Chapter 8
After agreeing on everything, the mother and daughter left the low-rent housing area.
Many residents who were rushing to leave the base were in a hurry, each carrying a large basket on their back.
The two consulted with various people along the way until they arrived at the meeting hall, where they soon saw a circular building of about 1,000 square meters, which looked a bit like a miniature version of the Bird's Nest from a distance.
This was the busiest time, with a constant stream of people coming and going from the meeting hall. Jiang Zhi could even spot some physically strong mutants.
Unlike ordinary people who suffer from hunger and insomnia, these mutants have physical and mental conditions that are different from those of ordinary people.
Jiangzhi hadn't seen such a lively scene in a long time. Looking at the small groups of people, she inexplicably felt like she was at a market.
The mother and daughter squeezed into the meeting hall, and as soon as they entered, they saw the huge task display screen in the center of the hall.
The messages scrolled by one after another, making it difficult to keep up.
"Picking tasks in Collection Area No. 8, middle-aged women preferred, pick-up and drop-off service provided by the base."
"The construction of the South Gate city wall will last 7 hours per day, and two meals will be provided."
"Dongfanghong Reclamation Team is recruiting a car mechanic. The monthly salary is 800 points. An interview is required."
...
The two learned from others that the base was radiating outwards to form a collection area (within a radius of 20 kilometers), a warning zone (30 kilometers), and a danger zone (50 kilometers away).
The gathering area is the wilderness cleared by the base's pioneers and is currently the base's main source of food.
Ye Qingyun was somewhat tempted.
This type of mission offers a high degree of freedom. You can go on your own and keep all the food you gather, or you can take the base's transportation, but you will have to hand over 20% of the food to the base.
If the collection task is issued by the base, there are points rewards.
Ye Qingyun couldn't help but say, "Azhi, how about we take on a gathering mission at the base? You see, gathering 100 jin of chicken manure vine can earn you 300 points."
Jiang Zhi's attention was focused on the notice board. Upon hearing this, she said, "It's possible, but—Mom, the task you wanted has already been taken."
Ye Qingyun was taken aback. He looked up and, sure enough, the person's information had disappeared.
Ye Qingyun was extremely disappointed and complained, "With so many people at the base, where are we going to get any good missions?"
Jiang Zhi said, "Mom, other people work in teams or with their families. They have people stationed here and people queuing up there... If they want a task, they can just wave and the people in line can register directly. Newcomers like us can't compete with them."
Ye Qingyun looked around and found that it was indeed similar to what Jiang Zhi had said.
"Then bring your brother next time, and we'll do the same."
Jiang Zhi thought that even if the four of them worked together, they still couldn't compete with others.
Like the local bullies, the more capable teams would have already made arrangements with the staff of the consulate, so good tasks would never be available to ordinary people like them.
But Jiangzhi didn't want to dampen her mother's enthusiasm, so she pretended not to hear what she said.
Having not received a suitable task, Ye Qingyun stayed in the same spot for a while longer.
The information behind the notice board is mostly about groups going to the foraging area to collect food, with the occasional missing person notice.
Ye Qingyun had no choice but to abandon his idea of taking on the task and instead took Jiang Zhi to the office.
The two spent 80 points in line to post a missing person notice.
Ancheng Base currently has a population of several million, roughly the size of a small city. It has four gates: east, south, west, and north, and each district is equipped with a council hall.
The missing person notices they post will be displayed on screens in several meeting rooms for one day.
After paying the points, Ye Qingyun looked at the missing person notice displayed on the notice board and murmured, "I hope your aunt and uncle can see this."
"Don't worry, Mom. As long as they're at the Ancheng base, we'll find them eventually."
Before the apocalypse, the Jiang family members were all locals of Ancheng. If they weren't here, there was only one possibility—they didn't survive the catastrophe.
How could Ye Qingyun not understand this principle?
When they were stationed at the local military base, the four of them thought about how to survive every day and had no time to think about anything else. Now that they have settled down, they always think about reuniting with their loved ones.
But Ye Qingyun wasn't one to dwell on things. He did what he was supposed to do, and left the rest to fate.
After leaving the bustling notice board, the two went to the job posting area next door to learn more about the base's recruitment information.
But at a glance, these jobs are barely enough to keep people from starving, and they are all temporary jobs.
After much deliberation, the mother and daughter finally concluded that if they wanted to have enough to eat, they would have to go out into the city to scavenge.
"Scavenging" is the term used within the base; it actually refers to collecting mutated plants in the wild.
Every day, the base sends mutants to clear out safe areas for the base's residents to scavenge.
Currently, more than a dozen safe areas have been cleared out. Different plants mature and can be harvested at different times, which can barely keep the residents of the base from starving.
Jiang Zhi silently memorized the directions of the fourteen safe zones, planning to explore them when she had time.
Next, the two of them asked the staff about the land sale policy of the base, which was similar to what Aunt Zhu had said.
However, there are only seven or eight empty plots left in Zone D.
Depending on the situation, it won't be long before someone else decides on it.
Buying land this time is the same as buying a house before. It is also necessary to understand the geographical location of the homestead, since they are very likely to settle in Ancheng Base for the rest of their lives.
Ye Qingyun immediately made the decision and went directly to see the land.
Led by staff, the mother and daughter took a walk around the self-built housing area and found that the houses here were much more comfortable than the clustered low-rent housing.
