Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Underestimated the Host’s Greed

"What’s going on?"

"They both fell out of the ring?"

"So who won and who lost?"

"I saw it clearly. 66527 was the one who dragged Taoli Bubian out."

"They both fell out of the ring, so does that mean they both lose and the third-place ’Happy Boy’ becomes number one?"

"In your dreams. There are judges, it’s not your place to spout nonsense."

...

The turn of events was far beyond anyone’s expectations. The Dragon and Tiger Cup had been held for so many years, but this was the first time both finalists had fallen from the ring together.

After a few minutes of chaos, the organizers announced their decision.

"This year’s Dragon and Tiger Cup has its first-ever tie. Taoli Bubian and 66527 are joint first-place winners."

Before the crowd could react, the organizers played the judging video.

On the screen, two figures—one gold, one black—fell sideways onto the ground at almost the exact same moment.

Someone protested, "You can look at it frame by frame! I don’t accept a tie!"

There were quite a few voices like this, but the organizer’s announcement was louder.

"The original purpose of the Dragon and Tiger Cup isn’t to force a win or a loss, nor is it to rank participants. We are here to select suitable talent for the military."

Not all universities are like the Imperial Capital Military Academy, which arranges frontline internships for its students. The organizers are from the armies of the four major survival bases. They hold the Dragon and Tiger Cup to scout for talent and recruit promising individuals into the military.

As soon as this was said, the clamoring crowd fell silent.

While some people objected, others were naturally quite pleased with the result.

"Honestly, I would have been fine with either Taoli Bubian or 66527 winning. Having them both take first place is the best possible outcome."

"Yes, yes, yes! I’m totally starting to ship them now."

"The scene of them falling together was actually kind of beautiful."

"You guys need to stop shipping them blindly. What if Taoli Bubian and 66527 have horribly ugly faces under those masks?"

"So what? Since I can’t see their faces, they’re drop-dead gorgeous in my mind. And even in the worst-case scenario, if they are ugly, that’s their problem. If this ship isn’t fun anymore, I’ll just find another one."

Shen Lu didn’t listen to the rest and logged out of the game.

She was very satisfied with the result. It was further proof that a protagonist’s halo wasn’t invincible.

Not long after she logged out, Fu Cheng did as well. He was a little frustrated.

"I’m still not strong enough."

He hadn’t expected to fail. His opponent was an old rival, and one he had always defeated before.

Normally, he wouldn’t have needed to resort to such petty tricks; he could have just crushed them with raw power. But now, even after using those tricks, the best he could manage was a draw.

Fu Cheng found it a little hard to accept.

"That was amazing. If it were me, I wouldn’t have lasted ten seconds in the ring," Shen Lu said comfortingly. "Besides, your injuries haven’t fully healed, so that must have affected your performance."

She wasn’t wrong about that last part.

The game connected directly to one’s Spiritual Sea. Fu Cheng’s Spiritual Sea was less than fifty percent recovered, so his strength was naturally a far cry from what it used to be.

Fu Cheng let out a long sigh.

Shen Lu smiled. "The game is beautifully made. No wonder you play it every day."

"This game has been running for many years. It’s constantly updated and has very few bugs."

"Oh, right. Doesn’t first place in this competition get you a chance to join the military? When they come looking for you in a couple of days, what are you going to tell them?"

A cold smile touched Fu Cheng’s lips. "I won’t need to."

’When the organizers follow the address he provided and see what he looks like, will they still be able to offer him a spot in the military?’

For some reason, Shen Lu felt a mocking tone in Fu Cheng’s voice when he said that.

It was late now, and Shen Lu returned to her room.

Just as she lay down, she suddenly remembered she hadn’t used today’s Lottery Ticket. She silently thought the word, ’lottery’.

[Congratulations, Host! You have drawn prize #86 from the blind box: Shop Defense Level +1.]

Shen Lu’s heart skipped a beat. She thought she’d misheard and had to double-check.

"Good heavens, all my hard work every day has finally paid off."

Shen Lu was on the verge of tears. She was now just one step away from maxing out her shop’s defense level.

She wished morning would come immediately so she could grind for more Lottery Tickets and get her defense level to 10 as soon as possible.

She was so excited that she barely slept a wink all night, waking up the next day with two dark circles under her eyes.

But her spirits were surprisingly high.

While eating breakfast, she received a message from Bai Wanwan.

Bai Wanwan: When is your real birthday?

Shen Lu paused. She had so much to worry about lately that she’d almost forgotten her own birthday.

Neither her original self’s birthday nor her current one was on the same day as Shen Lan’s.

Shen Lu glanced at the date. Her birthday was tomorrow.

Shen Lu: It’s tomorrow.

Bai Wanwan: Tomorrow?

Shen Lu: Yup, tomorrow. I’m just a commoner, so I can’t throw a big party like you. I’m just planning on having a simple meal.

Bai Wanwan: ...

Bai Wanwan seemed to hesitate for a long time before sending an apology.

Bai Wanwan: There’s still no news about the culprit who attacked my parents. I’m sorry, Shen Lu, but for both our safety, I can’t come to your birthday celebration.

Shen Lu: I understand. Take care of yourself.

After replying, Shen Lu finished her breakfast. She wiped her mouth, had her staff sign for the ingredients delivered by the supplier, and began her busy day.

While stir-frying, Shen Lu asked the system.

Shen Lu: "It’s my birthday tomorrow. Are there any birthday perks?"

[Yes, Host. The Host will be rewarded with a birthday cake.]

Shen Lu: "That’s it? You guys are so half-hearted."

[Host, a birthday cake is already very good.]

’I had to apply for it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even get a cake.’

Shen Lu ranted, "Can’t you just give me tens of thousands of reputation value? Isn’t that better than a birthday cake?"

[...]

’I always underestimate the Host’s greed.’

’Tens of thousands of reputation value... how could she even ask for that?’

[DING DONG~ New Mission: Sell 1,110 portions of Braised Pork Set, 1,010 portions of Kung Pao Chicken Set, 670 portions of Steamed Fish Head with Diced Hot Peppers Set, and 170 portions of Steamed Pork Ribs with Fermented Black Beans Set. Achieve a total revenue of 290,000 yuan with a customer satisfaction rating of three stars or higher. Time limit: eight hours.]

The daily mission arrived right on schedule. Shen Lu and Wang Daguo carried out the freshly stir-fried braised pork. The steamed pork ribs with fermented black beans would be ready in another two minutes. The fish heads cooked quickly; after being drizzled with hot oil and garnished with a couple of cilantro sprigs, they were placed under a warmer in the service window, ready to be served on demand.

Today’s side dishes were stir-fried shredded radish, garlic lettuce, savory eggplant, and tofu with scallions.

The soup of the day was chicken broth, simmered from the chicken carcasses they had set aside earlier. After today, they would have used up most of the carcasses.

Shen Lu decided that on days with bad weather, she would order more whole chickens. It would give her employees a chance to practice their butchering skills, and besides, whole chickens were more cost-effective.

She had it all planned out. The deboned chicken breasts would be used for Kung Pao Chicken, the wings could be made into honey-glazed chicken wings later, the legs would be braised, the feet served as a cold appetizer, and the carcasses simmered for broth.

Every part had its own culinary use; the entire chicken was a treasure trove.

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