Chapter 167: The Refugees

"It's over… completely over…"

He rolled over like a dead dog, his vacant gaze fixed on the ceiling.

He suddenly remembered that this morning he had used a resource‑stealing card on Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji; if that card were still there, or if he had stolen something good…

Even when heating, Wu Ya's processing price could be a bit cheaper…

Ge Wudi slowly swallowed a mouthful of saliva, a flash of hatred exploding in his eyes.

A thousand and ten thousand mistakes are all Wu Ya's fault!

"Wu Ya! All the blame is on Wu Ya! One day… one day, I'll kill him with my own hands!"

This person's collapse left Cheng Shuili completely oblivious, and she was even more indifferent to his hostility toward Cheng Shuili.

After all, she is Number One; standing out too much naturally draws resentment, and such people are like rats in a gutter, not even daring to express clear hostility, unworthy of a second glance from her.

Cheng Shuili's attention was entirely on tonight's meal; Qi Wan Yi specifically mentioned that tonight they would make the hometown specialty—iron‑pot stewed big goose.

The big goose was self‑purchased at Jiao Yi Zhan during a scorching heat, costing a lot of Game Coin. Not for any other reason, but to let everyone taste her hometown dish.

After buying it, the ingredients alone took several days to prepare, so it was only made today.

As soon as the food reached a few people, they were as if they hadn't eaten at all.

But they really couldn't blame them; the thick broth glimmered amber‑colored oil, the goose meat was stewed to a tender crumble, the brown‑red skin slightly lifted, revealing the snow‑white delicate flesh inside, faintly visible in the broth.

The potato chunks were even softer and glutinous, their edges faintly translucent, soaked with sauce, shining an inviting golden hue.

Unfortunately there were no wide noodles, nor the pancake stuck to the pot edge; they could only eat it with rice. Qi Wan Yi felt a bit regretful but wasn't sad.

How can everything go as one wishes?

Now, with ingredients and seasonings, being able to cook whatever she wants, Qi Wan Yi felt very satisfied.

But Cheng Shuili wasn't; during the group chat, after hearing Qi Wan Yi's words, she frowned and began pondering where to obtain those items.

No, then don't eat?

Impossible!

With such a great chef, she will even have the stars—Cheng Shuili—snatched for her! She has all the strength and means!

Cheng Shuili said nothing, keeping it silently in her heart; the group chat topic faded, and Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai turned to another subject.

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: I came across a Jiao Yi Zhan today, originally wanted to see if there were cheap fruits, even though I just ate watermelon…

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Not enough Game Coin?

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Wow! Sis, you don't know! Didn't Lao Da earlier mention the watermelon price in the group? Three hundred Game Coin! I saved up to buy it! When I asked the price, it had jumped to three thousand Game Coin! So unfair, whose family raised the price tenfold, tenfold!

【Wan Yi】: It must be because of the famine's impact. If getting food at Jiao Yi Zhan is that easy, how can it still be called a famine?

【Ailin】: That's right.

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: I haven't finished! I'm not the foolish me I used to be; now I'm learning a lot smarter from Sister Xinxue!

She seemed a bit displeased, adding several exclamation marks after that sentence.

The remaining few had no comment on that line. Xinxue echoed a few words, effectively confirming that Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai had indeed been not smart before.

Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai didn't notice, silently typing the next words. Unfortunately, she was holding a rice bowl with one hand, typing extremely slowly and full of typos.

No choice, Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai just sent a voice message.

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: I sensed something was off then! The person from the Ten‑Beast Trade Association didn't want to talk much, so I even went outside to find a friendly stall owner to ask!

【Xin Xue Chuji】: What did you ask?

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: I asked why his price was rising so fast!

【Wan Yi】: Did he answer you?

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: No.

Then why say so much?

【Xin Xue Chuji】: …

【Wan Yi】: …

Ailin, who had been peeking at the screen, said: "…"

Cheng Shuili, also peeking at the screen, said: "…"

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】:???, what do you mean! That stall owner was especially fierce; I pretended to buy something, asked the price and found it had risen twenty‑something times! I was truly shocked! I asked why it was so expensive, and he just hummed, telling me to buy or not. This price is already a clearance! It will be even higher in a few days!

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Hearing that made me even more curious; after checking several stalls, I learned from one stall owner that animals in Shou Ren Xiao Zhen seem to have a contagious disease, and edible animals have basically died. Coupled with the recent extreme heat, the crops yielded nothing, so this famine surged with fierce momentum!

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Oh, speaking of that, the day before yesterday many people complained in the regional channel that Lao Da's outsourced simple hunting device captured sick animals.

It turned out not only Cheng Shuili had caught them herself; she suddenly felt much better.

【Wan Yi】: I also saw it. Someone was shouting that Wu Ya was responsible, and Guang Hui's single sentence scared him into silence.

Cheng Shuili, however, didn't know about this.

Someone always treats her goodwill like donkey liver and lungs; she sighed, silently setting the next outsourcing fee at one hundred Game Coin.

What? You say there's no money?

What business is it of hers?

【Xin Xue Chuji】: No wonder many have been selling meat lately, especially cheap; turns out it's that kind of meat.

Cheng Shuili paused, leaned her body back a bit, and raised her hand to cover her eyes.

She actually forgot that this thing could also be sold.

Actually, she hadn't considered selling those pieces of meat; she chose to discard them for two reasons: first, it was monkey meat; second, it was meat from a sick monkey.

But that is indeed meat!

Cheng Shuili closed her eyes, couldn't help but pat her chest; she was still too conscientious, this way she wouldn't make any money! It must be corrected!

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Wait! Wait, I haven't finished! Listen to me!

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Most importantly! I finally got to the point—woo, I'm so moved, there's even a day when I can tell Lao Da the news. Quickly @ Lao Da, must let Lao Da see this message!

Xin Xue Chuji: @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji.

Cheng Shuili: "......"

She said, "If you @, just @, don't dote on her too much..."

Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai: The orc vendor said that from tomorrow onward, we may run into refugees.

Cheng Shuili instantly realized the seriousness of the problem, she furrowed her brows, and with lightning speed pressed a few letters.

Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji: "Refugees? Any detailed explanation?"