Chapter 21: Strange Knowledge Gained


    “There... there’s something good!”


    Zhong Xiaoshan hurried into the bedroom, heading straight to the vanity. She pulled a gift box from her bag and said, “This is a limited-edition Lanc?me set that Director Hu brought back from Europe. It’s worth over ten thousand yuan...”


    She promptly stuffed the box into Zheng Xinyu’s arms, smiling obsequiously. “Your skin is great, but no woman ever says no to even better skin, right?”


    “Wow, thanks.”


    Though she didn’t like Zhong Xiaoshan, Zheng Xinyu couldn’t resist the glittering Lanc?me box in her hands. The price tag, marked 1,999 euros, was still attached. This was something her previous income could never afford.


    But before she could fully savor it, the box was snatched away by Zhang Su.  Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    “What’s the point of this now? Unless we’re rescued and order is completely restored soon, this thing is worthless.”


    He tossed the box onto the bed. “It’s not even worth as much as two bottles of water.”


    “But... I think it’s pretty good,” Zheng Xinyu muttered under Zhang Su’s scrutinizing gaze, awkwardly laughing as she retrieved the box and hugged it tightly for comfort.


    Zhang Su shook his head but didn’t reject her choice again. After all, they lived under the same roof, and a bit of emotional consideration wasn’t too much to ask.


    “Fine. That box can count as... half a box of rice.”


    “What...?”


    Zhong Xiaoshan’s initial joy at the trade evaporated. She had already imagined the fragrant rice but was now told it was only worth half a box.


    “Even after tax refunds, it’s worth over 14,000 yuan. Handsome guy, half a self-heating rice box costs what, ten yuan? Is this ratio for real?”


    Zhang Su’s gaze shifted back to the vanity as he shook his head. “The times have changed. You can’t measure goods by their old value. According to your logic, a gift box worth over ten thousand could feed you for months. Can you eat it?”


    “No, you’re right...”


    Zhong Xiaoshan sighed helplessly. Just thinking about self-heating rice made her stomach growl. Hunger gnawed at her insides like a thousand ants, an unbearable sensation.


    “Fine, take whatever you find useful,” she said, fully conceding. She had no choice—hunger was a powerful motivator.


    “Self-reliance is the way to go,” Zhang Su muttered as he opened the vanity drawer. What he saw left him stunned.


    “You’ve got to be kidding me!”


    After rummaging through the drawer, Zhang Su stared at its contents: it was full of Bi Yun Tao.


    “Was Director Hu completely useless or just excessively prepared? Even a breeding pig wouldn’t need this much!”


    Curious, Zheng Xinyu sneaked a glance into the drawer, her face taking on a peculiar expression as she stood off to the side, laughing quietly.


    “Well... um... Bi Yun Tao can be quite versatile, you know,” Zhong Xiaoshan mumbled hesitantly.


    “Oh?” Zhang Su smirked, waving her on. “Go ahead, enlighten me.”


    “I’m not making this up! Besides its usual use, Bi Yun Tao can be a lifesaver in the wild. You can use it to start a fire—just fill it with water, tie it up, and it works as a magnifying glass under sunlight!” Zhong Xiaoshan explained earnestly.


    “And in situations like this, a girl’s long hair can get in the way. If you can’t find a hair tie, this can work in a pinch.”


    “It can also store water. Bi Yun Tao is surprisingly durable and can hold two to three liters—more than a large soda bottle. Plus, you can use it as a shoe cover, a sealable bag, or even a makeshift tourniquet for first aid!”


    Zhang Su and Zheng Xinyu exchanged incredulous looks, their gazes silently asking, “Seriously?”


    “Where did you even learn this stuff?” Zhang Su asked.


    Zhong Xiaoshan rubbed her hands sheepishly. “I... I picked it up from a mountaineering club. Just some basic outdoor survival tips, nothing special.”


    As a high-end caregiver, she had cultivated refined hobbies to appeal to wealthy clients, who preferred sophistication over mediocrity.


    “Alright, let’s say all of that is true. Those uses are for survival in the wild. In our current situation, you could grab a ton of these from the adult store downstairs. What’s the point of stockpiling them here?”


    Zhang Su dismissed the idea, though he mentally filed away the new knowledge.


    “Well, they’re still good for some fun if you’re in the mood,” Zhong Xiaoshan said, throwing caution to the wind.


    Zheng Xinyu rolled her eyes dramatically. She had thought herself shameless, but compared to Zhong Xiaoshan, she was nothing. She couldn’t even fathom Zhong Xiaoshan’s desperation—hunger hadn’t pushed her that far yet.


    “I can’t believe you said that with a straight face. Fine, I’ll accept it. That’s another half-box of rice. Together, that makes a full box of self-heating rice.”


    Zhang Su turned to Zheng Xinyu. “Grab some plastic bags and pack this stuff up to take back.”


    Zheng Xinyu gave Zhang Su a strange look, her thoughts unreadable, but her hands worked quickly.


    “One box...” Zhong Xiaoshan muttered bitterly. After all her effort, it only amounted to a single box.


    Her resolve hardened. She retrieved a keychain from her bag and offered it to Zhang Su. “Handsome guy, I have a Highlander I bought just three months ago. Whether or not rescue comes, I’ll give it to you in exchange for twenty boxes of self-heating rice and ten liters of water. Deal?”


    “A Highlander?” Zhang Su rubbed his chin before shaking his head. “An SUV that can’t even handle cross-axle terrain? Useless.”


    “You—!”


    Zhong Xiaoshan nearly fainted from frustration. She steadied herself on the vanity, biting her lip. “Fifteen boxes, eight liters!”


    Zhang Su saw that Zheng Xinyu had finished packing. Ignoring Zhong Xiaoshan’s bargaining, he said, “Wait here. I’ll bring the rice.”


    In desperation, Zhong Xiaoshan blocked the door. “Ten boxes, five liters. Please... just consider it. The car cost over 300,000 yuan!”


    Zhang Su looked into her pleading, hungry eyes and sighed. “Fine. I’ll show some kindness this once. I don’t have that much rice. I’ll give you three packs of instant noodles, a pack of river snail noodles, and two liters of water. Deal?”


    “I... I don’t have a way to cook!” Zhong Xiaoshan stammered, more concerned about preparation than quantity.


    “I’ve got gas at my place, and you can use my cookware for free.”


    “Deal!” Zhong Xiaoshan exclaimed, slapping the car keys against Zhang Su’s chest. Her eyes suddenly lit up with determination. “Promise me, if you decide to leave this place, take me with you!”


    Zhang Su frowned slightly, feeling the icy touch of her hand on his chest. His throat felt dry as he muttered, “We’ll see.”


    Zhong Xiaoshan’s face relaxed into a strange smile. She slid down to the floor, leaning against the doorframe, looking utterly spent, as if she had given everything she had.