Chapter Forty-Six: A Rather Kind Disposition

“Hey girl, you seem to know your way around. Where are you from?”

“Survivor from a nearby neighborhood.”

“With such generosity, why not move in here? We even have hot springs—much more comfortable than outside, don’t you think?”

Jiang Huan considered for a moment. “Freedom. I like arranging my own life, doing as I please, with no one to nitpick.”

The man chuckled. “Fair enough. Call me Da Meng. Let’s have a meal together when you’re free.”

He had originally wanted to invite her to the hot springs—how relaxing that would be. But Jiang Huan was a woman, after all, and inviting a woman to the hot springs the first time you meet her could earn either her consent or a slap in the face.

“Next time, all right? Your treat, Meng?”

“If I’m treating, then it’s just you and me—no bringing others. I only earn so much contribution points a month, I can’t afford a feast. But tell me, how did you get in with those guys?”

Someone nearby chimed in, “She’s the one who brought supplies to Security.”

“Really now? I wouldn’t have guessed you had so much stuff. You could be living free at the base, so why give it all away?”

Since the topic had come round again, Jiang Huan didn’t dodge it. Instead, she explained, “We found a good spot and stockpiled some things. I donated a little, simply because Security brought supplies to our neighborhood before. I remember the favor.”

“Alright, I get it. Favors are always hard to repay. But don’t just donate—if there’s anything you want, we’d be happy to trade.”

That was exactly what Jiang Huan wanted to hear. She broke into a wide smile. “Our boss likes gold and silver jewelry, antiques, collectibles, even valuable artwork. If you’ve got any, Meng, let me know.”

“Heh! Still collecting art and antiques at a time like this, when the streets are littered with them? What I’m short on is tobacco and alcohol—candy too, but to a lesser degree. If you’ve got bulk, come find me anytime. I live near the east gate of the base. Just ask for Da Meng—everyone around knows me.”

“Deal.” Jiang Huan had just secured a partner, and she practically strutted on her way home.

Back at her building, Jiang Huan went to find Wu Gang and told him someone had sabotaged her car with nails. Wu Gang promised to get to the bottom of it before nightfall, so she left it entirely in his hands.

Upstairs, Jiang Xi’s lessons were still ongoing. Jiang Huan watched for a while and realized this teacher was truly skilled—not just parroting the textbook, nor acting superior, but guiding thoughtfully and with remarkable patience.

Watching Jiang Xi scratch his head, desperate to work out the answer, Jiang Huan knew these three trial days had been more than satisfactory.

Dinner came around. Gao Qiang usually took his meals downstairs with Liu Ling and the others, using Jiang Huan’s ingredients, but tonight she kept him back and personally made a pot of meatball soup noodles, inviting him to share.

Gao Qiang slurped his noodles with relish, clearly satisfied.

Jiang Xi was content as long as there was food and made no comment on the simple meal, busy as he was with a small assignment from his tutor.

“Please, have a seat,” Jiang Huan said, sliding over a mug of hot cocoa. “You’ve taught very well, Mr. Gao. Three days are up—if you’re happy with the job, I think we can make things official.”

They had agreed earlier that after the trial, additional benefits would be provided—basic ones covered food, lodging, and drink.

“Ah, I’m officially hired? Thank you, Miss Jiang. If possible, could I have food rations for one more person and two packs of cigarettes a month? If not the cigarettes, then perhaps some shoes and socks?”

“Let’s go with your request, but I expect the quality and atmosphere of your lessons to remain as I saw today.”

“Absolutely, you have my word.”

With terms set, Jiang Huan and Gao Qiang wrote out a contract by hand. She then went to the kitchen and packed up rice, oil, frozen fruit, sugar, vinegar, salt—enough for a month. Gao Qiang, well satisfied, took his supplies downstairs.

With these, he could comfortably welcome his girlfriend. The two packs of cigarettes, if exchanged for contribution points, could also help his girlfriend’s friends live better at the base. No more conflicts.

As soon as he left, Jiang Huan locked her door and opened a few small crates.

But it was either fuel, wood—things she’d already opened before—or a hundred bottles of disinfectant.

So she went to find her brother and had him join her in opening the boxes.

Sure enough:

[A set of distillation equipment, capable of extracting potable water from midday naps, though not removing radiation, heavy metals, or toxins.]

[Three energy crystals, each weighing 50 grams. One crystal provides 500 kilowatt-hours of power. With simple connections, all electrical appliances can be run.]

[Five hundred pounds of bamboo rice.]

All top-notch survival supplies for the apocalypse.

Jiang Xi was still asking why the rice was green, and whether it was edible.

Edible? More than that, little brother—bamboo rice is highly nutritious with medicinal benefits, containing 18 kinds of protein-hydrolyzed amino acids, more than even bamboo shoots. It clears heat and detoxifies, treats liver and cancer diseases, and is a rare and excellent food for nourishing and protecting the stomach.

“Shall we try some tomorrow morning?”

“Yes!”

At seven that evening, a young man named Bi Sheng, one of Wu Gang’s men, came upstairs. “Sister Jiang, we caught the guy who messed with your car.”

Turned out it was the pair who’d tried to hitch a ride with her before, sneaking in together. Wu Gang had already reprimanded the garage guards. If Jiang Huan was willing, he could bring them up to apologize.

Jiang Huan thought it unnecessary to trouble Wu Gang with such a trifle, nor did she want to make a fuss. Known for her reasonable ways, she said, “Just have them shout their apology a hundred times downstairs. No need to come up—I’d rather not see them.”

“Understood!”

Soon after, the sound of apology echoed from below. “My name is Xu Yongkuan—I’m a scoundrel. Tried to hitch a ride, failed, and got back at Miss Jiang. I apologize right here.”

Who knows if it was a hundred times, but it lasted quite a while. His voice grew hoarse, and by the end, he was nearly in tears—likely no one even gave him water.

That night, plenty of people renewed their impression that Jiang Huan was not someone to be trifled with.

The next day, after a breakfast of fragrant bamboo rice, Jiang Huan headed to the base to see Captain Guan for target practice. This time, she brought a stash of frozen dumplings and alcohol fuel blocks, making for a smooth trade.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang!

She even tried a sniper rifle, but it wasn’t as simple as just pulling the trigger—her accuracy was mediocre.

With her bullets spent earlier than usual, Jiang Huan wandered the market. Suddenly, a broad figure blocked her way.

“Well, look at that—I was just thinking about finding you.”

It was Meng, whom she’d met just the day before. Instead of trading, he invited her to go ice fishing.

“The base is sending out a group, and my little team’s going too. If your folks have enough people, join us. We’ll haul back a truckload of fish—enough to last at least half a month.”

Jiang Huan returned to her building and shared the news. Wu Gang was overjoyed; tagging along with the base’s team meant increased safety. “Thank you, Miss Jiang, for giving us this opportunity. We’ll give you a twenty percent share of whatever we bring back.”

Jiang Huan accepted without hesitation.