Song Heping finally had a few days of leisure.
Since returning from Tetritsk, the small group "Musicians" hadn't taken on any other missions. The cook announced that everyone should take a few days off to relax properly.
After repaying the car and settling all past bills, the cook gathered everyone together, saying that he had something important to announce.
There was alcohol on the table, and there was meat, salo, Da Maozi's favorite kind of raw pickled pork.
"Song! Have a drink!"
The cook filled a glass of vodka for Song Heping, then picked up a dagger, sliced off a piece of salo, and put it on Song Heping's plate.
"Try our hometown specialty!"
Song Heping picked up the slice of salo and looked at it, asking the cook, "Raw?"
The cook said, "Yeah."
Song Heping asked again, "Pork?"
The cook nodded: "Yeah, pork."
Raw pork...
Even though Song Heping had undergone wilderness survival training, he absolutely wouldn't touch raw pork unless necessary.
In his hometown, there was a saying that eating raw pork could lead to swine fever.
Seeing that Song Heping was still hesitant, the cook cut another slice for himself and then said, "Eat it like this."
After speaking, he pinched the slice of creamy white salo, held it under his nostrils to inhale the aroma, then, looking as if he were indulging in exquisite delicacy, raised his glass for a toast and downed it in one gulp, before stuffing the greasy-looking salo into his mouth and chewing vigorously.
White Bear and the others also began slicing meat and drinking vodka, eating with such gusto that they looked utterly enraptured.
Grey Wolf said, "Song, this is really good stuff. Back in our motherland, salo is cheap, but over here, it's not easy to come by. Give it a try, it's definitely tasty."
Seeing this, Song Heping could only imitate them. He sniffed the meat, toasted with his drink, and then ate the meat.
The high-proof vodka slid down his throat like liquid fire, as if he had swallowed a ball of flames.
But the seemingly greasy slice of salo deftly neutralized the punch of the vodka, bringing his taste buds back to a wonderful balance.
"Not bad!"
Song Heping couldn't help but nod in approval. He grabbed the knife and cut another piece for himself, poured another glass of vodka, and followed suit.
Seeing that Song Heping could drink 77-proof vodka without changing his expression, the cook laughed heartily and gave him a thumbs up: "That's the spirit!"
Then, turning around, he pulled out a bag beside him and placed it on the table.
"This is the money we've earned this time. After paying the bills, we have about three hundred thousand left. Old rules, we keep a hundred thousand as reserve funds, each of you takes fifty thousand."
As he spoke, he unzipped the bag and pulled out a bundle of brand-new US dollars, counted them quickly, and placed them with a thud in front of White Bear.
"Andre, this is yours!"
White Bear, clutching stacks of crisp new dollars, planted a heavy kiss on them, his eyes narrowed to happy slits: "I love US dollars!"
Queen couldn't help but interject from the side, "What about me?"
White Bear, rough but considerate, quickly corrected himself: "Love you more, my Queen!"
Yuliy beamed brightly.
The cook then counted a few more bundles and placed them in front of Queen.
"Yuliy, this is yours!"
"Thanks, boss!" Queen lightly tossed one of the bundles in her hand and said, "Too bad in this godforsaken place, I want to spend but there's nowhere to do so!"
Grey Wolf quickly received his share as well, but he seemed much more composed than Andre and his spouse, casually setting it aside and continuing to cut meat and drink vodka.
Finally, it was Song Heping's turn.
The cook looked at the other team members and then said, "I have to announce something here."
Everyone paused their revelry and looked at the cook.
The cook's gaze landed on Song Heping's face: "That we are still alive this time, Song has made the greatest contribution. Although he joined us recently, I have seen these past few days that Song is talented! You all acknowledge this, right?"
White Bear and the others exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.
"Since that's the case, I'll throw in an extra share of the money we get from this mission for him. You guys agree, right?"
"I agree!" Grey Wolf was the first to consent.
Although White Bear had been kicked by Song Heping before, he wasn't one to hold a grudge, especially since this wealth was secured in large part due to Song Heping's substantial contribution.
"I have no problem with it."
Queen said, "Even though I didn't like this kid at first, I have to admit that Song Heping is a natural at this job, I have no objections!"
The cook stretched out his hand and picked up seven bundles of hundred-dollar bills, slapping them down in front of Song Heping.
Song Heping had not anticipated the cook's actions.
He hadn't expected him to take things so seriously.
He hadn't even thought about getting an extra share, but the cook was very serious about it, leaving no room for ambiguity.