Qin Yu didn't fall asleep immediately.
With two beautiful women beside him, they felt like two warm patches of medicinal plaster pressed against him.
Especially Yao Xue.
This usually aloof doctor had fallen into deep sleep, one leg unconsciously draped over Qin Yu's leg.
Qin Yu was a normal twenty-four-year-old young man. In any other situation, he would have been distracted by wild thoughts long ago.
But his gaze at this moment was frighteningly clear.
He was reviewing the day's events.
Today's start could be called perfect.
An SSS-grade fishing rod, an S-grade water purifier, and an S-grade supply box.
Any one of these three items would be enough for him to live comfortably in this post-apocalyptic world.
But it still wasn't enough.
Qin Yu looked up at the cold crescent moon overhead.
No matter how powerful the fishing rod was, it was just a tool.
The real trump card was the "Daily Lottery System" that existed in his mind.
The fishing rod could only catch things from the sea.
But this system could bring him infinite possibilities.
Today it was a water purifier.
What would it be tomorrow?
Weapons?
Blueprints?
Or some kind of black technology beyond comprehension?
Qin Yu's fingers lightly tapped on the wooden boards.
"Mmm..."
Yao Qian beside him murmured, nuzzling into his embrace like a kitten.
Qin Yu pulled the blanket (which was actually his coat) up higher, covering all three of them.
No matter what tomorrow brings.
As long as he survived, there was hope.
As long as he grew stronger, he could control everything.
Drowsiness washed over him.
Qin Yu closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, surrounded by two warm bodies in the middle of the vast ocean.
...
The next day.
The first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the horizon, shining on Qin Yu's face.
He opened his eyes abruptly.
No lingering in bed, no grogginess.
The vigilance ingrained in his bones made him instantly alert.
His body felt somewhat numb.
Looking down.
Well now.
The Yao sisters had completely used him as a human-shaped body pillow.
Yao Qian had curled up entirely in his embrace, nearly drooling on his chest.
Yao Xue had her back to him, but her back was pressed tightly against his chest in an extremely intimate position.
Qin Yu carefully extracted his arm.
Without disturbing them.
These two women had exhausted themselves yesterday - mentally strained from high tension plus seasickness - now was the time for them to catch up on sleep.
Qin Yu sat up, stretching his somewhat stiff neck.
The sea breeze was cool, carrying a hint of saltiness.
He took a deep breath and silently called out in his mind.
"System."
"Check in."
The familiar mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
"Ding!"
"A new day has begun. The Daily Lottery System has reset."
"Begin today's lottery draw?"
"Begin."
Qin Yu didn't hesitate.
A virtual roulette wheel that only he could see appeared before his eyes.
The golden pointer spun rapidly.
Qin Yu stared at the roulette wheel, his breathing slightly slowing.
Yesterday was an incredible stroke of luck.
What about today?
The pointer began to slow down.
Passing through the white ordinary zone.
Passing through the blue fine quality zone.
Passing through the purple rare zone.
Finally.
Extremely slowly, it stopped on a dazzling silver color!
Another S-grade!
Qin Yu's pupils sharply contracted, the corners of his mouth lifting in an irrepressible smile.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained an S-grade item: [Omnipotent Light-Energy Grill]."
"Item has been stored in the system space."
A grill?
Qin Yu was stunned for a moment, then ecstatic.
If it were any other time, this thing might be a bit useless.
But what was the current situation?
He had dozens of kilograms of raw fish meat piled up!
He was just worrying about how to eat it!
That dry bread from yesterday made his stomach churn with acid.
As for eating it raw?
Yao Xue was right. Out here on the sea, lacking medicine and supplies, diarrhea was a death sentence, and parasites were the grim reaper.
He had to eat cooked food.
Originally, Qin Yu was thinking about how to trade for some wood to start a fire today.
But starting a fire was a skilled task.
What if the wood was wet?
What if the sea wind was too strong and blew it out?
What if the smoke was too thick and attracted other survivors?
Now, it was perfect.
A one-step solution!
Qin Yu immediately checked the item's properties.
[Omnipotent Light-Energy Grill (S-grade)]
[Description: A cooking marvel crafted with future technology.]
[Trait 1: Light-energy powered. No need for charcoal or electricity. As long as there is light (even dim light), it can instantly generate high temperatures.]
