Apocalypse: I'm Bound to a Mobile Lottery Shop

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The Strong Rule

They’d be worthless in the 21st century, but in the apocalypse, they were bestsellers. But then a thought occurred to her: wouldn’t a convenience store steal business from the lottery shop?

At this thought, Lily Hart’s gaze toward Frost Shaw turned unfriendly. But then again...

The prizes from the lottery shop were things that couldn’t be bought at a convenience store, or anywhere else in the apocalypse for that matter. Take the fruit, or the single-use vouchers for hot pot and barbecue—where else could you possibly find those?

Lily Hart felt relieved. She stroked Lily’s fur while watching Frost Shaw stock the shelves.

Perhaps finding it inconvenient to work in, Frost Shaw took off his black cloak and tossed it casually on the ground.

’He’s just a little kid, yet he insists on playing the adult every day. It’s all this damn apocalypse’s fault!’

With that thought, Lily Hart set Lily down and went to help. To her surprise, he was quite meticulous.

He placed the mineral water bottles one by one in the most conspicuous spot and neatly stacked the sausages stick by stick. Everything was sorted by category and arranged with great care.

Once all the products were on the shelves, Frost Shaw clapped his hands in satisfaction and glanced down at his points balance.

Less than a hundred...

’Just like real money, it’s gone in a flash.’

Frost Shaw had no plans for any other fancy decorations. He’d worry about that after he sold his current stock.

’No money, no anything.’

"Let’s go," Frost Shaw said, bending to pick up his cloak and putting it on with a practiced motion.

The moment the cloak was on, he seemed to age five years. If he kept his mouth shut, he could almost pass for a mysterious man.

Too bad the illusion shattered the second he spoke. It’s hard to disguise the age in one’s voice; the moment he opened his mouth, you knew he was just a little kid.

They left the shop one after the other. Lily Hart was sure this was as far as he was going to take it. Seeing how cheap he was being, she was left speechless.

Lily Hart pursed her lips and clicked her tongue. Cuddling Lily, she made a great show of brushing past him.

Frost Shaw looked puzzled, his eyes following her until she climbed into the RV. Only when his view was blocked did he look away.

He stood there for another moment, pulled his hood lower, and left the base in silence.

Inside the RV, Lily Hart slumped into the driver’s seat and contemplated life for a moment before opening her Light Brain to check her points balance.

She had nearly seventy thousand points, but she was still over thirty thousand short of what she needed for Level 4. Lily Hart was growing impatient.

As evening fell, Lily Hart ordered a clay pot rice. Just as she was about to eat, a soft knock sounded on the RV door.

She got up with a resigned sigh. ’Who on earth keeps showing up right when I’m about to eat?!’

Lily Hart threw open the door, her face a mask of annoyance. With one hand on her hip, she practically radiated impatience, her hair a bit of a mess.

Outside stood Hunter Lowell, with a very reluctant Winnie Lowell trailing behind him.

Lily Hart’s impatience faded slightly, replaced by a spark of interest. She sized them up. She’d had a previous run-in with Winnie Lowell.

It hadn’t been a huge deal, but she had publicly humiliated Winnie and beaten up her bodyguard in front of others from the base.

’Winnie Lowell must hate me,’ she thought. ’So why are they here?’

Hunter Lowell was the first to speak. His tone was amicable, but he couldn’t quite shake the ingrained air of a man used to being in charge.

"Boss Hart, I’ve brought my daughter here to apologize."

"Oh? Then get on with it." Lily Hart raised an eyebrow. She didn’t want to make things difficult for them; she was still thinking about her clay pot rice.

Hunter Lowell hadn’t expected her to be so agreeable and was momentarily stunned. He quickly pulled Winnie Lowell forward.

He said sternly, "Hurry up and apologize to Boss Hart. What you did the other day was an accident. Young people don’t know any better."

Lily Hart switched from having one hand on her hip to crossing her arms, watching Winnie with an unhurried, expectant air.

When Winnie Lowell looked up, she was met with that familiar, slightly mocking expression—like she was looking at a clown!

