CHAPTER 90: BROTHERS, YOU HAVE A PROMISING FUTURE!

Indeed, Huaxia had struggled for a month to control the rotten corpse insects. However, not only did they fail to eradicate them, but the insects also evolved due to abundant resources. These resources included the countless creatures and animals that had died en masse over the past six months. Coupled with high temperatures and water shortages, many people died unnoticed in their homes, leading to the proliferation of rotten corpse insects throughout entire houses.

The abundance of corpses fueled the evolution of the rotten corpse insects, making them even more formidable. Consequently, a more severe rotten corpse insect disaster was imminent.

The Science Channel broadcast daily warnings that the Earth was on the verge of destruction, soon to be ruled by rotten corpse insects. However, what no one expected was that another species had also exhibited its unprecedented reproductive capacity: maggots. This, however, is a topic for later.

First, let’s discuss Jing Shu’s personal principles: you don’t have to eat, but you must not waste. You can give unwanted food to someone who will eat it.

Jing Shu, having survived ten years in the apocalypse, understood the value of food, especially after the fifth year. Even though Jing Shu no longer lacked food, she still adhered to her ’clean plate’ policy, licking clean any remnants in her house every day.

Clenching her fists, Jing Shu forced herself to calm the anger inside her and then went with everyone to collect water.

The crowd in the water collection area was significantly smaller. Some people didn’t even bring bottles and drank directly from the communal ones, as there was no water or electricity at home anyway.

The family had their faces and identity cards recognized and received their water ration—each person was allotted only 500ml per day, totaling 2.5 liters for a family of five. This was only half of a four-liter water bottle. At Jing Shu’s house, this amount was not even enough to water the apple trees.

The family members looked at each other with concern.

Grandma Jing clutched the precious water to her chest and said, "We’ve toiled for half an hour just to get this little bit of water? Before, it used to be one liter per person at least."

"Should we still go get the food from the distribution?" Wu You’ai asked, yawning. When it came to eating, she was indifferent and could genuinely survive on that alone—Wu You’ai was definitely a laid-back, home-loving type.

"Look at this line. It will take an hour, and the food is just..." Mr. Jing winced as he spoke. His teeth had been growing for six months and had finally come through. Painfully, however, the teeth on the other side also began to grow, causing him such agony that he could hardly eat anything remotely hard.

Mr. Jing sometimes wondered, "I’m already halfway into my coffin, so why am I still growing teeth? Can’t an old man like me enjoy a proper meal?" His only solace was smoking. Mr. Jing deeply regretted not stocking up on more cigarettes, which now made him hesitant to even argue with his son for fear of running out.

The family decided to head home. In fact, apart from Wu You’ai, no one really wanted to eat the dreadful-looking meal. On the way, they discussed whether they should continue to collect water daily.

Mr. Jing, who hadn’t realized how precious water was until he had to manage the household, said, "Let’s not bother coming so far just for this little water. Many charging stations have recently lost power, making it difficult to recharge electric vehicles."

Grandma Jing disagreed. "We just lost a batch of vegetables at home, and a few days ago we planted new ones that need daily watering. We also have two more pigs and a cow that need daily feeding. I see the water tank on the third floor is only half full. At our current rate of water usage, it won’t last even a few months if we’re not careful. At least the distributed water can be used to feed the cow."

Jing Shu had previously stored dozens of tons of water and set up a wastewater recycling system, but even so, it was proving insufficient. While bathing and washing clothes used recycled water, these activities still consumed it. Moreover, watering the Domestic Poultry and irrigating crops were particularly water-intensive.

There were still 14 tons of mineral water in her space, enough for drinking, but using it to feed pigs and water crops felt too luxurious.

No, I still have to find more water somewhere, Jing Shu mused.

After taking Grandma Jing and the other two home, Jing Shu and Mr. Jing went to find a charging station for the electric vehicle. They now had to charge it every two to three days. This was, of course, not as convenient as the gasoline cars of the past, but those vehicles had already been rendered useless.

During this period, inflation had escalated to the point where money had become practically worthless. The price of gold had soared to three thousand per gram, ten times its previous value and higher than its historical peak. Europe and the United States had stopped implementing the gold standard, and Huaxia had also caught the gold fever. However, it wouldn’t be long before gold, too, would crash.

World currencies were in disarray. The damned United States aggressively lowered the US Dollar exchange rate, increasing Huaxia’s debt. Huaxia didn’t back down, and diplomatic skirmishes full of verbal sparring erupted. The general retort was effectively: "So you think you can lower rates? Fine, we’ll lower ours too! Whoever chickens out is a loser!"

Consequently, money became even more worthless, leading many charging stations to cease operations.

According to Jing Shu’s memory, the charging stations wouldn’t restart until the following year when the situation stabilized. By then, the government would take over and introduce a new Virtual Coin for purchases. Previously, everyone had referred to this system as work points, which could only be earned through labor.

"This charging station is quite secluded; it was still usable a few days ago." Mr. Jing had just driven in when the car’s headlights suddenly illuminated three people. They were using an electric hammer, powered by a small generator, to break open the surrounding ground and dig out the charging station.

The encounter seemed to freeze time for both parties. Jing Shu and Mr. Jing hadn’t expected anyone to be stealing charging stations, and the people on the other side hadn’t expected to run into anyone with an energy vehicle wanting to charge there.

Jing Shu got out of the car. "Brothers, you’re quite forward-thinking, figuring out how to make money by stealing charging stations so early on."

Indeed, in the second year of the apocalypse, a group of private individuals had preemptively stolen charging stations and exchanged them with energy vehicle owners for food and work points, making a fortune.

"Hey, there are only two of them! Brothers, let’s grab the energy vehicle and the charging station too!" The bald man raised the electric hammer in his hand, grinning menacingly, while the two beside him set down their tools and picked up machetes, also grinning evilly.

The electric hammer looked menacing and very threatening.

Mr. Jing pulled out a repeating crossbow, and Jing Shu produced a huge Wolf Fang Club, slamming it onto the concrete ground with a BOOM. It instantly created a deep crater, and the entire ground trembled.

The three on the other side stood there agape, gulping simultaneously.

"Brother Ermao, you... you try using the electric hammer again. This is probably just a mud patch, right?"

Brother Ermao also fiercely smashed the ground with his electric hammer. With a THUD, only a small crack appeared.

"Still, that Wolf Fang Club is way more intimidating."

The three swallowed again. Bald Ermao, quick to react, said fearfully, "This... this charging station is all yours. Let’s not interfere with each other. We’ll... we’ll be seeing you!"

BOOM! The Wolf Fang Club smashed the ground fiercely once more. This time, the surrounding area caved in. Jing Shu nodded in satisfaction and said, "Leave the tools and scram."

"Alright, alright."

"We’re leaving now."

The three disappeared in a flash. Jing Shu felt a wave of relaxation wash over her. I didn’t expect that mere intimidation could scare off an enemy so effectively. This feels exhilarating and satisfying!

Mr. Jing opened his mouth, finding his daughter increasingly unfathomable. "So, what do we do now?"

We’ll take the charging station straight home. It’ll be so convenient to charge right at our doorstep, Jing Shu mused contentedly. When it’s time to relocate, I’ll put the charging station into my space. Perfect!