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墨書 Inktalez
The crowd was bustling, each face showing a mix of surprise and longing as they caught a whiff of meat.
It was definitely not the scent of human flesh they had encountered before, but the real aroma of chicken, duck, fish, beef, lamb, and pork. This intoxicating smell was something they hadn't experienced in over a year, ever since the livestock had been brutally captured and devoured by the Zombies.
The wild beasts hidden in the jungle had also gone silent; no one knew where they had disappeared to, nor had anyone managed to capture them.
All they knew was that their pets had vanished overnight without a trace.
But now!
They were smelling meat again, along with the scents of spices, vegetables, and even rice.
Those who had been starving and emaciated gazed at the delicious food with shining eyes.
Yet they dared not approach it. It was clear that this feast was meant for the Big Shots; how could ordinary people like them indulge in such luxuries?
"Delicious! Truly delicious! I never knew that the flavors from Street Stalls I once looked down upon could be so exquisite," a young man in the crowd remarked as he inhaled deeply, lost in the aroma.
His name was Li Qiang—an ordinary name for someone from an extraordinary background. He was the son of the chairman of Han Suihua Holdings Limited, a PhD student in finance at a world-class university, and the general manager of Hua Xun Network Game Development and Operation Company.
Thousands worked under him, and his company generated annual revenues in the hundreds of billions. He was indeed a prodigy, riding the wave of his era.
Moreover, he was only twenty years old—at the prime of his life and his most glorious moment. There were paparazzi camped outside his home in droves, and countless beautiful women were eager to win his favor.
But now, in this apocalyptic world, everything had changed. His bodyguards abandoned him; his father had become an unconscious Zombie; and those women who once clung to him were now searching for someone who could protect them.
Li Qiang had fallen from grace, with no hope of rising again.
Finance?
What a joke! How could he discuss finance with people who couldn't even afford to eat? The entire capital operation in Han Sui's Gathering Place was primitive; bartering was even mainstream. What could those who couldn't afford food possibly trade?
As for those Big Shots after the apocalypse, they would merely toss him a scrap to eat while watching him grovel like someone he once looked up to.
He had had enough!
He had had enough!
This was not the life he wanted, nor was it the life he deserved.
He had his own ideals and his own abilities; as long as the situation stabilized, he could rise again.
Everyone in Han Sui bullied him and suppressed him, but it was fine—opportunity always favored those who were prepared.
He wagged his tail in desperation, just for a piece of information. He shamelessly spent a night with former subordinates at his old company, all to obtain insights that ordinary people could not access.
Now, his opportunity had come. It had truly arrived.
Amidst the intoxicating aroma, Li Qiang stepped to the front, watching the cooks with drool pooling at his mouth.
But he held on because he saw hope.
On a rather inconspicuous wall beside him, a row of words was painted in white.
Everyone was captivated by the food; no one paid attention to those words.
People were already coming forward to maintain order, and some were explaining the upcoming arrangements.
Almost everyone was stunned; this food was for them, prepared for them.
It wasn't the delicacies of the big shots but rather a communal meal that everyone could enjoy.
They had never imagined that the once-despised communal meal would attract them so much.
Unlimited supply; everyone could eat their fill.
Of course, each time they served rice, there needed to be checks to prevent anyone from overeating. As for those who secretly stashed away some for later, they chose not to care.
Although the air had gradually taken on an autumn chill, the temperature still hovered near freezing; food would spoil within two hours. There was simply no way to preserve it for long.
Everyone received a badge with their number on it, serving as their identity card. Each person was required to register their name, place of origin, age, post-apocalypse position, and abilities.
Everyone knew this was a census, meant to determine what they were capable of.
Of course, they could fill it out however they liked, claiming abilities they did not possess or fabricating diplomas. However, what awaited them would be even harsher tests and possibly ruthless measures. Anyone found to have filled out their identity card with false information would have their food supply cut off for ten days.
This meant that for those ten days, they would have to survive on tree bark and dirt, and even receiving help from others was not permitted.
Everyone lined up to receive their identity cards and then stood obediently in the designated positions.
The positions were clearly marked by seven red ropes forming six lanes, each several hundred meters long. No cutting in line or random standing was allowed.
They had to queue strictly according to the order of their identity cards.
Only after the first meal was finished were they allowed to rejoin the designated queue.
No one dared to break the rules because in this post-apocalyptic world, life was worth very little.
They all waited patiently in line.
Li Qiang, however, after reading every word on the wall, received his identity card.
He then pulled out his last bit of rations from his pocket.
It was a handful of Fish Mint, thoroughly cleaned. This was what Li Qiang had discovered in the woods of Cat Ear Cliff; it was his last food, his most precious ration. When leaving Cat Ear Cliff, he had dug up all the Fish Mint he could find and cleaned it meticulously.
Now, it was finally time to put it to use.
He stuffed it into his mouth and chewed vigorously. A fishy taste filled his mouth, but he stubbornly continued chewing until he swallowed it down.
With something in his stomach, he naturally resisted some of the hunger pangs and felt a slight revival of spirit; however, his craving for food only intensified.
Suppressing his inner desire, Li Qiang made the wisest decision of his life.
At that moment, he left the group and turned towards a large courtyard.
It was a dilapidated yard, once a temple dedicated to some unknown deity, but after the apocalypse, it had naturally fallen into disrepair.
Now, no one came to burn incense or pray.
Yet today, it welcomed a new visitor, someone eager to change his fate.
"I am here for an interview! I believe I am qualified for the position of Financial Director at the New Gathering Place." He spoke calmly and unhurriedly, as if he had returned to his youthful days, back to the vibrant energy of just graduating.
He felt as if he were attending an interview like he did five years ago, but the stakes were higher now, and the challenges greater than before.
He didn’t even know what the future held, but he was determined not to envy those who feasted on meat anymore.
He wanted everyone to have meat to eat.
He aimed to return to a life of power and influence.
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