“Someone who returned?” 

Grandma Liu pondered for a moment. 

“In earlier years, yes, there were people who came back.” 

Upon hearing this, Chen Zui unconsciously leaned forward. 

“So, the mutation level can be reduced? Then why has no one ever mentioned it?” 

Grandma Liu shook her head and sighed. 

“Ah, that hasn’t been possible for a long time now.” 

A trace of disappointment flickered across Chen Zui’s eyes, but she continued listening to Grandma Liu’s explanation. 

“In the early days, when the radiation first began to leak, it was still possible to find food with zero radiation levels. Consuming highly irradiated food increased the mutation level, whereas consuming food with zero radiation naturally decreased it.” 

Zero radiation… Chen Zui slowly tightened her grip on the armrest of the chair. 

“But now, the radiation is far more severe. Not just outside—there isn’t a single item with zero radiation to be found even in the entire Central Base.” 

“Naturally, that means no one has returned since then.” 

Chen Zui was first shocked, then overwhelmed with joy. She took out a bottle of purified water and showed it to Grandma Liu, recounting her experience in the desert. 

“This! This is water with zero radiation. There’s a convenience store in the desert where all the food has no radiation at all! That’s how I managed to come back!” 

Still visibly excited, Chen Zui spoke in a somewhat incoherent manner. Grandma Liu smiled but clearly did not believe her. 

Grandma Liu thought to herself that the child must be speaking nonsense—she herself hadn’t seen any food with zero radiation in twenty years. 

The radiation levels in the Central Base had long since ceased to decline, consistently hovering near a level of 10. How could a place in the open desert possibly contain anything completely free from radiation? 

Chen Zui found herself unable to explain clearly and, for the moment, had no concrete proof. She dashed back to her room, rummaged under her bed for the hidden gold coins and gems, and prepared to set out once more. 

Just then, Hu Jiang returned from an outing and brought Grandma Liu some food. 

Upon seeing Hu Jiang, Chen Zui once again excitedly recounted her story. 

Hu Jiang’s expression grew increasingly complex. At first he looked confused, then resigned, and finally a faint trace of sympathy appeared. 

“Chen Zui, I know the deaths of your teammates have been difficult for you. But death rates during expeditions have always been high. You shouldn’t…” 

“Ah, I’m not lying!” 

Chen Zui waved him off and presented the bottle of purified water with a radiation level of 2. 

“I’ve been wandering the desert for so long, and this bottle still only has a radiation level of 2. Isn’t that proof enough?” 

She then took out an Orleans-style chicken bun, broke it open, and the distinct aroma immediately filled the air. 

“And this steamed bun, when have you ever seen something like this at the central base?” 

Chen Zui tugged on the radiation suit she was wearing and spun around to show it to Hu Jiang. 

“Also, how many gold coins would a suit of this quality cost in the market? I couldn’t afford it even if I sold everything I owned.” 

Hu Jiang hesitated. Saying he believed her would be a stretch, what she said just sounded way too unrealistic. 

But he couldn’t say he didn’t believe her at all either, the stuff she showed him was definitely strange and hard to explain. 

Chen Zui pressed her lips together, turned around, and prepared to leave. 

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll go now. I’ll bring something back to prove it to you.” 

Hu Jiang quickly stopped her. If she delayed even slightly on the way, it would soon be dark. 

“Wait, wait—I didn’t say I don’t believe you. But look, the sun is about to set. Just wait a bit. We’ll go together first thing in the morning, alright?” 

“Alright then. We set out together at dawn. If we really can reduce the mutation level…” Chen Zui glanced toward Grandma Liu and Tian Tian, “…then we might have just found a way to survive.” 

“Deal.” 

✧✧✧ 

Oasis Convenience Store 

Wen Yu activated the control panel and unlocked several commonly used seasonings and cooking tools. She kept one set for personal use and placed the rest on display for sale—serving both her needs and the store’s business. 

“Oil, salt, scallions, ginger, cooking wine, pepper powder, breadcrumbs, flour… and eggs. Everything’s here!” 

After thoroughly cleaning a large slab of monster meat, Wen Yu skillfully sliced half of it into thin slices approximately six millimeters thick. She placed the meat slices into a large bowl, adding scallion segments, ginger slices, and a mixture of seasonings to marinate and eliminate any unpleasant odors. 

The marinated monster meat resembled the pork cutlets she had prepared in the past. With practiced efficiency, Wen Yu coated the slices in layers of flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. At the same time, the oil in the pan had reached the optimal temperature—about 50% of full heat. 

As soon as the meat entered the oil, bubbles began to form, and the distinctive aroma of fried food gradually filled the air. After flipping the cutlets several times until they were golden on both sides, Wen Yu happily removed them from the pan. 

The cutlets were best served hot. As the knife sliced through, the crispy crust broke apart with a satisfyingly crisp sound. 

Was the sound pleasing? If so, then the cutlet must be excellent. 

