Chapter 6: Crowded but Acceptable

A hotel?

At a time like this, someone is still running a hotel?

Could this be some kind of new scam?

The team's expressions shifted unpredictably, uncertain of how much of the smiling Charlotte's words were true.

Belle seemed to have returned to her own territory, her face showing pride as she took advantage of their distraction to open the glass door.

This drew a chorus of exclamations from the group.

"Don't be afraid, the zombies can't see us!" Belle called out loudly, her face full of smug satisfaction as she watched their astonished expressions, paying special attention to Elsa.

As they observed, the zombies surrounding the store swayed their heads and bodies, ignoring the people inside the shop. Even with Belle's loud voice, they remained oblivious.

"What… what kind of ability is this?" Rose asked in disbelief, trying to step outside but was held back by Harvey.

Harvey was extremely cautious, remembering Charlotte's words and scrutinizing her with his eyes.

Who was this person? How could someone be operating a hotel inside a zombie encirclement, far from the base?

"Captain, let's stay here for the night. I've already booked a room. Although it's a bit small, it's very safe!" Belle said as she approached Harvey, her eyes sparkling like she was showing off a treasure.

Unknowingly, Belle had become the shop's promoter, and she was quite dedicated to the task. Charlotte nodded in satisfaction.

If more people like her came, she'd save so much breath!

"You've stayed here before?"

"Yeah, yeah, I had a nap this afternoon, and it was so comfortable!" Although she exaggerated a bit, it was indeed the best sleep she'd had.

"Oh, and the shop has food too! I had some roasted meat with rice for lunch! It was delicious! Captain Harvey, let me treat you!"

Belle grabbed Harvey's arm and pulled him to the lunch machine, pointing at the pictures on it. "Captain Harvey, what do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you. Fish-flavored shredded pork rice?"

Seeing Harvey's doubtful expression, Belle was even more excited. Wasn't this her chance to make a good impression?

With this box of food, wouldn't she win Harvey's favor? What abilities did Elsa and the others have to compete with her?!

Belle arrogantly glanced at Elsa, who was fuming with a red face. Her happiness grew even more. She ordered everything from the lunch machine except for the spicy potato strips, spending a total of 61 points and leaving only 2 points on her card.

She planned to get more crystal nuclei from her father when she returned, exchange them for points, and buy whatever she wanted.

Soon, the machine dispensed several boxes of food.

Ignoring the astonished looks from the others, Belle triumphantly handed out the food boxes, suppressing her laughter as she said to Elsa, "Sorry, Snowy, I don't have any points left on the card, so I can't buy any more. You'll have to tough it out for the night!"

Elsa stared at the food boxes in the others' hands, feeling embarrassed and on the verge of tears. She had thought Belle was joking. How could there be boxed meals for sale after so many years of apocalypse?

But here they were—box meals with fish-flavored shredded pork, roasted meat, duck legs, and Yangzhou fried rice, all fragrant. Just looking and smelling was enough to make her mouth water.

Charlotte spoke at the right moment, "Guests, you can exchange one level one crystal nucleus for 100 points at the shop. It can be used for accommodation and buying boxed meals."

Hearing this, Elsa felt a surge of joy. She took out a handful of crystal nuclei from her pocket, wiped her tears, and selected a level two crystal nucleus to hand over.

Level two nuclei can be exchanged for 500 points.

Charlotte exchanged it for her card but didn't plan to teach them how to use the machine.

After all, Belle had already demonstrated it in a grand manner.

"Do the rest of you need to exchange points?"

Harvey also topped up with 100 points, and the other two added 100 points each.

Charlotte shrugged, indifferent. These points would eventually end up in her pocket.

"Do you all need a room?"

Everyone looked at Harvey. As the team leader, he had the final say. While everyone hoped to rest here for the night, considering the multitude of zombies outside, going out would be suicidal.

After much deliberation, Harvey nodded in agreement, "How many points are needed?"

"A single room costs 20 points. There is only one room left," Charlotte said calmly.

"What? Only one room? Why is your hotel so small?" Belle, who had been holding back her frustration, seized the chance to vent.

Her teammates had arrived, and her confidence grew.

Charlotte glanced coldly at her, "It's this small. If you don't like it, please leave."

Harvey pulled Belle behind him, his expression serious. "Boss, since this is a business, it's best to be polite. I'll take the other room. It's 20 points, right?"

He reached for his card.

Charlotte folded her arms and smirked, "Hold on. I can rent you the other single room, but it's only for one person."

As soon as she finished speaking, the team began to stir.

"What? Only one person can stay? What about the other three?"

"Yeah, we can't just stay outside!"

Charlotte didn't interrupt, letting them argue.

Harvey, seeing her indifferent attitude, thought about leaving. But with no other place to take shelter, he had to endure and negotiate again.

"Please make an exception, boss. You know how active zombies are at night. With their ability levels, going out would be suicide."

Seeing the person in charge speaking again, Charlotte finally looked up and stated her terms, "You can stay, but the two single rooms are available as you wish, with the other three charged at full price."

When someone tried to object, Charlotte held up her hand to stop them. "Don't rush to speak. As you can see, my shop is absolutely safe. No zombies can get in. It's only 20 points per person, and you won't find a better deal anywhere else in the world."

Cheap is not an option.

What we're selling isn't beds; it's safety!

And who said single rooms couldn't be shared? What era is this? Expecting separate rooms for everyone as if it were peacetime?

Indeed, after hearing this, the others quieted down. Seeing Harvey nod, they all came forward to pay the points.

Charlotte handed over the key to room 102 and resumed her smiling demeanor. "My shop doesn't have a bathroom for now. It's best if you take care of that before nightfall. The area within one meter around the shop is a safety zone."

Everyone exchanged glances and obediently went out to handle their needs.

As the boss said, as long as they stayed within one meter, the zombies couldn't see them no matter how they moved around.

The group was amazed and increasingly felt that this shop was mysterious.

After returning, Harvey arranged for the men and women to stay in separate rooms. Noticing that Charlotte didn't provide any bedding, he directly had Elsa take out three single tents from her storage.

They had stayed outside the base before and always kept necessary equipment in their storage.

Nightfall quickly arrived.

Charlotte, sitting behind the counter, got up to lock the door and returned to her room.

Bear was stationed in the lobby, overseeing the machines and the door.

As for cleaning staff, here Bear was just a versatile worker, used wherever needed!

After a quick wash, Charlotte remembered she had forgotten to install the surveillance camera today.

She turned on the screen to check the shop's earnings, finding that she had received 193 points today.

Members:

- Belle: 98/100

- Rose: 20/100

- Elsa: 35/500

- Harvey: 20/100

-John: 20/100**