I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 749: President Jing Is Truly a Selfless Good Person

Jing Shu didn’t point it out directly. As long as it wasn’t an excessive request, she could agree to it.

Following behind Factory Director Wang, Jing Shu looked at the subsidiary factory in which she also held a stake. She had never personally inspected the factory’s condition, simply collecting dividends each month.

"This is our factory’s production area."

"These are the dormitory buildings. Since the factory opened, it has provided jobs for thousands in Xinlan, sustaining several thousand households. The welfare benefits in our factory are half of those at your main factory."

"Half? Isn’t that too low?" Jing Shu frowned.

Factory Director Wang said helplessly, "It’s not that ours are too low; it’s that the welfare benefits at your factory are too high. Even at half your standards, a job here in Xinlan is highly sought-after. An employee working at our factory can support an entire family, which is even better than the benefits for formally employed workers."

Jing Shu’s expression softened. Indeed, the benefits at the Wu City Insect Cake Factory were even better than at Stone Garden. The all-you-can-eat cafeteria alone was a perk unmatched elsewhere. Her new garment factory and the Green Giant Bus Company also offered top-notch welfare. Employees there could not only eat synthetic meat but also enjoy rice, which was far superior to the provisions for formally employed workers.

"This is our staff cafeteria."

As he spoke, Factory Director Wang had already led Jing Shu to the cafeteria. It was mealtime, and the entrance was crowded with people. Despite this, most faces wore relaxed and joyful expressions. Upon seeing Factory Director Wang, they greeted him:

’Hello, Factory Director Wang!’

’Factory Director Wang, why didn’t you come with the Deputy Factory Director?’

’Factory Director Wang, where’s the Deputy Factory Director?’ and similar questions.

Factory Director Wang playfully scolded a few of them and explained to Jing Shu, "The Deputy Factory Director is my wife; she took sick leave today. We got married last month."

Jing Shu raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on her face.

Most people entering carried basins, and those leaving hurried away with their basins full of steaming hot food.

Surprisingly, the food wasn’t the cheapest and most characteristic Insect Cake from the Insect Cake Factory, but rather uniform lumps of black material mixed with scattered red earthworms, emitting a rather unpleasant smell.

Most of the dozen or so people coming and going had this kind of meal; only a few were having insect meat patties.

It seemed Insect Cakes were a luxury here. In Wu City, only the poorest people who couldn’t find work and idled at home ate Insect Cakes.

"What kind of meal is this?" Jing Shu couldn’t help asking.

"It’s Xinlan’s special black vegetable and earthworm rice, which is three times cheaper than Insect Cakes. It’s made from Xinlan’s unique black vegetables, mixed with some soil and crushed Insect Cake. In our factory, you can get a whole basin of this. If you opt for Insect Cakes, you only get three per meal, so most people choose the black vegetable rice, since they have to feed a whole family."

Jing Shu expressed her confusion. Synthetic meat and giant meat have been popularized nationwide at a uniform price. Logically, the price of Insect Cakes should have come down too... The standard of living shouldn’t still be this low.

Factory Director Wang gave a bitter smile. "The synthetic meat selling for 5 Virtual Coins per piece is our factory’s high-end food, but it doesn’t sell well. Xinlan suffered a mudslide last year. Not only were all supplies submerged, but many jobs were lost too. Everyone is struggling to find work, so nobody has money. When money doesn’t circulate, it’s like stagnant water.

The higher-ups originally planned to merge Xinlan into Wu City, but then the relocation issue arose. Our Xinlan doesn’t have the financial resources of Wu City to gather enough food supplies for millions of people on the road.

So even if Insect Cakes cost 1 Virtual Coin now, how many can actually afford to buy and eat them? Even Insect Cakes with a hint of saltiness and a meaty flavor are considered luxuries.

If it weren’t for Xinlan’s discovery of the dark vegetables in the mud... Although they’re hard to swallow and not easy to digest, they ultimately saved millions of lives.

Moreover, as the mudflats freeze over, the dark vegetables are becoming harder to find."

The situation in Xinlan is indeed bleak, Jing Shu sighed. They lack a reincarnator like me, one who also comes with a built-in cheat. Wu City in my previous life also truly suffered, losing half of its people during the migration.

After Factory Director Wang finished pouring out his woes, he asked, full of hope, "I’ve heard from our superiors that you have an excellent relationship with the Wu City Town Government. Do you know if they have any plans to merge Xinlan with Wu City? It’s said that the leader of Wu City is formidable, with a death rate so low it ranks in the top five nationwide. If we could merge, it would really be wonderful!"

Jing Shu pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "I am not privy to such matters. Besides, that’s something for the Township Government to decide. Why would they discuss it with a small factory director like me?"

"You’re being too modest, President Jing. Your factory in Wu City feeds hundreds of thousands of people and has saved countless families. This migration journey is long... President Jing, could you leave behind the original pulp for three months in advance? Otherwise, the round trip is time-consuming and laborious. I know this is an excessive request... but we are willing to offer concessions," Factory Director Wang said, his face etched with shame.

He was one of the few who knew that the secret to breeding red earthworms was to use President Jing’s fresh blood.

President Jing truly was a good person, a selflessly generous soul. She used her own blood to cultivate red earthworms, yet she sold them at such affordable prices, saving so many people!

"Yes." Jing Shu nodded slightly. Xinlan’s situation is worse than other cities, and the conditions aren’t good. I can help a little within my means. It just so happens that the Wu City factory has basically stopped production, so I can reallocate a bit more. However, the proper procedures and accounts must not be disrupted.

Jing Shu casually took out three glass bottles of diluted spiritual spring water, each containing a drop of fat chicken’s fresh blood.

The fat chicken was plump and its skin thick. Giving up a little more blood for two crispy Fried Chicken Legs was a trade too good to pass up. Of course, I’m not scared of them conducting blood tests or anything. Why bother with something that’s already been verified and accepted? The more people who know the method to make money, the greater the risk of exposure.

These people will probably handle the original pulp with extreme care on their way back, afraid of losing even the tiniest bit.

Factory Director Wang took the bottles carefully, solemnly placing them in a small box. He then tucked the box into a cotton sleeve and finally slipped it into the breast pocket of his shirt. This little item represented the Insect Cake Factory’s performance for the next three months.

"You... You really are a great person... So beautiful, with such a kind heart, and so gentle..." Factory Director Wang struggled to find enough words to praise President Jing. Oh my, how could such a perfect person exist in this world?

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Just as Factory Director Wang finished speaking, sudden loud noises erupted outside, followed by various screams.

Alarms blared, and chaos erupted outside.

"Someone’s after the treasure I’m carrying!" was Factory Director Wang’s first reaction. He trembled, clutched his chest, then grabbed Jing Shu’s hand and ran, urging, "Let’s head to the refrigerated storage first! The door there is heavy, and it’s hard for ordinary people to break through."

Shouldn’t a person in charge normally take command in such situations?

I initially wanted to see what was happening outside, but seeing Factory Director Wang acting as if he possessed a priceless treasure... well, I’ll follow along and see for now.