Chapter 292: Chapter 292

Jing Shu shook her head vigorously, her memories gradually sharpening. That’s right, Qian Duoduo. To think that Wu City’s wealthiest man, Qian Duoduo, actually starved to death in my previous life... How ironic.

Why did he starve to death? The cause probably started with Stone Garden, when Qian Duoduo relocated all the workers from the original oil base to fully develop his One-Stop Base. The development was indeed impressive, creating a complete industrial chain that allowed the people in the base to eat their fill every day and have work to do—that was the greatest happiness in the apocalypse.

But its biggest drawback, I suspect, was that it probably touched the government’s bottom line.

Those whose achievements overshadow their superiors, and those who flaunt their wealth excessively, never meet a good end. Qian Duoduo was a case in point.

In the end, he developed the base so well that its people successfully lived at the apex of Wu City’s hierarchy. Everyone knew about Happy Stone Garden; everyone wanted to go. It was even described as "the last Shangri-La of the apocalypse." Some even suggested learning Qian Duoduo’s methods to manage the apocalypse, or even letting Qian Duoduo lead the provincial capital.

Qian Duoduo’s reputation reached unprecedented heights. He was affectionately called Mr. Shi Yuan, to the point that people only knew of Mr. Shi Yuan, not Qian Duoduo.

But that was in the fifth year, for crying out loud! Almost all of All China’s grain reserves were exhausted. Countless people starved or froze to death every day. In just six months, Earth’s population decreased by 20%. One can only imagine what kind of hellish scene that was. The source of this content ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩

In such a scenario, for the people inside your Happy Stone Garden to still eat a full meal every day—wasn’t that bound to make everyone burn with envy?

Eventually, the government took action. It was unclear whether they deliberately slaughtered the fatted pig they had raised for years or, like harvesting leeks, intentionally let Qian Duoduo develop to this point only to cut him down.

Even with backing from the Imperial Capital, distant help couldn’t solve an immediate crisis.

Back then, I was also naive. I only heard that Mr. Shi Yuan was benevolent, compassionate towards all living beings, and had d all his grain to the people of Wu City. The diluted porridge, with what little food was added, sustained them for a few more days, saving tens of thousands who were on the brink of starvation. Everyone was grateful to Mr. Shi Yuan.

Mr. Shi Yuan’s reputation soared once more. But not long after, news came that Mr. Shi Yuan, feeling guilty towards the people of Wu City, claimed he couldn’t eat a bite as long as their food problem remained unsolved. A few days later, word spread that Mr. Shi Yuan, distressed over Wu City’s food crisis and having not eaten for a long time, had ruined his health and didn’t survive...

Immediately, the government erected a monument to Mr. Shi Yuan, extensively publicizing his good deeds and hailing him as a role model for our generation. Mr. Shi Yuan’s story was even included in Huaxia’s textbooks to be passed down through the ages.

At that time, I felt that even if the apocalypse was awful and humanity seemed lost, there were still good people like Mr. Shi Yuan, who d all the grain from his home. If only the apocalypse had more such good deeds and was filled with warmth, how wonderful it would be. I admit, during that period, I felt the urge to help others every day. But alas... I was just a burden.

Much later, by chance, I befriended someone who had once been a mid-to-high-level manager in Stone Garden. Only through the grapevine did I learn that all of this was the government’s doing.

"At first, it seemed the government’s new leader came to negotiate, hoping to borrow all the boss’s grain and return it after the disaster. But the boss didn’t agree because that would mean dissolving Stone Garden, his life’s work. Then, well, everything changed."

"If you had that much food and were asked to give it all up, would you be willing?"

Jing Shu shook her head vigorously. She was no saint.

"So you see, the boss wasn’t wrong. He just wanted to continue enjoying his life in the apocalypse and expected the people of Stone Garden to eat and drink well to keep serving him.

"Everyone at Stone Garden, like us, hoped for delicious meals at every turn.

"But the government wasn’t wrong either; it wanted the people of Wu City to survive. Nobody was wrong. The blame lies with this cursed sky that won’t let crops grow!"

Right, speaking of the leader of Wu City, I have a deep impression of him. He was a young man, decisive and ruthless, who ascended to such a high position at merely thirty-one years old and was later nicknamed the ’tyrant’.

It could be said that he saved half the population and, with his own hands, killed the other half... The controversy surrounding him was immense, just like with Qian Duoduo’s case. People later said there were many other ways to handle it, such as house arrest or simply confiscating his grain.

But the tyrant opted for such an extreme method, inadvertently elevating Mr. Shi Yuan’s public image to new heights and turning Qian Duoduo into a legendary figure. He called for everyone to learn from Qian Duoduo’s spirit of self-sacrifice and contribution to Wu City, simply because he once said, "Now, everyone needs a belief."

Thus, Mr. Shi Yuan became that belief.

Jing Shu shuddered at the thought. Thankfully, Wu City’s situation hadn’t changed yet; that man was still two or three years away from taking office.

No, no! I’m actually in the renowned Happy Stone Garden, a place countless people in my past life longed to see! Jing Shu covered her face. Is it still possible to save myself if I distance myself from Qian Duoduo now?

That man is going to be the ’fatted pig’ in three years, and this Stone Garden will eventually be confiscated! No matter how rich the wealthiest man is, or how much food he has, he needs to be alive to spend his wealth and eat his food!

Suddenly, I feel I accepted today’s gifts too hastily. After all, the weak can’t overcome the strong. In the apocalypse, the government controls all food and resources, as well as the police force. One would have to want to be a villain to go against the government.

I’ll need to keep a low profile in the future. I can show off anything—weapons, RVs, whatever—but after the fourth year, I absolutely cannot show off grain! I’ll have to hide my food and eat secretly, and still proclaim "I’m so hungry..." every day. Otherwise, Qian Duoduo is a glaring example.

"Housekeeper Cai, you still haven’t said what this first floor is for?" Su Malie asked excitedly, clapping her hands. This place greatly satisfied her tastes.

"This floor, ah, is a multi-functional area. Only half of it is built, including the staff cafeteria, guest dining hall, amusement park, office area, showroom, and so on. The other half is still being planned. Let’s go. Look, Mr. Qian has arrived. The event is starting. Mr. Qian has gathered everyone here today for a specific reason."

"Is it to raise funds? Is Mr. Qian short on money? Then I should invest more," Su Malie giggled.

Jing Shu felt as if her legs weighed a thousand pounds, and she couldn’t take a step. Her mind was also in total chaos. It seemed her fate was inextricably linked with Qian Duoduo’s. What should I do in three years?

Hearing Su Malie talk about fundraising, Jing Shu sighed deeply. This is truly a case of spectators enjoying the chaos. What happened to Su Malie in my past life? Was she implicated?