Chapter Five: The First Taste of Romance?

The barrage was stunned for a moment, then snapped back to reality—where did this box of instant noodles come from? Someone had just been talking big in the live broadcast. Thinking back to how she used a plate to shield Gu Xingze’s face earlier, perhaps it wasn’t just a box of instant noodles; maybe they’d have to bring out a gun as well.

“How is it? Tastes pretty good, doesn’t it?” Xu Nuo watched Gu Xingze finish a plate of noodles.

Being looked at with such lively, spirited eyes, Gu Xingze was rather unaccustomed, but... this feeling wasn’t unpleasant.

Xu Nuo said, “I’d like you to cook for me, but of course, I won’t have you working for nothing—I’ll prepare the ingredients as well.”

Gu Xingze, strangely, didn’t ask: Where will you get the ingredients? Instead, he nodded, “Mm...”

Excellent, the problem of unpalatable food in the game was solved. Xu Nuo immediately returned to her room.

“Dear viewers, it’s time to honor your promises—a box of instant noodles and a Gatling gun, hand them over quickly.”

[Is this for real? Is this even possible?]

Xu Nuo said, “I’ve eaten the food of this world, and I covered Gu Xingze’s face with a plate. Both requirements are fulfilled. Surely you’re not planning to go back on your word?”

[Does what you just did really count?]

The viewers in the live broadcast never expected that their casual banter would be taken seriously by her, and she’d actually fulfill the conditions. At first glance, she had indeed accomplished it, but on closer inspection, something felt a bit off.

Xu Nuo asserted, “Why wouldn’t it count?”

[Here, here, I give in.]

[Here you go, but I suspect you won’t be able to carry a Gatling gun, little sister.]

[The Sneaky Vendor rewarded a box of instant noodles.]

[Brushstrokes Like Dragons rewarded a Gatling gun.]

These items weren’t particularly valuable to them, and with over a hundred people watching in the live broadcast, they felt embarrassed to break their word to a young girl. So, they gave as promised.

Thus, Xu Nuo received a brand-new box of instant noodles and a Gatling gun she’d have to carry.

The viewers’ attention centered on the instant noodles and the Gatling gun, but 007 was different. It noticed the sweet interaction between the host and her target—a truly warm and romantic exchange. Gu Xingze personally cooked noodles for the host, making them so fragrant; if that wasn’t love, what was?

Indeed, just as it had thought, its judgment was never wrong. Although the host seemed unreliable, she was, in fact, highly gifted in matters of romance.

007: [Dear host, how was your experience today? Did your heart flutter, feel sweet and a bit sour? This is the first taste of love.]

Xu Nuo pondered, “I suppose... maybe a little.”

Fighting zombies, her heart pounding from intense exertion; seeing those indescribable foods, she felt sour; but after tasting stir-fried noodles, she finally experienced a touch of sweetness in this wretched game.

007 chirped in its childlike voice: [Wow! Host, you’re amazing—on the very first day, you found the rhythm of love!]

Day two.

Xu Nuo was awakened by the system’s voice.

Yesterday’s task of building the camp had only been half completed. As it stood, the villa wasn’t qualified as a safe base—its only defense was its concealed location and the treacherous mountains.

“Reinforce and build defenses? What sort of reinforcement and defense?”

The group that had surrendered to them automatically became their subordinates. Hearing Xu Nuo ask this, the whole group was puzzled.

She didn’t expect the NPCs here to have an average IQ of 250, but at least they should understand plain speech.

Feeling a headache, Xu Nuo gathered everyone to assess the team’s situation. Guns had been scavenged during the zombie tide—only two in total, and they were reluctant to waste bullets on zombies. Food consisted of a stockpile of stale grains and beans in the warehouse, barely enough to stave off starvation. To survive, they still had to hunt and gather wild vegetables in the mountains.

“Bring your former leader over.”

Her command was quickly followed, and the previous leader was soon dragged out.

“Madam! Madam, I was wrong!” The former leader put on a miserable face. “I was foolish to offend you! Please treat me like dust...”

Xu Nuo: “Silence.”

The leader immediately shut up.

Xu Nuo asked, “Tell me, how did that pile of rocks collapse yesterday evening?” Last night had been too dark for her to check thoroughly. Though she’d caught the leader’s confidant, she hadn’t found any obvious signs of sabotage.

“Madam, I’ll tell you. Those rocks—I discovered them earlier...”

The former leader spilled everything. Apparently, a strange type of grass grew on that hillside. Its roots could burrow deep and densely into the rocks, possessing great destructive power. When stimulated, the roots would whip violently, causing significant damage.

Yesterday, he had deliberately guided them to detour. His confidant, recognizing the signal, agitated the odd grass. Its roots split the mountainside, causing boulders to fall.

[Mission triggered: The Strange Grass of the Cliff. Such an unusual plant was found near the safe camp—its roots can penetrate stone walls. Could such an unscientific phenomenon really occur in this world? Is it a lie, or a reality that defies common sense? Please investigate promptly.]

Xu Nuo grumbled inwardly—having superpowered zombies was already unscientific enough.

Regardless of whether the leader’s story was true, it was necessary to investigate.

Gu Xingze watched as Xu Nuo got up early, energetically summoned everyone for a meeting, and now planned to go out to investigate the peculiar “strange grass.” He couldn’t fathom how her frail body contained such boundless energy.

“Boss Gu,” one of the lackeys, seeing Gu Xingze watching for so long while Xu Nuo was already preparing to depart, couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you going?”

“No.” Gu Xingze turned into the villa.

“Wait!” Xu Nuo jogged over. “Gu, could you make breakfast? I’ve already put the instant noodles in the kitchen.”

With that, Xu Nuo turned and left, not wasting a single unnecessary word—more familiar than a close acquaintance, despite having known each other for less than two days.

How hilarious—who cares about an NPC’s feelings while playing a game? Is it necessary to maintain an image before NPCs?

Xu Nuo had already decided that Gu Xingze would be her chef for all three meals.

Arriving at the hillside from yesterday, the path was buried beneath rocks and mud, exposing a large section of the mountain. In the broad daylight, the sunlight illuminated the stone wall, revealing a dense patch of roots—enough to make one’s scalp tingle.

“Miss Xu, this is... this is terrifying.” The subordinates who had witnessed the power of the falling rocks yesterday were frightened. “Your abilities are incredible. Surely you can eliminate these strange grasses!”

Xu Nuo: “Abilities?”

“Yes, you’re amazing—those rocks couldn’t even hit you!” The subordinate sincerely gave her a thumbs-up.

Xu Nuo couldn’t help but wonder and asked the system, “Little Seven, if I die in this game, can I be resurrected?”