CHAPTER 123: AFTER BEATING THE YOUNG, THE OLD ARRIVES

This was also the time when everyone, having finished their meal from the communal pot, would put on their cotton clothes and go outside to dig for Five Grain Worms.

Previously, the supermarket opened at 6 a.m. every morning. However, due to everyone’s enthusiasm for digging insects and exchanging them for work points, a positive cycle had formed. Consequently, the supermarket extended its hours, adding a second opening time after 6 p.m. This new schedule perfectly avoided the peak midday temperatures. Most people’s daily routines had also changed, with them staying indoors as much as possible during the extreme heat. This meant their previous single meal a day had now luxuriously become two.

Furthermore, since most people had already traded in all their spare quilts and clothing, the supermarket expanded its trade-in program to include other daily necessities for work points: beds, wooden planks, wooden items, and waste paper.

The first batch of recycled materials included iron and steel, designated for the Artificial Sun. The second batch, consisting of cotton and linen, was set aside for strategic storage. Jing Shu didn’t yet know the purpose for the third batch, which was wood. However, the recycled waste paper was intended for papermaking.

Many items were no longer in production, leading to a dwindling supply of consumables. Toiletries were a prime example. Previously, people used paper napkins after meals; now, everyone licked their plates clean.

Before, they used paper in the toilets. Now, with cloth and paper used up, no water, and even leaves and grass gone, things were dire.

Skipping a wipe once or twice after using the toilet might be tolerable, but doing so repeatedly would lead to an unpleasant, sticky situation.

So, everyone resorted to using small wooden sticks to scrape themselves clean.

This reminded Jing Shu vividly of why, after her rebirth, she had stocked up on twenty years’ worth of daily necessities and an enormous supply of toilet paper.

Round sticks weren’t very effective, so they had to use non-recyclable knives to whittle small wooden sticks flat. In her past life, Jing Shu used to whittle a stick while on the toilet; by the time she finished her business, the stick would be ready.

However, it required a delicate touch, and mistakes could easily lead to injury. Dealing with dryness was one thing, but the frequent diarrhea caused by eating too many Five Grain Worms made it worse. TSK, TSK... better not to dwell on it; the memories were too painful, filled with too many tears.

This was a period of heightened activity in the residential area. People were out hunting for larvae or searching for new supplies. Some were restless, mulling over Su Meimei’s words, with a few even suggesting, "Should we go check out the villa?"

But then, a gruesome image suddenly appeared in the group chat. Paired with a domineering statement from Jing Shu, it immediately made people stop in their tracks, terrified, their hearts filled with a shared dread. For a moment, Jing Shu transformed into a demonic figure in their eyes.

Shi Zi stammered, "Th-that’s Zhou Pancheng, isn’t it? Y-you actually killed someone?" He shivered, wondering if she had indeed tortured those five men to death.

"According to the latest legal regulation," Jing Shu’s message continued, "anyone attempting armed robbery at someone’s home can be lawfully killed on the spot, with the incident reported afterward. There’s a reward of 10 work points for each robber. If no one claims them, I’ll report it myself."

The rest were struck silent with fear, not daring to utter another word. Today, they had witnessed the villa family’s methods and ruthlessness. Even armed intruders had met a grim end, let alone those who were unarmed.

The villa family was thus officially blacklisted by the community as people not to be provoked.

After settling this matter, Jing Shu held a family meeting.

Mrs. Jing had finally learned her lesson. "Su Meimei took a hit; she definitely won’t give up easily. We need to be on guard."

Jing Shu replied, "If I were Su Meimei, I’d definitely go to my biological father. All he can do is pull some strings. I heard he knows Niu Mou’s direct supervisor."

The family looked at Jing Shu tensely. Mr. Jing asked, "So, what should we do?"

Jing Shu sneered. "Are they the only ones with connections? Money makes the world go ’round. We can find our own."

However, Jing Shu generally didn’t like to play by the rules.

Jing Shu’s prediction was accurate. After dealing with the daughter, the father appeared. The very next day, a gasoline-fueled Audi—a rare sight—stopped at the villa’s entrance.

In these times, only government officials with substantial power possessed gasoline-powered cars.

The man stepping out was Su Meimei’s biological father, Su Guosheng, still in his usual Zhongshan suit. Accompanying him was a pot-bellied, greasy middle-aged man.

Six months into the apocalypse, anyone still that portly must have had significant resources.

The middle-aged man panted as he took out his phone. "Hello, Niu Mou? Yes, I’m right outside your subordinate Su Lanzi’s villa. That’s right. Okay, I’ll wait for you here."

After hanging up, the middle-aged man offered Su Guosheng a cigarette. "Don’t worry," he said. "Your old classmate will definitely handle this for you and ensure you can leave without issue. It’s just a matter of resources..."

Su Guosheng accepted the cigarette. With thin, dry hands, he carefully smoothed it, his eyes narrowing. "Once I return, I’ll take care of the resource matter for you."

So the old guy was planning to leave, huh.

Jing Shu opened the main gate, a wave of heat washing over her. With a CLANG, she slammed a chair down just inside, closed the gate again, then sat, crossing her legs nonchalantly as she stared at the two men. Playing this game with her? Did they really think she played by the rules?

"Look, the Maqianzi I planted especially for you has ripened." Jing Shu activated the Second Form of her Magic Cube Space, gently stroking the plant. She had planted it a few days ago while researching toxic bees, wondering if poison applied to them would be effective. Lacking a ready source of toxins, she had researched it herself.

She had discovered that Maqianzi, a medicinal plant, was one of the twenty-eight types of highly toxic herbs, a key ingredient for substances like arsenic and mercury.

It was a case of perfect timing rather than meticulous planning. The Maqianzi was now ready. Jing Shu sat by the entrance and deliberately began to prepare her concoction.

Su Guosheng, truly an old fox, completely ignored Jing Shu. He and the greasy middle-aged man simply returned to the car to wait in the air conditioning.

A short while later, Niu Mou drove up quickly, bringing Mrs. Jing with him. Niu Mou alighted, sweating profusely, with Mrs. Jing following behind him.

"Secretary Zhang," Niu Mou called out warmly.

The portly man known as Secretary Zhang responded with a curt "Hmm," then said, "Replace Su Lanzi, the Director of the Development Zone Management Department." He pointed at the villa. "There are reports she has embezzled a large quantity of vegetables and abused her power for personal gain. This villa is the proof. According to the new regulations, all these assets must be confiscated. Xiao Zhang will bring a team to confirm this shortly."

Standing to one side, Su Guosheng wore a smile of assured victory. He had underestimated them the first time and misjudged them the second. What tricks could they possibly pull this third time?

Daughter, I’ve done all I can for you; the rest is up to you, Su Guosheng mused, simultaneously wondering how he would face the tigress back home.

The warmth on Niu Mou’s face slowly faded, replaced by a stern expression. "Secretary Zhang, Minister Su is a capable subordinate of mine. She cannot be replaced."

Secretary Zhang, clearly not expecting such defiance from a subordinate who was usually so deferential, lost face. "Niu Mou," he fumed, "as your superior, I have the authority to change Directors, even Ministers! Do you want to be replaced too?"

"Secretary Zhang, don’t forget whose man I am," Niu Mou stated grimly. He still owed Su Lanzi a huge favor and had to repay it, no matter the cost, even if it meant risking a full-blown confrontation.

"If I can’t touch you, do you think I can’t remove a mere Director?" Secretary Zhang’s finger trembled as he pointed at Niu Mou, his eyes bulging with extreme agitation. Suddenly, he began to foam at the mouth.