Free Web NovelChapter 111: Chapter 111 Dual flavored hot pot.
Welcome back," Erick voiced out with a smile on his face the moment his gaze landed on Ivy. His eyes softened almost immediately as he looked at her. "She’s just so cute... I suddenly felt like feeding her. I once had a daughter like her."
"Once had?" Ivy raised an eyebrow, curiosity flashing through her eyes as she stared at him carefully.
"It’s... a long story. Don’t mind me." Erick replied quickly, instantly breaking eye contact because he didn’t want her to notice the tears that had already gathered in his eyes.
"He’s so cool, Mommy!" Lila voiced out excitedly, her face glowing with happiness. "He actually played with us and even helped us with the assignment you gave us."
"Oh? That’s nice." Ivy nodded slightly before turning her attention to the girls. "Anyways, girls, it’s time to get ready for bed. Go on and freshen up while Mommy prepares dinner for our visitors."
"Okay, Mommy!" Aria and Lila responded at the same time before happily running back into the room.
The moment the girls disappeared inside, Ivy turned around and headed straight for the kitchen.
Earlier that afternoon, seeing the team work so hard around the shelter had honestly surprised her. Men who looked rough and dangerous had quietly helped with chores without complaints.
And because of that, she had decided to reward them.
After all, in the apocalypse, food wasn’t just food anymore. It was hope. Luxury. Survival.
There was no better reward she could think of than giving them something they would normally only dream about eating.
Hot pot.
Not just ordinary hot pot either, but a dual-flavored hot pot.
Without wasting any more time, Ivy immediately got to work.
The kitchen soon became filled with mouthwatering aromas as she carefully prepared the broth. One side was rich, spicy, and numbing with bright red chili oil floating beautifully on the surface, while the other side was creamy, savory, and comforting.
Fresh meat cuts were arranged neatly on large trays alongside fish slices, shrimp, mushrooms, vegetables, noodles, meatballs, and various dipping sauces.
Everything looked unreal.
Like a feast from the old world.
Before long, the delicious scent spread through the shelter and even drifted outside into the cold night air.
The moment Ivy pushed the hot pot table outside, the team members instantly froze.
Their eyes widened.
Their mouths watered uncontrollably.
"Oh my goodness... Is that hot pot?!"
"There’s actually hot pot in the apocalypse?!"
"I must seriously be dreaming right now..."
"No way... no freaking way..."
Ignoring their shocked reactions completely, Ivy calmly pulled out a chair she had bought from the system store before sitting down elegantly.
The bubbling broth continued boiling softly beneath the night sky while the cool evening breeze brushed gently against her skin.
Honestly, there was no better way to enjoy hot pot.
Picking up a slice of meat with her chopsticks, Ivy dipped it slowly into the spicy broth before bringing it to her mouth.
The rich flavor exploded instantly on her tongue.
"Mmm..."
Her eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
It tasted amazing.
Meanwhile, the other team members could only stand there silently, staring at her as she continued eating peacefully.
Gulp.
Several of them swallowed hard.
Their stomachs growled painfully. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
The smell alone was enough to drive them insane.
It honestly felt like torture but who exactly were they to complain?
None of them had contributed anything worthy enough to demand food from her.
"Is she not going to invite us?"
"Do you think she prepared the hot pot for herself alone? She had fed us pork this afternoon anyways even though we did nothing for her. She saved our captain without receiving any rewards."
"Probably the hot pot is a reward for herself. Damn! I really wish I can have a taste though. "
The team members whispered among themselves.
Meanwhile, at the side, Erick walked out of the shelter carrying little Hope in his arms promting his team members to keep shut immediately and just as they were about to greet him, Erick gave them a signal not to.
The baby in his arms had already finished drinking her milk, and he was currently patting her gently on the back, waiting for her to belch hence.
For a brief moment, it almost didn’t feel like the apocalypse anymore.
Then suddenly....
"Wahhhh! Wahhhh!"
Little Hope’s loud cries instantly filled the air.
Ivy immediately stood up from her chair with a sigh.
"Fuck... I’m full already. Can’t eat anymore," she muttered lazily before walking toward Erick.
Without hesitation, she collected the crying baby from his arms carefully.
"You also want to taste the hot pot, huh?" Ivy asked softly while lightly bouncing Hope in her arms. "Then let’s go inside. You’ll suck it from Mama’s breast okay?"
Still saying absolutely nothing to the starving team members surrounding the bubbling hot pot, Ivy simply turned around and walked back toward the shelter with the baby in her arms.
The broth continued bubbling softly beneath the fire.
The trays of meat remained untouched.
And the team members?
They could only stand there in stunned silence, staring at the feast placed right in front of them while battling the overwhelming urge to pounce on the food like wild animals.
