The visitor was Xu Yang. After leaving the day before, he had been fortunate enough to find an abandoned building nearby. Although it was an unfinished structure without even a door, it nonetheless provided some semblance of shelter. 

Xu Yang had survived another day. He thought to himself how remarkably lucky he was—to have wandered the desert for so long with a mutation level teetering at 60, and yet remain unharmed. 

Given the circumstances… he touched the few silver coins remaining in his pocket. 

Perhaps it would be best to spend them on food—if he were to die, he might as well die well-fed. 

When Xu Yang arrived, Hongye had just begun enjoying its dinner. Watching the mutated crimson fox in the store, he only then realized how scary it was. 

At that moment, the shopkeeper looked up and waved him inside. 

The mutated crimson fox continued eating without even raising its head. Xu Yang observed cautiously for a while before finally daring to step inside. 

“Shopkeeper, do you have anything fresh to eat?” 

When someone knows their life is almost over, they stop worrying about saving money. 

Xu Yang no longer feared the appearance of new items in the convenience store; he feared only that he might suddenly perish with his silver unspent—leaving it to benefit the next passing drifter. 

“We have a new burger set, three pieces for only 29 silver coins. Want to try?” 

The young store owner petted the crimson fox a couple of times before raising her head to attend to Xu Yang. After two days of anxiety, Xu Yang had come to terms with the prospect of death, though he still appeared wilted and sluggish, like a leafy vegetable left out for two days. 

“Mm… alright. I’ll have one, please.” 

With Chef Wen at the helm, a steaming hot burger and a side of fries were ready within minutes. Hongye twitched its nose, catching the unique aroma, then bit Wen Yu’s sleeve, acting cute. 

“You’ve eaten enough today, no more, okay?” 

Wen Yu refused firmly but still served a small spoonful of fries into Hongye’s food bowl. 

Content, Hongye did not protest and began nibbling on the fresh fries with relish. 

Crunch. It was indeed a unique flavor. 

Xu Yang waited at the cashier, handing over silver coins while receiving the burger set. 

He returned to the eating area, eyed the freshly made food, and swallowed hard before taking a large bite of the burger. 

The burger patty was unlike any mutated creature meat he had ever tasted—fresh and fragrant, with no trace of an unpleasant odor. Even yesterday’s fried meat cutlet paled in comparison. 

The vegetables and sauce enriched the bite with layers of flavor. Xu Yang couldn’t help but close his eyes in satisfaction, savoring the taste. 

“Shopkeeper, your food is really something else. It’s a pity I probably won’t be around much longer to enjoy it.” 

“Oh? Is it because of your mutation level?” 

The young storekeeper toyed with the crimson fox’s tail as she tilted her head and glanced over. 

“Not entirely.” Xu Yang took out his remaining silver coins. “Even if I’m lucky and live a few more days, these coins won’t be enough.” 

As he spoke, he appeared disheartened once again. 

“Those with mutation level over 30 can’t enter the central base. Even if we find things, we can’t trade them for silver at the market. Sigh… I’ll have to go back to gnawing on half-cooked mutated meat.” 

Xu Yang took a sip of cola and sighed. 

“But I have to say, this stuff is amazing. I feel like my mutation level has gone down.” 

He didn’t have a tool to measure mutation level, nor did he truly believe it had decreased. Though he smiled, the droop of his eyes betrayed his weariness. 

“But, the convenience store accepts materials for processing.” 

That offhand remark from the shopkeeper struck Xu Yang like a thunderclap. He instinctively looked up, seeking confirmation. 

“The price is 80% of the market value, but I accept everything—mutated monster meat, edible plants, stuff you find in the desert. As long as you have something, you’re welcome to try.” 

Suddenly Xu Yang felt energized, as if a big door was slowly opening. From now on, he could scavenge by day and exchange what he found for a hot meal at the convenience store. 

Thinking of the food he had enjoyed over the past two days, he felt as if he had rediscovered his path in life. He thanked the shopkeeper and left in a hurry. 

