Chapter 190: A meal with the kids

While Leo considered Atlas’s strange condition, a familiar mechanical voice chimed from the truck.

"[Master, the meal is ready.]"

The announcement pulled Leo from his thoughts. He glanced at the kids. Whatever was wrong with Atlas would have to wait. Right now, they needed to eat.

"Let’s eat first."

Leo turned toward Storm, trailing a line of eager kids behind him. Inside the truck, he opened the rear compartment and brought out the prepared dishes. Steam curled off the warm food, carrying a rich scent throughout the space. He set a plate and a glass of milk in front of each child.

Their eyes widened. Stomachs grumbled in response to the smell, and a few of them gulped, but no one made a move to eat.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "What?"

The kids exchanged nervous glances until Ben shook his head.

"Big Brother Leo..."

"We already ate your chocolate."

"We can’t eat your food too."

Leo understood their hesitation. They were taking the idea of paying him back far too seriously. Suppressing a smile, he pressed a hand against his forehead and faked a look of deep realization.

"Ahh..."

"I see."

"I forgot that you won’t eat my food for free."

"I never thought about this problem when I prepared all this food."

Leo looked at the plates and let out a heavy sigh.

"But what should I do now?"

"I’ve already eaten, and I’m not hungry anymore."

"And there is so much food."

"In this hot weather, it’s going to spoil."

He picked up one of the plates.

"Ahh..."

"I guess all this food is going to waste."

"I’ll have to throw everything away before it starts smelling and fills my truck with rotten food."

The children shifted on their feet. Leo pressed on, acting as though his mind was made up.

"Looks like I don’t have any other choice."

He moved the plate toward the door. Before he could take another step—

"Wait!"

A small hand clamped onto his arm. Leo stopped and looked down at Chou. The boy stared at the plate, then turned to the others.

"Hey, guys..."

"Instead of letting the food get thrown away..."

"Let’s just eat it."

"Wouldn’t that be a waste?"

Ben gave a slow nod.

"Yeah."

"Big Brother Leo, don’t throw it away."

"We’ll eat it."

Leo let a small smile slip. His trick had worked. He set the plate back down on the table.

"Okay."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"Dig in."

"It tastes best while it’s hot."

Spoons clattered as the kids dug in.

"Thank you, Big Brother Leo!"

The quiet compartment filled with the sounds of chewing and scraping plates. All previous hesitation vanished. They practically inhaled the food, washing it down with gulps of milk. Leo took a seat nearby and watched. Seeing them finally eat a proper, warm meal brought a deep sense of satisfaction to his chest.

Mid-bite, Lester raised his head.

"Big Brother Leo..."

"What?"

"Whose voice was that just now?" Lester pointed toward the front cabin. "Is someone else living inside with you?"

The other kids paused to listen. Leo chuckled.

"Oh."

"No one is living inside."

"That voice was the truck."

He stood and walked over to the metal wall, giving it a gentle tap with his palm.

"Her name is Storm."

The children gasped.

"The truck has a name?"

Leo nodded.

"From today onward, you should call her Big Sister Storm."

"And treat her with respect, okay?"

They all adopted serious expressions.

"Even the food you’re eating was prepared by Storm."

The group turned their attention to the metal walls.

"Thank you, Big Sis Storm!"

"This meal is delicious!"

"Thank you, Big Sis Storm!"

One after another, they offered their thanks. Leo beamed at the display. A moment later, the truck’s speakers crackled to life.

"You are welcome."

The kids stared at one another in pure amazement.

"She answered!"

"Big Sis Storm can talk!"

"Alright, enough." Leo shook his head, gesturing to their plates. "Finish your food first."

They eagerly returned to their meals. Before long, every plate was scraped clean. The children downed the last of their milk and carried their dishes toward Leo.

"Just leave the plates here."

"I’ll take them inside and wash them."

The kids shook their heads in unison.

"No."

"Big Sister Nina told us that we have to be responsible for ourselves."

"We have to clean our own plates."

Leo blinked, surprised by their discipline, before a faint smile touched his lips.

"Nina taught you well."

"Then ask Storm to provide you with some water."

Becca stepped forward, looking up at the ceiling.

"Big Sis Storm."

"Water, please."

A whirring sound came from above as a small panel slid open. A pipe descended, and a steady stream of clean water began to flow. The children took turns washing their plates and glasses. Leo stood by, noting how not a single one of them complained. They scrubbed everything clean and stacked the utensils in their proper places.

Once the chore was done, Leo gave an approving nod.

"Good."

"Now go play."

Faces lit up with bright grins.

"Okay!"

"Come on!"

The group scrambled , their laughter echoing across the camp.

Leo lingered outside the truck. As the cheerful sounds faded into the distance, his expression hardened. The gentle smile vanished, replaced by a cold, narrow-eyed focus. Without wasting another second, he headed toward Valentine’s tent.

Outside Valentine’s tent, Nina laid out the problem with Atlas and the dwindling food. Valentine listened in silence. When the explanation ended, a heavy breath escaped her.

"I understand what you’re saying, Nina. But you know the convoy rules. I can give you some food from my and Cyrus’s supplies to feed yourself and the children. But the amount you’re asking for isn’t possible."

Nina lowered her head.

"You already know that some of the other survivors aren’t happy about the children receiving a portion of the convoy’s supplies," Valentine continued. "You don’t need me to explain why, right?"

Nina’s fists tightened at her sides. "But Big Brother Atlas..."

Valentine reached out, resting a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder. "It’s okay. We’ll take a look at Atlas and figure out what’s wrong with him. Don’t worry."

Nina nodded. She knew Valentine’s hands were tied; handing over that much food would only turn the rest of the camp against them.

A tense silence hung between them before Nina broke it. "Big Sis..."

Valentine met her gaze.

"Did the military do something to Big Brother Atlas?"

Valentine’s features hardened. She knew all too well what those soldiers were capable of doing.

"We don’t know that yet," she said, her voice dropping to a cold whisper. "But if they did... Then this time, I’m going to kill them all."

Nina stared, knowing it was no empty threat. Before she could find the words to reply, a moving shadow caught their attention. Someone was walking toward them from across the camp.