62 Trap

Hurley, observing them with suspicion, asked in a low voice, "You didn't poison or drug the food, did you?"

Hurley words snapped everyone back to reality – they almost fell into a trap.

"Why would we? We're eating with you," Kobe replied. Following his lead, the other villagers sat down and tasted each dish.

The aroma of the food grew stronger, tempting the members of the grain transport team, who were eager to pick up a big chicken leg and start eating immediately.

Seeing them casually enjoying the food, Craig hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Sit down and eat."

Hurley sat down beside Alice, not rushing to eat. He washed the utensils with tea before proceeding. The rest of the team, with little regard for decorum, devoured the meat, leaving their mouths greasy.

Alice calmly picked up a piece of hand-torn chicken. Without seasoning, it tasted quite ordinary, but having chicken at this time was considered a luxury.

She discreetly observed the villagers across from her. There were no unusual expressions on their faces.

During the meal, Alice suggested going to the restroom. A woman volunteered to guide her.

Once inside, Alice said, "You can go ahead. I'll return by myself later."

The woman smiled faintly, "You are honored guests; we cannot be neglectful. I'll wait for you outside."

As the woman turned to leave, Alice swiftly acted, knocking her unconscious. She dragged the woman into one of the restrooms, surveyed the surroundings to ensure no one had left quietly, and then infiltrated the grain warehouse again.Alice brought out the shelves of grain from her spatial storage. In no time, the once-empty warehouse was filled again.

Alice had no shortage of food; she hadn't kept any for herself.Ten minutes later, she returned to the room where they were being hosted, finding everyone in high spirits.

Alice wondered what Kobe had said during her absence.She took her seat, but Hurley, who had been next to her, was nowhere to be seen.

Kobe brought out a few bottles of strong liquor, pouring a glass for each of them. "In such cold weather, a sip of alcohol warms the body. If you're not good with alcohol, you don't have to drink."

Men always prided themselves on their alcohol tolerance; admitting an inability to drink was out of the question. They all claimed they could handle countless drinks.

Kobe poured the strong liquor into their cups, raised his glass, and said, "Here's to our pleasant cooperation."

Cooperation? Alice raised an eyebrow. What did she miss?Cecilia sat to her left, quietly explaining, "Kobe offered to help escort the supplies back to the base for us, just a little compensation, and Craig agreed."

Alice cast a skeptical glance at her, wondering if Cecilia harbored any resentment given that she had not intervened when Alice was being mistreated by others.

Cecilia touched her own face and asked with a faint smile, "What's the matter?"

"You're a forgiving person," Alice replied vaguely.

Hurley walked in, and Alice turned to look at him, catching a signal from the man.

Alice didn't continue to ask. Alcohol seemed to be the kind of thing that once you start drinking, it's hard to stop. Originally, she had only planned to have a couple of drinks to satisfy her craving, but now she was blushing and flushed.

Seeing that Hurley hadn't drunk much, two graceful-looking women approached, "We have many rare wines, feel free to drink."

The other woman tried to get close to Hurley, but he frowned in disgust, moving closer to Alice as if avoiding a snake or scorpion, "I'm allergic to alcohol, can't drink."

"If you force me to drink, it's hard not to suspect your intentions."

The woman hesitated for a moment and reluctantly withdrew the wine glass.

After three rounds of drinks, Craig put down his chopsticks, "Thank you for your generous hospitality. We've discussed everything that needed to be said. In a few days, the base will come to take away the food, and we'll also invite you to be escorts. We're leaving you with five thousand kilograms of rice, and you can continue to stay in the grain warehouse. Is there anything else you need?"

Kobe shook his head, "Nothing."

Craig stood up, "Alright then, we'll go check out the food in the warehouse."

This statement caused a subtle change in Kobe and the others' expressions. If the food disappeared out of thin air, where were they going to get it from?

"Everyone has had a bit much to drink today. We can go check it out tomorrow," Craig suggested.The others were already quite drunk, belching and barely holding on to a shred of sobriety. "Yeah, Captain, the food isn't going anywhere. Let's go tomorrow," one of them hiccuped.

Several women approached to support them, saying, "We'll take you back to your rooms."

The men, who had been holding back for a while, couldn't resist any longer and followed the women.

Craig called out a couple of times, but the men were too engrossed in the warmth and softness in their arms to hear anything else.

Alice calmly got up, "I happen to be tired too. Is there a room for me? I'd like to rest for a bit."

A young and handsome man approached, wearing a gentlemanly smile, "Beautiful lady, please follow me."

Hurley declined the advances of two women and, Alice another man, his face darkened. He stepped forward, standing beside Alice, "We're together."

The man hesitated for a moment, but eventually just smiled and led them to a room.

Once inside, Hurley locked the door, and Alice asked, "What did you find?"

"The villagers didn't poison the food or attack us while they were drunk. I didn't discover any ambush when I went out midway. So, I suspect their intention is to bribe us."

Alice pondered. The villagers knew they couldn't win in a direct confrontation. If they could bribe at least one of them as a traitor, they would secure victory.

If all those men were bought off, the remaining few had to either break out, join them, or face death together. If the entire food convoy joined them, they could become a formidable weapon against the base.

"They're likely to be bribed. There are too many people in the base, and it'll cost them work points to transport the food back. It's better to stay here, with no worries about food and clothing." And they might even find wives.

Of course, this was just their speculation. The truth would reveal itself tomorrow."That guy Kobe is much smarter than the previous village chief," Alice said as she opened the window and glanced outside.

The man who brought them here hadn't left yet; he stood under the eaves, not taking a step away.

Alice casually withdrew her gaze, turning to Hurley. "Where are you planning to stay tonight?"

Hurley cleared his throat, his gaze flickering. "For your safety, I'll set up a tent inside the room tonight. Don't misunderstand; I have no improper intentions towards you."If he left, what if that man decided to make a move in the middle of the night?

It wasn't that Hurley didn't trust Alice's skills, but there were times when In case the man resorted to any means to achieve his goals and accidentally posed a threat, it would be dangerous.

Alice wanted to take a bath but didn't want Hurley around. "There's another room next door. You can sleep there. I'll call you if there's any danger."

Hurley looked at her with a complicated expression, his deep black eyes saying, "That man looks like a bad. I don't think it's a good idea. I advise you to think carefully before making a decision."

Alice was a bit puzzled, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean? Why should I consider other men outside?"

Hurley hesitated for a moment, and then it clicked in his mind. Alice was asking him to leave not for any ulterior motive but because he misunderstood?With this realization, Hurley's tense heart finally relaxed, and he slightly hooked his thin lips. "I'm leaving. Rest early."

Alice was confused but didn't dwell on his inconsistent words.

Unable to take proper baths in the basketball court for the past few days, she could only pour some hot water from the spatial storage and wipe her body. Today, she finally had the chance for a good bath.Alice quickly washed her hair and then took out a tub to soak in.

After the bath, Alice put away the tub and took out a small cake as a midnight snack.The dinner tonight was well-prepared and balanced, a rare feast for those lacking meat. However, for her, the taste was subpar, and she didn't eat much.