Jing Shu’s mind was flooded with thoughts. In an instant, she understood the implications behind Wang Dongpo’s reminder. It seed today’s major earthquake had strained this park, which was suddenly accommodating people from two districts, causing a shortage of supplies. Was this why they wanted to probe her first?
Jing Shu’s mind raced, considering various possibilities. She even prepared herself to be "bled" a bit today.
Humans really are strange creatures. A popular saying online goes: "I hate those who force their way into my lane and those who don’t let into theirs."
In her previous life, as one of the disadvantaged, she believed in attacking the rich and dividing their wealth. In this life, having beco semi-rich herself, she now faced the prospect of being targeted and having her wealth divided, and she found it displeasing...
One’s standpoint really does change one’s perception.
Jing Shu stood at the door, facing pairs of eyes that scrutinized, questioned, and sized her up. She, too, was evaluating the people inside.
Two bigwigs sat in the middle of the U-shaped desk.
One was a man in his thirties wearing sunglasses. He was thin and pale, and the police uniform hung on him like a robe. His distinctive hooked nose was particularly morable, adding to his authoritative air. His expression was stern. Due to the sunglasses, his eyes weren’t visible, but from his posture, he was clearly looking down and scrutinizing Jing Shu.
The other, also in his thirties, had a kind expression. He looked chubby and cheerful, his eyes narrowing into slits when he smiled. He wore a police uniform that seed about to burst at the seams and sat there panting heavily.
The sides of the U-shaped desk were mostly filled with people in various outfits. There was a noble lady in a fur coat, soone who looked like a farr in an army greatcoat, and even a trendy youth in a thick down jacket. Most of them clearly had better living conditions than ordinary people, evident from their clothing and the fact they still had long hair. However, at this mont, facing a row of ard police officers standing behind them, everyone was as quiet as a quail.
"This must be Miss Jing from VIP Area Number 3, correct? Co, co, please, take a seat of honor... You can sit here, in the third seat. But Miss Jing, your attire truly is unique," the perpetually smiling chubby officer chuckled, breaking the awkward silence.
Jing Shu walked down the long aisle, feeling the cold presence of the Huaxia rifles. She had no doubt that if any part of today’s discussion went awry, these rifles would spit out the bullets in their chambers.
Jing Shu’s seat was close to the chubby officer. According to Huaxia tradition, this was indeed a seat of honor, signifying status and position. However, her attire hardly matched such a status.
Jing Shu looked toward the two people at the head of the table.
The first seat was occupied by an old man in his eighties or nineties, with a goatee. He wore a felt hat, and there was a brazier at his feet. He was yawning with his eyes closed, swaying slightly; no one knew if he was asleep, and no one dared to disturb him.
The second seat was taken by a man dressed head-to-toe in a white suit. He wore a white fedora and spotless white leather shoes that reflected light. His entire dazzling, reflective ensemble made him seem utterly out of place in the apocalypse. Even from a distance, Jing Shu could sll a subtle, non-overpowering perfu.
To be honest, Jing Shu had never seen such arrogant and ostentatious people before the apocalypse. But Wu City was truly part of the north, a place where people didn’t keep a low profile. It was just as the saying went: "In the south, you can’t tell who’s rich; in the north, you can’t tell who’s poor." People from the north generally liked to show off.
As Jing Shu sat down, the man in the suit was admiring his slender, pale hands while unabashedly sizing her up. Finally, he clicked his tongue in disdain and scooted back a bit. Perhaps Jing Shu’s gas mask and padded cotton clothes had startled the "uncles and aunties" present.
Jing Shu: "..."
The chubby police officer stood up, his uniform straining at the seams, and said with a beaming smile, "Everyone, please relax. We’ve really just invited you here to fill out a survey. Now that everyone has arrived, allow to introduce myself. I am the captain of the Third Squad. You can call Captain Yan—Yan, as in King Yan."
Although he smiled kindly, his voice carried a chilling edge.
"This is Captain Wang, from King Yan’s unit. Everyone can call him Captain Wang. Yes, we are the legendary ’King Yan Duo,’ hahaha..." The chubby officer roared with laughter, rocking back and forth, only to find the shabby eting room eerily quiet. He then coughed. "Alright, let’s get down to business. What we’re discussing today is truly for everyone’s benefit. Ah, I worked very hard to apply for this for a long ti, you know. It’s a win-win situation."
Jing Shu leaned back in her chair, hugging her hand warr and gently rocking her crossed legs. She looked like an obedient middle-aged woman listening to a lecture, all while sucking on a piece of Dove chocolate, letting it slowly lt. The rich, sweet chocolate had always been Jing Shu’s favorite snack for passing the ti.
If conditions allowed, she planned to collect so cocoa tree Seeds and plant a few. Who knew if cocoa trees even existed anymore in this damned apocalypse? With cocoa trees, she could get so cocoa powder and make tiramisu, which would be wonderful. But Jing Shu still longed for the silky smoothness of Dove chocolate! Snickers! Truffle dark chocolate! Crispy rice-filled chocolate! SLURP...
The chubby officer, having unbuttoned his uniform, said, "The apocalypse is here. Everyone present must be quite capable and doing relatively well, otherwise you wouldn’t be willing to spend Virtual Coins to live in the expensive VIP corridor. However, I imagine so problems have been troubling many of you for a long ti. For instance, possessing an abundance of supplies but lacking the ard forces to protect them. This must make you feel very insecure, right?"
Soone in the audience murmured quietly, "Actually, we don’t have that much stuff. If we get robbed or sothing, we can just call the police, can’t we?"
The chubby officer gave an awkward yet polite smile and nudged the skinny, hook-nosed officer. Suddenly, there was a loud THUD. The hook-nosed Captain Wang said nonchalantly, "Liu Xianran, male, 42 years old. Robbed three tis in 2023. In 2024, had over five hundred kilograms of corn stolen. Known as the ’fat sheep’ of the robbery world."
The man in the audience coughed a few tis and said no more.
At this, the chubby officer let his belly out and breathed a sigh of relief. "So, you see, ard forces are very important. In Huaxia’s past, national policy restricted firearms. But now, in the apocalypse, the policy has been relaxed, and people can carry guns. However, these guns must be professionally registered, and one must possess a gun license. Co on, you lot in that row, chamber your rounds! Let our custors have a good look."
CLANK!
In neat formation, with a sharp SNAP, the officers presented their rifles, aiming them uniformly at Jing Shu and the others, who were like lambs to the slaughter.
Gazing at the neat, elegant row of guns, the room fell into an unusual, profound silence.
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