Chapter Eighteen: Officially Recognized as a Supernatural Being

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Jiang Qiyu returned to the second floor of the villa and peered through the window at Zhou Yun bustling in the yard. Her movements were efficient and methodical, clearly not inexperienced as Chen Ping had claimed. Jiang Qiyu reopened her exploration skill to check Zhou Yun’s personal information.

Strength: 3
Speed: 5
Burst: 5
Spirit: 15
Personality: Patient, quiet
Skill: Plant-based supernatural ability (beginner level), can promote plant growth, increase yield, with a chance to induce mutated plants.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the last rays of light stretched the busy figure across the coastal base’s courtyard. Zhou Yun wiped the sweat from her brow and admired the newly refurbished farmstead: the chicken coop, duck house, and goose pen were neatly aligned, the cattle shed had doubled in size, haystacks piled high, and calves leisurely grazed within.

At that moment, Lin Xiaoxiao approached, smiling brightly. “Sister Zhou Yun, the boss wants to see you. He’s asking you to come to the villa.”

Zhou Yun was momentarily stunned, then dusted off her clothes. “The boss wants me? What’s the matter?”

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head. “I don’t know. He didn’t say anything, but it looks like good news.”

Zhou Yun nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. She followed Lin Xiaoxiao to the villa and gently knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Jiang Qiyu’s crisp voice came from inside.

Pushing the door open, Zhou Yun saw Jiang Qiyu sitting on the sofa, holding a book.

“Boss, you called for me?”

Jiang Qiyu set the book aside and gestured to the sofa opposite her: “Sit down.”

Zhou Yun obeyed, sitting nervously as she awaited Jiang Qiyu’s words.

“How’s the head of the livestock team?” Jiang Qiyu raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips.

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Zhou Yun blinked, then quickly realized what was meant and nodded eagerly. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity!” Overwhelmed with excitement, she fumbled over her words, never imagining she could find a job in the apocalypse, much less one suited to her skills.

“Don’t thank me. It’s mutually beneficial,” Jiang Qiyu said, handing her a contract. “Sign this, and you’ll officially be part of the coastal base.”

Zhou Yun took the contract, skimmed it quickly, and without hesitation signed her name.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have acquired a special talent x1. Reward—choose one of three: beginner hydroponic cultivation blueprint, beginner well-digging blueprint, beginner water purifier manufacturing blueprint.”

Jiang Qiyu did not hesitate and selected the well-digging blueprint. Seawater was undrinkable, and with the city’s water supply system collapsing, fresh water would soon be cut off. Planning ahead was the key to surviving longer in this world.

With the blueprint in hand, Jiang Qiyu’s spirits lifted. She turned and headed to the swimming pool behind the villa—now transformed into a fish pond. Watching the fish dart happily through the clear water, she nodded with satisfaction. Yet the pond seemed a bit small; she would have to dig a larger one.

Just then, Zhang Qiang, Wang Yu, and Zhao Hu returned from a supply run to the supermarket, dirt-smudged but lively, pushing several fully loaded carts behind them.

“Boss, mission accomplished!” Zhang Qiang exclaimed excitedly. “We cleared out all the supplies from the nearby supermarkets!”

“Well done!” Jiang Qiyu praised rarely, then noticed a gruesome wound on Zhao Hu’s leg. “What happened here?”

Zhao Hu scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. “Nothing serious, boss. Just got scratched by some little bastard. No big deal.”

“Little bastard? A zombie?” Jiang Qiyu frowned.

“No, a person. Tried to snatch our supplies,” Wang Yu explained. “But we took care of him.”

Jiang Qiyu said nothing more and pulled out some medicine from her space, handing it to Zhao Hu. “Treat that.”

Zhao Hu was stunned but accepted it, eyes wide with surprise. Wang Yu and Zhao Hu exchanged glances, each seeing both shock and a hint of respect in the other’s eyes.

They had hoped to find some untouched pharmacies inside the mall to get medicine, but the pharmacy doors were sealed tight with shutters—completely inaccessible. They never expected their boss to produce healing supplies like magic from nowhere.

Jiang Qiyu gave a faint nod without explanation.

The residents once doubted this young “boss,” but over time, they were won over by Jiang Qiyu’s foresight, capability, and generosity.

Opening the warehouse, Jiang Qiyu surveyed the plentiful supplies and waved her hand. “Everyone worked hard today. The warehouse is open! Take whatever you want!”

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As the warehouse doors swung open, the sight was dazzling: sacks of rice and flour, oil, salt, sauces, all kinds of meats and vegetables—everything imaginable.

The residents flooded in, but unlike before, they no longer scrambled wildly; instead, they began to select carefully.

Zhang Qiang hoisted a sack of rice and called to Wang Yu, “Hey, Wang Yu, how about rice for dinner? I haven’t had rice in ages!”

Wang Yu immediately perked up. “Sure! I’ll grab some potatoes to make braised pork with potatoes. Just thinking about it makes me hungry!” With that, he dashed toward the vegetable section.

Though Zhao Hu’s leg was stiff, he dragged himself forward and found several bags of noodles, shouting hoarsely, “Brother Zhang, get me some meat! I want noodles with gravy!”

“Got it!” Zhang Qiang replied, hoisting a large chunk of frozen meat and heading over.

Smoke curled upward, and delicious aromas wafted through the villa’s air, bringing a long-lost sense of normalcy to this apocalyptic wasteland.

Zhang Qiang rinsed the rice and set it in the rice cooker, pressing the cook button, then turned to prepare the braised pork with potatoes. He chopped the potatoes, sliced the pork belly, sautéed garlic, ginger, and scallions until fragrant, added the pork slices, stirred in the potatoes evenly, then poured in soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, and salt. Adding water to cover, he covered the pot and let it simmer gently.

Zhao Hu’s noodles with gravy were ready, topped with a thick layer of meat sauce, steaming and fragrant. He eagerly grabbed a big mouthful and slurped it down.

“Delicious! Really delicious!” Zhao Hu mumbled in delight. “I haven’t had noodles this good in so long!”

Others quickly joined in, the aroma of rice, braised pork, and noodles blending together, whetting everyone’s appetite.

Jiang Qiyu sat at the table, watching everyone eat heartily, a subtle smile touching her lips.

Full and satisfied, the group gathered around the fire, chatting as they warmed themselves.

“Boss, when do you think this apocalypse will finally end?” Zhao Hu gazed at the dancing flames, sighing.

Who could have imagined that after the end of the world had come, they could still enjoy a warm meal like this?