Chapter 53
“Shi Tou, let’s just go. I’m sure he was lying to you!”
The little girl stood by the torchlight, stretching her hands toward the fire for warmth. In the cold night air, her breath came out in little puffs. Judging by her height and appearance, she was around ten years old, about half a head shorter than her brother. Her whole body was covered in dirt, and her hair was tangled, with uneven ends that looked as if a dog had chewed on them.
“But what if it was true?” The boy looked at his sister, worry filling his eyes.
When he overheard the three people’s conversation, he’d run back as quickly as he could, only to find his sister had already eaten half of the bun, leaving him the other half. When she saw him, she’d smiled and told him how delicious it was; she’d never tasted anything so good. He’d nearly cried on the spot.
He didn’t dare touch the remaining half.
After a struggle, he’d asked around, trying to find out where the three were staying. This wasn’t hard to do; the entrance to Jufeng Town was well-guarded, and new faces always drew attention. When he learned they’d gone into the Jade Pavilion, he’d rushed over with his sister, but the place’s reputation gave him pause.
Meanwhile, his sister refused to believe him.
“How are you feeling? Does your stomach hurt?” he asked worriedly.
“I’m fine… I…”
Before she could finish, she stopped.
She hadn’t believed the bun could be poisoned, but now she felt a slight pain in her stomach. Fear crept in.
“Shi Tou, my stomach hurts…” The girl clutched her belly, crouching down.
It wasn’t a sharp pain, but her brother’s earlier description, combined with her own fear, made it feel unbearable.
“Xiao Cao, are you okay? Don’t scare me!” The boy’s face turned pale.
“Shi Tou… am I going to die?” Clutching her stomach, the little girl’s tears began to fall.
“You’re not going to die!” the boy said, his voice trembling. “Stay here, and I’ll get the antidote!”
He turned to face the Jade Pavilion, steeling himself.
Everyone in Jufeng Town knew the stories of the Jade Pavilion. Anyone who dared to cause trouble or disturb the guests inside would meet a terrible end the next day.
Tears gathered in his eyes.
He knew going in for the antidote meant he’d die tomorrow, but he couldn’t think of another way. If he didn’t, his sister would be the one to die…
He regretted everything. If only he hadn’t stolen from those three, his sister wouldn’t be facing death, and he wouldn’t have to make this impossible choice.
“Shi Tou, let’s just go!” Xiao Cao cried, trying to pull him back. She didn’t want to die, but she also didn’t want her brother to die…
“If I don’t get the antidote, you’ll die!” he said, wiping his tears, determination hardening in his eyes. “Go back to the fire. I’ll be right back with the antidote!”
At that moment, the previously shut doors of the Jade Pavilion opened slightly.
Looking at the tearful siblings and the boy’s determined expression, Tang Yu’an, who had overheard everything, thought, “…”
He’d only wanted to scare them a bit. How did this escalate?
It couldn’t be true; his antidotes were all safely stored away, and he definitely didn’t have anything that could rot a person’s insides.
The boy noticed the door open, pulling his sister back a few steps. Seeing Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi appear, he instinctively adopted a fierce look, his body tense.
But before he could say anything, Tang Yu’an held up his hand.
“You know what kind of place this is, right?” he reminded them. “Do I need to repeat the Jade Pavilion’s rules?”
The boy fell silent, his expression turning dark. Everyone knew the Jade Pavilion’s curse—no one dared cause trouble here. But did threatening words count as breaking the rules? He wasn’t sure.
Seeing him stay quiet, Tang Yu’an nodded with satisfaction.
“What are your names?” he asked.
Although Grandpa Li had said many of the children in the wasteland had no proper names, he assumed they’d have nicknames. Anyone living among others would have some way to identify themselves.
The boy’s mouth tightened, but finally, he replied reluctantly, “Shi Tou.”
The girl peeked out from behind him, whispering, “I… I’m Xiao Cao.”
“You stole my bun and slashed my bag.” Tang Yu’an stated plainly.
Shi Tou gritted his teeth, tears pooling in his eyes.
He angrily wiped them away. “Yes! I stole the bun, and I slashed your bag. Do what you want!”
Afraid to raise his voice because of the Jade Pavilion’s rules, his words came out with a teary, feeble sound, leaving him looking more defeated than fierce.
Tang Yu’an watched them, pressing his lips together thoughtfully.
“Since you admit it, asking for an apology isn’t too much, is it?”
“Huh?”
