Lin Feng's figure slowly descended from mid-air.

He didn't look at the women cheering and rushing towards their new home, but instead turned his gaze to Li Luoshen.

"This is just the beginning." Lin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Li Luoshen's ears: "A solid empty shell doesn't count as a 'home.' A real home needs you to fill it with your own hands and warm it."

Li Luoshen's heart skipped a beat, and she respectfully lowered her head: "Yes, Mr. Lin. We understand."

"Very good." Lin Feng nodded, then turned to the group of people who were still in shock and ecstasy, and raised his voice a few decibels: "Your work still needs to continue! The foundation and main structure are complete, but the interior wall polishing, flooring installation, door and window installation, as well as the construction of the most basic beds and tables and chairs, all need to be done by you."

He pointed to an open space not far away, where Li Xiangbin, along with several women, had begun cutting and pre-processing huge logs and stone slabs.

"From now on, you will be divided into several groups. One group will learn how to make the simplest furniture under Li Xiangbin's guidance. Another group will be responsible for laying the prefabricated stone flooring into each room. And yet another group will be responsible for evenly applying a special mixture of mortar to the interior walls to complete the final leveling and reinforcement process."

Lin Feng's arrangements were methodical and orderly, clearly planned in advance.

"All work will still be settled in contribution points. What you are building is your own home. Every drop of sweat you shed will become the foundation for your livelihood."

His words, like a warm current, flowed into everyone's heart.

What was originally a fervent worship born from miracles has now quickly transformed into a more grounded and genuine enthusiasm for construction.

"Yes, Mr. Lin!" This time, he was met with a unified and heartfelt shout from everyone.

Over the next few days, the entire eastern section of the shelter transformed into a bustling construction site.

Li Luoshen voluntarily chose the most arduous and patient-requiring task: interior wall painting.

She and five or six other women, including Chen Jing and Xiao Ya, were in a group responsible for the interior "renovation" of three row houses.

That special mixed mud was another masterpiece of Lin Feng.

It is made from a mixture of fine white clay, ground plant fibers, and a gelatinous liquid with a light fragrance.

After being applied to the wall, it not only dries quickly but also forms a smooth, tough, and waterproof protective layer in a warm off-white color.

The work was hard. Every day, they had to carry heavy wooden buckets, carrying the mud into the house one bucket at a time, and then carefully, again and again, using wooden trowels to evenly apply the mud to the walls.

This is a huge test of both arm strength and endurance.

After the first day, Li Luoshen and her sisters were so exhausted they could barely lift their arms. Their shoulders ached, and their fingers were red and raw from being rubbed with scalpels.

However, no one complained.

Every night, as they dragged their weary bodies back to Villa No. 3, they would take a hot bath to wash away their fatigue and aches, and then go to the central canteen for a steaming hot meal. The sense of satisfaction that welled up from the bottom of their hearts was incomparable to anything else.

They watched as their future home gradually became smooth, flat, and bright in their own hands.

That feeling was filled with the joy of creation and boundless anticipation for the future.

"Sister Luoshen, look, I plastered this wall!" Xiaoya pointed to a smooth, mirror-like wall in a bedroom, her face smeared with white plaster, but her smile was brighter than the sun. "Isn't it smooth? Li Xiangbin just came to check and praised me!"

"Yes, it's very smooth. Xiaoya, you're great!" Li Luoshen encouraged her with a smile. She could feel that this once timid and thin girl was becoming confident and cheerful at a visible speed.

"Hehe," Xiaoya scratched her head a little shyly, "I was just thinking that this might be my room in the future, so I have to make it look pretty. By the way, Sister Luoshen, what kind of room do you want yours to be like?"

Li Luoshen leaned against the wall, took a breath, and looked longingly at him: "I wish I had a big window, like the one in the villa we live in now. Every morning, the sunlight could stream in and fall on my bed."

