Chapter 484.2: Daily Life Back In The New Alliance

Hooke smiled and leaned on the counter. "Just leave your luggage here. I’ll have a porter bring it up. You two want something to eat? Today’s specials are mutant rhino ribs and garlic-roasted potatoes."

"Mutant rhino ribs?!" Halfway through speaking, Chen Yutong realized she was shouting. Though no one turned to look, she lowered her voice awkwardly. "Mutated rhino... is that safe to eat?"

She knew of many mutated beasts in the Wandering Swamp, but she had never heard of anyone eating them.

Weak survivors lacked the strength to hunt them. Survivor settlements followed the Scientific Committee’s teachings and didn’t add them to menus. And the Academy, with its focus on nutrition, wouldn’t touch them either.

Still, her captain once mentioned that some mutated creatures were surprisingly tasty, if a bit risky to eat.

Hooke laughed heartily, "Of course it’s safe. You’ll learn soon enough: there’s no such thing as inedible mutants, only people who don’t know how to cook them!"

They hadn’t always eaten such things either, but since Shelter 404 reopened, its residents developed various food-processing techniques. Local creatures like Crackleclaw Crabs were nearly wiped out because they were hunted down to be eaten.

"Don’t let him fool you. There are still plenty of things you shouldn’t eat." Old White coughed and picked up the menu as Chen Yutong gulped nervously.

"Mashed potatoes with cream, twin-head beef stew with mushrooms, mapo tofu, shredded pork in garlic sauce... and rice. Let’s start with those."

The second food was mentioned, Old White wasn’t planning to go anywhere. It was getting to dinnertime, and he was getting hungry.

"What the hell? You’re not ordering a single special recommendation?" Hooke teased as he sent the order to the kitchen.

However, he quickly turned to Old White. "Want something to drink?"

Before Old White could answer, Chen Yutong’s eyes sparkled. "Do you have cola and vodka?"

"Cola and vodka? Of course we do..."

Seeing the hopeful sparkle in her eyes, Hooke paused, then gave a knowing smile.

"Ohhh, I see... You must be asking about our signature cocktail, right?"

"Cocktail?" Chen Yutong asked, confused.

"Yes! It’s very trendy these days, an invention of the shelter residents."

Seeing the excitement on her face, Old White remembered he had promised her a drink earlier, so he cleared his throat. "One glass, please."

"Coming right up!" Hooke grinned.

Old White ordered himself a pint of beer, then sat with Chen Yutong at a wooden table near the bar.

Watching the porter carry the luggage upstairs, Chen Yutong glanced at Old White and said sheepishly, "Thank you... for everything today. Once I get a job and earn some GP, uh, silver coins, I’ll pay you back."

Old White smiled. "Don’t mention it. It’s nothing."

It was rare to meet an NPC friend he could talk to for hours, especially one he’d dragged into the New Alliance. There was no way he’d leave her hanging.

Plus, he felt like they were alike.

Though their journeys were different, both cared more about the meaning of living than survival itself.

Maybe that was why they got along so easily, even if, a week ago, they had been on opposite sides of the battlefield.

At that moment, Lisa walked over carrying a tray.

She was dressed in a long dress designed by Teng Teng's Hut, with light brown hair tied with a white ribbon.

After some time in the New Alliance, the girl had adapted well. Her smile was much brighter than when she first arrived. "Sir, here’s your beer and Sleepy Red Tea."

Hearing the name, Old White nearly choked on his water. He coughed for a while before recovering, "Who came up with that name?!"

Lisa looked puzzled by his reaction and nervously clutched her tray. "I don’t know... They said it came from a resident of Shelter 404? Is... Is there something wrong with the name?"

"No, no, sorry, I must’ve misheard..."

There was something wrong, but it wasn’t easy to explain.

Under the curious stares of Chen Yutong and Lisa, Old White awkwardly wiped his mouth.

Since Tail had been out for a long time on adventures, there was no doubt about it. The whole thing stank of Mosquito.

Seeing they didn’t need help, Lisa gave a polite nod and quickly walked away with her tray.

Unlike Old White’s reaction, Chen Yutong seemed quite curious about the cocktail’s name. She leaned forward to sniff the crystal-clear drink. "Is this an actual drink? How fascinating..."

Fascinating...

That seemed to be a recurring theme for her amazement for the New Alliance.

“But... Why is it called the Sleepy Red Tea? Did they add a lot of tea?!” Chen Yutong tilted her head to the side and asked.

“This has nothing to do with tea... Anyway, it’s like I said. This drink is made with vodka and cola. You better drink it slowly. It’s really easy to drink, but it has an extremely high alcohol content. You’ll get drunk really quickly.

Staring at her who was slowly sipping the drink, Old White reminded her.

"Strange flavor." Chen Yutong frowned as she took another sip.

Seeing her peck at the drink like a curious chick, Old White sipped his beer and teased, "Honestly, I can’t picture what life was like in your place... You folks probably had better tech than the Enterprise, but you lived like monks."

