Craving for a Simple Meal

Back at the inn, Alice began preparing dinner. Just as she was about to ask Hurley if he wanted to join, he walked in carrying a duck.How about duck stir-fried with bamboo shoots tonight?"

"Sounds good. Go ahead and prepare the duck," Alice said as she started the fire.

Shortly after, a delightful aroma filled the kitchen, making several people salivate.

Cecilia and her group entered, ready to prepare their dinner. Upon seeing the delicious duck meat being cooked, they couldn't help but crave it.Some of them knew that Cecilia knew Alice, so they pushed her forward.

Receiving their curious looks, Cecilia had no choice but to approach Alice, "Alice, you seem to be skilled in cooking. The aroma is enticing. Your culinary skills must be excellent."

Alice glanced at her and nonchalantly acknowledged with a simple "Hmm."

They didn't even have an invitation to share the meal.

Cecilia awkwardly asked, "Can we join you for dinner?"

Hurley burst into laughter, "Why don't you ask if there's enough duck meat?"

Caught in the mocking gaze of the man, Cecilia felt embarrassed and wished she could find a place to hide.

"Can we exchange with other food?" Cecilia asked in a hushed tone.

"Sure, but the value should be equivalent," Alice bluntly stated.

Cecilia then turned to the others, "Would anyone like to make an exchange?"

One of the men sarcastically remarked, "It's just a few pieces of duck meat. Is it necessary to make such a fuss about it?"Hurley looked at the pack of instant noodles in the man's hands and asked casually, "We happen to be out of staple food. How about giving me that pack of noodles?"

Alice chimed in, "Aren't you generous? It's just a pack of noodles. Is it necessary to be so stingy?"

The atmosphere immediately became tense. Cecilia hurriedly intervened, "We didn't mean to take it for free. It's been a long time since we had meat. Let's exchange for a bowl."

"I'm not interested in exchanging now," Alice calmly served the duck from the pot.

"You..." This response changed the expressions of Cecilia's group altogether.

Cecilia hadn't expected Alice to be so unyielding, not even willing to exchange items. Her face froze in disbelief.

"Sorry for the disturbance," Cecilia apologized, not wanting to offend Alice.

"Why be polite to them? Just grab it," a coarse man stared at the fragrant duck, disregarding morality. Eating the meat was what mattered to him.

Hurley, hearing this, cast a deep and dark glance, a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Cecilia, unreservedly, slapped the man, "Get out quickly."She pulled two people to the left and right, "Let's find another kitchen."Seeing the leading trio leave, the others exchanged glances and followed suit.

Watching them leave, Hurley turned to Alice, "She's either afraid of you or trying to please you."The 'she' referred to Cecilia.

Alice glanced up with an expressionless face, "I can see that."

After dinner, both of them went back to their respective rooms. Alice decided to read the comics drawn by Hurley while it started snowing heavily outside.

"Knock, knock, knock." There was a knock on the door.

Alice put down the comics and went to open the door. Hurley handed her a temperature-controlled box, saying, "There are some pastries and drinks inside. Take them."

"Why are you giving me all this for myself?" Alice raised an eyebrow.

"I don't like eating these," Hurley gazed at her with soft eyes. "Don't I need to bribe you for my meals along the way?"

Alice wasn't one to be fussy or coy. She promptly accepted, "Thank you."

As Hurley was about to leave, he noticed the comic book spread out on the table in the room, and the curve of his lips deepened.

"If you don't understand the character of any of them, just ask me. The original author will personally explain it to you."

Alice followed his gaze to the comic book on the table, nodding, "Sure."

Two hours later, it was eight o'clock in the evening.A snowstorm had started outside, shaking the windows continuously with the risk of them breaking at any moment.

As the thought of the windows breaking crossed Alice mind, the glass made a 'crack' sound.A few seconds later, the glass completely shattered, and the storm, mixed with snowflakes, blew in, bone-chillingly cold. Alice pushed the wardrobe over, barely blocking the wind and snow outside, but the temperature in the room dropped abruptly.

Alice opened the door and went out. The innkeeper was checking each room, and many people were complaining, "The window is broken. How can we sleep tonight?"

The innkeeper, overwhelmed, could only keep apologizing, "I had no idea a sudden storm would come. Otherwise, how about this, I'll get some wooden boards to cover it."

"The wind can't be blocked at all. It's as cold inside as outside. Can we make a fire inside?" someone asked.

The innkeeper reluctantly agreed, "I only have a few small stoves at home. There's firewood in the kitchen. Help yourselves."

Alice and Hurley each took a wooden board back to their rooms to block the storm. They used cabinets to reinforce the boards. Despite some wind seeping through the cracks, it was tolerable.

Alice took out a portable fireplace and charcoal from her space, lit a fire, and the temperature in the room rose significantly. She laid a carpet by the fireplace, brought out a lazy sofa, and enjoyed snacks that Hurley had brought her while warming herself by the fire.

At two in the morning, a sudden sound of houses collapsing came from outside. Alice immediately opened her eyes. She was wearing a temperature-controlled suit while sleeping and quickly put on a coat and shoes, rushing outside.

Many people were awakened, gathering outside. The innkeeper was struggling to open the door. "No, the snow has blocked the door. We can't get out."

Alice surveyed the situation. There were no windows on the first floor, so the only way out was to jump from the second floor. A few men quickly rushed upstairs, leaped down amid the innkeeper's shocked cries, and then grabbed a shovel from the corner to clear the accumulated snow blocking the door.

Not long after, the door opened, and the wind, laden with snow, hit everyone's faces. They couldn't help but raise their hands to shield themselves.Not far away, someone shouted loudly, "The house over here collapsed! Quick, someone, help!"

Despite the wind and snow, the crowd rushed over. Alice initially intended to join them, but considering the number of people going there, she stopped and turned, walking towards where they had parked the car.

The wind was strong, and a piece of iron was flying towards Alice. She quickly dodged it. Hurley hurriedly stepped forward, standing in front of Alice to block the wind.

With Hurley acting as a shield, the resistance of the wind lessened. Alice put down her hand that was blocking the wind, looking somewhat stunned at the tall figure in front of her. A warm current flowed through her heart.

They had parked the car in a courtyard with a canopy overhead. However, the accumulated snow on top was nearly a meter high, and it was uncertain how long the canopy could hold.

Hurley furrowed his brows as he noticed, "This canopy is about to collapse. We need to move the car."

"Go get Craig and the others," Alice instructed.

Hurley nodded and quickly left.