Chapter 373

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

When Shen Yao got home, the sun had not yet set; Song Ling washed and dried the wild vegetables they had gathered, trying to store more food during this period for the Hot Rainy Season.

The rain of the Hot Rainy Season was different from that of the Mild Season; that rain was not only heavy but also carried mutation value. If people, animals, or plants were contaminated by too much Hot Rainy Season rainwater, they would undergo uncontrollable mutation.

Therefore, just like the Cold Season, the Hot Rainy Season was the default time when one could not go out to gather. The Mild Season, which lasted only five months a year, was when they stockpiled food; if they didn't store enough, they would have to go hungry.

Shen Yao's body had experienced the taste of hunger, or rather, everyone living in this world, whether upper class or lower class, had gone hungry.

So they valued food that entered their mouths, to the point of developing an obsession.

"Mom, tomorrow we still have to find a way to catch more river fish."

"If there are no fish, there are still shrimp and crabs; otherwise, what will Dad and Brother eat when they come back?"

The Mercenary Team did not always have a bountiful harvest every time they went out; if they didn't hunt enough meat, the Mercenary Team could only distribute points.

Points were very important at the Base, but the amount of food and meat that could be bought with points was limited, and it was also very expensive.

Generally speaking, they relied on self-sufficiency, only going to the Exchange Center to buy when there wasn't enough to eat. Otherwise, they saved points to pay for daily living expenses and purchase living tools.

Song Ling patted Shen Yao's shoulder. "Fierce little thing, what can you possibly do?"

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao took out the vines she had cut. "Weave a net, and then we can try catching some bugs."

Even if it's wasted, they can't not do it just because they're afraid of failure or a low success rate; without meat, how can they nourish their bodies?

Song Ling:...

In the end, Song Ling could only follow Shen Yao's wishes, weaving the fishing net as Shen Yao indicated.

Of course, the holes in the fishing net were a bit large, so Shen Yao had to weave two fish cages herself. She intended to use both methods at once to test the effect.

Dinner was still mixed vegetables and coarse flour mantou. She had already gotten used to life here; her body not only felt no discomfort but felt just right.

Well, this was probably the adaptability of New Humans. As long as it didn't kill them, they could survive.

She went to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow; when she opened her eyes the next day, Shen Yao and Song Ling carried their back baskets to South City River to continue gathering wild vegetables.

Oh, today only Song Ling gathered wild vegetables; Shen Yao found a quiet place intending to catch fish.

As for whether she could catch anything, and whether what she caught could be eaten, Shen Yao didn't know.

Splash—splash splash——

The fishing net went into the water, and the fish cages were also placed by the river and tied up. Shen Yao bent over, lowering her head to watch the situation in the river, and finally could only go ashore and wait first.

However, Shen Yao wasn't idle; she pulled over some water celery by her side and casually tested it. It was a moderately mutated plant, suitable for consumption in moderation.

She broke it off and put it in the back basket, testing while keeping an eye on the situation by the river.

There weren't many people gathering by the river, because the wild vegetables here seemed too barren compared to other directions.

If Song Ling hadn't needed to take care of Shen Yao, she would have long gone to East City to find her good sisters to go with.

"Yao Yao"

Song Ling called out midway; it turned out she had discovered a patch of very tender shepherd's purse. Song Ling was too busy, so she called Shen Yao over to help.

The mother and daughter found about ten jin of shepherd's purse stems and leaves in this patch. Among them, six jin were moderately mutated; selling them could earn dozens of points.

"Mom, I'll go take a look; you keep watch for me," Shen Yao didn't want to cause a big commotion, otherwise everyone would gather around, and she'd have to deal with them.

Song Ling waved her hand. "Rest assured, generally no one comes to the river to gather," those with ambition had all run outside to hunt wild beasts; those who came here were mostly timid and afraid of death.

Shen Yao:... Unable to refute

Shen Yao walked quietly to the riverbank. Seeing some movement in the fishing net and fish cages, she quickly went into the water, scooped everything up, and directly threw them onto the riverbank with a backhand motion.

There were many types of fish in the freshwater river; after mutation, these fish all became very large. Fish fry that were only finger-length in memory were now all palm-sized, and even the grown fish were as thick as an arm.

The fish cages and fishing net Shen Yao had set were not large; the biggest fish that could fit inside were only forearm-length, weighing about five jin.

Shen Yao held a hoe and tapped them again and again. After confirming the fish were dead, she took out the detection needle from her wristwatch and tested them one by one.

Beep beep—

"Crucian Carp, High-level Mutant Organism, Inedible"

"Grass Carp, High-level Mutant Organism, Inedible"

"Crucian Carp, Medium-level Mutant Organism, Edible in moderation"

"......"

Besides fish, the river water also had river shrimp, river snails, river mussels, and other specialty products.

Shen Yao busied herself for a while; in the end, she harvested two medium-level mutated crucian carp, weighing five jin together; plus several palm-sized low-level mutated river shrimp, totaling three or four jin.

