Because it's really urgent, we have got to move while everything is in chaos. That's the best time to strike and boost our success rate.
The timeline was way faster than Jing Shu expected. Even in ancient times, wars took three months to prepare, with commanders moving troops and painstakingly stockpiling supplies. Even in modern times, no one just jumps straight into battle without a calculated buildup. Only two days of preparation? That's insane.
Last year, Yang Yang at least prepared for half a month before heading out on their mission. But this time, they were leaving just like that, with barely enough time to catch their breath. Something as dangerous as this wasn't supposed to be some spur-of-the-moment trip across the ocean. It needed solid preparation and a deep reserve of supplies.
Thankfully, Jing Shu had already been preparing for a month, sorting through her inventory and deciding exactly what had to be packed into her hidden space. So when the sudden departure came, it wasn't exactly impossible for her to manage. Still, she felt as if she wasn't ready enough.
Or maybe she just wasn't ready properly, plagued by the nagging feeling that she had overlooked some vital detail.
There was also a mountain of things left hanging in her daily life. The Medicinal Herb Association needed her to request another long leave of absence, and navigating that bureaucracy usually took time. Two days really wasn't enough to tie up all the loose ends.
Yang Yang paused on the other end of the line, then lowered his voice until it was a rough whisper. "This time is different from last time. Back then, it was all shared and everyone was like sworn brothers, so they would watch your back. But now, it's complicated. You have got to bring your own stuff—at least three days' worth of food, a first aid kit, and your daily necessities. Space on the transport is tight. Weapons and gear aren't restricted, but all personal items you have got to carry yourself. Oh, and that battle armor I gave you last time, you had better bring it."
If the last mission counted as an official government operation, at least the country had arranged planes to send them to America. This time felt more like a self-organized mercenary mission. Judging from Yang Yang's recent fundraising efforts and his early deal with Qian Duoduo, the planes this time were probably all provided by "sponsors" who expected a return on their investment.
"Mm." Jing Shu quickly ran through her mental checklist, her eyes scanning the grey horizon. There was so much she had to bring, from dry rations to medical supplies, and every single item felt necessary for survival. The thought gave her a headache that throbbed in time with the distant rumble of the earth.
Yang Yang added, his voice regaining some of its usual confidence, "And don't forget that lifesaving medicine. You had better bring plenty. Honestly, the main reason you're even on the team is because of that medicine. The group has tagged you as both doctor and fighter. When it comes time to use your meds, others will have to pay a price.
Details will get explained once the team gathers. Don't worry about your role changing; it won't affect how the loot is split. Loot is based on contribution points. And when you show up in that new high-tech battle armor, you will blind them all."
Jing Shu: "..."
So she was only going because of the Spirit Spring water she had turned into medicine? She had thought her tank-like physical strength had finally been recognized by the elite squads. But no. In America, a world currently defined by flying bullets and exploding bombs, no amount of brute strength could outrun a bullet or withstand a direct hit from artillery.
Yang Yang didn't explain what kind of big score they would pull in the US, and she didn't ask. Her classmates were all standing nearby, staring at her with shining, expectant eyes, so she couldn't let any classified information slip. Even if her mind was full of questions about the mission, she had to hold them back. She ended the call quickly and let out a long breath that curled into the freezing air.
Her classmates only saw her hang up the phone, sigh, and mutter something about needing to prepare. They exchanged nervous glances, but nobody dared ask more.
Jing Shu turned to Su Mali, her expression neutral. "Sorry, something urgent came up. Could you handle these classmates and drop me off first?"
"I will go with you. I'm collecting bugs anyway. You handle the arrangements, then we will leave together."
The bug collection went fast. Su Mali personally oversaw the exchange, standing by the car as classmates lined up to trade their catches for food. The air was filled with the frantic clicking of insects inside containers.
Wang Chao had arrived at eight in the morning, his eyes bloodshot and sleepless from a whole night spent bug hunting in the ruins. He brought a big plastic jar filled with black beetles, evolved fleas the size of beans, and even the new mutant cockroaches of the apocalypse, their dark, oily shells perfect for surviving the harsh environment.
"This batch is worth twenty buns," Su Mali announced. One bodyguard took the jar and dumped the bugs into a reinforced crate, while another handed over the bag of food.
The others looked on enviously, their stomachs growling at the sight of the soft dough. Just a few bugs for that much food? Su Mali really was rich and generous.
"This one is a duplicate of a species I have already collected, so thirteen buns."
"These three evolved bugs bring you fifteen."
"This one is only six."
As the line went on, duplicates piled up and the rewards shrank. Latecomers regretted their timing, their faces falling as they looked at their jars. Still, Su Mali gave everyone at least one bun out of goodwill.
Some students burst into tears as they tore into the bread and ate on the spot, the steam from the buns rising into the cold. Others carefully wrapped their bun in scraps of dirty cloth, saving it for their elderly parents.
"I will be coming back to the stone park every three days. I will keep collecting bugs, and I will take other live mutated animals and plants too. If you have got other sources, bring them in. I will even give you half a bun for a referral."
And just like that, the bug collection plan was set, providing a small glimpse of hope for the starving group.
Jing Shu led the rest of them inside Xishan Base. Compared to last year, the facility had expanded by another third, the construction crews working through the quakes. The massive stone gate alone left everyone dumbstruck, like country bumpkins stepping into a grand manor.
Beyond the dark and biting cold of the outside world, a rush of dry warmth greeted them as soon as they stepped through the threshold. The stone beneath their boots radiated heat from the underground geothermal system, while faint lights glowed steadily across the first floor of the stone park.
"Wow, they actually installed everlasting Light Lamps in here. That's badass."
"This place is warmer than my home. Just being here feels like happiness."
Her classmates, wrapped in patched plastic bags and layers of ragged, filthy cloth, could hardly believe the luxury. After two years of the apocalypse, characterized by floods, scorching drought, and trading away whatever decent clothes they had for virtual coins, nobody had proper winter wear anymore.
"Oh my, Director Jing, you finally came! Please, this way. Let me introduce you. This is Manager Li from HR."
"Manager Li, this is Director Jing. She brought a few classmates to see if they're fit for any jobs. We don't do nepotism here. Director Jing is only a recommender."
Steward Cai had done well for himself in the new hierarchy. After six months, he was wearing a sleek black suit with a crisp white shirt, clearly holding a respectable position here. Only his familiar orchid-hand gesture gave away his old habits.
Manager Li, a strict woman in her thirties with her hair pulled into a tight bun, bowed slightly before addressing the group. Her voice was as cold as the air outside. "Every position here requires the right abilities. Those with skills can rise to higher floors as official employees. Without them, you will only be temporary workers for expansion projects outside in the mud. Our system is based on ability, and pay matches ability. Even if you come in with a director's recommendation, if you can't pass daily assessments, you will be cut."
Jing Shu nodded, her eyes reflecting the glow of the lamps. That was exactly why the stone garden kept thriving while the rest of the world crumbled.