Wén Lù Míng led a group of soldiers to the fresh food section. First, she provided them with water to wash their pots, instructing them to pour the dirty water into the tanks that originally held seafood, and then she prepared hot water for each of them, so they could boil it faster.
After providing water for everyone, such a large workload consumed a lot of Wén Lù Míng’s energy, but she could clearly feel the water energy in her Dantian operating rapidly and recovering quickly. As expected, the more she used her ability, the faster it improved. That’s why she was so willing to help these soldiers. Of course, it also reminded her of her dear Senior Brothers.
Although Wén Lù Míng was a reserved person, for these two reasons, she was still very happy to proactively provide water for the soldiers. Wait… why does the phrase ‘provide water’ sound a little strange? Wén Lù Míng thought about it for a while, feeling something was off, but couldn't pinpoint it. Never mind, she shook her head and dismissed the thought.
It's not entirely her fault, after all, her soul wasn't originally from this world, so it's normal not to immediately grasp the extended meaning of 'providing water.' Which cultivation practitioner would openly discuss something as undignified as urinating? Moreover, they even omitted matters related to excretion.
Wén Lù Míng went to the freezer and picked out four packs of cabbage-filled dumplings. Thinking of the appetites and builds of the three men, she grabbed another pack. Fortunately, since they were frozen foods, no one else had taken the dumplings, so there were plenty left for them to have a meal.
When she returned to the induction cooker, the three men were gathered around the pot. Liú Jǐngyú and Zhōu Wén were eating the instant noodles she had prepared, while Wáng Wènyú stood with his arms crossed, staring fixedly at the water in the pot.
The water hadn't boiled yet. Wén Lù Míng, impatient, turned the induction cooker to its highest setting.
Soon, the water boiled. Wén Lù Míng used scissors to cut open the packaging and put all five bags of dumplings into the pot, which was almost overflowing.
Wén Lù Míng suddenly realized they didn't have spoons or bowls and chopsticks, so she reminded the three men, "Wait until the water boils again and the dumplings float to the surface, then turn off the heat."
With that, she went to find bowls and chopsticks. Fortunately, this was a supermarket, and everything was available; she didn't need to retrieve anything from her cave dwelling.
She successfully found bowls and chopsticks, then remembered that the soldiers didn't have any either. So, she found three buckets, filled them with clean water, and said to the soldiers cooking dumplings nearby, "These three buckets of water are for you to wash your bowls and chopsticks. This way, you won't have to ask me for water one by one."
"Thank you! Thank you! Little sister! You're so thoughtful…"
"A future virtuous wife and good mother! So considerate and caring…"
…
Another round of thanks and praise. Wén Lù Míng automatically ignored these flattering words, washed four sets of bowls and chopsticks and a spoon, and returned to the pot of cooking dumplings.
"Little Lu is truly thoughtful; we didn't even think to get bowls!" Liú Jǐngyú praised with a smile.
When it's time to eat and there are no bowls, you'll think of it, Wén Lù Míng thought silently.
She picked up the spoon, stirred the pot to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the bottom, and then covered it.
A while later, the aroma of dumplings wafted through the air. Clearly, the dumplings in one of the pots were ready.
Zhōu Wén took a deep sniff. "Damn it, which wolf cub is so fast? Mine aren't even ready yet!"
The aroma of boiling dumplings grew stronger. Zhōu Wén stared intently at his pot, wishing the dumplings would cook faster.
His wait wasn't long. Their pot finally boiled again, and the dumplings tumbled in the water, plump and round from absorbing the broth, looking especially tempting. Zhōu Wén was practically drooling.
"Little sister, the dumplings have floated to the surface, can we eat now?" Zhōu Wén looked at Wén Lù Míng pleadingly, as if he would immediately whine and fall to the ground if she said no.
Wén Lù Míng nodded and handed him the spoon. "You can eat."
"Haha! Mine are ready too!" Zhōu Wén said with a wide grin, taking the spoon. He first served a bowl and offered it to Wén Lù Míng, saying generously, "You're our great hero, you eat first!"
Wén Lù Míng accepted without hesitation. Compared to these rough and clumsy soldiers, she, who couldn't even cook a few days ago, felt incredibly experienced and talented at cooking! Look, she could even cook dumplings using an induction cooker! Even if she learned it from someone else's memory…
Zhōu Wén lined up the remaining three bowls and filled each one to the brim.
The three men each picked up a bowl and sat on the ground by the pot, eating their fill.
It was too hot, though, so Wén Lù Míng couldn't eat. She looked at the steaming bowl, and a lightbulb went off in her head. She conjured several small ice cubes and put them in the bowl, instantly cooling the hot dumplings.
Water ability is truly a household necessity, incredibly versatile. Wén Lù Míng was delighted.
Seeing her action, Zhōu Wén's eyes lit up, and he eagerly came over with his bowl. "Little sister… big brother wants some too… little ice cubes…"
"Speak properly!" Wén Lù Míng glared at him before injecting some small ice chips into his bowl.
