Cheng Shuli gritted her teeth through the system's droning closing remarks, but thankfully, it didn't dawdle when it came to handing out the rewards.
Her cart's interior suddenly gleamed with treasure: three radiant golden supply crates, one silver crate, and a mysterious crate that shimmered with faint, prismatic light, its material impossible to pin down.
Cheng Shuli rubbed her hands together, buzzing with excitement. After a moment's thought, she decided to start with the silver crate.
Taking a deep breath, she rested her fingers on the lid. As it opened, a soft white glow spilled out.
"Congratulations! You've obtained: Advanced Heating Stove x1 [Legendary], Firewood (7-day supply) x1 [Common]."
Cheng Shuli paused. Only two items? Her previous silver crates had coughed up way more!
Had the system skimped on her?
Grumbling, she reached for the Advanced Heating Stove, which stood nearly as tall as her. It resembled the fireplaces she'd seen in fancy villas in her past life, but with a twist: it was fully enclosed, with a pipe extending to connect to the cart's structure. Intricate patterns adorned its surface.
Even unlit, it radiated a subtle warmth.
[Advanced Heating Stove]
[Description: In extreme cold, this is a game-changer. But in other disasters? Well, that's another story. Its power is immense—choose its placement carefully, and the pipe will connect automatically! Once ignited, it maintains a comfortable temperature within the vehicle and a 3-meter radius around it. Be warned: it guzzles firewood at several times the rate of a standard stove. Use wisely!]
Cheng Shuli's mind raced, instantly grasping its value.
A comfortable temperature meant no frozen water tanks, no burst pipes, no costly vehicle repairs. Even though her electric cart didn't rely on fuel, it'd benefit too.
Cold weather sapped battery life—thermal expansion and contraction were no joke.
"Not bad," Cheng Shuli said, nodding in approval. She opened the placement menu and scanned the cart's cramped interior. Only two spots could fit the stove.
One was by the door, but a quick test showed it'd block easy access.
The other was next to the fridge.
Normally, a heater near a fridge would be absurd—hot and cold don't mix. But this system-made stove had no visible flames!
It should be fine… right?
Chin in hand, Cheng Shuli mulled it over, then wrapped her arms around the stove to test its weight. To her surprise, she lifted it effortlessly!
No worries, then. She'd place it by the fridge for now. If it caused issues, her strength could handle the relocation.
She confirmed the spot, and the stove materialized in place. The pipe seamlessly extended, piercing a small hole in the cart's roof, sealed so tightly not a whisper of wind could sneak through.
Cheng Shuli eyed it thoughtfully. Moving it later would just mean adjusting the pipe length—a trivial task for a woman who'd lived alone for years in her past life.
Next up: the golden crates.
Heart pounding, she opened all three at once. A dazzling golden light flooded the cart.
"Congratulations! You've obtained: Polar Insulated Suit (Set) x1 [Legendary], Universal Key x1 [Epic], Gasoline (100L) x3 [Common], Mineral Water x10 [Common]."
"Congratulations! You've obtained: Complete Vehicle Repair Toolkit x1 [Rare], Agility Potion x2 [Rare], Fried Chicken and Cola Feast (5-6 servings) x3 [Rare], Beastman Town Underground Storage Keycard x1 [Legendary]."
"Congratulations! You've obtained: Windproof Waterproof Goggles x1 [Rare], Infinite Safety Rope x1 [Rare], Family Hygiene Kit (8-piece set) x3 [Rare], Durable Battery Pack x10 [Rare]."
One by one, Cheng Shuli examined her haul, starting with the Polar Insulated Suit.
[Polar Insulated Suit]
[Description: Think this is some flimsy jacket you've got to warm up with your own body heat? Think again! This suit boasts a full-body integrated heating system with automatic temperature regulation—no power source needed! Complete coverage, slip-proof boots included! At -30°C, it's like springtime. At -40°C, you're unstoppable. At -50°C? A mere sprinkle!]
Jackpot!
Cheng Shuli's eyes sparkled as she tried it on. Exactly as advertised!
The lightweight material was astonishingly warm, complete with gloves and snow boots, yet comfortable even in the current heat.
As for the Universal Key…
Cheng Shuli suddenly understood why the crates included "Common" junk like gasoline and water.
The top-tier items were just too overpowered!
[Universal Key]
[Description ladder[Description: True to its name, this key can unlock any non-electronic lock you desire! But whether something's unhappy about you opening that door—or what dangers lie beyond—isn't its concern.]
Cheng Shuli brushed off the system's ominous warning.
Danger and opportunity came with a price, and she'd just crossed that threshold.
For her, this was a massive win.
With too many items to process, she prioritized the other [Legendary] item.
[Beastman Town Underground Storage Keycard]
[Description: Seems to unlock a door somewhere. You'll have to figure out the exact location yourself.]
Cheng Shuli raised an eyebrow, tucking the keycard next to the Universal Key.
She didn't hesitate with the Agility Potions, downing_both in one go. A faint shift coursed through her body, but she shook it off and pulled up her stats.
[Player: Cheng Shuli
ID: AAAJCCJ8888
Username: Crow Takes Flight
Vehicle: Level 3 Electric Shopping Cart (Current Charge: 1000%)
Health: 60 (Title buff active—don't remove it lightly!)
Strength: 35 (Could probably one-punch a buffalo. Probably. System's not liable for mishaps.)
Stamina: 33 (Hey, don't sleep on stamina! It governs illness and wound recovery.)
Agility: 39 (Undisputed sprint champion.)
Combat Power: 51 (Super strong, super safe.)
Supplies: Omitted.]
"Not liable, my foot," Cheng Shuli snorted, ignoring the system's cheek.
She gave the remaining items a quick glance—plenty of time to sort them later.
Her gaze settled on the prismatic crate, its surface dancing with otherworldly light.
This thing screamed "special." Which reward could it be?