I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 733: Fragrant, Especially Fragrant

Truth be told, for one person for a day, this meal would definitely be considered high-standard in Wu City. No one was as generous as the people from the Ministry of Agriculture or the Food Department, offering a slice of synthetic meat and, crucially, even potato puree. This meal standard was definitely set at 10 Virtual Coins.

The vast majority of people earned less than 10 Virtual Coins a day and couldn’t afford such a luxurious work meal. This offered a glimpse of the benefits, not to mention other invisible perks that shouldn’t be ignored.

In any case, during the apocalypse, having a relative working in a food factory or cafeteria meant not only a secure job but also significant prestige. If a man from such a factory wanted to marry, he wouldn’t need to provide a bride price; in fact, many women’s families would offer a substantial dowry to secure the match. So, in the apocalypse, don’t complain about expensive bride prices—if you’re good enough, these weren’t issues.

Otherwise, you could only resign yourself to providing the three great apocalyptic bride price items: green vegetables, steamed buns, and synthetic meat.

"Granny, I’m going to pick up the welfare vegetables they’ve distributed. You all stay in the car; don’t go out."

Jing Shu called out. She was wrapped in an ultra-warm down-cotton jacket and wore a tailor-made long-haired ball coat on the outside. Ordinary long-haired ball coats were warm but had a drawback: they were rather stiff, with a texture similar to plastic. However, later, when the Jing Family could afford it, theirs were all specially treated.

The coat Jing Shu was wearing now was not only extravagantly long, even longer than a robe, but it was also much softer and more comfortable. Afraid of the cold, Jing Shu had added a small cape. After accessorizing with a belt, it looked less bulky. Dressed in the black coat and leather boots, she even looked quite stylish. How did that happen?

Jing Shu had never been one for this kind of style.

Of course, the Jing Family themselves were now a dazzling sight. Whose coats, made for warmth, were as long as robes extending to their calves, as if the material cost nothing? When they went out together wearing those coats and sunglasses, wow, they all looked incredibly cool and distinguished, like high society figures.

The temporary cafeteria was very easy to find; one just had to follow the white smoke and the smell of potato puree. Jing Shu found it in the former train station’s taxi queue area. Sixty-liter stainless steel vats were set up over burning coal, their contents of potato puree boiling and bubbling. A row of eight such vats was indeed a majestic sight.

"The food on this first day is really good, truly fragrant!"

"Can’t say the same for the days to come."

"Never mind that, as long as it fills us up. Our family even applied for an elderly meal. The Food Department’s benefits are really good; we were lucky to come along."

"Isn’t that the truth? People in our residential block are nibbling on hard, dry Insect Cakes. Who else gets hot food?"

Even more people were queuing. Before the apocalypse, this area had dense, S-shaped iron railings winding in circles. Now, the line stretched about 200 meters beyond those railings and was continuously growing as more people hurried to join. The place was buzzing with voices. Most people held their family’s eating utensils—mostly basins, some pots. Other types of tableware were scarce, having been consumed or worn out over the years.

At the head of the queue, one would undergo a facial scan and a code scan, which displayed the family’s information and their allotted share.

The auntie serving the food had a steady hand. A full ladle of potato puree poured into a container constituted one person’s portion. After receiving the potato puree, people would quickly take a couple of steps to get some fragrant, pan-fried synthetic meat. Lastly, they would collect their day’s supply of coarse grain Insect Cakes before leaving the cafeteria area.

In contrast to the bustling temporary dining area, there was a police office nearby. It was much quieter, as no one dared to approach it.

A police officer with a holstered gun stood guard at the entrance, looking very serious. The sign, however, read "B-Package Collection." Jing Shu knew this must be the place.

Jing Shu pushed through the crowd, striding forward.

"Here to pick something up?"

Jing Shu nodded. Are vegetables so important these days that collecting them requires such high-level security?

The police officer gestured towards the facial scanner, scanned Jing Shu, and then nodded. "You’re collecting a four-person portion. Go ahead."

The people queuing behind couldn’t help but wonder aloud, "What’s this B-Package collection? Does our Food Department have such hidden benefits?"

"Hah, you wouldn’t know. We’re considered middle class, right? But there are still rich people who don’t lack food and aren’t willing to eat this kind of Insect Cake and potato puree. I heard they can exchange it for better food, like vegetables, rice, and such."

"There are still people who look down on potato puree nowadays? Heavens, you can’t be serious!"

"If I had money, I’d eat ten pieces of synthetic meat a day."

"Is such a thing really true? In that case, I don’t want potato puree either! I want to exchange it for rice and steamed buns."

"You’re foolish. At least potato puree can fill you up. If you exchange it for rice, you’ll probably only get a small handful. Go ahead and exchange it if you’re not short on food."

"Maybe it’s a benefit from the higher-ups, only available to ministers and directors. That’s why we can’t enjoy it."

As they were discussing this, Jing Shu emerged carrying a bunch of leafy greens, three tomatoes, and two cucumbers, causing the crowd’s eyes to practically fixate on her haul.

Jing Shu was also speechless. So this is what Guo Lin meant by ’it’s fine.’ They’re deliberately doing this out in the open. But that’s good too. It’s not something that needs to be hidden. You get your food, I get mine. The more one tries to hide such exchange benefits, the more people will suspect the higher-ups of foul play. It’s better to acknowledge them openly.

If you want to exchange, you can. It’s just this small amount of food; if you want to trade for it, they’ll record it for you on the spot.

"I haven’t seen a cucumber in so long."

"Those are tomatoes! Even people from the Ministry of Agriculture rarely get to eat them!"

"Quiet! At least you folks at the Ministry of Agriculture have eaten them before."

"Don’t be envious. That’s the vegetable portion for four people, just that little bit. Is it enough for a day? We’re better off eating what’s distributed. Not only can we eat our fill, but we can also save some. Combined with what we already have, we’ll definitely fare better than others during this relocation."

Soon, those who had gotten carried away were persuaded.

Were they envious? Yes, very. But there was no helping it; the lives of their families were more important.

"Ah, truly rich people, real tycoons, to be able to afford green vegetables."

That was the most common sigh heard. It was fortunate that the people from the Food Department were generally more worldly and informed. If this had happened in a residential block with many unemployed people, anyone daring to carry such items... well, others would likely drool with envy, and some might even resort to violence to snatch them.

Jing Shu hadn’t expected that upon returning to spot number 4, Mr. Jing would have a big surprise for her.

"Here, granddaughter."

"What’s this?" Jing Shu asked, taking a golden-brown pancake. She was a bit incredulous. Wasn’t he supposed to be thanking someone? How did he end up bringing back food? The pancake was stuffed with a generous filling of meat and vegetables, emitting a unique, enticing aroma.

It had to be said, with Jing Shu’s discerning nose and palate, which had savored all kinds of delicacies, she was certain she had never tasted anything like this before. It was exceptionally fragrant.