"The biggest red nematode supplier in Xishan? It's Wang Fang, of course! She has got real pull in this district," one man said, his breath fogging in the cold canteen air. "Wu City's red nematode supply all comes from our Xishan area, and it's all thanks to her efforts. Every other canteen's buffet today probably serves dung beetle rice, which is much coarser. I even heard Wang Fang has got connections with the Livestock Breeding Center and sends them feed too."
"I really regret acting like an idiot last year, digging up red nematodes like crazy for 200 jin (100 kg) per virtual coin. I barely made a few hundred coins and thought I had struck gold," another replied, staring down at his empty bowl. "Everyone said those things were worthless, that only fools would collect them. Look at us now. The red nematodes are extinct because we ate them all. You can't find a single live one anymore in the dry, frozen soil."
"I don't even want to think about what we will eat when the red nematodes are gone. Rice prices just went up again, now costing three virtual coins for a single bowl."
The one speaking nearby was none other than Wang Fang, the same aunt who had wanted to dump her red nematode stock last year but got stopped by Jing Shu.
Hearing the chatter behind her, Wang Fang couldn't help but smirk, her cheeks lifting with a sense of pride. Now, everyone from the canteens to the Livestock Breeding Center treated her like a VIP. Some even bribed her, slipping her fresh eggs just to make sure she would keep supplying them with red nematode feed.
Of course, she had Jing Shu to thank for that. Last year, Jing Shu had the foresight to collect hundreds of thousands of virtual coins' worth of red nematodes and turn them into cooked, shelf-stable patties. Now, Wang Fang didn't even need to reprocess them. She just shipped out a batch every day, got paid on the spot by the government, and the transaction felt amazing.
Watching her virtual balance climb higher every day on the glowing screen of her device filled her with a sense of security she had never felt before. Once she saved enough, she planned to ask Jing An to use his connections to get her two licensed laying hens from the Livestock Breeding Center. She didn't care if they ever hatched chicks; she just wanted two fresh eggs every morning to supplement her diet.
"Another six months of this and I will be able to take out a loan to rent a pig," she said, shaking her head as she adjusted her coat. "Of course, I will need to pull some strings to get in line. Your brother-in-law Jing An's family is really something else."
These days, if someone wanted to buy chickens privately, they had to register at the Livestock Breeding Center, get a license, and file for a chicken ID card. With proof of assets over ten thousand, they could even take a two-year, interest-free loan to buy them.
Most importantly, the chickens couldn't be slaughtered or starved. If they died, there would be fines and investigations. Each bird needed an annual inspection, and now there were even "chicken insurance" and "accidental chicken protection" policies to ensure their safety.
Owning chickens now was like driving a BMW or Mercedes before the apocalypse: stylish and practical. Ducks were like sports cars; they were cool but expensive to maintain. Pigs were like fuel-guzzling luxury SUVs—fun, but very costly.
As for cows, that's a whole different level. Only the truly rich had them, with maids and bodyguards specifically assigned to care for them. They were like people who used to drive Rolls-Royces, never behind the wheel themselves, always chauffeured.
People no longer bragged about how many luxury cars they had but about how many chickens, ducks, or cows they owned. Anyone who could even afford to raise a pig these days was a real tycoon in the eyes of the public.
When Wang Fang returned home, full of smug satisfaction, her husband, Su Yiyang, frowned.
"You went to the Xishan canteen again? Didn't you say you were just making a few hundred virtual coins for living expenses?"
"Yeah, but I just signed another three-month contract. I'm selling red nematode patties to them at regular prices. The Xishan canteen's so decisive, and they're paying way better than the Livestock Breeding Center," she said, running her hand through the hair she had finally managed to grow out again.
Her husband stomped his foot on the cold floor. "How many times have I told you? Jing Shu said the best time to sell is in the second half of the year. You could trade with the government for supplies instead. Virtual coins are just numbers, but food you hold in your hands, that's real value! Can't you listen to her for once? The situation is getting worse. No matter how many coins you have, they won't fill your stomach!"
Wang Fang rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, I admit Jing Shu has got vision and strategy, but the sooner we sell, the sooner we will get paid. If we wait, the price might drop. I still need to buy chickens for our son so he can eat better. He is too short already. If I don't feed him right, what will happen when school starts after the quake season? We need virtual coins for a good school too! Besides, didn't the news say Earth is adjusting itself? The apocalypse is about to end! If we don't sell our red nematodes now, they will be worthless later!"
"The apocalypse ending? Don't believe those idiot scientists!"
They were still arguing when their son, Su Long, came over, wrapped in a thick, worn blanket and shivering. "Mom, can we not sleep in the plaza tonight? It's freezing, and people keep farting and peeing everywhere. I can't sleep at all. The quakes have stopped these last few days, right? Can we please go home tonight?"
Wang Fang hesitated, looking at her son's pale face.
"No!" her husband said firmly, rubbing his frozen red nose. "Before Jing Shu left, she told us not to go back. Even your Paternal Eldest Aunt has said so. It's too dangerous. The whole East District community collapsed the other day. You saw how many people died!"
"Listen to your dad," Wang Fang said after a pause. "Your Cousin Jing Shu and your aunt know what they're talking about. What if another quake hits and buries the three of us alive? My business has just started taking off, and I still plan to buy two laying hens for you. When we get them, you can pick out their ID numbers yourself. If you want fancy ones, it's just five extra virtual coins."
"No way! I have slept outside for months already! Look at all these bug bites, and there's shit all over my shoes. Can't I at least take a bath at home?" Su Long was determined. Once he got inside the familiar walls, he wasn't planning to come back out into the cold.
"Fine, take a quick bath then."
The three packed up their few belongings and left the crowded refugee plaza, heading back to their old community. Wang Fang spent two virtual coins to buy a pot of hot water so Su Long could wash up at home, the steam rising in the chilly bathroom.
Sure enough, once he was clean and warm, the boy refused to leave.
"Can't we just stay one night?" Wang Fang asked softly.
"No! Your soft heart is going to kill us someday! What if something happens?"
"Oh, stop exaggerating! Su Yiyang, you have really grown some guts, huh? Talking back to me now? You don't love me anymore, do you? Men are all pigs!"
"I—! @#￥%… You—"
Right then, his phone rang, the shrill tone cutting through the argument.
"Hello? Little Sister? Yeah, we're at home. Just finished giving Su Long a bath. What? Jing Shu is back from America? After all that treatment? Is she recovered?" He motioned for Wang Fang to stay quiet with a sharp wave of his hand.
The signal was bad, breaking up constantly with static, but the moment Wang Fang heard Su Lanzhi's voice, she couldn't hold back. She snatched the phone away.
"Oh, yes, yes, don't listen to him! We have got time! Of course, we will come! Sorry to trouble Brother-in-law's for the ride, we will wait at home. What? Stay a few days? No problem! We will head down to the corner right now. Okay, okay, see you soon!"