CHAPTER 356: 356. ENTER THE CITY

Qin Dagen was also dumbfounded by Hua Jin’s mention of the reward. They were already very grateful to be allowed to stay in Hua Village, and as for the reward, they hadn’t even thought about it. What was even more unexpected was that the reward turned out to be so much food. Without the urging gaze from his wife, it was hard for Qin Dagen to refuse.

"No need, when we’re free, we’re just idle anyway. It’s just helping the village with the courtyard wall, no reward is necessary," Qin Shu said, already understanding Hua Jin’s intention. But this matter was also beneficial to them, as reinforcing the courtyard wall indeed made things much safer.

"Ah..." Seeing her son’s serious expression, Mrs. Li ultimately chose to close her mouth.

"Right, right, Brother Shu is right, no need for any reward." His son’s words made Qin Dagen feel a moment of shame. The villagers had even provided them with a place to stay, and they were just helping repair the courtyard wall; how could they ask for a reward?

"That’s not how it should be calculated. The renovation of Hua Village’s walls is a huge project that will take considerable time and effort. Without food, it means going hungry; then how could there be any strength to repair the walls? If you don’t mind, Uncle Qin, let’s go with what I suggested."

"Miss Hua Jin, I know you have a kind heart, but there’s really no need to be like this." Qin Shu looked at Hua Jin seriously. Thirty kilograms of food was no small amount...

"No, that’s really what I think. Nowadays, it’s simply too unsafe. Having walls will give an extra layer of protection, though it could be quite labor-intensive, so the food is deserved. Being full will also give more strength to quickly repair the walls. As for bricks and stones, don’t worry, I’ll find a way to get them."

Hua Jin did consider sending the village men down the mountain, but with the plague raging at the moment, the timing wasn’t right, so she gave up the idea.

Although having more people would make it quicker, it’s not a risk worth taking. If even one person gets infected, it would be disastrous.

Most importantly, just because there are no problems with Qin Shu’s family doesn’t mean they’re not carrying the virus, so caution is still needed.

Hua Jin’s words successfully persuaded Qin Shu. Indeed, if they couldn’t fill their stomachs, they’d have no strength. And when it comes to the virtue of a scholar, it pales in comparison to hunger.

"Uncle Qin, Brother Qin Shu, what do you think? Of course, it’s no problem if you disagree. You’re welcome to stay here or build your own house if you wish."

Qin Dagen glanced at his son. Ultimately, the lure of food was impossible to resist. Although wild vegetables could fill the stomach temporarily, only food could truly stave off hunger and maintain health.

"Alright, then I’ll thicken my skin and agree. I’ll make sure to quickly put up the courtyard wall."

"No need to rush, just do it within your means." Hua Jin was pleased, her eyes shining with starlight-like brilliance.

She knew she was somewhat pushing people and taking advantage of their plight, but it really was a win-win situation. While Qin Shu’s family contributed labor, they received food and salt, and Hua Village would get a courtyard wall. Why not?

Having decided to build, Qin Dagen, his son, and Hua Jin began to discuss the details.

The main topics were the range, height, and thickness of the wall, all of which needed to be pre-determined.

They ultimately decided that the height should be no less than one zhang (about 3.3 meters), and the thicker, the better, with a minimum thickness of one and a half chi (about 0.5 meters). This was Hua Jin’s consideration given the potential for earthquakes; the taller the wall, the thicker the base needed to be for safety.

During this time, Hua Jin also confirmed the plague situation. Qin Shu’s family indeed came to Hua Village to escape the plague, and she was secretly relieved that she had taken full protective measures from the start.

She also learned about the left-behind letters. This matter was, in fact, her fault. She had left messages for others but hadn’t been able to follow up. From now on, she really should come down and check; it would help them know what’s happening outside sooner.

It was truly too isolated up the mountain. The arrival of Qin Shu’s family wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. No matter what, they would always receive some news sooner than the villagers.

Originally, she planned to pack away the bricks and stones in the courtyard, but now that was unnecessary. After arranging things, Hua Jin didn’t stay long.

Having already made big promises, she still had time and needed to get the bricks and stones.

In her space, she had stored a large stockpile of bricks and house-building materials, but those were meant for when she could truly settle down and build a house later. Hua Jin didn’t plan to use them now.

Thinking of checking the brick and stone workshop in the town, to do another ’zero-cost purchase’ trip.

The brick and stone workshop in Shanggu Town was quite sizable. The stockpile from a few years ago with her father was just a mere fraction of it. Hopefully, this trip wouldn’t disappoint her.

After bidding farewell to Qin Shu’s family, and confirming that there were no people around, Hua Jin moved the car out from her space.

As for whether anyone would discover it, Hua Jin no longer cared. Not to mention, given the plague, it’s uncertain if anyone is even outside, and even if noticed, people would likely think they were seeing things. No one would want to believe it.

After all, with unknown things, people always find various reasons to convince themselves otherwise.

In any case, she no longer wanted to exhaust herself traveling on foot. It was over twenty li (about 10 kilometers); although she could manage it in a short time with her speed, why tire herself out when she could take it easy?

In just a few minutes, she reached her destination. Along the way, Hua Jin didn’t see anyone, and whether anyone saw her was unknown.

Outside the workshop was dried silt cracked in blocks, mixed with blue and red bricks washed out. There were no signs of human activity here, precisely as Hua Jin hoped, suggesting that bricks and stones were likely still present.

Hua Jin put the car back into her space and donned a protective suit before entering.

The result didn’t disappoint. It wasn’t a trip made in vain. Although the silt in the courtyard was deep and bricks scattered by the wash were all over, many were still neatly piled together. Though covered in a thick layer of silt, they were completely functional.

Hua Jin took them all without hesitation.

She then took the car and continued to another workshop.

This time, she wasn’t as lucky as before. Many of the bricks and stones had clearly been taken. However, it wasn’t a wasted trip, as she collected what was left into her space as well.

But these were far from enough. Hua Jin thought for a moment and then stepped on the accelerator, heading towards the county town.

The county town had more brick and stone workshops; not making a trip felt incomplete. If worse came to worst, she could reuse bricks from collapsed buildings in the town.

She was always a person who acted once she had an idea.

On the way, there was only desolation and more desolation—fallen and cracked trees were a common sight. The most frequently seen, though, were various corpses exposed to the air. Some had turned into bleached bones, while others seemed to have died not too long ago. Despite being rotten, the bodies were intact, covered in maggots and flies. Even just a glimpse made Hua Jin’s scalp tingle, and she drove faster.

Occasionally, silhouettes of weary, luggage-carrying people would flash by the car. By the time they widened their eyes in disbelief at the disappearing vehicle, Hua Jin had already driven far away.

"Monster... Monster... There’s a monster." The timid ones were already scared stiff, pointing at the black dot the vehicle had become and shouting in terror.

Hua Jin couldn’t hear these cries; the car was already far from these people. After over an hour, she reached the outskirts of New Moon City. As for the shadow she cast on others along the way, Hua Jin could only secretly offer an apology.