Chapter 424: Bound to the Birth System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 425: Wasteland Gathering Daily Life (53)

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"It's a pity we can't do that. What a shame."

Shen Yao carefully took the remaining energy stones, put them into the wooden box in front of her used to store valuable items, locked them up uniformly, and threw them into her space.

Even though both of them could use space, Shen Yao could restrict Cheng Qi with a mere thought, while she herself could move about unimpeded.

This was also a precaution for future situations; no one could guarantee things would always stay the same, and only what was held in one's own hand was real.

Cheng Qi had no idea that while he was bowing his head pondering over these three energy stones, Shen Yao had already thought about how to strike first if their relationship soured or other conflicts arose.

Looking at the energy stones lying flat in his palm, Cheng Qi planned to take one from the two he was keeping for observation to give to Manman.

Manman?

"Manman is too young, her body hasn't fully grown; if she uses energy stones, will it burden her body?"

Shen Yao had considered this method before, but ultimately gave it up considering Manman's age.

Cheng Qi gestured for Shen Yao not to be too nervous; Manman hadn't undergone Gene Awakening yet, so she didn't need to absorb energy stones close to her body like him to strengthen her genes.

"We can crush the energy stones, or simply scrape off some energy stone powder each time we use them," this way, the energy within the energy stones could be dispersed to the greatest extent, making it easier for the human body to absorb.

Not only could Manman use them, but Shen Yao could too; consuming small amounts of energy stones each time would not cause irreversible results to the body.

Just like the various potions launched by the Base, those that could sell for a price more or less contained some energy stone powder, and ordinary people still flocked to them, buying crazily whenever there was an opportunity.

Nowadays, they chose to add them manually themselves, which was no different from how the Base operated.

If one had to say, it was probably just that they couldn't control the dosage of the energy stones well; at worst, they would use less, and there definitely wouldn't be any accidents.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao was persuaded by Cheng Qi's words; the two energy stones that should have been held out for a high price ultimately left only a single lonely one.

Cheng Qi wrapped that one in special material, put it in his pocket to keep it safe, and smiled, saying that with the Mild Season coming next, the demand for energy stones would increase, and he would definitely find a good buyer to sell them at a high price.

…………

On the 40th day of the Hot Rainy Season, the family of three stayed in the Living Room exercising after breakfast.

Cheng Qi's physical functions had improved again; the results of absorbing energy stones were visible to the naked eye, including Shen Yao and Manman eating food with additives every day, and the related benefits were all reflected in their bodies.

Manman pinched her chubby little fist, humming and hawing as she tried to make her punches look mighty and vigorous.

Cheng Qi stood to one side, occasionally guiding Manman on the strength and speed of her punches, and sometimes even acting as a sparring partner, looking like he wanted to train his own daughter into a master.

"After this year ends, in the next Mild Season, Manman will start school; by then, we two will be busy gathering for a living and won't have enough time to take care of her."

If not relying on oneself, what else could be done? As someone who had once attended school, Cheng Qi's memories of that time were not pleasant; the school, which should have been a place for teaching and educating people, had become cold and cruel due to problems with the overall environment.

Cheng Qi still remembered his classmates; many of them died in their youth because the wilderness training held by the school every year was a high-risk point for death.

What could be done? The school didn't teach these skills, only raising them like sheep in a pen; would the ending definitely be good? Everyone would face this sooner or later.

Hearing this, Shen Yao sighed; beside her, Manman opened her big round eyes and was still trying hard to clench her fist and strike out, raising her arm and lowering it again and again, without complaining or saying she was tired.

"Manman take care, self, rest assured."

After practicing the last time, Manman patted her little chest with a determined face; she was the smartest and most awesome kid, she wouldn't let Mom and Dad worry, she could do even better.

On the 45th day of the Hot Rainy Season, the gradually easing rain became heavy again.

As if a hole had been torn in the sky above, the pouring rain was like the apocalypse descending.

Drip drip drip

The wristwatch received a notification from the Base; regarding this suddenly heavier rain, since the Mutation Value contained within it had increased, physical contact was not recommended.

Shen Yao pulled the curtains, and the light in the room instantly dimmed.

The electric light above her head turned on, and the bright light drew the eager gazes of Cheng Qi and Manman, father and daughter.

"Not continuing to practice?"

Shen Yao teased her daughter lying spread-eagle on the Sofa; the little girl had just finished bathing, her hair wiped dry and clean, with the scent of body wash still wafting from her body.

Manman pursed her lips, burying herself inside the Sofa, leaving only half of her body exposed.

