Apocalypse Foodie System: Watch Her Cook!-Chapter 41 - 37: Food Empire
Each challenge was laid before Tang Yiyi, yet none of them broke her spirit. She only felt lost for a moment before quickly regaining her composure. Ever since that incident, nothing could break her anymore. Back then, in desperate pursuit of a slim chance at survival, she was willing to pull a man off the street late at night to have a fling with him—what else was she not capable of?
Tang Yiyi took a deep breath and began searching online once more. This time, she directly clicked into "Diet Empire," then switched the projection wall to holographic mode to start "shopping." "Diet Empire" is an online food shopping platform launched by the Pang City Group, and once opened, what first appears is a "Food Street," lined with a myriad of dining shops.
In the lower right corner of the screen, there’s a small sandbox map, depicting the overall layout of the "Qinghe Dining City" where Tang Yiyi currently resides.
Tang Yiyi wanted to get a grasp on the whole situation of the "Diet Empire," so she exited her current location and selected "Nationwide." Upon opening it, the entire scene transformed instantaneously, presenting her with a sandbox map of the entire Hua Country, dotted with a series of "XX Dining Cities" according to the layout of the Safe Cities. On each "Dining City," a scrolling screen displays advertisements. If one catches her eye, she can click directly on the ad to enter the shop.
Tang Yiyi looked carefully at those ads and found them to be quite attractive. The advertisements feature not only mouth-watering dishes but also various snacks, treats, and drinks. Overall, everything sold on this "Diet Empire" online shopping platform revolves around food and beverages.
Tang Yiyi had previously visited "Diet Empire," but back then it was solely to make purchases; she hadn’t paid attention to anything else. This time, determined to open her own shop in "Diet Empire," she had to be more thoughtful and attentive to the offerings of "competitor" products. After scrutinizing everything, she went through each advertisement, entering the shops for observations. The shops advertising there were, generally speaking, big ones willing to spend money, so upon entering, Tang Yiyi was immediately struck by how upscale they were.
To say nothing of the rest, just the store decoration alone clearly had a lot of money poured into it. Then, looking at the displayed products, each item was either stunningly beautiful or exquisitely enticing. Just one glance would make your fingers itch, and you’d feel compelled to spend money, unable to justify not buying a few things!
Even though Tang Yiyi had just finished dinner not long ago, seeing the dazzling array of foods still made her feel hungry. It was only when she considered her account’s limited Credit Points that she managed to restrain the urge for a shopping spree. After visiting all those big brand shops, Tang Yiyi had a general idea. Then she stopped paying attention to those shops, exited directly, found "Qinghe Dining City," and chose to enter.
Once the holographic mode was activated, the entire scene felt incredibly realistic. With a gentle tap, the image rapidly zoomed in, giving one a slight vertigo, as if falling from a great height.
However, this feeling wasn’t intense; it was merely an illusion produced by the brain due to the rapid scene change. Even ordinary people wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. In an instant, Tang Yiyi was already standing at the entrance of "Qinghe Dining City." The design of the "Dining City" was styled like an ancient structure, and what Tang Yiyi saw at that moment was an imposing city wall. The massive vermilion city gates were tightly shut, but displayed on them was a sandbox map of the entire "Qinghe Dining City."
The map indicated that the whole "Qinghe Dining City" is circular, and the shops inside the city are arranged in concentric circles, similar to the real-world buildings in "Qinghe Safety City," radiating from the center outward. The Pang Group, the issuer of the "Diet Empire," intentionally designed it this way. Not only does each Dining City correspond to a Safe City’s location in reality, but the layout within the city is very similar as well. And whenever anyone enters "Diet Empire," they are automatically placed at the coordinates of their corresponding Dining City. Later, if they wish to go elsewhere, they can choose freely.
The continuous circular layout of Safe Cities has always meant that the people living at the center are wealthy or of high status, whereas the status and economic conditions decline the further out one goes. So, the coordinates of every house within a Safe City represent the owner’s identity and status. And the Pang Group’s design effortlessly segregates the "Dining City" into areas of high and low rank. The closer to the city center, the higher the land price, and establishing a shop there requires the payment of the highest fees.
Yet, the locations within "Diet Empire" cannot be purchased, only leased, and for only three months. If business doesn’t go well during those three months, you must roll out and make way for someone else! This regulation can be deemed rather overbearing, yet no one ever dares to object. If no tricks are involved, Tang Yiyi wouldn’t believe it if you beat her to death.
However, this isn’t something she needs to worry about at the moment. Given her current financial status, not to mention the city center, she can’t even afford a shop within the third ring! Getting a space within the fourth ring is already considered lucky! Tang Yiyi sighed, resigning herself to her fate, and began to stroll around within the fourth ring, intending to scope out the environment first.
After all, it’s a virtual network and everything is data, so the environment looks quite excellent, much prettier than the Safe City in reality. Spacious streets paved with bluestone are lined with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and colorful butterflies dancing in the air.
Everything here is magnificent, full of life, so beautiful it’s like a fairyland. Whether it’s green trees or red flowers or dancing butterflies, none poses any threat to people; there’s none of the danger and harshness of the real world. Because of this, many people, even if they don’t buy anything, are willing to visit daily to enjoy this rare tranquility and harmony.
Upon entering "Diet Empire," the system also gifts each person a virtual identity based on gender. The appearance of the virtual identity is pre-set by the system, not only looking quite ordinary but also dressed very plainly. However, by spending extra Credit Points, you can customize your virtual image. You can either use your appearance or freely create one you desire, with plenty of beautiful clothes and accessories to choose from, the prices ranging from high to low, depending on personal choice.
Because the system-gifted avatar was such a disappointment, nearly nine out of ten people who entered "Diet Empire" would elect to customize their image. Tang Yiyi did the same before, even going so far as to scrimp and save for a gorgeous outfit! Looking back now, she could barely bear to face her former self!
She was so foolish!