"I wish I had my own desk!" Chen Jing, wearing glasses, adjusted her frames and said earnestly, "I can put the study manuals the shelter gave me on it and study them carefully at night. I heard from Captain Qin that the shelter organizes regular study sessions, which include knowledge about the plants and minerals of this world, as well as basic first aid and combat skills. I can't fall behind."

They chattered excitedly, the little houses having become their real home, and they were adding to its walls and bricks.

As evening fell, the closing bell rang.

Qin Lan, carrying a notebook, walked to their workstations. She was one of the overall supervisors of this construction site, responsible for recording and evaluating the workload and contributions of all new members.

"All the work for today is done. Thank you all for your hard work." Qin Lan's expression remained serious as always, but a hint of satisfaction appeared when her gaze swept over the meticulously cleaned walls.

"Li Luoshen's team has completed the first coat of paint on the interior walls of cabins No. 3, 4, and 5 in Area A. The walls are very smooth. According to the standards, each person will receive 3 contribution points."

"Wow! Three points!" Xiaoya exclaimed in a low voice with delight.

In the past few days, they have gained a clear understanding of the contribution point system.

In the cafeteria, a vegetarian dish plus a soup costs 0.7 contribution points. This means that their hard work today is enough to ensure they can enjoy delicious vegetables and hot soup for the next four days, and their main meals are free!

If they want to eat meat, such as delicious pan-fried ribs, they need 1.5 contribution points. This means that after working for just two days, they can enjoy a luxurious meal of meat.

This feeling of having one's efforts and rewards clearly quantified fills everyone with enthusiasm.

Li Luoshen was also silently calculating in her mind. At this rate, they could accumulate more than twenty contribution points in a week. After deducting daily expenses, they would definitely have a considerable surplus.

Just then, Qin Lan cleared her throat and announced some news that cheered everyone up.

"Just to let you know. All work is suspended tomorrow morning. Meet at the central square at nine o'clock. Mr. Lin has something important to announce."

She paused, looking at the curious gazes of the crowd, and a rare upward twitch of her lips, carrying a mysterious smile: "In addition, starting tomorrow, there will be a major change in the way contribution points are distributed and settled. Your hard work will be rewarded in a... more substantial way."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving behind a group of women who were both confused and full of expectation.

The next morning, when the bells rang in the central square, all the members of the shelter had already gathered there.

Not only were the new members like Li Luoshen present, but also Qin Lan's combat team, Li Xiangbin's crafts team, Pang Dahai's canteen logistics team, and even some members responsible for daily cleaning and chores, all of them were present.

Everyone seemed excited and curious, whispering among themselves.

"Have you heard? It seems Mr. Lin is going to give out 'money'!"

"Money? Haven't we always used contribution points?"

"It's different! I heard it's a tangible, physical currency! Made of gold!"

"Really? My God, that must be worth a fortune!"

Li Luoshen stood with Chen Jing, Sun Wei, and others, listening to the surrounding discussions, her heart also filled with turmoil.

Their understanding of shelters is still at a very basic level. But today, they will witness the birth of another fundamental system in this new world.

At exactly nine o'clock, Lin Feng appeared on the high platform.

He was still dressed in a simple black combat uniform, his posture upright like a pine tree, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone below.

The square fell silent instantly, and all eyes were fixed on him, filled with awe and trust.

"I've gathered everyone here today to announce three things," Lin Feng's voice clearly echoed throughout the square through some kind of loudspeaker.

"First thing. After a week of hard work, the main structure and internal infrastructure of the new members' dormitory area have been basically completed. On behalf of the shelter, I would like to thank all the compatriots who participated in the construction for their hard work."

As soon as he finished speaking, a round of enthusiastic applause rang out in the square.

The new members, including Li Luoshen, were even more excited, puffing out their chests and beaming with pride.

"The second thing," Lin Feng gestured for everyone to be quiet, "is that a stable shelter needs a stable, reliable, and counterfeit-proof monetary system. Contribution points, as the unit of account, have fulfilled their historical mission. From today onwards, the shelter will use a single legal tender."

