Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Lin Kang was particularly surprised and delighted by the arrival of Chi Hongyi and her two companions, and immediately went to greet them in person.

After completing their quarantine outside the base, the three of them entered and found the base, which looked no different from a village, quite easy to adjust to.

They had already learned before coming that the base was formerly a village.

"I never expected Chaoyang Base would be willing to send over a few researchers to us," Lin Kang said excitedly as he shook their hands. "This is such a pleasant surprise. I'm also very grateful that you all are willing to come to our small base."

Chi Hongyi and the others felt somewhat awkward. Although they had come willingly, it was also out of circumstance.

Even if they hadn't been willing, they would have had to come anyway, since they hadn't taken sides and had become a thorn in everyone's side.

But however tactless they might be, they couldn't say that outright. Chi Hongyi said, "As researchers, we're very interested in what you mentioned. If we can contribute to all of humanity, we're willing to go anywhere."

That was the truth.

Lin Kang's smile widened even more. He liked such dedicated scholars.

"I'm humbled," Lin Kang said. "But as you can see, we're just a small base and can't compare to major bases like Chaoyang Base. However, please rest assured, if you have any issues, feel free to bring them up. We'll do everything we can to accommodate you."

Chi Hongyi nodded and smiled. "Thank you."

She thought it was quite good. Back at Chaoyang Base, the three of them weren't good at playing politics, so they were barely noticeable in the research institute.

Here at Small River Base, they could even meet the top leadership.

Looking at Feng Wentao and Chu Mingda, who hardly spoke throughout, it was clear that Chi Hongyi was the more talkative one among them.

"I'll arrange accommodations for you right away," Lin Kang said. "You've just arrived at the base, and the journey here couldn't have been easy. Please rest for now. We can discuss matters after you've recovered."

Chi Hongyi and the others were indeed exhausted, both physically and mentally, especially after being treated like emergency food stores by the wolf pack. That day had been truly terrifying.

They had even seen how the wolves tore apart the two Superhumans. The three of them had thrown up right then and there. It was only because of their strong nerves that they hadn't gone insane.

Although they seemed fine on the surface, they had been tense the entire time. They hadn't dared to relax until they reached a safe place.

Now that they had finally relaxed, they were completely worn out.

Lin Kang noticed this and didn't make small talk, quickly arranging for them to rest.

They were assigned a courtyard with tidy rooms and soft bedding. Chi Hongyi and the others fell asleep almost as soon as they lay down.

When they woke up, someone had brought water for them. After thanking them, they washed up.

Food was also delivered, and they didn't stand on ceremony, finishing everything.

Feng Wentao wiped his mouth. "You know, even though Small River Base isn't as big or developed as Chaoyang Base, I feel much more comfortable here."

"They respect us because of our status as researchers," Chu Mingda said after taking a sip of water, soothing his parched throat. "Since we're here, let's focus on our research and do right by them."

Chi Hongyi nodded and sighed. "I also feel very comfortable here. Along the way, we met villagers who, though thin, were smiling. Unlike at the previous base, where everyone looked grim and hurried about." Everyone was just scrambling to get by.

Chi Hongyi added, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. There's no going back. Besides, given the situation at the research institute, I really don't want to go back."

The three of them were undoubtedly capable. Before the apocalypse, they were key researchers on their projects. By all logic, they shouldn't have ended up in such a state.

But the current research institute had lost its way. Without political maneuvering, one could only be marginalized.

"I don't want to go back either," Chu Mingda said. He was the oldest among them, nearly sixty. "I don't think researchers have to be completely single-minded, but how many of them these days truly focus on research? I can't see humanity's future in them. If things continue like this, when will humans ever defeat the zombies?"

"Hey, old Chu, don't get too worked up," Feng Wentao patted Chu Mingda's shoulder. He understood how the other felt.

But no matter how much they said, they couldn't change the situation at the other research institute. They could only hope to do their own work well.

Lin Kang sent someone over to give them a tour of the base. Chi Hongyi and the others didn't refuse, as it seemed they would be staying here for a long time.

As they walked around, they noticed that although the regular people here didn't have it as good as the Superhumans, the gap wasn't as wide as at Chaoyang Base.

Moreover, it seemed Small River Base cared about regular people and tried to provide them with jobs.

The regular people here weren't as anxious or numb as those at Chaoyang Base. In their free time, they would get together and laugh and talk.

Because of this, Feng Wentao and Chu Mingda developed a much better impression of Small River Base. They were also regular people. Although they had knowledge and weren't struggling quite as badly as others, both factions in the research institute were led by Superhumans.

They didn't exactly hate Superhumans, but they still felt that regular people had it rough. They weren't at the bottom of Chaoyang Base, but they were at the bottom of the research institute.

He sighed.

