At 12:30 pm, Xue Mingyue brought out the prepared lunch, which filled the table.
After everyone sat down to eat, they said goodbye to Mr. Old Gui.
Before leaving, Gui Yuanzhang called Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang into his study and asked them privately, "Have you already met him?"
Yu Hanjiang, of course, knew who Old Gui was referring to, and nodded, saying, " I met him at the Weekly Secret Chamber."
Old Gui said, "Then I won't say any more. He should have already told you the next steps. You can go to the Intelligence Bureau and ask Mr. Tang for some tips on the remaining escape rooms to speed up your progress."
Xiao Lou said, "Don't worry, senior, we were planning to go to the Intelligence Bureau on Wednesday."
Gui Yuanzhang smiled and looked at the two young men with affection: "Then I'll be waiting for you at the eleventh level."
After leaving Old Gui's villa, everyone sat in the car in silence.
Clearly, Mr. Old Gui's words deeply moved everyone—even a 60-year-old hadn't given up, so what reason did these young people have to back down? Even if they hadn't practiced any martial arts or fighting techniques in real life, this world relied on cards.
Everyone witnessed how Professor Xiao used Compass to create various tools and how he used Bai Juyi's " Song of the Pipa " to make a group of sharks fight each other. The ability to flexibly utilize cards is fundamental to survival in this world.
Halfway there, the car encountered a red light at an intersection.
Old Mo turned around and asked, " The card market is just ahead, do you still want to go?"
Xiao Lou said, "Let's go take a look; maybe we can find something useful."
After the green light, Lao Mo turned left and parked the car in a nearby parking lot. He said to Shao Qingge, " CEO Shao, the trading market doesn't accept transfers; it's all one-time transactions, cash only. If we want to buy cards, we'll have to go to the nearby bank to withdraw some gold coins..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than an ATM suddenly appeared in the car.
Shao Qingge placed the identity card into the card slot, took out several hundred gold coins with a face value of 10,000, and smiled, "That should be enough, right?"
Mo Xuemin sighed and facepalmed: "You can withdraw money anytime, anywhere, I forgot you had this!"
Shao Qingge said, "I only have this one S card right now, so it's only convenient when I need to withdraw money."
Xiao Lou joked, "This card suits your rich person image."
Shao Qingge nodded shamelessly, distributed some gold coins to everyone, and said, "The rich are giving you money. Go to the market later and buy the cards you like."
Ye Qi joked, "Thank you, sponsor!"
Shao Qingge turned around and looked at him with a half-smile: "You're welcome. Call me 'Dad' again, and I'll give you more."
Ye Qi was shy and his ears turned red from what he said, so he didn't dare to say anything more.
Old Mo parked the car and led everyone to the basement level—it was a bit like a night market in the real world. There were no fixed shops, and many Challengers set up small stalls just like selling phone cases at a night market. Many people wandered around, picking and choosing to buy cards.
Xiao Lou walked up to a stall labeled "Electrical Appliances Specialty Store" and found quite a few good items.
Electric stove, electric heater, electric kettle, electric water purifier, refrigerator, electric pressure cooker, juicer...
This is practically an appliance supermarket!
Xiao Lou remembered that he had once drawn a [ Power Bank ] card, which could instantly reset the skill cooldown of electrical appliance cards. He walked over and smiled, saying, "Boss, how much are these electrical appliance cards?"
The shop owner greeted them warmly: "50,000 per piece, 20% off if you buy the whole set!"
Xiao Lou bought all the electronics gift cards.
Liu Qiao bought several utility cards [sun umbrellas], Qu Wanyue bought several [fans], Long Sen bought a [basketball] card...
After browsing around the market, they found that the cards were all kinds of everyday items, and none of them had combat skills.
After spending most of their money, the group turned around and returned to the market entrance to gather.
Old Mo laughed and said, "With all the appliances, we could open a family-run hotel in the middle of nowhere."
Xiao Lou said, "With these supplies, everyone will have a slightly easier time in the survival chamber in the future."
The cards here are all resource cards obtained from the Weekly Secret Chamber and Plum Blossom Secret Chamber. They are truly powerful combat cards, and no Challenger would be foolish enough to sell them—because those cards are everyone's trump cards for survival, and selling them would make it very difficult for them to survive.
They found quite a few useful cards at the trading market, and everyone returned home with a full load.
