The steaming buns were laid out right before her eyes.
White Night was in a bind. She was currently a Soul Body, possessing a Rusty Bicycle. In this state… could she really eat? It would be a problem if she couldn’t. If the Head Chef personally made and served the food and she claimed she couldn’t eat it, wouldn’t that be seeking death? But if she pretended she could and bit into nothing but air, it would be even more embarrassing.
White Night hesitated for 2 seconds before deciding to be honest. In front of a Weirdness of this level, playing petty tricks would only lead to a faster death.
“Head Chef, like this… can I really eat the food you made?”
The Head Chef glanced at her, his tone flat. “A Soul Body can eat it. The food I make is different from what’s outside.” He paused, then added, “Of course, it is also what you called ‘Normal Food’.”
Before White Night could reach out, Su Shuang’er spoke first. “Maybe I should eat first.”
Her tone was calm, as if she were mentioning something trivial. However, her hand resting on the bike seat tightened involuntarily, her palm growing slightly warm.
White Night felt a surge of warmth in her heart. ‘Auntie Frost, it’s okay. I believe the Head Chef isn’t a bad person.’
After offering that small compliment, White Night no longer hesitated. If she lingered any longer and the Head Chef lost his patience, she would truly face the consequences. She somewhat stiffly reached out both hands and picked up a large Meat Bun.
It was white and fluffy, a circle larger than her two palms joined together. It felt heavy, and the dough carried the faint bamboo fragrance of the steamer. She lowered her head and opened her mouth wide, though she only managed to nibble a small piece of the dough.
The fluffy, soft dough melted on the tip of her tongue. The starch mixed with her saliva, releasing a hint of sweetness. White Night was stunned.
‘Delicious. Truly delicious.’
Just that simple mouthful of dough, without filling or seasoning, provided an indescribable sense of security and satisfaction. She peeked up at the Head Chef. He was standing by the table, quietly watching her eat without any expression.
White Night swallowed the dough, thinking she had to finish this bun no matter what. Hesitating would only annoy him. She stopped being cautious, opened her mouth wide, and took a massive bite.
This bite went straight into the filling. The rich aroma of meat wrapped in scalding juice flooded her mouth, blending perfectly with the soft dough. It was salty, fresh, and savory. The meat filling was firm but not dry, carrying a faint hint of scallions.
White Night’s eyes flew wide. It was too delicious. She chewed vigorously, her cheeks bulging as saliva secreted uncontrollably. She simply couldn’t stop. Before she had even finished swallowing, she impatiently took a second bite.
Su Shuang’er and Mu Yingying watched from the side, their hearts finally settling down.
Mu Yingying whispered, “Looks like it’s fine. Look at Little White Night eating like a little hamster. She’s so cute.”
Su Shuang’er didn’t respond, but the corners of her mouth curved slightly.
The Head Chef had been watching the entire time. Seeing White Night with her bulging cheeks, hurriedly stuffing her mouth, caused a ripple to stir in the depths of his desolate eyes. Someone was seriously eating the food he made. Someone thought it was delicious. He hadn’t felt this feeling in a very long time—so long that he had almost forgotten the original joy of being a chef.
White Night finished the entire Meat Bun in a few bites. She licked her lips, still wanting more, and then looked seriously at the Head Chef.
“Head Chef, thank you.” Her tone was sincere, without a hint of mere politeness. “This is the best food I have ever eaten.”
White Night wasn’t lying. She hadn’t eaten anything since she woke up in this life. Her previous life had been even more miserable, with no memories of good food. Therefore, this bun was truly the best thing she had eaten in both of her lives combined.
The Head Chef stared at her for a few seconds. Then, the gloom on his face seemed to crack open. He nodded to White Night, his lips twitching into a very faint smile. This time, the smile wasn’t eerie. It could even be called gentle.
“You two ladies should try some as well,” the Head Chef said, looking at Su Shuang’er and Mu Yingying. His tone was much more level.
Su Shuang’er and Mu Yingying exchanged a look, both sighing in relief. Mu Yingying was the first to reach out. She grabbed a bun and took a huge bite. After chewing twice, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“Holy crap!”
Su Shuang’er glared at her. This girl was always so loud. Was it really that exaggerated?
“Good Shuang’er, you have to try this. This bun is exquisite. If you eat it, maybe your big butt will get even rounder…” Mu Yingying leaned in and teased her in a low voice.
“Fine, fine. You dead girl, Yingying, do you believe me? I’ll punch you to death before you have a chance to get rounder.” Su Shuang’er glared at her again, her brows furrowing at the crude remark. ‘Disgusting. You’re so disgusting, Yingying.’
“It’s so delicious my tongue slipped! Sorry, sorry, good Shuang’er…” Mu Yingying quickly changed her tune. She stuffed another huge bite into her mouth and gave the Head Chef a thumbs-up as she spoke unclearly. “It’s really good! Head Chef, with your skills, if you opened a shop, the line would wrap around the block.”