"You even grow crops?" Chi Hongyi asked in surprise after hearing some villagers talking about it, turning to the person showing them around.

The person smiled at the mention of this. "Yes, the crops are growing like crazy. We're all looking forward to them ripening soon."

Chi Hongyi hadn't expected this small base to be so advanced in this regard. Chaoyang Base had recruited hundreds of plant-based Superhumans, working day and night to cultivate mutant seeds, and had only managed to grow a small field.

It was dozens of acres—sizeable enough—but it still couldn't achieve food self-sufficiency, given how many people were in Chaoyang Base.

They asked how much Small River Base had planted.

The person replied, "We have two types of mutant wheat, totaling fifteen acres. We also grow lettuce, cabbage, and alfalfa. We've started raising livestock, so maybe soon the base will be able to supply meat. For now, we're mainly growing mutant wheat. The fifteen acres are enough for us since we have fewer people and not enough hands. We can only grow this much for now."

Chi Hongyi was surprised because the person mentioned not enough hands, not a shortage of mutant seeds.

Could it be that this small base had some hidden gems?

When they reached the crops and saw the lush, green fields, they were speechless.

The crops were growing well, even better than those at Chaoyang Base.

"The wheat is so big, and the ears are huge too. How are they so large?" The researchers from the major base suddenly felt like they had even more to learn.

Just look at this wheat—it's almost as tall as a person!

"Oh, this is Mutant Large Wheat. It can still grow taller. When it matures, each grain will be as big as the palm of your hand," the person said beaming with pride, introducing it with great enthusiasm.

"Really?!" Even the usually quiet Chu Mingda was excited upon hearing this. "A miracle strain, a truly miracle strain! If this wheat is promoted, there will be no worry about food shortages!"

As he spoke, Chu Mingda was so overcome he was tearing up.

Although their research wasn't focused on agriculture, they were researchers who cared about helping people. How could they not be excited to hear about such excellent seeds?

Chaoyang Base had mutant seeds before, but the results weren't nearly as impressive as this.

Each seed as big as the palm of your hand!

The person showing them around rubbed his nose. Seeing how excited they were, he couldn't help adding, "Well, not quite as big as the palm of your hand, but almost."

"That's still huge!" Feng Wentao couldn't take his eyes off the wheat in front of him. "Does that mean we'll get to eat this too?"

What he was concerned about wasn't about eating, but whether he could get one or two such seeds later. Although their research wasn't in this area, seeing something new always made his fingers itch.

"Of course, everyone in the base can eat it," the other person said calmly, not expecting it to stir waves in Chi Hongyi and the others' hearts.

In a large base like Chaoyang Base, all resources are allocated to Superhumans. While that allows the base to develop at the fastest pace, the survival of ordinary civilians is too difficult, and they make up the majority.

Chi Hongyi didn’t think ordinary people were useless. On the contrary, the construction of the base relies on ordinary people. But Superhumans are too powerful, and those in power have unconsciously neglected ordinary people and their needs.

This kind of development path is undoubtedly unhealthy, but what can be done? Even Chi Hongyi herself couldn't think of a solution.

Unexpectedly, coming to this little-known small-scale base, they saw a completely different kind of development. Here, ordinary people are also considered by the base; they are not the ones who deserve to be abandoned.

Chi Hongyi suddenly felt that their choice this time was right. Although Small River Base is small, it is different.

Very different.

"This wheat looks quite ordinary," Feng Wentao and Chu Mingda, who had become more talkative, walked up to the seemingly ordinary wheat and said.

Upon hearing this, the people from Small River Base immediately spoke up for the wheat: "No, this isn’t ordinary either. This is Mutant Ratoon Wheat. After harvesting one crop, it can grow another."

Chi Hongyi widened her eyes, staring intently at the wheat, finally noticing some differences. With mixed feelings, she said, "So it’s like leeks?"

The person from Small River Base replied, "It’s not that impressive. I heard it can only be harvested five times."

"Then the output would be five times higher?!" Feng Wentao was stunned, never expecting such amazing wheat to be regarded as so ordinary by the people of Small River Base.

Although this is a small base, in many aspects, it holds its own against larger bases—no, it even surpasses them!

The people of Small River Base didn’t know what he was imagining. In fact, the reason they were so calm was that they had heard about it so many times.

Hearing it from family at home, hearing it from people in the base outside, hearing it every day—after a while, it naturally didn’t excite them as much as it did initially.

Chi Hongyi and the other two stayed near the crops for a long time, their emotions unable to calm down for quite some time.

Then they heard that Small River Base had also started breeding livestock.

"Over there, we’ve planted alfalfa grass to feed them. Unfortunately, the base doesn’t have many livestock yet, but I believe it won’t be long before we can be self-sufficient and eat meat!" The other person spoke of this with eyes full of craving for meat—you could tell they really wanted it!

