Chapter 5: Profits Overflowing

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So capricious? So powerful?

Whispers arose quietly. Just as Lu Li’s smile appeared, the crowd suddenly scattered like startled birds.

“...?” Lu Li was puzzled.

Chen Yue, who had been squeezed into a corner and unable to move, now found space and said with a terrified expression, “He’s here?”

Wang Qiang trembled as he steadied himself on the table, “I guess it’s...”

Chen Zhi plopped down onto the ground, “It’s him again!”

“Who?” Lu Li leaned forward curiously, unable to understand.

“Shh!” Chen Yue put on a serious and secretive expression, infecting Lu Li inadvertently.

Lowering her voice, Lu Li asked, “Who exactly?”

Covering her mouth with one hand, Chen Yue whispered, “The shop owner, just now there was someone being controlled, slammed up and down on the ground. Didn’t you see?”

“I saw. I did that.” Lu Li said matter-of-factly, with an air of calm indifference.

Chen Yue looked at the owner’s pale and harmless face and shook her head, “Boss, don’t joke around.”

These days, no one believes the truth anymore.

She didn’t bother explaining, quietly saying, “Rise.” At the same time, she lazily raised a finger, palm down, slightly lifting it upward.

Immediately, the person lying like a sack on the ground moved, as if supported by an invisible giant hand, and floated up.

Lu Li shrugged and tilted her head at Chen Yue with a nonchalant expression.

“!!” Chen Yue and the others were stunned; this confirmed their suspicions—the shop owner was a powerful figure.

Otherwise, how could she guard this RV with such strength? It would have been taken long ago.

“B-big shot.” Chen Zhi, who had been shouting for crystal core compensation, quietly shut up and looked at her with deep respect.

This was a post-apocalyptic world ruled by strength—whoever was powerful was the boss.

Lu Li waved her hand with a friendly smile, “Anyone want to scratch some lottery tickets?”

Chen Yue nodded uncontrollably, “Scratch, scratch, scratch!” It was such a great deal! Dumpling grenades were highly sought-after supplies.

Joining the base meant serving it, completing assigned tasks monthly, and handing over a quota of crystal cores.

Only then could one receive supplies allocated by the base, like 50ml of water and a small amount of food daily to maintain health.

Not enough to drink, eat, or keep warm...

This was the reality for most people in the apocalypse.

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Chen Yue pulled out a few crystal cores and skillfully fed them to the Fortune Cat. The other two had points left and began picking scratch tickets.

Just as the three eagerly scratched, another group pressed forward, quietly placing crystal cores on the table.

Whispering, “Boss, we want to scratch too!”

They had clearly seen the dumplings, grenades, and bullets—genuine goods!

They had to scratch! They had to get it!

Lu Li, not hearing clearly, asked puzzled, “Why so quiet?”

The group immediately showed panic, putting a finger to their lips and signaling her with their eyes.

“Boss, keep your voice down. There’s a big shot nearby. That big shot likes peace, not noise.”

Lu Li was truly curious now—what kind of big shot could make people tremble without even showing their face?

But the so-called big shot they spoke of was actually her. Her voice was clear and lively as she said, “Watch closely.”

Everyone followed her gaze, somewhat confused, when her impatient tone reached their ears.

“Up, down, up, down!”

Everyone watched as the person moved rhythmically with Lu Li’s commands, perfectly in sync...

Could the big shot really be the shop owner?

“Bang...” Lu Li grew bored and casually withdrew her hand, and the person lost balance, collapsing onto the ground.

Onlookers: Does anyone speak for me?

Believe it now, truly believe it.

That group handed over their crystal cores and obediently waited for the Fortune Cat to tally points before selecting their scratch tickets.

Seven people crowded around the small table, looking cramped. Lu Li couldn’t bear to see customers squeezed.

But seeing the points, she paused her concern for now.

Once she had money! Hmph!

Everyone scratching together created an odd competitive atmosphere—no one wanted others to see, yet everyone wanted to peek at others’ results, eyes darting about.

Lu Li crossed her arms, leaning against the vehicle, amused by their antics.

She was very familiar with this scene; it was always like this when scratching tickets. She wondered if anyone nearby had hit the jackpot of five million.

“Damn it, it’s all ‘Thanks for your patronage.’ Boss, what’s up with this!” A man angrily spoke, locking eyes with Lu Li’s calm gaze, lost for words.

This was a big shot; no one dared to provoke her. The crystal core was just a sunk cost...

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“Ahhhhh! Boss, help me see what this is! I don’t recognize it!” Chen Yue jumped up excitedly.

Lu Li took a look and thought, wow, this girl really has a knack for food luck.

“Fried chicken burger set,” Lu Li said, then asked, “Exchange now?”

Chen Yue nodded frantically, “Exchange, exchange!” She didn’t understand but it had to be good!

The others who hadn’t finished scratching stopped and quietly watched Lu Li feed the scratch tickets to the Fortune Cat. Soon, the cat opened its big mouth and spat out a paper bag.

Though unopened, the aroma wafted out, stirring primal desire.

Under many expectant eyes, Chen Yue trembled as she carefully tore open the bag, instantly filling the air with fragrance.

Everyone stared at her, wanting to see her eat, just to satisfy their cravings visually, when suddenly the paper bag on the table vanished, along with the scent.

Wang Qiang panicked, “Chen Yue, why did you put it in your space? Let us smell it too!”

Chen Yue shot him a look, ignoring him, “Mind your own business, can’t I eat slowly?”

The others were angry but helpless, so they continued scratching.

Then a shout erupted from the corner, “What’s with all these ‘Thanks for your patronage’? Why can Chen Yue get food, but I get nothing!”

One of the newcomers from that group.

Lu Li smiled, “Sorry~” She apologized but didn’t change her approach.

The two who got nothing clenched their fists in anger, but recalling the boss’s strength, they only cursed quietly in their hearts, not daring to show it.

Unexpectedly, the other two who came with them got something—a box of bullets and a pistol.

Some rejoiced, others despaired; jealousy twisted their faces.

Lu Li watched the group leave. Chen Yue, having won something good, hurried away calmly as if nothing had happened.

Wang Qiang and Chen Zhi were unwilling, spent all their points scratching but got no food.

“Again!” The two rummaged through their pockets for more crystal cores. Lu Li happily took them to feed the Fortune Cat.

The Fortune Cat cheerfully announced, “Wang Qiang 200 points, Chen Zhi 200 points.”

One level-one crystal core equaled 50 points, or one scratch ticket; all earnings went to Lu Li—none to the system, which was stingy!