Chapter 23: Who

I'm used to taking laxatives.

Cheng Shuili kept driving, glancing at the regional channel from time to time.

So far no player who has exited the Instance has spoken; maybe they couldn't get out, or maybe they're keeping a low profile.

Until noon, Wan Yi suddenly private‑messaged her.

【Wan Yi】: Want to have lunch?

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Mm.

【Wan Yi】: I just saw your announcement. You're way too fast; I just got out of the Instance. What do you want for lunch today? I still have a good amount of pork, but not much seasoning left, and the scallion, ginger, and garlic are low too; the rice in a few days might not taste great.

Cheng Shuili felt a stir in her heart; the seasonings—she does have them, they just haven't refreshed yet.

She didn't say much; she'd talk when the seasonings refreshed, because mentioning it now and they still didn't appear would only disappoint both of them.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: I'll eat anything, as long as there's rice and vegetables.

【Wan Yi】: Okay.

Cheng Shuili reopened the regional channel and finally saw a post from someone who had exited the Instance.

【Qing Lin Bian】: I thought I was already fast, but when I got out I saw Wuya Dalao took only 3 minutes? Must be cheating, right?

【Zui Xihuan Xiao Yangrou Chuanzi】: I wandered inside for three hours before finding the way. Luckily there was no danger, otherwise I'd have died not knowing where. Next time there's this thing I definitely won't join; going in just makes me feel uneasy…

【Quan Quan】: Next time we probably won't have a choice.

【Jiu Pi Tu】: @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, what's the boss's reward? Don't be stingy, post it so everyone can see!

【Meng Yue】: Damn, I'm curious too! @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, show us the boss's reward!

Cheng Shuili's fingers lightly tapped the steering wheel as her eyes scanned the constantly popping messages in the regional channel.

The exclamations and doubts fluttered before her like a flock of noisy sparrows. A slight smile curled her lips; this reaction was exactly as she expected.

But she didn't intend to reply.

How could she say everything? The boss always has an air of mystery.

Wan Yi was quick; in no time she sent today's lunch.

"You have received a gift from player 【Wan Yi】: a homemade Guo Bao Rou, a bowl of rice, and a cup of homemade unknown beverage."

Cheng Shuili wasn't really hungry, but if the food cooled its taste would suffer. She pulled the car over to the roadside and impatiently opened the covered box.

As soon as she lifted the lid, a rich sweet‑sour aroma hit her face, causing her to inhale deeply, her mouth automatically salivating, and she immediately felt hunger.

The Guo Bao Rou's golden, crispy crust was glazed with glistening sweet‑and‑sour sauce, shimmering temptingly in the sunlight. She gently prodded it; the crust gave a "crack" sound, while the meat inside remained tender and juicy.

The sweet‑sour sauce carried a hint of ginger‑garlic spiciness; just the scent made her mouth water.

The rice was perfectly steamed, each grain distinct, steaming hot. She scooped a spoonful; the rice fragrance mingled with the Guo Bao Rou sauce, melting into a soft sweet aroma in her mouth.

So satisfying.

This is what life is.

She wolfed down a few bites, then finally found the time to examine the mysterious drink. The cup held a strange dark brown liquid, with a few lemon slices and mint leaves settled at the bottom.

Cheng Shuili guessed it might be cola, pinched it to test but felt nothing, so she drank it directly; Wan Yi's message had arrived just in time.

【Wan Yi】: I made the drink myself; I really wanted cola, the taste is a bit weird, don't drink it.

Cheng Shuili, not believing the warning, took a tentative sip; her tongue was instantly hit by a strange flavor.

It was cloyingly sweet, yet carried an herbal bitterness; the bubbles burst in her mouth, mixed with the sharpness of lemon peel.

"Puff."

She almost spat it out, quickly gripping the glass cup and tossing it aside. She never supports wasting water, but this time she wanted to discard the cup as well.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: …Did you add Isatis root inside?

【Wan Yi】: Ah, you figured it out? I saw the cola ingredient list includes cinnamon and vanilla, so I added a bit of the spice packet we use for stewing meat at home; it's actually not that bad.

Cheng Shuili really wished he would touch his conscience and think it over before speaking.

Cheng Shuili gulped several large mouthfuls of mineral water, feeling the taste in her mouth dull a bit, then she could truly enjoy the food again.

Wan Yi kept trying to make amends, said a few lines, and when Cheng Shuili didn't reply, she gave up and outright admitted it.

【Wan Yi】: Fine, I'm great at cooking. But my drinks are always like this—either they give you diarrhea after drinking, or you can't swallow them.

Cheng Shuili read the message and felt speechless.

Trying it out is one thing, but in the apocalypse, should we waste water just to experiment?

【Wan Yi】: This is my dream. I'm determined to independently develop a dozen tasty drinks and open my own bubble‑tea shop.

What an old lady, you can't argue.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Wish you success.

【Wan Yi】: Thank you!

Cheng Shuili didn't reply again, but received several more @ mentions; she opened the regional channel and saw more newcomers curious about her reward, and someone asking her to share how she got out.

【Na Xie Nian】: Boss, could you explain how you got out so fast? I followed the markings on the wall and turned around several times; how are you so quick? @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji.

【Ze Cheng】: You looked at the markings on the wall? I followed the direction of the swirling mist; the correct path and the wrong path have different mist flow speeds.

【Mao Huo】: The atmosphere of this Instance is terrifying; I felt a chill inside, the moss on the ground is so thick, clearly no one's been here for a long time.

Cheng Shuili ignored it outright; she exited by following the air wall, which is her biggest secret, so she naturally can't tell these people, and as for the moss…

Why give it directly to so many people?

There are still many people stuck inside the Instance; although they can't see the regional channel, private messages are open.

Cheng Shuili looked again; each person's hint seemed different, but everyone's Instance contained moss.

Cheng Shuili instantly realized this was also a valuable piece of information!

This news truly has a time limit; only today could it fetch a good price. Cheng Shuili originally planned to sell the tip to Guang Hui, but thinking the buyer kept lowering the price, she gave up.

Without delay, she posted a message directly on the World Channel.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: A general notice, how to exit the Instance, applicable to everyone. Those with friends/family inside the Instance can private chat me to buy, bring your own price, if suitable I will initiate a trade.

【Shi Ran】: Not? Still selling? You, a big shot, so stingy? What's wrong with doing a little contribution for everyone? You've taken all the rewards and still so petty? If I were first place, I would definitely share selflessly!

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Yo, Shi Ran big shot again with moral coercion? What are you anyway, on what basis do you get a free ride?

【Wan Yi】: Don't be so generous with other people's money, huh. You're so impressive, you bought from Wuya Dalao, just post on the public channel, what's the issue? Who stopped you?