“I…I’m going to work hard, so I can eat at the convenience store every single day!” 

✧✧✧ 

After sending Xu Yang off, dusk began to fall. Wen Yu played with the crimson fox for a while before taking it outside as well. 

Having spent a long time close to its owner, the crimson fox grew increasingly reluctant to leave. Nevertheless, it had no choice. Even its cries today were more aggressive than yesterday’s. 

A notification window appeared on the control panel: 

[Days of Operation: 2] 
[Current Total Revenue: 1156 (Eligible for upgrade to small supermarket upon reaching 5000)] 
[Cumulative positive feedback points: 6 (3 points already redeemed)] 
[Achievement Unlocked: First Small Success] 

“The flyers were distributed today. Hopefully, someone will come by tomorrow.” 

After dealing with personal matters, Wen Yu stretched and walked back to the resting area, falling asleep with anticipation for a surge in tomorrow’s sales. 

✧✧✧ 

At that same time, in the Central Base: 

Night had fallen, but activity within the Central Base continued. Due to the daytime heat, traders preferred to conduct exchanges at night. With the return of exploration teams, transactions for the day could finally be completed. 

Upon arriving at the martial arts hall, Qingyuan and Qingmiao immediately set out to distribute flyers. Zhang Yuan took half of the flyers and joined them, allowing the team captain to rest inside. 

Along the roadside, people wrapped in ragged gear could be seen everywhere, their faces hidden. If they spotted something they wanted, both parties would quietly move to a secluded spot to confirm identities and carry out the trade. 

Some merchants had even set up stalls along the road, trading food with returning exploration teams and reselling it at higher prices at the market. 

“Don’t miss out—freshly dug potatoes with a radiation level of only 12, just 15 silver coins each!” 

Many sat directly on the ground without shouting. In front of them were wooden boards or placards: 

[Seeking to acquire high-grade offensive equipment.] 
[Looking to purchase anti-radiation suit; budget: 6 gold coins.] 

“This place is lively; it’s perfect for handing out flyers.” 

Unfazed by crowds, Qingmiao raised her voice confidently: 

“Oasis Convenience Store event, hamburger combo for only 29 silver coins~” 

“Also delicious sandwiches and brand-new anti-radiation suits, great quality and affordable!” 

The novel advertisement quickly drew attention. Though most people in the wasteland apocalypse hadn’t heard of a convenience store after forty years of societal collapse, everyone understood the value of food and new anti-radiation suit. 

They represented a chance at survival and an improved quality of life. 

Flyers were snatched up rapidly; all one hundred were distributed in no time. 

The illustrated burgers on the flyers were rendered with such realism that their deliciousness was almost palpable. On the reverse side, a dazzling array of food and daily necessities was listed, leaving readers overwhelmed. 

Those who received flyers didn’t leave; instead, they surrounded the three youths, bombarding them with questions. 

“Is this for real?” 

“All these great products… are they actually available for purchase?” 

“This isn’t some scam, is it? You kids better not be trying to cheat people.” 

“Yeah, sounds too good to be true…” 

Though skeptical, everyone clutched the flyers tightly. Zhang Yuan grew indignant at the suspicion. 

“What do you mean ‘fake’? It’s completely true!” 

“If not for the basic medical supplies sold there, our captain might not have even made it back alive today!” 

Qingyuan added seriously: 

“Uncles, aunties, everything inside is what I’ve seen with my own eyes. There’s no trickery. I can even tell you where every item is!” 

Though many remained doubtful, some took the flyers and left to look into it further. 

A few stayed behind, pressing the matter. Leading the group was a woman in her forties or fifties. 

“Words alone aren’t enough. What if we get outside the base and there’s no ‘Oasis Convenience Store’ at all? Then we’d have wasted a trip.” 

“Exactly. The radiation levels out there are dangerous. Young lady, misleading people out there could cost lives.” 

Despite Qingmiao’s repeated explanations, they remained unconvinced. Recalling the store owner’s instructions, she grew anxious to the point of tears. 

