Chapter 41: Kitchen Assistant

"How do you manage to turn yourself into such a mess every single time, kid?"

Looking at Liu Zheng, who had grown even thinner, Niu Ma said, speechless.

"It’s because I’m not strong enough, obviously. Do you think I enjoy this?" Liu Zheng retorted, equally speechless at its lack of perspective.

The well-fed never understand the hunger of the starving; for a mere mortal like him to still be alive was a miracle in itself.

"I think you’re having a great time. Wait, what’s that?" Niu Ma looked at his chest. "You actually managed to get a 'Model Resident Medal'?"

"Yeah, I participated in some kind of rooftop bungee jumping challenge without a rope," Liu Zheng replied.

"Hmm, that certainly suits you. If you can collect all five medals, you won’t have to end up in such a sorry state while delivering food in the future," Niu Ma nodded.

"What happens if I collect all five?" he asked, seizing the opportunity. The system’s item description had been frustratingly vague.

"They won’t reject your deliveries anymore. The security guards won't stop you either. Though, that only applies to low-to-mid-tier residential areas; it won't work in high-end complexes like Yipin Tianshu," Niu Ma said, shaking its head.

Liu Zheng nodded. That was about what he had expected.

"So, how many medals have you collected?" he asked.

"None at all."

"Why?" Liu Zheng was puzzled. Given Niu Ma’s strength, even if it didn't encounter tasks as perfectly suited to it as his, it should have been able to brute-force its way through.

"I’m not afraid of being rejected. If a guard tries to stop me, I just hit them with a heavy punch. I don’t dare mess with high-end areas, but for everywhere else, the medal is useless," Niu Ma said smugly.

So, for it, the thing was essentially useless.

"Tch," Liu Zheng sneered.

"Besides, this thing isn't all benefits. Wearing it might make the people who ordered food ask you for favors. If you’re lucky, you can refuse; if you’re unlucky, it’s more trouble than just having the order rejected," Niu Ma added.

"I’ve actually run into that," he said, recounting his experience walking the dog for the miniature person.

"Hahaha!" Niu Ma burst into a thunderous, explosive laugh. "That tree finally got what was coming to it! Hahaha!" It laughed so hard its head nearly fell off. "But you’ve got real guts, kid. That dog is a notorious man-eater in this city, and you actually dared to walk it."

"Walk it and I might die, don't walk it and I’ll definitely die. So, I walked it," Liu Zheng shrugged.

"I really don’t understand you. By the way, what did you trade that crate of Moutai for with the tree?" Niu Ma asked curiously.

"I traded it for this."

He pulled out the sick leave note. "Dai Lego said the Fire Mage, brother of the Wolf Knight, wanders the city. I’m planning to use this three-day break to try and find him."

Niu Ma’s expression turned wary. "The Fire Mage... I’ve never dealt with him personally, but I’ve heard from Black Claw that his strength might even surpass Oink’s."

"That doesn't matter. Everyone is stronger than me anyway," he shrugged.

"You certainly have self-awareness. However, I don’t recommend you look for him, and I certainly don’t recommend you use this sick leave note," Niu Ma said.

"Why?"

"Do you remember the second rule for delivery drivers?"

"Do not leave the breakroom unless you have an order," Liu Zheng recited quickly. He kept these life-or-death rules firmly in mind.

"Exactly. Now, think about it from the other side: what happens when you don't need to take orders?"

He thought for a few seconds, his expression shifting slightly. "Does it mean I can't enter the breakroom?"

"No," Niu Ma shook its head. "It means you can't enter the Bloody Restaurant at all. And during your sick leave, your status as a restaurant employee will be void."

Liu Zheng’s face turned pale.

"Figured it out, didn't you? Without the protection of the restaurant and nowhere to stay, you might be able to try your luck during the day, but once night falls, you’ll be dead for sure," Niu Ma said coldly.

He gripped the sick leave note tightly. He had thought it was one-fifth of a vacation voucher, but it turned out to be a death warrant.

"Is there no way to avoid this?" Liu Zheng asked, unwilling to give up.

"There are ways," Niu Ma said. "First, you cannot enter the restaurant as an employee, but you can enter as a customer. Second, you cannot stay in the breakroom, but you can stay at an inn."

"Which is better?" he asked.

"Both have pros and cons. The restaurant is absolutely safe, but the fees are exorbitant. With the money you have, you’d probably be broke in a day. Inns are cheaper—you could stay for a week or two—but they’re dens of scum and villainy. The safety there is only marginally better than sleeping on the street."

Liu Zheng fell into deep thought. First, the restaurant option was out. After the incident with the water truck, he realized that money was still incredibly useful in this world. The casino had blacklisted them, so he wouldn't have a chance to make big money for a long time. Second, the inn wasn't a good idea either. If novice NPCs like the London Plane tree and Niu Ma were full of malice, the advanced NPCs in the inns would be even more vicious. Without the buffs from his legendary gear or the status of a restaurant employee, walking in there would be throwing himself into a tiger’s den.

"You’d better decide soon. I’m going on vacation in a few days, and after that, you won't be able to get leave even if you want to," Niu Ma said. With only one delivery driver left, Si Xue certainly wouldn't approve Liu Zheng’s leave, and Niu Ma wouldn't delay its vacation plans for his sake.

Just as he was pondering, Niu Ma’s phone rang. It glanced at the caller ID, and its expression turned solemn immediately.

"Boss, what are your orders?" Niu Ma said respectfully. "Yes, yes, how many people do you need? Understood, understood, I will make sure the newcomer understands the rules."

After a few words, it hung up.

"I don't know if your luck is good or bad," Niu Ma sighed.

"What happened?"

"The batch of goods that came in with Mao Tai had issues. Several kitchen staff are in the hospital. The boss wants us both to go help in the kitchen."

"I'll help, then," Liu Zheng said indifferently. He’d been delivering food for so long, what could helping in the kitchen be like? Especially since he’d be going with Niu Ma.

"Heh, have you forgotten the sounds you heard when you first arrived?" Niu Ma sneered.

He frowned, and the memory of the woman’s screams echoed in his ears.

"You can't even handle the sound; do you think you can handle seeing the real thing? Let me tell you, I could protect you when you caused trouble at the casino, but if you break the rules in the kitchen, I’ll be the first one to end you," Niu Ma said, staring straight at him. Its expression had reverted to the same fierce, twisted look it wore when it first kicked him away, as if their friendly cooperation over the last few days had all been an illusion.

"Big Brother, you know me. I value my life more than anything," Liu Zheng said after a moment of silence, then smiled.

"Hmph, you’d better. Let’s go." Niu Ma stood up.

He followed Niu Ma out of the breakroom, passed the three-way intersection, and finally arrived in front of that blue curtain.

"I’ll warn you one more time: whatever you see, pretend you didn't see it. You’re here at the restaurant to work, not to play the hero. If you want to die, go die somewhere else; don't drag me down with you," Niu Ma said, turning back.

"I know," Liu Zheng smiled.

Niu Ma stared at him intensely for a few seconds before finally turning away. The curtain was lifted, and the man and the beast stepped into the deep, encroaching darkness.