Chapter 16: The Rain Has Finally Come

A thunderclap roared, purple lightning streaked across the sky, and raindrops connected into lines, pounding the ground with a muffled thud.

Soon, the rain intensified, and a mist began to form in the air, enveloping the world in a gray haze.

"The rain has finally come."

As the rain slanted into the inn, dampening the white floor tiles, Charlotte quickly moved to close the door and turned on the lights.

When she turned around, she saw Bear shuffling over with a mop.

Charlotte hurriedly stepped aside.

Having a diligent employee like Bear was truly a blessing.

Returning to the reception desk, she noticed it was only 4 PM. With several guests already in their rooms, she doubted they would come downstairs.

She dashed back to her room, brought out a small, round, off-white table from the living room, and placed it in the hall along with a thin blanket.

In the food court, she ordered a pot of steaming floral tea and a low-calorie small cake.

Lying back in a rocking chair, she covered her legs with the blanket and took a sip of hot tea, enjoying the warmth that drove away the damp chill of the rain.

She loved rainy days. The sound of raindrops and the faint earthy smell always brought her a sense of peace.

She picked up a spoonful of cake from the small plate. The cream was delicate and just the right amount of sweetness, and the slightly frosted blueberry burst in her mouth.

Emma, walking into the hall, was met with this scene.

She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. The boss was eating cake!

Despite being of similar age, the boss had such extraordinary abilities.

Is there really such a thing as a favored child of the gods?

While countless people fought and even died for a morsel of food, here was someone comfortably lying down with a wealth of supplies?

It was truly unfair!

Emma looked down at her tattered clothes and shoes, biting her lip in embarrassment.

She had intended to ask the boss if there were any clean clothes for sale, but feeling defeated, she turned to go back and tend to her own wounds...

Charlotte, seeing Emma's reflection in the glass, sipped her tea with curiosity. She wondered why an ordinary person like Emma wasn't staying in her room but had come here instead.

After observing her expression, Charlotte found it somewhat amusing. This girl seemed to have a lot on her mind.

Ultimately, Emma didn't speak, turning away with a heavy step.

Charlotte withdrew her gaze, lowering her eyes as her long lashes shadowed her expression.

Finishing the last bite of her cake, she lay back down, adjusting the blanket to cover her neck.

Warm and comfortable, she gazed at the rain scene, the monotonous sound of raindrops the perfect lullaby.

She felt a bit sleepy.

Yawning, she noticed the night deepening and the rain showing no sign of easing. The sky remained dark, with only occasional flashes of purple lightning illuminating the scene.

"Bear, I'm going to bed. You keep an eye on the door."

Bear stood by the wall, its black bean eyes unfocused.

Charlotte instructed Bear to fold the blanket and put away the rocking chair and small table. She pulled out a U-shaped lock and walked to the door to lock it.

A pale hand gripped the doorknob.

"Wait." The voice was hoarse, as though it had been scorched by smoke and fire.

Charlotte looked and saw a woman standing outside.

She wore a tattered black tracksuit, soaked through and clinging to her body. Her short hair was plastered to her cheeks, and her lips were bloodlessly pale, pressed tightly together. Her emaciated face made her cheekbones stand out sharply.

But her eyes were sharp and resolute.

She was staring directly at Charlotte.

Charlotte hesitated, then put on a standard welcoming smile, removed the lock, and opened the door.

"Please come in."

The woman quickly scanned Bear, her eyes filled with deep suspicion.

Unable to find a suitable refuge outside and seeing the lights on here, she had fled with all her might, taking a gamble.

Charlotte noticed the strange dark stain on the woman's feet and understood the situation.

"Please rest assured, our inn is absolutely safe."

The woman nodded stiffly and walked in.

Charlotte led her to the reception desk and indicated the sign above, which clearly listed all the rules.

The sign was not just for decoration.

After waiting patiently for 5 minutes, the woman pulled out a Level 2 crystal nucleus and exchanged it for points.

"Here's your room card for Room 103. If you haven't eaten yet, you can purchase boxed meals from the lunch machine in the back. There's also a water dispenser providing hot and cold water, one cup per point."

The woman's expression remained as blank as ever, though her steps seemed unsteady.

Seeing her take three boxes of food and attempt to take more, Charlotte frowned slightly and spoke up, "Guest, just enough for tonight is fine. Breakfast is provided on the second floor in the morning, and the lunch machine sells boxed meals all day."

The woman paused for a few seconds but continued to take two more boxes of food.

She coldly replied, "I have a large appetite."

Charlotte smiled with a hint of mischief, "Guests who waste food will face a penalty. A day in a Level 5 zombie-infested area is not something you would want to experience, I'm sure."

The woman's breathing became heavier, and she stared at Charlotte with utmost seriousness. "I'm very hungry. I can finish these and won't waste any."

Charlotte calmly met her gaze.

---

The woman's expression was one of clear determination, with no hint of deceit.

After a while, Charlotte softened her demeanor and resumed her friendly smile.

"I hope you have a comfortable stay at our inn."

The woman sighed in relief, her tense body relaxing. She could feel the pain from her leg injury intensifying.

She needed to replenish her energy and heal her wounds quickly. There was a tracker among the group she had escaped from.

She couldn't afford to stay exposed any longer.

She made an effort to smile, but after long periods of hardship, she had forgotten what a genuine smile felt like.

Giving up quickly, she reverted to her usual blank expression and said in a hoarse voice, "I'll stay for a week."

"Alright." Charlotte processed the payment for 6 days. "Walk down the corridor; the bathroom is on the left. You can freshen up there."

The woman, walking down the corridor, glanced back slightly and nodded in thanks. Her pale profile showed a straight, well-defined nose.

Charlotte waited patiently at the reception desk for a while longer. Seeing that no other guests came to check in, she efficiently locked the door and turned off the lights.

The corridor lights would remain on all night. Since the single rooms on the first floor lacked private bathrooms, guests needed to walk through the corridor to the shared bathroom.

Charlotte heard the sound of water running from the bathroom and decided to check it out.

It turned out Emma was washing her dirty clothes in the sink.

She wore a tank top and shorts, scrubbing her outer clothes and pants repeatedly. The once clear water quickly turned black.

Charlotte watched in silence as the pristine sink became filthy, frowning deeply.

But she said nothing and turned back to her room.

"System, is there a cheaper washing machine available?"