Chapter 852

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

After the back-and-forth delay, by the time they re-entered the farm, it was already noon.

The big sun overhead was no small thing, actively radiating sunlight onto the ground; none of the four had brought sunshades, but fortunately their long sleeves had hats, which they quickly pulled over their heads—better than nothing.

This time they chose to go to the vegetable garden in front.

Because several plots nearby had encountered trouble, some like potato fields where no one knew what mutant plant it was, and the officials could only truthfully report and wait for the army to handle it; some like corn fields where the mutant plants were clearly known, and the officials had tools to deal with them directly, not forgetting to load the corn field's harvest onto vehicles to take away.

Shen Yao and the others only went in once the surroundings had stabilized again; others dared not try and simply waited on the spot to return to the shelter, while some were already buried inside and couldn't get out, and no one knew who they had benefited.

The vegetable garden was located in the middle of the farm, near a small stream flowing down from the mountain, with two ponds dug not long ago around it.

The ground was planted with ordinary vegetables like Chinese cabbage, white radish, eggplant, and so on; since these vegetables were just categories the farm used for daily consumption or gifting, the varieties inside were numerous and mixed.

Shen Chengyu also saw several vines with very long roots and stems at the innermost part, which were pumpkins and winter melons.

These two types looked like they had high yields, but pumpkins had high water content and weren't very filling, and winter melons were the same, even said to make you thinner the more you ate; normally, unless you were a weight-loss person, few families would eat them at every meal.

"Mom, look."

Shen Chengning pointed at the vines ahead, where several unmissable orange-yellow patches were visible.

They were pumpkins, and the kind where one pumpkin weighed over ten jin.

Shen Yao saw them too, but the vines were at the outermost corner of the vegetable garden; perhaps to distinguish them from the surrounding farmland, railings were wrapped around the garden, but these railings, due to this inexplicable evolution, had become climbing objects for some plants and were already wrapped full and tight; if they wanted to break through the fence and enter the vegetable garden, they either had to jump in or destroy these plants.

Shen Chengyi had already taken out her machete, and without waiting for Shen Yao to say anything more, she came to the fence entrance and directly swung the machete.

Bang!

A flash of silver-white sparks passed, the plants before them broke, and the fence that had been completely covered revealed its distinctive color.

"Eldest Sister, let me help you."

Shen Chengyu also took out her long blade; it wasn't as sharp as Shen Chengyi's, but it suited her very well. Shen Chengning was not to be outdone, following behind Shen Chengyu, with the two standing on either side of Shen Chengyi, simultaneously chopping at the plants before them.

Shen Yao didn't join the fun but instead circled around this not-small vegetable garden.

The plants inside the vegetable garden could be said to be all sorts of strange; they were normal plants before evolution, but after evolving several times, these plants had all undergone different degrees of change.

However, most of them were still wilted and useless dead roots, while a few underwent mutation, growing tall and strong, with various characteristics appearing on their stalks; for example, the Chinese cabbage not far from her was emerald green and jade-white like jade stone, and there was also a chili seedling covered in bright red chilies, each chili as big as an adult's palm; although it was still far from her, the spiciness had already drifted over.

These were all mutant plants; although dangerous, they were more useful than ordinary plants.

The officials had actually semi-publicized mutant plants, but these mutant plants weren't as obvious as wooden puppets, so the officials hadn't issued an official notice; however, everyone who came to the official shelter received a set of materials detailing the issue of mutant plants.

These two plants before them were obviously mutant plants; taking them back could not only exchange for more points but also further strengthen their bodies.

What needed to be understood right now was how to get these two mutant plants into their hands; although the vegetable garden seemed safe on the surface, just like the potato field and corn field, the hidden dangers were no less.

Bang bang bang!

Shen Chengyi and her two sisters had already very quickly cut through the fence.

There was no need to worry about making too much noise, because there was no one else around; the farm's area was what it was, and excluding those who had already died during this period, the remaining people scattered in were like stones on a lake surface, not even a ripple could be stirred up.

"Be careful, there must be traps inside; the mutant plants placed openly are excellent fish bait."

Shen Yao's words were not unfamiliar to the three sisters' ears; earlier when Shen Chengyu was shucking corn cobs, she had acted under the danger that could fall at any time, and those corn cobs in the space counted as evidence.

