Chapter 229: A New Wave of Rush Buying
But you didn’t need to be a genius to know that there couldn’t possibly be an endless supply of resources.
Isn’t that just wishful thinking?
As long as there was enough to eat and drink, that was fine. They weren’t so well-off they could take one bite and toss the rest.
Frost Shaw led Julian Lynch on a tour of the convenience store and, very generously, grabbed a shopping basket. "Here. Don’t say I’m stingy. Fill this up, and it’s on me."
Julian Lynch glanced at the basket in his hand, then at the shopping cart nearby. The meaning in his eyes was perfectly clear as he decisively went to push the cart instead!
Frost Shaw was helpless against him and said resignedly, "Fine, fine, fine."
By the end of their trip, Julian Lynch had done his utmost to pack every inch of the shopping cart to the brim, even filling the tiny gaps with candy.
He was determined to take full advantage of the offer.
"You!" Frost Shaw was speechless, staring at the shopping cart, so full there wasn’t a single gap left. He was the one who’d made the offer, and he couldn’t take it back now.
’Whatever, whatever. I’ll just consider it feeding a dog!’
Julian Lynch was delighted. This trip was definitely the right call. He had gotten a sausage roller grill and so many supplies. The survivors of the Southwest Base could finally eat something good.
After they finished at the convenience store, Frost Shaw, as the host, naturally had to show him around. "Come on, where to next?"
He crossed his arms over his chest, which in Julian Lynch’s eyes made him look quite like a mature adult. Julian couldn’t help but smile with relief. "Anywhere is fine."
So, Frost Shaw took him to the bathhouse.
They might bicker, but their friendship was as strong as ever. Frost Shaw also felt for him, having to lead such a large base all by himself.
But having him join was impossible; he longed for freedom.
When Julian Lynch stepped into the magnificent and luxurious bathhouse, he inwardly felt like a country bumpkin visiting a palace, but he maintained a calm and composed expression.
’How long has it been since I’ve seen a scene like this?’
’It’s the apocalypse, isn’t it? Who still comes for a massage and a soak in a bath!’
’Oh! These people!’
’It’s quite crowded, too. I even have to wait in line.’
But as one of Lily Hart’s employees, Frost Shaw naturally enjoyed certain privileges, such as employee discounts, priority service, and so on. He led Julian Lynch straight up to the second floor.
It was also very crowded, but the two of them had a clear path. Frost Shaw was determined to have him experience every service.
Julian Lynch soaked in a pool of perfectly temperate water, his already tan skin now flushed slightly red. He let out a long sigh.
’If only Boss Hart could come to the Southwest Base.’
"Hey!" Frost Shaw patted his arm. "Just relax and enjoy it. Stop thinking."
"You’re right." Julian Lynch quickly composed himself, pushing aside those unrealistic thoughts. He should just relax and enjoy this. Securing supplies for the survivors was already a great achievement.
The half-day tour of the bathhouse soon came to an end.
When Julian Lynch came out, he was still in a bit of a daze. It was as if he had returned to the civilized world for an afternoon, or as if he had just woken from a short, beautiful dream.
Now the dream was over, and he had to face the harsh reality of the apocalyptic world again.
His fighting spirit soared. He wanted to take the supplies he’d procured and return to let the survivors of his base have a hearty meal!
Finally, they went to Seth’s factory. The one thousand portions for the day were already sold out, and Julian Lynch happened to see a customer leaving with the very last one in hand.
He stared at it wistfully, his eyes following it all the way, until Frost Shaw pulled him away, afraid the customer would misunderstand and think he was trying to rob them.
Frost Shaw asked Seth, who was about to close up, "Any more left?"
Seth shook his head. "Not a single box left. I still have clothes, though. Want some?"
The last upgrade didn’t just increase the sales quota for fast food; it also added a clothing production line. And you know what? A lot of people were buying.
Julian Lynch nodded. "Yes! How are they sold?"
Seth opened the door again and led the two inside. "Men’s and women’s clothes are the same price. One Level 1 Crystal Core for ten jin of clothes."
"Sold by the jin?" Julian Lynch confirmed.
"That’s right. Because..." Seth started the clothing production line. The first finished product came out: a men’s short-sleeved shirt. The second was a pair of men’s athletic pants.
Seth continued, "It’s because the output is random. I don’t know what the next item will be, and a lot of people only buy once."
With that, he looked at Julian Lynch. "How many jin do you want?"
Julian Lynch did a quick mental calculation of the Crystal Cores he had brought. It was arguably seventy percent of the Southwest Base’s entire savings, not including the cores for purchasing supplies from Boss Hart.
’What’s left... should be enough.’
He blurted out, "Give me a thousand jin to start."
Seth was very polite to his high-volume customers. He replied apologetically, "I can only produce a hundred jin a day. How about delivery in ten days?"
’Ten days? I’ll be long gone by then.’
Julian Lynch settled for the next best thing. "It’s fine. Just produce as much as you can. I’ll come pick it up on the day I leave."
Seth nodded in agreement.
The three of them left together. Seth closed and locked the door, and then they all headed to the lottery shop.
On the way, Frost Shaw asked, "When is Central Command holding the meeting?"
"The day after tomorrow at ten in the morning," Julian Lynch said. "Oh, right, I also heard there’s a flash sale for fruits and vegetables at seven this evening!"
Frost Shaw shot him a glance. "That’s right. Didn’t you just arrive this morning? You’re certainly well-informed!"
"How’s a guy supposed to get by if he isn’t well-informed, little bro!" Julian Lynch didn’t deny it, laughing heartily.
Frost Shaw rolled his eyes at him. "Who’s your little bro?" With that, he quickened his pace toward the lottery shop.
This left Julian Lynch with the not-so-familiar Seth. The two shared an awkward smile, but Julian Lynch had always been a natural at making friends and expertly struck up a conversation.
By the time the two of them reached the RV, it was 6:10 PM. There were still fifty minutes until the next flash sale began.
Lily Hart was in the middle of rounding up able-bodied workers. Seeing the two of them, she waved them over. "Come on, come on. Everyone, follow me."
She led the large group to the area behind the hotel, pointed at the small vegetable patch, and gave the order with a wave of her small hand, "Start picking!"
Frost Shaw, hardworking and proficient as always, grabbed a basket and got to it. He also pulled Roman Rowe and Julian Lynch along with him.
Soon, the seven of them had completely surrounded the small vegetable patch, packed so tightly there was no room to even put a foot down.
Surprisingly, everyone was remarkably skilled. Many hands make light work, and half an hour later, the vegetable patch was stripped bare, as if a swarm of locusts had passed through.
"Whew..." Lily Hart caught her breath, slowly straightened up, and pounded her lower back a couple of times with her fists.
Frost Shaw took a bottle of mineral water from his space and handed it to her, feigning nonchalance. "Here."
Lily Hart took it and GULP, GULP, GULP, drank more than half, finally feeling refreshed. "What time is it?"
"6:45," Frost Shaw said precisely, glancing at the time. At the same time, he opened the system warehouse and stored everything inside.
The group quickly returned to the storage room inside the lottery shop, where Frost Shaw took everything out and began to tally it up.
Julian Lynch had lost count of how many times he had swallowed, fighting the urge to stuff all the fruit within his sight into his own space.
The count was done quickly. By 6:58, the tally was complete, and Frost Shaw updated the inventory.
Lily Hart peeked outside the door. It was the same scene as always. Everyone had stopped playing their scratch-offs and was getting ready for the flash sale.
Even Julian Lynch was holding his breath in anticipation, his eyes fixed on the countdown timer on the screen, feeling more nervous than ever.