[Trait 2: Intelligent temperature control. Automatically adjusts the heat according to the ingredients, ensuring a crispy outside and tender inside, never burning.]
[Trait 3: Smokeless and flavor-locking. Unique molecular filtration technology ensures no smoke during cooking and locks in 90% of the aroma to prevent attracting predators.]
[Trait 4: Seawater desalination. Comes with a small pot that uses residual heat to boil seawater, obtaining a small amount of fresh water and sea salt.]
After reading the description, Qin Yu only wanted to say two words:
Incredible!
Especially that "Smokeless and flavor-locking."
This was practically a god-tier skill tailor-made for apocalyptic survival.
You have to know, at sea, aroma could sometimes be more deadly than the smell of blood.
It would attract starving fellow humans.
But now, he could sneak into the village quietly, without firing a shot.
Qin Yu took the grill out from his backpack.
Its design was very sci-fi.
A silver-gray metal shell, streamlined design, not large, about the size of a laptop.
After unfolding it, the solar panels on both sides automatically aligned with the newly risen sun.
Qin Yu pulled out the bluefin tuna from the bucket.
He hadn't been willing to throw it away yesterday, nor dared to eat it.
Now, it was breakfast.
Qin Yu drew his dagger (also made yesterday, a sharpened piece of iron) and skillfully cut a large piece of belly meat.
The red and white marbling looked especially enticing in the morning light.
He placed the meat on the grill.
There was no open flame.
But after just two seconds.
Sizzle—
A wonderful sound of sizzling fat erupted.
The tuna meat quickly changed color.
The surface turned golden brown and crispy, excess oil forced out by the high heat, dripping along the grain.
Although the system said it locked in 90% of the aroma.
The remaining 10% still domineeringly drilled into Qin Yu's nostrils.
Fragrant!
So fragrant!
It was a pure Maillard reaction from the caramelization of mixed proteins and fats.
For Qin Yu, who had gone hungry for two meals, this smell was a nuclear-level assault.
"Gulp..."
An extremely loud swallowing sound came from behind.
Qin Yu turned his head.
He saw Yao Qian had sat up at some point.
Her hair was a mess, like a bird's nest.
His eyes hadn't fully opened yet, but his nose, like a radar, had already locked onto that grill.
"Meat..."
"It's the smell of meat..."
Yao Qian murmured as if in a dream, a trail of glistening drool actually trickling from the corner of her mouth.
The commotion woke Yao Xue beside her.
She sat up groggily, pushing up her glasses.
When she saw what was in front of Qin Yu, she instantly became fully alert.
"This is..."
Yao Xue's eyes widened.
"A barbecue grill?!"
"And it's electric?"
"Qin Yu, where did you get the power?"
Qin Yu offered no explanation.
He flipped the fish with an iron slice.
Sizzle!
Another crisp sound.
The fish was golden on both sides, its aroma overflowing.
"Awake?"
Qin Yu didn't turn his head.
"Go wash your face."
"Breakfast is almost ready."
Yao Qian couldn't be bothered with washing her face.
She scrambled over on all fours, squatting beside the grill, staring intently at that piece of meat as if it were some priceless treasure.
"Brother Qin Yu..."
"Is... is this for us?"
The young girl's voice trembled.
"Who else?"
Qin Yu sprinkled some coarse sea salt he'd casually refined earlier.
"Do you think I could eat thirty pounds of fish by myself?"
He picked up the grilled fish with tongs and placed it on a large, clean leaf (salvaged from the ocean debris).
"Eat."
That single word "eat" sounded like heavenly music to their ears.
Yao Qian didn't mind the heat, grabbing a piece and stuffing it into her mouth.
"Phew! Hot! Hot!"
She blew on it while devouring it ravenously.
The next second.
Her eyes widened suddenly, tears instantly welling up.
"Wah..."
"It's so delicious..."
"Sis! This is the best fish I've ever eaten in my life!"
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
The oils burst open in her mouth.
That long-missed warmth slid down her esophagus into her stomach, instantly dispelling the cold and hunger from the night before.
Yao Xue couldn't maintain her composure either.
She accepted a piece of meat handed to her by Qin Yu.
Took a bite.
That scalding, delicious flavor made her eyes redden too.
