Chapter 13: Task Completed

On the fifth day of the Doomsday Game, Su Ning continued to work overtime, diligently making headbands. She hoped to finish 100 as quickly as possible, aiming for a crafting upgrade.

Meanwhile, Qiao Duoduo finally found a chance to speak with her master.

“Master, my best friend said that she triggered the crafting system just by carving a staff.”

As she spoke, Qiao Duoduo carefully observed her master’s expression. Sure enough, the old chef looked a little guilty, blinking rapidly before quickly offering an excuse.

“That’s because she’s skilled. You… you think too much. Hurry up and knead the dough; you have a lot to do today.”

The old chef wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to change the topic—but Qiao Duoduo’s eyes missed nothing.

“Master, so it was you who blocked my path to wealth. Is that why I triggered failure?”

Qiao Duoduo pressed her question, her gaze fixed on her master. If the old chef had spoken sternly, she might not dare to continue, but when someone shows guilt, the other gains confidence.

“You… can’t say it like that. I took you on because I saw talent in you. You mustn’t be distracted by external things. Young people learning a craft must focus, focus.”

The master had only ever taken one apprentice in his life, so naturally he valued her highly. He had decided Qiao Duoduo lacked patience, so he wouldn’t allow the crafting system to distract her. The old man, thinking over his actions, felt he had done nothing wrong and raised his voice to assert authority.

“I only have your best interests in mind. Focusing on cooking will ensure your future is limitless. Besides, even if you weren’t my apprentice, you still wouldn’t trigger the crafting system without a master.”

“Master, you’re scolding me, blocking my path to wealth, and scolding me again! Master, do you regret taking me on as your apprentice? I knew it, you’ve always looked down on me!”

Qiao Duoduo was genuinely aggrieved, but reasoning wouldn’t work here, so she resorted to playing the victim, adding flair to her performance. She perfectly embodied a fragile girl being bullied by a harsh master.

The old chef couldn’t bear it—seeing his beloved apprentice crying like that.

“Little one, I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t cry! How about… I teach you to brew alcohol, yes, brewing. How does that sound?”

Qiao Duoduo hadn’t expected such an unexpected reward. She had only planned to find a way out since reasoning hadn’t worked—she didn’t anticipate a surprise.

Seeing her master offering such a gift, her heart warmed, and she couldn’t help but act cute.

“I can learn, but I can’t open the crafting system! What about my future gear? Master, do you know how low the drop rate for equipment is outside? And the game’s shop sells many items, but nothing that adds attribute points—not even everyday items for cleaning. But of course, they sell food and medicine.”

Qiao Duoduo blinked, hoping her master would understand that a culinary future wasn’t entirely secure.

“Duoduo, listen. Our cooking and brewing follow a high-end path. What can the shop sell? Steamed buns, rolls? At most dried meat buns. Relying on the few things in the system shop, people won’t starve. Food is essential—otherwise, why open a teahouse or tavern? And my craftsmanship is precious. If you learn well, who says dishes and drinks can’t have special effects?”

“Master, eating can increase attributes? Will I develop greatly in the future? Should I open a restaurant someday?”

Qiao Duoduo wanted to say more, but the old chef cut her off.

“All right, focus on chopping vegetables. You still have a long way from leaving the restaurant. Chop, chop—focus on chopping.”

Seeing his apprentice’s mood shift from gloom to bright, the master exhaled in relief and quickly assigned work. He couldn’t bear to upset his delicate little apprentice.

Meanwhile, Su Ning finally completed her task by late evening, finishing 100 braided headbands. Four of them were cross-level crafted Exquisite Headbands, which made Su Ning extremely proud.

“Master, my headbands are finished!”

Su Ning presented the four Exquisite Headbands to her master, excitement radiating from her face.

“You did very well this time,” said Mrs. Li, setting down the headbands and smiling at Su Ning.

“You’ve become a sewing master. You’re truly hardworking—I feel relieved.”

“Master, I have something else to ask you,” said Su Ning. She thought about the spinning machine and her promotion task; now that the task was complete and Duoduo had also finished hers, she could confidently submit her work.

“Master, this is the spinning machine I got yesterday. I don’t know how to use it. I’ve also prepared cotton and cockroach wings. For the remaining cotton, I want to learn spinning.”

“This cotton and cockroach wings are excellent. You’ve done very well.”

“Beep! Congratulations, player! Promotion task completed. Rewards: Green-Grade Shadowflow Magic Wand, 100 experience, 2 silver coins, task item: New Happiness Street Residency Certificate.”

“Keep the certificate safe. Early tomorrow, go find the guard captain; he will guide you based on it. As for the spinning machine, first clean the cotton seeds, turn them into cotton strips, and spin them. If you’re making a quilt, process it into cotton batting. You can handle these steps in the crafting system, but if conditions allow, it’s better to experience each step yourself. That way, the finished cloth has a sense of accomplishment.”

Mrs. Li then demonstrated with cotton strips at the spinning machine: her right hand turned the wheel, left hand guided the thread. A sturdy thread wound onto the spindle.

“Now, you try.”

It was Su Ning’s first time. Although it looked simple, it wasn’t yet instinctive. After a short adjustment, she found it magical.

“This spun thread can be dyed first, but remember to size it. You can use the system for dyeing, spinning, and sizing, but if conditions allow, experience each step yourself. That’s how the finished fabric gives real satisfaction.”

Su Ning mentally noted this, planning to practice more in the future.

“Tomorrow, you’ll leave here. Once most people have left, I’ll go to the capital to reunite with my husband. I’ll send a message, and you can come find me then.”

Mentioning her husband, Mrs. Li’s face softened with tenderness and anticipation.

“All right, Master. I’ll leave tomorrow. Take care of yourself, and I’ll visit you in the capital someday.”

Su Ning was excited too. The capital was far, but she looked forward to it—it felt like home.

Back in her room, Su Ning immediately opened her backpack and quickly organized drops from cockroaches and zombies. Besides food and daily items, this time a cockroach dropped a gemstone:

Green-Grade: Green Crystal
Details: Gemstone; can be socketed into weapons or accessories. +3 Agility. Multiple gems stack.

Very useful. She also planned to use a pair of shoes and the task-rewarded wand soon.

Green-Grade: Sneakers
Details: Brand-name, comfortable, +2 Agility.

Green-Grade: Shadowflow Magic Wand
Details: Beginner wand for mages. Accelerates casting, +5 Intelligence, +1 Constitution.

The rest included food, items, valuables, and handicrafts—all sorted, packed, and stored in the backpack.

She retrieved hemp thread from the crafting system and added the rabbit fur Qiao Duoduo had sent. This time, she carefully confirmed the leather-making button before confidently clicking “Confirm.”

As for spinning, that would have to wait. After reaching the new map, leveling up would take priority.