She instantly blew up. The apology she’d been steeling herself to give, all her mental preparation, crumbled in an instant.

She took a step back, her expression defiant. "No! I’m not going to apologize to her!"

Hunter Lowell quickly moved between her and Lily Hart, blocking his daughter from view. His face was stern as he hissed at her in a low, forceful voice.

"Hurry up and apologize to Boss Hart! She’s the bigger person; she won’t hold a grudge. I’m sure she’ll forgive you. Stop throwing a tantrum!"

Frightened by her father’s intense glare, Winnie Lowell was speechless and could only stammer incoherently.

He pressed on, his tone harsh. "Now! Stop dawdling. Boss Hart is generous. If you just apologize, this will all be a minor issue."

Lily Hart listened to his passive-aggressive words without a change in expression. ’I don’t care what you’re implying,’ she thought. ’She still has to apologize!’

She just watched their little performance in silence. Hunter Lowell finished his speech and realized there was no response from behind him...

He wondered, ’Has Boss Hart gotten angry?’

But then he heard Winnie Lowell mutter weakly, "I won’t!"

Hunter Lowell felt the blood rush to his head. ’This defiant child, can’t she understand subtext?!’

In a fit of anger, he swung a slap. The blow landed with a sharp gust of air, so forceful that Winnie Lowell staggered back a few steps and fell to the ground.

Standing on the steps of her RV, Lily Hart’s jaw dropped. ’What is going on?’ she thought. ’This is... oddly satisfying.’

Just then, Winnie Lowell’s resentful glare landed on her. Lily Hart slowly closed her mouth. ’It’s fine to watch the drama, but it’s not good to get caught by the actors.’

Winnie Lowell saw it all clearly—the amusement in her eyes, the hint of a smirk on her lips.

She lowered her head, her fists clenching involuntarily as a tear slid from the corner of her eye. ’Why? Why would Dad take this person’s side over mine?!’

’Is it just because she has that RV and the lottery shop? But I’m his own daughter!’

Winnie Lowell couldn’t understand it. Ever since her father had become the Base Commander, she had been praised and coddled wherever she went.

Whatever she wanted, as long as it was within her father’s power to obtain, he had always gotten it for her without fail.

’I’m his only child! How could he... for an outsider... slap me!’

Heartbroken, miserable, and furious, Winnie Lowell pushed herself up from the ground and ran off.

Hunter Lowell instinctively reached out to stop her, but then he remembered Boss Hart was still there...

He could only muster a stiff smile. Turning back, he gave a deep bow and said, "My apologies, Boss Hart. I have failed to discipline her properly."

’I’ve taken it this far and given her a perfect out,’ he thought. ’Surely Boss Hart can let this go now.’

But he had underestimated Lily Hart and overestimated himself. He heard her give a light chuckle. "It’s fine. Just have her come back and apologize another day. I’m in no rush."

’After today, Winnie Lowell is going to truly hate me,’ Lily thought. ’So why put on an act? Might as well rip off the facade.’

Hunter Lowell was genuinely stunned. He’d never imagined someone could be so unaccommodating.

But there was nothing he could say. He was the one who had dragged his daughter here to apologize, and he was the one pleading for forgiveness.

Hunter Lowell was caught in a dilemma, frozen on the spot. He even considered using his authority as Base Commander to pressure her.

But she possessed such a miraculous superpower. He’d heard she could summon the RV anytime, anywhere, and that she was invincible in its vicinity.

He had always feared and respected the strong. Hunter Lowell’s straight spine unconsciously bent a little.

Lily Hart waved a dismissive hand. "All right, come back tomorrow. I’m going to eat now."

Hunter Lowell felt a wave of relief wash over him. He let out a breath and turned to leave, but as he did, his gaze drifted to the interior of the RV.

On a small table, a clay pot sat steaming. He had been too tense before, but now he caught the fragrant aroma wafting through the air.

This made Hunter Lowell even more certain of Boss Hart’s status as a powerful figure. Even he, the Base Commander, didn’t have the luxury of eating a hot meal every day.