town. He felt that this skirt was tailor-made for Meng Xiaoyu and bought it without hesitation.
At the checkout counter, the cashier was a young, intern from Huaxia, with neat short hair and a capable and intelligent look. She deftly took the clothes and said in fluent local dialect, "Sir, you have good taste. These are all popular styles here. Are you buying these for your family?"
Lei Tao nodded slightly, a gentle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he responded in the local language: "She is a family member, so to me, she is the most important person in the world." As he spoke, Meng Xiaoyu's appearance appeared clearly in his mind. That gentle smile and clear eyes, like the warm spring sun, made his eyes become incomparably soft.
The cashier keenly noticed his expression, a hint of curiosity and envy flashing in her eyes. Her hands kept moving as she continued, "She must be the happiest person in the world to receive such a thoughtful gift from you. This dress is so special, the embroidery is so intricate, and the size you chose is just right. She's sure to look like a fairy tale princess in it."
Lei Tao smiled and nodded: "I hope she will like it. As long as she is happy, everything I do is worth it."
At this moment, the cashier seemed to suddenly remember something, a glint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she switched to Chinese and said, "Sir, judging from your accent, you are also from China, right? It's so nice to meet someone from my hometown here!" Her face was filled with a warm smile, and her originally capable eyes were more friendly and warm.
Lei Tao was equally surprised and responded with a smile: "Yes, I never thought I would meet a fellow countryman in a foreign country. This is really an amazing fate!" The cashier's interest increased when he heard this. While scanning the code and calculating the price neatly, he opened up a chatterbox: "I've been studying here for a while. Although life here is not bad, sometimes I still crave the delicious food from home. I especially miss the bustling streets and friends and relatives in China. I can't find that strong sense of fireworks here."
Lei Tao shared this sentiment: "Homesickness is inevitable when you're away from home. But since I'm here, I'll learn some skills so I can contribute back to my hometown when I return." As he spoke, the cashier finished checking out and quoted the total. Lei Tao pulled out his wallet to pay, but the cashier suddenly slapped his head and said, "Oh, I almost forgot! We're having a member discount today. Since we're from the same hometown, I'll give you the member price too!" Lei Tao thanked him profusely and completed the payment smoothly.
While waiting for their clothes to be packed, the two chatted about the changes in their hometown. The cashier excitedly shared the latest popular TV series and pop songs from China. Those familiar names and melodies made Lei Tao feel as if he was back in the streets and alleys of his hometown. He listened with great interest, occasionally interjecting his own opinions. The two chatted happily, as if they were old friends. After a while, the clothes were carefully folded and put into a sturdy shopping bag. The cashier also thoughtfully put in a few coupons from the mall and said with a smile, "Next time you come, you can use them. Let's just consider it a friendship."
Lei Tao took the bag and expressed his sincere gratitude again. Just as he was about to leave, the cashier took out an exquisite small gift bag from under the counter and handed it to him: "This is a gift from the store, a small handmade trinket for your important person. I hope she will like it. It's also a small token of my appreciation." Lei Tao was a little surprised and deeply moved: "Thank you so much. I'm so lucky to have met you today. I'll remember this friendship."
Leaving the mall, Lei Tao walked over to the SUV with his shopping bags, opened the trunk, and put the bags away. He looked back at the mall, recalling the pleasant and cordial conversation with the cashier, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose, revealing a faint smile.
He then got into the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove to the safe house. Shortly after arriving back at the safe house, the merchant's delivery truck arrived duly. He hurried out of the house and helped the delivery driver unload the goods. After the truck drove away, Lei Tao looked around, seeing no one around, and quickly stored all his purchases in the Bagua spinning top. He took a deep breath, gripped the Bagua spinning top tightly with both hands, and in an instant, the light flickered again, and he successfully traveled back to the room in the inn during the Anti-Japanese War.