In this desperate expanse of sea.
To be able to eat a hot grilled fish.
What kind of luxury was this?
What kind of happiness was this?
"Eat slowly."
Qin Yu picked up a piece for himself and put it in his mouth.
Satisfaction.
Such complete satisfaction.
The food grilled by the S-grade grill seemed to carry some special properties.
After eating it, not only was the satiety extremely strong, but even the soreness accumulated from sleeping last night diminished considerably.
"Qin Yu."
Yao Xue swallowed the fish in her mouth, looking at Qin Yu with complex emotions in her eyes.
"Thank you."
She didn't ask where the grill came from.
Everyone has their secrets.
The fact that Qin Yu was willing to share this secret and give them a hot meal was enough.
"Don't just focus on thanking me."
Qin Yu finished his piece of meat in a few bites, stood up, and clapped his hands.
"Now that we're full, we need to work."
"Today's tasks are heavy."
"We need to expand this raft by another half."
Hearing about expansion.
Both sisters' eyes lit up.
With a hot meal in their stomachs, their motivation had clearly increased significantly.
No more seasickness.
No more complaining about being tired.
Yao Qian obediently went to process the remaining fish, cutting them into strips to prepare for drying into fish jerky.
Yao Xue took the hook and stood at the edge of the raft, skillfully and quickly hooking resources floating on the sea surface.
Planks, plastic bottles, rotten leaves...
Anything usable was hauled aboard.
As for Qin Yu.
He once again took his seat at his exclusive fishing spot.
He gripped the black God-Tier Poseidon Fishing Rod tightly.
"Today, another big one."
Qin Yu cast the rod.
The hook sliced through the air and plunged into the azure seawater.
Time passed minute by minute.
The sun climbed higher.
The scorching sunlight baked the sea surface.
Sweat trickled down Qin Yu's cheeks.
But he remained perfectly still.
During this time, he had caught quite a few things.
Two ribbonfish, a box of moldy bread (thrown away immediately), and a bundle of rusty wire.
Though all were supplies, Qin Yu wasn't satisfied.
He was waiting.
Waiting for that special tug.
Finally.
Around noon.
The fishing rod in his hand suddenly jerked downward!
Not the struggle of a living creature.
But a dead, heavy sinking sensation.
It's here!
Qin Yu's eyes sharpened.
This feeling was somewhat similar to when he hooked the S-grade crate yesterday, but lighter.
"Up!"
Qin Yu grunted, exerting force with both arms.
He didn't need the two sisters' help. After yesterday's enhancement and that full meal, his strength seemed to have improved again.
Splash!
Water sprayed everywhere.
A square object broke through the water's surface.
Not silver.
But bronze-colored.
With mottled rust stains.
"Thud!"
The crate landed on the raft with a dull thump.
"A treasure chest!"
Yao Qian, who had been hooking driftwood, cheered and ran over, dropping her hook.
"Qin Yu, look! You caught another treasure chest!"
Yao Xue also walked over, wiping sweat from her forehead.
"What grade is it?"
Qin Yu stepped forward, examining the crate.
No S mark.
Only a faintly engraved "B" character.
"B-grade."
Qin Yu said calmly.
"Two tiers lower than yesterday's."
Though his words sounded dismissive, his hand honestly reached out to touch it.
As long as it was a crate, it wouldn't be empty.
"Beep!"
"B-grade supply crate, opening."
Click.
The rusty latch sprang open.
The lid lifted.
No golden light, no special effects.
Only neatly arranged, densely packed transparent plastic bottles.
Glistening under the sunlight.
"Gasp—"
Yao Qian drew a sharp breath.
"Water?!"
"All water?!"
Yao Xue was also stunned.
This crate contained no fancy black technology.
Just water.
The most ordinary 500ml bottled mineral water.
Four layers in total.
Twenty-five bottles per layer.
A full hundred bottles!
"Oh my god…"
Yao Qian picked up one bottle, caressing it fondly.
"How much is this worth?"
"Qin Yu, do we not have to worry about drinking water anymore?"
Qin Yu looked at the crate of water, his brow relaxing.
It was indeed a good haul.
Though he had an S-grade water purifier and wasn't short of drinking water.
The water from the purifier was too precious—it was medicine, a buff.
But these hundred bottles of ordinary mineral water.