Chaoyang Base was also breeding livestock. After all, for a base to be self-sufficient, it’s essential. Otherwise, they couldn’t always send Superhumans out to hunt, right?

Aside from the danger, game would eventually be hunted out one day.

Fortunately, although there are mutant animals, they’ve found that those with superhuman abilities are mostly wild. Domesticated animals like pigs and poultry, though they’ve changed, have only grown larger and don’t have abilities.

Otherwise, it would really be troublesome.

So Chaoyang Base also started raising livestock. Fortunately, they didn’t lack manpower; ordinary people could handle the breeding.

Those who were imprisoned in the base’s jail for wrongdoing could undergo reform through labor.

However, since Chaoyang Base hasn’t yet achieved food self-sufficiency, the livestock industry is still modest. After all, animals need to eat too. Even if they don’t consume grain like humans, they still need something to eat.

Unexpectedly, Small River Base had already planted such a large patch of alfalfa.

Chi Hongyi and the others wanted to go see the livestock farm, and their guide agreed without hesitation. It wasn’t a secret anyway, and the livestock farm was quite far from there.

Just as they were about to head over, suddenly a gaunt man rushed over. Chi Hongyi and the others were startled and quickly stepped back.

"Xiang Qizheng! What are you doing? These are researchers sent from a large base. If you scare them, you’ll pay for it!" The other person, upon seeing it was Xiang Qizheng, immediately scolded him.

Xiang Qizheng looked particularly haggard now, even thinner than before. Not getting enough to eat every day and having to work nonstop—how could he endure it?

While working earlier, he had seen Chi Hongyi and the others from afar. Yesterday, he had overheard that researchers had come to their base.

He was from Small River Village. If he didn’t know everyone in the base, at least he was familiar with their faces. But Chi Hongyi and the others were unfamiliar faces.

He immediately concluded that these must be the researchers. An idea came to him, and he rushed over.

After confirming that these three were researchers, he wasn’t afraid but instead became excited.

He had long been unable to stand the life of working all day. On the surface, he seemed subdued, but it was because he was exhausted and had no energy for anything else.

But deep down, he was restless, always thinking about how to end this life.

And now, he had a chance! These educated folks were the most easily swayed by sympathy, and being researchers, their status must be special. If he acted pitiful and begged them, maybe he could be saved?

Thinking of this, he felt even more resentment toward the people of Small River Village. They were from the same village, after all; there should have been some camaraderie. But not a single person had pleaded for him. He had really misjudged these people!

Now, seeing the flustered Chi Hongyi and the others, Xiang Qizheng started sobbing. He was in his fifties but looked over sixty. Crying so uncontrollably made him seem somewhat pitiful.

"Is something wrong? Why are you crying like this?" Chi Hongyi couldn’t help but ask, feeling a pang of sympathy.

Those who knew the inside story felt a pang of alarm. So that’s why Xiang Qizheng had rushed over—he had other plans. This sly old man!

He was extremely anxious. If this sly old man spread lies, wouldn’t it badly affect their base’s image? What would the researchers who came from afar think?

But stopping him from speaking would make them seem guilty, when it was clearly Xiang Qizheng’s fault! He glared fiercely at Xiang Qizheng.

Sure enough, Xiang Qizheng began distorting the facts: "Sirs, please save me! I don’t want to live like this anymore! Just because I offended someone, they sent me here to work! Working day and night—I’m an old man; how can I endure this? If this continues, I’ll be tortured to death sooner or later!

Wuwuwu... I’m so miserable. My son is missing, no news whether he’s dead or alive. Only my wife and I are left at home. I work but get no contribution points. My wife works her fingers to the bone earning contribution points, but how can she support both of us alone?

These people are too cruel. I’ve become a burden to my wife. If this goes on, I’d be better off dead!"

Chi Hongyi and the others were stunned, never expecting such things to happen in Small River Base. But they weren’t foolish; how could they believe only Xiang Qizheng’s side of the story?

Someone nearby sneered, "Xiang Qizheng, you’re really good at making up stories. Who was it that dug up the mutant seeds planted in the field? If you had worked hard and reformed properly, you might have gone back to your old life after a while. But now you’re ruining the base’s reputation? I’ll have a good talk with Fang Guowei later!"

"Aren’t you being too harsh? I was just too hungry. I came to take some seeds to eat. I... I didn’t take much!" Xiang Qizheng cried, tears streaming down his face. "Do you want to watch me starve to death? I already admitted my mistake. Why are you still torturing me like this?!"

"That’s a lie! The base clearly gave everyone two pounds of rice!" The other person was furious. "If you really had nothing to eat and were starving, that would be one thing. But you clearly had food—you did it on purpose!"

Xiang Qizheng felt a bit guilty. There was indeed an intentional element in him digging up the mutant seeds. He was angry because he had tried to join the farming division but was directly rejected by Fang Guowei! But he would never admit it!

