Chapter 40: Insatiable Greed

Muscular knots surged and bulged, radiating explosive power, while the fangs at the corners of its mouth grew thicker and sharper!

[Warning! Mutant creature detected consuming unknown energy fruit. Genetic sequence undergoing drastic alteration; strength leaping significantly!]

The cold system prompt echoed in Mu Chen’s mind.

Mu Chen’s heart skipped a beat.

This thing was that potent?

He immediately dismissed the idea of giving it another one. The beast was already fierce; if it continued to strengthen and spiraled out of control, it would only cause trouble.

"Remember, guard the house well and don’t cause any trouble," Mu Chen instructed before turning to head downstairs.

Big Mouth lay quietly at the doorway, its massive body motionless until his footsteps faded completely around the corner of the stairwell.

Inside Room 3001.

Chen Si was carefully applying lipstick in a small mirror. The lipstick belonged to Chen Jiahe; she had asked before borrowing it.

"This shade really makes my complexion look great."

Chen Si was quite satisfied with her reflection; the new lip color made her appear much more vibrant. The sound of pots and pans clattering drifted from the kitchen, where Chen Jiahe was busy preparing lunch.

"Do you need any help?" Chen Si strolled to the kitchen entrance.

"No, you just rest," Chen Jiahe replied without turning around. Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

"Then I’ll help you prep."

Chen Si didn't ask further and conscientiously picked up the vegetables in the sink to wash them. The two worked in silent coordination within the cramped kitchen.

"By the way, I forgot to tell you something." Chen Si’s voice broke the silence. "Mu Chen gave me an ability fruit this morning."

Chen Jiahe’s hand, gripping the spatula, suddenly froze.

"An ability fruit?"

"Yes, the kind that lets you awaken superpowers." Chen Si’s tone was very casual. "I guess I’m an ability user now too."

Chen Jiahe remained silent for several seconds before she could force a smile onto her face.

"Then... congratulations."

But inside, she was in turmoil, feeling deeply bitter.

Why? Why was it Chen Si? Both of them lived here, both handled chores for Mu Chen, so why was it Chen Si who received such a precious thing?

Could it be that in Mu Chen’s eyes, she wasn't even worth as much as Chen Si?

"Jiahe, what’s wrong?" Chen Si sensed her strange demeanor.

"Nothing." Chen Jiahe shook her head, her smile stiff. "Maybe I’m just a little tired."

Chen Si frowned, set down the vegetables, and turned to face her directly.

"Jiahe, I know what you’re thinking."

Chen Jiahe’s body tensed instantly.

"In this world, you can’t survive by relying on the pity of others." Chen Si’s words were sharp, leaving no room for negotiation. "If you want something, you have to go out and fight for it yourself."

"I..." Chen Jiahe’s lips quivered, but she couldn't find a single word to refute.

"Mu Chen isn't some saint. He gave me the fruit because I did him a huge favor yesterday." Chen Si’s voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "What about you? You never say anything, you never take the initiative—how is he supposed to know what you really want?"

Chen Jiahe’s expression collapsed, looking truly wretched.

"Also, get rid of that 'about-to-cry' victim act. It’s really annoying and comes off as particularly pretentious."

Chen Si’s blunt words struck Chen Jiahe’s heart like a heavy blow, leaving her gasping for air. Chen Jiahe’s eyes reddened, and she bit her lower lip hard to keep the tears from falling.

"I... understand."

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, dissipating into the air. The atmosphere in the kitchen became suffocatingly oppressive.

Just then, steady footsteps sounded outside. Mu Chen had returned.

"Is lunch ready?"

He pushed the door open, a relaxed smile on his face; the process of subduing Big Mouth had clearly pleased him.

"Almost."

Chen Jiahe hurriedly turned away, hiding her red-rimmed eyes from the door so Mu Chen wouldn't notice. "Let me help you take off your coat."

She hurried over to meet Mu Chen, actively reaching out to unbutton his jacket. This sudden show of attentiveness took Mu Chen by surprise, but he was happy to enjoy it.

"Sorry to trouble you."

He let Chen Jiahe remove his coat, a trace of warmth brushing through his heart. Chen Si stood to the side, watching the scene in silence, her thoughts complex.

Her words just now might have been harsh, but in this apocalypse, if you don't fight or scramble, who can you expect to give you charity? Survival of the fittest was the most cruel, yet truest, law of the world.

"By the way, I have some not-so-good news to tell you both." Mu Chen sat on the sofa, pulled out his phone, and his expression darkened slightly.

"What news?" Chen Si walked to his side.

"My identity and the supplies we have here probably can't be hidden anymore."

Mu Chen opened the residents' group chat, which was already in an uproar. That guy, Pan Guang, had actually posted a long-winded "manifesto," embellishing and publicizing the fact that Mu Chen possessed a large amount of supplies.

The chat was currently tagging Mu Chen like crazy, demanding he come out and give an explanation. That Chen Rong was even more active, posting multiple voice messages condemning him for being selfish, hoarding goods, and ignoring the survival of his neighbors.

Mu Chen looked at the unsightly words on the screen, a sense of disgust rising within him.

He replied concisely: "None of your damn business."

Immediately after, he deleted Chen Rong from his contacts.

"Since it can't be hidden, I won't hide it at all."

Mu Chen’s fingers flew across the screen, editing a new message for the group: "Dear neighbors, I do indeed have some supplies. I am now buying ability fruits at a high price: one fruit in exchange for ten bags of rice, five boxes of instant noodles, and three cases of mineral water. Anyone with stock, message me privately."

This message was like a depth charge dropped into the rowdy group chat.

There was a strange silence for several seconds.

Then, it exploded!

Countless messages flooded the screen, all inquiring about transaction details, their tone sincere—a complete departure from the righteous indignation of moments ago.

The property manager also popped up at the right moment: "Mr. Mu Chen, if you are conducting large-scale transactions, considering safety and order, I suggest you come to the lobby on the first floor of the property office. We can provide the venue and assistance."

"That’s a good suggestion."

Mu Chen typed his reply, agreeing to the arrangement.

Just then, his phone vibrated; a friend request popped up. The applicant’s note was quite eye-catching: "Little Note Top Influencer."

Mu Chen raised an eyebrow and clicked accept.

The other party replied almost instantly: "Hello, I am Li Yanke. May I ask if you are Mr. Mu Chen? I saw the message in the group; are you buying ability fruits?"

Without waiting for Mu Chen to reply, an image was sent over.

It was a golden fruit, its surface flowing with a faint radiance; it was clearly something extraordinary.

"I want to trade this Golden Source Fruit for fifty bags of rice, twenty boxes of instant noodles, and ten cases of mineral water."