Chapter 557: The Day Before the Day Off

Sunlight slanted through the car window, cutting a warm yellow band across the bed—another new day.

Cheng Shuili opened her eyes, stared at that beam of light for a few seconds, then slowly sat up.

Private message notification tones sounded sporadically; she picked it up and glanced—Xinxue's daily report, Ailin's injury update, and greetings from several subordinate forces.

Nothing urgent.

She closed the page and stretched.

A soft knock came from outside the door, then Wan Yi's lowered voice: "Boss, are you awake?"

"Come in."

The door opened, and Wan Yi walked in carrying a tray; on it was the familiar golden rice bowl, filled with steaming porridge, accompanied by two small side dishes.

"Today's porridge is with preserved egg and lean meat," Wan Yi set the tray on the table, smiling, "Ailin said you've been liking stronger flavors lately, Boss, so I added extra preserved egg."

Cheng Shuili nodded, lifted the bowl, and took a sip.

The warm liquid slid into her stomach, and her whole body felt comfortable.

She leaned against the headboard, sipping porridge while gazing out the window.

Black Feather's camp was already bustling.

On the training field, someone was doing morning drills, faint slogans drifting over; from the cafeteria direction, thin cooking smoke rose, and several logistics members pushed supply carts past the window, chatting and laughing.

Everything was in good order.

She didn't need to worry.

Cheng Shuili set down the empty bowl and glanced out the window again.

The sunlight was lovely, the sky a clear blue, with a few white clouds drifting lazily.

Today was still different—it was Saturday, and there was an instance.

Cheng Shuili waited calmly for the system announcement, and briefly replied to a message from Qin Wen, whom she had left hanging for several days.

【Qing Qing's Kiss】: Boss, you finally replied to me!!!

【Qing Qing's Kiss】: I thought you'd forgotten me!!!

【Qing Qing's Kiss】: How have you been lately? I haven't seen you in days—can I come to Black Feather for a free meal?

【Qing Qing's Kiss】: I've gathered some nice stuff; I'll send it over later.

【Qing Qing's Kiss】: Boss, please pay attention to me, QAQ.

Cheng Shuili looked at the screen full of messages, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

This guy—wasn't he aloof before?

She replied briefly, basically saying she's been fine, agreed to let Qin Wen come to Black Feather for a meal, and mentioned teaming up for the instance.

Qin Wen became happy again:

【Qing Qing's Kiss】: I'll arrive at noon! Save me food!!! Don't worry about the teaming matter, Boss—you're my boss; who else would I follow?

Cheng Shuili watched the message pop up on the screen and lightly shook her head.

Never mind her; as long as the team is set, it's fine.

The sunlight was just right—neither cold nor hot.

Cheng Shuili leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.

Days like this are truly nice.

Qin Wen also asked if she'd been busy lately, but actually she hadn't.

After the Freedom Wings fell, the alliance network that Jiekela had pulled together collapsed into scattered birds and beasts, long since reduced to loose sand.

The small forces that once followed the Freedom Wings, waving flags and shouting, have now each shrunk to be more obedient than anyone.

Some sent supplies, some submitted allegiance letters, and some simply applied to become subordinate forces of Black Feather.

Cheng Shuili hadn't seen any of them; she let Xinxue handle it.

Now Black Feather reigns supreme; no fool would be stupid enough to jump out and oppose Black Feather at this point.

She opened her eyes, then closed them again.

In her ears came the distant sounds of training, talking, and supply carts rolling over.

These sounds blended together, not noisy but rather reassuring.

Cheng Shuili suddenly remembered something and glanced at the time on the system page.

8:54.

Zhinü said this instance starts at nine; we need to get ready quickly.

……

This instance was similar to the last; Cheng Shuili and Qin Wen became a demolition team, tearing things up as they went, and when the final settlement came, they indeed earned the title of ending the instance, arriving once again at Chenhuan.

Unlike last time, the four Beichen seemed to have anticipated this, standing here waiting for them.

Cheng Shuili sat down in the chair, without further ado, and confidently extended her hand: "Echo, can you hand it over now?"

Zhinü looked at her like that, covered her mouth and chuckled, then countered: "You don't have anything you want to ask?"

Qin Wen interjected: "It sounds like if we asked you, you'd just answer."

That was also what Cheng Shuili wanted to say.

She still held out her hand, poised for a quick, decisive finish.

Having come to this point, Beichen couldn't very well say more, happily handed out the rewards, and sent the two back.

Qin Wen still remembered to mooch a meal, following Cheng Shuili to Black Feather's territory, as if she too were a part of Black Feather.

Sure enough, Wan Yi was waiting at the cafeteria entrance.

Seeing Cheng Shuili and Qin Wen approach, her eyes lit up and she hurried forward: "Boss! Miss Qin! The food is all ready, just waiting for you!"

Qin Wen smiled, her eyes crescent moons: "Sister Wan Yi, I've said it many times—just call me Qin Wen, not 'Miss'; it feels weird."

Wan Yi smiled and nodded: "Sure, sure, sure, Qin Wen, come in quickly. Today I made boiled fish, spicy chicken, mapo tofu, and also the red sugar rice cakes you said you wanted last time."

"Wow!" Qin Wen's eyes shone even brighter, "Wan Yi sis, you're the best! I love you to death!"

She said and was about to lunge at Wan Yi's body, but Wan Yi laughed and dodged.

Cheng Shuili followed behind, watching the two fool around, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting.

The cafeteria was crowded, it was lunchtime, and the Black Feather members sat in groups of three or two, eating and chatting.

Seeing Cheng Shuili come in, they all greeted:

Boss!

Boss, you're here to eat?

Boss, how was the instance today?

Cheng Shuili nodded in response to each, then brought Qin Wen to a relatively quiet table in the corner and sat down.

The table was already full of dishes, the steaming aroma went straight into the nose.

Qin Wen sat down, picked up the chopsticks, took a piece of boiled fish and put it in Qin Wen's mouth, then Qin Wen's whole body froze.

"What's wrong?" Wan Yi asked anxiously, "Not tasty?"

Qin Wen slowly chewed, swallowed, then looked at Wan Yi with a solemn expression: "Wan Yi sis, were you a chef god in your past life?"

Cheng Shuili sat at the side, silently giving Qin Wen a chopstickful of vegetables.

Although she said nothing, the meaning was also very clear: Can't you stop eating?

The meal was lively, host and guest enjoyed themselves.

Cheng Shuili didn't return the vehicle, but stayed in her own office.

She had slacked off for a few days, now it's time to repay the debt.

Fortunately Su Rui is here, otherwise she'd have to drive and also do this Black Feather work, she'd die of exhaustion.

Cheng Shuili lay on the table, and also realized that tomorrow is the once-a-month rest day.

Su Rui had been looking forward to this day for a long time; this morning she also told Wan Yi what she wanted to eat tomorrow, asking Wan Yi to prepare it in advance.

Wan Yi stood by, noting and laughing, saying 'Okay, okay, okay, I'll get everything ready for you.'

Cheng Shuili happened to be passing by then, hearing this, the corners of her mouth also couldn't help but lift a little.