Chapter 294: Beef

【System detects safe zone material reserves are sufficient. Can initiate meat supply plan.】

When the cold, mechanical voice sounded in Lin Chen's mind, he was sitting at the long table in the cafeteria,

holding a steamed bun in his hand, chewing slowly. The snow outside the window had stopped,

and the sunlight shone in through the glass, landing on the tabletop, leaving a patch of warm light spots.

Xia Nuan sat opposite him, holding a bowl of rice porridge, drinking it in small sips, a bit of rice grain still on the corner of her mouth.

Team members sat around in twos and threes, some chatting,

some eating, the cafeteria filled with the fragrance of food and bursts of laughter.

Lin Chen put down the bun in his hand and looked up at the cafeteria entrance; Lin Hao was standing there, holding that empty gun, his gaze sweeping around the cafeteria before finally landing on Lin Chen.

Lin Chen waved at him; Lin Hao hesitated for a moment, but still walked over and sat down in the empty seat next to Lin Chen. Xia Nuan handed him a bowl of rice porridge; Lin Hao took it but didn't drink, just placed it in front of him, his fingers gently rubbing the rim of the bowl.

【System prompt: Meat supply plan is prioritized for the wounded and combat personnel. Suggest choosing high-protein meat.】

Lin Chen did not ignore the system's prompt; he turned to look at the cafeteria kitchen,

where a cook was walking out with a large basin filled with meat cut into chunks, steaming hot and emitting a rich fragrance. The team members cheered immediately, each one stretching their necks to look toward the cook.

"There's meat to eat today!" a team member shouted, his voice full of excitement.

The cook nodded with a smile and said loudly, "Adding a dish today—stewed beef!"

The team members' cheers grew louder, and they lined up one by one, holding bowls and walking toward the cook. Lin Chen looked at their appearance, the corners of his mouth twitching involuntarily. In the apocalypse, being able to eat a meal of meat was better than anything. He remembered that before the apocalypse, beef was the most ordinary ingredient, and at that time he even thought it was greasy, but now he felt it was the most delicious thing in the world.

Lin Hao looked up at the basin in the cook's hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes,

and a hint of imperceptible anticipation. His stomach growled—the sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet corner.

Lin Chen glanced at him, stood up, and walked toward the cook.

"Give me three pieces." Lin Chen said to the cook.

The cook nodded, picked up a large bowl, served three pieces of beef, added two ladles of meat broth, and handed it to Lin Chen. Lin Chen took it, walked back to his seat, placed the bowl in front of Lin Hao, and picked up a piece from the bowl to place in Xia Nuan's bowl.

"Eat." Lin Chen said.

Lin Hao said nothing, just picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of beef, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. The beef was stewed very tenderly, melting in his mouth, the rich fragrance spreading in his mouth, carrying a hint of warmth.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, along with a hint of nostalgia. He remembered that when he was a child, his mother often stewed beef for him and Lin Chen; those days were simple and warm.

Xia Nuan also picked up the beef, put it in her mouth, and a smile appeared on her face. She ate very slowly, as if tasting some rare delicacy. Lin Chen looked at them, picked up his chopsticks, picked up the last piece of beef, and put it in his mouth. The fragrance of the beef spread in his mouth, dispelling all the fatigue and cold.

【System detects safe zone personnel nutrition index has risen. Emotional stability has improved by 20%.】

The laughter in the cafeteria grew louder; the team members were chatting while eating the beef, all with smiles on their faces. A team member walked over with a bowl, sat next to Lin Chen, and said with a smile, "Team Leader Lin, this beef is really delicious; it's been a long time since I've eaten such fragrant meat."

Lin Chen nodded and said nothing. He looked at the smiling faces of the team members, looked at Lin Hao's satisfied expression, looked at the smile on Xia Nuan's mouth,

and his heart suddenly became very calm. He remembered Chu Yao's words, remembered A-Nian's golden light, remembered his father's teachings, remembered those who had passed away,

and his heart no longer had the previous guilt and remorse, only a faint sense of relief.

That team member said something else, but Lin Chen didn't hear it clearly; he just looked at the sunlight outside the window, at that patch of warm light spots.

The snow had stopped completely, the sky was very blue, without a trace of clouds. The distant forest was lush and green, the wind blowing through the leaves, emitting a rustling sound.

Lin Hao finished the beef in his bowl and drank the meat broth clean. He put down the bowl, looked at Lin Chen, his eyes devoid of the previous aloofness, only a faint sense of peace. Xia Nuan also finished eating; she wiped the corner of her mouth, looked at Lin Chen, and said with a smile, "Today's beef is really delicious."

Lin Chen nodded and said, "There will be more tomorrow."

The team members heard this and cheered immediately. The atmosphere in the cafeteria became even more lively, laughter and voices mixed together, like a cheerful song. Lin Chen looked at them, and a smile also appeared on the corner of his mouth. He picked up the bun in front of him and continued to eat.

【System prompt: Meat supply plan response is good. Suggest continuous supply.】

Lin Chen did not ignore the system's prompt; he just looked at everyone in the cafeteria, looked at the smiles on their faces, looked at those bowls of steaming beef. The sunlight shone in through the glass, landing on him, carrying a hint of warmth. He remembered many things—remembered the days before the apocalypse, remembered those who fought side by side, remembered those who were lost and those who were gained.

Lin Hao stood up, nodded at Lin Chen, and then turned to walk toward the cafeteria entrance. His steps were steady, no longer staggering like before. Lin Chen looked at his back and said nothing. Xia Nuan also stood up and said, "I'll go help clean up the bowls and chopsticks."

Lin Chen nodded and watched her walk into the kitchen. The number of people in the cafeteria gradually decreased; the team members had all finished eating, each one leaving satisfied. The cook began to clean up the bowls and chopsticks, and only Lin Chen was left in the cafeteria. He sat at the long table, looking at the sunlight outside the window, at that patch of warm light spots, still holding a half-eaten bun in his hand.

In the distance came the laughter of children and the shouts of team members training. Lin Chen stood up and walked toward the cafeteria entrance. His steps were steady, one by one, stepping into the sunlight. In his mind, the fragrance of the beef still echoed, along with the laughter of the team members. ===== CHAPTER 295 =====