"Sister Shier, what are you eating?" Lan Zi’er, the group’s resident foodie, immediately spotted the bag of chips in Shier’s hands the moment she walked in.

  "They're called potato chips... do you want some?" Shier replied.

  She had intended to finish them herself, but remembering how Lan Zi’er often brought roasted meat for her—well, for the Boss—she offered them up, though her heart ached a little at the sacrifice.

  "Yes, please! Thanks, Sister Shier!" Lan Zi’er chirped, scurrying over to grab a handful from the bag.

  The aroma of these fried chips was different from roasted meat; it was sharper, more enticing, and seemed to linger in the air.

  As the golden chips crunched in her mouth, Lan Zi’er’s eyes lit up like stars.

  "This is amazing! Even better than BBQ! Sister Shier, I want more!" In a single instant, Lan Zi’er was utterly conquered by the flavor.

  Shier glanced at Kael, gritted her teeth, and handed over the rest of the bag. The Boss only gave me one bag, and I didn't even get to finish it. How depressing, she thought.

  "Wait, Sister Shier, what’s this?" Nalan Qinqi asked, her interest piqued by the translucent cube sitting on the side. These crystalline treats had a mysterious, almost magnetic attraction.

  "That’s a Fruit Flavored Jelly," Shier said, her lip pouting slightly.

  "Is it edible too?" Qinqi asked curiously.

  "Mmh. Want to try?" Shier nodded. She hadn't actually tasted the jelly yet, so she was curious about the flavor herself.

  "Yes, please!" Qinqi nodded eagerly.

  Recalling Kael’s instructions, Shier peeled back the film over the jelly and handed it over. The jelly was encased in a small plastic cube about two fingers wide, with smooth, rounded edges.

  "Thanks, Shier!"

  After a quick observation, Qinqi squeezed the entire jelly into her mouth.

  In a heartbeat, a perfect balance of sweet and sour flooded her senses, dancing across her taste buds. A kaleidoscope of fruit flavors rushed in—merging together perfectly without clashing. It was a symphony of sweetness. This was exactly why it was called "Fruit Flavored" rather than a specific fruit; it contained the essence of dozens of fruits.

  Qinqi’s eyes widened. She was speechless. Out of all the words in the world, she could only find one.

  Stolen story; please report.

  "Delicious!"

  Followed immediately by: "Sister Shier, do you have any more?" She stared at Shier with wide, expectant eyes.

  "Sister Shier, any more chips?" Lan Zi’er added, having confirmed her bag was now empty.

  "Ah, I’m out. But the shop sells them right over there," Shier pointed to the Snack Vending Machine next to the counter.

  "Awesome!"

  The two little girls cheered and dashed toward the machine.

  The Vending Machine had very clear instructions. Lan Zi’er didn't hesitate to purchase another bag of chips immediately.

  "Zi’er, what on earth are you eating?" Lan Qing’er asked. She had finished checking the equipment and confirmed that the Boss still hadn't restocked the accessories when she noticed the bag in Zi’er’s hands.

  Lan Zi’er held up the bag. "Potato chips! I bought them from Big Brother’s shop. They are super tasty!"

  "Tasty? How good can a snack like that be?" Lan Qing’er wasn't much for snacks; she preferred lighter, healthier fare. However, not wanting to brush off Zi’er’s enthusiasm, she reached in and took one.

  "Oh?" Seeing her sister’s skepticism, Zi’er immediately pulled the bag back and started munching away.

  "How can fried food be this good? You should eat less of this greasy stuff," Lan Qing’er muttered, feeling the oily residue on the chip. She hesitated for a moment before finally placing it in her mouth.

  Then, Lan Qing’er’s pupils constricted. Her eyes snapped wide.

  Although they were fried, these System-produced chips had zero greasiness. They retained only the addictive aroma of the fry, which enhanced the natural flavor of the potato to a transcendent level.

  "Heavenly!"

  The word escaped her soul involuntarily. Her eyes immediately locked onto the bag in Zi’er’s hands.

  "If you want some, go buy your own! It's right over there," Zi’er said, pointing at the machine before hugging her chips and running toward the booths to find Kael.

  "Big Brother!"

  "Ah... Zi’er."

  Kael had been deep in thought when he heard her voice.

  Chips... wait, I need Liquid Happiness!

  Seeing the bag in Zi’er’s hands, Kael had a sudden epiphany. Having snacks without drinks felt fundamentally wrong. He made a mental note to ask the System about a Drink Vending Machine after his next mission.

  Lost in thought, Kael subconsciously reached out and snatched a chip from Zi’er’s bag.

  "Big Brother! Why are you stealing Zi’er’s food?" She puffed out her cheeks in a pout but didn't actually stop him.

  "Whoa, Boss, what are you eating?" Blood Wolf, who had been waiting boredly, caught the movement.

  "Potato chips. The shop sells them now. They’re great for passing the time," Kael did some rare proactive marketing. He did have a mission to complete, after all.

  "Potato chips? What’s that?" Blood Wolf looked confused.

  "Fried potatoes, basically," Kael said casually, not knowing much about the technicalities.

  "Boss, are you serious? Potatoes are flavorless junk. You’re actually selling those?" Blood Wolf looked at the chip in Kael’s fingers with an expression that said Are you a scammer?

  In this world, potatoes existed, but because they were bland and tasted "like chewing wax," they were considered the food of the desperate poor who couldn't afford anything else.

  "Give it a try?" Kael didn't argue; he let the product speak for itself.

  "I’ll pass, Boss. I’m not exactly starving. I wouldn't eat a potato if it was the last thing on earth," Blood Wolf waved his hand, his stance firm.

  "Suit yourself," Kael shrugged and prepared to eat the chip.

  "However," Blood Wolf’s tone shifted, "since I’ve been coming here for so long and this is the first time the Boss has offered anything for free... I’ll take the hit, even if it’s terrible."

  With that, Blood Wolf snatched the chip from Kael’s hand and shoved it into his mouth.

  A masterpiece of flavor exploded in his mouth. Blood Wolf was so startled he swallowed the chip whole before he could even chew, nearly choking in the process.