The boy, bracing himself for at least a beating, froze at these words. Unsure, he asked, “All you need is an apology? If I apologize, will you give my sister the antidote?”
Tang Yu’an shook his head. “One thing has nothing to do with the other. Your apology just buys my forgiveness.”
Shi Tou’s expression turned sour. He felt Tang Yu’an was mocking him. In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, what good was an apology? But he looked down at his sister, pale and clutching her stomach, and finally gritted his teeth and said, “I’m sorry…”
“Too soft, I can’t hear you.”
“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have stolen, or cut your bag!” Shi Tou’s voice rose, resigned.
Tang Yu’an’s serious face finally softened into a smile. Maybe an apology meant nothing to others, but it did to him. Hearing it made him feel much better.
“Alright, I forgive you.”
[You completed a neutral transaction with a new customer. Experience +3.]
Three experience points, easily earned. Tang Yu’an looked over the siblings, deciding they weren’t just aimless like some others he’d encountered. Plus, given the Jade Pavilion’s rules, perhaps he could gain the rest of his experience from them.
He turned to the girl behind Shi Tou. “Is your stomach hurting?”
Shi Tou, who had been caught off guard by the smile, quickly said, “Yes, she ate half the bun and was poisoned. What do you want in exchange for the antidote?”
Tang Yu’an thought for a moment. “Come inside first.”
The sky had darkened, and the temperature had dropped. Even standing by the door for a short while, he was starting to feel chilled. Once they were inside, he felt a bit warmer.
Tang Yu’an led them to the main hall, and Zhou Qi remained quietly beside him, his height alone enough to intimidate the siblings.
“Your stomach hurts?” Tang Yu’an asked the girl again, his tone softening as he looked at her. “Does it feel bloated?”
Xiao Cao clutched her stomach and nodded, teary-eyed, looking as if she might start crying again.
“Feel her stomach. Is it swollen?” he said to her brother.
Shi Tou quickly checked and nodded.
Tang Yu’an nodded knowingly; it was likely just indigestion from the whole wheat bun, or maybe her weak digestion was causing bloating.
“Is it because her insides are rotting?” Shi Tou asked, pale-faced.
The little girl, who had been calming down, burst into tears again upon hearing this.
Tang Yu’an shook his head, exasperated. “No, it’s just the initial symptoms. As long as she takes the antidote in time, she’ll be fine.”
Seeing how terrified they were, he decided not to reveal he’d been bluffing. At this point, they probably wouldn’t believe him anyway.
“So, what’s the price for the antidote?” Shi Tou asked anxiously. “I’ll agree to anything.”
Tang Yu’an, not entirely sure himself, simply asked, “What can you offer me in exchange?”
Shi Tou hesitated. Besides their lives, the siblings had nothing of value.
“I… I’ll work for you, do anything you want!” Shi Tou said, teeth clenched. “I’ll obey your every command. Just please help her!”
“You’re offering your loyalty in exchange for my help?” Tang Yu’an replied.
To Shi Tou, it sounded like Tang Yu’an was asking, What is your word worth?
Shi Tou’s fists clenched tightly, but he nodded. “Yes! I’ll follow whatever orders you give. I swear I will! Please trust me!”
The boy’s gaze was both determined and pleading.
“Alright, I’ll help her.”
[You completed a neutral transaction with a recurring customer. Experience +2.]
Seeing the system notification, Tang Yu’an nodded in satisfaction.
Shi Tou was stunned. He had expected to have to do much more to convince him, but just like that… he agreed?
“You… you’ll really help my sister?”
“Yes.”
Tang Yu’an stood up. “Wait here.”
Zhou Qi stayed behind with the siblings while Tang Yu’an went upstairs. He took out a packet of hawthorn slices from his supply. Hawthorn could aid digestion, so it might help with the bloating. To disguise it, he rolled a piece of hawthorn into a small red pill. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he headed back downstairs.
“Everything alright?” Grandpa Li peeked out from the neighboring room.
“All good, Grandpa. Get some rest.” Tang Yu’an dashed back downstairs.
*
The siblings waited anxiously, but when Tang Yu’an returned, he didn’t hand over the “antidote” right away. Instead, he cleared his throat and pointed to the water jug on the table. “Pour me a glass of water first, then I’ll help your sister.”
Thinking he was testing his sincerity, Shi Tou didn’t hesitate and quickly poured Tang Yu’an a glass of water.
Tang Yu’an didn’t drink the water; instead, he handed the small red pill to Xiao Cao and told her to drink it with water.