"Monks?" Chen Yutong blinked. She’d never heard the term.

"Servants of gods, priests, or ascetics... Something like that," Old White explained.

"Ascetics, huh..." She put down her glass and thought for a while before replying seriously, "Life in the Academy might have been harsh at first, but it wasn’t difficult. In fact, we lived quite well."

Old White raised his eyebrows curiously. "In what way?"

Chen Yutong thought for a moment before she spoke. "In my experience, there was never a shortage of food or consumer goods. Only rare items needed special orders."

Old White nodded. That made sense. After all, the Academy controlled the most black boxes on the wasteland. They had no lack of technology or production capabilities.

Their supplies came from Scientific Committee-controlled survivor zones, distributed through the Academy’s logistics department and prioritized for Researchers.

Researchers at the Academy would never be poor, or go hungry.

Listening to her, Old White realized the Academy might not be as weak as he had imagined.

In fact, they might be way stronger.

They had a complete organizational structure and a rigorous talent selection system. Everyone admitted was undoubtedly an expert.

Abundant resources let them focus on their work. GP limited individual wealth, and KP ensured every cog in the machine worked properly.

Sure, survivors who weren’t Researchers or had mismatched skills had it tough. But the system was designed by Researchers, for Researchers.

Their organization had clear goals, to recover the Prosperity Era’s legacy before resources ran out!

And once that goal was met, they would venture beyond their world, carrying the torch of civilization into the stars.

It sounded noble. But Old White suspected that if they ever did reach that point, humanity’s entire civilization might consist of one lone research ship.

He didn’t understand grand ideals, but he knew this. People might switch from matches to lighters to light a cigarette, but they wouldn’t quit smoking unless absolutely necessary.

Chen Yutong tapped her glass and murmured while sorting through old memories, "The Academy despised waste and meaningless use of resources. According to Dr. Conclusion’s calculations, at the current rate of consumption, the Prosperity Era’s legacy would last, at most, two centuries."

She suddenly felt a pang of guilt when she mentioned it.

To that, Old White just chuckled. "He can calculate that?"

Chen Yutong nodded. "He is the wisest, most knowledgeable, and most visionary person on this planet."

"Did he calculate when the nuclear winter would end?"

Chen Yutong paused. "That... I’m not sure."

Old White clinked her glass and grinned. "See? He’s not omnipotent. Don’t overthink it. Let’s worry about the future when it comes. People living now should take care of people living now. That’s enough."

As if recalling something, Chen Yutong paused mid-sentence, then nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe you’re right."

Soon, a feast was served.

The solemn Chen Yutong quickly had her attention stolen by the delicious aroma of stew and mashed potatoes.

"What... What is this?! Why is it so good?!" she exclaimed, resting her chin on her hand.

"Mashed potatoes... We used to use hyena fat and Shofar Potatoes. Now that we’re doing better, it’s potatoes and cream."

Still inexperienced, she couldn’t resist the allure of good food.

Watching her wolf down the food, Old White smiled. Seeing her use chopsticks so naturally, he let her be and turned his gaze toward the lively lobby.

Outside, night had deepened. The inn’s lobby was bustling.

Amid the rising chatter and foam-topped mugs, Old White smiled and took a deep swig of beer.

Sitting there always gave him a sense of fulfillment.

Even as a virtual entity, he could feel it, the undeniable feeling that the world needed him.

He could see the changes his efforts brought, the prosperity they’d earned for the New Alliance.

None of it was solely his achievement. But none of it could’ve happened without those who bled and fought on the front lines.

This peaceful life was what he protected.

Old White’s thoughts drifted, imagining what the place would be like years from now.

Soon, he noticed Lisa hadn’t left after serving the last dish. She stood nearby, hesitating.

Sensing something, he gently asked, "Is something the matter?"

The girl nodded and mustered the courage to ask, "Um... Pangolin... Is he okay?"

Her stutter vanished when she said his name.

"Him,

uh

..." Old White’s expression turned odd.

That guy hadn’t been satisfied with just Cowley’s affection, he had apparently charmed a pretty reporter from Triumphant City too.

Of course, he was probably boasting online for fun.

Most Wislanders saw outsiders as animals. Unless the reporter had unique tastes, she likely wasn’t into that guy.

Not wanting to disappoint Lisa, Old White took a sip of beer and started bluffing. "He’s brave. A great asset. Thanks to him, the battle’s going well. If things go smoothly, you’ll probably see him before the year’s end."

She didn’t doubt a word. Her eyes sparkled with hope. "Can you tell me more about him?"

Old White sighed to himself. He actually expected her to ask that.

Being an undercover agent wasn’t exactly something one bragged about. Moreover, there were limits to what he could reveal.

With curious eyes watching from nearby tables, Old White resigned himself and began spinning a tale. "When we talk about the victory at Oasis No.3, we have to mention Hill 330. And when it comes to Hill 330, well, it all started with a bowl of warm chicken soup..."