Chapter 21 Trading

As evening fell, the team safely returned to the safe zone. During the handover of supplies and the calculation of contribution points, Zhao Cheng specifically called Ruan Ning aside.

"Ruan Ning, you did a good job today. Calm, decisive, and you used your water-based abilities just right." Zhao Cheng rarely praised her, then lowered his voice, "I'll look for you again if there are suitable missions in the future. As for the loot... according to the rules, you're responsible for handling the part you found yourself."

He glanced meaningfully at the direction of the pocket where Ruan Ning had placed the crystal cores. Clearly, he had noticed Ruan Ning's subtle action, but instead of pointing it out, he tacitly approved of it.

In the apocalypse, it's an unspoken rule that capable people secretly acquire some spoils of war. As long as it's not excessive and doesn't affect the team's main objectives, the leader often turns a blind eye.

"Thank you, Brother Zhao." Ruan Ning nodded calmly.

She knew that this mission had not only yielded two valuable crystal cores, but had also earned her the initial recognition of this capable team, opening a channel for acquiring more resources in the future.

Back in cubicle number 7 of section B, she ignored Zhou Min's probing gaze, Lin Yan's unwavering indifference, and the subtle stare lurking in the corner. Leaning back on her cushion, she felt the faint coolness emanating from the two crystal cores in her pocket, a sense of peace settling over her.

Overseas missions present both risks and opportunities. But to become stronger, this is the path we must take. Today's success is just the first step.

In the safe zone, clean water is always a valuable commodity, especially for ability users who need to maintain good condition and frequently go out on dangerous missions. Ruan Ning's stable and "high-quality" water-based ability quickly became an open secret within the small circle of Area B.

That evening, Ruan Ning finished her day's work and self-training and had just sat down in cubicle number 7 to rest. Lin Yan, who had always been indifferent to her, came over for the first time and placed a small package carefully wrapped in oilcloth in front of her.

The package was opened, revealing two packets of instant noodles and a small roll of sturdy paracord.

"Change the water." Lin Yan said succinctly, her voice still firm, but her eyes no longer held their usual indifference, but rather the seriousness of a trader. "Preferably something drinkable directly, and in large quantities." She added, clearly preparing to take it on her next mission.

Instant noodles are in high demand right now, and sturdy paracord is even more useful in the wild. Lin Yan's price was quite reasonable.

Ruan Ning glanced at the supplies, then at Lin Yan, nodded, and didn't ask any further questions. She took Lin Yan's water bottle, a 2L military water bottle, walked to the corner of the cubicle, turned her back to the others, and held the bottle's spout with both hands.

She didn't deliberately speed up, but the water flowed steadily and quickly into the kettle, making a crisp sound. A few minutes later, the kettle was filled with clear drinking water that emitted a faint, refreshing aroma.

She handed the kettle to Lin Yan.

Lin Yan took it, unscrewed the cap, brought it close to her nose to smell it, and then carefully took a small bite, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"Thank you." Then she nodded slightly to Ruan Ning, took the kettle and her axe, and returned to her bunk.

This deal was swift and efficient, with both parties getting what they wanted.

Not long after, Zhou Min also came over with a smile. She didn't take out anything directly, but lowered her voice and said, "Ruan Ning, I have some information here about the areas the military's next clearing operation might pass through, plus this piece of chocolate." She magically pulled a piece of dark chocolate from her pocket—its packaging was a little wrinkled, but it was clearly a high-end product. "How about we get some water? The information is definitely valuable."

Zhou Min excels at information gathering; her intelligence often helps people avoid risks or seize opportunities. Chocolate is a rare luxury in the apocalypse, providing a quick energy boost and morale lift.

Ruan Ning looked at her and said calmly, "Let's hear the general direction of the news first."

Zhou Min smiled, not surprised by Ruan Ning's caution, and quickly whispered the names of two neighborhoods that might be the focus of the cleanup. Ruan Ning quickly assessed the situation in her mind; these two areas were indeed possibilities, and one of them was close to the area she had previously frequented, so the information had a certain degree of credibility.

“Okay.” Ruan Ning agreed to the deal. She poured a pot of water for Zhou Min.

Zhou Min took the water, handed the chocolate to Ruan Ning, and returned to her seat contentedly. She began to nibble on the compressed biscuits with the water, clearly satisfied with her deal.

Having condensed a considerable amount of water twice in a row, Ruan Ning timely revealed a trace of fatigue on her face, leaning back on the cushion and closing her eyes to rest. This was both a pretense and a genuine sign of exertion.

Just then, the most silent figure in the cubicle—the hooded woman—moved.

She still didn't take off her hood, but quietly walked to Ruan Ning's bunk and put something down.

It was a black wooden whistle, no bigger than a thumb, carved with strange patterns. The material was indiscernible, but it gave off an ancient and cool feeling.

She didn't speak, but simply pointed to the small wooden whistle with her finger, and then to the kettle that Ruan Ning had placed to the side.

Ruan Ning opened her eyes, looked at the small wooden whistle, and frowned slightly. She couldn't sense any energy fluctuations from it, but the strange aura it emitted made her feel that it wasn't an ordinary object.

"What is this?" Ruan Ning asked.

The hooded woman remained silent, then shook her head, indicating that she could not or did not wish to tell. She simply pointed stubbornly at the kettle.

Ruan Ning stared at her for a few seconds, then looked at the black wooden whistle. Her intuition told her that this thing might not be simple, at least not as useless as it seemed.

“Okay.” Ruan Ning finally decided to make the exchange. She poured about half a pot of water again and handed it to the hooded woman.

The hooded woman took the water bottle, didn't even glance at Ruan Ning, and quickly returned to her dark corner, curling up again as if nothing had happened.

The small black wooden whistle remained on Ruan Ning's bunk.

Ruan Ning picked up the wooden whistle; it was icy cold to the touch, and the patterns on it seemed to contain some kind of pattern. She tried blowing on it gently, but no sound came out.

"Interesting." Ruan Ning put it away. Regardless of its usefulness, exchanging half a pot of water for an unknown item that might contain secrets isn't a bad deal in this post-apocalyptic environment.

Silence returned to the cubicle.

But after this exchange of supplies for water, the relationship between the four seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

A fragile "cooperative" bond, based on practical interests and individual needs, was quietly established in silence.

Ruan Ning knew that this was just the beginning.