I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 828 - 918: Su Malie’s Little Schemes

Although Jing Shu wanted to say don’t renovate so well since in a few years you’ll have to move again, she thought about it and realized that at the level of Mary’s house, they probably don’t care anymore. Just like her, now it’s all about pursuing a better quality of life.

"Alright everyone, we’re all here, let’s talk while we eat." Mary clapped her hands to gather attention and especially pulled Jing Shu to sit next to her: "Shu, you sit next to me."

"Okay."

Everyone had a small table set in two rows, still an independent seated banquet style, with some candies, fruits, and a bouquet of flowers on each table, showing a very high standard.

Once everyone was seated, Jing Shu finally got a chance to observe her classmates. She had to admit, the years of living in the apocalypse made this group of 27-year-olds look as worn as if they were in their forties, with some already having full heads of gray hair.

Several others who weren’t doing well look emaciated with skin hanging off bones, yet due to prolonged malnutrition, their stomachs had swollen; they grabbed whatever they could take.

On the other hand, some like Mary and Jing Shu, who were living comfortably, looked increasingly youthful and girlish.

So, even though they were old classmates, they were already living in different worlds, with little reason to be in contact initially.

Suddenly, Jing Shu saw a female classmate wearing a veil in the corner, watching how she ate...

She noticed her entire face and hands had no intact skin, as if they were completely burned or chunks of meat were gouged out.

Jing Shu quietly asked Mary, "Is that girl in the corner also our classmate?"

Mary looked at Jing Shu in surprise: "That’s Ni Ma Sang! Don’t you remember? She was punished for selling Zombie meat red worm cake. After eating that Zombie meat cake, she fell ill. I even found a Doctor to save her, but her body no longer had any good flesh."

Jing Shu suddenly recalled, that indeed happened.

Mary continued, "She made a mistake and had to be punished, but we’re all classmates. After her punishment, I brought her back. Not many people survive Zombie disease; she should be grateful."

Yes, Ni Ma Sang is caught between life and death; those who don’t know would think you’re still punishing her.

Jing Shu shook her head.

But speaking of which, the food at Mary’s is still as delicious as ever.

However, to accommodate everyone, Mary first served Jing Shu’s snake soup, allowing everyone to sip on some soup to fill their bellies a bit, so they wouldn’t suffer a stomachache from eating too much after long periods without greasy food.

The dishes prepared afterward were also light and non-greasy, taking into account most of the classmates.

Yet, a few classmates almost vomited upon seeing the snake soup, recalling a bloody scene associated with Jing Shu, but as soon as they closed their eyes, the flavorful soup captivated them once tasted.

At the dining table, the conversation was varied; there was always a classmate boasting about knowing some big shot, having dined with certain people, having connections, being friends with some leader, claiming to live well.

From time to time, someone added, "Boss Su, you know this person, right? Boss Su knows this person too!"

But no one dared to speak to Jing Shu that way.

Some hinted that their family now had chickens and ducks, still able to see some meat occasionally, with their house assigned to a certain place, earning envious and jealous glances.

Mary, however, was quietly chatting with Jing Shu, exchanging information and learning that Jing Shu was heading out again, much to Mary’s unabated envy.

"I really envy you, Jing Shu, managing a company as a hands-off boss, unlike me, troubled all day by my old man’s company affairs, with no time for fun! Otherwise, I’d really want to go with you.

Don’t worry about going out and causing trouble, I’ll follow up with the materials for your mask factory. Remember to bring me gifts when you come back!"

Jing Shu continued, "By the way, the previous five hundred thousand masks and gas masks will be handed over to your company tomorrow to avoid warehouse storage issues."

Better hand these over to Mary first, lest she doesn’t make it back in time and causes a delay.

Mary waved her hand: "Alright, alright, got it. Ah, you’re basically giving them away for free. Should I give you some natural gas in return? Oh right, I almost forgot the purpose of today’s class reunion, hold on!"

Mary admitted that hosting the class reunion and inviting classmates to dinner came with a small ulterior motive.

"Ahem! Everyone, quiet down!" Mary waved her hand, and the entire class immediately turned their attention to her.

Mary continued, "Actually, I know some classmates’ family situations aren’t great, struggling over the past few years and unable to have proper meals. I currently have an opening for the role of taste tester, with dozens of positions available..."

Upon hearing this, the majority of the class had their eyes light up.

The room grew even quieter.

Heavy breathing could be heard.

The positions on Mary’s side were all formal jobs! Nowadays, getting a stable job was exceptionally difficult!

Mary continued, "Let me talk about the benefits first. Starting as a formal employee with no probation period, a monthly salary of 600 Virtual Coins, with food and accommodation provided, full insurance and benefits, triple illness compensation, tenfold disability compensation, twentyfold death compensation, full holiday gifts, an annual set of four new clothes, twelve sets of everyday items, thirty synthetic meat buffet vouchers, and so on..."

Mary sighed internally. Despite these conditions, she still had dozens of vacancies left to fill due to mandatory quotas.

Ever since a few incidents, the employees at Natural Company had been terrified upon hearing about this position.

Recruiting internally was no longer an option, so they had to look outside.

However, a confidentiality agreement had to be signed, which indicated the food wasn’t entirely trustworthy.

So, she could only ask people she knew, and among them... Well, Mary saw that some classmates were nearly at their wits’ end, unable to go on.

So it happened that whoever was willing could give it a try, explaining the pros and cons to them offering at least one more option. Some at the brink of starvation not only had no issues after eating but had their physical condition improved, earned money, and their social standing rose, wouldn’t that be ideal?

Jing Shu immediately understood. The benefits may look high, better than the Cigarette Factory, but there must be something going on inside. Otherwise, how could such opportunities come from nowhere? She would ask Mary later what exactly was up with it.

Otherwise, the Cigarette Factory’s top-notch benefits for retirees to rely on while making money would be a joke?

However, other classmates didn’t think much about it at all, not hearing a word about death or disability compensation.

They only heard about the salary and extensive rewards, thinking it was unheard of!

The benefits alone were already several times better than the Cigarette Factory, equating to a million annual salary before the apocalypse.

All the students stopped eating, staring eagerly at Mary, their minds racing as they contemplated how to seize the opportunity.