Using her spatial storage, Qian Zhenzhen disposed of the wolf corpses.
Until she could set up a proper water pumping system, she'd need to make frequent trips here. Leaving rotting corpses would only create problems for herself.
After collecting the used dirt piles, she noticed some soil loss. No matter—she could always dig more for future battles.
Back at the inn, as she boiled water, Li Lan emerged from the guest room alone, hair tied up. "Sorry for sleeping in. Can I help with anything?"
Checking her watch—only 6:57, hardly late—Qian Zhenzhen noticed Li Lan's anxious expression and restless demeanor. Sensing her need for occupation, she pulled her aside to discuss some plans.
"You want to make a chevaux de frise?" Li Lan, formerly a key member of Black Peak Base's exploration team, had experience scavenging from gas stations and pharmacies. Though unfamiliar with defensive structures, she knew the base used iron nets, sandbags, containers, metal sheets, pipes, and brick walls, with tall buildings serving as watchtowers.
Working with more modest means, Qian Zhenzhen could only use local materials for basic barriers or traps.
Traps were ruled out—they'd only endanger passing guests.
The chevaux de frise would be effective—its crossed, sharpened wooden stakes could impale any zombies or beasts that charged it. For stability, they'd dig a shallow trench, arrange horizontal and vertical crosses "十十十", pack earth around the base, then add outward-pointing stakes on top. Bamboo could substitute for wood if needed.
Wire was essential for binding everything together. Qian Zhenzhen bought a bundle of thick wire from the voucher store for 10 Koi Vouchers.
Li Lan listened eagerly to the explanation. "Where are the tools?"
Qian Zhenzhen had everything ready—work aprons, gloves, iron axe, saw, measuring tape—and led her to the back door.
After quickly agreeing on dimensions, Qian Zhenzhen positioned a large stone as a workbench, secured some bamboo with her foot, and started sawing.
"Sister Li Lan, the noise might attract zombies or beasts. Perhaps we should wait until after breakfast to work together."
She felt relieved that last night's beginner task was complete—how could she ensure guest safety (1/1) otherwise?
"Don't worry, we have the axe—I'll handle any threats, and Xuanxuan can help watch."
Li Lan was practical—she returned to wake her daughter, getting her dressed to serve as lookout.
Understanding her mother was working to pay their bill, Zhou Shuxuan didn't complain. She simply rubbed her eyes, dressed, and took her position at the door, watching attentively.
[Your guest is working for the inn!]
[Special Income Mechanism activated! [Timer start]
Effect Condition 1: Guest promises labor to offset consumption.
Effect Condition 2: ?
Effect Condition 3: ?
...
Special Note 1: During mechanism effect, all value created by guest's work belongs to the proprietor.
Special Note 2: ?
Special Note 3: ?
...]
[According to mechanism assessment, guest [Li Lan]'s labor value is [3] Koi Vouchers/hour, will be calculated and issued after hosting ends, please wait patiently!]
Qian Zhenzhen: ...something feels wrong.
When did her inn become a "factory" with guests as "workers"? Would this affect her rating? Orz
Li Lan worked with enthusiasm, seeming more relaxed now. Seeing Qian Zhenzhen hovering worriedly by the door, she waved her off. "Go on with your work, don't mind me."
Well then, time to prepare breakfast...
She made salt-grilled mushroom skewers, braised chestnuts, and congee with ham and preserved egg.
The mushrooms came from foraging, while she'd bought the ham and preserved eggs from the voucher store.
One pack of ham sausages (8 pieces) = 16 Koi Vouchers
One preserved egg = 1 Koi Voucher
Just as the congee neared completion, with sliced sausages and dehydrated vegetables added, commotion erupted at the back door. Li Lan shouted: "Get inside!"
The door slammed with a "BANG!" followed by Zhou Shuxuan's soft crying: "Mama!"
[Your inn is under attack!]
[Your guest is in combat!]
Qian Zhenzhen grabbed an iron shovel and rushed to the living room. Through the window, she saw zombies had arrived.
One already lay defeated while three others surrounded Li Lan, who skillfully wielded an iron axe in her right hand and a sharpened bamboo pole in her left, leading them away between the trees.
[Guest [Li Lan] has killed [Zombie]*1]
[Your inn gained Experience*100]
Qian Zhenzhen called to Zhou Shuxuan: "Stay inside, I'm going to help your mother!"
She opened the door—
[Guest [Li Lan] has killed [Zombie]*1]
[Your inn gained Experience*100]
She rushed forward—
[Guest [Li Lan] has killed [Zombie]*1]
[Your inn gained Experience*100]
She raised her shovel—
[Guest [Li Lan] has killed [Zombie]*1]
[Your inn gained Experience*100]
[Battle Victory!]
[Your guest helped protect the inn!]
[According to mechanism assessment, guest [Li Lan]'s inn protection action is worth [5*4] Koi Vouchers, to be calculated and issued after the stay ends, please wait patiently!]
20 Koi Vouchers? She could earn money from guests killing zombies?
Qian Zhenzhen: ...
Well, that's certainly an unexpected business opportunity.
The roasted mushrooms had shrunk slightly but maintained their tenderness inside. With a sprinkle of salt, their unique earthy aroma emerged—a gift from nature itself.
The steamed chestnuts were initially dry to chew, but a sip of water softened them, leaving only pure sweetness on the tongue.
The porridge steamed beneath its delicate skin. Breaking it with a spoon released wisps of vapor, revealing shredded ham, preserved egg, and rehydrated vegetables beneath. Each spoonful melted on the tongue, releasing a rich, savory aroma.
Qian Zhenzhen's cooking delighted her guests. Li Lan and her daughter hadn't enjoyed such a feast in ages, and they dove in eagerly.
"Your guests are in good spirits."
"The guests' evaluation of you continues to rise, please keep up the good work!"
These messages brightened Qian Zhenzhen's mood. She felt certain she'd earn at least four stars!
"Sister Li Lan, since you came from across the river, have the fish there mutated? I've been worried about that and haven't dared to catch any."
Li Lan paused thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, when we fled from the wolf pack last night, I completely forgot about the river's dangers when Xuanxuan and I jumped in. But we weren't bitten and made it safely across, so the fish probably haven't mutated."
Three years into the apocalypse, many animals had mutated—larger ones first—except for birds in the sky and aquatic life.
These creatures would only mutate after extended exposure to zombies and mutated beasts, and even then, their shortened lifespans meant they'd die before harming healthy creatures.
Qian Zhenzhen pressed further, "What's it like in the north?"
"Forested too," Li Lan replied, glancing through the dining room window. "Though less dense than here."
Wild beasts roamed in packs up there. Even Li Lan, despite her combat skills, had to flee when encountering them.
A road cut through the forest—northeast to Black Glory Mountain Base, southwest to the fallen C City—but cars and zombies had rendered it impassable.
"Many zombies fled C City too. When our base's team used another tunnel for supply runs, we faced little resistance..."
Li Lan's expression darkened, memories of the base's tragedy weighing on her. After a pause, she asked, "Which way can we leave from here?"