116: Open the treasure chest

Shen Xiaochuan pushed open the half-open door.

The lights were on in the room, warm light shining at his feet.

He didn't stop, walking straight inside.

His clothes were stained with iron filings and dust, and the copper gear at his cuff brushed against his leg, making a rustling sound.

After standing still, he rubbed his stomach, feeling very hungry.

"Sisters," he spoke, his voice not loud, "I'm hungry."

Two people in the corner moved immediately.

One turned and entered the kitchen, the other went to move the table and chairs.

The wooden boards scraped loudly against the floor, followed by the sound of pots and bowls clashing.

Shen Xiaochuan walked to the head of the table and sat down, his back straight, his eyes scanning the room.

Everything remained unchanged, except for a hint of hot soup in the air.

He had just settled down when his communicator vibrated.

He looked down; it was a message from Aphrodite: [You said you had something to discuss with me?]

He replied with one word: [Come.]

In less than five minutes, footsteps could be heard outside the door.

They were very light, as if afraid of breaking the floorboards.

The door was pushed open a crack, and Aphrodite stood outside, holding the hand of a Little Girl, her face showing a hint of nervousness.

"Come in," Shen Xiaochuan said. "The door is open for people to enter."

She walked in slowly, head bowed, fingers pinching the hem of her skirt.

The Little Girl gripped her tighter, her eyes fixed on the ground.

"Sit down," Shen Xiaochuan gestured to the seat opposite him. "This isn't a meeting, nor is it a lecture. We're eating."

Aphrodite hesitated for a moment before pulling the child down to sit.

The mother and daughter were very close, their shoulders touching.

"You are not subordinates," Shen Xiaochuan looked at her, "you are guests. In this room, there is no hierarchy when it comes to eating."

She looked up at him once, then immediately lowered her head again.

The sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen, and the aroma soon wafted out.

Before long, the sisters came over with a tray.

A bowl of stewed meat, steaming hot with oil floating on the surface; a plate of roasted exotic beast ribs, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; and white rice, each grain distinct.

Two sets of bowls and chopsticks were added to the table.

"Eat first," Shen Xiaochuan picked up his chopsticks. "It won't taste good if it gets cold."

He picked up a piece of meat, put it in his mouth, chewed twice, and nodded: "The cooking time is just right."

The sisters stood by and asked, "What else would you like, sir?"

"Bring another pot of hot water," he said. "Let them have something hot, and don't be so formal."

The sisters acknowledged and left.

The room was quiet for a few seconds, with only the sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking gently.

Aphrodite hadn't touched her chopsticks until the Little Girl whispered, "Mom... I want to eat that."

Only then did she reach out, picking up some rice to feed the child.

Her movements were very slow, as if afraid of making a mistake.

"You eat too," Shen Xiaochuan said. "Your daughter has already started."

She paused, then finally picked up her chopsticks and put some vegetables into her own bowl.

She swallowed, her other hand touching the chest, finding a protruding metal button, and pressed it tremblingly.

Her hand was shaking a little.

"I know what you're thinking," Shen Xiaochuan put down his chopsticks. "Afraid of saying the wrong thing, afraid of doing the wrong thing, afraid of making me unhappy. But this meal today isn't about any of that."

She looked up at him.

"I am the Commander, but I am also a person," he said. "When people are hungry, they need to eat; when they are tired, they need to rest; when friends come over, they need to be hosted. You are a friend right now."

Her lips moved, but she didn't speak; her shoulders, however, relaxed a little.

The Little Girl ate quickly, her mouth stained with oil, and she wiped it with her sleeve.

Aphrodite quickly pulled out a cloth to wipe her face, her movements very gentle.

After the child finished eating, she leaned against her, her eyelids beginning to droop.

"Tired?" Shen Xiaochuan asked.

"Yes," she nodded. "I've been organizing data all day, and she didn't take a nap."

"Then just lean back and rest for a while," he said. "There's still something to do later."

The sisters brought hot water and poured it into cups.

Aphrodite held the cup, her hands warmed, and her expression became more natural.

The atmosphere slowly became more relaxed.

Shen Xiaochuan mentioned something about the welders in the workshop fighting over tools, and the sisters laughed out loud.

Aphrodite also pursed her lips, a hint of a smile appearing in the corners of her eyes.

After eating, the sisters cleared the table.

Shen Xiaochuan got up and walked to the cabinet against the wall, opened a drawer, and took out a blade.

A demon-breaking blade.

The blade was black, with purple edges, and very heavy; an ordinary person wouldn't be able to lift it.

He carried the blade to the door and said to the guard outside, "Call Shen Yan here."

In less than two minutes, Shen Yan ran in, still wearing his armor, with sweat on his face.

"Sir."

Shen Xiaochuan handed the blade over: "For you."

Shen Yan was stunned: "This... can I use it?"

"You've practiced with the blade for three years, specializing in heavy blades," Shen Xiaochuan said. "It's fixed now, and it's yours."

Shen Yan took it with both hands, tested the weight, and gritted his teeth to hold it up.

Although his body swayed for a moment, he didn't let go.

"Thank you, sir!" His voice trembled. "I will definitely use it well!"

"Don't thank me," Shen Xiaochuan said. "It's because you deserve it."

Shen Yan nodded vigorously, held the blade, turned, and walked out, his steps much steadier than when he came in.

The room quieted down again.

Three women remained in the hall; the Little Girl was already asleep, leaning on her mother's shoulder.

Shen Xiaochuan walked back to the center and clapped his hands: "Next, business."

He took three boxes out of his storage compartment.

Diamond-grade, silver-white, with rune chains on the surface and blue crystals embedded in the corners.

Each was half a person tall, placed on a stone table, shimmering under the lights.

"This is the final wave of pre-war supplies," he pointed to the boxes. "After fighting for so long, it's time to replenish. Equipment, food, and manpower are all ready; what's missing is just these things."

Aphrodite looked at the boxes, her eyes changing.

No longer nervous, but curious.

"I've always had a habit," Shen Xiaochuan suddenly turned to her. "I don't open important things myself."

She was taken aback.

"You have good luck," he smiled. "Last time, in the lucky draw, you were the only one in the whole city to win double faith points. Things like this should be left to someone with good fortune."

She shook her head: "But this is too important... What if nothing good comes out..."

"It's fine," Shen Xiaochuan said. "There are three boxes anyway, so it doesn't matter if one fails. Besides, even if it turns out to be a pile of scrap metal, I won't blame you."

He pushed one of the boxes forward: "Come on, give it a try."

Aphrodite looked at the box, her fingers curling.

The Little Girl was still sleeping; she gently handed her to the sisters to hold, then stood up and walked to the box.

Her hand hovered in the air, not touching it immediately.

"Take a deep breath," Shen Xiaochuan said. "Just like eating, don't overthink it."

She closed her eyes, took a breath, and when she opened them again, her hand descended and pressed onto the rune on the front of the box.

As soon as her fingertips touched it, the rune lit up.

The whole place went quiet.

She swallowed, her other hand continued to touch the box, finding that protruding metal button, and she pressed it tremblingly.

Click.

A soft sound.

Then, golden light burst forth.

Not a single beam of light, but a mass of light that burst out from the cracks in the chest, illuminating the entire room as if it were daylight.

The walls, the ceiling, and everyone's faces were all golden, and there were no shadows left.

The light surged upwards, as if it were about to tear the roof off.

Shen Xiaochuan squinted at the golden light, his body leaning forward slightly, and whispered: "What exactly is in this box?"

She opened her eyes wide, watching that light grow brighter and brighter.