264: Complimentary drinks

Hafke Local Cuisine Restaurant.

“Can this restaurant name really be registered for business…?”

Lin Han couldn't help but rub his forehead, looking at the name of the restaurant in front of him.

Fuji explained from the side:

“Now, don’t even mention Hafke Local Cuisine Restaurant; there are plenty of Longbow Noodle Shops, Asara Noodles, Flamethrower Roast Duck Restaurants, and Zero Big Chicken Cutlets.”

“It’s not like before; after the Advent, these things have completely integrated into society.”

“Whether they’ve been to the Third District or not, people can’t help but go into shops with such gimmicky names.”

“Not for the taste, but just for the name, quite a few people go in to try it.”

“Over time, everyone started using names like these.”

Fuji had been leading drivers in Xia Country for most of the time, so he naturally understood the recent changes in Xia Country better than others.

“Brother Ji, although I trust the restaurant you picked, this place doesn’t look very big. How about we find a bigger one with private rooms?”

Shen Cangsheng asked, giving Lin Han an annoyed glance.

Currently, their group consisted of Chen Yu, Zhang Ning, Fuji, Zhao Chuang, Shen Cangsheng, and Lin Han.

A total of six people.

Most restaurants could accommodate this number of people.

This restaurant also had tables for the corresponding number of people.

But what Shen Cangsheng was worried about wasn't that.

It was Lin Han.

His fans were everywhere, and there was also the fan effect.

Once one person discovered him, it would gradually attract more and more people.

Then a good dinner would be ruined again.

The unspoken understanding between them made Lin Han instantly grasp Shen Cangsheng's thoughts.

But this time, he didn't argue with Shen Cangsheng; instead, he looked a bit embarrassed.

“Sorry everyone, my situation is indeed unavoidable.”

“Brother Ji, if you really want to eat here, you can wait until I’m not around later.”

“For today, let’s go with what Shen Cangsheng said and switch to a place with private rooms.”

“This meal is on me.”

Fuji immediately waved his hand after hearing this.

“Go, go, go, what do you mean ‘on you’? This meal is naturally on me.”

“Don’t forget, in terms of rank, all of you have to step aside a bit.”

“And there’s no need to change restaurants.”

“The owner here is an old acquaintance of mine; I already told him I’d book the whole place.”

After speaking, Fuji waved his hand and stepped into the Hafke Local Cuisine Restaurant.

The others, seeing this, didn't decline and followed him in.

Given their current relationship, it didn't matter who paid for the meal; what was important was to gather together and relax.

After entering the restaurant, everyone began to take off their equipment, firearms, backpacks, and chest rigs.

Almost every day, this equipment never left their bodies.

Even if it could be placed in special items that could store things and then put into quantum storage.

But the complicated operation would still take some time compared to just picking it up and putting it on.

Fuji skillfully walked to the front desk, took menus for the corresponding number of people, and handed them to everyone.

“Order whatever you like; I’m telling you, this restaurant is different.”

“The owner isn’t open all the time; it’s good luck that he’s here today, and the taste is absolutely authentic!”

Fuji covered his mouth, leaned closer to the others, and whispered:

“I even suspect if they added something to it!”

As he spoke, Fuji licked his lips.

“Is it that spooky?”

Seeing Fuji's exaggerated evaluation, Chen Yu, not believing it, picked up the menu, shook it twice, and started looking.

The others also looked at the menu with suspicion.

After seeing the menu clearly, everyone frowned, looked up, exchanged glances, and finally all looked at Fuji.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh my, what the heck…”

“buddy, is this still within the country?”

Chen Yu, Lin Han, and Shen Cangsheng exclaimed simultaneously.

Even Zhang Ning's mouth was slightly agape in surprise.

Zhao Chuang, on the other hand, looked at Fuji with curiosity.

“Brother Ji, you just said you suspected something was added. What exactly was added?”

“Zhao Chuang, don’t interrupt.” Chen Yu waved his hand, then looked at Fuji.

“What exactly is going on?”

Chen Yu pointed at the menu.

The dishes on the menu, and the prices marked, were completely different from the original prices.

For example, Braised Pork with Quail Eggs was priced at one set of Level 3 bullets, or firearms of equivalent value.

Stir-fried Tomatoes with Potato Slices was priced at one set of Level 1 bullets.

As for some seafood, the prices were even more bizarre.

Large Flying Crab was priced at one piece of Level 4 body armor.

Flipping further, some of the restaurant's signature dishes actually started requiring small special items!

Fuji smiled slightly.

