Rotting Land: Survive

Chapter 573 563: Promotion or Exploitation? (Part 1)

Inside the chairman's office.

Yao Ruyi sat upright in front of Liu Fugui's desk, having just been summoned here two minutes ago.

Liu Fugui noticed the young man's nervousness and immediately said pleasantly, "Little Yao, am I that scary?"

"Ah? No... not at all, Mr. Liu! You're quite approachable!" Despite what Yao Ruyi said, his anxious demeanor revealed his true thoughts.

Liu Fugui chuckled and acted as if he hadn't noticed, saying, "Oh, that's good. I told you before, treat the factory like your own home. The current situation is unstable, we are all wanderers miles apart from home, meeting each other here is destiny. There's no need to be so tense and scared, we're here to support each other, contribute, and build a more stable and safe home. Don't you agree?"

"Y-Yes, Mr. Liu, you're right! I will do my best!"

"So, are you familiar with the factory now?" Liu Fugui's expression remained jovial, lacking any previous sternness and dominance.

After the morning's tour, Yao Ruyi had a basic understanding of the factory, but...

"Mr. Liu, I understand the situation. But I saw many survivors living under the rain shed downstairs; why not arrange for them to be in the office building?"

Having endured hardships himself, Yao Ruyi naturally empathized with those "pitiful people" living in the cramped rain sheds.

Though he repeatedly warned himself not to meddle, some habits die hard.

This time, Liu Fugui stayed silent, but Huang Yong responded, "Little Yao, since you've survived out there until now, you should be aware of the current situation. It's not like before; no shelter can supply all survival needs without constraints. To ensure everyone's survival, we must prioritize resources on those who can bring more benefits to the shelter. You get what I mean, don't you?"

After Huang Yong finished, Liu Fugui sighed heavily and added in a feigned painful tone, "Ah, Little Yao, you know, as the leader of the factory, every decision affects everyone's life and death here. So sometimes, decisions may seem cruel, but for the greater good of most people, I must make them reluctantly. That's why I implore you to be the captain of the outbound team, hoping you can use your survival skills acquired outside to lead the factory's outbound team in gathering more essential supplies for our base, so that I can possibly change the current situation here, and also improve the lives of those survivors in the rain sheds."

Upon hearing this, Yao Ruyi nodded in understanding, "I understand, Mr. Liu! Rest assured, I will carry out the tasks you've assigned me."

After the morning's tour and careful thought, Yao Ruyi realized one thing: he couldn't just eat without contributing here, lest he ends up like the survivors in the rain sheds. He didn't want to, nor desired, to live the kind of aimless and fearful life he had before.

"Good! I believe you are capable of handling this task well. Oh, by the way, there's one more thing I need you to do!"

"Please tell me, Mr. Liu, as long as it's something I can do, I'll do my best!" Initially thinking he was useless, Yao Ruyi was unexpectedly given such importance here, which presented him with an opportunity to change his life's circumstances, and he hoped to gain recognition as soon as possible.

Seeing that his plan was working, Liu Fugui maintained his fatherly demeanor without any change in expression, and said with a soft tone, "Actually, it's not a difficult task. Let me put it this way, our factory has maintained contact with another survival team outside, and someone among them is very interested in the information about the sports center shelter you told me last night, so I plan to make a trade with them using that information."

"This... This?!?" Yao Ruyi's expression changed, he didn't expect such a matter to arise, revealing his awkwardness.

Huang Yong seemed slightly displeased and said, "What? You don't want to?"

Liu Fugui gestured for him to stop interfering and then said with a smile, "Little Yao, is there a difficulty in this matter? It's alright, go ahead and say it if there is!"

"Oh... No... No, I just wanted to ask why they're interested in the sports center shelter?"

"Haha, well, about this..." Liu Fugui patiently outlined the brief story of Tang Xiaoquan's quest for family, embellishing the importance of the matter.

After hearing this, Yao Ruyi nodded quietly, "I understand, Mr. Liu, then please let me know what I need to do."

"It's quite simple, Huang Yong will contact them first, once everything is set and they come over, you just need to repeat to them the situation you described to me last night. How about it? Any issues?"

"No, none at all!"

"Alright, let's go have lunch!"

The group headed to Liu Fugui's private dining hall, and upon entering, Yao Ruyi was stunned by the luxurious setup inside.

Noticing Yao Ruyi's restrained movements, Liu Fugui quickly beckoned him to sit beside him and gestured at the table's dishes, "Little Yao, I know you've had a tough time surviving alone, and last night it was too late to arrange a proper meal for you. So I prepared some dishes for lunch today, to replenish you and also to welcome you."

"Thank you, Mr. Liu, you're, you're really too kind to me, I, I really can't accept all this!" Yao Ruyi was absolutely terrified, realizing that yesterday he was still scavenging through trash cans for food anxiously, but now, just a few hours later, he was sitting in such an opulent dining room, enjoying delicious gourmet dishes.

The change from Hell to paradise made him suspect he was dreaming.

"Ah, look at you, have you forgotten what I told you before? In the factory, we are like family, so there's no need to be so formal."

"Come on!" As he spoke, Liu Fugui raised his wineglass, smiling, "Little Yao, as the leader of the factory, I represent everyone here in welcoming your joining. Cheers!"

"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Liu, you can rest assured, I will strive to do my job well and contribute more to the factory!"

The sparkling transparent wineglass contained crimson liquid, but how many could understand the danger lurking beneath this scarlet liquid? (To be continued... If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)