Before she knew it, it was noon again, the hottest time of the day.

Shen Yao and Song Ling hid under the tree shade to cool off. Shen Yao's back basket carried the fishy smell of river fresh, which made Song Ling frequently come over to look.

"Mom, why don't you and I work together this afternoon? The harvest from the river isn't bad."

With Song Ling helping, they could catch more river shrimp to supplement protein.

Song Ling subconsciously licked the corner of her mouth. After thinking it over, she still nodded and agreed. Anyway, gathering wild vegetables wasn't urgent, but fish and shrimp were meat.

After resting for nearly an hour, feeling less hot, the two went together to the river to work.

The fish cages and fishing net Shen Yao had thrown in had already caught a batch of fish and shrimp.

Cooperating tacitly, they tested everything inside once more, and also harvested two palm-sized Yellow Croakers.

The high-level mutated fish were not thrown away directly; instead, Shen Yao chopped them up to use as fish bait. She even threw a few into the ditch nearby, to see if she could catch a few gluttons.

As a result, Shen Yao dragged over the stems and leaves to use as hemp rope, and stepped on a face-sized crab, tying it up tightly.

Hearing the noise, Song Ling ran over to help, and the mother and daughter caught all the crabs, finally measuring out an entire low-mutation one.

Song Ling:?!?!

Song Ling's eyes lit up, looking at Shen Yao as if looking at the God of Wealth.

"Daughter, let's keep catching," forcing herself to lower her voice, Song Ling was beyond excited, wishing she could turn over the entire riverside.

Shen Yao told Song Ling to calm down; they couldn't let everyone know they were good at shouting, otherwise this place couldn't be held.

After all, it was still because food in the Mutated World was not easy to obtain.

In other Task Worlds, Shen Yao wouldn't need to work so hard; it was just that she was oppressed by Reality and had to bow to Difficulty.

Just like yesterday, after working hard all day, Shen Yao and Song Ling carried a Back Basket of River Fresh home.

Stewing a whole fish generously for Dinner, Song Ling dried and preserved the food they brought back, not disliking the fishy smell of River Fresh at all.

"Mom, when Dad and Brother come back tomorrow, we can weave more Fishing Nets and Fish Cages tonight, and keep going to the Riverside to catch River Fresh."

Drinking milky-white Fish Soup, the day's toil and hard work were soothed away.

Indeed, good food could please one's mood; she was very happy now.

Song Ling also liked eating fish, especially freshly caught river fish simply cooked to be delicious; she buried her head and took a sip of Fish Soup, eating without lifting her head, "Alright, we'll weave more tonight; we can't hide the fish matter from others for long, while everyone else is gathering Wild Vegetables, catch more."

Though the Base wasn't small, many people lived inside; they carried their Back Baskets all the way back, not knowing how many people had seen them.

Who knew, tomorrow morning the riverside they had their eyes on might be snatched by others first.

Quickly finishing their Dinner, the mother and daughter cleaned their Bowl and Chopsticks, then sat in the Living Room weaving Fishing Nets and Fish Cages.

Song Ling worked while Shen Yao helped pass vines; busy until late at night, the Living Room floor was covered with the results of their overnight work.

"Go back to sleep, get up early tomorrow."

There was no such thing as rest; people of the New Era were busy from Sunrise to Sunset.

Shen Yao pounded her slightly sore shoulders, after returning to the room she first took a Pill, then lay flat on the Bed and fell asleep.

A few hours of rest greatly relieved the physical fatigue from yesterday.

Simply eating Breakfast, and also bringing Noon meal, Shen Yao and Song Ling went out one after another, bundled up.

It was just that today was unlucky; there were quite a few people obviously going to the Riverside to try their luck.

Seeing this, Song Ling was anxious beyond measure; at Noon they only rested for Half an Hour, and she even had Shen Yao bury her head in work together.

The Back Baskets they brought out were full of fresh River Fish; Song Ling returned home beaming with joy, but unexpectedly, just as she reached the Doorway, she saw figures moving about.

A middle-aged burly man opened the Room door and reached out to take the Back Baskets from Shen Yao and Song Ling.

The two women carrying extremely heavy Back Baskets were like paper paste in the burly man's hands, being lightly placed in front of the door.

"Lao Shen"

"Dad"

Shen Jiancheng grinned, pointing behind him, "Brought back a Deer; there's meat to eat at Home recently."

Meat?!!!

Song Ling happily pushed Shen Jiancheng, pulled Shen Yao and rushed into the Room.

A strong smell of blood still drifted in the Room, but Song Ling didn't dislike it; instead, she eagerly asked Shen Yu, who was cutting meat, to make room for her.

"Meat can't be eaten randomly; save some first; later we'll make Jerky."

Song Ling calculated how to handle the meat; this Deer weighed about two or three hundred jin, all edible parts.