At that moment, a passing woman suddenly spoke up. 

“Auntie Ma, I’ve been to the Oasis Convenience Store. It’s real.” 

Chen Zui stepped out from the shadows, holding one of the flyers. After examining the products on the back, she smiled at the two girls. 

“Burger combo? That must be Shopkeeper Wen’s handiwork—I’ve got to try it.” 

Chen Zui was known for her high combat strength and had many acquaintances in the area. Upon seeing her, Auntie Ma chuckled awkwardly. 

“Oh! So it’s actually real, huh?” 

Her expression shifted as she tugged her companions away, muttering as they departed: 

“But it’s so far away, and our combat level is so low… we won’t make the trip. No, definitely not.” 

Chen Zui ignored Aunt Ma. Some people just can’t or won’t go themselves, and don’t want others to go either. 

She introduced herself to the three youths and exchanged information. 

All of them had been helped by Shopkeeper Wen. In that case, they were family. 

✧✧✧ 

Inside a Straw Hut at the Central Base 

In a humble straw hut located within the central base, Aunt Ma had just returned home and immediately began looking for someone. 

“Son, son, where are you? Come out quick, something big just happened!” 

She lowered her voice, wary of being overheard by the neighbors. On her way back, it had taken considerable effort to dissuade several others from pursuing the same opportunity. 

A young man, likely in his twenties, was sleeping inside the hut. Upon hearing her voice, he turned over impatiently. 

“What is it, Mom? You’re so noisy.” 

Without waiting for a response, Aunt Ma pulled her son up and stuffed a flyer into his hands. 

“We’re going to be rich!” 

“I’ve made inquiries—everything on this flyer is real!” 

“Go there first thing tomorrow morning. Take all the silver coins we have and buy as much as you can. Not many people at the central base know about this yet. We’ll resell the items and earn enough to buy you a job within the base.” 

The young man frowned and was about to complain, but his eyes landed on the burger combo pictured on the flyer and were instantly drawn to it. 

“Is this… actually real?” 

“Of course it is! Even Chen Zui said she bought some.” 

“I talked the others out of going. They definitely won’t show up tomorrow. And I don’t think anyone else would catch on this quickly. This time, our family is really going to make it big.” 

Auntie Ma was grinning from ear to ear as she spoke. She pulled out their saved-up silver coins from a corner and stuffed them into her son’s clothes. The young man stayed silent as he held the money, eyes darting around, clearly cooking up some idea. 

✧✧✧ 

Early the next morning, Wen Yu had just turned on the lights when the crowd outside the door startled her. 

Around twenty people had gathered outside. Faced with such a number, Wen Yu felt a headache coming on. 

“System, please instruct them to queue properly. The convenience store can’t accommodate this many people at once.” 

People peered curiously into the Oasis Convenience Store. Chen Zui was among the crowd, energetically waving at Wen Yu. 

A mechanical voice from the system echoed outside the store: 

[Please line up in an orderly fashion. Entry into the Oasis Convenience Store is limited to 15 people at a time.] 

As soon as Chen Zui heard that, she took the initiative to maintain order. 

“Everyone, line up properly. Otherwise, no one’s getting in.” 

Though a bit reluctant, the crowd instinctively held a sense of reverence toward the unfamiliar convenience store and didn’t want to cause trouble. 

At the very least, they wanted to see what was inside. 

Chen Zui quickly counted the number of people and found herself at the end of the line. Just then, a young man arrived, panting heavily, and collapsed to the ground behind her. 

Turning around and seeing him, Chen Zui laughed. 

“Oh? Didn’t Aunt Ma say she couldn’t come? What, sent her son instead?” 

“Ma Shan, your stamina is terrible. That was barely a walk and you’re already exhausted.” 

Ma Shan was too out of breath to reply. Having seldom left the central base, he was startled by even a passing sand dune. Now that he had finally arrived, his mind was a blank—he only wanted to catch his breath.