Chen Wan first found two boning knives inside, along with two very sharp kitchen knives. She also found a large whetstone in the corner of the kitchen. Chen Wan packed all these items into her bag, knowing that in the apocalypse, these things could save lives.
She opened the freezer in the small restaurant, and a foul, rotten smell hit her. She didn’t know what kind of meat it was, but it was already moldy and covered with wriggling white maggots. Chen Wan quickly closed the freezer door, trying to hold back her nausea.
However, there were some useful items, like a lot of sealed noodles and instant noodles on the kitchen shelves. Chen Wan stuffed all of them into her bag.
Outside, Jiang Yanxin had already packed up the cigarettes and alcohol from the cash register. The two of them made several trips, taking everything from the small shop.
“This should be enough. Let’s not keep Yang Yang waiting too long. If we need anything else, we can look for it tomorrow,” Chen Wan said to Jiang Yanxin as she closed the trunk.
“Yeah, Yang Yang must be getting anxious,” Jiang Yanxin replied, feeling a bit anxious herself.
Chen Wan quickly opened the door of the RV, and she and Jiang Yanxin got in.
It didn’t matter where they rested, so Chen Wan didn’t move the RV. The windows were covered with thick steel plates, making it impossible to see inside from the outside.
When Jiang Yanxin got in, she saw Yang Yang playing with her fingers, looking pitiful. When Yang Yang saw her and Chen Wan return, she happily slid off the bed, put on her shoes, and ran over to Jiang Yanxin for a hug.
Jiang Yanxin quickly picked up her daughter and gently comforted her, “Yang Yang, you did great. Mommy and I found lots of delicious food, so now we have plenty to eat.”
“I missed you, Mommy,” Yang Yang said, snuggling her head against Jiang Yanxin. She had been scared while she was alone, but now that her mommy and Chen Wan were back, she wasn’t afraid anymore.
Chen Wan put down the things she was carrying and pinched Yang Yang’s little hand, smiling as she praised her, “Yang Yang, you did great waiting by yourself for so long, didn’t you?”
Yang Yang nodded happily at her mommy’s praise.
Chen Wan had a thought and took out a bag of candy from the trunk, which was connected to the RV’s system. Whatever Chen Wan wanted could appear in front of her the next moment.
She handed the candy to Yang Yang and gently coaxed her, “Yang Yang, you’ve been so good. How about some candy?”
Yang Yang’s eyes lit up at the sight of the candy. She hadn’t had any in a long time. She licked her lips and reached out for the candy, “Thank you, Mommy.”
“Such a sweet girl,” Chen Wan said, her smile never fading as she looked at Yang Yang.
Jiang Yanxin hadn’t expected Chen Wan to bring candy for Yang Yang. She glanced at Chen Wan, thinking that at least this Chen Wan still remembered Yang Yang, which was a good sign for her and her daughter.
Jiang Yanxin pinched Yang Yang’s cheek and reminded her, “Mommy gave you candy, but you can’t eat too much. Only two pieces a day, or your teeth will go bad. In this world, where would Mommy find a dentist for you?”
Yang Yang nodded obediently, “Okay, Mommy, help me open it. I’ll eat one piece first.”
Yang Yang’s eyes never left the candy. Jiang Yanxin smiled and opened the package, giving Yang Yang a piece of candy.
Yang Yang’s eyes widened as she tasted the candy, “Mommy, it’s so sweet and delicious!”
“It’s delicious, but you can’t eat too much. Go play by yourself for a while. Mommy will help Chen Wan with the cooking,” Jiang Yanxin said, rubbing Yang Yang’s head and preparing to help Chen Wan.
Chen Wan quickly said, “No need, I can handle it.”
“Let me help. We were lucky to escape safely today, thanks to you,” Jiang Yanxin said seriously, looking at Chen Wan.
“No need to thank me. We’re in this together, and it’s my duty to protect you,” Chen Wan replied with a smile. After all, she had only known Jiang Yanxin for a day.
Jiang Yanxin glanced at Chen Wan noncommittally and asked, “What are we having for dinner?”
“Let’s cook noodles for Yang Yang. We can use the ingredients and seasonings from the self-heating hot pot to make a hot pot noodle dish for ourselves, adding some sausages and other things.”
Yang Yang can’t eat spicy food, but both she and Jiang Yanxin could. Thinking this, Chen Wan’s hands suddenly filled with several ingredients.
Even though Jiang Yanxin knew Chen Wan had special abilities, she was still surprised. She pointed at the items that had suddenly appeared in Chen Wan’s arms, wanting to say something but hesitated.
“I can take things from the trunk anytime without getting out of the car. If you need anything, just tell me, and I’ll get it directly,” Chen Wan said, placing all the ingredients on the counter next to the stove.
“Alright, I’ll handle the rest,” Jiang Yanxin said, taking over the cooking area while Chen Wan sat on the sofa to rest.
