I Built an Inn at the End of the World

Qian Zhenzhen answered, "Avoid the southwest corner—an unclimbable cliff and several crashed buses full of zombies. The east or south might offer paths, but I haven't explored that far."

Her system map had limited range, and without markers for distant areas—plus the BUFF's time limit—she couldn't scout further.

"Is Sister Li Lan heading to another base?"

"Yes, An Xi Base."

This renowned base was supposedly led by former Alliance headquarters officials, well-stocked with military supplies and resources. They primarily accepted people with specialized skills.

Given Li Lan's abilities, they'd likely welcome her.

After breakfast, Qian Zhenzhen placed a small solar-powered wall lamp—her lucky draw prize—on the south-facing windowsill.

When she finished cleaning the kitchen and stepped outside, she found bamboo and wooden poles already piled up, ready for crafting chevaux de frise.

They divided the tasks: Zhou Xuanxuan kept watch, Li Lan sawed and sharpened poles, and Qian Zhenzhen bound the components.

Morning sunlight brightened the forest, and the wind rustled through leaves with gentle whispers.

Rhythmic sawing sounds filled the air, punctuated by occasional thumps, creating a symphony of industry under the eaves.

Near noon, Qian Zhenzhen offered to prepare a proper meal, but Li Lan stopped her.

"Do you have any compressed food? Let's keep it simple and work while the sun's good. You're tired enough—no need to cook now."

With their limited workforce and heavy workload, they had no choice.

The noise from assembling the cross-shaped base attracted more zombies.

Qian Zhenzhen dispatched two, earning 200 personal experience points.

Li Lan eliminated five, gaining 25 Koi Vouchers and 500 inn experience points.

2:00 PM.

All bases stood erect, forming a 1.5-meter high cross-shaped fence around the wooden house.

3:50 PM.

They finished binding all X-shaped pointed poles and began mounting cross beams. One bundle of thick wire proved insufficient, so Qian Zhenzhen spent 10 more Koi Vouchers on another.

5:46 PM.

As dusk approached, they completed the chevaux de frise defense wall!

[You have built complete defensive facilities for the inn!]

[You have triggered the hidden quest 'Rookie Quest (4): Build Defenses'!]

[Rookie Quest (4): Build Defenses

Please achieve the following goal within one day:

Complete defensive fortifications (1/1)

...

Rewards: Inn experience points, Koi Vouchers, etc.

You have completed it, would you like to submit it?]

Submit!

[You have received Inn Experience Points *1000]]

[You have received Koi Vouchers *88]

[You have received the hidden quest reward: Alert Function (Inn Exclusive)]

[Alert Function: The inn can automatically identify zombies and mutated creatures entering the area with hostile intent, and warn you.]

Finally, she could sleep soundly—no more getting up for night patrols.

Qian Zhenzhen loved this function!

But why did the rookie quest jump from (1) straight to (4)? What about (2) and (3) in between?

The system hadn't released them yet—perhaps they would have to wait longer.

The dead zombies lying around the wooden house could become problematic, so Qian Zhenzhen and Li Lan found a spot downwind, dug a pit, gathered dried branches and leaves, and burned them.

Black smoke billowed up with a strange smell, but the mountain wind carried it away. After their busy day, they sat exhausted behind the chevaux de frise watching the fire, too tired to move.

Zhou Xuanxuan brought them drinking water and, after they finished, took away the cups. She sat beside Li Lan and reached for her shoulders. "Mama, let me give you a massage—you won't be tired after I massage you..."

Such childlike innocence and purity always softened one's heart. In the gentle evening breeze of approaching dusk, Li Lan smiled and hugged her daughter. "Then Mama thanks you. Xuanxuan worked hard today too."

"Yes, Xuanxuan was a big help today!" Qian Zhenzhen chimed in. "I'll make you something delicious tomorrow!"

Zhou Xuanxuan grew shy at the praise, giggling as she covered her face with her small hands and fell into Li Lan's embrace.

The fire burned for a long time before dying down. The wind had stopped, and night had fallen.

Qian Zhenzhen got up to prepare dinner, and Li Lan helped in the kitchen. They heated the leftover porridge from earlier and roasted sweet potatoes while boiling water.

The sweet potatoes sizzled with sweet juices, their orange flesh fragrant and soft beneath the charred skin. Zhou Xuanxuan ate with a bright smile.

After hesitating, Li Lan finally asked, "Xiao Zhen, are you alone here?"

Qian Zhenzhen nodded, blowing on her half-eaten sweet potato. "Just me, my family is gone."

Her parents, childhood sweethearts from the same orphanage, had accompanied each other through everything—growing up, studying, working, marriage.

With no other relatives and her parents gone, Qian Zhenzhen had lost all family affection and love. Her former classmates and neighborhood friends had vanished without a trace during these three years of displacement.

"Then what are your plans for the future? Will you continue staying here?"

"Yes, I have nowhere else to go."

"Being alone must make it difficult to get things done..."

Qian Zhenzhen understood Li Lan's meaning and smiled. "There are always more solutions than difficulties. I can overcome them."

Is that so...

At bedtime, Li Lan asked her daughter, "Do you like Sister Xiao Zhen?"

"Mm!" Zhou Xuanxuan was getting sleepy, yawning drowsily, smiling with closed eyes. "She's like auntie... Mama, I miss Auntie..."

Li Lan had a younger cousin who'd just started working—a cheerful, generous young woman who often took Zhou Xuanxuan out during holidays. Though sometimes boisterous, family gatherings were always full of laughter when she was present.

Unfortunately, when the apocalypse broke out, she had been working in another city. With the fall of cities and the collapse of the Alliance, there had been no news of her for three years.

Not just Zhou Xuanxuan, but Li Lan too was reminded of her cousin by Qian Zhenzhen. She sang lullabies softly, coaxing her daughter to sleep, but it took her a long time to fall asleep herself.

The third morning was departure day.

Just past eight o'clock, Li Lan carried her backpack and led her daughter from the room.

Breakfast was already set on the living room table, and Qian Zhenzhen sat at the counter, writing and drawing.

"You're up?" Her smile was gentle, her eyes pure as she pointed to the dining table with her pen. "Come have breakfast."

"What about you, aren't you eating?"

"I've already eaten. This meal is free, Sister Li Lan—thanks for you and Xuanxuan helping with the work."

The breakfast was sumptuous.

Soy sauce fried rice, ham and egg flower soup, a small dish of vinegared fish, and even... a glass of milk?!

Li Lan's eyes widened. "No, this is too precious—we can't eat this!"

Compressed biscuits would suffice, at most with two cups of water to fill their stomachs. Why waste supplies on travelers like them?

"It's fine," Qian Zhenzhen explained. "The egg flower soup is just an instant packet with water, the vinegared fish is canned food from the crashed bus, and the milk is just powder mixed with water—it didn't take much effort. Besides, I promised Xuanxuan yesterday. I can't go back on my word."

Li Lan lowered her head, eyes reddening.

Zhou Xuanxuan looked at her mother, then at the milk before her, her little mouth trembling, on the verge of tears.