Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of oil.
After the oil fragrance, came the tempting smell of golden-brown fried eggs.
Rao Beichen put the fried eggs into a large bowl and added water to the pot, waiting for it to boil.
Looking at the two packs of instant noodles, he felt it wasn't enough, so he took out another pack.
After pouring the instant noodle seasoning packets into the pot, Rao Beichen began washing vegetables.
Wen Shangqi, after cleaning himself and changing into clean clothes, did not stay in his room but came out for some fresh air.
Upon clearly seeing the shelter of the Rao Beichen siblings, Wen Shangqi, smelling the aroma of boiling instant noodles in the air, came to the living room and sat down. He looked towards the busy figure in the kitchen and said, "You are living well, there's no need to get involved in the mess of the Northern Survivor Base."
Rao Beichen had already known when Wen Shangqi came out of his room.
Listening to Wen Shangqi's words, he poured the cooked instant noodles into a large bowl.
Putting down the pot, he picked up a spoon and chopsticks, and carried the large bowl filled with eggs, green vegetables, and noodles to the living room. He placed the bowl in front of Wen Shangqi, tossed down the chopsticks and spoon, and said, "Eat."
Rao Beichen sat down and looked at Wen Shangqi, "If it's not enough, I'll cook more."
Wen Shangqi lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on the heaping bowl of green vegetable and egg noodles. His eyebrows rose slightly as he picked up the chopsticks and spoon.
Seeing Wen Shangqi focused on eating and not speaking, Rao Beichen lit a cigarette and smoked, "So, this Northern Survivor Base is a trap?"
Wen Shangqi hummed in agreement, not saying much more.
Rao Beichen continued to smoke without speaking, while Wen Shangqi ate his noodles, the entire process silent.
Looking at Wen Shangqi, Rao Beichen's mind once again conjured the image of Su Ling.
Sensing Rao Beichen's gaze and contemplation, Wen Shangqi spoke, "If you have something to say, say it."
Rao Beichen raised his eyebrows slightly, flicking ash from his cigarette, "As expected of Young Master Wen, nothing escapes your eyes."
"Young Master Wen?" Wen Shangqi snorted. He took a sip of soup, "Under the apocalypse, all beings are equal."
It was the same phrase again, yet Rao Beichen never tired of hearing it. "Tell me, how did you end up like this?"
"A power struggle, I lost." Wen Shangqi's words were few, but a simple sentence conveyed everything that needed to be said, concise and to the point, without any extra nonsense.
Rao Beichen didn't press for details, instead changing the subject, "What are your plans now?"
"To survive." Wen Shangqi ate with pleasing manners; even in this doomsday, he maintained his composure and elegance.
Looking at Wen Shangqi, who seemed to have good combat potential, Rao Beichen spoke, "Give me some advice, where should my sister and I go?"
"Northwest," Wen Shangqi raised his eyes slightly and looked at Rao Beichen, "Or the southernmost province."
Wen Shangqi only offered choices, not making decisions for them.
The decision rested with Rao Beichen, not Wen Shangqi.
Rao Beichen pondered, they had just come from a southern city, should they turn back?
"What about you, where are you going?" Finally, Rao Beichen decided to ask for Wen Shangqi's opinion.
"The southernmost province." Wen Shangqi finished his noodles. He put down his chopsticks and spoon, looking at Rao Beichen, "Thank you for the meal."
Rao Beichen looked at him, a thought stirring in his heart, "If you're going to the southernmost province, we're going the same way, shall we go together?"
Before Wen Shangqi could refuse him, Rao Beichen spoke again, "Come out with me, I want to show you something."
Seeing Rao Beichen's mysterious demeanor, Wen Shangqi said nothing and followed him.
Stepping out of the house, Wen Shangqi immediately noticed something was amiss.
Rao Can was squatting in the vegetable garden, practicing her ability to accelerate crop growth.
Rao Beichen, meanwhile, led Wen Shangqi to the mobile castle's control room.