Xiao Cao quickly swallowed the “antidote.”
[You completed a neutral transaction with a regular customer. Experience +1.]
[Congratulations! You completed Weekly Task (2), Points +30.]
Nice! Although the transaction with Shi Tou didn’t earn him any points, completing the weekly task rewarded him with 30 points.
Tang Yu’an smiled and said, “Rest a bit, and it should feel better soon. You might still have some discomfort, so gently rubbing your stomach or using a warm cloth might help.”
“Is she really okay?” Shi Tou asked.
“Yes, she’s fine,” Tang Yu’an reassured him.
The system confirmed he had “treated” her, which meant Xiao Cao’s issue was really just indigestion.
“Your name is Xiao Cao, right?”
Looking at the skinny girl, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but think of his own sister. If the world he knew faced the same apocalyptic conditions, would she end up like this girl, always hungry and cold?
“How old are you?” he asked gently.
After eating the “medicine,” Xiao Cao did feel her stomach pain ease, and she relaxed. Hearing Tang Yu’an’s question, she replied softly, “Thirteen.”
Tang Yu’an: 0.0
She was actually a year older than him!
But she looked so small—he’d have guessed she was no more than ten. He glanced over at Shi Tou.
Could it be that Shi Tou was older than him, too?
“I’m ten!” Shi Tou declared proudly.
Alright, so he was still the youngest. Looking at the siblings’ thin frames, Tang Yu’an could imagine the hardships they must face.
“How do you usually get by?” he asked. “Do you often steal from others?”
Shi Tou, who had never felt much shame about stealing and saw it as a means of survival, suddenly felt a hint of embarrassment he couldn’t quite explain as he met Tang Yu’an’s clear, bright gaze. His proud stance deflated.
Xiao Cao, however, shook her head. “No, we don’t usually steal.”
They only took their chances when strangers arrived at the town. Stealing from familiar residents was dangerous—getting caught would mean severe consequences. Only the most reckless dared to commit crimes so openly.
“We go into the mountains to dig for wild plants and bugs, then come back to town to sleep at night,” she explained.
“Yes, exactly!” Shi Tou puffed up his chest again.
Tang Yu’an observed them and sighed softly. “Where do you sleep at night?”
“We find a place near the torches,” Xiao Cao replied, sounding more relaxed as the “poison” scare faded.
The town kept torches burning all night to prevent beasts from wandering in, providing warmth for homeless children like them.
“Do you want to sleep here tonight?” Tang Yu’an suddenly asked.
“Sleep here?” The siblings looked at him in disbelief.
Tang Yu’an improvised, turning to Xiao Cao. “You were just poisoned. Although you took the antidote, you’re still weak. It’s best not to sleep somewhere too cold.”
He couldn’t help them much in the long run, but if he could do something small, he was willing to lend a hand.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be free,” he added, looking at Xiao Cao. “If you promise to bring me wild vegetables tomorrow, I’ll cover your rent for tonight.”
The girl hesitated visibly.
If she gave him the vegetables they found tomorrow, she and her brother would go hungry. But it was just sleeping outside—sitting by the torches was warm enough…
“Deal!” Shi Tou said firmly.
“Shi Tou! You can’t just agree for me!” Xiao Cao protested.
“Vegetables can be found again, but you can’t afford to get sick!” Shi Tou’s tone was resolute.
Tang Yu’an ignored him, looking at the girl. “So, what do you say?”
Xiao Cao bit her lip but eventually nodded. “Alright, I agree. I’ll bring you all the vegetables I find tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll pay for your rent,” Tang Yu’an agreed.
[You completed a neutral transaction with a new customer. Experience +3.]
Seeing the system notification, Tang Yu’an smiled.
If he could cover their rent with the innkeeper, it would count as another transaction—a perfect excuse without seeming forced.
Tang Yu’an turned to Zhou Qi.
Zhou Qi nodded. “I’ll speak to the innkeeper.”
Zhou Qi glanced at his own experience bar: Level 2 (19/30). He could use the experience boost as well.
Once Tang Yu’an reached Level 5, his remote access skill would upgrade to Level 4, but if Zhou Qi remained at Level 2, his own skill range would stay limited.
Tang Yu’an nodded as Zhou Qi left for the second floor, then turned back to the siblings.
Shi Tou stood protectively in front of his sister, watching the refined boy before him with a hint of wariness.
Only now did Shi Tou take a moment to truly study Tang Yu’an.
