I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

"Yes, I'm back, Alyona."

P.S.: Because some details were not covered in these two chapters, tomorrow's Chapter 1 will focus on the Reunion Movement. I'm looking forward to Rhine Labs' story, so please wait a bit.

Okay, let me recommend a book; it didn't work last time.

Chapter 138 Gifts and Supplies

After Gretchen returned, everyone who had been silent returned to their usual lively self, and the atmosphere around the campfire became lively again.

"Little one, have you had dinner yet?"

Talulah patted Gretsch's head as she sat next to her and asked with a smile.

Her question drew the attention of everyone around, and a few even stood up to serve the little girl some food.

"No need to worry about me, I've already eaten out..." (Faced with everyone's enthusiasm)

Seeing her gaze, Gretchen gently shook her head and answered.

However, when dinner was mentioned, the little girl remembered the pile of food and supplies that Sakura had helped buy and then stored in the system space.

Later, Gretchen plans to visit Tarua and the others privately to inform them of this matter so they will no longer have to worry about supplies.

"It's good that you've eaten. Did you have a good time out today?" Hearing this, Alina smiled gently and asked.

"Well, happy."

After hearing Alina's words, Gretchen nodded slightly, then changed the subject, saying, "By the way, everyone..."

With the little girl's call, everyone who had been watching her looked puzzled and waited quietly for her to continue.

"I brought you gifts on this trip."

As soon as Gretsch finished speaking, a tall, azure-blue knight appeared behind her.

However, unlike his usual self who wields a greatsword, the Azure Knight was not carrying any weapon at this moment, but only a large pile of various gifts.

"Mr. Knight..."

Before anyone could react, Gretsch looked up and whispered to her knight.

As soon as he finished speaking, the azure-blue knight quickly distributed the gifts in his arms to everyone.

"This……"

Yelena, who had a faint smile on her face, was slightly stunned when she saw the heavy white cloak being stuffed into her arms, and she was speechless for a moment.

At this moment, it wasn't just Yelena who was stunned; everyone who received a gift by the campfire was momentarily taken aback, their expressions then changing in various ways—some were moved, some were surprised, and some even felt helpless…

"You went out, but why did you come back with a gift?"

"Thank you, little Gretchen, I really like it!"

"Me too, I really like this gift, thank you."

"Thanks…"

……

"I'm glad everyone likes it!"

Looking at the surprised and happy people in front of her, and feeling the lively and warm atmosphere, Greta's lips slowly curled up into a faint smile.

"You little rascal, you didn't spend the whole afternoon going out to buy gifts for everyone, did you?" Talulah said, pinching Gretsch's cheek with a mix of amusement and exasperation as she looked at the gift in her arms.

"Well, shopping and buying gifts don't conflict. I did have a very happy afternoon." Upon hearing this, Greta blinked her big eyes and explained softly.

Then, as if remembering something, she took out a large jar of candy from her spatial storage and handed it to everyone, saying, "Here you go."

"Is this candy?"

"I didn't expect you to buy candy, Gretchen. But we're all adults now, so you can keep it for yourself."

"Yes, yes. You've already bought us other gifts."

"Well."

Upon hearing this, Gretchen gently shook her head and said, "I bought a lot."

Finally, the group couldn't refuse Gretsch's request and reluctantly gave everyone some candy. Even Patriot took a few candies under someone's expectant gaze.

……

The lively and warm atmosphere around the campfire lasted for a long time, until it was getting late and everyone was getting tired, at which point there were signs that it was time to leave.

Just then, Gretchen called out to Talulah and the others. Unlike when she left to inform them in the afternoon, this time she also called out to Patriot and Yelena.

Faced with the puzzled looks of the four people and the curious gazes of the others, Gretchen did not reveal the matter directly, but instead whispered mysteriously, "There are some important things I want to tell you."

Finally, the four of them, still puzzled, followed the little girl to Talulah's tent.

……

Inside the tent—

After Talulah had everyone seated at the table, she lowered her voice slightly and asked Gretsch with a serious expression, "Little one, is there something important you need?"

As her voice faded, the other three also turned their gazes towards her, awaiting the little girl's answer.

After all, everyone knows that Gretchen is a good girl, and she wouldn't gather everyone together unless it was something important.

"Well, this time when I went out... besides buying gifts for everyone, I also asked Sister Sakura to buy a lot of food and supplies." Facing everyone's gaze, Gretchen organized her thoughts a little before speaking calmly.

