Chapter 64: Drinking Soup Is Truly a Delightful Thing

The sniper rifle was finally in her hands, but over the next five days, not a single company thug showed their face. Su Miao put away the sniper rifle; today, too, she found no target worthy of a shot. What was wrong with these thugs? Had the two who attacked her that day managed to escape and report to their superiors that she’d acquired a sniper rifle? If that was the case, it made sense. Had those students, who left carrying the deadly hallucinogenic agents, failed in their mission? Were they already dead? If so, it was deeply disappointing. She had spent an entire day concocting that toxic, hallucinogenic poison. Most importantly, as long as those company villains remained alive, Su Miao could forget about a single night’s peaceful sleep; sooner or later, she’d succumb to nervous exhaustion. If only the fireball spell could be launched like a meteor… She resolved to continue her research into the fireball spell.

For five days straight, someone observed Xiong Hui after he consumed salt and MSG, but there wasn’t the slightest sign of poisoning. Bai Rui breathed a sigh of relief. Now, he felt a pang of regret over the wasted salt and MSG. As leader of the combat squad, he had only a dwindling supply left. “Fu Yongpeng, is there anything left to doubt?” Bai Rui said smugly. “According to company rules, when new salt and MSG are found, the brothers get a meal with real flavor!” That was what he said aloud, but in his heart, Bai Rui had cursed Fu Yongpeng a thousand times. Damn it! If Fu Yongpeng hadn’t meddled, the salt and MSG would have been all his. Now, since Fu Yongpeng discovered them, it was better to invoke company rules and let all squad members enjoy. When mealtime came, Bai Rui could proudly announce, “This salt and MSG were found by my men!” There were quite a few in the company who looked down on him—did they really think he didn’t know? Today, Bai Rui was determined to show off in front of those who scorned him, starting with Fu Yongpeng.

“Lu Xuechuan, Xiong Hui—can I take them away now?” Bai Rui asked, nose held high, looking down at Fu Yongpeng. “Take them, take them!” Fu Yongpeng didn’t want to see Bai Rui’s smug face for even a moment longer. “And the salt and MSG—they need to be sent to the logistics department, so the brothers can have a decent meal. They haven’t tasted salt in days,” Bai Rui added. Fu Yongpeng stared at Bai Rui, baffled as to why the boss entrusted such a fool with important tasks. “According to company rules, we’ll be keeping an eye on the salt and MSG as well.” “Fine, fine,” Bai Rui grumbled, smacking his lips. His plan to skim a bit off the delivery to logistics was thwarted.

But it didn’t matter, as long as Lu Xuechuan and Xiong Hui were safe. Based on his experience, these two students had managed to procure so much salt and MSG in one go—perhaps they could do it again. He patted their shoulders reassuringly, “You’ve been through a lot these days. It’s all over now. If you get your hands on supplies in the future, just come to me directly—I’ll help you.” Lu Xuechuan was still trembling, convinced he was a dead man walking. Why hadn’t he died? He couldn’t understand. Wasn’t the witch supposed to have given them poison? He and Xiong Hui had been eating this salt and MSG every day. And no one seemed to notice the five vials of liquid poison Xiong Hui carried. After five days locked away, subjected to poison testing, Lu Xuechuan felt he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Xiong Hui, on the other hand, seemed perfectly fine, brimming with confidence. “Squad leader Bai, next time, we’ll do even better!” Bai Rui grew more delighted. “Excellent! Excellent!”

“Did you hear today’s meal has salt and MSG?” “Seriously? I haven’t tasted salt for nearly half a month!” “I heard Bai Rui’s squad found it.” “Bai Rui, huh? No wonder we haven’t eaten yet—his boasting is echoing across the skies.” “Don’t be too quick to praise him. If Fu Yongpeng hadn’t intervened, do you think Bai Rui would have shared the salt and MSG?” Members of the combat squads joked and laughed on their way to the logistics dining hall. Even squad leaders who rarely appeared were present today. Xu Heng entered to find Bai Rui at the soup station, ladling soup and introducing Lu Xuechuan and Xiong Hui, who stood at his side. The soup was seaweed, collected from a roadside mini-mart when they first arrived. It was popular with squad members, but as salt and MSG dwindled, and eggs disappeared, it became bland and watery, a disappointment. Today, there was salt and MSG again!

“In this weather, soup is a blessing—drink up, everyone, drink plenty!” Bai Rui smiled, serving each member personally. Everyone thanked Bai Rui, at least outwardly, maintaining decorum. Lu Xuechuan and Xiong Hui stood behind him; Lu Xuechuan watched the squad members take soup, anxiety gnawing at him—was the soup poisoned? He glanced at Xiong Hui, seeking answers, but Xiong Hui stood tall and proud, looking more self-assured than ever. Lu Xuechuan couldn’t fathom it. Fu Yongpeng, despite his dislike for Bai Rui, wouldn’t miss out on salt. His men were also responsible for delivering meals to the boss every day. “Is the boss’s meal ready?” “Ready, squad leader,” replied a member. “Good, deliver it while it’s hot.” Fu Yongpeng instructed, carrying a tray and taking a bowl of soup from Bai Rui, heading to Xu Heng’s table.

“Xu Heng, you look unwell. What’s happened?” “Su Miao from Villa 36 got her hands on a sniper rifle. I haven’t slept well for days. Yesterday, I ate something bad—couldn’t keep anything down, lost my appetite,” Xu Heng said helplessly. Fu Yongpeng nodded in understanding. “Today’s dishes all have salt and MSG. You’d be missing out if you didn’t eat.” Xu Heng picked up a coarse grain bun. “I’ll just have the bun. The soup and meat are yours.” Fu Yongpeng smiled. “Then I won’t hold back.” “Everyone, eat your fill! Ha ha ha!” Bai Rui was still showing off, basking in rare pride. He patted Lu Xuechuan and Xiong Hui. “Don’t just stand here. Go eat.” “Yes, squad leader.” Lu Xuechuan and Xiong Hui collected buns and rice porridge from the window, preparing to find a seat. As new defense personnel, they weren’t entitled to dishes with salt and MSG. “Go ahead and ladle yourselves some soup,” Bai Rui offered graciously. Seeing everyone enjoying their meal, Lu Xuechuan was about to go, but Xiong Hui spoke up first. “Squad leader, we’ve had it for five days straight. If we have any more, we really can’t take it.” Bai Rui paused, then laughed loudly. “True enough. After you finish eating, I’ll reward you both.” Not far away, Fu Yongpeng glanced at Xiong Hui, frowning. Who would pass up the chance for salt and MSG now? Was there still something wrong with them? Impossible! During the poison testing, he’d watched closely. Xiong Hui and Lu Xuechuan had eaten it, and five days had passed without incident. Shaking his head, he began to eat the soup. It was unbelievably delicious! He felt he’d never tasted anything so wonderful in his life. Xu Heng, sitting opposite, was speechless—was the soup truly that good?

In Chi Wannian’s room, she cradled a copy of “Criminal Law,” watching her maids each finish a bowl of soup and a bit of food. After waiting nearly thirty minutes, confirming everyone was fine, she began her meal at leisure. Unlike the ordinary company members, her lunch consisted of red wine, grilled steak, and mushroom meat soup. After the first bite, her eyes lit up—it tasted wonderful! But halfway through, her expression changed. Her eyes turned crimson, her face twisted in agony, as though enduring unimaginable pain. Chi Wannian overturned the table in a rage—the meal was poisoned. Who was responsible?