Chapter 65 Drunkenness

The dining hall was festively decorated with colorful lights, and the long banquet tables were laden with an abundance of dishes, the rich aroma of food filling the air.

Today's dinner was exceptionally grand, featuring not only the base cafeteria's signature dishes—braised pork belly in brown sauce and sweet and sour fish—but even a budget version of Western cuisine.

"Mashed potato steak," carefully crafted from mutated mashed potatoes and served with a fragrant savory sauce, looked somewhat comical piled high on a large platter, yet it still made one's mouth water.

"Pasta sauce," slow-simmered for hours from mutated tomatoes, exuded a slightly tart fragrance resembling ripe fruit, piled in an enticing cluster alongside hand-pulled noodles.

Although these modified dishes looked, smelled, and tasted appealing, the overly intense astringency of the potatoes and the somewhat abrupt tartness of the tomatoes left a lingering sense of imbalance. Compared to the refined taste of authentic Western cuisine, they lacked a pure, long-lasting aftertaste.

After all, in a world so lacking in resources and fraught with danger, being able to eat a hot meal was already a profound blessing. Moreover, while these foods could hardly be called delicacies, they were quite enough to fill bellies, replenish energy, and provide the momentum to keep surviving.

"Zhou Yun, this batch of vegetables is growing really well. They're larger than the previous ones and taste even fresher." Liu Mei picked up a piece of vibrant green vegetable, offering endless praise.

Hearing the compliment, Zhou Yun smiled shyly. "Recently, we successfully cultivated a mutated spice. Adding it to the water when irrigating the vegetables not only promotes growth but also enhances the flavor."

"And the fish in the pond! The water quality has improved quite a bit lately, and the recent fish are indeed much plumper than before." Chen Ping raised his hand excitedly, his tone carrying a trace of pride. "I purposely went to check this morning and spotted a huge fish weighing a full five catties! Its scales gleamed brightly in the sunlight, looking simply magnificent! Compared to those tiny fry from before, it's like an entirely different species!" Satisfaction that could not be suppressed poured from his voice. "The base's fish pond is finally starting to yield results, which will relieve some of the pressure on the cafeteria's supplies." Standing beside the table, Chen Ping gestured with both hands to recreate the scene of catching the fish, his expression so beaming and animated that everyone around him was inevitably infected by his enthusiasm.

"By the way, good news from the sheep pen has also arrived in succession!" Hearing this, Sun Fang immediately took over the conversation and added, "The third batch of lambs was born just a few days ago, totaling seven in all. Every single one of them is fluffy and makes the cutest little bleating noises. With their big, dark, round eyes staring right at you, they are so adorable that people just can't bear to walk away!" Her voice was gentle, as if she were speaking of her own children. "Now they are all jumping and hopping around the ewes, and their coats have grown out thick and warm. At this rate, the wool yield will see a significant increase in just a few months."

She paused, habitually twisting her fingers together as if recalling the soft sensation of touching the newborn lambs.

"The last time we went to the city center, we ran into a group of level-two zombies. Their speed and strength were far superior to ordinary zombies! If I hadn't reacted quickly, I almost lost my life right there." Zhao Hu exaggeratedly gestured, as if he had been transported back to that very moment.

"You said it! I was knocked to the ground by a zombie at the time, and if Brother Qiang hadn't arrived in good time, my little life would have been over!" Zhang Xiang said with lingering fear.

"The world outside is truly getting more and more dangerous. Fortunately, we have the Vimo Base—it's practically paradise!"

After everyone had eaten and drunk to their hearts' content, they started playing a few mini-games.

Taking advantage of the buoyant atmosphere, Jiang Qiyue put down her wine glass and cleared her throat. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make."

The crowd instantly quieted down, all eyes turning uniformly toward her.

"I plan to lead a team to check out the school area tomorrow," Jiang Qiyue said in a calm tone.

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd immediately broke into lively discussions.

"Go to the school? Didn't a giant zombie appear over there? That's way too dangerous!"

"Yeah, Boss, we've only just managed to settle down. Why take such a risk?"

While some expressed concern, others voiced their support.

"I trust the Boss's judgment. Since she has decided to go, she must have her reasons."

"That's right, we should trust the Boss!"

Jiang Qiyue raised a hand to signal for quiet and explained, "I know everyone is worried, but the existence of the giant zombie poses a huge threat to the base. We must eliminate this hidden danger as soon as possible."

She paused briefly before continuing, "I will lead the team personally and make thorough preparations. You all don't need to worry too much."

Although the murmurs of discussion subsided like fading ripples, many people still frowned, clearly harboring doubts about the danger of the mission.

However, when Jiang Qiyue's resolute gaze swept across the crowd, the intangible pressure and her innate leadership aura ultimately silenced all dissent. The group could only nod with complex feelings.

After the banquet ended, Jiang Qiyue walked lightly back to her room. Only the soft echoes of her footsteps resonated through the silent corridor, while Lu Yao silently followed close behind her all the way, his eyes vigilantly scanning their surroundings from time to time.

In his arms, he cradled a Persian cat named "Xiaobai." The little cat lazily gave a tiny stretch, its fluffy tail brushing gently against Lu Yao's wrist, seeming to sense the tranquility of the moment as well.

"Why do you insist on saving those people?" Lu Yao's voice carried a hint of incomprehension. "Humans are all bad; they aren't worth you risking your life for."

Jiang Qiyue's slightly drunken gaze was as hazy as a thin mist, looking at Lu Yao as though through a layer of watery gauze. A chaotic brilliance flickered in her eyes, yet they inexplicably exuded a cold detachment, and she did not utter a single sound.

Meeting her expression, Lu Yao's heart fluttered with sudden panic, assuming she was angry with him. As he lowered his head slightly, he couldn't help gritting his teeth, stepping forward with a trace of defiance. He tentatively reached out his hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered the courage to gently wrap his arms around her. He held her seemingly tightly yet with the utmost care, as if guarding a priceless treasure. His voice softened almost into a coaxing plea as he murmured, "Sister, I truly know I was wrong. Please don't ignore me, okay?"

His tone was full of entreaty, yet it was also laced with a young man's stubbornness and grievance.

Jiang Qiyue stood somewhat unsteadily, her slightly powerless body suddenly going limp as she leaned entirely into Lu Yao's embrace. Pressing softly against him, she unconsciously exuded the faint fragrance of wine, and her warm touch transferred through the fabric, instantly making Lu Yao's heartbeat race like a frantic drum, as though it might leap right out of his chest.

He stood rigidly, not daring to make a single move. The subtle dissatisfaction and spoiled little grievances he had felt moments before were instantly wiped away, replaced entirely by helplessness and an inexplicable, poignant ache in his heart.

As his breathing accelerated, he lowered his head in a flustered and bashful panic, not daring to meet the face so close to his chest. His throat rolled heavily as he tried to speak, but not a single word would come out, leaving him to silently battle the utter bewilderment within his heart.

In the end, like a child who had done something wrong, he let out a soft, involuntary whimper from his throat: "QAQ..."

This heartfelt sound was filled with helplessness and complex emotions—he wanted to protect her yet feared she might leave. The contradiction and struggle raging within him at that moment were eroding his reason while fiercely plucking at the softest chord in his heart.