Chapter 258: A bowl of rice is a reasonable addition, isn't it?

"It's just a defensive pet; it won't move unless someone gives it an order."

"It has been waiting on the boat ever since Lu Heng fell into the water. Is there a problem with that?"

Song Xingmian said huffily.

Han Cheng shook his head. "Fine, even if that Jelly isn't smart enough, it's a water-element pet. It's the most agile and at home in the sea. There's no reason you should have been the one to save him!"

Chen Yu coughed twice and then opened his eyes. "Captain Han is right..."

"Hmm?"

Song Xingmian was stunned. She turned back and looked at the weak Lu Heng, not understanding what he meant.

Chen Yu looked at Han Cheng, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity. "It was my lack of foresight. I should have given it orders beforehand, even though it just protected everyone else on the boat and just finished maintaining that massive light shield..."

The manipulative 'green tea' speech came naturally to him.

He tilted his head and looked at Song Xingmian, saying guiltily, "Moreover, I almost put Mianmian in danger."

After saying that, he coughed softly twice more, leaned back against the gunwale, and lowered his eyelids.

Song Xingmian waved her hand. "Don't say such things."

Watching his submissive act, the fire in Han Cheng's chest burned even hotter.

"Stop putting on an act with me!"

Chen Yu looked up, his face full of innocence. "I indeed didn't do well enough. What do I need to 'put on'? I don't quite understand."

Han Cheng laughed through gritted teeth. "Heh, fine. You really like playing the 'White Lotus,' don't you? Acting all aggrieved, using retreat as a means of advance... you really are..."

"Han Cheng!"

Song Xingmian became completely furious. She took a step forward and stood between Han Cheng and Lu Heng.

"You've had enough! Lu Heng almost... died at the bottom of the sea because of me! I just pulled him back from death's door, and you're treating him with such disdain!"

Han Cheng was speechless.

Silence fell over the boat for a few seconds.

Until,

Han Cheng turned his head. "Chen Muqing, check Lu Heng's energy. Is he really seriously injured? Don't just listen to what he says; I want to see accurate data."

Facing Han Cheng's sudden call-out, Chen Muqing's expression didn't flicker.

"A puncture wound in the left shoulder, about an inch deep. Visually, blood loss is nearing the upper limit for mild hemorrhage. He was submerged for too long; his body temperature is low, and his heart rate is slow."

"Simply put, it's a struggle for him even to remain standing right now."

There was both the exaggeration of an ally and some hidden truths.

After all, he was also very confused...

Before going into the water, Lu Heng's energy had been extremely intense.

But looking at him now,

Lu Heng was seven or eight levels weaker.

"Unless..."

Chen Muqing was no fool; on the contrary, he was highly intelligent.

Naturally, he could guess a few things.

After all, he had just seen that old man with teleportation abilities.

Since he could hide from the Holographic Sandbox and unleash SSS-rank power with an A to S-rank energy signature,

then it stood to reason that Lu Heng had obtained some kind of item after falling into the water.

"Fine, fine, fine."

"I really was judging a gentleman's heart with my own petty mind, heh heh heh."

Han Cheng remarked sarcastically, walked to the middle of the boat, and spoke resentfully, "Keep rowing."

"Yes!"

"You got it, Captain Han!"

Ding Shouchang and the others quickly chimed in!

Song Xingmian put her military uniform back on, zipping it up to just above her collarbone, covering the white camisole underneath!

She sat down beside Chen Yu, leaving a fist-sized gap between them...

"Does it still hurt?"

The corner of Chen Yu's mouth curled up slightly. "It hurt quite a bit, but I feel much better since you sat down."

Song Xingmian: "..."

She didn't respond to that, only saying softly, "Don't let the wound touch the seawater again. I can only give you a basic bandage. Anything more complex is beyond me."

The two of them sat quietly at the stern of the boat like that,

their two shadows overlapping on the slanted gunwale, stretched long by the dim evening light.

Time passed slowly; the sky turned from grey to deep leaden, then sank into total darkness.

The sea breeze and the surging waves became clearer in the darkness,

with only the lighthouse in the far distance emitting a faint light, guiding their way forward.

During this time,

Zhang Lieyang stood at the bow. Coordinating with the twins' support abilities, he managed to kill three sea beasts!

He plundered three tide needles!

Song Xingmian took a portable searchlight out of her backpack. The cool white beam cut through the sea mist and shone on the boat, reflecting everyone's somewhat gloomy faces...

It made sense.

Drifting on the sunless Gray Sea.

No one would be in a good mood.

"Stop looking so miserable, everyone..."

Song Xingmian smiled slightly. "Don't forget, this mission is Red-level. According to the regulations, I can apply for a special-grade supply quota from the Military District!"

"Special-grade supply quota?"

Ding Shouchang was stunned. "Does that mean there's meat?!"

Song Xingmian reached out, and in the next second...

One package, two packages, three packages,

wrapped neatly in oil paper,

when opened, revealed pieces of cured beef jerky with distinct textures.

Salt grains shimmered under the light, and the meat was cut into thick, even strips.

"This cured beef was approved before we set out and has been in my personal backpack. The salt can replenish electrolytes, and it can be stored for a long time without issues."

Hearing Song Xingmian's words,

everyone's eyes lit up.

"Long live Miss Song! I haven't eaten meat in so long!"

"Thank you, Miss Song!"

"Thank you, Military District! I'm starving for this!"

Everyone took the meat strips one after another, carefully tearing them open and eating.

However, they soon began to grimace.

The reason, naturally, was that it was too salty, but there was no helping it.

After the apocalypse arrived, fresh meat wouldn't last more than a few days before spoiling.

The Military District could only use the most traditional curing methods. After soaking in high-concentration brine and air-drying, the salt penetrated every muscle fiber, effectively coating the meat in an invisible preservative layer.

Only jerky treated this way could survive the long road without refrigeration.

In other words,

when the recipe for this batch of cured beef was designed, 'taste' was not a priority.

"It's definitely salty, but it's definitely meat."

"A love-hate relationship."

The few of them drank water while eating meat.

Just then, Chen Yu pulled a small insulated container out of his backpack.

The moment the lid was unscrewed, a familiar aroma wafted out from the gap.

It was the scent of Rice...

Warm, pure, with a faint hint of sweetness.

Everyone's eyes converged on his hand at the same instant.

Han Cheng's chewing stopped, and Ding Shouchang looked over in disbelief.

Even Song Xingmian was a bit dazed. "This is...?"

Chen Yu nodded. "The beef jerky is too salty. It's only reasonable to pair it with a bowl of Rice, right?"

Chen Muqing narrowed his eyes.

Who exactly was this person Officer Zhou had called in?

He could even get his hands on Rice?

One must know...

In the Military District's warehouse, there was no application channel at all for Rice supplies.

After all, Rice-based supplies were far too rare.

Chen Yu gently pushed the insulated container in front of Song Xingmian and gave a faint smile. "It was just cooked before I got into the vehicle; it hasn't been cooling for long..."