Although Tang Yu’an’s face was smeared with mud to hide his fair skin, his chubby cheeks and delicate features couldn’t be entirely concealed. Most notably, his clear, kind eyes gleamed with a gentle smile, making him look like a little angel.
Yes, a little tan-skinned angel.
Shi Tou stared at him, slightly stunned, and asked, “Are you… from the Fortress?”
This boy standing before him embodied everything he imagined about people from the Fortress.
Hiding behind her brother, Xiao Cao nodded as if she agreed with her brother’s suspicion.
Tang Yu’an felt helpless. He’d put so much effort into looking ragged, hadn’t showered in two days, and even dirtied his hair, yet somehow, people could still tell he wasn’t from around here.
Thinking it over, he answered ambiguously, “That’s a secret.”
Shi Tou and Xiao Cao nodded knowingly, already assuming he was indeed from the Fortress.
Realizing this, they looked at Tang Yu’an with a new mix of awe and apprehension. For them, the Fortress was an unattainable place.
Tang Yu’an studied them and thought of Mo Ke from earlier in the day. He pondered a moment and then asked, “The old man with us today—you’ve seen him before, right?”
Shi Tou nodded.
“He’s a hunter who often brings meat and pelts to trade in town,” Xiao Cao added, unable to stop herself from swallowing. She rarely ever got to eat meat, but every time that old hunter came to town, he’d have a huge bundle of meat.
She was always envious, but she knew better than to provoke someone as skilled as him.
Tang Yu’an nodded thoughtfully and then said, “I saved him.”
He watched the siblings closely for their reaction, but other than a flicker of surprise, their expressions remained indifferent.
“Oh,” Shi Tou nodded.
“So that’s why he’s so protective of you?” Xiao Cao mused.
Tang Yu’an responded vaguely, wondering why hearing of his “deeds” didn’t spark the same respect as it had with Mo Ke.
Wait… “deeds”?
He blinked, feeling he’d caught onto something. Studying the siblings, he decided he needed to experiment to understand the conditions that triggered his “Guardian Halo” aura.
He organized his thoughts and explained, “He was bitten by a mutated lizard and was on the verge of death. We happened to pass by, so I treated and bandaged his wounds, saving his life.”
If this effect relied on people hearing the full context, perhaps he needed to explain what happened, the cause, and his role in it?
Sure enough, his idea was right.
After he clarified the story, the siblings looked at him with… admiration, bordering on awe, much like Mo Ke had.
“Are you… a divine healer?” Shi Tou, who had been so unruly earlier, now addressed him with respect.
Tang Yu’an quickly shook his head. “No, I’m not a doctor, just someone who knows a bit of first aid.”
In fact, it was mainly Zhou Qi who’d done the first aid while he’d just been helping.
But Xiao Cao replied earnestly, “You’re too modest! He was bitten by a mutated lizard and almost died, but you saved him. You must be a divine healer!”
“Plus, you just gave me the antidote, and my stomach doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”
Hearing this, Tang Yu’an was now sure: the “Guardian Halo” aura was indeed working!
He was about to ask them to drop the honorifics when suddenly he noticed a flea hop off the girl and onto his back, only to quickly jump away again—likely repelled by the insect repellent he had applied.
Tang Yu’an froze, noticing tiny bugs crawling through their hair.
He shivered involuntarily, feeling itchy all over despite the repellent.
“Don’t you feel itchy?” he asked, his voice trembling.
Not understanding why he was asking, Shi Tou scratched his head, while Xiao Cao pinched the flea between her fingers and killed it with a small pop.
Tang Yu’an took a deep breath and said, “If you promise to do as I say, I’ll tell you how to get rid of those bugs.”
Shi Tou and Xiao Cao exchanged glances.
They’d lived with fleas and bugs for as long as they could remember and had grown used to them, but out of respect for the “divine healer,” they quickly nodded.
“Alright, then I’ll teach you,” he agreed.
[You completed a neutral transaction with a returning customer. Experience +2.]
This time, it registered as a deal with Xiao Cao.
Tang Yu’an kept his word and took a pair of scissors from his backpack.
Although he could use the insect repellent, it was a limited supply, and even if he shared it with them, they’d be out once it ran out. So, he decided to try a different approach.
“First, we’ll cut your hair short,” Tang Yu’an suggested. “Let’s go outside for that.”
Curious, Shi Tou took the scissors, but having never used such a tool, he looked unsure.