To him, held entirely different significance.
This was cash.
Hard currency.
A scythe to harvest the entire server!
"Yao Xue."
Qin Yu picked up a water bottle, weighing it in his hand.
"What's the current market price?"
Yao Xue paused for a moment, then opened her system panel to check.
"It's chaotic."
"Most people are still short of water."
"Some trade five pieces of wood for a sip of water, others trade bread for water."
"But high prices like ten pieces of wood for one bottle yesterday are rarely listed now."
"After all, everyone has gathered some supplies and isn't as desperate."
Qin Yu sneered.
"Not as desperate?"
"They just haven't realized how long this hellish weather will last."
Qin Yu looked up at the sky.
Not a cloud in sight.
The sun blazed like a giant fireball, mercilessly evaporating the moisture from people's bodies.
And it was only noon.
By two or three in the afternoon, it would become true hell.
"Close the lid."
Qin Yu instructed.
"These 100 bottles of water are our initial capital."
"I'm going to use them to build a fortress at sea."
After speaking,
Qin Yu opened the Trading House.
Supplies in the Trading House remained scarce.
Occasionally, a few bottles of water would appear, only to be snapped up instantly.
The purchase request section was flooded with messages like "Need water," "Dying of thirst," and "Help me."
A cruel smile tugged at the corner of Qin Yu's lips.
He skillfully entered the information.
[Seller: Anonymous]
[Item: 500ml Mineral Water x1]
[Request: Wood x10 OR Rope x10 OR Plastic x10]
[Stock: 10]
The price remained unchanged.
Still that outrageous 10:1 ratio.
It was practically sucking people dry.
Yao Xue watched Qin Yu's actions, hesitating to speak.
"Isn't... this too harsh?"
"Everyone's struggling..."
As a doctor, her conscience told her this was excessive.
Qin Yu glanced at her.
"Doctor Yao."
"Feeling sorry for them?"
"Then take a look at this."
Qin Yu pointed to a message in the Chat Channel.
"Where's that anonymous water-selling dog? Don't let me catch you, or I'll kill your whole family!"
"If I find out who has so much water, I'll definitely gather people and rob them!"
Qin Yu's voice was cold.
"See?"
"These are the people you want to sympathize with."
"In this world, kindness is the deadliest sin."
"I'm selling them water to give them a chance to live."
"As for the price."
"Take it or leave it."
With that, Qin Yu tapped his finger.
[Listing Successful!]
The appearance of these 10 bottles of water was like pouring cold water into a sizzling oil pan.
The entire Area 9527 Chat Channel exploded instantly!
"Holy shit! He's back!"
"That profiteer is back again!"
"Another 10 bottles! Who is this person? Does he own a water factory?"
"Damn, still 10 wood for one bottle? Why not just rob us?!"
"Boycott! Everyone boycott the profiteer! Whoever buys is a grandson!"
Curses flooded the channel.
Keyboard warriors stood on their moral high ground, furiously typing away.
As if Qin Yu were some unforgivable criminal.
Yet.
Qin Yu simply watched the transaction records quietly.
"Ding!"
"Transaction Successful! Obtained Wood x10."
"Ding!"
"Transaction Successful! Obtained Rope x10."
"Ding!"
"Transaction Successful! Obtained Plastic x10."
...
Ten seconds.
Just ten seconds.
All 10 bottles of water were sold out instantly!
The curses in the Chat Channel continued.
But those cursing the loudest were probably typing while frantically clicking the purchase button, then pounding their chests in frustration at the "Sold Out" notice.
"Their mouths say no, but their bodies are quite honest."
Qin Yu looked at the 100 units of basic materials that had instantly appeared in his backpack.
And smiled.
A cold, ruthless smile.
"Yao Xue, Yao Qian."
"Stop standing there dazed."
Qin Yu tossed a large bundle of wood and rope from his backpack, landing on the raft with a dull thud.
"We have enough materials."
"Let's get to work."
"Before sunset today, I want to live on a large raft with railings."
Yao Qian stared at the mountain-like pile of materials, her jaw nearly dropping to the ground.
"This is... way too fast..."
"Others are still struggling for a single piece of wood."
"Are we... suddenly rich?"
She looked at Qin Yu's back.
This man.
Is terrifying.
But also... so reassuring.