133: Chapter 133 Hope

"Watermelon, it's really watermelon! Mommy, I want to eat watermelon!" A half-grown child pointed at the display case, excitedly tugging on the hem of the woman's clothes beside him.

After a brief silence, the frenzy was completely ignited by the dazzling array of goods.

The crowd surged toward the shelves like they had gone mad; among them, the Ability Users reacted the fastest, heading straight for the display cases of the goods they wanted to eat.

"Lettuce—five first-level crystal cores per jin? Cheap, give me one jin."

"Rice—twenty first-level crystal cores per bag? Give me two bags."

"Apples—fifteen first-level crystal cores per jin? A good deal, give me one jin."

Ordinary survivors didn't have many crystal cores, but because Chen Quan had previously mentioned there were other ways to exchange for supplies, they all gathered in front of the notice board to read the detailed exchange rules.

Besides crystal cores, the supply station also accepted gold, jewelry, antiques, and other items for barter.

Not everyone had these things, so Qi Yin used a little trick, connecting it to the base's construction system, which would display each base member's contribution points.

These contribution points were earned by participating in base construction, including but not limited to infrastructure development, cultural construction, and other activities.

The touch screen next to the notice board allowed people to view their contribution points in real-time and use them to exchange for corresponding supplies.

Previously, they had used this method of exchanging contribution points for food to encourage ordinary survivors to participate in base construction; although the food they could get was very little, at least there was some hope.

But Qi Yin was generous; the things available for exchange were plentiful, and the quantities were absolutely worthwhile.

"Old Wang, look, I repaired the perimeter wall for three days, and I have 15 contribution points. I can exchange them for three jin of potatoes!"

"I helped clean up construction materials yesterday and got 8 contribution points; I can exchange them for a bunch of greens. At the base supermarket, it would cost 20 points!"

"That's great! From now on, as long as we're willing to work, we won't have to worry about food!"

Qi Yin didn't know yet that this action of hers had allowed ordinary people to see hope—the hope of surviving, and even living better, by relying on their own two hands.

In the storage boxes under the display cases, the clinking and clattering sounds of crystal cores being deposited made Qi Yin feel extremely pleased.

She had studied the data on how many crystal cores Ability Users could earn on missions; this pricing wasn't expensive for them. For them, crystal cores could be earned by killing zombies, but these scarce food items were hard to come by.

Of course, for her, after deducting costs, she could still make quite a profit.

She glanced at Xiao Sinian, whose gaze had been fixed on her, and curled her lips into a smile.

There was another reason for doing this: she didn't want the people around her to worry about these trivial matters.

Who could understand? Some time ago, she had seen several white hairs on the head of that twenty-five-year-old man. Thinking of this, she secretly glared at the President, an old man standing in front of her who was about her height.

The little old man squeezed into the crowd, watching the busy yet orderly exchange scene and the hope reignited on the faces of the masses, clapping his hands excitedly.

Fortunately, he had relented back then; otherwise, he didn't know how many years it would take for the base to see such a prosperous scene today. This was all thanks to Qi Yin.

Not noticing the look Qi Yin gave him, the little old man just kept winking at Xiao Sinian.

"You brat, why aren't you seizing the opportunity? If you let her get away, watch out, I'll deal with you!"

Xiao Sinian's knuckles tightened as he held Qi Yin's small hand. He averted his gaze from the old man and whispered in her ear: "Why did you add the rule about exchanging contribution points for supplies?"

Qi Yin glanced at him but didn't answer.

To be honest, she wasn't some kind-hearted Virgin Mary. To say she couldn't stand seeing the survivors' numb eyes as if they were waiting to die—their survival had nothing to do with her.

The initial intention behind setting up these two systems was to earn crystal cores. As for the item of adding contribution points for supplies, it wasn't for the sake of the world, but for a certain person.

But she couldn't just say that out loud; it wasn't glorious, and it would be like deliberately trying to please someone.

Just because she didn't speak didn't mean Xiao Sinian didn't understand.

That bit of awkwardness and her feigned indifference in her profile caught his eye, and Xiao Sinian felt a corner of his heart soften completely.

His Little Fiancée was such a person; she claimed to only care about crystal cores and money, being more shrewd and calculating than anyone else, but when she actually did things, she would always, without even realizing it, leave a window, a glimmer of light, for others.

For the base, the supply station was a pillar that stabilized the public heart, telling everyone that no matter how cruel the Apocalypse was, as long as you were willing to move, you could see hope and you could survive.

Qi Yin felt uncomfortable under his gaze, turned her face away, broke free from his hand, and turned to walk out with big strides.

"Uncle Chen, keep a close watch. If anyone causes trouble, kick them out. The source of goods is all at the villa; remember to restock."

"No problem!"

Xiao Sinian felt the lingering warmth on his fingertips, his gaze not retracting for a long time, and he raised his hand.

Lei Jun walked up to him: "Boss, your orders!"

His thin lips parted: "Send a copy of the supply station's video to every base. I believe they will be interested..."

"What about Shanhe Base..." Lei Jun hesitated.

"Send it. Be safe, take more people. Also, by the way, bring a message to Yanqi Mountain..." As he said this, Xiao Sinian handed her a brocade box.

Inside were some reagents and pills prepared by Qi Yin, with thoughtful instructions written out, detailing usage and dosage very clearly.

"Understood..."

If Sister Yin knew that the Boss was finding ways to make money for her, she would definitely be very happy.

These two people would feed them dog food regardless of the occasion, never considering the feelings of "dogs" like them!

She took Qian Hao and a few others to prepare dozens of hard drives, copying the footage of people exchanging goods at the supply station into them, intending to send them out later in the afternoon. Lu Jinwen had been cooped up in the base for too long and insisted on going out to get some fresh air.

In the villa, only Qi Yin and Xiao Sinian were left curled up on the sofa. The man's large palms played with her long, dark, and smooth hair; it would be a pity not to braid such beautiful hair.

And so, three minutes later, Qi Yin looked at her high ponytail, which had transformed into a long braided plait, and fell into deep thought.

Must say, Xiao Sinian's hands were quite deft.

"Boss Xiao, your technique is so proficient; you must have done this quite a bit in the past." Why did she feel a bit jealous?

However, Xiao Sinian was already twenty-five years old; it was hard to say he hadn't dated before.

Only she, with her heart set on how to please a family of ghosts, had been single since birth.

"Why are you looking at me like I'm a scumbag? Rest assured, apart from you, I haven't braided anyone else's hair."

Xiao Sinian told a story from the past, and only then did Qi Yin realize that the billionaire and God of Wealth of Kyoto before her had once fantasized about becoming a hair stylist.

This skill of braiding hair was actually practiced on a mannequin.

Qi Yin pursed her lips: "Not bad craftsmanship. From now on, my hair is left to you to braid."

Xiao Sinian pulled her into his arms: "As you command, I guarantee to complete the mission!"

"By the way, have Lei Jun and the others left?" Qi Yin yawned, suddenly remembering this matter.

Xiao Sinian glanced at the wall clock; it was two in the afternoon.

"They've left. I imagine they should have arrived by now!"

At that moment, at the impregnable main gate of Shanhe Base...