Chapter 23: A Forewarning

“As long as they aren’t here to cause trouble, they can apply for ID cards freely.”

Chu Jiangyue wasn’t the type to tolerate nonsense quietly. If the people from the base didn’t meet her expectations, she wouldn’t show them a friendly face either.

“Don’t worry, Boss Chu. We’ll inform our leaders and make sure they send someone appropriate.”

“Let me be clear upfront—if they make me unhappy, the hotel has the right to put them on the blacklist. Anyone on the blacklist will never be allowed to set foot in Jianglin Hotel again.”

Since they were from the B City safety base, Chu Jiangyue made sure to clarify the blacklist rules in advance. Otherwise, if someone got blacklisted and couldn’t enter the hotel, then came asking for explanations, it would be quite a funny situation.

“Don’t worry, Boss Chu. We’ll make sure our leaders understand.”

Hearing Chu Jiangyue mention the blacklist made Ling Feng’s expression even more serious.

“Boss Chu, earlier you mentioned there’s food for sale here. What kind of food? How does it work?”

He Yan, beside Ling Feng, had been curious ever since Chu Jiangyue mentioned that food was available. Now that they had confirmed the friend-list feature worked, he asked.

“Steamed buns and meat buns, plus fresh baby bok choy. We also have braised pork, tomato scrambled eggs, and more. You can check the items on the counter and order via the screen with your ID card.”

Chu Jiangyue answered casually.

Since the hotel rooms hadn’t been fully occupied, the food options hadn’t been unlocked, so there were only a few items for the past couple of days. But because they were unlimited in supply, guests hadn’t complained.

Out in the world, except for sealed-packaged food, most other food had already rotted. After searching for some time, food outside had become scarce.

The few dishes at Jianglin Hotel were limited but fresh, and there was enough staple food to fill one’s stomach.

In the apocalypse, staying fed was the most important thing.

“Steamed buns!”
“Baby bok choy!”
“Meat buns!”
“Boss Chu, are you serious?”

Even at the base, these foods were rare.

“You think I’d lie to you if you have no coins?”

Chu Jiangyue opened the virtual screen above the counter and clicked the sections for staples and vegetables for them to see.

“Enter the quantity you want, swipe your ID card, and the items will appear in front of you.”

Ling Feng followed her instructions and bought a steamed bun.

The moment he swiped his card, a bun materialized on the counter, and 20 copper coins were deducted from his card balance.

No one doubted Chu Jiangyue anymore. Another huge surprise.

Ling Feng felt that Jianglin Hotel was like a beacon of light in the apocalypse. Seeing the light meant seeing hope.

Chu Jiangyue didn’t care about their thoughts; anyone who brought business to her hotel was a friend.

Ling Feng and his two teammates hurriedly purchased five of each food item from the counter before leaving to report back.

Not long after, the students who had returned to their rooms for a break emerged.

Seeing Chu Jiangyue at the front desk, they greeted her:
“Boss Chu, good evening!”
“Boss Chu, good evening.”
…

Chu Jiangyue merely nodded slightly, showing no particular reaction.

“Boss Chu, we want to buy some food.”

They had been trapped in the underground garage and had almost no supplies when rescued by Shen Zhigui’s team. Now that they were settled, their stomachs began protesting.

On the way over, Shen Zhigui had told them about the food available at the hotel.

“Go ahead, don’t worry about me.”

After saying this, Chu Jiangyue stood up to avoid making them feel uncomfortable and stepped out of Building 1.

Meanwhile, Ling Feng and his teammates left Jianglin Hotel and, despite their injuries, hurried back to the base.

The Level 1 zombies that Chu Jiangyue had tied up were gone, and they quickly left Shengshi Huadu’s area.

“Boss, who should we report this to when we get back?”

Jianglin Hotel was too important; if they told the wrong person, they might indirectly offend Boss Chu.

Though she was a young girl, daring to run a hotel alone in the apocalypse, she was not simple. Offending her would not end well.

“Report directly to the base commander.”

Ling Feng’s teammates trusted his judgment; they had no objections.

At Jianglin Hotel:

“Host, I have a feeling we’re about to get another group of guests!”

As long as Ling Feng and his team spread the word in the B City safety base, some would believe it and come despite the heat.

And the little fox was confident the hotel would keep them. After all, it was the only “safe haven” unaffected by the extreme heat outside.

Chu Jiangyue smiled. As long as the people from the base weren’t foolish, they would know what to do.

Walking along the stone path of Jianglin Hotel, she soon reached the hotel’s edge.

“Little fox, I feel like the surrounding land is becoming more desertified.”

Chu Jiangyue hadn’t noticed before, but standing at the edge and seeing the clear color difference, she frowned.

“Host, the Blue Star has now fully entered the apocalyptic era.”

Anything was possible now.

Chu Jiangyue pursed her lips. This apocalypse had truly brought humanity to the brink of destruction.

The little fox remained silent, standing on her shoulder, nine tails swaying in the wind.

At that moment, a zombie staggered past, but the hotel’s protective shield concealed Chu Jiangyue’s presence completely.

She could have imagined it, but the increasingly desertified land seemed to be slowly rising.

Some low-lying villas were already being swallowed by the sand.

High heat, desertified land—it left humans no room to survive.

Chu Jiangyue observed for a while, then turned away. Rather than dwell on the destruction, it was better to upgrade the hotel and accommodate more guests.

She returned to her two-story wooden house: the first floor had the living room, kitchen, dining area, and restroom; the second floor housed her bedroom, study, and walk-in closet with an attached bathroom.

＊

Ling Feng and his two teammates made good time. The B City safety base wasn’t too far from Jianglin Hotel.

By 11 PM, they arrived back at the base.

Because Ling Feng was injured, he needed to stay in a separate room for 24 hours for observation to ensure he wouldn’t turn into a zombie before being released.