Chapter 57 Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland 20
Two flowers bloom, each representing a different branch.
The heavy doors of the "Grass Platform" shelter slowly closed after Zhou Jue and his group left, completely isolating them from the deathly silence and danger of the outside world.
In the lobby of G floor, the remaining survivors looked at the door, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
There was guilt, there was jealousy, but more than anything, there was a sense of unease about being left behind.
Chen Shuqi pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting the bright lights of the hall. She walked up to the group, her voice soft but clear enough to reach everyone's ears.
"Alright, stop watching."
Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.
"The boss and the search team went out to find a way to survive for all of us, so we can't just sit idle."
Everyone turned their attention to her; this seemingly quiet woman was now exuding an invisible aura.
“I know what you’re all thinking.” Chen Shuqi’s gaze swept over everyone. “You feel safe here, with food and drink, much better off than those struggling to survive outside. Yes, we are lucky because we met our boss.”
She paused, then her tone shifted, becoming sharp.
“But this luck is not something to be taken for granted! The boss saved us, not to support a bunch of idle people who do nothing. She gave us a safe haven and food, and we have to live up to that kindness.”
“You have to understand, the boss can’t stay with us forever. As you’ve seen, the first batch of us came from the hospital with the boss, the second batch was rescued by the boss yesterday, and soon, there will be a third and fourth batch of people coming in.”
Chen Shuqi's voice rose a few decibels, carrying a warning tone.
"When the number of people increases, food will become even more scarce. Think about it, if the 'grass platform' shelter can't provide enough food for everyone, who will be given priority? Those who can contribute to the shelter, or those who only know how to eat?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads.
They then realized that comfort was only temporary. In this precarious world, nothing is permanent.
"While there are still few people, each of us must strive to improve our own value. Otherwise, as more and more new people join, those of you who do not know how to be prepared for the future will only be marginalized. The final result may be that you will not have enough to eat, or even be driven out and left to fend for yourself."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Everyone wore a thoughtful expression.
Chen Shuqi was very satisfied with this effect. What she wanted was to give them a wake-up call and make them wake up from their comfortable illusions.
She didn't quite understand Zhou Jue. When he was rescuing people, he told everyone to work for him, but he didn't assign any tasks. Most of the time, he let everyone do what they were supposed to do. She felt this was a bad thing, as it meant Zhou Jue could leave at any time.
The relationships between people are either based on mutual benefit or emotional connection, and Zhou Jue did not ask them for either of these.
This shows that Zhou Jue doesn't need them. Zhou Jue can leave at any time, so she has to prove their worth, even if Zhou Jue doesn't really need them right now.
Suppressing his anxiety, Chen Shuqi continued, "Now, let me arrange the work."
“Level B2 hasn’t been cleared yet. There might be supplies there, but there could also be trapped zombies. Now, we need to organize manpower to thoroughly clear Level B2.” This was the access to Level B2 that Zhou Jue granted her before he left.
She looked at the remaining adult men.
"You guys will be in charge of the cleanup. Li Dahai, you'll be the temporary team leader."
Head chef Li Dahai nodded, offering no objection.
"Zhang Lan, you'll be in charge of preparing medical supplies on the side, ready to deal with any emergencies that may occur. Grandma Sun, you're getting old, so you'll be in charge of logistics and watch over our things."
Zhang Lan and Sun Jing both agreed.
After making these arrangements, Chen Shuqi cleared her throat and revealed her true purpose.
"Finally, and most importantly, starting today, in order to ensure the fair and reasonable distribution of supplies, I propose that the 'Grass Platform' shelter implement a points system."
"A points system?" someone asked, puzzled.
“That’s right,” Chen Shuqi explained. “In other words, all the food, medicine, clean clothes, and even a private rest room in the shelter will no longer be provided for free. To get these, you have to exchange them with points.”
"The way to earn points is through work. For example, going out to collect supplies, cleaning floors, repairing equipment, handling miscellaneous tasks... all actions that contribute to the shelter can earn corresponding points. The greater the contribution, the more points you get."
“This humble abode will not support idlers. From today onwards, I will register every single food item. If you want to eat, you will have to earn it through your labor.”
The suggestion immediately caused a small commotion in the crowd.
Most people showed expressions of agreement. They had all struggled through the apocalypse and understood that there's no such thing as a free lunch. This system was undoubtedly fair to those who worked hard.
"I agree! That's fair!"
"Yes, we can't let the people who do the work lose heart."
"I have no objection. As long as I work hard, I won't starve to death."
However, just when most people were in favor, a discordant voice rang out.
"I object!"
The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was a man in his thirties named Zhao San, who was also one of the earliest survivors in the hospital.
He was tall and thin with slanted eyes. When faced with a life-or-death crisis, he was more obedient than anyone else. Now, after only one day of peace, his mind has started to wander.
He stepped forward, glancing sideways at Chen Shuqi, his tone full of provocation.
"Attorney Chen, what do you mean by this? The boss never said anything about exchanging points for food. She just left, and you're already doing your own thing. Isn't this a bit like 'when the cat's away, the mice will play'?"
Chen Shuqi's face darkened: "I'm doing this for the long-term development of the shelter, and also to ensure fairness to every member."
"Fair? I doubt it!" Zhao San sneered. "Who knows how you calculate these points? Isn't it all up to you? When you have all the power, you can give more to whomever you want, and we'll all have to live at your mercy."
Seeing that Chen Shuqi remained silent, he assumed he had gained the upper hand and became even more smug.
"Besides, why should I go out to work? It's so dangerous outside. What if we get bitten by zombies? The boss rescued us so that we could live safely. Now you're forcing us to do dangerous work? Aren't you pushing us into a fire pit?"
After saying that, he tried to rally the others: "Don't you all agree? We finally have a safe place, why should we risk our lives? Our boss is so kind, he definitely won't agree to you doing this!"
His incitement caused even some people who were already fearful to begin to waver.
After all, who wouldn't want to stay put and have food to eat without doing anything?
But after looking at Chen Shuqi's cold expression and thinking about Zhou Jue's decisive and ruthless manner, no one dared to stand up and openly agree with Zhao San.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat tense and awkward.
Chen Shuqi looked at Zhao San, who was trying to stir up trouble, and felt a chill in her heart. She knew that if this kind of person wasn't dealt with sooner or later, he would become a cancer in the team.
Just as she was preparing to take a tougher stance.
"laugh--"
The heavy, tightly closed metal door suddenly emitted a familiar sound of pressure relief and slowly slid open to one side.
Light streamed in from outside, and several figures appeared in the doorway.
The boss and the others are back!
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