With a spark in her eyes, Wen Yu turned to the control panel and unlocked the cola option, pouring it into the cold beverage machine to chill. 

What’s fried cutlet without a cold cola? 

The first portion of fried monster cutlet was enjoyed exclusively by the store owner herself. With a sense of ceremony, Wen Yu retrieved a set of knife and fork, poured a full glass of chilled cola, and began to savor her first meal in this foreign world. 

Delicious. 

The fried monster meat carried no trace of unpleasantness. On the contrary, it had a firmer texture than ordinary pork. The cutlet was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside—the crust crumbled at the touch, while the interior was juicy and flavorful. One bite released a burst of savory richness, with meat juices overflowing. 

Eating fried cutlets alone could be a bit greasy, but when paired with a gulp of cold cola, the sensation was instantly exhilarating. 

These two items complemented each other perfectly, and Wen Yu thoroughly enjoyed the meal. 

The enticing aroma of the fried cutlets overwhelmed all other scents in the convenience store and wafted out through the rooftop ventilation system, transforming into an alluring presence in the air. 

✧✧✧ 

In the Great Desert 

Xu Yang had been surviving outside the central base for ten years. A decade ago, he was forced to leave the base after his mutation level surpassed 30. Lacking the skills to ensure his own safety and unable to find a suitable team to join, he had no choice but to live in an abandoned thatched hut. 

Now, his mutation level had reached 59. 

In the wasteland apocalypse, anyone with a mutation level over 60 could die at any moment. He was lucky not to have turned into a monster when his mutation level was between 30 and 60, but now he was about to reach his limit. 

He wore a blank expression as he trekked through the desert. 

The environment outside the central base was drastically different. Radiation levels were higher, dangerous monsters more frequent, and people who survived through theft and robbery were common. 

As a result, Xu Yang had no food reserves, nor the means to store any. Survival meant finding enough food for each day—one day at a time. 

By afternoon, the sun was about to set, and the temperature in the desert was gradually dropping. 

At night, desert temperatures would fall below 30 degrees Celsius. Xu Yang needed to return to his hut before sundown. 

Today, once again, he had found nothing of value—only a half-rotten potato among the weeds, which might kill him faster if eaten. 

He scanned his surroundings and thought: if there’s no food, then let a mutated monster come at me… at least it would be a swift end to this miserable life. 

Suddenly, a shadow flashed behind him. Every hair on Xu Yang’s body stood on end. That shadow, that color… 

It was an A-grade mutated beast—the Crimson Fox. 

After mutation, the Crimson Fox not only grew larger and developed multiple tails but also gained significantly enhanced intelligence. It was no exaggeration to say that a single mutated Crimson Fox could annihilate a fully equipped ten-person team. 

Xu Yang, suppressing his fear, closed his eyes. His body trembled involuntarily from sheer terror as he braced himself for death. 

However, the Crimson Fox did not even glance at him. In a blur, it dashed past him into the distance. 

Hit in the face by the flying sand, Xu Yang opened his eyes in confusion. 

In the air, the aroma of fried meat had drifted his way. 

Counting from yesterday, Xu Yang had gone 48 hours without food. Guided by the scent, the final thread of rationality in his mind snapped. 

Even though he knew there was a mutated crimson fox coming from the direction of the scent, he still overcame his instinctive fear and walked toward it. 

After only a few steps, a convenience store appeared before Xu Yang. The mutated crimson fox was crouched at the entrance. Upon noticing Xu Yang approaching, it cast a cold glance in his direction but did not attack. Instead, it lowered its head again, searching for a way to enter the store. 

Xu Yang was so frightened by the fox’s gaze that he broke out in a cold sweat. Nevertheless, the aroma was exceedingly strong, and he was certain that the source of the food scent originated from inside the convenience store. 

With a determined heart, he approached the entrance and pushed open the glass door of the convenience store. 

The mutated crimson fox carefully examined the structure of the doorway and concealed itself nearby, waiting silently for Xu Yang to open the door. 

As soon as the door cracked open, the mutated crimson fox leapt forward, attempting to enter the store. However, an invisible barrier suddenly materialized in the air, forcefully repelling the fox, while Xu Yang passed through unhindered and successfully entered the convenience store. 

The tinkling of a wind chime sounded once again. Wen Yu set down his knife and fork and smiled gently. 

“Hello, may I help you…” Before Wen Yu could finish his sentence, Xu Yang had already fixed his gaze on the remaining fried meat cutlets on the food counter. Licking his lips, his eyes were filled with longing. 

Wen Yu observed the second customer carefully. Compared to the first, this individual’s living conditions were evidently much harsher. 

In the wasteland apocalypse, radiation was severe. Anyone who found protective gear would wrap themselves in layers without hesitation. But he was only wearing a normally thick, torn outfit, without even a helmet—just a layer of protective material wrapped around his head. 

Although the first customer’s skin was rough and cracked, her facial features remained clear after removing her helmet. In contrast, the newcomer’s face and head were covered in thick yellow sand; beneath the sand, his skin was darkened, and aside from his eyes, almost no facial features were discernible. 

