CHAPTER 81: MINISTER NIU’S SPRING

Mrs. Jing was just a bit too sincere, truly kind to someone when she wished to be, unlike Jing Shu, who was more calculating.

Sometimes Jing Shu even wondered if she was actually a villain from some author’s creation. Otherwise, why had she done everything a typical villain would do? Hmm...

"Okay, since rarity confers value, let’s give them half a kilogram of strawberries."

"That chubby kid likes nuts, so let’s also send half a kilogram of cashews; they’re nutritious and tasty."

"Minister Niu’s house isn’t lacking in water or electricity, and they probably aren’t short of ordinary vegetables either. Let’s send them a small jar of pickled vegetables and thirty eggs."

By this time, eggs had become even scarcer than vegetables. The chickens on the farms had all died. Aside from the free-range chickens kept by rural households, only the government’s livestock department greenhouses still had some domestic poultry, kept alive with air conditioning.

The livestock department and the Ministry of Agriculture served similar functions, but after the apocalypse, it primarily supplied only the upper echelons of power, as a luxury good for elite society. Just as luxury goods were supplied to only 3% of the population before the apocalypse, the truly powerful lacked for none of these things even after it.

At 15:00, the family carried the gifts to pay a visit and express their gratitude—ahem—for the favor of rescuing them.

Minister Niu’s home was in a civil servant housing complex in the city center, where all residents were mid-level officials or higher from various government agencies.

Next to the complex was the Armed Police Second Team, patrolling twenty-four hours a day without interruption. Vehicles weren’t allowed inside. Minister Niu himself had to lead them into the complex, and everyone’s identity information was scanned again—a testament to the strict management and high security.

Every building had a temporary public bathroom, kept clean and tidy, and the complex was intermittently lit by street lamps.

Upon reaching the fifth floor, Mrs. Niu opened the door. Inside, the lights were on, and everything was tidy and clean with no foul odors. The temperature was around 26℃, clearly indicating the air conditioning was on. Everything seemed just like before the apocalypse.

"Look at the timing you folks have chosen, coming after dinner’s all cleaned up; it would have been nice if you’d come a bit earlier," Mrs. Niu said. She was dressed in a red skirt, her hair casually clasped beside her ears, her eyebrows thin and arched. Even bare-faced, she looked young and lively.

Though she said this, Mrs. Niu’s fondness for this family increased. With food being so scarce now, it was most distasteful to freeload during meals at a superior’s home without being perceptive.

Just a few days ago, several groups had chosen mealtimes to visit, bringing tea or antiques—things of no practical use, frustrating her to the point where she made Niu kneel again, a punishment humorously quantified as weighing 1.9 kilograms.

The families introduced each other and exchanged pleasantries. Mrs. Niu called Niu Yanben, who was practicing the violin, to come out. She then brewed tea for Jing Shu’s family and served candies, some melon seeds, and most surprisingly, even cherry tomatoes, commonly known as baby tomatoes.

Jing Shu’s family didn’t bother with empty courtesies; heartfelt thanks were kept in their hearts. It was better to show appreciation through actions.

"These are charcoal-roasted cashews. Seeing how much the kid liked them, I had someone get half a kilogram for him. Nuts are nutritious, better than snacks."

The chubby kid’s eyes sparkled, sweetly calling out, "Thank you, Sister Jing Shu."

A smile appeared on Mrs. Niu’s face. Minister Niu, on the side, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, something his wife is pleased with! Unlike that previous bunch, who didn’t even get a smile!

"These are homemade pickled vegetables, really tasty. With vegetables being scarce, it’s nice to have these to change up the flavors once in a while."

Minister Niu and Mrs. Niu both revealed satisfied smiles; this was an ingredient even more valuable than grain. Pickles had stopped being produced half a year ago, and nowadays they were extremely rare.

They tried a few pieces right then and there, all showing surprised expressions and lavishly praising how delicious it was. Moreover, since having vegetables for every meal was out of the question, eating these pickles during breakfast or dinner was a great addition to their meals.

"Niu Yanben mentioned that his mother loves strawberries most, and it just so happens that I’ve grown some at home—though not much. Next time, when there are more, I’ll bring some to you."

Mrs. Niu finally became excited. First, she exclaimed, "Oh, my precious son knows to think of his mom!" Then she added, "Oh, you’re too kind! That day, when you faced trouble, I had Niu immediately find someone. The frogs you sent last time were simply fantastic.

"Previously, our house was plagued daily by various insects, ruining lots of food in the water and elsewhere. Since we got the frogs, not a single insect has been left in the house. It has also given Niu Yanben something to do; he no longer complains about being bored.

"I said right then that we must surely reciprocate your kindness."

When Jing Shu’s family finally presented the eggs, Minister Niu had already mentally reserved a promotion slot for Mrs. Jing. Mrs. Niu was already all smiles. I might as well indulge the old devil this one time tonight and unlock that new position he’s been dreaming of, she silently decided.

Mrs. Jing had no idea why Minister Niu’s gaze toward her was filled with such excitement recently, treating her like a lucky star.

Minister Niu subtly brought up a few leaders’ preferences and some items his house was missing, suggesting that the plantation could take special care of these. He also discussed the new policies and reforms to prepare Mrs. Jing.

Ultimately, Mrs. Niu repeatedly insisted on having them stay for a meal, but Jing Shu’s family expressed regret over an urgent matter at home and left.

"Ah, I was really foolish before, always behind on news. Now I understand why others could climb up so quickly at such a young age," Mrs. Jing remarked, moved by the insight.

The very next day after the family returned, Mrs. Jing began working. Although it was chaotic outside, people in government agencies still had to work. Their commutes were secured by police and security.

Recently, several hundred family members were employed as security and managed meals. Only those with connections were capable of this job. At the same time, the first batch of moldy mushrooms was nearly ready, and the government was eager to implement the new policy.

After all, a small portion of the population had already run out of food, with nothing for sale in the supermarkets. What could they do? To avoid starvation, they could only resort to robbery. The first step to stabilizing society was ensuring everyone could get a meal.

Jing Shu no longer needed to walk far to lead her fat chicken out; at her doorstep were ready-made corpses teeming with clusters of rotten corpse insects, all fed to the fat chicken.

Today, just as Jing Shu’s acting skills burst forth—having ’unearthed’ many sacks of corn from the basement and planning a big corn feast with Grandma Jing—the phone rang, sounding like the toll of doom.

Over the phone came the trembling voice of Wang Qiqi: "Jing Shu, could you drive over to Wucheng County and pick me and Wang Dazhao up? You wanted rebar and wire, right? I can get a batch for you."

Jing Shu furrowed her brow. "What are you two doing over there? What’s that noise?"

"Murder! Murder has happened!" Wang Qiqi’s voice trembled. "Wang Dazhao killed more than a dozen people—those who sold him fake vegetables, causing his wife’s death. He’s killed them all! But... he’s not doing well either. You better come and see!"