Su Lanzhi was a little too straightforward. When she was good to someone, she was genuinely good, unlike Jing Shu, whose mind always ran a few extra laps.
Sometimes she even wondered if she was actually the villain in some author's story. Otherwise, why had she done all the things villains liked to do? Emmm.
"Alright. Rarity makes value. We will gift 1 jin of strawberries," Jing Shu said, (500 g).
"That little chub likes nuts. We will add 1 jin of cashews (500 g). Nutritious and tasty."
"Minister Niu's home won't lack electricity or water. Ordinary vegetables probably are not scarce for them either. Let's add a small jar of pickled mustard and thirty eggs."
At this point, eggs had become even rarer than vegetables. All the chickens in the poultry farms had died. Aside from the free-range chickens kept by rural families, only the government departments' livestock constant-temperature rooms had any poultry left, kept alive by air conditioning.
The animal husbandry sector was the same type of institution as agriculture, but after the apocalypse it basically supplied only the upper echelons, enjoyed as luxury goods of the elite. Just like pre-apocalypse luxury brands supplied only about three percent of the population, the truly powerful after the apocalypse lacked none of these.
At 3 p.m., the whole family took the gifts to pay their respects, ahem, to express gratitude for the favor that brought rescue.
Minister Niu's home was in a civil servant community in the city. Everyone living there was a mid-level leader or above.
Next to the community was the No. 2 Armed Police Detachment, patrolling twenty-four hours a day. Cars were not allowed in. They were only able to enter because Minister Niu came down to lead them. Everyone's ID was scanned again, proof of strict management and a very high safety factor.
Each building had a temporary public restroom, all scrubbed clean. There were a few scattered street lamps in the community.
They climbed to the fifth floor. Madam Niu opened the door. The lamps were on and bright, the house neat and orderly, no foul smells, the temperature hovering around 26°C with the air conditioning clearly running. Everything looked just like before the apocalypse.
"Look at your timing. You wait until after we eat and clean up to come. If only you had come a bit earlier," Madam Niu said. She wore a red dress, her hair clipped loosely by her ear, fine curved brows, no makeup but looking fresh and youthful.
Although she said that, Madam Niu's goodwill toward this family shot up in her heart. With food so tight now, the last thing you should do is show up at a superior's home to freeload a meal. That would be tone-deaf.
A few days ago, several groups had come right at mealtime, bringing tea or antiques, things that were utterly useless. She had been so angry she made Lao Niu kneel for 3.8 jin (1.9 kg).
The two families exchanged greetings and introductions. Madam Niu called out Niu Yanben, who had been practicing the violin, then brewed tea for Jing Shu's family and set out candies and some sunflower seeds. Most surprising of all, there were even cherry tomatoes, commonly called little tomatoes.
Jing Shu's family did not waste words. They kept the gratitude in their hearts and moved straight to the practical.
"These are charcoal-roasted cashews. I saw the little one liked them very much, so I asked someone to get 1 jin (500 g). Nuts are nutritious, better than snacks."
The chubby boy's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Sister Jing Shu," Niu Yanben said sweetly.
A smile bloomed on Madam Niu's face. Minister Niu quietly let out a breath of relief. Finally, something that satisfied his wife. The previous visitors had not earned even a hint of color on her face.
"These are pickled mustard greens from our own kitchen. They are really delicious. With vegetables so tight right now, this is great for changing up the taste now and then."
Minister Niu and Madam Niu both showed satisfied smiles. This was more precious than grain. Production of pickled mustard had stopped half a year ago, and it was rare to see any now.
They sampled a few bites on the spot and looked genuinely surprised, praising it repeatedly. It was too good. Since you could not have vegetables at all three meals, eating this at breakfast or dinner made the rice go down perfectly.
"I heard from Niu Yanben that his mother loves strawberries the most. We happen to be growing a few at home. Not many. When we have more next time, I will bring you some."
Madam Niu was finally moved. One moment she said, "Aiyo, my precious son actually thought of his mother." The next moment she said, "You are too courteous. That day when trouble hit, I told Lao Niu to hurry and find help. The frogs you sent last time were truly amazing.
We used to have flying insects everywhere at home. They ruined a lot of food, in the water and in anything edible. Ever since the horned frogs arrived, there has not been a single bug. And it gave Niu Yanben something to do. He no longer shouts that he is bored.
I said at the time that we absolutely have to repay this favor."
When Jing Shu's family finally produced the eggs, Minister Niu had already earmarked a promotion slot in his heart for Su Lanzhi. Madam Niu was all smiles and secretly decided she would grant Lao Niu the new position he had dreamed of tonight. "Dead man, tonight your wish comes true."
Su Lanzhi had no idea why, for the next few days, Minister Niu looked at her with such excited eyes, practically worshiping her as a bringer of fortune.
Minister Niu, tactfully and indirectly, mentioned the tastes of a few leaders and some things in short supply at their homes. The planting base could prioritize these later. He also talked about the latest policies and reforms so that Su Lanzhi could prepare.
At the end, Madam Niu repeatedly and warmly invited them to stay for dinner, but Jing Shu's family apologized with genuine regret that there were urgent matters at home and took their leave.
"Sigh, I used to be truly foolish, always behind on information. Now I understand why some people climb so quickly at such a young age," Su Lanzhi said with feeling.
The next day, Su Lanzhi returned to work. Although the outside world was chaotic, government staff still had to report in. The commuter shuttles were now escorted by police and security.
Recently, every department had recruited several hundred family security guards, paid with one meal per shift. Only those with connections could get the job. At the same time, the first batch of mold mushrooms was about to come out, and the government wanted to implement the new policies as soon as possible.
After all, a portion of the population already had no food, and supermarkets were selling nothing. What could they do? To avoid starving to death, they would have to rob. The first step to stabilizing society was ensuring that everyone could get a meal.
Jing Shu no longer needed to walk Xiao Dou so far to scavenge. There were corpses right at the gate, breeding nest after nest of carrion scavengers, and Xiao Dou ate them all.
That day, Jing Shu had just delivered an Oscar-worthy performance, producing many sacks of corn from the basement, planning a corn feast with Grandma Jing, when the phone rang again like a death knell.
On the line, Wang Qiqi's trembling voice came through. "Jing Shu, can you drive to Wu City County to pick up me and Wang Dazhao? Did you not need steel bars and wire? I can help you get a batch."
Jing Shu frowned. "What are you doing over there? What is that sound on your end?"
"Killing. Someone was killed. Wang Dazhao killed more than a dozen people. The ones who sold him fake vegetables last time and caused his wife's death. He killed them all. But, he is not going to make it either. Please come quickly."