Closing Time

The members of Fire Hammer Squad looked at the kind-hearted girl who was cutely telling a terrifying fairy tale and shivered. Gao Feng chuckled and agreed. Obviously! The inheritance left behind by Tiger Tooth Squad was probably worth at least several billion, equal to what they'd earn after years of roaming the Wilderness Zone. Who'd turn down such a sweet deal? Only an idiot.

The sun sank in the west, and night fell. Fire Hammer Squad began preparing to return to the Military Base. Gao Feng promised he'd find someone as soon as they got back and bring Xue Xi a satisfactory supply of goods the next day. Xue Xi naturally trusted the character of the squad leader of the team Luo Feng belonged to.

Before they left, Xu Xin quietly handed Xue Xi the phone she'd been holding and said to contact her using that number once they got back. Xue Xi had been worrying about how to get through this boring night, so she didn't turn down the kind offer from Xu Xin, the little rich lady.

"But, Sister Xu Xin, what should I say if someone calls this phone?" Xue Xi curiously examined the transparent new-model phone and asked Xu Xin in confusion.

Xu Xin waved her hand nonchalantly. "It's my private number. I only have a few friends' numbers saved on it, and I've already told them about you. Don't worry about it."

As she spoke, she stroked Xue Xi's smooth, ear-length dark brown hair. Reluctantly, she said goodbye to this younger friend she felt strangely fond of. "By the way, Xue Xi, are you really not coming back to Base City with us? Who's going to come eat here in the middle of nowhere?"

Xue Xi was helpless. She didn't want to be a Savage shopkeeper cut off from society either, but once the Gourmet Anchor was placed, it couldn't be moved. She could only turn down Xu Xin's kind offer. "Sister Xu Xin, I have a reason I have to stay here. Don't worry, my cooking was taught by a master chef who's cooked for state banquets. Come try it sometime—I guarantee you'll be hooked!"

Xu Xin didn't want to force Xue Xi, so she shrugged. "There's no talking you out of it. All right, I'll get going. A-Feng and the others are waiting for me. If I get the chance, I'll definitely come try your cooking, little chef."

Xue Xi watched Xu Xin return to the group, then waved goodbye to them. In the sunset, the line of figures gradually disappeared from view, and the surroundings fell quiet again. Now and then, a few restless Monsters let out unpleasant cries.

Xu Xin didn't think anyone else would come by, so she pulled down the old rolling shutter outside and shut the glass door inside, shutting out all the noise in an instant.

The restaurant didn't have power yet. The only light in the whole space came from the Gourmet Anchor, its faint, warm white glow illuminating an area about ten meters around it.

Mustering her courage, Xue Xi banished every demon and monster from her mind and hurried to the restaurant office. She dragged a long leather sofa beneath the Gourmet Anchor and even found a fluffy blanket in the wardrobe.

Given the conditions, Xue Xi didn't wash up. She took off her shoes and socks, lay down on the sofa, and pulled the blanket up to her neck, tucking Jojo inside with her. At once, she felt as if the blanket protected her from every ghost and demon.

Satisfied, she took the Future Phone Xu Xin had given her out of her pocket. As for her old phone, she'd hidden it in a secluded corner.

The transparent phone, packed with futuristic technology, looked like crystal. You could actually see the palm beneath it right through the screen. Xue Xi curiously examined it, then lightly tapped the center of the screen. It lit up at once, like a projection.

As a seasoned internet user, Xue Xi quickly figured out how to use the new phone and started surfing the web.

At around eleven that night, just as Xue Xi began to feel sleepy and was about to turn in, the screen vibrated. A friend request appeared in her Juxin contacts. It was from Xu Xin.

Xue Xi perked right up. She quickly accepted the request and saved Xu Xin as "Big Sister Xu Xin." Then the two started chatting, picking up the conversation they'd left unfinished earlier that day. Friendship between girls who took an instant liking to each other came that quickly.

Xu Xin: Xue Xi, Xue Xi, are you asleep?

Xue Xi: Not yet, Sister Xu Xin. Have you arrived?

Xu Xin: I just got to the Military Base. I'm on my way home now. I'll have someone bring you some supplies for daily life tomorrow, too. Those burly men probably only remembered your list of ingredients.

Xue Xi: Hehe, then I won't be shy about accepting them. You're the best, Sister Xu Xin. By the way, when can you come again? I'll make you something delicious!

Xu Xin: I probably won't be able to come for a while. School just started, so I'll likely have to wait until winter break. I promise I'll come then.

Xue Xi: That's so long from now. All right...

Xu Xin: Typing...

Xue Xi: By the way, Sister Xu Xin, you seem really attached to that guy Luo Feng. How far have you two gotten? Hmm? (Raises eyebrows and watches the drama unfold.)

Xu Xin: Retracted a message. "I'm sleepy. I'm going to bed. We'll talk when we get a chance. Good night!!"

Xue Xi: Oh, don't be shy. Come on, Sister Xu Xin, tell me!

Xue Xi: Hey, hey, are you still there? Hey!

Looking at the chat window where she'd killed the conversation, Xue Xi muttered, "Honestly, is Mrs. Luo still this shy?"

When Xu Xin still didn't reply, Xue Xi simply turned off the phone and set it on a nearby stool. She stretched contentedly, curled up beneath the blanket, closed her eyes, and fell fast asleep.