The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: "Cooperating with the investigation is your duty.

"Hello, Miss Shen. We’re from the Biological Research Institute." The woman across from her extended a hand, her lips curved into a perfectly polite, fake smile. "We’re sorry to disturb you."

Shen Lu wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but out of politeness, she complied and shook the woman’s hand.

"You were looking for me?"

"Yes. We’d like to ask you to come to the Institute, Miss Shen."

Shen Lu’s mind immediately jumped to the pot of scallions in her backyard. ’Did someone let it slip? Do people from the Biological Research Institute know I managed to grow scallions?!’

But Shen Lu quickly dismissed the thought. Not many people knew she was growing them, and Lin Zhou didn’t seem like the type to gossip.

’The people from the Biological Research Institute must be here for something else.’

’Don’t tell me they found out I snuck a peek into that office the other day.’

’No, probably not.’

’If that were the case, they wouldn’t be using words like "ask."’

"It’s a little late today. How about I come by tomorrow afternoon?" Shen Lu’s mind was still on the ingredients she had just prepped. The fish was ready for the pan; she really couldn’t bring herself to leave now.

"I’m sorry, Miss Shen. We know this is sudden, but out of our responsibility to the survivors, we need your cooperation." The woman’s words were polite, but her tone was forceful.

Her tone clearly said, ’I’m not asking for your opinion, I’m telling you.’

Shen Lu felt offended. Her delicate eyebrows knitted together.

’What’s their problem?’

’It’s not like I’m refusing to cooperate. Why are they pinning this heavy label on me right away?’

’What, is the entire Imperial Capital Survival Base going to explode if I show up a few hours late?’

Still, for the sake of the hidden task, Shen Lu held her tongue.

"Alright. Give me a few minutes. I need to leave some instructions."

’A few minutes should be fine, right?’

The woman nodded. "We’ll wait at the entrance. We leave in fifteen minutes."

Shen Lu discreetly rolled her eyes. After changing out of her chef’s coat, she gave Cai Su a few instructions.

"I’ll have to leave dinner to you. You’ll also need to go upstairs and feed Fu Cheng. And later, Wang Xiaoci and Wang Xiaohui are coming by to drop something off. Please take it for me."

Cai Su nodded and asked worriedly, "Boss, what do they want you to do?"

In Cai Su’s eyes, the Biological Research Institute was a mysterious and terrifying place. After all, the Institute collected mutant beasts for research.

Mutant beasts were scary enough; wouldn’t a group of people who locked them up for research be even more so?

"I don’t know. It’s probably nothing serious. While I’m gone, I’m counting on you to look after the shop."

As Shen Lu reached the kitchen door, she remembered something else and turned back. "If I’m not back by tomorrow morning, don’t open the shop. We’ll be closed for the day."

Without her, the quality of the food couldn’t be guaranteed. The restaurant’s satisfaction rating had already dropped below three and a half stars, and Shen Lu couldn’t afford any more negative reviews.

"Okay, I understand," Cai Su replied.

Only then did Shen Lu leave, reassured. The moment the door closed, someone’s eyes narrowed slightly, a dark undercurrent swirling within them.

...

She got into the Institute’s vehicle, and the ride to their destination was smooth and unobstructed.

The weather had been bad on her last visit, and she had been exhausted from the trip, so Shen Lu hadn’t been in the mood to take a good look around.

Today, as she stepped out of the car, Shen Lu made a point to observe the Institute’s architecture.

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