Cheng Qi handed the adjusted bow and arrow to Shen Yao; just now Manman had tried it, and the strength and weight were just right.

On the 50th day of the Hot Rainy Season, the rain outside showed no signs of letting up, but aftereffects of too much rainfall had already appeared around the Base.

The Slum District had already been more than half flooded; many people brought their families to report information and had to move into public places provided by the Base.

The Outer District also showed signs of spreading; discussions dominated the forums every day, and many people worried that their Houses would be damaged, and after the Hot Rainy Season ended, it would be another extra expense.

The Inner District where Shen Yao was located was currently fine; only the low-lying areas outside the Door would seep water, and other places were still relatively dry and clean.

On the 55th day of the Hot Rainy Season, people from the Outer District who couldn't hold out anymore also chose to apply for relief; although the number of people wasn't large, once this kind of thing started, it couldn't be stopped.

The Inner District where Shen Yao was located still had the problem of water seeping into low-lying areas, but some families' House Roofs that hadn't been repaired also appeared damaged.

On the 60th day of the Hot Rainy Season, the Slum District could be said to be completely annihilated; as the rain outside didn't lessen, the number of applicants in the Outer District increased exponentially.

Anxiety began to appear in the Inner District; after all, the Slum District could be ignored, but both the Outer District and the Inner District were living inside the Base Interior—how could they not consider it more?

If too many people moved into public places in the Outer District, and then something happened in the Inner District, would they still have a place?

Arguments appeared on the Forum; a small matter could trigger new conflicts.

Shen Yao always kept a calm and objective emotion while observing these chaos; right now, only two-thirds of the Hot Rainy Season had passed, and no one knew what the situation would be like in the remaining one month.

On the 66th day of the Hot Rainy Season, the rain outside gradually weakened a bit; even the Base fired several Rain-scattering Shells, smashing the thick Cloud Layer gathered above the Base.

But this approach treated symptoms not the root; the Hot Rainy Season hadn't passed yet, and this rain would keep falling; with so many people living in the Base Interior's Inner and Outer Districts, a little carelessness would trigger a series of problems.

Shen Yao's Home also appeared to have a rain leak, right at the spot where the House Fang Ding had been repaired.

Fortunately, they had already put the Valuable Items into the space; the rest didn't matter.

On the 70th day of the Hot Rain Season, the Base launched several Rain-scattering Shells into the sky again, dispersing the gathered cloud layer to reduce the rainfall falling within the Base Interior.

The effect existed, but overall it was of little use.

Against nature itself, human resistance was like tickling it in its eyes—utterly ineffective.

The rain of the Hot Rain Season fell as it should, and the temperature outside rose as it should.

What the Base did well was that it looked after ordinary people in the Slum District and Outer District; living in Public Housing inevitably caused friction, but major problems would not occur, and everyone's safety and basic daily life were guaranteed.

"But if this rain continues like this, even the Base's thick blood won't last a few more rounds."

Dawn Base's decline was because its own strength couldn't keep up with its development speed, and there was a group of ordinary people who were a drag on it, ultimately causing Dawn Base to lose public trust; those with connections chose to flee, those without chose to cause trouble, and the originally orderly Base instantly lost control—rise and fall happened in the blink of an eye.

Base No. 25 definitely wouldn't reach Dawn Base's state of exhausted resources in a short time, but once the external environment continued to deteriorate, far beyond the limit humans could bear, Base No. 25 would eventually follow in Dawn Base's footsteps.

This time could be ten years, twenty years, or even fifty years.

"It depends on what the Base Upper Echelon thinks; when necessary, some people must be sacrificed," this was not cold-blooded, nor was it not taking human life seriously.

Quite the opposite, making such a decision was because the Base wanted to better guarantee the stability of most people; for some, it was certainly cruel.

Cheng Qi lowered his head, pulled Shen Yao to sit down, "What we can do is not let ourselves become the part that is sacrificed."

It was very sad, but also an indisputable fact; individual power was too insignificant, unable to save the world, only able to save oneself.

…………

On the 75th day of the Hot Rain Season, the rainstorm was like a fierce beast temporarily retreating to gather strength, sweeping in with an even more ferocious offensive than before.

Shen Yao stood by the window again, looking at the pitch-black sky outside, thinking that the Base had launched Rain-scattering Shells again, but unfortunately they no longer worked.

The Wristwatch Forum had long since exploded; people were all discussing when this rain would stop. Although it wasn't yet time for the Hot Rain Season to end, according to the current situation analysis, the Hot Rain Season being deferred was an indisputable fact.

Cheng Qi had just come down from the Third Floor, carrying the remaining rainproof cloth and wooden boards after repairs, as well as other tools.