Tang Yu’an guided him, and suddenly it hit him: scissors were a sharp object. Although he was protected by both the inn’s rules and his “Guardian Halo” aura, he discreetly clenched a Happy Marble in his hand, maintaining a safe distance from Shi Tou.
Fortunately, Shi Tou didn’t do anything unfriendly.
Just then, Zhou Qi returned from his transaction with the innkeeper—due to her not feeling well, he had only managed to complete one transaction. After Tang Yu’an briefed him, Zhou Qi nodded in understanding.
After learning how to use scissors, Shi Tou and Xiao Cao left the inn and went over to the torch-lit area to cut their hair. As locks of hair fell, the bugs that had nested on their heads were exposed, falling to the ground along with lice eggs clinging to the strands.
Shi Tou rubbed his newly cropped head, feeling refreshed, though the night wind now made him feel a bit chilly.
“This feels so much better!”
They had known they could cut their hair, but they hadn’t had the tools to do it and usually had to wait until it grew out and then hack it off with a piece of metal—the same piece Shi Tou had used to cut open Tang Yu’an’s bag. It was small and made short haircuts difficult and painful.
“Shi Tou, hurry up and cut mine too!” urged Xiao Cao.
Though she didn’t dislike being pretty—she had seen the beautiful innkeeper with her long, dark hair—she valued comfort even more. Being comfortable could help her live a bit longer.
Soon, Shi Tou finished cutting her hair, leaving just a short fuzz on her head.
With the hair gone, their scalp was visible, revealing patches of scabs from the bites they had scratched open. Shi Tou touched her head with concern.
Though the short hair felt refreshing, the cold wind did make them feel a bit more chilled.
“Brother, can we go back now?” Xiao Cao shivered.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Seeing the two with their newly cropped hair, Tang Yu’an nodded approvingly and then led them to the kitchen, where hot water was already boiling on the stove.
Tang Yu’an handed Shi Tou a towel, telling him to wet it with hot water and wash his head. A full bath was out of the question, but washing their heads was doable, especially now that their hair was so short—it saved both water and effort.
[You completed a neutral transaction with a returning customer. Experience +1.]
As he guided them, Tang Yu’an gained the last bit of experience he needed.
While washing their hair, the siblings also washed their faces. It was the first time they had clearly seen each other’s faces, and they couldn’t help but laugh at each other’s expressions.
Despite their hardships, they could still find joy in simple things like this.
Tang Yu’an applied insect repellent on them.
“Bugs can carry diseases, and scratching until it bleeds can lead to infections. You should be more careful,” he advised gently. “If you want another haircut, you can come here and see if we’re around.”
Shi Tou and Xiao Cao stayed still, savoring the coolness of the insect repellent on their skin, which brought immediate relief from itching.
Listening to the boy’s gentle voice, they felt a warmth they couldn’t quite describe.
“Will you come back to town?” Shi Tou couldn’t help but ask.
“Mm-hmm.” Tang Yu’an nodded. “When we visit again, we’ll stay here.”
Having a safe place like this to stay in the apocalypse was rare, and even if it was expensive, it was worth it.
After applying the insect repellent, Tang Yu’an sent them to their room.
*
Once inside their room, lying on the large shared bed, the siblings still felt like they were in a dream.
Tonight had been nothing short of miraculous for them.
Despite having stolen from him, they’d been forgiven after an apology. Not only had the boy helped Xiao Cao, but he’d also taught them how to get rid of lice and let them stay in this warm, safe place for the night.
Shi Tou had never met anyone like this and didn’t know how to describe him.
He shook his head. Why overthink it?
He’d already promised to follow this boy’s orders in the future and serve him loyally. He had no intention of breaking that promise—kindness wasn’t exactly a good quality in the wasteland, but keeping one’s word had its place. No one wanted to deal with someone untrustworthy.
Shi Tou’s decent connections in Jufeng had helped him track down Tang Yu’an at the inn, partly because he had a reputation for being reliable.
Their room had a large heated platform bed with limited firewood, but the thick walls kept it much warmer than outside.
And it even had fur blankets!
There were only two, and they were small, but the siblings were small too. Tonight, they had the room all to themselves, with no one to fight for space.
Wrapped up in the fuzzy blankets, basking in the warmth, Xiao Cao’s eyes suddenly grew red.
“Shi Tou, do you think we’re about to die and this is a nice dream?”
She had overheard stories in town—sometimes, when people froze to death on cold nights, they’d fall asleep and have a happy dream before passing away, smiling in their sleep.
