25 If You Wish to Pray, Go Worship Buddha

Just as Liu Hui was praying, a sudden dark shadow quietly appeared behind her. Sensing something, Liu Hui quickly turned around. At the staircase entrance, she saw a naked little boy squatting silently. The boy's body was covered in dark bruises, his large eyes were devoid of whites, entirely pitch-black like ink. Suddenly, the boy opened his mouth, and with a click, the sound of teeth colliding could be heard. Then, he opened his huge mouth wide, his entire face splitting open in an instant, revealing a bright red throat that dangled out and wriggled incessantly. 

In the next moment, the throat vibrated, emitting a piercing scream: "Ahh..." The sharp sound instantly filled the entire hotel, causing the horde of zombies to stir and mindlessly surge towards the 22nd floor. Under the piercing scream, Liu Hui nearly fainted, barely managing to cover her ears and withstand it. 

Li Dagang, who had poked half his head out, was directly pained by the scream, his eardrums aching. He screamed in agony, covering his ears and rolling to the ground. Seeing this, Liu Hui gritted her teeth and crawled towards the door, slamming it open, then firmly barricaded it. This unknown monster's loud noises would surely attract many zombies; the 22nd floor was no longer safe. 

She did not pray for survival, only wishing that all these beasts in the room would die. Not one should live. The others in the room, seeing Liu Hui barricading the door, were shocked and hurriedly ran over, trying to tear her away, "Throw her out, this bitch wants to kill us all!" However, in just that short moment, a large wave of zombies had already rushed up, and it was too late to close the door. 

Seeing the approaching tide of zombies, everyone despaired, collapsing to the ground. Liu Hui, with a calm expression, brushed a strand of hair to behind her ear, quietly waiting for death.

"With a crash and a clatter..." A dagger shattered the glass, spun around, and beheaded the little boy in one swift motion, silencing the piercing scream. 

"Thud..." A muffled sound echoed as the ground trembled. The staircase from the 21st to the 22nd floor collapsed, and the dense horde of zombies fell through, leaving the rest unable to climb up, aimlessly wandering in place. 

A figure leapt to the windowsill and crouched, tilting his head to clean his ears. "Damn screaming breed, constantly howling, it's deafening." Sunlight filtered through the window, gently falling on the newcomer's sharply defined face, his dark eyes as deep and unfathomable as cold pools. Several daggers with a cold gleam floated silently behind him, so pure and noble. 

Liu Hui gazed up in awe at the handsome man who appeared suddenly. If there were gods in this world, surely the person before her must be one. She had never believed in gods, nor had she ever prayed sincerely for salvation, but now she felt an urge to kneel. She didn't want to die; she wanted to live, to survive with her daughter. "Oh God, have mercy on me," she thought. Liu Hui's eyes reddened, she opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. 

Noah shook his head, looking down at the survivors. They seemed to be celebrities and nobles, some with faces familiar from television. "Tsk..." Noah clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. It looked like he wouldn't find a chef again.

But, adhering to the principle of having come all this way, Noah asked without hope, "Hey, can any of you cook? I'm talking about someone skilled in all eight major Chinese cuisines. My household is in need of a chef, and the pay is decent. Anyone interested and capable?" The survivors were baffled.

Cook? Chef? What are these things? They were people of status; why would they cook themselves? They were accustomed to dining in upscale restaurants.

Become a chef for someone? Stop joking. Among those present were either celebrities or famous directors, who would want to be a servant?

"I can cook, many dishes, all eight major cuisines," Liu Hui slowly spoke up. She wasn't lying. Coming from a single-parent family and living alone with her daughter, she always cooked at home for her daughter's health. Moreover, she enjoyed making gourmet food, one of her few hobbies. She knew how to prepare dishes from not only all eight major Chinese cuisines but also many international dishes.

Hearing Liu Hui's response, Noah's interest was piqued. This was the most satisfactory chef he had encountered so far, and she was quite attractive. "Let's then talk about the salary and benefits," Noah said as he lightly jumped over, crossed the corridor to the doorway, and helped Liu Hui up from the ground before heading straight into the room.

The room contained about twenty people, men and women, old and young, and in a corner, there was a young girl tied up by her hands and feet, with her mouth gagged. Noah didn't bother with the others and went straight to a table, sitting down by himself and gesturing to Liu Hui, "Don't just stand there, come sit down and let's talk."

Finding a chef is a matter of mutual consent; coercion is not an option. Otherwise, one might end up being poisoned in their meal, and that would be the end. Liu Hui then realized what was happening and hurried into the room, but she went to the corner to untie the girl. 

As soon as she was freed, the girl burst into tears and threw herself into Liu Hui's arms. Liu Hui, feeling guilty, comforted Yu Qiaoqiao, "Qiaoqiao, don't cry, it's Mommy's fault for letting you suffer."

Yu Qiaoqiao sobbed and looked up, "It's not Mommy's fault, it's all because of Qiaoqiao. I am your burden." Liu Hui pressed her lips together, shaking her head as tears swirled in her eyes.

Immediately after, Liu Hui hurriedly pulled Yu Qiaoqiao to Noah, apologizing, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Noah waved his hand nonchalantly, looking towards Yu Qiaoqiao, "It's okay, is she your daughter?"

"Yes, my daughter Qiaoqiao," Liu Hui nodded.

Yu Qiaoqiao wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and mustered a difficult smile, politely saying, "Hello."

"Hello, little one," Noah smiled slightly, finding the girl quite polite. "Don't just stand, sit down. If you agree, you can start working today."

Liu Hui nodded solemnly, sitting down with Qiaoqiao.

As the three of them began to talk as if no one else was there, Hua Ge approached them.

"Bro, who are you? Are you from a rescue team sent to save us? I knew Guo Jia hadn't given up on us."

Noah glanced at Hua Ge indifferently, "Did I speak to you?"

Hua Ge was taken aback, "Bro, can you be nicer? Mind your status. You can't afford to offend everyone, believe it or not, once I'm rescued, one call from me could cost you your job?"

"Get lost!"

Noah huffed coldly, and with a powerful shove, sent Hua Ge flying.

Hua Ge smashed against the wall, his back teeth knocked out by the force, blood trickling from his mouth.

Seeing Hua Ge hit, the others couldn't stand by.

"Why are you hitting people? That's wrong of you."

"Young people are too impulsive, completely ignoring hierarchy. You've offended someone you shouldn't have, and now your future is ruined."

"The rescue team should be downstairs, right? Once Hua Ge is rescued, just your slap won't be easy to settle."

"You should go down and hurry the rescue team..."

Noah looked at them speechlessly.

"You don't actually think a rescue team is coming for you, do you?"

"This disaster is global. There's no rescue team, and the situation is only getting worse. Everyone is looking out for themselves; no one is going to risk their lives to save you ancestors."

"If you want to make a wish, pray to Buddha. If you like to dream, go to sleep."

"Be practical in life, don't fantasize all day about things that won't happen."