Chapter 50: The Canteen Has New Treats, and Old Mei Is Craving Them
Su Tao had no choice but to break down the pork and store it in the fridge. Since she couldn’t cook anyway, she decided to leave it for the two greedy kittens.
Zhuang Wan said, “Aunt Qi is really capable. At first, the other four weren’t quite convinced by her, but she didn’t get upset. She calmly assigned the cleaning tasks, saying if they couldn’t finish, then no dinner—they’d go hungry together. If they still couldn’t complete the work, then no going home—they’d all sleep on the canteen floor. It scared the other four into working hard.”
Su Tao thought of Aunt Qi Yunlan’s stubborn refusal yesterday, “Aunt Qi has management potential. She’s principled and knows her boundaries. It’s just a shame she can’t read.”
Zhuang Wan didn’t think it was a problem: “I teach the two kids cultural lessons after work every day. If she’s willing, I can teach her too—let her learn alongside Chen Xi and Chen Yang.”
Su Tao liked her proactive attitude:
“Go ahead and ask her. Aunt Qi is very grateful by nature. Once she learns, she might become a great help to you.”
Zhuang Wan felt like she had learned something, but she didn’t fully understand.
Seeing her dazed expression, Su Tao couldn’t help but drop a hint:
“Once Aunt Qi can read and write, after a few more years of work, you could promote her to a management role. She’s grateful and will do her best for you. She won’t think she’s good enough to push you out.”
Zhuang Wan had an epiphany.
Taoyang would only grow bigger, and they’d need more staff and managers. Su Tao was reminding her to learn early how to bestow favors, manage people, and cultivate her own team.
Zhuang Wan covered her face, realizing that even at her age, she didn’t see things as clearly as her young boss did.
But at the same time, she also understood—no matter how much she managed or how fast she grew, she needed to rely on Su Tao.
Well, so be it! She liked relying on Su Tao. It made her feel safe!
Meanwhile, Su Tao, who only wanted to be a hands-off boss, sneezed.
In the afternoon, Su Tao received a message from Shi Zijin—they would arrive in Dongyang tomorrow morning!
On the communicator, Cen Tianjiao was shouting:
“Boss Su, I want to eat Taoyang’s bento! The brothers are all craving it. The journey here has been inhumane; you have no idea—”
We almost didn’t make it back.
Shi Zijin smacked him on the head, signaling with his eyes not to say too much.
Cen Tianjiao swallowed the rest of his sentence and changed it to:
“You have no idea how much it hurts not to eat Taoyang’s bento.”
Su Tao laughed, “Okay, okay, I got it. I’ll prepare them for you. Oh, by the way, we now have two-bedroom apartments available. I’ve saved one for you. Once you’re back and settle things, you can move in with Auntie.”
This news was a huge surprise for Cen Tianjiao, and he repeatedly thanked her.
After hanging up, Su Tao went to the canteen. She looked around and felt that just having a bento cooler was too plain.
Even she was getting tired of it. To treat the returning soldiers, she thought it was time to change things up and add something fresh.
So, she browsed the system store and found a “Instant Noodle Machine.” It allowed you to select a flavor, and then the machine would automatically add hot water—just take the bowl and wait for the noodles to be ready.
The flavors included familiar ones from before the apocalypse, like braised beef, pickled vegetable, spicy, peppercorn, and many others that Su Tao couldn’t even recognize—twenty flavors in total.
And each restock can provide sixty bowls, with an extremely long shelf life, so there’s no need to worry about spoilage if they don’t sell quickly.
Su Tao had only eaten instant noodles once many years ago, but it was probably expired stockpile stuff from before the apocalypse, hoarded by Li Lianrong. The taste was a bit off, and she ended up with an upset stomach.
According to online descriptions, real instant noodles were supposed to be delicious!
With a wave of her small hand, two brand-new instant noodle machines appeared next to the bento cooler.
She fully restocked them, spending a total of 3,200 Federal Coins.
Thinking about the rising temperatures, she also bought an ice cream machine that could serve six flavors of sundaes.
One machine should be enough, but it was a bit pricey—2,500 Federal Coins, making it the most expensive of all the vending machines.
Damn, even the supply cost was high—1,000 Federal Coins for just 12 cups, meaning each cup had to sell for 200 Federal Coins. In the apocalypse, this was definitely a luxury item; most people wouldn’t be willing to spend on it.
Su Tao immediately picked a chocolate-flavored sundae, and every bite sent a wave of delight from her head to her toes.
Ugh, kids before the apocalypse were so lucky—they could find such delicious things everywhere.
After that, Su Tao also bought an ice maker. For just 5 Federal Coins, you could get a small cup of ice cubes. The tenants could use the free water from the water dispenser, add ice, and enjoy a cold drink.
On a hot day, a cup of ice water could be life-saving.
So far, Su Tao had bought every machine available in the food store.
If she wanted more food machines, she’d have to upgrade the store.
She glanced at the upgrade requirements—100,000 Federal Coins!
Her total assets barely exceeded 100,000 Federal Coins, and upgrading the store would instantly make her broke.
Nope, not doing that. She’d come back when she had more money.
She still needed to save up for the big fountain she planned to build tonight.
Coincidentally, Chen Xi and Chen Yang were playing outside the canteen. Su Tao called them in and handed each of them an ice cream.
The two kids had never seen such a beautiful treat before. They were so bewildered holding it in their hands.
Little Chen Yang took a lick, and the cool, sweet flavor melted on his tongue, making him squint with delight.
“Big Sister Tao, what is this? It’s so good!”
Su Tao patted his head, “It’s ice cream. Yours is blueberry flavor, and Chen Xi’s is strawberry flavor. You two can switch and try each other’s.”
The siblings shared their ice creams, their eyes sparkling. They even offered Su Tao a spoonful to try.
Su Tao shook her head, saying she’d already tasted it.
When she saw Chen Xi pull down her mask, revealing her scarred little face, Su Tao asked with concern, “Does it still hurt?”
Chen Xi shook her head, “It doesn’t hurt anymore, but it’s really itchy.”
Su Tao’s throat tightened—she needed to treat it quickly. Once the skin healed over, it might be too late.
She had to find a time to talk to Zhuang Wan about it.
The two kids, each holding an ice cream, happily bounced away to find their mom.
When Zhuang Wan saw the ice cream, her eyes widened, “Th-this… Where did it come from?”
Even Old Mei, who was sketching nearby, looked over, adjusting his glasses and widening his eyes, “Ice cream? My goodness, did that girl Tao come up with this again?”
Chen Yang nodded, “Big Sister Tao gave it to us. It’s in the canteen. There seem to be a few new machines—one of them goes tut-tut-tut and makes this delicious treat. There are so many flavors. Mom, you should try it. Mine is blueberry flavor.”
“Mom, try mine too! I have strawberry flavor.”
Little Chen Yang and Chen Xi each offered a big spoonful to their mom.
Zhuang Wan accepted their kind gesture, and as the ice cream melted in her mouth, it brought back memories of a summer during her second year of middle school. Her mom had taken her to a fried chicken shop and ordered a sundae. It was the taste of peace and happiness.
Craving some himself, Old Mei called over Liu Panpan, “Little Pan, I heard that girl Tao got an ice cream machine. Do you want some? If you do, I’ll buy it for you—just bring me a cup too, okay?”
