Chapter 178: Chapter 177: Take It If You Need It
Zhang Yiwen said, "Dad, try to get some good pots and knives. We can set up our own little kitchen."
The person cooking changed every day, and with the same ingredients, the food ended up like pig slop.
Zhang Yiwen had been wanting to get his hands on a good pot for a long time.
He had even tried to carve a stone pot himself, but it was too heavy and not very practical.
It was also a pain to wash.
Zhang Aihua couldn’t guarantee he could get a good pot and knife. He stroked his son’s cheeks, which had gotten a little chubbier recently, and said, "Dad will do his best."
"Okay, then. Stay safe, and slack off when you can." After a thought, he added, "If they provide meals, remember to bring some back for Mom so we can eat together."
Zhang Yiwen still remembered the fruits and vegetables Jiang Si’s group had brought last time. He’d only gotten a single bite before they were all gone.
He stared at the sprouting mung beans every day, practically dying from craving.
The problem was, even after they sprouted, he couldn’t eat them. Everyone was planning to plant them instead.
’Sigh, the things I have to go through just for a bite of vegetables,’ he thought, feeling weary.
Zhang Aihua walked out from their relatively luxurious little cave.
When there were no Vultures to worry about and no need to go fishing, everyone was relatively relaxed, playing Chinese checkers, kicking shuttlecocks, and roasting fish...
Zhang Aihua blew a sharp whistle, and everyone immediately looked toward him.
Brother Qiu ran over. "What’s up, President Zhang?"
Zhang Aihua announced loudly, "Miss Jiang has found a hot spring cave hotel! She’s asking us to go help clear it out now. We can take anything they don’t want."
A hot spring cave hotel... there had to be tons of good stuff inside.
Jiang Si’s group would keep most of it, but even the scraps that slipped through their fingers would be essential supplies for their survival.
Everyone cheered at once. "Get your coats, you guys! We’re going now!"
They had just finished putting on their best Vulture-feather coats when Jiang Linhai arrived.
The crowd hurried to move the stones and planks blocking the cave entrance to welcome him.
Jiang Linhai smiled. "Everyone, follow me."
"Okay!"
Jiang Linhai drove the Icebreaker, and with Zhang Aihua and his group following in its tracks, the journey was much easier.
Everyone was envious. It was the end of the world, yet Jiang Linhai’s group still had vehicles.
’If only we could have one, too.’
This area was a tourist destination. Maybe one day they could dig an electric scooter, a bicycle, a Land Rover, or a BMW out of the snow.
The thought made Zhang Aihua’s mind race. ’When I get back,’ he mused, ’I’ll have to figure out where we might be able to dig one up.’
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the hot spring hotel.
Looking up from below, they could see that Jiang Si’s group had already smashed several holes into the hotel.
Everyone was excited. ’If I just grab a little something and hide it, no one will probably notice, right?’ they thought.
Anything brought back collectively would definitely have to be shared with everyone in the cave.
The good stuff would be distributed by drawing lots, so there was no guarantee they would get what they wanted.
Harboring these selfish little thoughts, they were split into four teams by Jiang Linhai and sent inside to help.
When Zhang Aihua saw Bo Xi, whose complexion was rosy and who had even put on some weight in a short time, his eyes filled with envy.
’He must have eaten plenty of the good stuff from Jiang Si’s greenhouse.’
But envy was just envy. With so many people in their group, there was no way they could catch Jiang Si’s eye.
Jiang Si had already collected all the important items from the hotel—things like computers, guest documents, and other necessities. Anything she couldn’t fit into her dimensional space was specially marked as not to be taken.
But when Zhang Aihua’s group entered the first floor, they found there were still tons of things they could take.
For example, the worn-out rotating bar stools.
’Patch them up a bit, and we can still sit on them. We could even set up a bar in the main hall of our cave!’
Even the completely broken ones were still made of iron. They could be melted down and made into blades or other things.
The hotel’s bathrobes, towels, bedsheets, comforters, pillows, mattresses, toiletries, disposable toothbrushes, toothpicks, gloves... and all the belongings left behind by previous guests—Jiang Si’s group wanted none of it.
This stuff was all treasure. They could even use the plastic to start a fire with sunlight out in the wild.
It was as if Zhang Aihua’s group had awoken some primal power; they were so energized they wanted to flip over every bed and search underneath.
They had assumed Jiang Si’s group would keep the luxurious king-sized beds in the bedrooms.
Unexpectedly, they didn’t want them.
’Maybe they’re grossed out by the idea that people died in them?’
The eyes of Zhang Aihua and his people lit up.
A comfortable bed would surely remind them of the good life back in modern civilization.
’Clean them up, and they’ll be perfectly usable. We’re not picky.’
Following the instructions of Jiang Si’s group, Zhang Aihua and the others cleaned the hotel while continuously hauling things back to their cave.
During the cleanup, Zhang Aihua spotted a particularly nice mirror. He tucked it into his coat, planning to carefully bring it back for his wife.
He also hadn’t forgotten his son’s request. When he entered the kitchen and saw the brand-new cookware in the cabinets, he assumed Jiang Si’s group would definitely keep it. But Jiang Si noticed his gaze, which was practically glued to them, and said, "We have plenty of cookware. If you need it, go ahead and take it."
This hotel also had a warehouse. It was locked, and inside were many backup supplies, all intact and undamaged.
Giving them a set of cookware was no loss to her.
Besides, she had more in her dimensional space and on the Icebreaker.
Zhang Aihua’s eyes widened. He truly hadn’t expected Jiang Si to be willing to give away brand-new cookware.
’It seems their supplies really are abundant.’
’That’s great news, though.’
If Jiang Si’s group wasn’t well-supplied, none of this would have ever come their way.
Seeing the large and small items being continuously brought back, gradually filling their cave, Song Yufang was so happy she nearly jumped for joy.
Everyone had a smile on their face, not at all bothered that the items were covered in filth and dust.
Rummaging through the pile, Zhang Yiwen found a pair of sneakers that were just his size.
They were even his favorite brand from before.
Zhang Yiwen was overjoyed. He waved them in his hands and brought them to Song Yufang. "Mom! Mom! Find me some laundry detergent! I want to wash these and wear them."
Song Yufang searched and actually found several boxes of scented candles and some fluorescent lamps.
These were things the hotel used to create a romantic atmosphere for its guests.
Lighting scented candles and placing them around a hot spring was a great way to set the mood.
But now, it had all fallen into their hands.
Several large boxes’ worth—it was enough to last them a long time.
Everyone was very interested in the toiletries. After all, not everyone was used to scrubbing themselves down with sea salt.
Seeing the unopened toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, and so on, everyone grew excited, staring at what looked like several months’ worth of supplies for each person.
There were also large quantities of comforters, sheets, and pillows. In the future, they could be taken apart, and the cotton inside could be used to make clothes and all sorts of daily necessities.
They were essentially a future supply of fabric.
The group set them aside, preparing to give them a thorough cleaning.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare use them.
Suddenly, Zhang Yiwen discovered a few more boxes of treasure: the hotel’s instant coffee hadn’t even expired yet.
