Unlike the bland and sticky taste of the nutrient solution, this big bowl of chestnut stewed frog in front of me is clearly a top-notch dish with perfect color, aroma, and flavor.

Under Zhao Xiaoxiu's expectant gaze, Sheng Qingyang watched Zhao Gang's reaction while picking up a spoon and ladling large spoonfuls of meat broth into his own bowl.

Zhao Gang watched the whole thing without saying a word or showing any dissatisfaction.

He said he would treat her to dinner, and he really meant it—she could eat as much as she wanted.

Sheng Qingyang raised an eyebrow, surprised but not intending to be polite anymore. She had worked hard to teach her apprentices, so what was wrong with eating a meal from her father?

Of course, before eating himself, Sheng Qingyang didn't forget to fill his adorable little apprentice's bowl.

Children who are growing up will bury their heads in food as soon as they see it, and won't lift their heads until they've licked up every last drop of soup.

Zhao Xiaoxiu ate with great relish, finishing two large bowls before finally putting down her bowl and spoon with satisfaction. She leaned back in her chair, rubbed her round little belly, and let out a satisfied burp.

Sheng Qingyang looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Noticing Zhao Gang sitting upright next to her without touching his chopsticks, she smiled sheepishly and said, "You should eat too."

Zhao Gang: "You guys eat, I won't eat."

Sheng Qingyang: "Okay."

The broth was so delicious that Sheng Qingyang ate until he was stuffed, but still wanted to have another half bowl.

A large bowl full of chestnut stewed with frog meat was devoured by the master and his apprentice.

Sheng Qingyang sighed with satisfaction, "I had long forgotten what it felt like to celebrate the New Year, but today I suddenly felt it again."

She stood up, deftly cleared the empty bowls from the table, and prepared to wash them.

"Give it to me." Zhao Gang was even more skilled than her. He took the bowls and chopsticks and put them in the sink. He washed them clean in a few swipes and then placed them upside down on a dry dishcloth to air dry.

It's still early, not even noon yet.

Sheng Qingyang took all the electronic devices he brought to the sockets in the lobby and plugged them in. He then woke up Zhao Xiaoxiu, who was starting to feel sleepy, and the two continued their swordsmanship practice that they hadn't finished that morning.

The weather cleared up today, but none of the lords came to charge their batteries, making it unusually quiet in front of their houses.

The two families next door were also busy. Qiu Bai and his wife were cleaning the house together, secretly hoping that there were some edible low-level mutants with fat inside.

The Jiang couple left their daughter in the care of their elderly parents and went to the poplar grove across the river early in the morning to help their landlord cut down trees and earn some firewood.

As the patrol car passed in front of the territory, a loudspeaker broadcast:

[Sunny today, temperature -3 to 2 degrees Celsius. Happy New Year to everyone!]

[Latest news: Recently, residents of the base have entered the second phase of taking evolution potions. One concerned resident reported that their son's evolutionary abilities were significantly enhanced after taking the potion for the second time...]

According to a concerned citizen who wished to remain anonymous, some individuals have evolved the ability to communicate with mutated animals and plants, but the biotechnology company has not yet issued an official response.

[To all survivors of Hope Base, the first snow has passed, and the second is on its way. But with the powerful Evolutionary Force supporting you, there is no need to fear. Everything will be alright. Let us look forward to the arrival of spring together...]

The female voice on the radio was gentle yet firm, giving me a sense of peace.

The patrol car made a brief stop at the entrance to Territory No. 13, and Mo Shigui furtively handed a cardboard box to Zhao Gang, who was waiting by the roadside.

This is one of the supplies the supply depot brought back early this morning: a box of braised beef flavored instant noodles.

The other lords don't even know this thing exists yet. If they did, they'd probably break down the supply depot's gate.

As per their previous agreement, Mo Shigui called Zhao Gang as soon as the supplies arrived at the supply station, letting him choose first.

Zhao Gang wasn't interested in anything else, only in the food his cub liked to eat.

Upon hearing that several boxes of instant noodles had arrived, I didn't even ask how many points were needed, and just took one box.

Mo Shigui took out the card reader, smiled and said, "6000 points, thank you."

"How much?" Upon hearing the number six thousand, Zhao Gang, who was usually insensitive to points, suddenly became sensitive.

"Six thousand, swipe your card." Mo Shigui smiled, amused by the rare display of emotion from Zhao Gang.

"A box contains thirty packs, which works out to only 200 points per pack. It can't get any cheaper. If we save it, we can eat it until next Chinese New Year."

Mo Shigui jokingly asked the driver, Aji, "You can't let the children suffer, right?"

Aji readily agreed, "Of course!"

Zhao Gang frowned, handed over his points card, swiped six thousand points, and only had a small amount left in his account.

Compared to others, his points are already very substantial.

But even compared to expensive foods, it's not enough to buy three boxes of instant noodles.

Seeing Zhao Gang spend 6,000 points without batting an eye, just to buy some good food for his child, Mo Shigui and Aji felt a little admiration.

If they had children, they might not be willing to spend these points on their children.

"Alright, the points are credited. Let's go, we still have to deliver to the next customer." Mo Shigui complained, but his expression was very excited.

After all, these supplies are transported from the base and then sold from the patrol stations, and the profit in between is quite considerable.

For the first time, Zhao Gang experienced what it meant to feel the pinch, carefully carrying the instant noodle box home.

The master and apprentice had finished practicing, and Sheng Qingyang was packing his backpack to go back.

Zhao Xiaoxiu held the water bottle, catching her breath while gulping down water to replenish the sweat she had shed that day.

After Sheng Qingyang left, Zhao Gang led his daughter to the kitchen and showed her what was in the cardboard box.

Zhao Xiaoxiu opened it out of curiosity, and inside were thirty golden pancakes wrapped in plastic film.

Although the packaging was completely different from the instant noodles before the disaster, Zhao Xiaoxiu immediately recognized it as instant noodles when she saw the familiar noodle cake and the accompanying seasoning packet!

"Dad, did you just buy this?" Zhao Xiaoxiu asked in surprise.

Zhao Gang nodded, "The supply station just got some instant noodles. Dad bought a case for you to stock up on, we can eat them slowly."

"Happy New Year," he added.

Zhao Xiaoxiu's face lit up with a big smile. She jumped up, clung to her father, and shouted, "Happy New Year, Dad!"

A deep sense of happiness enveloped Zhao Xiaoxiu; she felt like the happiest child in the world.

Outside, the busy new lords couldn't help but smile as they listened to the children's happy laughter coming from inside.

Everyone thought that the first day of the new year would pass peacefully.

But to everyone's surprise, just before nightfall, intense artillery fire suddenly erupted from the direction of Taoyuan Base.

When the first explosion rang out, Jiang Ning and his wife, who were busy tidying up tree branches in front of Zhao Xiaoxiu's house, did not hear it.

Zhao Xiaoxiu, who was playing on the snow slide with Liu Miaomiao, suddenly snapped to attention and quickly looked west: "Peach Blossom Base?"

Just as Liu Miaomiao was about to slide down with her younger sister in her arms, she noticed the person in front of her tremble and immediately asked with concern, "Xiaoxiu, what's wrong?"