"So that’s how it is. No wonder I felt a bit sorry for you earlier," the person who had imagined Chi Hongyi and the others to be soft-hearted said. "Mutant seeds are the hope of the base. When you clearly had food to eat, you secretly dug up the seeds. You are a traitor to the base!"

Chi Hongyi and the others were quite angry. After all, a single mutant seed was rare and valuable in Chaoyang Base because mutant seeds could grow new plants, which could then produce more seeds, continuing the cycle.

Such an important thing, and this old man had just dug it up and eaten it. It was truly infuriating.

Xiang Qizheng cried for a long time, never expecting this outcome. He was so angry he could grind his teeth.

Because he caused trouble again, he was given even heavier workloads later. Originally, he had some breaks, but now he had to work nonstop.

At this point, Chi Hongyi and the others shook their heads. They realized that Small River Base was indeed quite merciful. Something as important as mutant seeds, and his punishment was just extra labor. If it were Chaoyang Base, he probably would have been killed.

——

Chi Hongyi and the others quickly dove into their research work. They were arranged to stay in a small building within the base. To ensure their safety, Superhumans would patrol the area regularly.

Cheng Zhiyu handed over the blood he had previously stored and explained the situation.

"Really? You're saying that after being bitten, the animal didn't mutate—only one of its legs became zombified?" Chi Hongyi was exceptionally excited upon hearing this. She stared at the tube of blood in front of her; it was nothing less than the beacon of hope for humanity's future!

If only Small River Base had sent someone over to explain clearly back then! She believed that the three of them wouldn't have needed to come at all!

Who would have thought that such a small base would have something like this?

If Cheng Zhiyu knew what they were thinking, he would feel relieved. He had no desire to attract a group of overzealous researchers. If they found out that the fawn possessed the ability to resist the zombie virus, some might even want to dissect the fawn.

Of course, Cheng Zhiyu wasn't comfortable with that. Although he hoped for a quick development of an effective vaccine against the zombie virus, he did not want it to come at the cost of anyone’s life.

If the subject had volunteered, that would be one thing—but the research subject was a fawn. Though quite intelligent, could it truly understand what becoming a research subject would involve? What it would experience?

Therefore, Cheng Zhiyu was deliberately protecting the fawn, and for now, a single tube of blood was sufficient.

Chi Hongyi and the others appeared very excited but did not express any desire to meet the source of this blood.

As soon as they obtained the blood sample, they immediately began their research, too busy to even talk with Cheng Zhiyu.

Cheng Zhiyu didn’t mind. That was fine by him; from what he could see, Chi Hongyi and her team were genuinely dedicated researchers.

To facilitate their work, the base sent over some people to assist them—all university graduates with relevant backgrounds.

As time passed, Cheng Zhiyu occasionally passed by the crops and noticed the wheat gradually turning yellow. It wouldn’t be long before harvest time.

Then one day, Cheng Zhiyu heard some noise near the crops and saw a flock of birds eating the crops.

These birds were incredibly bold. Fang Guowei and the others desperately tried to drive them away; some birds were killed, yet the rest showed no fear and continued eating.

It seemed the birds were desperately hungry.

Cheng Zhiyu and Cheng Mo quickly joined in driving the birds away. Finally, half the flock was dead, and the other half flew off.

Or perhaps they had simply eaten their fill.

"Ugh! These damned birds!" Grandpa Zhao looked at the many empty wheat heads, his heart aching with frustration.

Fang Guowei said exasperatedly, "It looks like we’ll need someone to keep watch at all times. These birds are completely fearless. They came once before; we barely managed to drive them off, and now they’re back—in even greater numbers than last time!"

These were ordinary birds, though they appeared much larger than before the apocalypse. They were quite colorful, but when it came to eating wheat, they acted as though their lives depended on it.

Cheng Zhiyu frowned, concerned about one question: "Can the bird meat be eaten?"

Fang Guowei shook his head and sighed. "If the meat were edible, it would be some consolation—killing all these birds could make up for the wheat loss. But the meat is bitter, completely inedible, and even toxic."

Clearly, during the previous incident, Fang Guowei had already tried eating the bird meat, only to find it inedible—infuriating.

"How can we go on like this?" Grandpa Zhao was so upset he was nearly in tears. Before the apocalypse, birds also ate crops, but they were afraid of humans—a scarecrow was enough to keep them away. Now, in the apocalypse, even the birds had become detestable: unafraid of people, impossible to drive off, and if there were fewer people around, they’d even peck people.

"If these birds keep coming, it’ll be like a plague of locusts. All the crops we’ve worked so hard to grow will eventually be devoured clean!" Grandpa Zhao’s face was full of worry and bitterness.

The joy that should have accompanied the harvest was now overshadowed by gloom.