Qi Xu assigned tasks to Qiuqiu: "Dear Qiuqiu, could you block all the malicious lowballers for me, automatically confirm messages about full deliveries, and tally up the quantities?"
"Of course, dear player."
Qi Xu: "..."
The word "dear" suddenly sounded... a little odd.
Even with Qiuqiu's help filtering messages, Qi Xu still spent half an hour reviewing them. For those missing a few materials and offering substitutes of roughly equal value, Qi Xu agreed to most of them.
This instantly earned him a wave of goodwill.
He also came across something interesting...
[Bulletproof Underwear Set: My name says it all. Wear me, and even one- or two-star monsters won’t be able to scratch you with their claws. Also bulletproof! Effectiveness varies by firearm type and distance.]
Defensive items like this were even pricier than offensive weapons.
The player named "Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt" had only sent the item description without specifying the trade terms. Qi Xu decided to ignore him for now—let him wait.
In negotiations, whoever speaks first loses.
Sure enough, within 10 minutes, the guy caved and messaged first.
Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt: "Want this? Besides the water condenser, I’d like something else too."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "Go on."
Qi Xu braced himself for an outrageous demand, but as long as it wasn’t too unreasonable, he was ready to accept.
Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt: "I want some meat. Not lean meat—I’m talking braised pork belly, fatty cuts, the greasier the better! As long as it’s fatty, any preparation works. Doesn’t even have to taste amazing."
Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt had noticed Qi Xu’s post in the group rejecting ordinary food, which meant he must have access to high-quality meals. That’s why he made this specific request.
Qi Xu waited, but the other side only sent that one message... Seriously? Trading such a valuable defensive item for fatty meat?
Qi Xu almost felt guilty. That was just how he was—if you treated him fairly, he’d return the favor tenfold.
He’d worried about being overcharged, but now that the demand was so modest, it felt almost unfair.
After a pause, Qi Xu took the initiative: "Deal. Anything else you need?"
Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt: "If possible, throw in a vehicle upgrade fragment. If not, no worries—the meat and water condenser are must-haves."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "Done! But it’ll take time—gotta cook it fresh."
Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt: "Holy crap, you’re a legend! Can you share your resources? Or are you cooking it yourself? How much to commission a dish?"
Qi Xu didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he checked with Chinese Master Chef.
Then he messaged Chinese Master Chef privately: "Got any fatty meat left? I need a portion to trade for something good."
Chinese Master Chef: "No problem!"
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "The guy wants your info—probably to pay you for cooking. Should I give it to him?"
Chinese Master Chef: "Go ahead. I make a living off this. I barely open loot boxes—I can’t fight or run fast enough!"
Qi Xu smiled. Fair enough. Having a specialized skill was another way to survive in this highway survival game.
Chinese Master Chef: "Boss, can I ask you something?"
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "Go ahead."
Chinese Master Chef: "I really don’t want to open loot boxes. I couldn’t even handle the beginner-protection monsters, let alone now. What if I collect the boxes and send them to you to open?
You pick what you want first, and I’ll take the leftovers. If it’s a monster, I’ll cook you something delicious in return."
Qi Xu paused. That… was actually a smart idea.
In his past life, many strong players took on such jobs. Qi Xu never thought he’d be one of them. But since the system didn’t offer this service, only the opener would know the contents.
Usually, only reputable veterans got these requests.
Qi Xu agreed without hesitation. He needed combat practice badly—this was a perfect chance to level up.
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "Deal. No need to compensate me even if it’s a monster. We both benefit—I need monsters to train against."
Chinese Master Chef: "Damn, you’re hardcore! I run from monsters, and you’re hunting them? Gotta go—time to cook."
Half an hour later, Chinese Master Chef sent over two portions of braised pork belly and two servings of rice. Qi Xu wasn’t picky, but fatty meat wasn’t his favorite.
Yet the aroma alone made him reconsider. What was wrong with fatty meat? Had he been biased? Maybe he’d just never had it cooked right before.
Qi Xu initiated the trade with Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt, sending over a basic auto-water condenser, a vehicle upgrade fragment, one portion of braised pork belly, and rice.
The other side accepted instantly and sent the Bulletproof Underwear Set right away.
Qi Xu didn’t try it on immediately. He kept a portion of the pork belly and rice for himself.
He’d been so busy since returning that he hadn’t eaten. Now, his stomach growled loudly.
Chinese Master Chef’s braised pork belly came with a side of blistered green peppers and an egg—so flavorful it made his taste buds sing.
Qi Xu devoured the meal, fueled by renewed energy.
Meanwhile, he referred Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt to Chinese Master Chef.
When Golden Bell didn’t reply, Qi Xu assumed he hadn’t seen it—until Chinese Master Chef messaged:
"Boss, you hooked me up with a big spender! He just preordered 21 dishes and gave me a Bulletproof Underwear Set! Haha!
Let me know when you’re opening boxes tonight—I’ll lend you this set. I need it during the day in case some shady player tries to kill me."
Qi Xu was surprised. "Bulletproof Underwear Set? He had another one? The one he just traded me was the same."
Chinese Master Chef understood. "Let me fish for info."
A while later, Chinese Master Chef replied: "He’s got a workshop and the blueprint for the Bulletproof Underwear Set!"
Qi Xu had already guessed as much. The guy had serious luck.
After finishing his meal, Qi Xu got back to work.
He hadn’t even had time to train. Over an hour in, he’d only sold 21 units. The trades were profitable but time-consuming.
With monsters growing stronger, Qi Xu wanted to power up fast.
So he decided: this tedious work needed outsourcing.
.........
