Time passed like a white steed in flight, often slipping away unnoticed.
The clouds on the horizon had turned into fiery red evening glow, and smoke curled from the rooftops.
Wu Tian and Qin Xia were stir-frying dishes together, while the rice steaming in a steamer beside them was still emitting heat. Wu Tian, who was cutting vegetables, looked at Qin Xia with some surprise.
Initially, Wu Tian had planned for Qin Xia to be his assistant while he cooked. However, after trying the dishes Qin Xia had prepared, she voluntarily took on the role of the vegetable chopper.
She had originally thought that Qin Xia, who studied fine arts, could at most cut vegetables and might not even be adept at peeling. To her surprise, her skills were almost comparable to a master chef.
Qin Xia felt a little embarrassed about this, saying, "My grandfather used to be a master chef specializing in Sichuan cuisine and taught me many techniques. Before I got married, I was too lazy and let Haiping cook for me. Later, I felt my own cooking was tastier, so I started cooking myself. Now, he is responsible for washing dishes, mopping the floor, and doing laundry."
Indeed, good food could further reduce a man's standing in the family.
As they spoke, Qin Xia had already finished the last dish, stir-fried lotus root with chili. It was a classic Sichuan dish, where the spicy kick of dried chilies blended with the natural sweetness of the lotus root, a simple yet delicious flavor.
The two chefs stole a few bites and nodded. The slightly wilted lotus root affected the texture, but considering there were no fresh vegetables left in the room and only tomatoes were ripe in the fields, it was already considered a top-tier delicacy.
"Dinner is ready, dinner is ready!"
The group had just transported some supplies and were starving. Hearing the signal for dinner, they rushed into the guardhouse and sat down.
"Everyone, let me introduce our three new survivors rescued today: Sun Haiping, Qin Xia, and Sun Qin. After discussion, they have agreed to join our team. Let's give them a warm welcome."
"Hooray! New companions!" Zhao Anjing applauded enthusiastically, her eyes practically gleaming. "Captain, can we eat now?!"
Since Wu Tian didn't have enough arrows to conduct the training, he postponed the archery practice until everyone in the combat group was equipped with bows and arrows.
This free time was naturally utilized. The supplies on floors 1 to 10 of the two buildings had not yet been fully collected.
The principle of "many hands make light work" was once again evident. By the time dinner arrived, all useful supplies from Building 1 had been collected and stored in two cleared rooms. They would be sorted after the firearms training that evening.
"Hahaha, knowing you're all hungry, please eat first. By the way, more than half of this large table of dishes is thanks to Comrade Qin Xia. She also wants to hear everyone's evaluation," Lin Yuan specifically mentioned that Qin Xia had cooked the meal, helping the three new members integrate quickly.
Hearing that they could eat, they didn't stand on ceremony, grabbing whatever they could with their chopsticks and stuffing it into their mouths, unbothered by dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, or ginger and garlic.
After their hunger subsided a bit, they began to savor the flavors slowly.
"Hmm?" Wang Zhihai raised an eyebrow.
"Mmm?" Zhao Anjing looked dazed.
"Aha!" Lin Yuan licked his lips and was about to praise the food when Wu Tian shot him a glare.
What was going on? Was his cooking no longer delicious, or what? He wouldn't allow anyone to praise it first!
Everyone's reaction was similar. After carefully savoring the taste, they all exclaimed in amazement.
"Sister Qin Xia, your cooking is really delicious!" Zhao Anjing quickly took another mouthful.
Even Wu Mengyao, who rarely spoke, said, "I think it's delicious too, almost as good as my sister's and Brother Lin Yuan's."
Others might not know about their cooking skills, but Wu Mengyao did. Although Qin Xia's cooking was even better, little Mengyao also felt that her sister and brothers weren't bad.
Hearing the team's praise, Qin Xia couldn't stop smiling, and she felt a little relieved. Fortunately, her culinary skills hadn't regressed. At this moment, she was immensely grateful to her grandfather for teaching her this skill.
Having multiple skills never hurt; an extra skill was always useful at some point.
Everyone was satisfied after dinner. The next item on the agenda was listening to the broadcast. However, there was nothing noteworthy in tonight's broadcast, and the airdrop notification would only be received at 8 PM the night after tomorrow, July 24th.
"Tonight's teaching subject is the basic use of firearms. A detailed understanding of firearms will require separate instruction after we obtain airdropped weapons.
First, everyone needs to know the first and most important point about using firearms. Does anyone know what it is?"
"I know!" Zhao Anjing raised her hand high.
Wang Zhihai, standing in front, smiled and nodded. "Comrade Zhao Anjing is very enthusiastic. Tell me, what is this point?"
"Three points in line!" Zhao Anjing replied confidently, only to be pulled down by Zhao Mengnan beside her.
"Brother, what are you doing!"
"Why are you so proud even though you're wrong? Sit down quickly."
Wang Zhihai didn't get angry but patiently explained, "While 'three points in line' is indeed an important technique for shooting, it's not the most important. Comrade Zhao Mengnan, please tell your sister what the most important point is."
Zhao Mengnan stood up and said sternly, "When using firearms, the most important point is that under no circumstances should you point the muzzle at your comrades!"
"Exactly!" Wang Zhihai's voice also turned serious. "This is the most important thing we need to remember when using firearms! You must also remember this. I will only say it once. If anyone points their gun at their comrades during subsequent firearms training, whether the gun is loaded or not, or even without a magazine, you will be dismissed immediately and will never be allowed to join the combat group, nor will you ever be issued a firearm. Do you all understand?"
The atmosphere on the training ground became solemn. The team members responded in unison, "Understood!"
Wang Zhihai did not ask them to shout loudly as he usually did during training.
Zombies' hearing was not for show.
"I hope you will always remember this. Next, we will train in holding postures, field of fire management, and the application of some CQB tactics." He then turned to Zhao Mengnan and said, "Zhao Mengnan, unload the bullets! Prepare for training."
"Yes!"
Immediately, both of them began unloading bullets. Bullets of various models and specifications were ejected from the rifles, submachine guns, and pistols in their hands. Only Mu Qingtian remained still; the high-precision sniper rifle in her hands needed to be kept in combat readiness at all times.
Once the bullets were unloaded, Wang Zhihai and Zhao Mengnan quickly collected all the bullets in their hands and took out the model guns brought by Lin Yuan.
"Everyone, including Zhao Mengnan and myself, form groups of three for pairing. Complete this within one minute. There's no need to consider gender. Everyone will have the opportunity to cooperate with others in combat. I hope for everyone's cooperation."