Chapter 251: Peach Blossom Value Fulfilled

The arctic blizzard had begun!

Watching the gray-black snowflakes drift down from the sky, Melody Summers quickened her pace and hurried into Building 4.

The snow had just started to fall. It was mixed with volcanic ash that had accumulated in the atmosphere, making it extremely dirty. It was best to avoid contact with it.

As Melody Summers waited for the elevator, a series of notifications suddenly sounded in her mind—

[Peach Blossom Value +20. Current Peach Blossom Value: 82.]

[Peach Blossom Value +20. Current Peach Blossom Value: 102.]

[Peach Blossom Value +20. Current Peach Blossom Value: 122.]

[Congratulations, Host. Your Peach Blossom Value has exceeded 100.]

[Dear Host, in the darkness, you have improved the surrounding living environment and reduced many conflicts.]

[You made rational use of the items in your space, actively helped others, and saved the lives of the innocent.]

[Undaunted by danger, you ventured into the lion’s den and eliminated the dark forces hidden within this city.]

[We hope you will continue your efforts, so that Terra may soon see winter pass and spring return, bringing with it the revival of all living things. We believe that by then, peach blossoms will surely bloom, and spring will fill the world.]

As the system’s voice sounded, Melody Summers’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Her heart pounded with excitement. ’Finally! It’s finally full!’

It had been over half a year since she last unlocked the lake! The Peach Blossom Value was finally maxed out!

’I can finally unlock a new area!’

Just as Melody Summers was overcome with joy, her phone chimed twice.

She unlocked her phone to see two news alerts in her notifications.

One was from the meteorological bureau, stating that an unprecedented black snowfall would begin in the city today.

It also reminded citizens to avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary. If they had to go out, they must use rain gear, cover themselves completely, and do their best to avoid contact with the gray-black snow.

The other alert was an official notice. It stated: The heads of the major criminal organization at the Anworth Oceanus Hotel—Hector Hayes, Raymond Hayes, and Lily Adler—have all been executed.

Melody Summers looked at the news bulletin and thought, ’Perhaps each of these three people corresponds to a 20-point increase in my Peach Blossom Value.’

’I probably got the Peach Blossom Value because I helped the police by providing clues and evidence, so all three achievements were credited to me.’

’By that logic, I also got 40 Peach Blossom Value points when that father and son, Flynn and Kenneth Adler, died.’

As for the system’s comments about "improving the surrounding living environment" and "saving the lives of the innocent," Melody guessed that referred to her donating night-vision cameras to the residential complex, saving Brianna White, and calming the online public opinion.

Without exception, all these actions had resolved security risks in the darkness and increased the degree of harmony and stability.

Melody thought, ’This Peach Blossom Value might just be some kind of Stability Value...’

In any case, the Peach Blossom Value was finally full!

Melody felt a thrill of delight. She decided to unlock the new area as soon as she got home!

Just then, the elevator arrived. Melody Summers stepped inside and pressed the button for the 16th floor.

Before the doors could close, another person rushed into the elevator.

Melody subconsciously took two steps back to make room for the newcomer.

Unexpectedly, the person looked up at Melody and said, "Oh, it’s you, young lady! What a coincidence!"

Melody looked up at the person in front of her and froze for a second—

It was Mrs. Vance from 1505, the woman who had spoken up for Sylvia and Simon Lancaster yesterday!

Melody remembered how Mrs. Vance had joined Sylvia Lancaster in the hallway yesterday, guilt-tripping her and demanding she give her apartment to Sylvia. Because of that, she had no favorable impression of the woman.

So, Melody just gave a perfunctory nod.

But Mrs. Vance’s gaze was intense as she looked at Melody and asked, "Young lady, you all had a pretty nice breakfast today, didn’t you? When I opened my window for some air this morning, I smelled something delicious wafting right into my apartment!"

Hearing this, Melody’s heart sank.

The Summers family had pan-fried buns and lamb soup for breakfast. Both were Ian Summers’s favorites, and since he had to return to his military unit after eating, the family had unanimously decided on this meal.

Unlike yesterday’s boiled dumplings, pan-fried food has a strong aroma that can travel quite far. Lamb soup is also a dish with a heavy scent that can be smelled from a distance.

They had moved into a residential complex now, which wasn’t like their old villa district. The population density here was much higher. With the slightest carelessness, the neighbors would immediately know what they were eating...

Mrs. Vance stared intently at Melody and continued, "My dear girl, for your family to still be eating so well, you must have a lot of supplies at home, right? Where do your parents work? ...Food is so expensive these days. Your family is really willing to splurge!"

Melody, however, put on a puzzled expression. "A delicious smell? It wasn’t us. We had sand vine cakes today!"

Melody did her best to act, but Mrs. Vance remained skeptical. "Really? But I hadn’t smelled any cooking for a long time before you moved in. The moment you arrive, I can smell it. Isn’t that too much of a coincidence...?"

Facing Mrs. Vance’s scrutinizing gaze, Melody just shook her head, her face a mask of confusion. Her eyes were filled with bewilderment. "But we really don’t have any food left. I didn’t even smell what you’re talking about. It’s too cold now, we don’t even dare to open our windows!"

Mrs. Vance still looked at Melody with suspicion. She tried to find a crack in Melody’s facade, but Melody’s expression was completely open, without the slightest hint of guilt or concealment.

Melody didn’t give Mrs. Vance a chance to speak, quickly continuing, "Mrs. Vance, your family can still afford to open the windows for ventilation? It’s so cold outside. You must have a lot of supplies to stay warm, don’t you?"

Her face was full of envy. She stared at Mrs. Vance with the same intense gaze the woman had used on her. "We just moved in, so we haven’t prepared much, especially warm clothes and heaters. Those things are so expensive now. I really envy you for having so many supplies to stay warm!"

Hearing this, the scrutinizing look in Mrs. Vance’s eyes vanished, replaced by alarm.

She averted her gaze in a fluster and said, "No, no, we don’t have any supplies like that! Young lady, don’t just say things like that. I-I just don’t get cold easily, that’s all..."

Just then, the elevator display showed that they had reached the 15th floor. Mrs. Vance ignored Melody and hurried out.

After stepping out, Mrs. Vance even glanced back warily at Melody, as if afraid Melody would follow her and steal her family’s warm supplies.

Melody simply stood steadily inside the elevator with a polite smile, watching Mrs. Vance leave.

Then, the elevator doors slowly closed and continued their ascent. Only then did Melody let out a sigh of relief.

On the way up, she mentally reviewed the encounter.

’I should probably stick to less fragrant foods for a while,’ she thought. ’Things like cold-tossed dishes or boiled foods...’

’Seasonings will have to be simpler, too. No more using anything with a strong smell...’

When Melody got home, she was about to talk to her family about the cooking issue, but she found Roman Rhodes sitting in the living room, chatting with the rest of the Summers family.