In this world, the mutated crimson fox reached a length of nearly two meters. Its body was slender, ears upright, and its fur maintained a vivid, maple-like orange-red hue. 

The mutation of this crimson fox followed a relatively conventional path, without any grotesque or irregular morphological changes. It simply possessed three large, fluffy tails trailing behind it, which, when swayed, appeared even more aesthetically pleasing than the foxes she had seen in her previous life. 

“System, what is the mutation level and type of this crimson fox?” 

[Mutated Crimson Fox. Mutation Grade: A. Mutation Type: Enlarged body size and enhanced intelligence.] 

Enhanced intelligence—no wonder it appeared particularly perceptive. 

Unable to resist its charm, Wen Yu leaned closer to observe and engaged the fox in conversation through the glass. 

“I can’t let you in just yet. You’re dangerous, you know~” 

The mutated crimson fox seemed to fully comprehend Wen Yu’s words. It let out two aggrieved whimpers and lay on its back in the sand, exposing a soft, snow-white belly. 

All three large tails were pressed under its body, with the tips constantly swaying. The mutated crimson fox licked its lips, expressing its intentions through its actions. 

I’m not dangerous; I just want something delicious to eat! 

Wen Yu returned to the cashier’s counter, conflicted as she looked at the taming skill listed in her personal abilities. 

Her basic taming skill only permitted taming of mutated animals at Grade B or below. Yet, the crimson fox outside the convenience store had already reached Grade A. If taming failed, there was no possibility she would allow it to enter. 

While Wen Yu hesitated, the system issued a prompt: 

[If a mutated animal exhibits high loyalty toward the host, there is a certain probability of successful cross-level taming.] 

Cross-level taming? Wen Yu turned to look at the fox through the glass—it was watching her with such hopeful eyes that she couldn’t help but smile. It was worth a try. 

Having just obtained a new positive review point, Wen Yu tapped the greyed-out “Tame” icon and unlocked a new personal skill. 

The crimson fox shook its head slightly, seemingly aware that the convenience store owner was debating whether to let it in. It ceased making noise and instead sat quietly, raising its right paw gently against the glass. Its three tails swayed behind it in silent anticipation. 

Seeing the white fur on the fox’s paw pad, Wen Yu’s resolve weakened even further. She gave the system a command: 

“System, open the door for it.” 

The convenience store’s door slowly opened. The crimson fox tentatively extended a paw. When it encountered no resistance, it joyfully stepped inside. 

The Oasis Convenience Store’s interior was not spacious. Aside from shelves, the cashier, and a small eating area, the available open area was approximately 6 by 8 meters. 

The crimson fox’s fur was fluffy, and its tails were long. Upon entering, it immediately filled half the store. It curled up in the limited space and gazed longingly at Wen Yu—and at the deep fryer beside her. 

“Would you like to be tamed? You’ll only get food if you agree.” 

Wen Yu looked at the crimson fox’s fluffy head, barely able to resist petting it on the spot. 

The fox gave a human-like nod and was just about to pounce when Wen Yu quickly held it down. 

“Wait, wait… you’re too big!” 

Following the system’s instructions, Wen Yu placed her hand on the crimson fox’s forehead and silently recited: 

Begin taming. 

The crimson fox closed its eyes slightly and offered no resistance. Three seconds later, the mechanical voice of the system rang out: 

[Congratulations to the host for taming their first mutated animal—Grade A Crimson Fox.] 

Once tamed, the crimson fox appeared even more docile. Wen Yu’s reflection was visible in its clear, crimson eyes. It raised its head and gave its fur a gentle shake before lying down obediently at her feet. 

“Good job. I’ll make you some fried meat patties now.” 

Wen Yu patted its head and walked over to the deep fryer, where she prepared six thick meat patties. 

Given the fox’s size, two or three would certainly not be enough. 

As the aroma filled the store, the crimson fox’s eyes sparkled. It trotted over and sat beside the fryer, nudging closer in anticipation, oblivious to its tails trailing across the floor. 

Out of the corner of her eye, Wen Yu noticed the unattended tails and couldn’t resist picking one up to touch it. The fur was soft and fluffy, with the distinctive dryness of desert dwellers. 

The closer to the tip, the redder the fur—resembling the deepest crimson maple leaves of late autumn—and the texture became even silkier. 

She stroked it once… and again… 

Only when the meat patties were thoroughly cooked did Wen Yu wash her hands and begin slicing and cooling them. 

The six patties, rich in ingredients, filled the bowl completely. 

Seeing the freshly fried meat, the crimson fox grew visibly impatient and inched toward the bowl, only to be lightly smacked on the head by Wen Yu. 

“They’re hot. No eating yet—be patient.” 

The crimson fox shrank back slightly and attempted to bribe her by placing a tail in her hand, but its cunning owner accepted the tail while still denying access to the food. It could only whimper pitifully and wait for the meat to cool. 

Three minutes later, the patties had reached an edible temperature. Wen Yu gently touched the fox’s ear and said: 

“All right, you can eat.” 

“Awoo~” 

With a crisp crunch, the crimson fox took its first bite of fried meat—a milestone in its life. As a mutated creature with robust vitality, it had no need to worry about the health risks of fried food. Wen Yu allowed it to eat freely. 

The fox wagged its tails energetically, its eyes squinting in joy, so engrossed in eating that it barely lifted its head. 

Wen Yu gently stroked its twitching ears and began smoothing its fur. 

“Your color is so beautiful. How about I name you Hongye from now on?” 

“Awoo~” 

The crimson fox finished the last piece of meat and gave a soft cry of agreement. Then it contentedly licked its paws, looking lively as it curled up by Wen Yu’s feet to show affection. 