"Hold your tools well, follow my arrangements," Shen Chengyi looked coldly at the calm vegetable garden, and as she softly called out one-two-three, she suddenly rushed forward, like a fired bullet, directly hitting a depression around the Chinese cabbage.

A black jointed limb stretched out from inside, followed immediately by densely packed black ribbons.

Tsk

"These ants are so scary!"

They weren't traditional rice-grain-sized ants, but ants the size of baby fists, one by one; the largest one was the one fighting Shen Chengyi, as big as an adult's palm.

Moreover, these ants' jointed limbs were very large, all black and slender in appearance, shaking from time to time, as if summoning something.

Shen Chengyi's expression didn't change; she just wholeheartedly chopped at the ants before her.

Of course, the ants appearing around didn't dodge her attacks either; Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning were the same, but the ants they encountered weren't like Shen Chengyi's, and the danger wasn't great.

Shen Yao took the opportunity to cut down the white jade Chinese cabbage from its roots and put it into her space.

In an instant, a space was cleared around the ants; besides some roots and stems, there was nothing else there.

The chili peppers beside them didn't escape Shen Yao's harvesting either; however, perhaps due to their characteristics, those ants had no interest in the chilies, and Shen Yao's harvesting went very smoothly, with one bright red chili after another being put into the space, filling every corner.

Shen Yao was like a space that could move quickly, constantly appearing near the vegetable garden to collect those plants that obviously showed mutation; whether it was root mutation or fruit mutation, Shen Yao let none of them go.

Soon, the space was nearly full; Shen Yao waved at Shen Chengyi, and the two cooperated tacitly to leave the vegetable garden and head to other areas.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning were happily pleased; although both had some not-serious wounds on their faces, they had also received obvious training, and next time they encountered such a situation, they could handle it themselves.

"Watch your step, take out the fishing net from your space; we're going to catch fish."

Beside the vegetable garden were two ponds, which definitely had quite a few fish fry put in them.

Although after so much, the fish fry couldn't all be alive, as long as they could net some back, their fishing nets wouldn't have been taken in vain.

It was all a no-cost business; Shen Yao felt they definitely had to collect some in advance.

Just like when they were in the vegetable garden, those winter melons and pumpkins all went into her space; whether to sell them later or eat them herself, it was up to her to decide.

Shen Chengning made two affirmative sounds, and then a dense fishing net appeared in her hand.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengyi also each took out one; Shen Yao took out a canister of fish bait, a freebie she had scavenged from a shop selling fishing tools ahead, after all, she didn't want to dig for it on the spot.

She unscrewed the lid, poured out the fish bait inside, and scattered it into the surrounding ponds.

Instantly, bubbles appeared on the originally calm water surface, as if someone was blowing air underwater; Shen Yao knew these were fish coming to eat the fish bait. The dark water surface couldn't show the situation underwater, but it could be inferred that these fish, whether in number or size, were not to be underestimated.

Shen Chengyi and the other two stood at different positions and threw the fishing nets in their hands into the pond.

Splash splash

The fishing net fully spread open in the air, then sank into the water and slowly disappeared; when only a section remained gripped in her hand, Shen Chengyi suddenly exerted force, hauling the fishing net fiercely out of the water.

The sound was even louder than before, even drowning out the commotion on Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning's side.

Shen Chengyi's overall capability was the strongest; she fundamentally did not worry about being unable to pull the fishing net back.

The tug-of-war between the two sides was like a sheet of window paper poked through in the face of Shen Chengyi's absolute strength; Shen Chengyi's fishing net was dragged onto the riverbank, inside were big fish leaping about alive.

They were truly big fish, each as long as an arm, leaping about alive.

Shen Yao half-crouched down, pointed at these fish to Shen Chengyi, "Put some into space first."

Space cannot hold living things, but it can preserve freshness, so after killing these fish they were thrown directly into space, to be taken out and processed when they wanted to eat.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning also each hauled out their own fishing nets; their catches naturally paled compared to Shen Chengyi's, but there were still plenty of big fish in their nets.

All four put some into space, among them Shen Yao's space was the largest and held the most; after all the fish were stored away, Shen Yao straightened up and clapped her hands, "Let's go back."

