Carl hesitated. His lips pressed into a thin line. "That’s... still low."
Ivy didn’t flinch. "It’s fair. Think about it. With rice, you can feed your family for months. If you keep holding out, someone might rob you before you can even trade."
Carl looked at her for a long moment, then let out a small laugh. "You’re sharp, girl. Alright, you win. One hundred and fifty it is."
"Good," Ivy said simply.
Carl called out, and a small group of men appeared from behind a truck. They began unloading samples to show her. Long steel pipes, large blue tanks, and boxes of connectors were stacked neatly. Ivy checked them carefully. Everything was in good condition.
"When can you deliver the rest?" Ivy asked.
"Tomorrow," Carl said. "But I’ll need help unloading."
"I’ll handle that," Ivy replied.
Carl grinned. "Then we have a deal."
They shook hands, and Ivy paid him on the spot with bags of rice she had prepared earlier.
As Carl’s men packed up, Ivy stayed behind for a moment, thinking. With these materials, she could not only set up a water system but also plan for waste management. Pipes could be used to carry away dirty water, tanks could hold clean or used water, and valves would control the flow.
When she returned home, Silas noticed the satisfied look on her face.
"You seem pleased," he said, sipping his tea.
Ivy smiled; she knew her work wasn’t done yet. She needed to find a way to speed up the process of the waste management and water management system in her own base, since building one would require at least five to six weeks.
And with the upcoming arrival of the natural disaster and the impending dangers of the zombie evolution, her plans might be disrupted if she doesn’t take action, yet she was thrilled.
From her rebirth, she was able to accomplish some things. She was torturing one of her prime torturers from a past life, killed Patrick, killed the three lords of the black market, bought land, also stored a 50 trillion ton water, and had more than enough seafood in case her base plan fails.
She also has a lot of food due to her superpower, and now she is building her own base. How could she not be thrilled?
Compared to her past life’s misery, Ivy could proudly say that she had made progress.
"Hm, my friend is pleased and promised to give me 200 fish." Ivy lied and took them out with a wave of her hand.
By now, Silas was used to the existence of Ivy and watched as 200 fish magically appeared in front of him. "Do you want to have fish curry for the food or fish dumplings?"
"Fish dumplings," Ivy stated, her eyes lit up at the thought that she would be able to eat Silas’s cooking. She was even planning to secretly stash some away.
When she would leave Silas, she would miss his cooking the most; hence, Ivy was stashing food in her temporal storage. She even made sure that she was the one supplying the ingredients.
"Alright." Silas agreed with a gentle smile. Nowadays, Ivy was hungrier than normal, and he made sure to make enough for her to eat.
Silas tied his apron and rolled up his sleeves. His movements were steady, almost graceful, as he worked in the kitchen.
First, he cleaned the fish carefully, removing the scales and bones with practiced ease. He set the flesh aside, chopping it into fine pieces before mixing it with herbs, garlic, and a little ginger.
The smell began to spread, warm and mouthwatering. Ivy leaned against the doorway, her eyes following every step.
Silas kneaded dough for the dumpling wrappers, his hands strong yet gentle.
He rolled each piece thin and even, then scooped the fish filling into the center, folding and pinching the edges until neat crescent shapes lined the tray.
The steam pot was ready. One by one, the dumplings went in.
Soon, the kitchen filled with the rich aroma of fresh fish, mingled with spices and the soft sweetness of dough.
Silas prepared a dipping sauce on the side, mixing soy, chili, and a drop of vinegar.
Ivy’s stomach growled quietly, and Silas chuckled without turning. "Patience. They’ll taste even better if you wait."
When the dumplings were ready, he lifted the lid, and a cloud of fragrant steam burst out. Each dumpling glistened slightly, soft and inviting.
He plated them with care, arranging them neatly before setting the dish in front of Ivy.
Her eyes lit up instantly. "It smells amazing."
"Go on," Silas urged with a smile.
Ivy picked one up, dipped it into the sauce, and took a bite. Her eyes closed as flavor burst across her tongue: the tender fish, the fresh herbs, and the warm, chewy wrapper. She chewed slowly, savoring it.
When Silas went to fetch water, she quickly stuffed some in her space and savored the taste.
After dinner, Silas washed the dishes and soon they both lay on the bed. Just like the previous night, his restless hand slowly roamed on her waist, and Ivy shivered before holding his hand.
"Shy?" Silas whispered near Ivy’s ears, his warm breath made her ears turn red, and she bit her lips to suppress the moan rising in her throat.
It took her a few minutes to speak with difficulty, "Ugh... no.. I just... we..."
"It’s alright if you don’t want to," Silas said in a rare mood, causing Ivy to be surprised. Just as she was about to ask something, he suddenly changed the topic, "Could you lend me your household registration?"
"Eh? Why?" Ivy was puzzled. In her previous life, Silas never asked her for her household registration...was he...
"The military is becoming stricter, and I need to generate a new identity card, so I will need your documentation," Silas replied in his deep, intoxicating tone.
"Oh," Realization dawned on Ivy, and she replied, "They are in your guest bedroom."