Chapter 35: Seasoning Packet

After discovering it was instant noodles, Zhao Xiao Yan's mood clearly dropped a notch; she and Wei Dalei obviously hadn't thought of some crucial issues at that moment.

But Chen Mu was overjoyed.

"Is this useful?"

Zhao Xiao Yan initially felt she had led everyone astray, feeling a bit guilty, but seeing Chen Mu's happy expression, she was quite puzzled.

"It's not just useful; it practically solved almost all problems in one go."

"Ah? Instant noodles?" Wei Dalei said, puzzled.

"Instant noodles aren't the key." With Chen Mu's composure, he was now excited to the point of losing decorum, he slapped Wei Dalei's shoulder and said with a smile: "But the seasoning packet inside is what truly matters."

"Seasoning packet... right!"

The two instantly understood.

Zhao Xiao Yan isn't stupid either; she just rarely eats instant noodles, so she didn't pay much attention to it, while Wei Dalei is simply too lazy to think.

But after Chen Mu's reminder, even the dullest person would realize.

"The seasoning packet can replace salt." Zhao Xiao Yan also felt a bit excited.

When real salt is hopeless, the instant noodle seasoning packet is practically a perfect substitute; more importantly, the seasoning powder isn't food, so it's consumed in tiny amounts—just a small packet can feed everyone for a very long time.

"Not only that."

Chen Mu slowly approached the instant noodle carton; despite his excitement, he remained vigilant of his surroundings, walking and saying:

"This brand of instant noodles usually comes with three seasoning packets:

"One powder packet, mainly containing edible salt, MSG, and white sugar, plus some spices;

"One oil packet, mainly palm oil, beef sauce, and chili, etc.;

"And finally, the vegetable packet, containing various dehydrated vegetables, including cabbage, carrot, scallion, egg, and beef bits..."

Before Chen Mu could finish, Wei Dalei jumped up with a wow: "Holy shit, boss, how do you know all that so clearly?"

"Isn't the ingredient list printed on the packaging bag?"

Chen Mu pointed to a packet of instant noodles scattered outside.

Wei Dalei: "..."

Zhao Xiao Yan also came to her senses, excitedly saying: "This... this is too abundant, I said instant noodles are healthy, but my mom wouldn't let me eat them."

Perhaps thinking of family, Zhao Xiao Yan's mood noticeably dropped as she spoke, but since the apocalypse, topics about family and parents have been discussed many times in class.

Hope, low spirits, despair—various emotions have been tasted; one must admit, human adaptability is stronger than one imagined.

Moreover.

Before any definite news, it's unknown whether relatives have certainly perished.

Chen Mu doesn't have this issue; if one had to name the person closest to him, it might be Wei Dalei, and this big oaf is right beside him, so there's no need to feel that sorrow.

But he could also understand Zhao Xiao Yan and the others' feelings, so he quickly took over the conversation, smiling:

"I don't know if it's healthy, but for us it has a huge advantage: vegetables spoil easily, but once dehydrated and sealed, if stored properly they can last years without issue."

"But it says the shelf life is six months." Zhao Xiao Yan pointed to the small print on the carton corner.

"The shelf life of food is a legal requirement for companies, but actually many items can be stored far beyond that limit.

"And even if it's only six months, that's actually more than enough; we can't keep living this hide-and-seek life forever."

Chen Mu has often discussed this with Tang Jing lately; their views are completely aligned: humanity will eventually return to the top of the food chain and regain control of the world.

Of course.

These things currently don't need to be discussed further with Zhao Xiao Yan.

They walked further inside.

Chen Mu then realized the room didn't just hold instant noodles; there were also rice vermicelli, seaweed packets for soup, etc. —basically all sorts of instant food.

But most of them were stacked high.

Only the instant noodles were placed at the bottom, likely because they're used most frequently.

Probably due to long-term storage of instant noodles, the room is filled with this distinctive smell, so it's no wonder Zhao Xiao Yan could smell it from far away.

"Let me try, see if I can carry it."

Near the door sat an opened carton, standard 24-pack, apparently missing four or five packs.

The instant noodles aren't very heavy.

Wei Dalei obviously thought he could carry one pack.

But before he could act, Chen Mu stopped him.

"We don't need the noodle cakes, just the seasoning packets."

"Right, the noodle cakes don't keep long, they're heavy, and there are many substitutes; their cost‑performance is low, so the seasoning packets are key." Zhao Xiao Yan chimed in.

A seasoning packet that solves oil, salt, and vegetables at once is naturally incomparable to those noodle cakes; although Chen Mu also felt it a pity, if their storage room had such a box of instant noodles, they wouldn't need to worry about food for at least a year or two.

"So what do we do, just bring back three seasoning packets?" Wei Dalei, ever lazy to think.

"We'll open several more packets, take out all the seasoning packets, then drag them back in an empty bag." Chen Mu thought and suggested.

If Tang Jing were here, she might come up with a better plan, but for now Chen Mu can only think of this.

"Dragging it all the way back, the bag might wear out." Zhao Xiao Yan worried.

"No problem, I'll repair it along the way." Chen Mu had obviously considered this.

"I'll go get a bag out to try."

Wei Dalei strode into the carton with big steps.

A single packet of instant noodles is acceptable in weight, but anyone who's bought a full case knows the noodles are stacked upright in tight rows; pulling one out takes effort, even for Wei Dalei's strength.

Chen Mu walked to the side of the carton and placed both hands on it.

The next moment.

A crack appeared in the cardboard box.

This crack isn't long, but it effectively eased the tightening.

"It moved!"

Wei Dalei shouted excitedly, and immediately heard the rustling of plastic bags.

Not long after, a whole bag of instant noodles was dragged out.

The two followed the same method, successively taking out three bags of instant noodles.

"Take a break."

Chen Mu immediately called for a stop.

"I'm not tired at all." Wei Dalei clenched his fists, as if he had boundless energy to vent.

"You're not tired, but I am."

The crack on the cardboard box had by now grown to the length of several people; for Chen Mu, this consumption might not be too much, and saying he's tired is a bit exaggerated, but following the principle of safety first—must ensure he can open the "Golden Bell Cover" at the fastest speed at any moment—Chen Mu still had Wei Dalei stop.