“Never seen the world, have you? Foreign countries haven’t developed to this extent, so it’s normal for you to be surprised.”

“Do you remember before you left, when order had just been restored, the purchasing power of cash was getting worse and worse?”

Everyone recalled and nodded.

“Indeed, but what does that have to do with this?” Lin Han couldn't help but ask.

“Tsk, it has a lot to do with it.” Fuji pursed his lips.

“Now almost everyone is a soldier, and everyone basically knows about the war.”

“This kind of thing simply cannot be hidden.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded.

It had reached this point; trying to keep it a secret would truly be treating people as fools.

Rather than hiding it, it was better to openly make it public.

Whether it was the full Advent or the sudden appearance of zombies later, both were telling people that the world had changed.

“After you left, people stopped using cash like before, because it was simply useless.”

“Although buying equipment with cash only requires one more step.”

“But compared to cash, equipment that can be touched at any time gives everyone a greater sense of security.”

“Aside from what The Authorities distribute, who doesn’t hope their equipment is better?”

Hearing this, Shen Cangsheng weakly raised his hand and asked:

“Brother Ji, don’t The Authorities centralize equipment and then distribute it?”

Fuji nodded.

“Of course, but there will always be people who don’t buy into it.”

“Think about it, if you can’t get anything, would you cook? Would you build houses? Would you grow vegetables or farm?”

Shen Cangsheng shook his head decisively.

If the labor in between ultimately yielded no value, most people would choose to be self-sufficient.

Fuji nodded and snapped his fingers.

“Exactly.”

“It’s a simple principle. Suppose you can cook, but I can’t. I give you money, and you cook for me.”

“Then you can take the money and find someone else to do what you can’t, or give you what you need.”

“This is an inevitable social order; there will always be those who are good at something and those who are not.”

“But what if currency is just waste paper in your eyes? If I give you money, would you still do it? Certainly not.”

“At that point, everyone started spontaneously exchanging their resources.”

“So, it evolved into exchanging goods.”

“But it’s mainly popular among ordinary survivors.”

“Officer Long Wu specifically warned special personnel and combat-ready operatives.”

“They can use their surplus resources to buy things or services.”

“But they must retain enough combat resources, otherwise they will be dealt with according to law.”

“Before, retaliatory consumption was just about not having money. Now, if it’s retaliatory consumption, and there’s no equipment for war, isn’t that just nonsense?”

After Fuji finished speaking, he took a glass and a kettle from the side and poured himself a cup of tea.

At the same time, he poured several cups for the others.

“Not bad, Fuji, you’re quite articulate now. Being a leader wasn’t in vain.”

Chen Yu couldn't help but tease from the side.

Although his tone was like a joke, he genuinely felt that Fuji was different from before.

With Fuji’s explanation, everyone gradually understood and accepted the idea of trading with resources.

Just as everyone began to look down and prepare to order, Zhao Chuang suddenly closed the menu and looked at Fuji with a shocked expression.

“Brother Ji, if stuff was added, we need to report him to Officer Long!”

Fuji looked up at Zhao Chuang in annoyance.

“That was a damn metaphor, describing how delicious it is! It doesn't mean they actually added anything!”

Zhao Chuang mumbled a few words, then started flipping through the menu.

“Everyone, these are complimentary drinks specially provided by the owner of this restaurant for you.”

A Big-Eyed Cute Girl in an apron carried a tray with six stemmed glasses, each filled with a drink.

The moment he saw the Big-Eyed Cute Girl, Lin Han paused.

“Wait, you…” Lin Han frowned, one hand on his forehead, pressing his thumb against his temple.

Then Lin Han seemed to suddenly remember something and asked:

“You’re that… what was her name, Xu Ya? From the third class before?”

Xu Ya nodded, her expression blank.

“Yes.”

After placing the drinks one by one in front of everyone, Xu Ya carried the tray and turned to go back to the kitchen.

Immediately after, the curtain covering the kitchen suddenly opened.

The few people instantly recognized the person.

It was the Old Man who used to instantly pay for recycled equipment in the Third District, though at a reduced price.

“Haha, everyone, didn’t expect it, did you? I do restaurant business too.”

“Fuji told me you all were coming here for dinner, so I specially sent you these drinks. These aren’t cheap.”

“And they have a nice name.”

The Old Man looked at the few people expectantly.

Seeing this expression, Zhang Ning immediately understood that he was waiting for them to ask what the name was.

Zhang Ning spread her hands helplessly, feigning surprise very deliberately:

“Wow~ What’s it called?”

The Old Man smiled mysteriously:

“Long Goodbye.”