021 Strange Knowledge Gained Once Again

“There’s, there’s something good...”

Zhong Xiaoshan hurried into the bedroom, walked straight to the dressing table, and pulled a gift box from her bag. “This is a limited-edition Lancôme gift set that Director Hu brought back from Europe. It’s worth more than ten thousand yuan...”

With that, she quickly handed it to Zheng Xinyu, smiling shyly, “Sister, your skin is really good, but there’s no woman who wouldn’t want even better skin, right?”

“Wow, thank you.”

Zheng Xinyu didn’t particularly like Zhong Xiaoshan, but she couldn’t resist the golden Lancôme gift box in her arms. The price tag read 1,999 euros, something she could never afford with her previous income.

But before she could even warm up to the gift, it was snatched away by Zhang Su in a flash.

“This kind of thing is useless right now. Unless we get rescued soon and order is fully restored...”

Zhang Su threw the gift box onto the bed. “Otherwise, it’s not even worth two bottles of mineral water!”

“But... I think this is pretty good.”

Under Zhang Su’s intense gaze, Zheng Xinyu awkwardly took the gift box back, feeling uneasy, and hugged it tightly.

Zhang Su shook his head but didn’t refuse her again. After all, they were under the same roof, and he had to consider her feelings somewhat.

“Alright then, this gift box counts as... half a box of instant rice.”

“What...”

Zhong Xiaoshan was thrilled when Zhang Su agreed to take the Lancôme gift box, as if she could already smell the fragrant rice. But she never expected it to be exchanged for just half a box.

“After tax refund, it should be at least fourteen or fifteen thousand yuan. Handsome guy, half a box of instant rice is barely more than ten yuan. This ratio... are you serious?”

Zhang Su’s gaze fell again on the dressing table, and he shook his head at Zhong Xiaoshan. “Times have changed. You can’t measure the value of goods now by their past prices. According to your logic, the gift box is worth over ten thousand, and instant rice is only twenty or thirty yuan. That gift box would feed you for months, but can you eat it?”

“No, you’re right...”

Zhong Xiaoshan sighed helplessly. Talking about instant rice made her stomach growl fiercely again, as if ten thousand ants were clawing inside her, a torment she could hardly bear.

“Well... handsome guy, you just take whatever you want. If you like it, it’s yours.”

Zhong Xiaoshan completely gave in; resisting was pointless when hungry.

“Self-reliance is key,” Zhang Su muttered, opening the dressing table drawer—and froze on the spot!

“I’m really impressed!”

After rummaging through it all, Zhang Su looked at the drawer full of Bi Yuntao brand items. “Is that Director Hu you mentioned totally incompetent or superhuman? Even a breeding pig wouldn’t need this much!”

Zheng Xinyu sneaked closer and peeked into the drawer, a strange expression appearing on her face as she quietly chuckled without a word.

“Well... um, actually Bi Yuntao has many other uses. In critical moments, it can really help!”

Zhong Xiaoshan whispered from the side.

“Huh?” Zhang Su laughed in disbelief and raised his hand to her. “I really am ignorant. Go on, please explain.”

“I’m not making it up. Handsome guy, besides its usual uses, Bi Yuntao can also be used to start fires outdoors. Just fill it with water, tie a knot, and it works like a magnifying glass. With sunlight, you can light a fire!”

Zhong Xiaoshan spoke seriously. “Also, in chaotic situations like outside now, having long, beautiful hair can actually be a hindrance. If you don’t have a hair tie handy, you can use this as an emergency substitute.”

“Additionally, it can store water. Bi Yuntao is much sturdier than people think. Normally, it can hold two or three liters of water without issue—more than a large soda bottle. It can also serve as a shoe cover, a seal bag, and even a tourniquet for stopping bleeding in emergencies!”

Zhang Su and Zheng Xinyu exchanged looks, silently asking each other if this was really possible.

“Where did you learn all this?” Zhang Su asked Zhong Xiaoshan.

Zhong Xiaoshan rubbed her hands nervously. “I learned some basic outdoor survival skills from the mountaineering club. It’s nothing special.”

As a senior nurse, she needed some sophisticated hobbies to cultivate her image—after all, the wealthy dislike the ordinary and mundane.

“Alright, alright, alright. Let’s say all those uses are reliable. But that’s for wilderness survival. If we can get outside, there are plenty of these in the adult stores downstairs with unattended vending machines. What value do they have now?”

Zhang Su raised an eyebrow, acknowledging the knowledge but dismissing the importance of Bi Yuntao.

“Well, of course they have value! If the handsome guy wants some fun, it can work immediately!”

Zhong Xiaoshan went all out.

Zheng Xinyu rolled her eyes so hard they almost popped out. She thought she was the dirty-minded one, but compared to this sister, she was nothing.

At this moment, Zheng Xinyu couldn’t put herself in Zhong Xiaoshan’s shoes because she hadn’t starved to that extent.

“That’s quite a reason you came up with. Fine, I accept it. Count it as half a box—now you have a full box of instant rice!”

Then Zhang Su said to Zheng Xinyu, “There are plastic bags over there. Pack all of these to take back.”

Zheng Xinyu shot Zhang Su a strange look, seemingly lost in thought.

But despite the glare, her movements were quick.

“One...”

Zhong Xiaoshan felt a pang of bitterness—after all her efforts, she only got one box?

She steeled herself, walked to the dressing table, and pulled out a keychain from her bag. “Handsome guy, I have a Highlander that I just bought three months ago. Whether we get rescued or not, I’ll give it to you. Twenty boxes of instant rice plus ten liters of water. Deal?”

“Highlander?” Zhang Su stroked his chin and shook his head. “An SUV that can’t even cross an axle? What use is that? No thanks.”

“You!”

Zhong Xiaoshan almost ran out of breath. A wave of dizziness washed over her again. She grabbed the dressing table for support and gritted her teeth. “Fifteen boxes, eight liters of water!”

Seeing Zheng Xinyu had already packed the items, Zhang Su said to Zhong Xiaoshan, “Wait here. I’ll bring you the instant rice.”

When the other party ignored her completely, Zhong Xiaoshan grew desperate and raised an arm to block the door. “Ten boxes, five liters of water. Think about it... It’s worth over three hundred thousand yuan!”

Zhang Su looked at the starving Zhong Xiaoshan. Their eyes met, and he sighed, “You’re still soft-hearted after all. I’ll be kind just this once. There isn’t that much instant rice. I’ll give you three packs of instant noodles, one pack of snail noodles, plus two liters of water. The car keys to me. Deal?”

“This... I can’t cook!”

Zhong Xiaoshan wasn’t bargaining over the quantity; she was worried about cooking.

“I have gas at home, and you can use my pots and pans for free.”

“Deal!”

Zhong Xiaoshan agreed without hesitation, slapping the car keys on Zhang Su’s sturdy chest. Her eyes suddenly gleamed with a fiery light. “Promise me, if you leave here, take me with you!”

Zhang Su frowned slightly, feeling the cold palm pressing on his chest. His lips moved, and his dry throat croaked out, “We’ll see.”

Zhong Xiaoshan’s face flickered with a strange smile, then she slid down and collapsed against the doorframe, silent and motionless, as if exhausted after a long ordeal.