Apocalypse: I'm Bound to a Mobile Lottery Shop

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: If You Can’t Lead a Team, You’ll Work Yourself to Death

Zelda Whittaker watched the comments on her Light Brain rapidly increasing, and the corners of her lips curled into a smile.

Nowadays, all the major bases were hoping Boss Hart would grace them with a visit. Who could successfully invite her was all a matter of capability.

The lottery ticket stand was incredibly busy. The thirty-five books of scratch-off tickets they had bought yesterday morning sold out before noon.

Later, they bought another seventy books, as well as five books each of three other varieties.

The convenience store was even more swamped; they were completely run off their feet. They had initially thought Bloomfall Base didn’t have many people, so they had only stocked six full shelves.

Who would have thought everything would be snatched up in half an hour? Frost Shaw hurriedly used the points they had earned to get new stock.

He called over a few of the youngsters to help stock the shelves and even roped in Roman Rowe, who was just wandering around nearby.

Roman Rowe shook his head frantically, refusing. "No can do. I have to stay near Boss Hart. I’m unofficial personnel!"

Frost Shaw: ’So frustrating! But there’s nothing I can do!’

All he could do was give Roman Rowe a swift kick in the rear and send him packing.

The people of Bloomfall Base were absolutely fanatical about the scratch-offs; they would even skip meals and never seemed to get tired.

Luckily, Lily Hart and her group had eaten breakfast that morning. Otherwise, they never would have been able to keep up. They worked nonstop until nightfall...

Lily Hart saw that the sky had gone dark. She glanced at the time—damn, it was already 7:30!

She hurried over to Zelda Whittaker. "Base Commander, I’m completely beat. Let’s call it a day."

Zelda Whittaker looked from the huge crowd of women, who clearly weren’t finished yet, to the exhausted and haggard-looking Boss Hart.

’I can’t push our luck too much all at once,’ she thought. ’What if we scare Boss Hart away and she never comes back?’

With that in mind, Zelda Whittaker picked up a megaphone and announced, "Alright, everyone! Finish up the ticket you’re holding, and then let’s call it a night. Go home and get some rest!"

The residents of Bloomfall Base deeply respected Zelda Whittaker, so they were naturally obedient, nodding in agreement as soon as she spoke.

They quickly scratched the tickets in their hands. Winners went to redeem their prizes, and losers didn’t cause a fuss. The crowd dispersed in a remarkably orderly fashion.

Seeing the crowd dispersing over there, Frost Shaw decided to sell off what was left on the shelves before packing up and closing the convenience store.

As eight o’clock approached, the plaza quieted down. Zelda Whittaker once again expressed her sincere gratitude. "Thank you, Boss Hart, for giving us hope."

Lily Hart: ’Huh? I’m just here to earn points...’

To play along, she could only say, "It’s no trouble. Just doing my part."

Then she added, "I won’t be coming into the base tomorrow, but I’ll be open for business right outside. Anyone is welcome to stop by anytime."

Zelda Whittaker was disappointed but understood there was nothing she could do. She simply nodded and watched as the RV sped away from the base.

Once they were out of the base and parked in their original spot, Lily Hart stretched languidly and flopped into a chair, not wanting to move a muscle.

’I can’t go on like this,’ she thought. ’If you don’t know how to lead a team, you’ll just work yourself to death!’

’I need to start managing things, free up my own time. That’s the true meaning of being a boss!’

Lily Hart had an epiphany. Her bright, lively eyes darted toward the few people moving about inside the RV.

’Diana Sharp is a good candidate. She’s clear-headed, logical, and capable of handling emergencies. More importantly, she’s bold!’

’Easton could also work. He’s a bit boisterous and not very meticulous, but he’s also brave and strong.’

’Tina Jacobs... she’s very meticulous, but introverted, not great at communicating, and a little timid.’

’Then there are the two young boys, Sydney Shaw and Leon Shaw. Frost Shaw gave them both their names, and his surname.’

’Their temperaments are similar to Tina Jacobs’s. Probably because they were abandoned as children, they’re a bit timid and insecure.’

’But that’s fine. As long as they can work, I’m not picky. I desperately need the help right now!’