Su Shuang’er also picked up a bun and took a small bite. After tasting it, her brow smoothed out, and she silently took a second bite.
The three of them each ate two, finishing the entire steamer of buns. White Night let out a small burp, feeling incredibly satisfied. The Head Chef looked at the empty steamer, and the gloom on his face faded even more.
“It seems you are satisfied.” He turned around, facing the other survivors in the Main Hall who were peeking over.
Everyone instantly held their breath, waiting anxiously for the Head Chef to speak.
“Clear the dishes from the tables,” the Head Chef instructed the Waitresses, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the weather. “Next, serve the real food. My specialty: Meat Buns.”
After saying that, his footsteps seemed much lighter as he turned back toward the Transparent Kitchen, rolling up his sleeves to begin kneading dough.
Everyone froze for several seconds before they realized what that sentence meant.
Clear the dishes? Serve buns? They didn’t have to eat that deadly “dark cuisine” anymore?
“Did I hear that right?” one survivor whispered to the person next to them.
“You… you didn’t hear wrong. He said clear the dishes.”
It was as if they had been granted a general amnesty. An air of relief from surviving a disaster filled the room. At the same time, some people were full of confusion. Who was the Head Chef talking to just now? They couldn’t see White Night’s Soul Body at all. They had only seen the Head Chef making buns and chatting with a bicycle as if he were mentally unstable.
But at a time like this, who cared? Survival was all that mattered.
The Red-clothed Waitresses began clearing the terrifying appetizers and cold dumplings from the tables, replacing them with steamers of hot Meat Buns. With Su Shuang’er and Mu Yingying as examples, the others grew bolder and took tentative bites. Then, just like White Night, their eyes went wide.
Steamer after steamer of buns was brought out of the kitchen. The atmosphere in the Main Hall was like a completely different world from before. People devoured the food. Some even began to tear up as they ate.
It had been 1 week since the Apocalypse began. In these days, they had gnawed on cold canned goods, chewed moldy biscuits, and drank water of questionable cleanliness. A hot, delicious, proper meal was a luxury they hadn’t dared to dream of.
However, each person only received one bun, leaving them all wanting more. Yet, no one dared to ask for a second. Being able to eat this one bite alive was already a massive blessing.
While everyone was buried in their buns, the Head Chef emerged from the kitchen again. This time, he was carrying another steamer of buns. He didn’t walk toward the other tables, but straight toward White Night.
Su Shuang’er immediately grew alert, stepping forward to block him and shielding White Night’s bicycle frame behind her. Mu Yingying also took a step forward, inconspicuously guarding the front basket.
“Head Chef, what is this…” Su Shuang’er stared at him, her polite tone carrying a hint of defensiveness.
The Head Chef ignored her, his gaze passing over the two of them to land on White Night’s bicycle body. “I know this girl’s main body is here.”
Su Shuang’er and Mu Yingying both froze. He could tell?
The Head Chef didn’t explain further. He placed the steamer in his hand onto White Night’s basket. The bamboo steamer landed lightly, sitting steadily as if supported by some invisible force.
“This steamer of buns is for her.” The Head Chef’s voice was still raspy, but his tone was more peaceful than ever before. “Eat one when you are injured. It might save your life.”
White Night was stunned. She hadn’t expected the Head Chef to give her anything.
“Th—Thank you, Head Chef!” White Night hurried to thank him, her voice stumbling slightly. She had seen the Head Chef’s strength with her own eyes. If he said it could save a life, then it really could. The weight of this gift was much heavier than it appeared.
The Head Chef took a long look at her, said nothing, and turned to leave. His hunched back disappeared behind the glass door of the kitchen.
White Night stared at the steamer of buns in her basket, wisps of steam still rising. Mu Yingying leaned over and looked into the basket.
“Wow, the Head Chef gave you your own special treatment. This is quite the status.” She reached out to lift the steamer lid.
Su Shuang’er slapped her hand away. “It’s for saving lives. Don’t touch it.”
“I just wanted to look!”
“Not even looking.”
“You can’t use your big butt as an excuse to be so bossy, Shuang’er.”
“Bossy? Do you want me to show you bossy with my fist?” Su Shuang’er clenched her hand.
Mu Yingying glanced at the size of that fist and silently pulled her hand back. “…No thank you.”
White Night listened to them, finding it both funny and heartwarming. The danger had been averted. Furthermore, they had turned a misfortune into a blessing, gaining a steamer of life-saving buns for nothing.
Her Perception rested on the bamboo steamer in the basket, which was still releasing a thin trail of steam. She looked at her two aunties on either side, who were still bickering.
Everything was good. They were all alive. It was truly good.