Chapter 43: The Show

"Know him! He's the one who kicked us out! We nearly got eaten by zombies!" The elderly woman's cheeks flushed with anger as she pointed at Tucker, her voice full of resentment.

"Oh, I see." Charlotte thoughtfully observed the two of them.

The boy's back was drenched in sweat, a strong sense of danger overtaking him. He quickly nodded in agreement with his mother. "We're from the same base, but he's always been a bully and looked down on us. We had no choice but to leave when things got too difficult at the base."

Tucker recognized them now and grew more frantic, pounding the transparent walls with even greater force.

"So, there's a grudge?" Charlotte seemed intrigued, leaning forward.

Inside the cube, Tucker broke into a cold sweat. He had indeed wronged these two earlier, and if he spoke any more bad words now, he would be in even deeper trouble.

But with his voice blocked, he couldn't communicate, and seeing the mother and son looking at him, Tucker dropped to his knees in desperation. Tears streamed down his face as he clasped his hands together and kowtowed heavily.

The elderly woman was startled and took a few steps back.

When had the high-and-mighty Tucker ever begged like this? It was like seeing the sun rise from the west!

Recalling the injustices she faced at the base, the elderly woman's eyes reddened, and she cried out angrily, "It's more than just a grudge! I wish I could eat him alive! If it weren't for Tucker's interference, how could my husband have died? Why did my child end up doing the most menial labor day after day?"

Isn't he supposed to have abilities? Charlotte glanced at the boy, whose face was filled with suppressed anger and hatred as he looked at Tucker.

Charlotte didn't plan to delve into the specifics of the three's conflict; it wasn't relevant to her.

As long as she knew that this mother and son weren't allied with Tucker, that was enough.

She smiled faintly, apologetically saying, "I'm sorry, but the restaurant can't operate today. Please use the breakfast machine out front to get your meal."

Fortunately, the elderly woman wasn't one to overshare her troubles or seek sympathy from strangers.

She glared at Tucker one last time, wiped her tears, and went to the breakfast machine with the boy to get the cheapest pancakes.

Their crystal cores wouldn't last long, so they needed to conserve.

After getting their breakfast, they went back upstairs.

Tucker hadn't expected the two to also stay at the inn, and at a crucial moment, throw stones at him.

His only hope now was Belle, praying she would return soon.

Half an hour later, the boy came downstairs alone, seemingly planning to go out to kill zombies and gather crystal cores.

The elderly woman stayed upstairs alone, praying for her son's safe return.

...

As nightfall approached, the inn's lights illuminated the darkness, becoming the only beacon in the desolate city.

The boy wiped the decayed blood from his face, prying open a zombie's head to search for the small crystal core inside.

His abilities weren't high enough, and his physical condition couldn't fully recover from just one meal. He had to seek out solitary level-one zombies.

Not all zombies had crystal cores in their heads; the generation of crystal cores was a mystery. No one knew which zombies had them.

It was all about luck.

Crystal cores of the same level had the same energy, regardless of their color.

Suddenly, he touched something sharp and hard.

A crystal core!

The boy was delighted, carefully pulling out the crystal core and cleaning it on the zombie's tattered clothing before placing it safely in his inner pocket.

He had managed to find three level-one crystal cores today!

He needed to hurry back; his mother would be worried.

Looking up, he gazed at the only source of light in the ruins, feeling a surge of happiness in his heart.

Perhaps it was hope.

...

At the door, the elderly woman anxiously rubbed her hands and looked out into the distance. Her heart only eased when she saw her son's familiar figure appear at the end of the street.

"Son! Come here!"

The boy quickened his pace, smiling broadly as he saw his mother safe and sound. His worries were finally put to rest.

Efforts did pay off.

"Rest for a bit, son. Did you get hurt?" The elderly woman supported her son's arm, urgently checking him inside and out.

"I'm fine! Not a scratch!" The boy smiled happily, almost wanting to twirl his mother around.

He finally felt like he could provide for his mother in this post-apocalyptic world! It felt amazing!

"Then hurry upstairs to wash up. After dinner, come down quickly; the boss said she's treating us to a show tonight!"

A show?

The boy only then noticed all the customers in the living room, some even eating takeaway while watching TV on the sofa.

The elderly woman, fearing the young boss might be waiting impatiently, pulled her son's arm and led him upstairs.

In the lobby, Charlotte walked with a cold expression to the restaurant door, where Belle was working hard to clean up.

"Faster, don't waste everyone's time."

Belle, startled, nodded vigorously. She didn't even have time to wipe the sweat from her forehead, her movements quickened.

She had initially planned to return for a meal and then find a place to hide, but as soon as she stepped into the lobby, she saw Tucker suspended in mid-air.

"Dad!" She screamed and tried to run towards him but collided with the transparent barrier.

Something was imprisoning her father! What is this?!

Seeing Belle finally arrive, Tucker became even more emotional, crying out and pointing at his throat and at Charlotte on the sofa, making unintelligible sounds of despair.

"What did you do to my father! Let him out now!" Belle ran to Charlotte, but under her harsh gaze, her hand, which was reaching for Charlotte's collar, fell to grasp her own pants instead.

Charlotte wasted no words, directly pulling up the surveillance footage for her to watch.

Belle's face grew paler as she watched.

What foolish thing had he done!

Seeing the food thrown all over the floor, Belle was nearly overwhelmed with anger. How could he treat food like that!

After the playback, Charlotte's face remained cold as she grabbed Belle by the collar and threw her into the restaurant.

"Clean this place up."

Belle wanted to retort, but Charlotte coolly added, "If you don't finish, neither of you will be able to live."

Then Tucker's shout came, "Good daughter! Listen to the boss! Save your father!"

And then, silence.

Belle, already intimidated by Charlotte's volatile temper, had no choice but to comply. She picked up the cleaning tools and began to clean diligently.

Charlotte tossed a few large plastic bags to her, indicating that the debris should be discarded inside, before turning to leave.

Even though she wasn't supervising, Belle still dared not cut corners, as her father's life depended on her.

She cleaned the floor several times, washed the walls, and scrubbed the glass, cabinets, and the robot. Exhausted, her back ached.

Looking at the now spotless restaurant, she let out a long sigh, hoping to call the boss in for inspection. If it passed, they might be let go.

Belle rubbed her aching back, holding onto an ill-timed hope that 夏老板 might be a merciful person and wouldn't hold onto such a minor issue...

She walked to the lobby, only to find all the customers either seated or standing, their eyes filled with deep loathing, as if they wanted to devour her alive!

Confused, Belle thought the dissatisfaction was because they couldn't eat in the restaurant.

She snorted inwardly, thinking these people acted like they'd never had a good meal.

So what if they didn't eat in the restaurant for one meal? Was it worth glaring at her like that?

Just as Belle was about to call Charlotte, she suddenly heard the familiar sound and offensive curses.

!!!

Belle stiffly turned her head and, sure enough, saw the surveillance playback on the screen.