When they drove back to the neighborhood, it was already 5 p.m., and Xiao Lou took everyone to a nearby supermarket to shop.
Supply cards have a limited number of uses, so everyone should definitely save them and use them after entering Secret Room World. While living in the main city, you'll still need to buy things like toothbrushes, face wash, and towels at the supermarket.
Ye Qi suggested, "Buy some shampoo and shower gel. I almost ran out in the bathroom when I took a shower yesterday."
Liu Qiao said, "We're almost out of soap and hand sanitizer too."
As they were talking, Xiao Lou sent a picture to the WeChat group and said, "I've made a list, everyone buy according to the list."
When everyone opened the WeChat group, they saw a long list of household items—pots and pans; toiletries, pajamas and slippers, teacups, mouthwash cups, tissues, food containers, garbage bags…
Ye Qi's eyes widened
Eyes: "This is so complete! It's almost like moving into a new house!"
Qu Wanyue couldn't help but say, " Professor Xiao is so thoughtful; there are some things I didn't even think of."
Xiao Lou pushed a shopping cart, smiling as she took things out, and said, "I just moved to a new house before the Chinese New Year. This is a list based on the moving checklist. Take a look, and if there's anything else you need to add, you can put it in the cart yourself."
Seeing Xiao Lou carefully selecting items from the shelves, Yu Hanjiang couldn't help but admire him. Professor Xiao must be a very good person when it comes to life, unlike him, who is completely clueless about these details and at most cooks instant noodles when he gets home.
The group pushed four shopping carts, carrying not only daily necessities but also a lot of food, including milk, yogurt, bread, eggs, and a large cart full of vegetables and meat. They were practically emptying the supermarket, which startled the cashiers.
All four shopping carts were full, and everyone carried plastic bags home.
Everyone bought new toiletries, and the different colored cups and towels made it easier to use them without getting them mixed up. The two girls were in charge of organizing the kitchen, putting the food in the refrigerator; Xiao Lou also bought all the cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, and the newly bought bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged and placed aside. The cutting board, knife, rice, noodles... the empty kitchen was quickly filled with drawers and cabinets.
Yu Hanjiang walked over and asked Xiao Lou, "Are you planning to cook at home? Wouldn't it be more convenient to eat out?"
Old Mo also said, "My previous team never thought of cooking here; eating out is very cheap."
Xiao Lou's gentle gaze swept over everyone as he said, "Now that we've signed the contract and formed a team, we're all family in this world. Besides the challenges, I hope we can all get to know each other better. Tonight, I'll cook, and we'll eat at home. There will be no waiters to bother us, and we don't have to worry about being overheard. Everyone can speak freely."
Everyone felt a bit conflicted upon hearing this.
Ye Qi's eyes reddened slightly. He recalled the days when he struggled alone in the Nightmare Secret Room, eating leaves. Now that he had a temporary "home," he would no longer be afraid of fighting alone.
Liu Qiao, Long Sen, Qu Wanyue, Lao Mo and others had complicated expressions on their faces. Clearly, they had all thought about how difficult things had been before. Having such a temporary home seemed to have given their anxious hearts a sense of belonging.
Xiao Lou is the owner of Contract Book. He is like a caring and responsible parent, bringing everyone together to form a new team.
Rather than cold, impersonal commands and orders, only when everyone lets down their guard and truly treats their teammates as "family" can they fight side by side no matter how difficult the situation becomes. Sometimes, these small details in life can subtly influence the deepest emotions within everyone, thereby strengthening team cohesion.
Yu Hanjiang thought to himself, "This is the biggest difference between Ninth Brother and Xiao Lou."
As a soldier, Lu Jiuchuan's way of leading a team is definitely to train his teammates as strictly as soldiers, making everyone obey orders.
But Xiao Lou gently fosters a sense of belonging to the team, making everyone genuinely like the team. Under such circumstances, who would betray the team or abandon their teammates?
Seeing that everyone was somewhat moved, Xiao Lou smiled slightly and asked, "How about we have dumplings tonight?"
Ye Qi exclaimed excitedly, "Great! We northerners eat dumplings during festivals!"
Shao Qingge asked, "What holiday is it today?"
Xiao Lou thought for a moment and said, "Let's consider this the anniversary of our team's official formation. Last time, we were in a rush to sign the contract book in preparation for the Weekly Routine, and we didn't have time to celebrate."