“Pinch me, so I can see if it hurts,” Shi Tou said uncertainly.
Xiao Cao immediately reached over and gave his arm a hard pinch.
“Ow!” Shi Tou gasped, quickly pulling his arm back. “I didn’t mean for real!”
“Did it hurt?” she asked.
“Of course, it did!” Shi Tou huffed.
“So, we’re not dreaming then?”
“Seems like it.”
*
Meanwhile, back on the third floor, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi opened the Shadow Umbrella again.
“Today, I gained so much experience!”
Although there weren’t many ideal trade opportunities, Tang Yu’an still managed to earn 38 experience points today—just 12 more, and he could level up again tomorrow!
As for points…
He had spent 600 points today to exchange for two rolls of basic healing bandages and two bottles of basic healing potions, so his total points hadn’t seen a huge jump. In fact, they had slightly decreased, but Tang Yu’an was still in high spirits.
“By the way, Brother Qi, how did you trade with the innkeeper earlier?” Tang Yu’an sensed something unusual.
Zhou Qi paused, thought for a moment, and then realized why Tang Yu’an was asking.
“I used meat to cover our lodging fee, and the system marked it as a profitable trade,” he said. “Do you know how many points we gained?”
“Six,” Tang Yu’an replied.
Two ounces of ordinary animal meat, according to the system, was worth only 4 points. Since they had earned 6 points, it seemed that a night’s stay at the Jade Inn was valued at 10 points.
This was the first time the system had assigned a value to a non-physical trade.
“Does it have to do with the rules of the inn or maybe the firewood?” Tang Yu’an wondered aloud.
Zhou Qi thought for a moment, went back downstairs to the kitchen, and returned shortly with a piece of firewood. “Want to try appraising this?”
Tang Yu’an nodded.
The appraisal revealed that it was indeed just ordinary firewood, suitable for burning or making charcoal, valued at 10 points per pound.
“How long does a pound of firewood burn for?” Tang Yu’an asked.
“Maybe up to five hours?”
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi exchanged a look, both realizing the answer!
Since firewood was included in the lodging, the system must have factored in the firewood’s value, hence marking their trade as profitable.
For Shi Tou and Xiao Cao’s lodging in the shared dormitory, they only needed to pay 2 ounces of meat. Staying on the third floor, however, required 1/2 pound, equating to a value of 10 points—making it a fair, balanced trade.
After understanding this, Tang Yu’an scratched his chin. Could they continuously reserve a dormitory bed here for a month?
For just one bed, the cost would be 3 pounds of meat, or 60 points, with a value of 300 points, netting a 240-point profit!
But, bringing in 3 pounds of meat all at once while not even staying here might raise some eyebrows.
Just then, Tang Yu’an’s stomach growled.
Zhou Qi chuckled, asking, “What do you want for dinner?”
“Instant noodles! I haven’t had them in so long!” Tang Yu’an smacked his lips in anticipation.
Zhou Qi laughed, nodding in agreement.
Tang Yu’an pulled out two cups of noodles from his personal storage, removed the packaging, poured in hot water, and added a sausage to each.
The Shadow Umbrella hovered quietly above them, concealing everything from sight, even concealed the rich aroma of the noodles.
Smelling the mouthwatering aroma, Tang Yu’an’s hunger intensified.
When they were ready, each took a cup of noodles and ate with relish.
But Tang Yu’an felt as if something was missing today, and as he ate, he mentally reviewed the day’s gains.
The “Little Savior” title…basic healing potions…basic healing bandages…
The weekly task (2) reward…
Suddenly, he looked up, exclaiming, “Brother Qi, we haven’t completed the daily task today!”
Zhou Qi’s heart skipped a beat. “What did we miss?”
“The task is to clean up the grocery store!” Tang Yu’an said with some urgency.
Could something have happened back at the grocery store? Why hadn’t Brother Chi Hao done the cleaning today?
*
At the Peace Grocery Store.
Chi Hao and Yuan Bao were locked in a standoff.
He held a broom, clearly having cleaned up the store, but…
“You can’t make me go into that warehouse!” Chi Hao insisted firmly.
With dark circles under his eyes, showing that he hadn’t slept well last night.
Yes, ever since he had left the warehouse, Chi Hao had been feeling jumpy and on edge, plagued by nightmares like being embedded by a serious curse.
So…
Even if it meant death, he wouldn’t step foot in that haunted warehouse again today!
