I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 732: Apocalypse Carpool Group

So, Jing Shu updated her family’s designation in various groups to "Group 1, Family No. 4." They would likely be using this codename for a long time.

The groups had clear divisions of labor and distinct functions. There were dedicated groups for meal arrangements, accommodation, problem-solving, task assignments, and a general group for overall coordination.

Even now, notifications like "XX has joined the group" would pop up from time to time.

Grandma Jing and Mr. Jing watched with smiles as Third Aunt explained the current situation to them. The elderly couple instantly felt like they were part of a large, supportive family. Traveling with so many people gave them a profound sense of security, dispelling the rootless, helpless feeling they had experienced before.

Mr. Jing was even more delighted. Known for his knack for striking up a conversation with anyone about anything, he saw this large crowd as the perfect opportunity to exercise his loquacity.

"First, let’s register the number of people and their general needs," Guo Lin announced. "After registration, once the supplies and the group are ready, we’ll distribute today’s food. If the coordination departments finalize their arrangements without any hitches, we should be able to officially depart by 1:00 p.m."

Guo Lin ran a hand through his messy hair as he entered everyone’s information into the main database, patiently explaining again, "Based on your work unit, your family can receive a daily food ration for four people. Others are not entitled to this welfare, but you can apply for basic meals for elderly in need."

"That’s alright," Jing Shu replied. "We don’t need to apply for the seniors’ basic meals. Please reserve those for people who need them more."

Guo Lin grinned, glanced at their double-decker RV, and nodded. "With your setup, you indeed don’t need to apply. The cooked food distributed daily is a mixture, and I suspect you might not eat it anyway. I’d advise those with their own provisions to eat those instead. You can directly exchange your rations for a small quantity of fresh vegetables, which will make the journey more bearable. I can register this for you right now, and later you’ll just need to scan a code to collect the vegetables."

Jing Shu was tempted but still a little hesitant.

Guo Lin glanced at the bustling crowd and lowered his voice. "When has our Ministry of Agriculture ever been short of food? Everyone in the convoy who can afford to has already made the switch. It’s nothing to make a big deal about. People driving fuel-guzzling cars these days, do you think they’re short on food? They naturally wouldn’t be interested in the standard cafeteria meals. It’s better to leave those rations for others; they can supplement meals for the elderly and children."

"Alright, register us too," Jing Shu finally conceded. Her family wouldn’t eat the welfare food provided by the work unit anyway. Even their livestock had specialized feed, far more nutritious than these rations, which weren’t even enough for the pigs and ducks and lacked quality. Their fat chicken, a veritable Bottomless Pit, would eat anything offered to it, leaving no scraps. But giving the rations to it felt wasteful. It was far better to let those in greater need have them.

"Okay, got it," Guo Lin said cheerfully.

Jing Shu nodded. "Understood."

Then Guo Lin reiterated the rules: "The first 15 numbers in Group 1 are assigned to families with their own vehicles. Numbers 16 to 20 are a special category for carpool groups, which tend to be larger, more mixed, and include people with various job titles from different units. Therefore, it’s best to keep a close eye on your personal belongings. Under the new laws of the apocalypse, if you have evidence, you can take any necessary action..."

He continued, "Okay, so your vehicles constitute the entirety of Group 1’s convoy. You’ll be leading at the very front. Your speed should be moderate—not too fast, not too slow. You are not allowed to break away from the convoy without prior approval. If you encounter danger, honk your horn immediately as a warning. You have the autonomy to make decisions based on the circumstances, but personal safety is always the top priority.

"Before departure, Patrol Car No. 1, a vehicle specially assigned by the Township Government and equipped with weapons, will come to coordinate with you. It’s tasked with protecting everyone during the journey."

"Oh, and one more thing: Group 1 will have a daily check-in meeting to confirm everyone is safe."

"For now, just park at Spot No. 4 and await further instructions. Contact me anytime if any issues arise."

Spots 1 through 20 were situated in the large bus parking area of the former railway station’s waiting hall. The area was originally quite spacious, but Jing Shu’s family vehicle at Spot No. 4 took up the equivalent of three parking spaces. It barely squeezed in, encroaching on Spot No. 3 ahead and Spot No. 5 behind. It couldn’t be helped; besides their towering RV, they also had the Hulk.

Spot No. 3 held a bus converted into an RV, while Spot No. 5 contained a van similarly modified.

The carpool groups for Spots 15 to 20 had also arrived. Their vehicles were often converted sleeper buses—double-decker coaches fitted with bunk beds, sometimes referred to as "bed-layered Volvos" colloquially. These types of buses were once popular for long-haul journeys lasting over ten hours but had largely been phased out with the rise of high-speed trains and subways. It was surprising to see them still in operation. All five carpool vehicles were crammed top to bottom with luggage.

The bus parking area now seemed even more congested. Jing Shu surveyed them from afar and indeed observed a wide disparity in their conditions. Some appeared gaunt, others well-fed. Some wore unpatched clothing, while others were dressed in rags. They hardly looked like people from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Some had gazes as sharp as torches, their depths unreadable, while others had shifty eyes, their expressions evasive and cunning.

It seems that even among the supposedly well-off, one can’t afford to be careless,

Jing Shu thought. Right now, our family is like a shining beacon in the darkness, bound to attract all sorts of beasts and predators. "Come on, everyone! This train station is freezing, and we’re all registered. Let’s get back in the RV and wait for news," Grandma Jing urged, blowing warm air into her cupped hands.

Wu You’ai had gone back to catch some more sleep, while Third Aunt, unable to sit still, was already looking for something to do.

Mr. Jing pocketed two small bags of crab-roe flavored fried rice and chuckled. "We’ve taken up a fair bit of Family No. 3’s and Family No. 5’s space. I’ll go give them some of this fried rice as an apology and see what their situation is."

"Make sure you come right back after you give it to them," Grandma Jing cautioned. "It’s chaotic out there, and there are bound to be people looking to take advantage of the situation." She’d already noticed people trying to sidle up to their RV from time to time.

Jing Shu went up to the second floor, put a kettle on for tea, and settled comfortably by the heater. Through the 270-degree panoramic skylight, she watched Mr. Jing hunched over, furtively handing out the fried rice as if he were a thief. Only when he saw their eyes light up after tasting it did Mr. Jing proudly puff out his chest. Then, affecting a nonchalant, magnanimous air, he said, "Just a little something, please don’t mind. We’ve taken up a lot of space, so please excuse the imposition."

"You’re too kind, old brother!" the neighbor from Spot No. 3 exclaimed. "Come on, come with me! I have something good to share with you too!"

And just like that, Mr. Jing boarded the RV at Spot No. 3.

Well, then... Jing Shu thought, a little exasperated. Since it was right next door, she discreetly sent a few of her insects inside. As long as they don’t try anything harmful to Grandpa, I won’t interfere. Besides, it’s not like there are human traffickers around these days.

An announcement appeared in the Food Distribution Group:

"@All members: Please send one representative from each family to Temporary Canteen No. 1 to queue, undergo facial recognition, and collect your registered food rations. These rations are for the entire day, until tomorrow’s resupply. Please manage and store them properly.

The daily ration per person consists of:

* One pan-seared slice of synthetic meat

* Three mixed-grain Insect Cake rice balls

* One bowl of potato mush"