"!"×4

If the previous gifts were just minor gestures, then the little girl's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, startling all four people present.

Even the usually composed patriot's eyes flickered with a crimson light...

"cough……"

Talulah, who was the first to react, coughed lightly and then asked in a low voice, "This is really... So, Gretsch, did your Sakura sister tell you what price we need to pay to obtain these supplies?"

Although the dragon girl heard Gretchen's "I beg you," she didn't take it to heart and instead asked in a very businesslike manner.

Not only Talulah, but the others shared a similar attitude, adhering to a purely businesslike approach. They neither wanted nor deigned to exploit Gretsch, a mere child.

It's to the best of your ability.

“???)”

After hearing her own Tarua's words and seeing the attitudes of the others, Gretchen was slightly taken aback.

"Hmm... Actually, it's not necessary. Those things don't need Sakura-nee's permission. I bought them to help you guys. I don't want you to be troubled by these things, and I don't want the people in the camp to go hungry."

After organizing her thoughts, Gretchen looked very seriously at the four family members who had been taking care of her for some time and spoke.

Before the person in front of her could refute her, the little girl quickly added, "Those things are now stored in my painting (space), and I can take them out anytime I need them."

"..."

P.S.: Bookke is having its anniversary celebration again, and we're going to have a writing event. I'll just do a little practice today and try harder tomorrow. Best regards everyone.

Chapter 139 Results and Distribution

After a moment of silence in the tent, the group exchanged glances, and Talulah spoke again: "Even if these supplies have nothing to do with the people behind Gretsch, we won't take them for nothing."

After saying that, the Dragon Girl stood up and walked to the little girl's side. She gently patted the little girl's head and continued, "We all know that you mean well, little one, and we are very touched, but this is not a reason for us to take advantage of you."

“Yes, you are already our partner and family. We will not exploit familial feelings for personal gain,” Yelena, who was sitting next to us, chimed in.

The others nodded in agreement with the two.

"Well, although that's what everyone says... I don't really lack anything right now. If everyone really wants to repay me, then let's wait until the Reunion Movement becomes stronger."

Looking at the four tough-minded senior executives in front of her, Gretchen pondered for a moment and then offered a compromise.

Without giving the others a chance to object, the little girl quickly continued, "Don't feel like you're using me, because I really want to help everyone here. I also really enjoy living with everyone, and I'll be troubling you all again in the future!"

"..."

Faced with Gretchen's resolute gaze and words, the four people present were stunned again, their expressions somewhat complicated.

……

Finally, under Gretchen's unwavering gaze, Talulah and the others discussed it carefully and chose to back down, accepting the favor.

“In that case, consider these supplies a loan from you, Gretchen. We’ll give you an IOU. We’ll repay you as soon as the Reunion Movement is able to do so.”

As she spoke, Talulah pulled a blank sheet of paper from her desk and began to write the IOU.

"Well……"

Watching Talulah and the others diligently writing IOUs, a hint of helplessness flashed in Gretchen's eyes.

Although the current outcome deviated from the little girl's initial expectations, it ultimately helped Talulah resolve the resource crisis.

"By the way, does Gretchen have any receipts for the purchases?"

Talulah paused slightly as she was writing the IOU, then looked up at Gretchen and asked.

For Talulah, it's best to make things about interests clear from the beginning, even if others don't care, to avoid hurting feelings later.

"There's only a purchase list, no receipts..."

Upon hearing this, Gretchen gently shook her little head and replied.

The little girl wasn't lying to Tarua about this; she really didn't have receipts for the purchase of these supplies. After all, these provisions weren't bought on a large scale.

To avoid arousing suspicion and exposing her identity, Sakura was very careful when purchasing these supplies. Some of the sellers she had never even met, and after receiving the money, she simply placed the supplies in the designated location as instructed.

Sakura also retrieved the various gifts that Gretsch had left elsewhere that afternoon using a similar method.

"Then bring out the list."

After hearing the little girl's answer, Alina, who was sitting next to Talulah, smiled gently and then said.

"Ah."

Gretchen nodded slightly, then took out a list filled with writing from her spatial storage and placed it on the table.

A short while later, the little girl received a very detailed IOU signed by four high-ranking members of the Reunion Movement...

Actually, Talulah originally wanted to sign only her own name, but her idea was rejected by the other three.

The reason given was: "We're all partners, family; why should only your name be on the list of things we borrowed together?"

……