Manman sat on the small sofa eating the fruit Shen Yao had just washed; the small child was carefree, and her greatest worry was probably the afternoon training.

"Don't go to the Third Floor recently; the rain leakage is severe, and more repairs are needed later."

The tools they could currently scrape together were completely insufficient.

Cheng Qi raised his arm to wipe the sweat at his temples; he planned to find time to pad the area in front of the courtyard door. Compared to the roof leaking at home, the small puddle at the doorway was even more headache-inducing.

Shen Yao pointed to several pieces of rainproof cloth she had placed outside the window for experiments in the morning; "They can't withstand the mutation values in the rain; let's talk after the rain stops."

These palm-sized pieces of rainproof cloth were scraps cut from Protective Suits, but in less than half a day, they were already damaged beyond recognition.

Shen Yao had Cheng Qi take the things to the Studio first, then she returned to the sofa and sat down.

"Mama"

Manman came over with a face full of joy, a few bits of fruit pulp remaining at the corner of her mouth.

"Mama, we, when, go out, like last time."

She had also caught many 'Rabbits' back; although Mama explained they were field mice, not rabbits, she still wanted to catch them.

Shen Yao lowered her head and touched Manman's little head; "Wait a little longer."

"Wait until, when?" Manman asked curiously.

Shen Yao smiled bitterly and shook her head; "Mama doesn't know; maybe ten-plus days, or maybe several dozen days."

After hugging Manman into her arms and swaying her, Shen Yao turned her head to look at Cheng Qi; both husband and wife couldn't help but feel their hearts sink.

Right, when would the Hot Rain Season end?

Not only they were looking forward to it; many people were looking forward to it, along with the Base itself.

On the 82nd day of the Hot Rain Season, the rainstorm eased, but there was no sign of stopping.

The Base seemed to have given up on the Hot Rain Season's deferral; not only did it send a notification message via Wristwatch in advance, but it also gradually brought some people from the Slum District and Outer District into Public Housing. Now, those who could live in their own homes were basically Inner District residents.

Who let Inner District residents naturally occupy an advantage? Including the superior underground drainage system (which now also showed signs of flooding), houses of at least two stories (if one layer leaked, another remained), and enough supplies stockpiled for the entire Hot Rain Season (even if damp, there were dryers, including daily appliances and other tools).

Just as Shen Yao served the stir-fried dried fruit onto the tea table, the family of three each grabbed a handful to pass the time.

The Wristwatch made a beeping sound; Shen Yao clicked it open and found it was because there were too many forum posts. To ensure the Wristwatch could still run normally, deletion and blocking were needed.

Shen Yao: ……

How idle must everyone be, opening their eyes every day just to post and discuss?

Her fingers flew across the Wristwatch screen; soon, Shen Yao stopped and continued to watch with great interest as everyone expressed their views and debated on the Forum.

On the 85th day of the Hot Rain Season, the rainstorm continued as usual; Shen Yao's family of three continued their small daily life, except for occasionally spending some time on the Wristwatch Forum.

After the outbreak period, people on the Forum began to calm down slowly; the most discussed topic every day was still when the Hot Rain Season would end.

Shen Yao basically didn't participate in these contents; she kept an eye on Xiao Dao news and Base gossip, and once she confirmed there was no important intelligence, she focused on real life.

On the 90th day of the Hot Rain Season, the rainstorm of the Hot Rain Season that should have ended today did not decrease, making people feel desperate just looking at it.

Voices of giving up appeared on the Forum, and even several verbal disputes increased day by day.

Shen Yao put down her wrist, grabbed the cushion beside her, hugged it in her arms, and kept kneading it.

Cheng Qi noticed her situation and said with a definite tone, "The troublesome matters on the Forum."

Shen Yao made an affirmative sound; "The contradictions are intensifying; it depends on the Base's control level."

Taking the remarks on the Forum as an example, daily complaints were minor squabbles, but some were truly pretending to understand while acting confused, deliberately guiding the problems to become bigger and more biased.

People in an uneasy environment are already prone to dizziness and lack of clarity; if they believed these people, they might truly fill their lives into it without knowing.

Shen Yao had been looking at the Forum less recently because she discovered that a not-small Force was working hard to incite something.

"Believe the Base will come up with countermeasures," Cheng Qi smiled and proposed another theory; "Only when such contradictions intensify will certain people who like to hide their heads and show their tails be willing to show themselves. While inciting opposition between both sides, they also completely expose themselves before the Base."

The big fish that were usually hard to catch were now all surfacing waiting for the net to be cast; for the Base, it was also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.