"Sorry, I didn't see where you were," Charlotte apologized with a smile.
The girl in front of her was only chest-high, small and thin, with a hint of two furry little horns hidden among her thick hair.
Her big, round eyes were watery, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. Her thin lips were tightly pressed together, looking somewhat displeased.
"Hmph, I forgive you," she pouted, her eyes darting around the machines. "I want to stay."
"Okay, just take a look at the rules up there. They're easy to understand."
Fawna was about to say she couldn't read when she saw the pictures and surprisingly understood.
She was silent for a moment, then fished out a crystal core from her pocket, looking at Charlotte with pitiful eyes, "I only have this. Can I exchange it for points?"
Charlotte also fell silent, suppressing her excitement from wanting to ruffle the girl's hair. Those little furry horns hidden in her fluffy hair were too tempting.
Fawna began to look disappointed at Charlotte's lack of response.
She had watched from the tree trunk for a long time. Those two people had exchanged these things for points and even got something from the machine!
She had smelled the food from afar! It smelled so good!
And she was thirsty...
Looking again at the full water bucket, she remembered her brother's words: take freely from him, but not from others.
... brother... I miss you... Little deer is thirsty...
"Is it... not possible?" Fawna's eyes welled up with tears, her mouth pouted, cheeks puffed.
Charlotte finally broke her silence, resisting the urge to ruffle her head.
"You can put the crystal core into the machine." Charlotte took the core from her palm and inserted it into the slot.
The machine quickly spit out a card, the screen displaying 2000 points.
"This card has 2000 points, enough for you to stay for a long time and eat a lot of good food." Charlotte handed her the key card for room 101.
Perhaps because Fawna was so cute, Charlotte explained more than usual.
Hearing that the card had many points and could be exchanged for food, Fawna's eyes lit up. She couldn't help running to the water dispenser, her voice soft, "I'm thirsty. Can I exchange for water?"
"Of course."
Charlotte walked over and showed her how to swipe points and use a disposable paper cup to get water.
Fawna was indeed very thirsty, drinking five cups in a row before stopping.
"Is there food in this one?"
"The lunch machine is sold out for today. The breakfast machine still has two items left, an egg-filled pancake and a sauce pancake. Which one do you want?"
Fawna leaned against the machine, looking at the colorful pictures and hesitating.
"Both!" She had 2000 points, she was rich!
With her warm food in hand, Fawna prepared to go to her room.
Charlotte suddenly thought of something and reminded her, "By the way, there's a breakfast room on the second floor tomorrow from 5 to 8 AM. If you want breakfast, you can go there to buy it."
Breakfast room? Fawna nodded, smiling widely.
Charlotte realized she hadn't informed the other guests. She quickly locked the door and responsibly went up to the second floor, knocking on room 201.
After a moment, a voice responded.
"What is it?"
"The breakfast room on the second floor will be open for breakfast tomorrow from 5 to 8 AM. If you need it, please go there."
"...Okay, thank you."
Hearing the noise, the occupants of 202 opened their door before Charlotte could reach it.
Lucas peeked out, glanced at 201, and lowered his voice, "Is there more breakfast? We're not full."
Tate nodded eagerly, his eyes shining as if seeing a fairy.
Earlier, they had been shocked by the clean, tidy room, afraid to dirty the floor, and had stood at the door for a while.
Lucas had tried the bathroom tap, drinking several gulps of the clean water that came out.
No pollution!
The big shot was impressive! 666!
They had taken a satisfying shower and were lying on the soft bed when hunger struck.
They hadn't eaten dinner.
Opening the boxed meals from the cabinet, they were stunned.
Gosh! It was actually real steamed buns and dumplings!!
Without a word, they gobbled them up.
The chewy dumplings and fresh buns were better than what they had before the apocalypse!
Regretting not buying more, they were planning to go downstairs when they heard Charlotte informing 201.
Lucas and Tate exchanged a look, silently jumping out of bed and pressing against the door to listen.
What? Breakfast was provided tomorrow?
They saw shock and joy in each other's eyes.
Finishing her conversation with 201, Charlotte was about to knock on their door when Lucas opened it, planning to get more food from the machine.
"Sorry, the food in the breakfast machine has been bought by other guests," Charlotte apologized, diligently fulfilling her role.
"But tomorrow morning, the breakfast room next door will provide breakfast if needed."
Tate didn't believe her. How could the machine be empty?
He thought the big shot was secretly displeased with their small purchase and had cut them off.
He glanced warily at 201, not daring to trouble the small girl in front of him.
"But we're really still hungry. Can you make an exception?" Lucas, enticed by the buns and dumplings, felt hungrier than ever.
Charlotte firmly replied, "There are instant noodles in the double room. You can have those. There's hot water in the downstairs dispenser, but it costs 1 point."
Lucas wanted to argue, but Tate pulled him back into the room.
"What are you doing?! That's the big shot's woman! If we anger him, we're in big trouble! Eat the noodles!" Tate whispered fiercely, feeling a wave of fear.
What a foolish teammate. Didn't he see the big shot's deliberate act?
Lucas turned red, forcefully prying off Tate's arm, breathing deeply, and glaring back.
"She's not the big shot's woman! Didn't you hear how formal they were?"
"Huh? Not?" Tate scratched his head, confused.
Lucas didn't argue, found the instant noodles, and prepared to go downstairs for hot water.
Charlotte was still at the counter, half-daydreaming.
Lucas glanced at her, quietly getting hot water from the dispenser.
Tate followed slowly, glancing at Charlotte's pale face and thin wrists.
How could such a weak woman hold so many valuable resources without being robbed?
She had no sign of powers, clearly an ordinary person. To think she wasn't protected by a big shot was unbelievable!
The dispenser gurgled as the hot water filled their cups.
The two headed back upstairs.