Chapter 12 Ingredient Mall: Buy Now and Deliver Instantly

Su Xiaonuan dragged her slightly tired steps back home, threw herself heavily into the soft little sofa, and let out a long, deep sigh.

The chilling scene in room 1203, and Lu Zheng's eyes filled with inquiry and warning, kept flashing through his mind.

"What's going on here..." She rubbed her temples, feeling utterly exhausted.

Why does selling food at a street stall look like something out of a spy movie?

Just then, the cold system notification sounded at the right time, dispelling some of the gloom in her heart.

[Ding! Weekly mission (Assist in apprehending a criminal with a crime value of ≥50) has been completed!]

[Reward: 500 Merit Points have been issued!]

[Special Item Shop Now Unlocked!]

[The food ingredient store has been unlocked and installed on the host's mobile app!]

[Current Merit Points: 850!]

"Unlocked!" Su Xiaonuan perked up slightly, immediately sat up straight, and couldn't wait to check her phone.

Sure enough, a new app with a simple icon appeared on my phone: a spatula and a star. It was called "Ingredient Mall".

After clicking in, the interface was clear and user-friendly, directly locating the largest farmers' markets and fresh food supermarkets near her. All the ingredients were displayed in a wide variety of clear pictures, and the prices were much cheaper than when she went to buy them herself!

Moreover, all the prices clearly marked are "system-subsidized prices"!

Even more amazing is that after selecting the ingredients and clicking to buy, the payment method is directly redirected to her system account in RMB or merit points, and then a message appears saying "Instant delivery in progress, expected to arrive in 10 seconds".

Su Xiaonuan curiously selected a few basic ingredients, such as a bunch of bok choy, and clicked to buy.

Almost the instant she clicked to confirm payment, a very slight "poof" sound came from the air beside her, and an eco-friendly paper bag with the [Ingredient Mall] logo appeared out of thin air and landed steadily on the sofa. Inside was the bunch of bright green vegetables she had just ordered, still glistening with water droplets!

"Holy crap!" Even after experiencing the system's empowerment and the street vendor appearing out of nowhere, Su Xiaonuan was still so shocked by this almost magical instant delivery that she swore.

This is so convenient! It means she won't have to spend time going to the crowded market to shop anymore! The time and energy saved are immeasurable!

She excitedly continued browsing the online store and discovered that in addition to regular ingredients, there was also an occasional limited-time special section for rare international ingredients, such as Japanese Wagyu beef, French foie gras, Italian black truffles, and Australian lobsters. Although the prices were still high, they were already at a significantly reduced "internal system price" compared to the exorbitant prices outside!

"It's a fortune! It's a real fortune!" Su Xiaonuan hugged her phone, almost crying with joy.

For a foodie and cooking enthusiast, this ingredient store is simply paradise!

After her initial euphoria subsided, she calmed down and opened the [Special Item Shop] in the system interface.

As the light screen unfolded, the goods inside were even more bizarre and dazzling, leaving Su Xiaonuan dumbfounded.

[Truth-Telling Pepper (One-Time Use): Sprinkle a little on food, and the consumer will speak the truth for the next hour, answering any question asked. Price: 80 Merit Points.]

【Love Cane Syrup (10ml): Add to drinks. The drinker will develop a strong attraction to the first person of the opposite sex they see (effect lasts 24 hours; effect halved for those with a sin value ≥30, ineffective for those ≥50). Price: 120 Merit Points.】

[Presence Reduction Stickers (3 stickers): Placed on the body, these stickers significantly reduce one's presence, making one less noticeable (effect less effective against high-definition cameras and those with keen senses). Price: 150 Merit Points.]

[Misfortune Donut (1): After the designated target eats it, they will continuously encounter minor troubles (such as stepping in dog poop, losing keys, getting hit by bird poop, etc.) for the next 24 hours. Price: 100 Merit Points.]

[Stamina Replenishing Lollipop: Quickly restores a small amount of stamina. Price: 20 Merit Points.]

[Street vendor invisible spray (disposable): ...]

The props were varied and had different effects, which amazed Su Xiaonuan.

Is this system a food system or a prank system?

She currently has 850 merit points, which is quite a "huge sum".

She browsed around, but the prank props didn't appeal to her at the moment.

[Truth Pepper] might be useful, but it doesn't seem to be needed right now.

After thinking it over, she decided to first improve her own skills and the hard skills of her stall.

Strength is the foundation.

"System, upgrade [Cooking Skill] to Tier 3!"

[Ding! 100 merit points consumed, cooking skill upgraded to level three! Current merit points: 750.]

[Enhanced Effects: Significantly improves knife skills, heat control, seasoning precision, and creative fusion abilities. Subtly enhances the deliciousness and overall enjoyment of the food prepared.]

"Upgrade [Body Enhancement] to Tier 3!"

[Ding! 150 merit points consumed, body enhancement upgraded to level three! Current merit points: 600.]

[Enhancement Effects: Moderately increases strength, speed, stamina, reflexes, and recovery; enhances resistance to blows; increases resistance to common toxins/drugs. Slightly reduces the user's presence and aura fluctuations.]

"Upgrade the [Streetcart] to Tier 2!"

[Ding! 200 Merit Points consumed, cart upgraded to Tier 2! Current Merit Points: 400.]

[Enhancement Effects: Increased space, added hidden storage compartments, upgraded energy system, extended battery life, supports more small appliances, reinforced structure, and greater impact resistance. Simple camouflage requires the use of items.]

Having spent 450 merit points in one go, Su Xiaonuan felt that her strength had reached a new level.

Especially after the body is strengthened to the third level, the feeling of being full of power and having more acute senses is very obvious.

Seeing that she still had 400 merit points left, she opened the [Food Recipe Encyclopedia] again, her eyes drawn to several newly unlocked recipes that shimmered with an enticing glow.

【Soulful Hot and Sour Rice Noodles】: Price: 100 Merit Points.

【Heartbreaking Rice】: Price: 100 Merit Points.

【Simple Buddha Jumps Over the Wall】: Priced at 100 merit points.

"Buy, buy, buy!" Although it hurt her heart, Su Xiaonuan gritted her teeth and bought all three of the impressive-looking recipes.

Another 300 merit points evaporated in an instant.

[Current Merit Points: 100]

Seeing her balance shrink to three digits again, Su Xiaonuan clutched her chest, feeling as if her heart was bleeding.

These merit points really come slowly and go quickly!

"Forget it, let's invest in the future! Invest in the future!" she consoled herself, then eagerly absorbed the massive amount of information about the three new recipes.

Sour, spicy, fresh, fragrant, and hot! The ultimate balance and impact of various flavors; the sweetness of char siu and the richness of the sauce, paired with the smoothness of the soft-boiled egg; and the ultimate deliciousness of dozens of top-quality delicacies from land and sea gathered in one pot... A massive flow of information overwhelmed her mind, making her intoxicated and temporarily forgetting her heartache.