See, there are still selfless, good people in the apocalypse. The dishes and food he brought out today were probably all of Mr. Yang’s best provisions. It was enough to feed more than two hundred people, and his own family could have lived on it for six months.
By the ti she arrived today, apart from so fish still in the pond, all the vegetables in the garden had already been harvested.
Mr. Yang could have simply announced that all of today’s gifts were being donated. He could have received countless people’s adoration without ’wasting’ this al, yet he still chose to entertain his old friends with his very best first.
So might say that what he donated wasn’t even his own, and yet he gained fa in the end. But Mr. Yang could have obtained those things without donating them at all, and he clearly chose not to do so.
Sotis, the real value is in the sentint behind such gift exchanges. Over the years, the gifts he’d given out would eventually return to him in so form. Ultimately, these things were still his.
Jing Shu suddenly rembered sothing from her past life that had even made the news: Mr. Yang had donated a al of plain white rice to tens of thousands of people in Wu City, earning their imnse gratitude. Unfortunately, she hadn’t gotten to eat any in her past life because it had run out before it reached her in the Banana District.
Jing Shu deeply admired people like him in the apocalypse, especially the elderly. Surviving such harsh conditions was even more difficult for them.
No wonder Yang Yang was sighing. His grandfather had truly made a costly decision this ti, not only forgoing the gift money he would have received but also depleting his family’s entire food supply. Yang Yang’s grandmother would surely make his grandfather kneel on a washboard for this.
The scene buzzed with astonishnt and disbelief. Shen Sanqiao knocked on the auction table. "At the sa ti," he announced, "those participating in this charity auction will be docunted in the Wu City News under the ’Good Deeds’ section. This auction will also be featured as a model example in the ’Big Data Charity Auction’ column."
In Jing Shu’s view, it wasn’t an issue if celebrities used donations for publicity, as long as they genuinely donated substantial amounts and perford many good deeds that truly benefited the common people. Both parties got what they wanted—wasn’t that a good thing?
The auction started quickly, proceeding table by table, beginning from the top left. An old man presented a water filter. Mr. Yang looked visibly pained; his family now relied on water filtered at his son’s house and brought over.
"HAHA, you old Undead, you don’t need this great item but insist on donating it. Let’s auction it then."
The water filter, now worth far more than before, eventually sold for 1,000 Virtual Coins. Everyone was considerate. Being notable figures, they stopped bidding when they felt the price was about right. After all, this wasn’t a typical auction.
"I specifically brought dry walnuts to help rejuvenate that brain of yours, old Undead."
The 5 kilograms of walnuts eventually sold for 600 Virtual Coins.
"I caught you a male and a female chick from the livestock farm."
Their final selling price was 1,500 Virtual Coins.
Water was no longer scarce, and there was even enough feed, so the governnt was vigorously developing the livestock industry. However, during the mid-term evolution of Insect eggs, many animals died or beca ill after consuming contaminated water, just like humans had. A large portion of the newly bred livestock was lost.
Fortunately, a wastewater treatnt plant was repaired not long after, and the water was refiltered. Once again, the Dostic Poultry and people in Wu City had to rely on governnt provisions for their drinking water.
"Old Yang, I won’t give you any items, so as not to upset you. I’ll just give you 1,000 Virtual Coins directly, to make you even more distressed, HAHAHA..."
The others simply gave Virtual Coins, with amounts ranging from a minimum of 500 to a maximum of 1,000.
Generally, Mr. Yang’s old friends would give health supplents. Others who had joined the gathering through different connections would simply donate items like rice. And, of course, there were the tycoons who gave generously.
It wasn’t long before it was Jing Shu’s table’s turn.
"That’s my grandson’s group—they’re family. Next table, next table!" Mr. Yang announced, waving them on. After all, old friends could still shalessly make their contributions together on such an occasion.
Jing Shu had originally hoped their table would be skipped, as she intended to give her items to Yang Yang privately later. However, she hadn’t expected that several people from their table who had recently returned from the United States, including Wang Dazhao and Qiqi, would all stand up. They presented an M1911 handgun made from a teorite. Yang Yang quietly explained the gun’s origins to Jing Shu.
No one ntioned the model; they just let Mr. Yang take a look. Mr. Yang recognized it at a glance.
"Mr. Yang, this is the handgun you’ve always wanted. We prepared it together for your eighty-eighth birthday, especially sought by your grandson. We don’t need to auction this one, right?"
Mr. Yang lovingly caressed the handgun, unable to put it down. It was one of a unique pair, the only two in the world, crafted in the United States at great expense—the pair valued at 30 million. Now, this rascal grandson of his had managed to sneak one back... But this was the apocalypse, he thought, the United States was too preoccupied with its own problems to worry about a valuable handgun.
Seeing Mr. Yang’s hesitation, Niu Mou chid in with the final push, "Mr. Yang, besides, no one else here is really suited to have a gun. Auctioning it would just cause trouble, wouldn’t it?"
The people present were all shrewd. They quickly chid in, exclaiming they wouldn’t dare bid on the gun and how embarrassing it would be if such an item failed to sell at auction.
"A gift from family naturally doesn’t need to be auctioned," Mr. Yang declared, his mood visibly improving. After seeing so many of his gifts slip away, he was relieved that at least this one wouldn’t be.
Niu Mou also brought out his gift: two super large longevity peach cakes topped with a thick layer of cream and embellished with strawberries.
"This cake, prepared by our own family, is for everyone," Niu Mou announced. "We don’t need to auction this one, do we?"
Laughter filled the room. A birthday celebration truly called for a big cake; this gift was perfectly thoughtful.
Once everyone at their table had presented their gifts, Jing Shu had no choice but to bring out her Blood Mushrooms. Their appearance drew gasps of amazent. Weren’t these the Blood Mushrooms that had been all the rage recently?
They had appeared three tis at the Wu City auction, each fetching at least 1,500 Virtual Coins. Demand always exceeded supply, and prices were trending upward. It was unexpected that soone could still produce them now.
"This one must be the biggest I’ve ever seen, and it’s still so fresh!"
Those who had eaten Blood Mushrooms couldn’t stop praising them. Not only was the taste exquisite, but after consumption, one reportedly felt rejuvenated, filled with abundant vitality. Even bystanders would remark on how much more spirited the person looked.
The reputation of the Blood Mushroom grew even more mystical.
"Our family has tried the Blood Mushroom, and it really works."
"I’m telling you, that rascal son of yours looks much younger!"
"Such a treasure is hard to co by; Mr. Yang, you should have it yourself."
"Exactly! You old Undead, you don’t have many years left. I’m still waiting for you to return my gifts!"
Mr. Yang was sure he didn’t recognize this girl. But seeing her sitting demurely next to his grandson, an idea seed to click in his mind. He suddenly chuckled and said, "This is a gift from family, so it doesn’t count for the auction!"
A chorus of long, knowing "Ooohhhs" followed from the surrounding crowd.
What in the world? Jing Shu thought. Are you all misunderstanding sothing?
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