Announcement

Su Rui hadn't intended to eat, but thinking she might lose her sense of taste again tomorrow, she went ahead and opened a pack of spicy strips.

After all, Cheng Shuili had gotten them for her, and it was a gesture of goodwill she couldn't let go to waste.

However, Cheng Shuili was never one to make things difficult for herself.

Su Rui had only eaten two packs of the spicy strips when she heard Cheng Shuili’s disdainful voice: "Can you go outside to eat? The smell is really strong."

Su Rui: "......."

This was like a completely different person compared to the one who had just given her the snacks!

Cheng Shuili sat on the carpet, leaning back against her two-meter-wide bed, and leisurely opened the regional channel.

There really wasn't much to do today. The system had specifically noted that mileage wouldn't be calculated for the day, and there were no supply crates on the road, effectively telling everyone to take a day off.

The dungeon was also surprisingly simple; because there was no danger to life, almost all players were in a very relaxed state.

However, the fact that their daily meal allowance had been docked down to just one evening meal still left everyone full of resentment.

"Exactly which turtle-grandson was it? Does the system dare to leak this person's ID? Whoever it is, I’m definitely blocking them!"

"I’m blocking them too!"

"I thought you guys were going to use a designated player duel card, why are you being so peaceful? The resentment isn't high enough yet."

"Hey, it’s not just me saying this, but why does the system always say things it shouldn't and keep quiet about what it should? It wasn't the players' intention to open a random dungeon, so why don't you leak the player's ID? This special dungeon was definitely opened by a player on their own, yet you’re hiding it so tightly! The system is the most disgusting one of all!!!"

"Damn, I didn't even realize that until you said it! Back then, that 'Straightforward Straight' person, right? That person's ID was leaked immediately! Why is this one being hidden?"

"How do I report the system? Urgent! Waiting online!"

"Can we get a new system? I really don't want this one anymore."

"All systems are the same. Is there anyone who can take its place?"

"I... am about to take its place. Send me fifty, and I’ll bless you with a vehicle card in every supply crate!"

"Scammer, get lost!"

Cheng Shuili: "..."

Actually, watching them bicker was quite nice; it gave a sense that everyone was still alive.

For lunch, Qi Wanyi made two dishes and a soup, and steamed some rice. The dishes were sweet and sour pork ribs and stir-fried lettuce, and the soup was tomato egg drop soup.

They had very few vegetables and eggs left, and eggs, which required live chickens to produce, were even rarer—this batch had been traded for by Xinxue while watching the regional channel.

It could be said that Qi Wanyi had once again emptied their household savings for this meal.

Every time Cheng Shuili told Wanyi to prepare an extra portion, she would take out the best ingredients and use her best techniques, likely hoping that Cheng Shuili would save face when handing out the food.

In any case, when Cheng Shuili handed the packed meal from Wanyi to Su Rui, she did feel a sense of pride.

After Su Rui took it, Cheng Shuili picked up her own bowl.

Having lived under the same car shelter for so long, this was their first time eating together, and the experience was quite novel.

Cheng Shuili didn't think much of it, but Su Rui felt a bit uncomfortable; she used her stiff fingers to pry open the lid of the disposable lunch box.

And then... she no longer had the luxury of feeling uncomfortable.

Fragrant.

That was Su Rui's first sensation.

Previously, without a sense of taste, even if she could smell the aroma, the thought of eating it felt like chewing wax, so she had stopped feeling hungry for it—but today was different!

Today! She could taste the flavor of this food!

The tip of Su Rui's chopsticks had barely touched the sweet and sour ribs when the amber sauce slowly slid along the texture of the meat.

She carefully picked up a piece and placed it into her mouth with stiff movements. The moment her teeth pierced the crispy outer skin and the sweet and sour juices exploded in her mouth, Su Rui’s pupils contracted sharply.

She almost forgot to chew.

She had finally tasted it!

The meat of the ribs was tender and succulent yet retained a satisfying chew; the ratio of sugar to vinegar was just right, so fragrant she almost wanted to swallow it bone and all.

She tried hard to suppress the urge, momentarily not knowing what to do.

"What's wrong?" Cheng Shuili noticed her sudden stiff movement and glanced over suspiciously. "Not to your taste?"

Su Rui shook her head, though her eyes were heating up.

She lowered her head and shoveled a large mouthful of rice into her mouth. The sweetness of the rice grains melted in her mouth; this most common of flavors made her want to cry.

She picked up a mouthful of the stir-fried lettuce. The refreshing vegetable aroma, combined with the slight spiciness of the garlic, and the crisp texture made her unable to help but let out a sigh of satisfaction.

Cheng Shuili set down her chopsticks and couldn't help but retort: "Why are you acting like a starving ghost? Oh, wait, I guess you basically are."

Su Rui: "..."

Would it kill this person to keep her mouth shut while eating?

The meal ended completely after Su Rui licked the lunch box clean.

Four hours later, the system immediately popped up.

【Congratulations to all players who completed the dungeon!】

【This dungeon has come to a successful conclusion! First, thanks to all the players who formally participated, thanks to all the staff who urgently acted as NPCs, thanks to...】

It paused, and almost every player perked up their ears.

【The player who hosted this session! Brother Invincible!】

Oh? It’s been exposed?!

Cheng Shuili’s eyes lit up; she knew she hadn't guessed wrong!

The system didn't have any good intentions; after stirring up trouble for so long, Cheng Shuili absolutely didn't believe it wasn't a setup for this announcement.

She clicked on the regional channel, intending to see what the professional complainers were cursing about.

"Who?!!"

"Brother Invincible??"

"Did I hear that right? Is that the Cow Dung Brother?!"

"Wait! Let’s stay calm for a second, don't curse the wrong person!"

"Stay calm my foot! It’s him! How could there be duplicate IDs in this hellhole!"

"Damn! So it was you, you old fox, who made us go hungry!!!"

"Brothers and sisters! The time to unite has come! Let’s get the blacklist started! From now on, curse him every time we see him!"

"@Brother Invincible, get out here! Explain yourself! I wouldn't say anything if you opened a dungeon, but couldn't you have waited until the rest day was over? You even opened it in the middle of the night! The value of this dungeon opening card is really high! You were worth nothing before using this card, and now you’re worth a full forty thousand!"

That line was good; Cheng Shuili silently noted it down. Her material library hadn't been updated in a while.

"Hilarious, this ID paired with this move really is invincible—invincibly asking for a beating!"

"Is the system doing this on purpose? Why do I always feel like the system is so dark-hearted, like it was just waiting to leak this? Could it be that the system is also resting today and only came out to work overtime?"

The system, upon seeing this message, felt its eyes turn red. That’s right, someone finally understands it!

Some calm players also began to question.

"Wait, what was the point of him opening this dungeon? Just to have us curse him? Um, this might be a bit presumptuous, but... is he seeking attention?"