CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: THEY WOULD RATHER SELL...

Commercial Building, inside the office.

Lin Yi noticed the scorching gaze of the Scar-faced Leader; it was clear to him what the other was plotting.

This veteran had grand ambitions, wanting to use Lin Yi to become the main food supplier for the entire city.

Thus, achieve exponential growth in power and strength, and eventually control the entire city.

But is this a good thing or a bad thing for him?

The answer is obvious; it’s definitely a great thing!

From a basic logical perspective, it’s like finding a regional agent for his Shelter.

From now on, he wouldn’t have to run around and rack his brains to find buyers like before.

At the very least, even if he wanted to lay low, there would be a safety net, right?

Moreover, after further cooperation, he could gain a powerful military ally from this; it’s a win in every way.

The Scar-faced Leader beamed with a smile, enthusiastically handing Lin Yi a cup of hot coffee, and said, "Let’s discuss the quantity of the trade."

"Three to four days later, I’ll have sixty tons of potatoes, twenty tons of vegetables, seven tons of wheat. In a few weeks, I’ll also have apples and pears—"

"Sixty tons?!" The Scar-faced Leader shouted upon hearing the number, almost spilling the coffee in his hand.

Lin Yi was unhurried: "Stop shouting, I’m not deaf. To be clear, I already have trade agreements with several camps, such as the Louvre and the Sacred Heart Cathedral."

"That’s not an issue. I’ll start reserving space, arranging manpower, and getting the money ready, hahahaha..."

The Scar-faced Leader was so excited that beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

If this trade could be successfully negotiated, his power would undoubtedly expand like never before.

Once possessing such a vast food reserve, it was like holding a golden key to the gates of power.

He already envisioned himself standing at the pinnacle of this post-apocalyptic city, receiving the reverent admiration of countless survivors.

"Hahaha! Lin Yi, you’re really doing me a huge favor this time! Hahaha!"

The Scar-faced Leader, suppressing his excitement, said with a trembling voice, "In the future, whatever you need, I, Hubert, will go through fire and water, without a second thought!"

Lin Yi found it both funny and exasperating; it was the first time he saw this veteran so excited.

However, he happened to have a matter he needed help with from the other party.

"I still need farming tools, enough for five hundred people, like shovels, sickles, hoes, rakes... the whole set."

The Scar-faced Leader patted his chest and guaranteed: "Understood, tomorrow, I’ll make sure to give you everything I can find!"

"Deal." After shaking hands with the Scar-faced Leader, Lin Yi left the Commercial Building.

He immediately returned to the Shelter.

He originally wanted to go to the Louvre to recruit warriors and professionals.

But as it was already late, going out was too dangerous, so he dismissed the idea for now.

Lin Yi leisurely walked to the center of the Shelter, seeing some girls playing cards.

"Are you having fun?"

"Yeah." Annie responded without lifting her head, her eyes focused on the cards in her hand.

Apart from the few girls playing cards with Annie, another group of girls was playing slot machines.

Currently, because of the severe shortage of farming tools, the Shelter could only implement a rotation labor process.

When these girls had no work, they used the gambling tools Lin Yi had scavenged to set up a small gambling area.

Many of the girls excitedly invited Lin Yi to play a game of strip poker.

Without thinking, Lin Yi outright refused.

He knew well that he could never be a match for three hundred girls, and had no intention of embarrassing himself in front of them...

The rest of the day passed by peacefully and calmly.

Lin Yi took a hot bath, read an interesting book, and spent a quiet evening at home.

The next morning, he held a group meeting.

First, Orianna took the lead to report on the work.

Given the severe shortage of farming tools, the girls had to find another way.

The old Mechanician Louis used his ingenuity to cobble together tools similar to shovels, and others also racked their brains to use anything more efficient than digging by hand.

Although this makeshift way was not very efficient, everyone worked together, and eventually, they successfully completed the sowing of all the fields.

However, everyone was utterly exhausted, with weariness written all over their faces, and their bodies felt as heavy as lead.

Next, Chen Youyou stood up to report.

After her inquiries and statistics, all three hundred new girls were between the ages of 20 and 27.

The reason they ended up in Paradise Palace was partly because they had nowhere else to go and were forced to become laborers, while others were forcibly taken there.

Paradise Palace often attacked other small and medium-sized forces; if they found women, the ugly ones would be recruited, and the beautiful ones would become laborers.

As for men, they were either killed or enslaved to death.

Currently, among the three hundred girls, there was an English teacher, a few seamstresses, and a cook...

Chen Youyou hesitated for a moment, blushing as she said, "Additionally, eleven girls expressed willingness to...work in that area...instead of doing physical labor."

Xiaochuan and Da Chuan perked up immediately upon hearing that.

Melanie deliberately snorted, and then continued eating. Xiaochuan, realizing what had just happened, turned pale.

Lin Yi rubbed his chin, helplessly said: "What they want to do isn’t what matters. Currently, they have no choice, because we don’t have customers here."

"Boss, what about me?" Louis grinned, raising his hand to ask.

Lin Yi also smiled, teasing the old but vigorous Mechanician: "Eleven girls, that number might be beyond your capacity. How about we wait until we return to the Louvre, then I’ll allow you to visit the male love club, okay?"

"I was just joking, Boss." Louis said with an awkward smile.

"Boss, I have a suggestion..." Solomon, who had been silent, spoke up.

This former soldier now seemed to be doing well; his wife and children no longer looked as emaciated and skeletal as before.

"Go ahead."

"I’ve almost recovered now, and hearing that you plan to recruit talent at the Louvre, should we form our own warrior team?"

Lin Yi looked at him, nodding.

He had just been pondering this, and the other’s suggestion came at just the right time.

However, recruiting warriors isn’t a simple task; Lin Yi had his own standards, and not just anyone could join the Shelter and become a warrior.

His gaze fell on Solomon, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "Solomon, what do you think should be the qualifications for recruiting warriors?"

Solomon had evidently thought about this or, having been a soldier, was very familiar with this issue.

Thus, he answered without hesitation: "They need to have a family or someone they care about, be in good health, mentally sound, preferably have military experience, and no serious criminal record."

"Very good." Lin Yi nodded with satisfaction.