"I heard from Xiao Xiao that Zhou Bapi specially recruited her back, but that still does not give her the face to hold a title and never show up for work. Xiao Xiao lost a regular staff position because of her. President Tie, you have to stand up for her," Jiao Jiao said, hands on her hips, her figure neat and eye catching.
The once quiet Medicinal Herb Association looked completely different today. Houses around it were suddenly occupied, likely the people Zhou Bapi mentioned who had migrated from elsewhere. Wu City was still comparatively lucky, only half submerged. Some places had been drowned entirely, forcing people to move to nearby cities in better condition.
The northwest was remote. Wu City wanted to consolidate the population here, otherwise scattered settlements would be hard to govern.
Wu City was also far from the border. Closer to the border, many foreigners had probably fled in recently, drawn by rumors of plentiful food. Cough. In truth, the food we had was no different from the rest of the world's.
Thinking of that, Jing Shu had to admire those foreigners a little. In the very year when food was most abundant, they had already begun eating reserve rations. Unlike the people of China, who had a survival sense in their bones, always stocking up. Like squeezing toothpaste, we released a little only when things were nearly impossible to bear.
"Right, there is a very rich cache over there, I heard it has everything. High calorie food, survival gear, all kinds of emergency supplies," the thought flashed through Jing Shu's mind.
If she could dig that up, it would be a fortune. Jing Shu almost drooled.
The Medicinal Herb Association had built its own canteen, and seven in the morning was breakfast time. People flowed in to get their meals. Jing Shu saw today's breakfast was thin porridge and a proper cold dish of greens with mushroom.
It was indeed much better than what ordinary people ate.
Jing Shu had just reached the canteen door when she ran into this group and heard the words President Tie. She knew then that this must be the backer behind Xiao Xiao, finally returned.
Compared to Zhou Bapi's Fire Cloud Evil God hairstyle with a few straggly hairs, President Tie was a true bald man. The back of his head folded into three or four rolls of fat.
A bald head and a balding head were not the same.
A shaved head could grow hair back. A balding head shone like a marinated egg, oily and bare, with hair that would not grow.
President Tie was truly as rotund as an iron ball. He panted when he walked, even fatter than the slimmed down Fat Girl from Building No. 25.
In the apocalypse, every fat person was definitely well off.
President Tie's voice was soft and syrupy. "Since she was specially recruited by President Zhou, and has the power to come when she wishes and not come when she wishes, she must be extremely capable. Perhaps she is a descendant from a family of medicinal growers.
You all need to open your eyes and avoid offending those who should not be offended.
Jing Shu, I know her. She is the most naturally gifted grower I have seen. President Zhou already briefed me. This junior named Jing Shu is to be trained as a vice president. She will even get one of the national competition slots.
Think about it. Problems even President Zhou could not solve, this genius solved. Things President Zhou could not cultivate, she cultivated. Is that not real skill? If I hear anyone badmouthing Jing Shu again, be careful, I will punish you."
Smiling, President Tie waddled over. "Jing Shu, I am optimistic about you. Everyone, if you have questions, learn from Jing Shu. Listen to her guidance more. She is the upright representative of Wu City. Those other types outside cannot compare." With that, he strode off with his great belly, looking genuinely appreciative of Jing Shu.
Jiao Jiao snorted under her breath. "Do not get cocky. My sister's matter is not over between us." It was hard to imagine that the charcoal dark, manlike Xiao Xiao and this dainty woman were sisters.
The move was classic killing by praise.
Jing Shu had thought President Tie would make things hard for her while Zhou Bapi was away. Unexpectedly, he did nothing openly, and even praised her once in a crowded canteen. The intention was vicious.
What time was it now?
It was when talent from other cities had just arrived and wanted to show themselves. With one performance like this, President Tie had stacked all the aggro on Jing Shu.
Sure enough, the moment President Tie left, Jiao Jiao began whispering, adding oil to the fire as she spread the story, thoroughly helping Jing Shu become famous.
"She has special privileges now. She can come whenever she wants. So impressive. We work more than a dozen hours a day, and she does nothing and still gets paid.
There are seven regular staff positions in Wu City including the president. She got one of them knocked out. She has real face. President Zhou went along with whatever she wanted without a word.
She is cultivating several varieties now, and she even boasted she is definitely taking the vice president seat."
Even a clay figurine has some fire in it, let alone someone as hot tempered as Jing Shu. The world was strange. Keeping to yourself did not guarantee peace. On the contrary, trouble sought you out.
But Jing Shu could not be impulsive here. She could not swagger up and say, "Yes, I said that, and believe it or not I will have you removed too," even though she had the ability to do it.
"Nonsense. It was clearly Xiao Xiao who was in the wrong." Wang Danai arrived at the critical moment.
"Papaya milk in hand too, I see," Jing Shu sighed deeply, a little envious. It was as if a pair of snow white rabbits were bouncing toward her.
As a seasoned old employee, Wang Danai had some say. With her vivid, dramatic account, she ended up in a full on shouting match with Jiao Jiao, while Xiao Xiao still did not show her face. No one knew where she had gone.