Chapter 189: Chapter 189

"Jing Shu really is capable; don’t underestimate her anymore."

As Jing Shu walked along, she counted: there were thirty seats in each row, making sixty seats across two rows. The difference between the people seated in the rows was also clear: one row looked like pre-apocalypse dignitaries and nobles, dressed appropriately and formally, while the other row featured a mix-and-match style and was uniformly bald.

In the second year of the apocalypse, whether a person was bald was an indicator of their family’s condition. Generally, discerning and capable people would not allow red earthworms in their living areas, so naturally, they wouldn’t be bald.

So, one row was bald, and the other had hair.

At precisely one o’clock, the banquet tables were almost full, and Su Malie announced:

"I am delighted that all of you could accept my invitation. I now declare the housewarming celebration and the first Su Malie auction officially open! Please enjoy your meal as we begin our auction and exchange."

The venue quieted down, and the background music changed.

Su Malie continued, "Now, I will explain the rules. We won’t follow traditional procedures. Instead, prices will be set according to the seller’s needs. Items can have a minimum price, or you can directly bid a certain amount of Virtual Coins, or propose an item you wish to exchange for."

"Since the current currency system is still in its testing phase, only a few government officials have access to the currency exchange function. Therefore, I have invited government official Ah Yu to facilitate transactions involving Virtual Coins for everyone."

Ah Yu, whom Jing Shu had met earlier that day, stood up and bowed to everyone. "Miss Mary," he said, "have you finished explaining the rules? I have a few words I’d like to say."

Su Malie gestured for Ah Yu to speak. He then produced a gift box from beside his feet:

"Today is also Miss Mary’s housewarming celebration. I happened to bring a gift, and I hope she likes it. If anyone else has prepared gifts, please present them soon; otherwise, they might not be fresh anymore."

Warm smiles filled the room, accompanied by laughter. In this world, what was most valuable? Food. However, these people’s homes were stocked with ample food supplies from before the apocalypse. What was precious to ordinary people was quite common for them.

So, what was the rarest? Fresh fruits and live animals, undoubtedly. These were far scarcer than any preserved food.

Ah Yu had prepared two fresh ginseng fruits, molded into the shape of gourds and surrounded by red grapes, creating an attractive display.

"I know you love strawberries. Here, this is a bouquet of strawberries for you." It was indeed arranged like a flower bouquet, filled with fresh strawberries.

Others brought candied haws, and cherries arranged in various patterns. It was a true display of ’everyone showcasing their unique talents.’ The array of gifts essentially covered almost every type of fruit that could have been eaten before the apocalypse.

What made Jing Shu particularly aware of the class disparity was that these people seemed to have coordinated their efforts, as each person brought a different type of gift!

Before long, Su Malie’s table was piled high with various fresh fruits. Someone even brought a cute little white goose.

A little white goose was very valuable, especially a female one.

The classmates’ eyes widened at the mountain of fresh fruits and food, and they couldn’t help but swallow hard. Just by hosting a housewarming celebration, Su Malie had obtained so much; it was truly enviable.

They hadn’t brought any gifts!

Everyone had assumed that simply showing up to eat would be sufficient.

After the row of people opposite them had finished presenting their gifts, although no one explicitly said, "It’s your turn," their gazes seemed to ask, "Aren’t you going to offer something?"

Jing Shu sat beside Su Malie, remaining very composed. If her classmates give gifts, I will too, she thought. If no one does, I won’t be the first to step forward. It would be too embarrassing to offend the entire class.

Ah Yu, noticing the awkward pause, said, "It seems like the gift-giving is over. Shall we move on to the next segment?"

Su Malie pouted. She had been taught since childhood that when visiting someone’s home, especially for a housewarming, it was proper to bring a small gift. Even if it was just a handkerchief or a pen, it wasn’t about the value but the etiquette.

Jing Shu found Su Malie’s pout rather amusing. This young lady, sheltered as she is, doesn’t understand the hardships her high school classmates face. They’ve long since forgotten the custom of bringing gifts to a housewarming.

Su Malie’s high school classmates were all dumbfounded. Since everyone else had given gifts, it would seem rude not to offer something. Yet, anything they had felt too insignificant to present.

Thankfully, a few of them had actually prepared gifts.

Xie Zihao had prepared a large gift box of assorted nuts. Although these were preserved goods, they were quite valuable in the apocalypse.

Yao Zixin presented a foldable PVC rain shelter, which could be easily opened and closed. Su Malie liked it a lot and finally smiled.

Mu Xiaoxuan had prepared a peach seed, wrapped in a small gift box. "With plenty of rain now," she said, "it should sprout by next year, though it might take three years before you can eat peaches from it."

"Thank you! I’ll plant it in the villa’s garden. I love it," Su Malie said happily. She cared more about the sentiment behind the gift than the gift itself. Though naive, she appreciated the reciprocity of giving and receiving.

Jing Shu looked at Mu Xiaoxuan. Does her family grow fruit? She seems to have all sorts of seeds. I should ask her later if she has any other rare ones. When I went to the seed wholesaler, I only bought seeds for various medicinal herbs and food crops, neglecting other plants. Now I realize many other plants could be very useful in the apocalypse.

The other classmates also reluctantly presented what they had originally intended to use for bartering as gifts; some offered vases, some gold, and some hair clips.

As for these gifts... although some were rather laughable, at least they counted as having given something. Jing Shu noticed that the people in the opposite row seemed to find her high school classmates’ offerings rather peculiar.

And those who had simply come expecting to eat... could only lower their heads in silence.

And so it went, until it was finally Jing Shu’s turn.

First, I can’t give her the potted plant, Jing Shu thought. It contains medicinal herbs, and without the nourishment of my Spiritual Spring, Su Malie wouldn’t be able to keep it alive. It would be a complete waste.

Jing Shu racked her brain for a long time, wondering what to give. If I give fruit, they’ve already presented almost every kind imaginable.

Food with a long shelf life? These people have already stockpiled plenty.

Domestic Poultry? I have some, but they’re too big. I can’t just pull one out of thin air. And I definitely can’t say, ’Hey, wait a minute, my place is next door, I’ll go grab one for you.’ That would be even more embarrassing. Read full story at N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

It has to be something small, but also presentable, right?

Jing Shu rummaged frantically through her Magic Cube Space. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. I know what to give!