No matter how strict the rules were, as long as people did not cross the line or harbor bad intentions, life in the base would generally be smooth.
After explaining the rules clearly, Brother Zhang saw there was still time. He led them to the LED screen and pointed, saying, "You probably know this already. Ability users enter the base for free, but each month must take at least one mission."
One mission was the minimum, but almost every mission required going outside. The time spent outside could not be controlled by human power. The base naturally hoped ability users would take more missions.
The more work ability users did, the safer the area around the base became.
"Besides these missions, is there other work?" Lan Jin asked.
Some basic jobs had already been arranged when people first moved in. Even if a few people left and created vacancies, those spots were quickly filled. After all, it was normal for residents to have connections.
Beyond basic jobs, the military also needed help, so…
While Brother Zhang hesitated, Lan Jin glanced at a small poster near the service desk and asked, "Recruiting planting staff? Does the base need this? I guess it is for people with plant-type abilities."
"Indeed. Experienced ordinary people applied too. But the base is large. Vegetables were in short supply. Plus, plant ability users are not many, so there are openings," Brother Zhang said. Then he asked, "Are you interested? The base only recruits those with experience."
Lan Jin smiled, "I have experience."
If planting in the space counted as experience…
Of course, she would not joke about the base's livelihood. If things failed to grow, she could add some diluted Spirit Spring water. As long as the plants did not die, it was fine.
Also, Lao Gao and the others had helped when she grew vegetables in the space. If tossing seeds counted, everyone had experience.
Brother Zhang saw Lan Jin was serious and suddenly felt tense. "You really know planting? You cannot joke about this."
"When we lived in the community, we all had greenhouses to grow vegetables," Lan Jin said. "When we had missions, we went out. When there were none, we could not just sit in the base, so planting was perfect."
Greenhouse planting was not new, so Lan Jin's explanation made sense.
Since she had experience, Brother Zhang did not stop her. "Sure, if you want to rent, it is fine. Renting land is not too expensive for you. If you grow vegetables well, the base will buy them at high prices. You will not lose money."
Any work done in the base belonged to the base. Even vegetables grown on rented land could not be sold outside. Taking them home to eat or selling to the base was fine.
In the apocalypse, food was scarce. Nutrition was rare. Vegetables were the main source of nutrition, so high value was understandable. The most productive vegetables were chinese cabbage and potatoes. These two were always available in the cafeteria, never missing a day.
Lan Jin asked, "So if we plant, will we grow chinese cabbage and potatoes?"
"These two are the easiest. If you grow them well, you can later choose other vegetables." Brother Zhang added, "No rush. After you settle, you can apply. The most important thing is to follow the rules I mentioned. Follow them, and nothing else is a concern. Welcome to H city base."
3rd Floor Cafeteria
Seeing Lan Jin walking quickly inside, Qiao Qiao jumped from the chair into her arms. Lan Jin smiled at the happy little face and asked, "Qiao Qiao, were you happy while Mama was away?"
"Happy, not happy."
"How can you be happy and not happy? Tell Mama."
"Happy… here fun. Not happy… Mama gone."
The words were sweet.
Grandma Ling laughed, "This child, her words are all for comforting you."
Lan Qiaoqiao defended, "No, Qiao Qiao good. Speak truth."
"No one said you lie. Children do not lie, so Qiao Qiao is truthful," Ling Jiang said, smiling. In truth, all Qiao Qiao's words were for soothing Lan Jin. These tricks had no effect on Lan Jin otherwise.
Qiao Qiao giggled and quickly changed the topic. "Mama, Qiao Qiao hungry."
"You hungry? I see you want trouble," Lan Jin said, looking at Ling Jiang.
Ling Jiang replied, "Ordered some usual dishes."
Soon, the kitchen staff called for delivery to their table.
Six people, five dishes and one soup. Plenty of food. No matter how many, they could not avoid potatoes and chinese cabbage, though the cooking methods varied slightly.
chinese cabbage with tofu and ham soup, hot and sour shredded potatoes, spicy chicken cubes, braised pork, stir-fried spinach, braised fish.
These dishes were common, but rarely cooked in the space.
After Ling Jiang placed the dishes, Lan Jin said, "I have all these at home. If you want, we can cook inside. This ordering is not cheap."
"Occasional treat is fine. Next meal still cafeteria. Grandma Ling and Qiao Qiao first time. Spoil them a little," Ling Jiang said.
The chefs were skilled. These dishes were served daily, so the taste was excellent. Occasionally eating felt novel and fresh.
They ate silently. Just as they finished, Professor Pei and his team came to order and eat.
Before, they would not have seen base professors. But the top floor was destroyed, so the professors had no place to stay and ate in the cafeteria.