’For one thing, selling the Lotto tickets will require a dedicated person, and the scratch-offs will need another. That’s two people right there. I’ll reserve those spots for Diana Sharp and Tina Jacobs.’

’The other three young boys can help Frost Shaw at the convenience store. By that count, it should be just about enough people.’

’I just have to train them up!’ Lily Hart was filled with determination!

But right now, her stomach was starting to RUMBLE. ’When in doubt, eat first...’

Of course, nighttime called for high-calorie food. Earlier today, someone had won a grand prize BBQ package from a scratch-off—a full one hundred skewers with a mix of meat and vegetables.

And it was the kind that was already cooked and ready to eat, with the hot, smoky scent of charcoal mingling with the fragrance of cumin and spices.

The aroma was to die for!

It was making Lily Hart practically drool...

She browsed through the System Store, picking and choosing. ’Barbecue by itself isn’t very filling,’ she mused, ’especially with this— many people.’

Lily Hart first ordered a 500-skewer barbecue combo, then added some staple foods like fried rice, stir-fried noodles, and cold noodles.

She tried to accommodate everyone’s tastes, but in reality, Frost Shaw and the others weren’t picky at all. As long as they had a decent bite to eat, they were happy.

They were even a little worried. ’What if we get spoiled by all of Boss Hart’s good food?’ they thought. ’What would we ever do if we had to leave her?’

The moment this thought entered Roman Rowe’s head, he wanted to banish it, vowing to himself that he would stick to Boss Hart for dear life and never let go!

"Come and get it! Dinner’s ready!" Lily Hart called out to everyone, hands on her hips like a cafeteria matron.

The bustling group heard the call for food, immediately dropped what they were doing, and came running.

Seeing the fragrant, steaming barbecue on the table, they couldn’t help but start swallowing hard. Roman Rowe’s reaction was the most over-the-top.

His eyes were glued to the skewers, and he had already devoured them a thousand times over with his gaze. If he weren’t afraid of getting a smack from Lily Hart, he would have already snatched a few.

Five hundred barbecue skewers piled together was quite a spectacular sight, surrounded by a ring of neatly arranged containers of stir-fried noodles, fried rice, and more.

"Sit," Lily Hart said. She had also provided drinks for everyone. ’People who work hard deserve to eat well and sleep well.’

’...so they have more energy to work.’

The youngsters sat together, staring at the skewers of meat and vegetables in front of them, a bit hesitant to start eating.

They secretly watched how Lily ate. They saw her pick up a skewer laden with meat and place it horizontally against her lips.

With a bite and a tug, a large mouthful of meat came free. The corners of her mouth were dusted with flecks of cumin and other spices.

’Aha, so that’s how you do it!’ The youngsters, not to be outdone, began to eat with gusto, their faces soon shiny with grease.

Easton ate while panting, "HISS... HAA..." and would occasionally pour a mouthful of his drink to cool the spice.

Lily Hart laughed at the sight and asked with a grin, "Is it really that spicy?"

Easton nodded frantically while stuffing more meat into his mouth, managing to squeeze out, "Spicy. So spicy."

’So spicy, but he keeps eating it. Alright then.’

After the incredibly delicious barbecue, everyone was completely and utterly satisfied.

Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Lily Hart asked, "How much did the convenience store earn today?"

When Frost Shaw looked, he was shocked. The points balance was a five-digit number. And to think, buying this two-story convenience store had used up all his points...

He never expected to earn it all back in a single day. The cost of restocking the goods was practically negligible in comparison.

A cup of instant noodles from the "near-expiry" category cost only 5 points, but he sold it for 75. Talk about a markup...

The best-selling items today were instant noodles and bottled water, which also happened to have the highest prices.

He did a quick count and reported, "Twenty-two thousand and fifty..."

"Whoa..." The youngsters standing nearby gasped in amazement. That was so much! Their eyes sparkled as they looked at Lily Hart with hero-worship.

Lily Hart felt a little embarrassed. After handing each of them a lollipop as a reward, she checked her own points balance.

Holy cow. She had earned sixty thousand points in just two days at Bloomfall Base. When it came to spending power, you really couldn’t underestimate women!

’I’ll be able to light up another base’s star soon~’

As Lily Hart was reveling in the thought, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Frost Shaw.