He held out his hand, and a gleaming gold coin lay quietly in his palm. In the sunlight, it reflected a dazzling yet gentle light.

“I named it, ‘Shelter Gold’.”

Lin Feng showed the gold coin to everyone: "It is made from a special alloy called 'Aojin' that I discovered. It is stable and extremely difficult to imitate. The right to mine and cast it is held solely by me."

"From this day forward, 1 contribution point will be equivalent to 1 shelter gold coin. All contribution points you have earned in the past week will be converted into gold coins at a 1:1 ratio and distributed to you. All future work rewards and item transactions will be settled in gold coins."

A suppressed gasp of amazement rose from the crowd in the square.

People stared intently at the gold coin in Lin Feng's hand. The feeling of transforming a virtual number into a substantial, tangible treasure was entirely different. It felt more real, more reassuring.

"Now, department heads, come forward to collect the salaries of your department members and distribute them!" Lin Feng ordered.

Qin Lan, Li Xiangbin, Pang Dahai, and others walked up to the platform one by one and received heavy burlap sacks from a large wooden box behind Lin Feng.

Soon, Qin Lan walked up to Li Luoshen and the others.

She opened the cloth bag, and it was immediately filled with golden light, accompanied by a pleasant, crisp metallic clanging sound.

"Li Luoshen, you have accumulated 21 contribution points over the past seven days, which can be exchanged for 21 gold coins. Please accept them." Qin Lan handed 21 brand-new gold coins to Li Luoshen.

The gold coin feels slightly heavy in the hand, with the warm and smooth texture unique to metal. The front features a lifelike relief of Lin Feng's profile, with sharp eyes; the back is adorned with a shield and hammer/knife emblem, exuding a sense of power.

"Thank you... thank you Captain Qin." Li Luoshen's voice trembled slightly.

She clutched the 21 gold coins tightly. These were not just money; they were the first fortune she had earned through her own sweat and hard work since she came into this world.

It represents dignity, new life, and the right to live and thrive in this apocalyptic world.

Xiaoya received 19 gold coins. She counted them one by one, her eyes smiling like crescent moons.

Chen Jing and Sun Wei also received their wages. They carefully put the money into the small cloth money bags distributed by the shelter and tied them around their waists, their faces beaming with undisguised joy.

The entire square was immersed in a sense of joy and accomplishment.

People showed each other their gold coins and discussed how to use them.

This small metal disc possesses a magical power that fills the entire shelter with vibrant life.

"Quiet!"

On the high platform, Lin Feng's voice rang out again, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Next is the third thing."

A mysterious smile appeared on his face.

"In order to enrich everyone's lives, improve their quality of life, and promote the circulation of gold and silver, I have decided to establish a 'supply and marketing cooperative' within the shelter."

"Supply and Marketing Cooperative?"

This term, which is both familiar and somewhat distant, has left many people confused.

Lin Feng was pleased with everyone's curiosity, and he continued, "The supply and marketing cooperative is a shop open to all shelter members. There, you can use the gold coins in your hands to buy all kinds of goods that you need, or rather... that you desire."

He turned to the side and pointed to a two-story stone and wood building on the side of the square, whose doors had always been tightly closed.

"I hereby declare that Shelter No. 1 Supply and Marketing Cooperative is now officially open for business!"

As he spoke, the heavy wooden door of the building was slowly pushed open from the inside by two people.

A petite, sweet-faced young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, stood smiling at the door, dressed in a clean and neat blue work uniform.

Li Luoshen recognized her; her name was Ruan Mengtian. It was said that her family owned a chain of supermarkets back on Earth, and she herself studied marketing in college.

"I hereby appoint Ruan Mengtian as the first president of the supply and marketing cooperative, responsible for its daily operations," Lin Feng announced.

Ruan Mengtian bowed deeply to Lin Feng and the crowd in the square, her voice clear and loud: "Please take good care of me! I will definitely work hard to provide you with the best products and the best service!"

Her smile was incredibly friendly, instantly winning everyone's favor.