Yang Yang was no longer as afraid of Chen Wan. She trotted around the RV, playing. Seeing Chen Wan sitting on the sofa, she hesitated but wanted to go over and cuddle with her.
Yang Yang started to hover around Chen Wan, not asking to be held but just smiling at her.
Chen Wan was amused by Yang Yang and scooped her up into her arms, letting her sit and play there. “Why are you staring at Mommy? Do you want a hug?”
Yang Yang, hearing her little secret revealed, shyly buried her head in Chen Wan’s arms, acting coy.
In her previous life, Chen Wan was single and had never seriously raised a child, let alone a pet. Now, with Yang Yang clinging to her, she was overjoyed.
She immediately started playing with Yang Yang. Yang Yang’s little hands were chubby, like the soft pads of a kitten, and felt squishy to the touch.
Seeing her mommy playing with her, Yang Yang was even happier and started chattering, “Mommy, the candy I had earlier was strawberry-flavored. It was delicious, but Mommy said I can only have two pieces a day, or my teeth will go bad.”
Chen Wan gently patted Yang Yang’s little head and comforted her, “Yes, your mommy is right. We have found lots of candy for you, enough to last, but you can’t eat too much, or you’ll get cavities.”
Hearing about cavities, Yang Yang waved her little hands in fear, “No, no, I’m scared of bugs. Mommy, I’ll be good and not eat too much.”
“Good, if you don’t eat too much, your teeth won’t get cavities,” Chen Wan said, gently pinching Yang Yang’s cheek.
Even though they were in a post-apocalyptic world, Yang Yang was still a child and didn’t hold grudges, especially towards her mommy. Seeing Chen Wan playing with her, she became braver and buried her face in Chen Wan’s arms, acting coy, “Mommy, can you tell me a story? I want to hear a story about little animals.”
“You want to hear a story about little animals? How about a story about a little pink bunny?” Chen Wan coaxed gently.
“Yes, yes,” Yang Yang nodded eagerly, her bright eyes looking expectantly at Chen Wan, making Chen Wan feel a bit embarrassed. She wasn’t good at storytelling and was planning to make one up on the spot. But seeing Yang Yang’s anticipation, she decided to give it her best shot.
“Once upon a time, there was a cute little pink bunny living in the forest…” Chen Wan began to make up a story for Yang Yang.
Jiang Yanxin, who was cooking noodles for Yang Yang nearby, naturally heard this. She couldn’t help but smile, thinking that if Chen Wan could always be like this, it would be great. Even if one day she was no longer around, with Chen Wan by Yang Yang’s side, she could be at ease. But she knew these were just her wishful thoughts. In such a world, how could she place her hopes on someone else? Chen Wan’s current kindness to her daughter was just a temporary comfort.
While she was lost in thought, the noodles on the stove were ready, with luncheon meat added, smelling delicious. Jiang Yanxin served the noodles into a bowl and brought it over to Yang Yang, who was still listening to the story in Chen Wan’s arms. “Yang Yang, get up and eat your noodles first. You can play with Mommy later.”
The little one obediently nodded her small head and snuggled up to Chen Wan, acting cute, “Mommy, can you continue telling me about the little rabbit later? Did it find its mommy?”
Chen Wan chuckled and replied, “Alright, you eat your meal first, and I’ll continue the story later.”
Only then did the little one nod and start eating her noodles.
Jiang Yanxin cooked noodles for the little one and poured the seasoning packet from the self-heating hot pot into the pot, adding water to boil. The wide noodles and some meatballs inside were still edible, so Jiang Yanxin put them all into the pot to cook together. Soon, the spicy aroma filled the air, and she added enough noodles. Just the smell alone was incredibly appetizing.
Even Jiang Yanxin found herself frequently swallowing. It had been a long time since she had eaten such delicious food.
When the noodles were almost done, Chen Wan went over to help serve the bowls. She sat down and looked at the bowl full of red hot pot noodles, her appetite growing even more. A few bites in, the spiciness hit her hard, but she couldn’t stop eating.
The spicy flavor stimulated her taste buds, making it perfect for eating with rice. With today’s broth, anything cooked in it would taste delicious.
Chen Wan simply took three bottles of water from the trunk, knowing that eating something so spicy required drinking some water.
Jiang Yanxin, sitting across from Chen Wan with the little one, was the same. When Chen Wan handed her the water, she took several big gulps before feeling better, but she still couldn’t stop eating.
Chen Wan’s eyes were red from the spiciness.
The little one ate her noodles obediently while watching Chen Wan, and softly said, “Mommy, your face is so red.”
Chen Wan took a breath from the spiciness and explained to the little one, “Mommy is just spicy. You’re too young to eat spicy food now, but you’ll understand in the future. Chili is a great appetite booster.”
The little one didn’t quite understand but still nodded her small head and continued eating her noodles obediently.

