Chapter 35: Big Boss Ford

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Big Boss Ford

Seraphina Sinclair let out a cold laugh and replied directly.

[Blacktiger Ford]: This is to guard against people exactly like you.

She clicked on the person’s profile and immediately gave them the full block-and-blacklist treatment.

Below, a chorus of cheers erupted!

"Master, beautifully done!"

"I totally get where the master is coming from. The thought of some freeloader getting information I risked my life for makes my skin crawl!"

"It’s only three sets of materials! For such important info! And you’re still not happy with that value?? I can’t even, folks!"

"Total support for Master Blacktiger! Total support for Master Blacktiger!!"

"I just have one question. Why ’Master Blacktiger’ and not ’Master Ford’? ’Ford’ is so much cuter."

"You said it yourself—it’s cute. Is ’cute’ really a good fit for a master?"

Seraphina couldn’t agree more, but she no longer had time to watch the regional channel. Her private messages were exploding with trade requests!

Seraphina glanced over them. As long as she confirmed the other party had sent three sets of materials, she sent over the information she had prepared long ago, packaged in a trade contract with two preset conditions: "cannot be resold" and "cannot be shared in public channels."

Because the trade contract could be sent to multiple survivors at once, the process was quite efficient.

After sending it out a few times, Seraphina found she could do it all with one hand.

She twisted open a bottle of mineral water, took a small sip, and started shipping out the goods to the survivors while keeping an eye on the regional channel.

"Just got the info from Master Ford! I’d noticed that thing before, but I never imagined that’s what it was for!"

’Master Ford?’

The corner of Seraphina’s mouth twitched as she continued reading.

"What thing? What’s it for? You already bought it, so spill the beans, right?"

"Post above has a freeloader."

"@Blacktiger Ford, boss, we got someone trying to freeload here. Block ’em quick!"

Blocked.

Seraphina was very satisfied and kept scrolling.

"Me too! I noticed it a long time ago, but I never, ever would have guessed. How did anyone even think of this? Blacktiger is just... How would you describe it? A wild imagination?"

"Don’t doubt it, person above. That’s a form of power, too."

"The guy really is a master. Both his ability to get information and his magnanimity scream ’master.’ If I knew something this important, I’d definitely be trading it for something good! You stinky beggars think you can learn how a Sunflower evolves without an E-level item?"

"I’m getting way too into character here. I already want to strangle you."

"Our Master Ford is such a good person! I feel like three sets of materials was undervaluing it, so I threw in an extra bottle of mineral water to show my respect!"

"What? You added a bottle of water? Then I’ll add one too!"

"Me too, me too! Let’s feed Master Ford!"

"I can’t, hahaha. Why are you all calling him Master Ford? It makes our Master Blacktiger sound like a fragrant, soft little cake!"

The fragrant, soft little cake herself: "..."

’Call me whatever you want. It’s not like you know my real name anyway.’

Seraphina was busy for the entire morning. She even found time to use the lantern to give the Sunflower a sunbath. The little Sunflower was now lying limply in its pot, its Hunger Level completely empty. She planned to use the nutrient liquid in the afternoon.

As for moving... that would also have to wait until the afternoon.

In the blink of an eye, it was past noon. Seraphina temporarily halted the trades, got up, started a fire, and propped her small iron pot on some stones.

She hadn’t taken out any chopsticks or a bowl yet.

But the small iron pot could double as a bowl. As for chopsticks, those were even easier to find.

Last night, Seraphina had split a piece of wood. A few quick cuts, and she could whittle a pair of chopsticks.

Conditions were poor, and the wood stained easily, so Seraphina just used them as disposables.

The water in the iron pot was already boiling. She dropped in a noodle cake, and after it came to a boil again, she added the seasoning packet.

As she waited, Seraphina opened the regional channel and glanced at it.

Every single message that met her eyes was @’ing her.

"@Blacktiger Ford, Master? Are you not trading anymore? Things seem to have gone quiet."

"Yeah, before, people kept saying the master replied. Why is there no news now? @Blacktiger Ford, are the trades over?! No, please, it’s not my turn yet!"

"@Blacktiger Ford, please give us a clear answer, Master. My heart is pounding..."

Seraphina: "..."

’How did making a few trades turn me into a workhorse?’

’Now I have a crowd of people rushing me just for taking a lunch break?’

Her brow furrowed. She took a photo and, adopting the dignified air of a master, announced, "Morning trades are over. I’ll be back this afternoon. Time for lunch (photo). Stop @’ing me."

"???"

"What’s he eating?"

"Dude above, have you been hungry so long you’ve gone stupid? Isn’t that obviously instant noodles?"

"Instant noodles without seasoning: crap. Instant noodles with seasoning: a gourmet feast."

"Who’s that directed at, huh? Who you callin’ out?"

[Pretty Guardian]: ...

[Pretty Guardian]: @Blacktiger Ford, Master, are you selling seasoning packets?

"The master said not to @ him, @Blacktiger Ford."

"You guys are going to get blocked for being so cheeky, aren’t you? Right, @Master Blacktiger Ford?"

"@Master Blacktiger Ford isn’t that petty."

Seraphina: "..."

’They really are a cheeky bunch.’

But she had turned off @ notifications long ago, so it didn’t bother her now.

As the seasoning packet boiled, the entire mobile cabin filled with the aroma of spicy beef noodles.

Before, whenever any creature approached, the Sunflower would have some thought about it. Even the black water, which was odorless to Seraphina, it found stinky.

But when Seraphina cooked for herself, it never had any thoughts in her head.

’Looks like the Sunflower’s sense of smell isn’t just sensitive, it operates on a completely different system from a human’s.’

Seraphina quietly summarized her findings, took a bite of noodles, and then suddenly realized a very important question. ’The Sunflower has an olfactory system, right?’

The sunflowers from her previous world might not have, but the one in her cabin definitely did.

SLURP. As Seraphina ate her noodles, she suddenly received a private message.

[Pretty Guardian]: Master, I’m serious! Are you selling seasoning packets?

’Of course not.’

Instant noodles without a seasoning packet was like the West without Jerusalem. There was no way she was giving that up.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Only trading whole packages.

The other person’s disappointment was palpable.

[Pretty Guardian]: Oh, is that so... well... okay then.

She had sent a voice message. It was a pleasant female voice, one that had been intentionally softened.

Although Seraphina found it a bit strange, she didn’t overthink it. After waiting a moment and receiving no new messages, she closed the private chat window.

It wasn’t until she had finished her meal that she realized something.

’Did she think I was a man?’

After all, her ID was pretty androgynous.