Please collect 5 different regional vouchers within 120 hours, and you will receive a magical gift.]
[Current progress: 4/5]
[Quest countdown: 119:59:59]
Just one more!
Qian Zhenzhen's heart raced as her gaze fell on Xia Chang's pocket.
Could it be that she still needed that Anxi Base voucher?
Five people crowded into the kitchen, making the already cramped space feel even more confined.
Qian Zhenzhen brought dining chairs and stools, allowing the three guests to sit against the wall as they supervised her cooking.
"A Miao, shall we roast two sweet potatoes?"
Hearing her voice, A Miao turned sideways and took two sweet potatoes from the small basket in the corner, burying them in the ash pile outside the stove opening.
Qian Zhenzhen washed her hands and took out the remaining ham and mushrooms, dicing them finely.
The water in the soup pot quickly came to a boil. She tore open two chicken soup packets and added them to the boiling water. Instantly, the delicious aroma of chicken meat filled the air, its slightly salty, oily fragrance quickly reaching the nostrils of the three team members.
#
Song Ziyi closed his eyes, reminiscing about the fried chicken shop at his school gate from his student days.
Chicken legs, cutlets, and strips coated in breadcrumbs sizzled in hot oil, turning golden and crispy before being placed in paper bags and dusted with spicy powder or plum powder. When bitten into, the meat was juicy and tender—ah, so delicious!
When was the last time he had eaten meat? Two years ago, probably, when they first formed the team and their fourth teammate brought out a can of Kung Pao chicken to celebrate, sharing a few pieces with everyone.
Later, though they visited many cities and bases, they rarely saw any meat products. Even when available, these were mostly reserved for the upper class and impossible to trade for.
So even chicken soup made from soup packets was incredibly rare in this post-apocalyptic world. Given how fragrant it smelled, the ingredients must be quite good.
Soon, the noodles were ready.
The golden chicken broth glistened with oil, the noodles steamed invitingly, mushroom and ham bits floated in the soup, and fresh green onions were sprinkled on top like a verdant garnish.
[Customer [Lu Qin]'s rating has increased, keep up the good work!]
Qian Zhenzhen looked up to see Lu Qin's eager face, her damp hair slightly disheveled as she leaned forward to peer into the pot.
Oh right, this customer prefers "noodle dishes."
"Shall we go eat outside?" Qian Zhenzhen picked up the soup pot, gesturing for the team to follow her.
Song Ziyi and Lu Qin grabbed their chairs and scampered after her.
Soon Qian Zhenzhen came back for bowls and chopsticks. Seeing Xia Chang hadn't moved, she asked with a smile, "Captain Xia, why aren't you coming? Are you planning to help A Miao tend the fire?"
Xia Chang lowered his eyes and finally picked up his stool to leave the kitchen.
In the living room, three place settings had already been arranged on the dining table.
"I'll serve first!" Song Ziyi rushed to the pot, scooping up a huge bowl of noodles until Lu Qin punched him, saying, "Why are you taking so much without any soup?"
"Oh oh, got it!" Song Ziyi returned some noodles to the pot before ladling soup into his bowl.
After he finished serving himself, Lu Qin eagerly extended her chopsticks, but she didn't forget about their captain, serving him half a bowl after getting her own.
The noodles, soaked in chicken broth, were chewy and smooth. Mushroom and ham bits lingered between teeth, with occasional fragments of chicken meat—it was a familiar, delicious taste.
Song Ziyi slurped loudly, making appreciative noises as he devoured the chicken soup, repeatedly exclaiming, "Delicious, delicious!"
Lu Qin was more elegant, wrapping noodles around her chopsticks and blowing on them to cool before eating.
Xia Chang silently watched his two teammates until Qian Zhenzhen came back with three cups of ginger tea, which finally snapped him back to reality as he fumbled for his chopsticks.
As the noodles entered his mouth, the rich broth and fragrant oil merged with his memories. Holding his plastic floral bowl, watching his two teammates playfully argue over the last of the noodles, he was momentarily transported back to his former home.
Back to a living room where his parents sat together playing piano, his second sister and third brother chased each other around the sofa, and the aroma of the servant's cooking wafted from the kitchen. He would sit by the floor-to-ceiling window reading, with a freshly brewed cup of tea beside him, watching wolfberries float up and down in the sunset light...
But those memories ended three years ago when the sun set, and he lost everything.
The ginger tea stung his taste buds as it entered his mouth, making Xia Chang cough—what an unpleasant taste, just like this detestable post-apocalyptic world.
[Customer [Xia Chang]'s rating has changed, please continue to work hard!]
orz Changed? What was his previous impression...
Qian Zhenzhen absently twirled the pen in her hand while secretly observing the wandering team. Even after they finished the noodles, she hadn't received any rating notification about Song Ziyi.
Strange, wasn't he the one who asked for noodles? Why hadn't his rating changed? She'd need to think of another approach.
At the kitchen door, A Miao informed her, "The water's ready."
Qian Zhenzhen nodded and walked out to the counter to tell the wandering team: "Everyone, hot water is ready, there are toiletries on the bathroom cabinet, and let me know if you need towels." She looked at Lu Qin, "The middle drawer has feminine products, they're free."
Lu Qin nodded with a smile: "Thank you."
Xia Chang lifted his chin, "Xiao Qin, you go freshen up first."
Qian Zhenzhen personally scooped up hot water and carried it to the bathroom.
Lu Qin had just picked up the toiletries from the cabinet and was examining them excitedly when she asked, "Boss, could you give us a few of these packages?"
She was referring to the disposable toiletry kits containing plastic toothbrushes and combs, along with small tubes of toothpaste and soap bars—the basic amenities typically provided in hotel rooms before the apocalypse.
Since these weren't food supplies, medicine, or weapons, they were quite cheap—5 packs for 1 Koi Voucher—so Qian Zhenzhen nodded generously, "Take 5 packs with you, that's all I have left."
Lu Qin took her at her word, "Thank you!"
The system immediately prompted:
[Customer [Lu Qin]'s rating continues to rise, please keep up the good work!]
Getting a rating increase for just 1 Koi Voucher, not bad.
Qian Zhenzhen left the bathroom, and A Miao was cleaning up the pots and bowls in the living room. She grabbed the broom and mop from the corner (the set had cost 5 Koi Vouchers) and began cleaning the floor.
Song Ziyi was wandering outside while Xia Chang sat under the small wall lamp examining a map.
As Qian Zhenzhen swept and mopped near Xia Chang, she noticed the bulging outline in his pants pocket.
Xia Chang seemed to value the Anxi base's currency vouchers highly; if she proposed a trade directly, he might refuse. Moreover, as the leader of the wandering team, he would certainly prioritize the team's interests and might make excessive demands.