Snowflakes fluttered outside the window.

Zhou Yi sat on the sofa, scooping out peach preserves from a can.

Winter was just right for this.

In the preceding days, he had been busy with one thing or another; now, the construction of Building 3 was nearing its end, Da Vinci had been placed in his comfort zone for leveling up, and the crops in the fields were awaiting the final ferment of time.

The rather arduous initial work of this winter had been basically completed—the next step was to wait.

Yet Red Kestrel reported an issue, "There's one more thing."

"When I hired Tie Ma and Tong Niu, I went through the process personally. However, in the official records filed with Recursive City, it was still 'Wasteland Development Company' as the hiring body, and I even wrote down your name and the address of Mao Valley Town. Later, when rescuing Doctor Da Vinci, it was also done in the company's name."

"The advantage of this is that since the company now has service cooperation with Recursive City, it will be included in the credit system. I just received a message that on account of these two transactions being completed, especially due to the high-cost rescue the second time, the company's credit rating has been officially confirmed as C-rank."

Zhou Yi, with syrup on his peach, replied, "You went out of your way to do this, there must be a benefit?"

"It's very useful."

Red Kestrel explained, "The social system of Mechanical City uses two types of currency: Light Seed currency, which quantifies the prices of various goods and services, while credit currency serves as the standard for evaluating the precedence levels in cooperation processes."

"Think of credit as a type of privilege."

The drone said, "If your credit rating is high enough, you could even take out direct loans in Recursive City and seek assistance from B-rank electromechanical life."

Zhou Yi immediately perked up and made detailed inquiries.

Simply put, the level of your credit determines what you can buy in Recursive City, while how much Light Seed you possess determines if you can afford it.

Wasteland Development Company's certification as a C-rank in credit had an immediate advantage: if they were to post job vacancies again, they would not face the embarrassing situation of not attracting applicants like the first time.

Electromechanical life from E to C rank was likely to come seeking employment.

But the credit rating was also fluid—if you spent enough in Recursive City without receiving many poor reviews, the credit rating would further increase. Conversely, if there were violations of cooperative agreements or complaints from partners, the rating would fall.

Red Kestrel emphasized further, "Though the management methods of different mechanical cities slightly differ, the credit rating is universal. This aids the company in unfolding various businesses in the future."

Zhou Yi agreed but was slightly puzzled, "I employed someone like Dr. Da Vinci, who had mishaps; why did our rating go up? Couldn't someone just boost their credit by carrying out acts that make up for losses in city public services?"

"The algorithms are quite complex, and I'm not part of that functional area so I can't answer."

The drone responded, "But malicious exploitation of the rules to raise credit is basically impossible. Credit is merely a unit of currency that quantifies and equates risks and rewards."

"For instance, if you donate 10,000 Light Seeds to Recursive City, then you could only borrow up to 10,000 Light Seeds from here."

Zhou Yi understood.

At its core, it was still a form of equivalent exchange; credit had simply become the threshold for exchange capacities.

Yet for the company, upgrading its rating among electromechanical life populations was worth the investment alone.

Areas such as agriculture, mining, construction, and healthcare, highly professionalized fields, were best assigned to electromechanical types.

Zhou Yi looked out at the heavy snowfall and suddenly wondered, "The last group went to Chicken Head Town for the promotion; they left 4 days ago, haven't they come back?"

"Nemo reported that the sand rats conveyed messages saying they hadn't encountered any accidents. They must be delayed for some reason, and the recent heavy snow and fierce winds make travel inconvenient at night."

Thus spoke the Red Kestrel.

At nightfall, figures appeared on the horizon.

Through the drone's high-definition lens, Zhou Yi saw below him two rows of teenagers arranged in groups, shabbily dressed and shivering in the cold, continuously rubbing their hands and breathing out hot air.

Leading them was Cao Dayuan, at the forefront holding a glow stick, leading the group towards here, and speaking to them as they walked.

Zhou Yi was completely baffled by this situation.

So many people, were they coming to stay?

Zhou Yi hurried down the elevator.

Outside, Gong Zheng, leaning on a crutch, was already receiving this group of immigrants from afar.

Seeing Zhou Yi, Gong Zheng couldn't hide his smile, "Chairman, I didn't expect to alarm you. This time Cao Dayuan did something huge without making a sound; he brought exactly 103 people over, and they'll all stay here this winter."

Cao Dayuan also hurried over. Using an old hat to cover his sparsely-haired head and his beard sprinkled with snow that resembled sugar frosting, he trudged through deep snow, but he was in high spirits.

"Chairman."

He displayed an awkward smile, rubbed his reddened nose with the back of his hand, and warmed his hands, "Didn't you mention you wanted to find people for a trial stay? I figured, instead of those who already have a place to settle, why not find those without a place?"

"Chicken Head Town is much larger than Mao Valley Town, and there are more scavengers there; they could only stay outside, slightly better off than us outsiders."

"Their previous generation belonged to that place, the current generation, without work and without a place to stay, could only set up their own shacks. Winters there aren't much better than Mao Valley Town; it can also be deadly cold."

"Many from Chicken Head Town merely received paper, which is expensive and could be exchanged for money, but they hadn't planned on moving here; most are too timid. I am clear on that, and I'd feel the same way."

Cao Dayuan spoke deeply and unhurriedly, "Later, I talked it over with the folks. Since there were no extra demands for the trial stay, it didn't matter who they were, we found the scavenger brothers from over there. They didn't have much to begin with, so they just followed us in hopes of getting lucky."

Beside him, Gong Zheng displayed a sly grin, "It's not easy. If it were someone else, they wouldn't be able to gain their trust."

He further explained, "Chairman, Cao Dayuan is proficient in growing mushrooms, many people know this. Sometimes scavengers from other regions would also follow traders, journeying from Death Dune to here, hoping for some luck. If they're unlucky and run out of food, seeking Cao Dayuan was the right choice. His word, everyone trusts."

Zhou Yi glanced again at Cao Dayuan.

So this person was like a little Song Jiang of Mao Valley, somewhat possessing a timely rain Robin Hood vibe, no wonder everyone heeded his call.

"No, I just think that mushrooms, after all, are meant to be grown for eating."

Cao Dayuan, praised directly, seemed somewhat embarrassed; he rubbed his forehead again with the back of his hand, "Anyone could encounter troubles; having a bite to eat, it's worth sharing. Maybe someday I'll need everyone's support too."

Zhou Yi's impression of him had further increased.

He had quite a leadership quality.

"You did well, Old Cao," Zhou Yi patted his shoulder, "It's been a tough journey."

This address, 'Old Cao', made Cao Dayuan's face pause in surprise, yet he nodded hesitantly.

"There's another thing." Zhou Yi looked at the local who had once refused his offer, "Would you like to come work for our company?"

Cao Dayuan's face showed hesitation, seemingly unsure how to respond.

Zhou Yi told him, "Don't feel pressured. Don't you want to change the face of Mao Valley Town and make this place better? Come with me, and you can achieve that, your goal aligns with the company's goals."

"You grow mushrooms, you should know that mushrooms only grow in suitable environments, the better the environment, the better they grow. What we need to do is change this place, make Mao Valley mushrooms flourish, so locals don't have to leave their hometowns to make a living somewhere else."

These words finally made Cao Dayuan resolve himself, and he lowered his head and said, "Chairman, I was blind before to not see your intent, please take care of me in the future."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry about it."

"Old Cao, you guys can squeeze into Building 2 for now. Building 3 will be completed in a couple of days, then you can move in."

Zhou Yi instructed, "I'll leave their arrangements to you. If you need anything, contact Gong Zheng."

"Sure thing."

Cao Dayuan replied, "Don't worry, Building 2 is spacious enough; it's completely suitable for living."

"Also, Mr. Chairman, these people are just the first batch. I've also sent a message to the scavengers in Sand Port, inviting them to come over. There should be more people coming later."

Zhou Yi was delighted to hear this.

There were unexpected gains.

Thus, a group of scavengers, who had been living rough in Chicken Head Town, arrived in Jade City during winter and officially moved in.

Two days later.

Scavengers from Chicken Head Town moved into Building 3.

Three days later.

Three cars arrived outside Jade City.

Leading them was a large truck driven by Qian Su.

Another was a beetle-like vehicle, completely black and nearly the size of a large beetle, and the last one looked square and boxy, like a matchbox moving through snow.

Unlike "Mission," these two were not electromechanical lives.

"They are just crude imitations created using the Light Imprint Skill."

Red Kestrel commented, "The light imprint vehicles produced by Human City are of low quality with a high failure rate. However, few humans get to use such vehicles."

The beetle-like vehicle was Boss Sha's ride, inside were several young women with makeup and leather clothes, and the matchbox car carried Uncle Zheng and a young male attendant.

When they learned that many scavengers were already settled in Building 3, both their expressions changed slightly.

Boss Sha smiled and said, "Mr. Zhou, I have nothing against scavengers per se; scavenging is an ancient profession. However, the places they gather usually aren't very nice, people urinating and spitting everywhere, and they also emit an unpleasant smell... these really cause some headaches."

"To be honest, their presence here could affect the value and style of Jade City. A place as good as this should be reserved for the upper echelons of society, who truly understand and appreciate the power and beauty here."

"Dead Sea Aliens, a group of people bathing in fine wine and smoke pills, everyone can watch monsters battling outside while freely enjoying themselves with the girls, it's an ideal place for seeking pleasure..."

Zhou Yi was shocked.

This guy actually wanted to host a debauched party!

Damn, what does he think Jade City is!

Zhou Yi immediately made a serious statement, "They are residents of Building 3, no different from the two of you. Also, the behavior you described is strictly prohibited in Jade City; this is a respectable place."

Cao Dayuan gave Zhou Yi a reminder.

To promote development and production, one must follow the mass line, uniting and allying with the largest number of people.

Jade City also needed many inhabitants.

Ordinary people's demands are low; they only want a house to live in during winter to stay warm.

These people treasured the opportunity in Jade City, were well-behaved and didn't cause trouble.

They were exactly the quality customers the company needed.

Boss Sha's clients moving in worried Zhou Yi that they would tarnish the spirit of Jade City, turning it into a strange shape.

"What a shame."

After unsuccessfully trying to persuade him, Boss Sha could only smile bitterly in resignation, "A great business opportunity, truly a pity, Mr. Zhou, my clients like these thrills. Now I'll have to go back and explain to them. I hope there will be another opportunity to cooperate in the future. Mr. Zhou, I'll take my leave now."

He bowed slightly in signal, got into his car, turned it around, and left.

Zhou Yi then looked to the remaining elder, "Mr. Zheng, what do you think?"

"I have no special demands; when I was young, I often slept outdoors too."

Zheng Tao's face remained calm, he chuckled and said, "If possible, I'd like to live next to Qian Su, at least there's someone I know."

Qian Su clapped his iron hands together loudly, "Great, great, I also want to be neighbors with Uncle Zheng."

Zhou Yi also greeted him with a smile, "No problem, welcome to Jade City."