"I understand. I will do my best, and I will definitely be able to join your ranks in the future." Rhinophyma seemed a bit downcast, but suddenly remembered something.
"Wait a moment! I have something to give you!" With that, Rhinophyma dashed out like a gust of wind.
Zheng Yifan shook his head helplessly. This fellow was truly full of energy; he couldn't imagine how he managed to survive in this apocalyptic world, and it seemed he was doing well enough to get by.
The patrons in the tavern were savoring their drinks, which, of course, were watered down to an unbearable extent.
Li Li quietly watched Zheng Yifan. When his gaze returned to her, she subtly turned her head away, only to glance at him from the corner of her eye.
Shrugging, Zheng Yifan felt there was little he could do; he really couldn't understand what this girl was thinking.
With not much else happening, he continued to enjoy his rare moment of leisure, even wishing he could return to the real world to see how things were progressing.
If the military could reclaim all of Huaxia, then the subsequent tasks would become much easier. With an increase in numbers, their combat power would naturally grow; however, the Administrator remained a significant problem.
"Here it comes! Here it comes!" Rhinophyma burst back in, carrying a large frame on his back. Inside should be a painting, tightly wrapped.
"Take a look and see if you like it. This is our family heirloom. To express my gratitude for your kindness, I want to present this painting to you!" Rhinophyma set the painting down.
Li Li's eyes brightened noticeably; she was clearly interested but still seemed as silent as ever.
Zheng Yifan, on the other hand, was pleased and said, "You've put some thought into this. Let me appreciate the charm of your family treasure!"
He didn't really like other people's things; there were so many museums in the world, he could take whatever he wanted. This was the end of the world, not a post-apocalypse, and even a masterpiece couldn't buy a meal. Painters might be among the worst off in this era.
As he peeled back the protective film, a dense jungle came into view. Below was a winding stream, its azure waves shimmering beautifully.
But none of that mattered; what was important was the person in the painting.
It was a beautiful woman! The style was quite realistic. The woman gently lowered her head, as if gazing at her reflection in the water. The white hem of her dress fluttered, seemingly on the verge of being blown away, yet nothing was revealed.
"Not bad! This is really good!" Zheng Yifan nodded in satisfaction. "I'll hang it in my bedroom from now on!"
"Your taste is truly exceptional, Chief. This painting is a masterpiece by oil painting master Emil; I only saw it once at an auction!" Li Li was captivated, her gaze almost glued to the painting as if it held some irresistible charm.
"Of course! We are cultured people after all. Look at this painting; it absolutely possesses the three essential elements of a masterpiece. If it’s not famous, that would be an insult to the artist's hard work," Zheng Yifan boasted shamelessly.
He had been poor before and knew little about art. The most he probably knew was about action films from an island nation.
"Oh? What insights do you have, Chief?" Li Li asked eagerly.
"Look at the painting—big waves, curvy hips, and minimal clothing. This painting has it all. How could it not be famous?" Zheng Yifan chuckled, glancing at Li Li while admiring the artwork.
Instantly, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Li Li shot Zheng Yifan a fierce glare. The guests at the nearby tables had initially wanted to hear his insights! And this was all he had to say about the three elements!
A mouthful of wine nearly spewed out; everyone in the tavern could hear the sounds of swallowing and coughing.
"Alright, I'll accept it. You don't owe me anything now; just live well from here on out. Surviving in this world isn't easy—good luck!" Zheng Yifan patted Rhinophyma across from him and continued enjoying his snacks without further ado.
Only Li Li remained awkward.
Outside, the noise was deafening as all the Survivors continuously searched for changes in the Gathering Place. The newly established Hope Gathering Place had undergone so many transformations that it was overwhelming. They needed time to explore and adapt.
Even the newly built restrooms attracted countless onlookers.
Sanitation Planning, Urban Planning, and the layout of the Slave Trading Market...
Everything had been nearly rebuilt from scratch. Most of the previous structures were shanties, but now new houses were under construction. A week was allocated for the construction of all the buildings, which were just ordinary two-story homes. The pace was incredibly slow.
The cement used was a special type that could set within three hours. Although it wasn't the highest quality, it was still considered decent.
The liveliest place was undoubtedly the Slave Trading Market.
Those who had suffered finally had their day in the sun. They brought their treasures here, hoping to swindle a few unsuspecting buyers.
The newcomers, explorers at heart, were the biggest consumers, waving cash as they purchased luxury items without hesitation.
They acquired luxurious post-apocalyptic sofas, the most extravagant televisions, and holographic devices—all of which could fetch a good price.
Although it was unclear why they needed these electric devices since electricity was practically unusable in this wasteland, no one questioned it after seeing the trucks running down the street. The fact that vehicles could still operate suggested that technology had advanced beyond their imagination. Many items exceeding this era's capabilities could now be produced.
Most importantly, they had received news that electricity could only be used in areas south of Ancheng, and even there it was limited. The exact reasons were unknown, but it was speculated that changes in the environment of those regions were due to alterations made by higher-ups within the Gathering Place.
The reason is something they can never know; all they need to understand is the scope and how to use it.
Among these people, there were many with grass tags stuck to their heads, ready to sell themselves in desperation.
One man in his fifties was clearly one of them.
"Hey! Big brother, at your age, do you really think you can still sell yourself as a Laborer?" asked a man in his thirties who was also trying to sell himself.
"I was the project leader at Research Institute 841 during the Post-Apocalypse, working on military technology," the older man replied, his resolute face showing a hint of pride, which quickly faded. In this world of despair, former identities meant nothing.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, it was as if several people had been struck by Medusa's petrifying gaze.
Just two or three seconds later, they rushed over in a frenzy.
"Big brother! Are you looking to sell yourself? How much? I'll take it!"
"No matter what you need, come to me! I'm a buyer for the Wolf Explorers Team."
… (To be continued.)
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