Aunt's family was doing well. Back when they had lent Jing Shu's family 100,000 yuan, after the apocalypse began, Jing Shu repaid them with a pregnant sow. Aunt's family knew how to manage, so they immediately joined the Livestock Breeding Center and started raising pigs. Their life grew better and better.
Besides contributing pigs that became "state-owned piglets," they also had the sow Jing Shu gave them, along with four piglets they had raised.
Now, food was no longer scarce. Feed mixed with red nematodes could raise many pigs. It wasn't like last year, when they couldn't even keep people alive, let alone pigs.
Still, Jing Shu thought it was worth reminding her uncle that this year they should raise more pigs and stockpile more red nematodes. They could have them processed into feed and stored. There would surely come years with no harvests, not even red nematodes. When that time came, raising pigs would be hard again.
This year, while celebrating the New Year, the family planned to slaughter a pig for a feast and also hold a wedding banquet. Aunt's daughter-in-law was pregnant, but she felt regret that she had never had a wedding ceremony. Since the family had the means, they all agreed to hold one.
The wedding banquet was set for February 10, 2024, the first day of the Lunar New Year. New Year's Eve would be February 9.
When Grandma Jing heard the news, her ailments vanished. Her eyes curved into happy slits as she smiled, thrilled at the thought of welcoming a new great-grandchild.
That night's dinner was, of course, "cooked" by Jing Shu. She pulled out her private stash from the Rubik's Cube Space: preserved egg and lean pork congee, spicy crayfish, nang-style baked meat, shredded spicy beef, pan-fried golden tofu, steamed sea bass, two plates of pickled vegetables, and a stack of homemade flatbreads.
"My daughter's cooking has gotten even better." Jing An sighed in relief. With his mother safe, everything tasted delicious.
Jing Shu thought about finishing off her private stash soon, so she could prepare more easy-to-carry and inconspicuous rations. Next year, she probably wouldn't have time to cook. She had already dried vegetables and fruits. For this year, she would act like a hamster and stockpile finished goods. In the future, she would spend most of her time away from the villa, making cooking too troublesome.
Eating dinner while watching the news had become a family habit. Today's international news covered the situation one month after Japan were submerged. Drones shone bright beams from the sky as they passed over the ocean. Once-prosperous cities were now underwater worlds, unlikely to reemerge for years.
Reports said Japan had only 10% of its population left, huddled around Mount Fuji. They were the ones wealthy enough to own private planes, carrying supplies and technology. They were the last hope of the island nation.
America was still torn by political struggles, now with three competing presidents.
In Australia, a new "zombie virus" had infected cattle, threatening the extinction of the world's beef industry. The virus had jumped from zombie deer to cows and then spread to red nematodes. If Jing Shu remembered right, this was exactly how it had started in the early apocalypse: the virus spread from Australia to the world, leading to invasive species and new evolutionary mutations.
Domestic news was still harmonious. Some regions had even announced their New Year welfare packages.
This naturally led the family to discuss celebrating New Year and the upcoming wedding.
"This year, why don't we spend New Year at Jing Pan's house? After all, Wei Zheng's wedding is on the first day. If we go early, we can help out." Grandma Jing hadn't seen her eldest and second daughters in half a year. She loved them all equally and wanted to see them.
Jing An turned to Su Lanzhi. "We should see what your eldest brother says." He always respected his wife's opinion.
Su Lanzhi replied, "In past years, we only gathered on the second day anyway. This year, let's meet with my brother then too."
"Alright, then let's head over early. We can help out, and our whole family can have a reunion dinner." Grandma Jing was beaming with joy.
Third Aunt Jing Lai worried aloud. "What gift should we bring to Wei Zheng's wedding? Before the apocalypse, we'd give 3,000 yuan red envelopes. But now, what can we give?"
"How about virtual coins? We can each give 200. When the baby's full-month celebration comes, we'll add 66 and send over some eggs and poultry," Jing An suggested.
Grandma Jing nodded. "Good. You can give money. As for us, we're broke. They mentioned they don't have wedding clothes, so I'll sew them a set."
"I'll make them a set of furniture and a crib."
"Then I'll prepare wedding bedding too!"
That very evening, the whole family got busy preparing to spend New Year at Aunt's house.
Su Lanzhi called her eldest brother to explain they would meet on the second day instead. Jing Shu overheard her uncle's wife on the other end, sounding regretful. Their work had become difficult, as more than 100,000 people had flooded into Xishan. The old city was already dilapidated, and now, with so many people crammed in, every space not leaking water had become someone's home.
To save space, the government had salvaged cars and converted them into tiny shelters, even more cramped than basements. Daytime was bearable, but at night the cold was brutal, like ice shards stabbing the skin.
Her uncle and aunt were overwhelmed with endless tasks.
After the call, Su Lanzhi began packing. "We can't just go empty-handed. Even though Aunt's family is doing well, they can't feed and house all of us without strain."
Besides, she worried they might not get used to the food there. So it was best to bring their own supplies.
This was when Jing Shu's foresight showed its value.
They packed two tins of milk powder. The family had grown used to drinking milk, milk tea, or soy milk in the mornings. Something to drink was a must.
They packed dried vegetables like wood ear mushrooms and soybeans. Soybeans could also be soaked and ground for soy milk.
Pickles, salted cucumbers, sour long beans—all packed in a jar.
Homemade braised dishes like pig ears, pork head meat, and chicken feet went into the basket. Spicy rabbit chunks and beef jerky were ready in sealed jars. They also brought sausages, cured meats, and smoked duck—enough for one meal each.
In no time, Su Lanzhi had organized everything neatly. Jing Shu couldn't help but give her a thumbs up.
Jing Shu also decided to bring army tents, daily necessities, bedding, and quilts. With so many guests at the wedding, there might not be enough beds. She refused to sleep on the floor crammed with others.
It was better to be prepared.
Unfortunately, the RV hadn't been modified yet. Otherwise, they could've just driven it over. With the RV, they wouldn't need to haul so much. But driving such a flashy vehicle might draw too much attention anyway.