Chapter 76 - 75: Inviting Chen Xiaobao

Chapter 76: Chapter 75: Inviting Chen Xiaobao

Yang Shunsheng suddenly missed the happy life he once had, back when his ex-wife spoiled him like a son. He was struck by a sudden sense of lament—people never realize how blessed they are when they have it good; it isn’t until they lose everything that they are filled with regret. If life could give him one more chance, he hoped he wouldn’t be so impulsive.

"Xiao Bao, we’re heading to the cafeteria to open up shop," Xu Xiaoka said, knocking on Chen Xiaobao’s door to call him out.

Chen Xiaobao was dressed handsomely today. Or perhaps it was because he was naturally good-looking, so everything he wore looked good on him.

"Sister Xiao Ka, I’m coming!"

Chen Xiaobao trotted out with a TAP TAP TAP and grabbed Xu Xiaoka’s hand. The three of them headed to the cafeteria together to open up for the day.

It was currently ten in the morning; peak dining hours were between twelve and one, which was also when the lines were the longest. When they arrived, there were hardly any diners yet. Only three or four early birds were present—some sat by the windows, drinking coffee while admiring the snowy scenery outside, while others sat at tables, fully engrossed in reading a book. A few other customers sat face-to-face, chatting and laughing. When there were few customers, the cafeteria functioned just like a cafe, serving as a place for everyone to relax and socialize.

"Sister Momo, I didn’t sleep well yesterday and want to go get a cup of coffee. Do you want one?" Xu Xiaoka asked.

Chen Momo shook her head as she organized the ingredients in the refrigerator. "I’ll pass. You go ahead."

Chen Xiaobao also came running out of the lounge with a TAP TAP TAP. "Sister Xiao Ka, I want one too!"

Chen Momo rolled her eyes at him. "Want what? A child your age can’t drink coffee."

Xiao Bao lifted his bright little face and smiled at Chen Momo, revealing a sweet, harmless grin. "Mommy, Xiao Bao isn’t going to drink coffee. Xiao Bao is going to drink milk."

Chen Momo sighed helplessly and turned to Xu Xiaoka. "Xiao Ka, take him with you. Keep an eye on him and don’t let him drink any stimulating beverages."

Xu Xiaoka looked at Xiao Bao and laughed. "Don’t worry, Sister Momo!"

The two of them headed over to the automatic coffee vending machine. It was located in a corner of the cafeteria, offering three options: milk, coffee, and hot water. The blizzard had significantly lowered the quality of beverages. The milk in the machine was brewed from sugar-free milk powder rather than liquid milk, and the only coffee options available were cappuccino and black coffee.

Even so, these were considered excellent drinks in the apocalypse. After experiencing brutal famine and death, the fact that they could drink milk and coffee at the base was enough to leave everyone thoroughly satisfied, even if it couldn’t compare to a pre-apocalyptic Starbucks.

Xu Xiaoka retrieved a milk glass and a coffee mug from the sterilization cabinet. She dispensed a cup of piping hot milk and handed it to Xiao Bao first, then made a cappuccino for herself. The milk cost 50 base credits and the coffee cost 70 base credits, totaling 120 base credits. Xu Xiaoka tapped her keycard against the coffee vending machine, and the 120 base credits were deducted from her account.

She patted Xiao Bao’s head. "Let’s go. We’ll find a window seat and sit for a bit."

There still weren’t many people in the cafeteria. In the massive hall, there were only about ten customers in total, so finding a window seat was easy. Xu Xiaoka and Chen Xiaobao settled by a window, where she sipped her coffee and he drank his milk.

Seeing the white ring around Chen Xiaobao’s mouth that made him look like he had grown a white mustache, Xu Xiaoka couldn’t help but laugh. "Xiao Bao, you’ve got milk all over your mouth."

Xiao Bao smiled sheepishly, showing off his little white teeth. Paired with that innocent, handsome little face of his, he was simply too adorable.

Halfway through his milk, Chen Xiaobao’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Uncle Gu?" Then, he began waving frantically at Gu Rongjin with his chubby little hands. "Uncle Gu, come here! Come here!"

Sitting across from him, Xu Xiaoka nearly did a spit-take. Between Chen Xiaobao’s gestures and his phrasing, she almost thought she had accidentally stumbled into some sort of shady establishment.

Gu Rongjin had come to the cafeteria for a stroll today. Hearing Chen Xiaobao calling out to him, his eyes lit up. What a coincidence. A warm smile surfaced in his deep eyes as Gu Rongjin strode over. "Xiao Bao, you’re here too?"

"Xiao Bao is drinking milk," Chen Xiaobao said in his soft, sweet voice.

Gu Rongjin glanced at the "white mustache" ringing Xiao Bao’s mouth and thought, "I can see that without you telling me."

Chen Xiaobao enthusiastically patted the seat next to him with his chubby little hand. "Uncle Gu, sit here."

Gu Rongjin simply didn’t have the heart to refuse such a handsome and harmless little face. He nodded and took the seat next to Chen Xiaobao.

"In a little bit, I’m going to inspect the operations at the service windows. Do you want to come with me?" Gu Rongjin asked, pulling a delicate white handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiping away the "white mustache" around Xiao Bao’s mouth.

Xiao Bao immediately nodded enthusiastically before saying earnestly, "Xiao Bao needs to think about his schedule for the morning first."

Gu Rongjin fought back the urge to laugh and nodded. "Alright, no problem. Take your time. I’ll wait for your reply."

Xiao Bao tilted his head and thought for a moment. Soon, his eyes lit up and he nodded. "Uncle Gu, Xiao Bao has decided. There are no other plans for the morning."

"Since you have no other plans, would you accept my invitation to inspect the cafeteria’s windows together?" Gu Rongjin asked.

Xiao Bao accepted the invitation with overflowing enthusiasm. "Okay, okay! Xiao Bao will go with Uncle Gu."

After he finished speaking, Gu Rongjin looked at Xu Xiaoka. "Tell Chen Momo that Xiao Bao will be with me this morning."

Xu Xiaoka beamed immediately. "No problem, Base Chief. Sister Momo was just worrying about not having anyone to watch him!" With that, she reminded Chen Xiaobao, "Xiao Bao, make sure you stick close to Uncle Gu. Don’t run off on your own."

"Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him," Gu Rongjin chimed in.

Xu Xiaoka was absolutely thrilled to see Chen Xiaobao being taken away by Gu Rongjin. She had always felt that the Base Chief was an excellent match for Momo—he was powerful and handsome. Since Sister Momo loved Xiao Bao so much, if Xiao Bao put in a few good words for him, her favorable impression of the Base Chief would definitely skyrocket. At that point, them getting together would be a natural progression.

And when that time came, with the Base Chief as her brother-in-law, wouldn’t she be absolutely untouchable? Let’s see who would dare bully her then!

However, Xu Xiaoka only dared to entertain these fantasies in her head. If she actually had the guts to say it to Sister Momo’s face, Sister Momo would definitely beat her to death.