Now, Zhou You understood why Shao Qi paid a hefty sum for a personal chef. Without someone skilled in culinary arts, it was unbearable. The grilled meat's exterior was charred while the inside remained raw. If it weren’t for the mutant creature's quality meat, he wouldn’t even bother.

After a few bites, Zhou You was overwhelmed by the spiciness, suspecting an entire bottle of chili sauce might have been poured onto it.

"Out in the wild, this might be acceptable due to limited resources, but inside the base? Why not find a restaurant to handle it? Locating a proper oven should be easy. Why make life harder?"

Miao Miao was taken aback, "I... forgot." She was accustomed to hunting, killing, and cooking her catch. With the sudden addition of a "chef" in Shao Qi's entourage, she felt threatened in her role. That's why she brought meat today, to test Zhou You's culinary skills.

"Is it really that bad?" she asked, seeking validation from the others.

Shao Qi affirmed her failure through his actions. Cutting off the charred exterior, he handed the remaining meat to Zhou You, "Could you please refine this further?"

Zhou You found it inedible as well and treated his portion similarly. Slicing the meat thinly and marinating it with his sauce, he borrowed a grill from the inn's kitchen and began grilling it in his room.

Qin Lifen and Zhuo Hao, who hadn't eaten, eagerly handed over their portions, patiently waiting by the side.

Shao Qi, finding them intrusive, kicked them out, "Find your own place to process the meat. My personal chef doesn’t serve others."

With such voracious appetites in one room, Zhou You struggled to grill fast enough, and the room felt increasingly cramped.

"Stingy!" Miao Miao murmured looking at the closed door, then pondered aloud, "Why do you think the boss shares a room with Mr. Zhou and even sleeps in the same bed?"

Initially, Shao Qi shared a room with Zhou You due to the loss of his inner power, ensuring Zhou You couldn’t escape. Now that half his power had returned, his choice to continue rooming together perplexed many.

Neither of the men inside had given it a thought. After all, what difference did it make to cohabit for three or five days? Staying together made communication easier.

Qin Lifen pinched her ear, admonishing, "Don't pry into matters we shouldn't. Since when did you start concerning yourself with his personal life?"

"It's just curiosity. I've never seen him share a bed with anyone before. Maybe this is a sign that he's ready to settle down?"

"Impossible!" declared Zhuo Hao with finality. "Considering Shao Qi's disdain for nearly everyone, do you really think he'd take a liking to a man? The military is full of men of all types. Many pursue him, yet he's never shown special interest in anyone."

"How about a bet? If Zhou Xian becomes our brother-in-law, each of you owes me a gift. Deal?"

Zhuo Hao nodded, and Qin Lifen agreed, adding, "But there should be a time limit. Let's bet for a month. In a month, if they indeed become... intimate – I'll gift you that SK-3 you've had your eye on. But if you lose, you'll apprentice with Chef Dong in the army kitchen for a month."

"You're ruthless!" Miao Miao agreed, nodding. "Come on, let's get some meat!"

As they descended the stairs, they bumped into Zhao Jinghao. Miao Miao quickly pulled him aside, demanding he escort them to the military canteen to have the bird meat prepared.

The military canteen was brimming with bird meat today. The cook couldn't differentiate between high and low grades, so he cooked everything that was left. Once ready, the dishes were served.

Soldiers from the shift change came in for dinner, aware of the mutated beast meat on the menu. Worried about missing out, they were relieved to find ample portions set aside for them. They piled their bowls high with rice and savored every bite.

"The taste is really good, and most of the meat hunted today seems to be from mid-tier mutated birds. Every bite warms the body."

"Exactly. Most of the lower-tier ones were killed by lightning. We rarely get to eat mid-tier mutated meat."

"I've heard General Yan proposed to the commander that when we're not on missions, we should hunt in groups. We shouldn't just train at the base; we need real combat experience."

"Isn't that a bit risky for us lower ranks?"

"This isn't right." Miao Miao immediately noticed the difference in the meat's texture. Upon inspection, she discerned a mix of various bird meats on her plate and was close to flipping the table in frustration.

Zhao Jinghao rushed to the kitchen. Only a little meat and soup remained in the large iron pot. He grabbed the cook, demanding, "Where's the meat we brought in earlier?"

They had butchered a white hawk. A leg was given to Shao Qi, some to the two Major Generals and the commander, and the remainder was their ration.

"I... I stewed it all together!" the chef replied, trembling with fear.

Zhao Jinghao thought, 'This is bad!' Expecting Miao Miao to erupt, he was surprised when she merely shot him a cold glance without a word.

"You're not angry?" Zhao Jinghao asked in astonishment.

Miao Miao snorted, "What would you have me do? Ask them to regurgitate the meat?"

She approached a table of soldiers, knocking on it to get their attention, "Do you know why you're low-ranked? If you're so fearful, what's the point of being soldiers? Eating quality meat is wasted on you. Maybe go home and contribute by raising children."

Everyone knew of her reputation. Coupled with the conversation they overheard, they dared not retort.

"Spend some time in the square to see how ordinary people persevere, all striving for a better life. You started with an advantage; step out of your comfort zones. Mutated beasts won't stop evolving; those left behind get eliminated. That's the rule of survival in this post-apocalyptic world."