✧✧✧ 

At 8:00 PM, as night gradually fell, Wen Yu finished petting the crimson fox and temporarily took it outside. 

The convenience store did not yet have a suitable space for Hongye to reside, so it had to return home on its own for the time being. As an A-grade mutated creature, its classification was already quite high—within this desert, it was generally the one doing the bullying rather than being bullied. 

The desert night was cold, and Wen Yu shivered as the chilly wind brushed against her. However, with its thick fur, Hongye was unfazed by the low temperature. 

“Come back around six o’clock every evening for dinner. During the day, go play outside. You can defend yourself, but you’re not allowed to bully others.” 

She patted Hongye on the back and let it go. 

Hongye reluctantly licked Wen Yu’s palm and circled around the doorway a few times. 

Nevertheless, it understood that this small convenience store could not accommodate its presence and that it had to leave for now. 

“Awuu—” 

After letting out two howls that drove away nearby lower-grade creatures, it bounded back to its original den. Its vivid orange-red tail remained visible even in the darkness. Wen Yu watched its retreating figure before closing the shop door. 

She opened the control panel to check the store’s current status. Several lines of information appeared on the screen: 

[Days in operation: 1] 
[Total revenue: 572] 
[Cumulative positive feedback points: 2 (redeemed)] 
[Achievements unlocked: Novice, First World.] 

Wen Yu closed the panel with satisfaction. For the first day of business, it could be considered an auspicious start. 

She then browsed through the purchasable items list and bought a refrigerator for the convenience store to store marinated monster meat. 

The refrigerator is quite large, with separate compartments for refrigeration and freezing, definitely enough to store some daily food items. 

Clapping her hands, Wen Yu declared the day’s work complete. 

She bid goodnight to the garbage-cleaning robot, Xiao Xin, then returned to the resting area at the back of the store. 

There is currently only one single room in the resting area, but the system indicates that it will continue to expand as the store upgrades. 

The room’s layout was identical to that of her previous life. Although modest in size, it was warm and inviting, with wallpaper she had carefully selected adorning the walls. 

In the center of the room stood a double bed, equipped with a thick and soft mattress—one that Wen Yu had chosen meticulously from among various furniture stores. 

She dove onto the bed, her entire body sinking into the soft down-filled quilt. 

“Phew—time to sleep.” 

Pulling the covers over herself, she drifted into a deep slumber, her thoughts still lingering on the future operations of the store. 

She needed to upgrade the convenience store into a small supermarket as soon as possible—only then could she build a proper shelter for Hongye… 

✧✧✧ 

At 4:30 in the morning, a faint light began to appear on the horizon. 

“Hu Jiang! Get up!” 

Chen Zui had not slept the entire night. She had been counting the minutes, and now she knocked on Hu Jiang’s door precisely on time. As expected, she was greeted by a bewildered face. 

“Come on, it’s not even dawn. Even expedition teams don’t head out this early,” Hu Jiang muttered. 

Chen Zui had spent the previous night tossing and turning, increasingly anxious about the possibility that the Oasis Convenience Store might disappear. She was afraid that if they went too late, they wouldn’t find it. 

“Hurry up, hurry up, it’s almost dawn. This is the time when mutated creatures are least active! It’s safe!” 

Grumbling, Hu Jiang washed up and got dressed in his gear. 

“Of course it’s safe. Even mutated creatures need to sleep…” 

“Enough talking, just grab your gear. We’re leaving.” 

By the time they left the central base, the sun had yet to rise. A lingering chill remained in the desert air. Chen Zui wrapped herself more tightly in her protective suit and led Hu Jiang southwest. 

There were no roads in the desert. The two of them remained alert to their surroundings and advanced slowly, maintaining their bearings. 

Hu Jiang yawned and looked helplessly at Chen Zui’s energetic figure ahead. 

“Listen, Chen Zui… don’t get your hopes up too much. According to you, the convenience store is filled with treasures—why would they sell them to us for just a few silver coins?” 

Chen Zui recalled the store owner’s gentle smile and snorted softly. 

“What do you know? That owner is young and pretty, obviously not from this world. Totally different from us who struggle every day to survive.” 

“Maybe she’s the savior,” she added. 

“That’s how it goes in the novels, right? The protagonist travels to a famine-stricken world and sells food at low prices, saving the people from suffering.” 

Hu Jiang laughed and stepped forward to clear away some weeds in their path. 

“By that logic, we’re just the miserable NPCs in the story.” 

Chen Zui tilted her head to look at him, then chuckled. 

“Miserable NPCs encountering a merciful god—we’re about to turn into lucky ones.” 

Finding the convenience store again was much easier than the first time. Chen Zui remembered the route they took the previous day and became visibly excited the moment the store’s silhouette appeared in the distance. 

“Hu Jiang, look! The store is still there!” 

Hu Jiang squinted into the distance. Sure enough, the small orange-and-green building remained spotless, like a structure existing apart from the desolate desert. 

As they approached, they saw the store had not yet opened. The lights were off, and the interior was obscured from view. 

But that alone was enough to astonish Hu Jiang. He couldn’t help but touch the store’s smooth exterior wall and transparent glass. 

Over the years, the local inhabitants of this wasteland hadn’t even solved their food problem, let alone had the energy to repair buildings.  

Most houses had glass that was yellowed and dull, some covered with flaws and cracks. Glass this clear was something Hu Jiang had only seen in photos before the nuclear war. 

Touching the glass, he clicked his tongue in wonder. Even before entering, he was already halfway convinced by what Chen Zui had said the day before. 

The two of them leaned against the floor-to-ceiling glass of the Oasis Convenience Store, chatting idly as they waited for it to open. 

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