There was nothing more that needed collecting; after all, places too far away they didn't have time for, they could only wait until next time they went out and pick a farm closer by.

Lifting their feet they walked back; before long, they saw the vehicle parked at the farm entrance.

Official personnel continuously transported the corn field's harvest into the vehicle; the other people standing by the vehicle looked on with envy, but they didn't want to take the risk — this trip, aside from those who stayed inside and could never return, everyone else would get a substantial amount of points.

Shen Yao did not forget to report the pond's situation to the personnel at the side; in the end she also regretfully stated they had no fishing nets or such tools, although they tried substituting with other tools, besides getting covered in fishy stench there was no other harvest.

Since the End of Days arrived, daily eating and drinking have restrictions, not like before when you could buy whatever; right now the meat provided by the shelter is mostly frozen, fresh meat is only a tiny bit, fundamentally cannot reach ordinary people — even a small handful of people isn't enough to divide.

Hearing Shen Yao mention the pond's fish, the personnel thought this is also meat dishes; although fish meat cannot compare to pork, beef, mutton, at a time like this having it is not bad, who would still be picky.

Eyes shining, he fished out a fishing net from the vehicle; the personnel simply had his own people go scoop some back — mainly also with a testing meaning; if the pond's fish quantity wasn't much, they simply need not report it; if the pond's fish quantity was a lot, bringing samples could earn them more points.

"Those fish are very big, strength not small; remember when pulling the net to have a few more people lend a hand."

Otherwise the fish aren't caught, but you get dragged down by the fish instead — that would be a joke.

After Shen Yao finished reminding, she turned and boarded the vehicle compartment; inside there were quite a few bags holding corn cobs, but there were still seats for them to sit.

The backpacks and hemp sacks brought along were all supplies, but they had quantity limits; on the surface, bringing the maximum bottom line stipulated by the Official, the four of Shen Yao leaned together with eyes closed resting.

Some people originally wanted to curry favor and pull connections; seeing Shen Yao act like this, they immediately could only give up.

Sigh

So many Big Shots in the world, why can't there be one more of them!

The vehicle's return to the city was delayed by over half an hour because of the pond matter.

Although no one in the vehicle compartment opened their mouth to complain, in their hearts they certainly weren't happy; but this has nothing to do with Shen Yao — after all, the pond's existence wouldn't disappear just because they didn't report it; the role they played was more about saving time.

The personnel ultimately scooped up several big fish as long as arms from the pond; although the fishy stench smelled bad, thinking that before long they would be able to eat fresh fish meat and drink fresh fish soup, the fishy stench seemed no longer important.

The points Shen Yao could get increased again; the vehicle started up and returned to the shelter.

When the sun in the sky set and disappeared, the lamp at the very front of the vehicle was turned on; the warm yellow hot light rays that could illuminate the surrounding environment did not add much sense of security to the crowd.

The big guys were all hoping in their hearts to be able to return to the shelter smoothly.

Perhaps the heart's voice was truly sensed; although the vehicle drove slowly and the road was not smooth sailing, they still arrived near the Steel Fortress.

"It's the shelter!"

"Look quick, we're back, we're back!"

"This time no matter what I'm not going out."

"..."

The danger outside is too great; mouths say people should strive and forge ahead, but when truly facing a life-and-death crisis, how many can really let go.

The four of Shen Yao picked up their things and jumped down from the vehicle compartment; after registering at the entrance they returned to the Residence; as for exchanging these things for points, the Trading Center is open twenty-four hours a day, but their own bodies also need rest — whatever matters, talk tomorrow.

Slept a full awakening, when they opened eyes again it was already morning.

Outside the sky was fully bright; the four people lay on the bed still drowsy.

Shen Yao shook her somewhat dazed head; before she could speak she heard the System chattering non-stop, words implying they were truly lucky yesterday, the return time was extremely coincidental, because a bit later and they would have been attacked by those mutated plants and animals outside.

"Oh? So you're saying last night, the Official Shelter wasn't safe?"

"Of course, quite a few people died at the entrance, but the Official Shelter has capable people emerging in numbers, they quickly moved to suppress these disturbances."

Although the harm was already caused, there being no signs of expansion is good.