This is a survivor struggling below the basic living standard. 

Understanding his need, Wen Yu indicated the marinated mutated meat beside the fryer. 

“Fried meat cutlet, ten silver coins per serving. Would you like to try some?” 

Since leaving the central base, Xu Yang had kept a single gold coin saved from that time. Outside the base, items were typically traded, and after many years, the coin remained tucked safely in his pocket. 

He took out the gold coin, hesitated fondly while touching it, but ultimately handed it over. 

“I… I would like one serving.” 

After receiving the silver coins from Wen Yu, Xu Yang quietly sat at the eating area to wait for his meal. During this time, he noticed some untreated mutated meat beside the fryer. 

Xu Yang froze, his tone tense with fear. 

“Boss, is this fried meat cutlet made from mutated monster meat?” 

Wen Yu was somewhat surprised; in the wasteland, apart from mutated monster meat, was there any other meat available? 

The cutlet had just been placed in the fryer and was slightly overcooked. She was too occupied to explain to the customer that the monster meat had already been purified. 

“Yes, but it’s safe. Please eat without worry.” 

Xu Yang scratched his head, aware that for most people in the wasteland, mutated monster meat was a vital resource for survival. 

However, his mutation level was already at the critical threshold of 60. Consuming this mutated meat would likely push it beyond that limit, and he feared he would die shortly after leaving. 

Despairingly, Xu Yang closed his eyes, but the aroma permeated the air, infiltrating his reason from all directions. 

“Forget it. It’s worth dying with a full stomach.” 

When the cutlet was ready, the young shopkeeper called him to collect his meal and generously included a glass of chilled cola. 

“This drink is on the house. I hope you enjoy it and give us a positive review.” 

Xu Yang no longer heard the owner’s words. His entire attention was fixed on the fried cutlet in front of him. 

Disregarding the heat, he grabbed the cutlet with his hands and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing with effort. 

Crispy! Fragrant! Crunchy! 

A survivor who had eaten canned food for years couldn’t describe how delicious the meal was—he could only stuff the meat into his mouth faster and faster. It wasn’t until the last bite that Xu Yang finally slowed down. 

He chewed the final bite thoroughly, tears welling in his eyes as he ate. 

“Boss, your cooking is really amazing… What a shame. I’ll probably die after this. My mutation level is already close to 60, and after eating mutated meat… it’s probably over 60 now.” 

Xu Yang began to cry uncontrollably. 

“Sobs. I’m sorry, Boss. After this bite, I promise I’ll leave immediately. I definitely won’t cause you any trouble.” 

At that moment, Wen Yu remembered she had not yet explained and quickly showed Xu Yang the ingredients. 

“All materials here have zero radiation. Please eat without worry; it will not increase your mutation level.” 

Tears still on his face, Xu Yang was stunned. 

Zero? There exists food with zero radiation? 

Gripping the tray tightly, still in disbelief, his hands nevertheless raised the cola and drank it. 

“Burp.” 

The bubbles rose, and Xu Yang hiccupped involuntarily. Though he did not possess a radiation meter, years of survival had given him his own methods for judging radiation levels. 

At least now, he was certain that the food he had just consumed had not increased his radiation levels even slightly. 

Heavens had not forsaken him. 

Overjoyed, Xu Yang fervently thanked the shopkeeper. After eating and drinking his fill, he left the convenience store. 

Upon exiting, he gave the store a five-star rating and then located an abandoned building nearby, intending to use it as temporary shelter. 

He resolved to stay there—for a few more days at most—determined to eat well while he still could. 

✧✧✧ 

Shortly after the customer left, the cleaning robot “Xiao Xin” efficiently cleared away the remaining dishes. Wen Yu patted its head and gave a thumbs-up. 

“Xiao Xin is amazing!” 

The indicator light atop Xiao Xin flashed happily as it rubbed against Wen Yu’s trouser leg. 

Outside, the mutated crimson fox remained persistent. It anxiously clawed at the ground, covering itself in yellow sand. 

The fox circled the convenience store five or six times, scratching around to find any gap through which it might enter. 

The store’s security system was strong; not even a handful of sand could infiltrate without Wen Yu opening the door, let alone a mutated crimson fox. 

It even attempted to jump onto the rooftop ventilation shaft, but the store’s walls were extremely smooth, and it slipped down after just a few tries. 

The dignity of an A-grade mutated beast was lost, yet its progress in entering the store remained zero. 

Faced with the delicious food inside and yet unable to access it, the mutated crimson fox grew desperate. 

A sharp, high-pitched cry—like a child’s plea—escaped from it. Seeing no response from Wen Yu, it called again twice more. 

“Ying, ying!!” 

At last, the fox caught Wen Yu’s attention as she was selecting personal skills. She looked up from the control panel, saw the mutated crimson fox outside the door, and approached with surprise and amazement. 

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