Shen Yu looked exactly like Shen Jiancheng, a tall and sturdy figure with a fierce face; children seeing him would surely be scared to tears.

"Mom, let's eat Stewed Meat today," Shen Yu said wrongedly; having drunk Nutrient Solution for several days, he craved Meat.

Song Ling waved her hand, "We caught a lot of fish and shrimp today; we'll eat Fish Meat in the Evening."

"Rest assured, we'll eat Stewed Meat tomorrow morning; I'll simmer it slowly with a small fire."

Shen Yu:...

Shen Yao called Shen Yu over not to block Song Ling's view, but didn't see her biological father go over to help.

Once this Venison entered the Home, it was impossible to eat it all in one breath; Song Ling would surely store most of it first, and only the rest was what they could eat and use.

"Brother, did you not encounter Danger when you went out for a few days?"

Shen Yao cared for her cheap older brother, and by the way took out the River Fresh at the Doorway to tidy up.

"No, this time our Mercenary Team caught a lot of edible meat, and there are also points."

The big fellow Shen Yu squatted down to help, a pair of eyes shining brightly.

"Brother, how many days are you resting this time?" Shen Yao continued asking.

Shen Yu scratched his head, "Not going out for a whole week recently;" with enough food, the Mercenary Team wouldn't risk their lives; that was a bitter task where one could accidentally not return.

In the Evening, the whole family ate Fish Meat, drank Fish Soup, and even had enough Coarse Flour Mantou.

Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu, father and son, could eat; a whole Basin of Mantou went into their Bellies, making Song Ling mutter they were Hungry Ghosts reincarnated; the Home's Grain wasn't enough to eat, and they had to spend points at the Exchange Center to buy.

With the two pillars of the family back, Song Ling unconsciously spoke a bit louder.

The Base at this time was not absolutely safe; petty thefts happened repeatedly despite bans; fortunately, the Shen Family was not the kind to be bullied.

"Tomorrow morning our whole family will go to the Riverside; Lao Shen, you spend points first and run to the Exchange Center to buy this month's Food Ration back."

The Base stipulated Monthly Purchase Limits for staple food every month: 40 jin for adults, 80 jin for Gene Awakeners, and 10-20 jin for children under sixteen depending on age.

Their family could buy 240 jin per month; the cheapest Coarse Flour was 3 points per jin; with the Wild Vegetables they gathered, they could eat seven or eight parts full.

After all, Gene Awakeners could eat; relying only on Coarse Flour definitely wasn't filling; otherwise Song Ling wouldn't treasure Meat so much, wishing to hoard it all and not eat a bit.

Shen Jiancheng scratched his Chin, "How about we buy some Rice back to alternate eating?"

Eating only flour made his Stomach uncomfortable; Shen Jiancheng loved grains like Rice and Millet more.

Song Ling shook her head, "Rice is ten points per jin; you went out once and only earned 500 points; if we buy Coarse Flour we still have to add more from within."

What buy Rice; only Coarse Flour is cost-effective and filling; wait until we don't worry about Eating and drinking to buy again.

Shen Jiancheng:...

Shen Yu and Shen Yao gathered together to tease their father; even though they also wanted to eat, this could only be thought about, so they still had to gather diligently.

Shen Yao opened her eyes, and for a moment she was dazed; hearing the commotion outside, she finally reacted—she had already arrived in the new task world.

Getting up and dressing, simply washing and cleaning up, the family finally got to eat the stewed meat they had been longing for.

The meat was fragrant, and a whole large basin went into their bellies.

Telling Shen Jiancheng not to forget to buy the coarse flour back, Song Ling led Shen Yao and Shen Yu to the riverside site.

More people came today than yesterday; the fengshui treasure spot Shen Yao and Song Ling had discovered had already been occupied by people who came ahead of time.

Helpless, they could only choose another place, walking down along the riverside for half an hour before stopping.

"Fine, right here. Ah Yu, you and I go put down the fishing net and fish cage; Yao Yao, stay by the riverbank and watch the surroundings."

After giving instructions, Song Ling went ahead herself.

The weather was still a bit cold, and the river water chilled the feet, but Song Ling wasn't afraid at all; in a few moves she placed the fishing net and fish cage.

Shen Yao glanced around; there were few people here, and the nearest were over ten meters away.

Behind her was a patch of wild grass nearly as tall as a person; who knew if there were wild ducks, wild chickens, or wild rabbits inside.

There should be some, right? Further ahead was an unnamed small hillside; no large beasts, but plenty of small beasts. Someone had once caught a wild rabbit on the small hillside at the base.

Holding the hoe in her hand, she knocked and struck at the grass clump behind her for a while, but heard no animal calls; Shen Yao could only lower her head to gather the wild vegetables with new buds.

Drip drip

"Shepherd's Purse, highly mutated plant, inedible"

"Wild Onion, highly mutated plant, inedible"

"Wild Chives, highly mutated plant, inedible"

"......"