"Little sister is so amazing; with you, I fear nothing!" Zhōu Wén praised Wén Lù Míng extravagantly.
Liú Jǐngyú also came over with his bowl. "Xiao Lu…" His intention was obvious.
So, he too took his cooled dumplings and returned to his spot.
There was one more. Wén Lù Míng waited, but he didn't come. She looked up and saw a pair of dark, soulful eyes fixed on her.
Yes, those eyes belonged to Wáng Wènyú. But now, the coldness in his eyes seemed to have melted away by the steam from the dumplings. They looked like a calm, deep blue sea surface, with long eyelashes. Staring for too long, Wén Lù Míng even detected a hint of vulnerability, although his face remained impassive. He just stared at her with those captivating eyes, like a bewitchment, or a seduction…
And so, Wén Lù Míng was drawn in…
Hey, what happened to being aloof? If you want ice cubes, why don't you come over yourself? What are you staring at? If you keep staring, I won't come to you! Wén Lù Míng silently recited a string of thoughts.
A battle of wills, the one with stronger willpower wins. They seemed destined to stare until the end of time… but finally, it was Wén Lù Míng who broke, obediently walking forward and dropping a few small ice cubes into Wáng Wènyú's bowl.
"Considering my son will absorb your essence," Wén Lù Míng convinced herself, it was for her precious son, not because she was seduced by his looks!
Wén Lù Míng silently ate her dumplings. Mmm, they tasted good.
The three men's appetites were indeed extraordinary. The entire pot brimming with dumplings was devoured. It was clear they had eaten their fill; even the refined Liú Jǐngyú couldn't help but pat his stomach, aiding digestion.
Wén Lù Míng ate one and a half bowls, which was enough for her.
After lunch, they rested for about fifteen minutes. Liú Jǐngyú reminded those who had decided to go with them to get ready. Then, he instructed three soldiers to go outside the entrance and turn a truck around, positioning its rear towards the entrance. This would make it easier to load the prepared supplies onto the truck as quickly as possible.
The three soldiers went on their mission. The remaining soldiers lined up in front of the supplies at the entrance. As soon as the truck was ready, they began loading it swiftly.
As soon as the large gate opened, Wáng Wènyú unleashed a powerful attack, clearing a large swathe of zombies surrounding the entrance. The three soldiers seized the opportunity to sprint out and head for the truck's driver's seat. Wáng Wènyú followed behind, providing cover; he would swiftly discharge lightning at any approaching zombie.
"Those who need to find a vehicle, go now!" Liú Jǐngyú immediately alerted the survivors. He guarded the gate, unleashing fire at any zombie that lunged towards them.
Two or three people listened, thought for a moment, and despite their nervousness, with a "come what may" attitude, they rushed out of the supermarket. Others, terrified, saw people going out and wanted to leave too, but lacked the same fearlessness, so they hesitated and dawdled.
"If you want to go, hurry up! Or you won't get another chance!" Zhōu Wén roared at them.
Finally, a few more dashed out. The remaining dozen or so people crowded together in fear, unwilling to leave. It seemed they wouldn't be joining them.
But they didn't dare to complain; after all, in this world, power dictated discourse. Having a weapon granted one the right to speak.
The three soldiers who had gone out to find a vehicle quickly turned the truck around, its rear facing the supermarket entrance.
The soldiers inside the supermarket swiftly loaded the supplies on the ground, forming a chain and passing them to the truck bed with extreme efficiency.
Wáng Wènyú and Liú Jǐngyú stood on either side of the truck, continuously eliminating the zombies that advanced relentlessly. Fortunately, their abilities were powerful, allowing them to hold their ground against so many zombies.
Those survivors who took the chance to go find vehicles were also lucky. Because the main horde of zombies had been attracted by the soldiers in the supermarket, they faced fewer zombies and could deal with them quickly with a bit of effort.
They successfully found two unlocked cars parked not far away. They jumped in, locked the doors, and breathed a huge sigh of relief, their lives finally safe.
Meanwhile, the supplies were quickly loaded onto the truck by the highly efficient soldiers. After they finished loading the cargo, ten soldiers remained on the truck carrying food, and the rest were distributed among the other three trucks.
Wén Lù Míng also got into the Humvee. As the supermarket doors were about to close, the survivors inside suddenly broke down, crying out loudly, begging the soldiers not to abandon them. When their cries and pleas failed, they began to curse, slander, and threaten…
The supermarket door slammed shut with a bang, leaving the curses and pleas of the remaining survivors inside.
They had already been given a chance, and now they had given up on themselves. No one could be blamed. No one was inherently entitled to protection, nor was anyone born a protector.
The convoy set off again. Because the soldiers had drawn the attention of most of the zombies during the loading process, and Wáng Wènyú and Liú Jǐngyú had eliminated them, the road ahead was relatively smooth. There weren't swarms of zombies blocking their path.
The truck continued to lead the way, crushing the charging zombies, with the Humvee following behind. The two survivor cars trailed the Humvee.