The two parties entered the banquet hall and took their seats as distinguished guests.
Meng Ya Yan’s members, along with Zhang Chen and top Black Market figures like Boss Qian and Wang Zihao, were seated at one table.
Other high-ranking merchants, the Five Golden Flowers, Xiao Guanghan, and their companions occupied different dining tables.
Zhao Longchuan and Zhao Xiyue were unable to attend the banquet due to the large number of people in their camp and many matters requiring their attention. (The author brought Old Zhao into the story after a reader’s reminder, and the previous population count was adjusted to nearly 30,000.) Please read.
Soon, dishes were served one by one.
Zhang Chen glanced at them and nodded slightly.
As expected of the Black Market, their generosity far surpassed Zhao Longchuan’s.
There were various canned luncheon meat, beef, fruits, and fish, as well as meticulously prepared mutant creature meat.
The most expensive item on the table was the steak, with each person receiving a slice generously drizzled with thick black pepper sauce, meant to conceal the fact that it had been frozen for a long time.
Even so, each person could only get a thin slice.
If one held it up to the light, it would likely be translucent. However, such a meal in the apocalypse could definitely be considered a gluttonous feast.
It was evident that Boss Qian had truly spared no expense this time.
“Come, everyone, eat. From now on, we are all family, so don’t be shy!”
Qian Xinxin said with a smile. She then carefully cut a thin strip from her steak with her knife, sent it to her mouth with a fork, and chewed and savored it slowly, as if it were the rarest delicacy in the world.
Zhang Chen looked at the food on his plate and couldn’t help but frown.
Judging by the texture, this meat was clearly something that had been frozen for decades, vastly different from fresh meat or even large frozen cuts. He wondered where Boss Qian had gotten such meat; the taste was sure to be poor.
Alas, refusing such hospitality was difficult…
Zhang Chen reluctantly ate the entire slice with a frown.
It was indeed unappetizing. Without the strong black pepper sauce, the meat’s texture was akin to eating paper.
“Heh heh, Mr. Zhang, don’t rush your meal. Although meat is indeed rare now, our Black Market still has plenty of frozen meat!”
“If you like it, we’re always willing to exchange some for fruits or other supplies!”
Wang Zihao immediately seized the opportunity to promote their wares.
Zhang Chen gave an awkward smile and remained silent.
If he really wanted to eat meat, he could simply have Xiao Ruan open up a contaminated world and shop for free.
Or he could go to some primitive world and hunt mammoth meat for a change of pace.
As for this frozen meat that was harder than paper? Forget it!
“Zihao, is that old habit of yours acting up again? Mr. Zhang is our esteemed guest, and you’re still talking business at the dinner table?”
Qian Xinxin chided him.
“Yes, yes, my old habit is acting up again, a occupational hazard. I apologize, Mr. Zhang. I hope you don’t mind!”
“Uh… I won’t punish myself with alcohol, lest anyone misunderstand that I’m intentionally drinking too much, haha!”
Wang Zihao said with a half-joking tone.
In the apocalypse, alcohol was also a scarce commodity. Formal banquets required it, but every sip consumed meant less was available, making it increasingly precious.
“While frozen meat is rare, since Mr. Zhang likes it, we’ll just cut two catties and give it to him directly!”
As Qian Xinxin spoke, she immediately took out a half-meter-long piece of frozen meat from her ring. With a slight movement of her right fingers, about a third of the frozen meat split cleanly.
The woman’s movements were incredibly swift. Before the two pieces of frozen meat could fall, the larger portion was already stored back in her ring, while the smaller piece landed directly on a prepared red cloth.
“This…”
Zhang Chen had intended to refuse, but before he could figure out how to say it, he realized that it was rude to refuse such a kind gesture from Qian Xinxin.
As a result, the meat was already cut and presented before him. Please read.
“Then I respectfully accept your kind offer!”
Zhang Chen chuckled dryly and, bracing himself, stored the meat in his ring.
Seeing Zhang Chen’s hesitant acceptance of the frozen meat, Qian Xinxin mistook it for shyness. She reached out and lightly patted the back of Zhang Chen’s hand, smiling and saying:
“We’re family now, there’s no need to be shy!”
“Of course, you can’t just accept this gift without offering something in return. You’ll have to treat me to a meal someday!”
Her hand lingered on the back of Zhang Chen’s hand for a few pats before she quickly withdrew it, acting as if nothing had happened, and continued to eat her “feast” with meticulous care.
However, the moment Qian Xinxin’s palm touched the back of Zhang Chen’s hand, he felt as if he had been electrocuted. A series of energy constructs immediately appeared before his eyes.
What was going on?
Zhang Chen was slightly stunned and expanded his senses outwards.
He soon discovered that the rings on the hands of most of the high-ranking merchants, including Qian Xinxin and Wang Zihao, possessed the same energy constructs as Shirley’s ring.
Zhang Chen hadn’t modified their rings. Why had their rings suddenly become the same as Shirley’s?!
Strangely, most of the owners of rings with identical energy constructs were either in positions of high power or were extremely strong.
The surrounding service staff, although also members of the Black Market and wearing dark red rings, had their rings unchanged, just as before.
What was going on?
Seeing Zhang Chen freeze after her touch, Qian Xinxin couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
Was there really such a naive man in the world? Especially Zhang Chen, who was a strong individual!
She had thought such a man would be surrounded by admirers, with a harem of three thousand beauties, but this was all?
Curiosity about Zhang Chen grew in her heart.
The group chatted while eating for a while. Time was limited, and everyone was politely focused on getting acquainted.
No one was in the mood to relax and drink or eat, as everyone knew that the Ultimate Apocalypse would arrive at midnight, posing a great test of survival for everyone.
“This meal has been quite satisfying. I need to get back and prepare as well, as there are more important things to do tonight!”
“We’ll have another meal together another day. I’m very satisfied with today’s meal. Thank you for your generous hospitality, Boss Qian!”
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
However, the food before him, except for the slice of steak as hard as paper, was largely untouched.
Qian Xinxin nodded. She could understand Zhang Chen’s apprehension.
After all, the Ultimate Apocalypse represented the ultimate existence that bypassed the titan stage. Even for someone like her who had survived in the Ultimate Apocalypse for a period, recalling those times still brought about a sense of fear and oppression.
Especially for Zhang Chen, who had never experienced the Ultimate Apocalypse.
It was normal for him to be unable to eat due to nervousness, worry, and fear.
Qian Xinxin checked the time. There was an hour left until midnight. She nodded, stood up, and said:
“Let us raise our glasses and once again thank Mr. Zhang for joining the Fourth High-Wall City, becoming a great asset to us!”
Everyone raised their glasses in unison, about to drink.
Suddenly, a violent explosion echoed from the south, causing the plates and dishes on the tables to tremble and the glass to hum.