Chapter 91: Drawing

In the small canteen beside the Old Task Forces room.

Jiang Baimian returned with the tray and placed the meat dishes down one by one.

There was rich soup filled with soft, sticky potatoes and large chunks of beef. There was a roasted chicken with a magical fragrance and a slightly golden-yellow skin. There was a very light-looking winter melon pork rib soup and pieces of mutton scattered among the onions.

T-this is too sumptuous. Long Yuehong inhaled the fragrance in the air deeply and gave his sincere compliments. To him, this was only something he would enjoy during a festive season like the Lunar New Year.

Jiang Baimian shot him a glance. Werent you having a good time eating in Qifeng Town? I thought such meat dishes couldnt move you as much as they used to.

How can that be? retorted Long Yuehong instinctively. He paused and revealed an expression of reminiscence. However, Qifeng Towns ham and salted meat were really good

As they had become Pangu Biologys vassal, Qifeng Town could exchange for very cost-effective and sufficient amounts of salt. This allowed them to preserve the excess meat they obtained from hunting season and harvest season. This created the food reserves they used to fight hunger in the winter when traces of wild beasts were nowhere to be seen.

Didnt you say that you were tired of eating that? Shang Jianyaowho was beside Long Yuehongexposed him.

Long Yuehongs expression froze. It was only then!

As they spoke, Bai Chen returned with a tray and four servings of rice. She looked at the meat dishes and the same number of vegetables and blurted out, Team Leader, wont this cost you a lot?

This is a special meat dish. It only costs one contribution point. Jiang Baimian pointed at the roasted chicken and said, The rest only cost 150 contribution points.

What do you mean only?' Long Yuehong asked. If I eat like this every meal, my monthly salary will only be enough for six days. No, it wouldnt even last six days. I forgot to count breakfast.

If you can eat so much every meal, I can keep treating you, Shang Jianyao suggested very seriously.

Ill be stuffed to death in a day then. Long Yuehong thought for a moment and felt that it wasnt worth it to take Shang Jianyao up on the offer.

Jiang Baimian smiled. Its not like I can treat everyone to a meal like this every time. Its fine if I do so occasionally. Im already a D6, so you should know how much my basic salary is.

An increase of 500 contribution points per grade. D1 will get 1,800 points, D2 will get 2,300 points, and D6 will get 4,300 points. Including all the subsidies, youll have at least 4,500 points, even if you dont go out in the field. Long Yuehong calculated seriously.

But if you want to eat well every meal and have enough meat and vegetables, youll have to spend at least 2,000 contribution points a month. This is still under the condition that we have a food allowance. Otherwise, it will cost at least 3,000 points. After deducting these points, there will also be expenses for energy, tap water, installation fees, and other necessary expenses. There wont be much left If you want to raise a few more children, it will be

The more Long Yuehong thought about it, the more he found life difficult. The main reason was that he had already adapted to the luxury of having meat dishes and no children every day. If he wanted to achieve the dream of having a wife, two children, and meat three times a week, he couldnt help but feel like he was retrograding in life.

Stop, stop! Jiang Baimian interrupted Long Yuehongs calculations. Youre giving me a headache! Besides, why dont you consider your wifes salary? A family is supported by two people.

Jiang Baimian smiled when she said that. I actually have quite a bit of my monthly salary left every month. My brother has married long ago and moved out. Ive always lived with my parents. Their salaries are much higher than mine, as are their subsidies and benefits. I take advantage of the meal subsidies during the day and eat the dinner they provide. The company will also issue uniforms. Perfect~

Jiang Baimian looked around and smiled. You will also receive quite the number of contribution points this time. When Bai Chen becomes an official employee, she will be able to enjoy the treatment of a D1 employee. Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, you have been promoted to D2. You will receive an additional 500 contribution points every month.

In addition, theres also a field allowance. Our trip took us about a month. Everyone will receive an additional 800 to 900 contribution points. The biggest gains will come from the compensation of our harvest. I dont know exactly how much we will gain.

As they listened, Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Shang Jianyao couldnt help but think about how they would spend such a large sum of contribution points.

I have to apply for a bigger room Long Yuehong muttered to himself as he recalled the cramped environment at home and his younger siblingswho had to sleep with adults.

Within Pangu Biology, rooms were typically allocated according to rank. However, one had to pay a fee if they requested a larger room that exceeded their ranks stipulation. Furthermore, there was an additional rental fee every month.

Of course, employees also had tricks up their sleeveby not going through the company and swapping rooms themselves. For example, when some older employees children were allocated rooms and no longer needed to squeeze in with them, they might charge a sum of money to swap their relatively spacious rooms with people living in crowded rooms.

This way, there was no monthly rental fee. But the problem was that the company would reclaim the rooms according to the registered information when the two elderly employees passed away.

After all this time, Long Yuehongs mutterings to himself had become much louder than usual.

Jiang Baimian smiled and nodded. Good ambition.