Shao Qingge said with a smile, "An anniversary naturally calls for wine. No wonder you bought two bottles of red wine at the supermarket just now. It seems that Professor Xiao is far-sighted and has planned everything in advance."
Xiao Lou smiled and said, "Everyone has been working so hard for so long, so it's good to take a break these few days. Tonight, relax and have a nice family reunion dinner at home. I'll cook a few dishes, and we'll have dumplings as the main course. Those who like to drink can drink as much as they like."
Qu Wanyue proactively rolled up her sleeves: "I'll help wash the vegetables."
Long Sen eagerly chimed in: "I can knead the dough. Back in my hometown, I often kneaded dough to make dumpling wrappers!"
Liu Qiao said, "I can make dumplings."
Ye Qi raised his hand: "I'll assist Professor Xiao; I can chop vegetables!"
Soon, the kitchen became busy. The villa's large kitchen could easily accommodate five or six adults. The range hood was turned on, and Xiao Lou, as the head chef, was carefully cooking while wearing an apron. Long Sen, Qu Wanyue, Liu Qiao, and Ye Qi helped wash and chop the vegetables.
Yu Hanjiang leaned against the dining table, watching the busy figure behind him— Xiao Lou, wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen, seemed exceptionally gentle, making Yu Hanjiang unable to look away for a moment.
Several simple home-style dishes were quickly served, filling the restaurant with a delicious aroma.
Long Sen started rolling out dumpling wrappers, while the other four people made dumplings. Rows of neat dumplings were placed on the cutting board, which reminded people of the lively Lunar New Year's Eve dinner.
After the steaming dumplings were cooked, Xiao Lou placed two plates on the table and called out, "Everyone, come and eat!"
The starving crowd hurriedly sat down at the table, their mouths watering at the sight of the exquisite home-style dishes.
Yu Hanjiang raised his glass first: "Let's celebrate the formation of our team, cheers!"
Shao Qingge laughed and said, "Such a formal celebration ceremony, shouldn't we give our team a name?"
Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou exchanged a glance. Xiao Lou smiled and said, "Let's call the team'Sharp Arrow Commando.' We hope everyone can move as swiftly as an arrow."
"Decisive and unstoppable, we will break through all obstacles and return to our true home!"
—The Sharp Arrow Commando Team. This is the name of the team that Lu Jiuchuan previously formed, the same name as the unit he served in in reality. It means that the entire team can move as sharply as an arrow.
When they arrive at Plum Blossom J, their team will reunite with Brother Jiu.
By then, the reorganized Arrow Commando will become the most powerful and united team in history.
Yu Hanjiang led the way by raising his glass, and the other seven people also stood up and raised their wine glasses. The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed in the warmly lit villa. Looking at the table full of home-style dishes and steaming dumplings, everyone's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears—for the first time since coming into this world, they had felt the warmth of a team.
Everyone downed their glasses of red wine in one gulp, then sat down, picked up their chopsticks, and began to enjoy their meal.
Xiao Lou's voice echoed in Yu Hanjiang's mind: " Captain Yu, you don't object to me doing this, do you?"
Yu Hanjiang smiled slightly: "Of course not, you did a great job."
Xiao Lou explained, "I just hope that we can not just be teammates who are trying to complete the challenges, but that we can be true friends and family who care about and understand each other. That way, even when we face the escape room that tests our trust level later on, we won't have to worry about anyone letting us down."
Yu Hanjiang nodded: "That's right."
Trust is always the cornerstone of a team.
Even with a disparate strength, a united and trusting team and a hastily assembled group just to pass a challenge can turn the tide and achieve victory.
Compared to stern and cold commands, Xiao Lou's gentle approach actually makes people more convinced of his abilities.
Looking at this warm and harmonious scene, Lao Mo couldn't help but whisper, "I hope that after we return to the real world, we can still sit together and eat like this."
Xiao Lou smiled and said, "I definitely will. I'll treat you to a big meal then."
Everyone readily accepted the promise: "It's a deal, we'll all go find Professor Xiao together!"
Although the future is uncertain and the dangers they will face may exceed their imagination, at this moment, everyone's hearts are filled with belief—they will definitely be able to reach the end under the leadership of Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang!