Zheng Tao opened his eyes and gazed out the window.

Snowflakes stuck to the glass, swiftly melting into droplets that trickled downward.

This winter was very quiet, the room was as warm as spring. By simply touching the protruding stones on the wall, the house would fill with light, and there were even yellow and white lights to choose from.

Servant Zheng San had been chattering on and on, professing he had never seen such a miraculous house—not even the upscale mansions in Jin City could compare.

Zheng Tao stepped out of the bedroom and found Zheng San curled up on a thick carpet in the outer room.

The young man was snoring softly, deeply asleep.

The elderly man tiptoed to the adjacent toilet. He washed his hands and face with hot water from the tap, then sat on the toilet seat, which, though made of stone, wasn't the least bit cold.

When Zheng Tao rose, he again broke into a cold sweat, experienced difficulty breathing, and felt so ill, he nearly collapsed.

He leaned on the wall as he came out; Zheng San had awakened.

"Master, are you feeling unwell again?"

Zheng San rushed to pour water and fetch medicine for the pale-faced old man and prepared some dry biscuits for the meal.

"It's alright, not as severe as last time."

After taking his medicine, Zheng Tao rested on a chair in front of the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows.

He now very much enjoyed looking outside.

It was unlike any place he had stayed before. The dangerous and wild Dead Sea was in close proximity, yet due to the presence of Aliens, a thin layer of glass had become an impregnable wall that monsters couldn't cross.

It was a strange and wonderful experience, thrilling yet comforting.

Eh?

Something outside caught Zheng Tao's attention.

His vision wasn't great, he pointed out towards the Dead Sea, "What is that?"

Zheng San looked carefully and said, "Master, it appears to be a dam, and there are boats."

"Was it there yesterday?"

"It was there yesterday, yes."

Zheng Tao frowned, "And the day before?"

"There was nothing the day before," Zheng San shook his head.

So, in one day, that huge dam outside was built?

Zheng Tao stared at the young man, "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Zheng San scratched his head, "Master, you said we came here to mind our own business, to only care about ourselves, and that it wouldn't impact your winter rest... and when you read, you never allow me to disturb you."

"..."

The old man angrily gave him a thump on the forehead, "When will you ever be alert!"

"I'm sorry, Master," Zheng San cringed and shivered with his head in his hands.

The scolding seemed to invigorate Zheng Tao considerably, and he said, "Let's go outside."

He had Zheng San knock on the neighbor's door.

Next door, Qian Su, answering as she tightened her right arm with a wrench, greeted, "Uncle Zheng, you're up early. What is it?"

"The dam outside..."

"Oh, that. They say it's for collecting Light Soot Sand from the Dead Sea," Qian Su explained. "But I'm not sure about the specifics, it was just built."

But Zheng Tao immediately realized the implications.

Jade City had absolute authority in the vicinity, and with the samurai crabs, they were more than sufficient to deter the Guangna Species from approaching the sea.

Thereby, the nearby sea had become a safe area for development.

Constructing an artificial spit for collecting Light Soot Sand was a smart choice in the long run.

"Why didn't I feel anything inside the house?" the old man expressed his puzzlement.

The girl, having just moved her newly attached arm, replied, "That's because the sound insulation here is too good. Even if there's an explosion outside, you wouldn't feel it unless you step out of the house."

"Mr. Zhou said it's also for the sake of everyone's sleep. Many people are light sleepers, easily awakened by noise. He specifically requested this, having Jade City undertake the soundproofing."

Zheng Tao nodded.

That made sense.

As people age, their sleep tends to worsen.

In Sand Port City, he often woke up easily. The houses there weren't bad, shielding him from wind and rain, but not from the various noises and shrieks of monsters. If disturbed, it was difficult for him to fall back asleep, and his mental state suffered.

Since officially moving into Jade City, Zheng Tao had been sleeping through the night until naturally waking up, something he hadn't done since his thirties. After his forties, it was tough to sleep without the aid of alcohol.

"Uncle Zheng, how about we go down and have a look at the dam?"

Proposed by Qian Su, the three went downstairs together.

It was only upon approach that Zheng Tao realized Jade City and the artificial spit were already one entity, especially buildings 2 and 3, from which one could walk out and ascend the raised slope all the way to the Dead Sea.

A large number of residents had gathered here.

On the dike, everyone carried buckets, chatting as they walked along.

They wore tattered clothing, but their faces displayed a visible enthusiasm and excitement, and each one seemed full of energy.

Scavengers lived in poverty all year round, having seen all sorts of cold realities of life, which made many of them rather negative, living day to day. To get them moving was indeed a rare thing.

Zheng Tao asked Qian Su, "Did Mr. Zhou promise them anything?"

"No promises."

Qian Su also observed the passing Guangtai workers: "As far as I know, it's just that the salary is good. The compensation Mr. Zhou gives them is 6000 mushrooms a month."

"How much?"

"6000, yes, this price is very attractive, close to home, plus free housing, everyone works hard."

Zheng Tao doubted what he had heard.

As someone who had climbed up from the bottom, he was very sensitive to prices.

In a place like Mao Valley Town, the average monthly income was probably less than 2000 mushrooms.

The farming team from Chicken Head Town could be considered a benchmark, with a monthly salary of about 3000 mushrooms. Considering room and board was included, it was already what most people dreamt of.

Under normal circumstances, the incomes of workers in Guangtai Port were lower than those in the farming teams.

Senior craftsmen were the standard high-income group in Sand Port City, with a monthly salary of about 5000 mushrooms. Adding pay-by-piece commissions for repair work, it came to around 6000 mushrooms a month. Only a very few could break through this ceiling.

When Wasteland Development Company recruited these scavengers to become Guangtai workers, it directly offered them nearly top wages.

Zheng Tao didn't understand, "Can Mr. Zhou really make money this way? Does he not consider profit?"

Qian Su revealed a mysterious smile, "Who knows? Perhaps some people don't care about making money and do it just for the interest. Some individuals are simply not meant to be judged by ordinary standards."

From her words, Zheng Tao vaguely caught on to something.

However, Qian Su stopped short and changed the subject, "The real work area is below the dike."

The inside of the dike was hollow.

It was only when he went below that Zheng Tao realized the dam was actually made up of stacked stone houses interconnected with each other. The window holes of each stone house were natural collection points, where workers, tied to the dike with straw ropes, scooped up Light Soot Sand through these openings using net pouches.

Working indoors, they were not afraid of wind or sun and it was quite safe.

Seeing the smiling faces of the workers, Zheng Tao thought to himself that if he could earn such an income when he was young, he'd be happy, and probably wish to work there for a lifetime.

He had no doubts about the wealth of that Mr. Zhou.

He'd even opened up the Alien nurseries for free housing, not to mention this bit of money.

Zheng Tao couldn't help but ask, "Who exactly is Mr. Zhou?"

The usually amiable girl now only put her finger to her lips.

Zheng Tao understood immediately.

Qian Su indeed knew Zhou Yi's background, but it seemed to be some kind of taboo.

The background of Zhou Yi was perhaps a bit frightening.

All sorts of thoughts flashed through the old man's mind.

Suddenly someone beside him brought over a bucket, yelling, "Brothers, the company's farm has a huge harvest! The chairman is treating everyone to freshly harvested roasted sweet potatoes! Come on, everyone gets one, nice and hot!"

The workers immediately crowded around.

They cherished their current environment and jobs, each taking only their own portion, savoring this rare winter delicacy.

Zheng Tao and the other two also received some.

The old man peeled the sweet potato and chewed slowly on the sweet tuber, feeling somewhat melancholic, "In the Sand Port Region, which does not produce sweet potatoes, these would probably cost 300 mushrooms each. Mr. Zhou really is as generous as ever."

Qian Su, munching on a sweet potato, said, "Uncle Zheng, about that Elder Council thing we spoke about earlier... could you help write a recommendation letter?"

"Those retired enhancers aren't easy to trust people, and you've worked as a mediator in the Elder Council. With your recommendation, they'd surely be willing to come here for retirement. I've asked Mr. Zhou about it, and he is supportive too."

Zheng Tao nodded, "Alright, I'll write it."

"But you also help me with something."

"Please tell me."

Zheng Tao looked towards the young woman, "I probably won't live for another month. After I die, if you can, help Zheng San find a job as a worker."

He pointed to the somewhat dazed servant nearby, "He's not one for clever ideas, but he's diligent, obedient, and can work. He's looked after me for several years, and I want to find a path for him. This place, I feel, has a future."

Qian Su nodded, "It shouldn't be a problem because the Guangtai Dam still needs a lot of workers."

"Then I'm relieved."

Zheng Tao glanced at his servant.

Zheng San suddenly said earnestly, "Master, you're not going to die."

"Everyone dies, foolish boy," the old man scolded with a smile.

"You're not going to die; you'll live a long time."

"Why?"

Zheng San said, "My mom said, good people should live to ripe old ages. You are a good person, Master."

Zheng Tao was stunned for a moment, then finally he nodded, "Good."