She then looked at Bai Chen. You should be thinking of saving up all your contribution points to undergo genetic modifications when your employee rank is high enough?

If an employee could pay a large sum of contribution pointsor if they were willing to volunteer for certain dangerous experimentsthe rank requirement to apply for genetic modification could be reduced. It was possible for a D2 or even a D1 to apply for it successfully.

Yes. Bai Chen unconsciously tugged at the old, gray scarf around her neck.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, Let me remind you again that the technology for genetic modification is far from mature. There are all kinds of dangers, so its best not to attempt it unless you have no choice.

Yes I also know that you definitely have your reasons. I just hope you can weigh the pros and cons. Without waiting for Bai Chens answer, Jiang Baimian sniffed the fragrance that filled the air. Hurry up and dig in. The food is getting cold!

As she spoke, she stretched out her chopsticks and neatly tore off the roasted chickens wings.

Under the slightly golden-brown skin was a layer of oil that melted the moment it entered her mouth. Coupled with several condiments fragrance, Jiang Baimian almost couldnt stop eating.

Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen also joined in the enjoyment of the food. Everyone was focused and had no time to speak.

After finishing her meal, Jiang Baimian drank a mouthful of soup, narrowed her eyes, and said in satisfaction, Every time I come back from the field, having such a good meal makes me experience the beauty of life.

Therefore, we have to save all of humanity. Shang Jianyao also put down his bowl and chopsticks and wiped the corners of his mouth.

Cant you change your lines? Jiang Baimian rolled her eyes at him.

Shang Jianyao nodded and suddenly asked, Then, who do you think Xiaochong is?

Upon hearing the name Xiaochong, Bai Chen and Long Yuehongwho were still sucking on chicken bonesfell silent. To them, this name was both mysterious and terrifying as if it represented a taboo.

In the past few days, they had deliberately forgotten about Xiaochong and had not mentioned him in any discussions.

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a few seconds before saying, I suspect that he is a Heartless, a Superior Heartless among the Superior Heartless. He can even be called the King of the Heartless. Perhaps it was because he was beside me and wanted to watch a real gunfight that I subconsciously ignored Qiao Chus other Awakened abilities and the corresponding range

A Heartless who has his human intelligence and memories restored? Long Yuehong was shocked and muttered to himself, No, how can a Heartless have human intelligence

Jiang Baimian said with a solemn expression, Not only does he have human intelligence, but he might also have terrifying abilities like those of the mutated creatures and Superior Heartless

A superhuman? Bai Chens tone was inexplicably heavy.

Shang Jianyao raised his hand. Did he pay the price of never having his body grow in exchange for intelligence?

Are you trying to say that Xiaochong also has serious flaws and is far from being considered a superhuman? Jiang Baimian understood Shang Jianyaos hidden meaning.

Shang Jianyao hesitated and said, Hes my friend.

So, we cant badmouth a friend? Jiang Baimian tried to decipher Shang Jianyaos jumpy train of thought.

Shang Jianyao didnt answer.

Haha. Long Yuehong laughed before he suddenly came to a realization. Am I not your friend? Why do you often speak ill of me?

Shang Jianyao glanced at him. I just repeat what you always say. Sigh, Im only 1.75 meters tall after genetic enhancement. My looks are average

Stop! Long Yuehong interrupted Shang Jianyaos recital.

Jiang Baimian couldnt hide her smile as she stood up and said, Alright, all of you can go back and rest. Sigh Only I have to work overtime. I need to finish the mission report and submit it.

Do you need help? Bai Chen asked.

Jiang Baimian chuckled. Dont worry. I wont forget what I should or shouldnt write.

Bai Chenwhose thoughts had been exposedimmediately felt a little ashamed and lowered her head slightly.

After bidding Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen farewell, Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong entered the elevator and returned to the 495th floor.

As the elevator descended, Long Yuehong looked at his reflection in the metal compartment and suddenly sighed. I wonder if I can successfully transfer out of the team

Without waiting for Shang Jianyaos response, he continued in confusion, Actually, I now understand the meaning behind the Old Task Forces work Life in the company with a wife, two children, and three meals of meat a week is indeed beautiful. I still yearn for it, but will I feel like Ive lived my life in vain when Im old?

Shang Jianyao looked ahead and ignored him.

Long Yuehong fell silent. He only smiled when the elevator reached the 495th floor. Ill leave it to fate.

Shang Jianyao glanced at him. Go back and change your name then.

As they spoke, they separated at the fork and returned to their respective homes.

Before long, Shang Jianyao arrived at Room 196 in Zone B.

Just as he took out his key, he saw that someone had drawn a simple baby picture with white chalk at the bottom of the door. This was not too surprising in Pangu Biology, where children often graffitied. If one did not like it, they could just wipe it away.

But Shang Jianyao knew that such an image drawn in such a position represented something: At the usual place at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow, there is a Life Ritual parish gathering.

Shang Jianyao raised his hand and gently wiped the corners of his mouth.