Chapter Eight: It's Not Cheating—It's the Host’s Talent and Hard Work

The instant noodles, of course, were gifts from the audience, but Gu Xingze didn’t ask a single question, remaining completely nonchalant. It was as if he didn’t realize just how absurd it was, in this apocalyptic world, to suddenly have a whole crate of instant noodles with a fresh production date. The noodles were simply boiled in water, yet spicy and tantalizing enough to make the simplest breakfast a delight. Xu Nuo enjoyed her meal thoroughly. This time, Gu Xingze didn’t refuse either; he sat at the table with her, sharing a breakfast that felt completely ordinary, yet was anything but.

After so many years in the apocalypse, he could barely remember what it felt like to sit at a table and have a proper breakfast.

A warm light hung from the ceiling, the air conditioning swept away the stifling atmosphere and the scent of death, and his mood seemed cleansed along with the air. Across from him, the girl was radiant and immaculate, as though an angel sent by heaven. Everything he experienced at that moment felt unreal.

“Brother Gu,” Xu Nuo put down her chopsticks. “I plan to stay here for now. The place is spacious, with many rooms, and it’s secluded in the mountains. We won’t have to worry about a horde of zombies.”

Gu Xingze nodded reflexively.

“But just like this, it’s not quite enough as a safe haven.” Hope shimmered in Xu Nuo’s eyes. “We need to build a home that’s safe and warm—a place where we can drink clean water when we’re thirsty, eat healthy food when we’re hungry, wear warm clothes when we’re cold, and…” She glanced at the glowing lamp above, “have light to see by at night.”

Gu Xingze looked up as well, suddenly realizing that this villa hadn’t had electricity before. Where was the power coming from?

Xu Nuo, still lost in her vision for a secure home base, didn’t answer his unspoken question. Gu Xingze’s gaze followed her quietly.

The girl’s voice was sweet but not cloying, lively and crisp. Gu Xingze listened in silence as she described her plans—how there must always be two meat dishes, one vegetable, and a soup each day; how nothing could quench thirst in summer like chilled watermelon.

Finally, Xu Nuo took his hand in hers. “Brother Gu, let’s build a comfortable and safe camp together.”

“…Alright.”

Building the kind of base she imagined was, frankly, impossible. Practically a fantasy. Yet, as their skin touched, Gu Xingze could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat—steady, resonant, alive.

Xu Nuo turned to her audience. “Alright, we’ve held hands. Now, bring on the rewards.”

[It’s just holding hands—what’s so hard about that? No need to show off.]

[I’ll be fair here. This character is supposed to be rather aloof. No player has ever managed to win him over, and yet the host held his hand instantly without losing any affection points. Clearly, the host has some skills.]

[Reward incoming! The host really does have a talent for romance.]

[Affection +15] At that moment, a mechanical prompt chimed abruptly.

Fifteen points? An instant jump of fifteen affection points? What did that even mean?

[No way, is that cheating?!]

[I’ve seen other players try this scenario, it’s incredibly tough. Getting three points in one go is already impressive—how did they just rack up fifteen?]

[Must be cheating.]

[Looks like it, but not sure. Let’s wait and see.]

[Aw, so sweet! Am I the only one who noticed the way Gu Xingze looked at the host just now? He looked utterly indulgent. Why do people keep saying it’s cheating? It felt pretty genuine to me.]

[Mitu sent 520 roses as a reward.]

Agent 007 finally felt vindicated, triumphant among the sarcastic audience. [That’s our host’s talent and effort—not cheating.]

Xu Nuo was a bit surprised herself. Gu Xingze always wore a cold expression, his face practically screaming “none of my business” on one side and “certainly not yours” on the other, with a capitalized “world-weary” in his eyes. Yet, he seemed to like her quite a bit.

Xu Nuo picked up a piece of fruit from the audience’s rewards and started munching, offering a few pieces to Gu Xingze as well.

“Brother Gu, one day we’ll have endless fruit to eat.”

Gu Xingze stared at the fruit she’d seemingly produced from thin air, falling deep into thought.

[Didn’t I say this is just a sappy dating game?] The audience’s naysayers claimed a resounding victory.

[Even if it’s a dating game, it’s not dumb, alright?]

The aroma of instant noodles made everyone’s eyes light up. When Xu Nuo emerged carrying a huge basin of noodles, the entire hall erupted. Just last night, they’d scoffed at Miss Xu’s naivety—who could have guessed they were the ignorant ones? She’d said there would be noodles, and sure enough, there were.

“Don’t rush—there’s enough for everyone.” Xu Nuo’s words quieted the crowd, if only barely. “Line up, one at a time.”

As they reached for their bowls and chopsticks, Xu Nuo added, “But only our own people get a share.”

“I am absolutely loyal to Miss Xu! Faithful unto death!”

“I’m willing to go through fire and water for Miss Xu, without hesitation!”

“Whatever Miss Xu asks, we’ll do—no questions asked!”

The fervor grew so loud it was almost painful. Gu Xingze frowned.

“Good. Let’s eat. Listen as you eat,” Xu Nuo continued. “I plan to make this villa even stronger and safer, and to achieve self-sufficiency, improving everyone’s quality of life.”

The henchmen listened attentively as they ate, filled with gratitude at having allied themselves with a superhuman. To eat so well and hear promises of a better life—following Miss Xu was clearly the right choice.

Xu Nuo pressed on, “First, someone tidy up my room, clean thoroughly, and fix up the furniture and appliances. By the way, does anyone know how to install an air conditioner? I need one in my room…”

What…?

The power plant had been abandoned for years—what good would an air conditioner do?

“Oh, and does anyone here know how to farm or build?” Ignoring their awkward expressions, Xu Nuo continued, “As the saying goes, self-reliance is the key to abundance. The supplies left over from civilized society won’t last forever. We need to prepare early. With so many people, we have enough hands for farming.”

Farm? In the apocalypse? Who had the time or energy for that?

With zombies and mutant creatures everywhere, if farming could keep you alive, why risk your life scavenging in cities? Even growing a few scallions in the courtyard was already an achievement.

“Miss Xu, umm,” one of the henchmen ventured awkwardly, “none of us know how to farm. Every day we’re out hunting or searching for supplies in nearby towns, and, well, there are no seeds.”

“That’s not a problem,” Xu Nuo replied. “Our camp isn’t secure enough yet. The only reason we’re safe is because the area is remote and the zombies haven’t found us. We need to be proactive and reinforce our defenses. I think that strange grass growing in the mountain crevices would make for a good barrier—it’ll be very useful.”