Apocalyptic Disaster: Stockpile Supplies for Free and Make a Comeback

Chapter 142 Material Exchange
Around 4 p.m., the transport trucks started driving back on the road.

When I returned to the base, it was the peak of the work season. There was a large bucket of free herbal tea next to me, but it was brewed very weakly and tasted almost like water. The main thing was that it was iced when I came out, which was refreshing.

Having a few bites during breaks makes me feel much better.

"In this sweltering heat, can't we postpone these things until it's cooler? People inside are enjoying fans and food and drink, while we have to work ourselves to the bone outside!" someone complained.

"That's right, I was just a little late. I should have known better than to hide at home."

"What if it gets cold again after the hot season? I'd rather get enough contribution points to go in sooner." The person holding the scratched plastic cup shook his head. "The ordinary people inside still have to work, and the food they get is the same as ours."

"It's okay when it's cold, but it's when it's windy and rainy that the makeshift houses are no good."

While some sighed, others rejoiced. Those who had just accumulated enough contribution points and secured their spots packed their belongings and entered the base through the iron mesh passageway amidst envious glances from the crowd.

The transport team is only responsible for transporting goods, not unloading them. Of course, it's not impossible for them to do more work. The system is relatively fair in terms of earning contribution points.

Those with special talents registered in the team who go out to work with the transport team will contribute 2 more points than ordinary people, and each person will receive 17 points.

Song Jinhe and Dai Jie are at 15 PM.

It seems there aren't many talented individuals; 2 contribution points are only enough for a bowl of noodles. However, talented individuals generally don't need to do any manual labor when they go out; they only need to deal with zombies.

Some transport teams will even collect contribution points for talented individuals, and settle the accounts upon returning to the base. This way, talented individuals who go out with the team can earn a lot more contribution points.

Instead of doing ordinary work such as construction and cleaning outside, residents inside the base receive about ten more points per week than those outside.

If you're frugal and use the food provided at work, you can survive.

Song Jinhe and the others did not participate in unloading; Zhuang Ting used his abilities to help Qiu Ling and the others unload some of the cargo.

The people around Qiu Ling and her colleagues looked at them with envy and resentment. They were all doing the same work, but Qiu Ling and her colleagues were getting contribution points so easily.

Fortunately, I only unloaded the truck they drove back themselves, so I didn't take their work away from them.

This is why Zhuang Ting's assistance was limited to what was required. Unloading was considered extra work, paid by the quantity. People who did this job worked very hard; it wasn't easy for anyone.

They can't take away other people's livelihood just to help someone they know get contribution points.

By doing this, their team's reputation was ruined within days of their arrival.

Song Jinhe took a walk around the neighborhood. It was 6:30, lunchtime, and everyone who participated in the work could get a meal.

A slightly grayish steamed bun, a bowl of potato soup. The soup was very bland, with a thin layer of minced meat floating on top. Each person's bowl contained only two or three pieces of potato, and the minced meat was barely visible.

The meals here are rather basic; if you're not full, you have to use your contribution points to exchange for other food.

She had learned that the cheapest food was the kind that could only fill her stomach, while other foods were more expensive.

In the central area, 100 grams of coffee beans cost 20 contribution points, and one pound of fresh milk costs 30 contribution points.

Even if you don't have contribution points, you can still exchange items for them.

Clothes and shoes are also expensive, especially durable and comfortable shoes. As for nice clothes and outdoor apparel, only people working in the central area have enough contribution points to exchange for them.

Song Jinhe planned to exchange a few clean clothes she had scavenged from cars along the way for some milk to store in her storage space.

"Thank you so much for today." Qiu Ling returned after handing over the car keys, and hesitantly asked, "If we go out to clear out zombies later, can we come together?"

She admitted that she wanted to go on missions with a strong team, as it would increase her chances of survival and allow her to secure a spot sooner; she was somewhat trying to accumulate contribution points.

But survival is paramount, so she still has to ask; if it doesn't work, then so be it.

“Unexpected events can happen at any time in these kinds of missions. If you can accept that, then there’s no problem.” Song Jinhe didn’t mince words. “We understand.”

-

Back in the central area, Qi Sixing strode confidently toward the goods exchange supermarket.

Upon seeing the price, their expressions froze.

"Why don't they just rob it? A 500ml bottle of watermelon juice costs 30 contribution points, and even a thin slice of watermelon costs 15 points."

“Not only that, a cucumber costs 15 points, two small chili peppers cost 10 points, and a pound of pork costs 35 points,” Zhang Yi added.

"The cheapest baijiu and wine over there are 100 points, and the most expensive are 500 points," Zhuang Ting and Dai Jie said as they walked over.

"Is this your first time here? This is the exchange supermarket in the central area. If you don't have enough supplies, you can turn left after you leave the central area. There is an exchange point in each district, and things are cheaper there."

The stock clerk first looked them up and down, then glanced meaningfully at the 360-degree camera on the ceiling.

Use facial expressions to remind them that if they try to steal or do something underhanded here, they'll be in big trouble.

The security guards at the entrance are all armed with handguns. The base has a rule that anyone who steals from the exchange point or the supermarket, especially the latter, can be shot dead.

Judging from their clothes, their sunburned faces, and their clueless attitude as first-time visitors, you could tell they couldn't afford anything.

“At the exchange point, 5 contribution points can buy three servings of flatbread or one serving of scallion oil noodles. Canned luncheon meat is more expensive, costing 12 contribution points, and most people only buy one serving occasionally. Steamed buns are cheap, and you can buy six for 5 contribution points.”

The stock clerk's words were fine, but his facial expressions were all over the place.

"Other districts call them exchange points, but this place is called an exchange supermarket. Not everyone can afford to go there."

They were practically telling him to get lost.

"Can you afford to shop here?" Song Jinhe asked calmly.

The other person's expression froze, as if they were speechless. "You..."

Song Jinhe picked up a slice of winter melon, worth 20 points, and turned to Qi Sixing, saying, "Bring a basket."

"Hey, put your things down quickly. If you can't afford it, don't touch it. Why are you pretending to be so big-headed and carrying a basket?"

Seeing Qi Sixing bring the basket over, Song Jinhe grabbed two jin of pork ribs, five jin of pork, and also ordered a roast duck set meal worth 399 contribution points, and three spicy rabbits worth 120 contribution points each.

The man looked so anxious, as if Song Jinhe was a robber trying to snatch something from her.

The noise attracted the attention of the armed security guards.

"They took so much stuff, but didn't contribute any points to pay for it."

"This is the central area, I advise you not to act rashly."

The security guard had already put his hand on his waist, worried that some unfamiliar faces might grab the basket and run away.

The basket contained quite a lot of things, probably several hundred if not a thousand.

They also took several more chili peppers.

There aren't many people in the central area who can be so arrogant, and they've all seen those people before.

"This roast duck looks delicious!" Qi Sixing exclaimed, his eyes shining as he carried the basket. "And this rabbit too."

"Shut up, what are you saying about bunnies, you're a grown man." Zhuang Ting couldn't bear to look.