Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 139 Linchuan Base

Wang Xiao pointed directly at Niu Niu, his eyes wide, "Xiao Yan! Where...where did this child come from? Why did you bring a child back?!"

Xu Xiaoyan placed her burlap sack and backpack next to Wang Xiao, entrusting him with looking after her. While adjusting her position to make Niu Niu, whose sobs were gradually subsiding, more comfortable leaning on her shoulder, she gave the two of them a reassuring smile and explained in a calm tone, "I found her on the road. Don't think too much about it. I have a use for her, but I won't keep her with me forever." She specifically emphasized the follow-up arrangements, "Once we get to Linchuan, I'll find an opportunity to send her away. It'll only be a few days. Consider it... doing a good deed."

She spoke of it casually, as if it were just a trivial matter.

Wang Xiao was clearly unable to understand, his face still filled with confusion and worry. He wanted to ask more, but before he could finish speaking, Xie Yingtang reached out and subtly tugged at his sleeve, interrupting him.

Xie Yingtang's gaze fell on Xu Xiaoyan's calm, even somewhat indifferent face, and then looked at the child in her arms. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Since Xiaoyan has made this decision, she must have her own reasons and considerations. We should trust her judgment and not say anything more."

Wang Xiao glanced at Xie Yingtang, then at Xu Xiaoyan, who looked like the matter was settled. He opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back all his questions and advice. He could only sigh helplessly, nod, and accept this unexpected "new member."

The carriage was temporarily quiet, with only Niu Niu's occasional soft sobs and the rumble of the vehicle. Xu Xiaoyan gently patted the child's back, her gaze fixed on the desolate scenery rushing past outside the window. No one knew the true calculations and plans in her heart at that moment.

In the early hours of the ninth day, the military vehicles finally arrived at the north gate of the Linchuan base. Before the dust kicked up by their wheels had even settled, they unloaded the civilians they were carrying at the base gate and then turned around without stopping, heading towards an unknown destination deeper in the base, leaving behind a group of bewildered people.

The walls of the Linchuan base were towering, gleaming with a cold metallic light. It was said that each wall had four gates. They were currently at the north gate. The crowd at the gate was bustling, yet strangely quiet. A sense of oppression, as if forcibly restrained by order, permeated the air.

The fact that there was no expensive fee to enter the city made many people secretly rejoice, but the next procedure cast a shadow over their hearts. Everyone had to undergo a strict full-body examination, and without exception, a chip had to be implanted in their left arm.

"A chip?" Wang Xiao's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "Forced implantation? Have we traveled to the future?" His voice was filled with an incredulous sense of absurdity.

No one responded. Xie Yingtang pursed his lips and gently patted his shoulder, while Xu Xiaoyan's gaze passed over the throng of people and landed on the huge LED display screen above the city gate. The staff member in uniform didn't say much, but simply pointed to the screen expressionlessly, indicating that everyone should read it themselves.

The screen's cold white light illuminated the faces below, each with a different expression, and the text on it clearly outlined the survival and management rules for the Linchuan base.

Identity verification: All those entering the city must have a biometric chip implanted. This chip is your unique identity credential within the base and is linked to your basic personal information and survival points account.

Trading System: The universal currency within the base is "points," and all transactions involving goods and services must be completed through the chip points system.

Transaction methods: Points can be transferred face-to-face at the regional trading centers, or online through authorized devices connected to the base's internal network.

Transaction fees: To maintain the system's operation, the system will automatically deduct 0.05% of the transaction amount as a service fee for each successful transaction.

积分获取途径：1、物资兑换：携带入城的物资、野外搜寻到的可用资源；2、任务派遣：参与基地指定的各项建设工作或服务性劳动（种植、建设、清扫、护卫、探索等）；3、劳力僱佣：甲乙双方自愿签订的合同僱佣；4资产租赁：合法拥有居住权或使用权的空间、设施租赁所得；5……

The terms and conditions were listed in detail and coldly, nakedly presenting a completely new and irresistible mode of survival to all newcomers.

Wang Xiao opened his mouth, the joking remark about the "future world" still stuck in his throat, but he couldn't say it out loud.

He glanced at Xu Xiaoyan, then at Xie Yingtang, and finally, like everyone else, turned his gaze forward. The line moved slowly and silently forward to the city gate, which flashed red and green indicator lights, each time it was opened, signifying that someone had been incorporated into the system.

The cold robotic arm left a brief stinging sensation on the outside of her left arm as a chip the size of a grain of rice was implanted. Xu Xiaoyan took a deep breath to suppress the discomfort and turned to Xie Yingtang and Wang Xiao, saying in a low voice, "Let's record each other's code numbers so we can contact each other later."

Xu Xiaoyan met Xie Yingtang's questioning gaze, lowering her voice to make sure only the three of them could hear, "You and Wang Xiao go find a place to stay. Settling down is the key. I have other things to do with Niu Niu."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the bustling crowds and buildings in the distance, and added, "Now that we have this points system, let's contact each other via chip after we've all settled in."

Xie Yingtang glanced at Niu Niu in her arms, didn't ask any questions, and simply nodded. "Okay, keep in touch, be careful." After saying that, he tugged at Wang Xiao, who was still looking around in confusion, and signaled him to follow.

Wang Xiao looked back at Xu Xiaoyan with a hint of confusion and worry in his eyes, but in the end, he was led by Xie Yingtang and joined the crowd looking for accommodation, quickly disappearing into the gray shadows of the buildings.

After they left, Xu Xiaoyan tightened her grip on Niu Niu's arm, and without lingering for a moment, turned and walked towards the trading hall.

Xu Xiaoyan followed the crowd into the trading hall of the Linchuan base. A warm smell mixed with the odor of sweat, dust, and some kind of disinfectant hit her, creating a strange buzzing sound full of survival restlessness, which assaulted her eardrums.

The hall was extremely spacious with an astonishingly high ceiling. Above the dome was a cold metal frame, which made it seem grand and oppressive. The hall was crowded with people, even more so than the city gate. Most of the people's faces showed fatigue, vigilance, or shrewdness as they were eager to make a deal.