Most importantly, the entire self-built housing area is enclosed by 1.8-meter-high mud walls, forming individual communities that are separated from the surrounding low-rent housing area, thus ensuring the safety and privacy of the residents to a certain extent.
But after looking around, Ye Qingyun found that the plots of land available for sale were all only a little over 100 square meters, with the smallest being only 50 square meters.
She wasn't very satisfied: "Isn't there any bigger plots of land?"
Upon hearing this, the staff members' smiles became much more genuine: "Of course, we have three residential plots here that are over 200 square meters each."
He unfolded the base map and pointed to it. "These two plots of land, one is 230 square meters and the other is 350 square meters, both are in good locations."
Jiang Zhi leaned over to take a look, then subtly glanced at the radiation spots under the staff's testing instruments before looking away.
Ye Qingyun waved his hand and said, "Take us to see."
Jiang Zhi glanced at Ye Qingyun silently.
As expected of a mother.
With that kind of aura, who could tell that the two of them are now penniless?
After walking with the staff for a while, the mother and daughter looked into the distance and could vaguely see a building that looked similar to a city wall.
Although it is not as tall as the outermost city wall of the base, it is estimated to be fifty meters high.
Ye Qingyun: "What is that used for?"
Xiao Wu explained, "That's used to separate area B from area D."
Ye Qingyun frowned: "Why did they build such a high wall in the base?"
Xiao Wu said with a smile, "Our Ancheng base wasn't this big at first. It's just that the base took in too many people, so we expanded outwards."
In other words, this wall is the original city wall of Ancheng base.
Ye Qingyun suddenly realized: "You mean our base will be expanded in the future?"
Xiao Wu quickly distanced himself: "Whether or not to expand depends on the leaders' decision. How would we, as nobodys, know?"
The mother and daughter walked and observed, much like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.
The entire self-built housing area was much larger than they had imagined. Most of the houses were made of wood and looked very simple, with most occupying only about 100 square meters, and the largest only about 200 square meters.
Some houses, though small, were built with yellow mud, making them quite conspicuous.
Ye Qingyun sighed, "It seems that no matter what era, there is no shortage of rich people."
They inquired and found out that they had to find all the building materials themselves, but if they wanted to save time, they could buy them from the construction site.
You don't even need to ask to know how expensive it is.
Especially the mud bricks, I heard they cost 50 points each. Building a house of several tens of square meters would cost at least tens of thousands of points.
The mother and daughter looked around several times, and Ye Qingyun finally settled on a nearly 300-square-meter open space near the wall.
Aside from the annoyance of ants and insects near the wall, Ye Qingyun was fairly satisfied.
But if it weren't for this shortcoming, this piece of land wouldn't be where it is today.
An hour later, Ye Qingyun painted a huge picture for the staff, emphasizing that he would definitely come back to buy the land, before leaving with Jiang Zhi.
On the way back, Jiangzhi couldn't help but ask, "Mom, are we really going to buy such a big piece of land?"
Ye Qingyun said, "Last night when you two went out, your dad and I discussed it. If we can afford it, we'd like to buy a bigger house, so that if we run into your grandparents, they'll have enough room to stay. We can earn the building materials slowly. Until then, we have camping tents to use."
There's no rush.
"But that place is so close to the low-rent housing area, isn't it unsafe?"
"Don't worry, we'll build a higher wall on the side facing away from the fence, and then have your dad and brother find some thorny branches to hang on it." Ye Qingyun pointed to the houses nearby. "See? These houses may look small and the materials they use are average, but they are all very clean. They are all hardworking."
They're not lazy, and they're not a bad person either. Being neighbors with someone like that can save you a lot of trouble.
Jiang Zhi recalled for a moment, then gave her mother a thumbs up, "Mom has such good taste."
Ye Qingyun smiled smugly: "I haven't said the most important thing yet, Azhi, do you remember the base map we saw in the meeting hall just now?"
Jiang Zhi nodded, "I remember."
"The Ancheng base has been expanding eastward," Ye Qingyun said confidently. "Although this place is remote now, the base will definitely continue to expand in the future."
In other words, this place will appreciate in value in the future! Once our family is able to move to Zone B, we can sell this house and make a profit.
As expected, experience matters.
Ye Qingyun used to be a head nurse. She was always organized and had a better perspective than most people.
Ye Qingyun sighed, "I just don't know how many square meters of land that car can buy. If we can really buy that 300 square meters, even if we don't run into your grandparents, you and your brother will have a place to live after you get married."
Jiang Zhi was speechless upon hearing this.
How come there's still this kind of pressure to get married in a wasteland?
"Mom, you're worrying too much. We're not even getting enough to eat or wear. Besides, what if my brother can't find a wife?"
Ye Qingyun smiled and pointed at her head: "You little rascal, you can't curse your brother like that!"
"Alright, the important matters are almost settled. I'm going to the base store to buy some food."
Ye Qingyun took a few steps before realizing that his daughter hadn't followed.
"how?"
Jiang Zhi's eyes darted around.
Ye Qingyun understood immediately, and she scolded, "You're such a grown-up, and you're still thinking about playing around."
Jiang Zhi clung to Ye Qingyun's hand and said coquettishly, "Mom, I just want to wander around a bit."
Ye Qingyun couldn't do anything with her. "Alright, alright, hurry up and go. Come back early and don't wander around aimlessly."
Jiang Zhi chuckled, "Mom still loves me the most."
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