Chapter 89: No Regrets in This Life

Is it really going to be like this?

Jing Shu shook her head. The group of people who had just successfully robbed some food were still buzzing with excitement. They hadn't even finished eating their stolen grain yet, and they had already experienced the thrill of easily obtaining food. After choking down the government-issued rations, they would turn their attention to more distant targets, like someone like her—a fat sheep.

There was also another group, like Aunt Jing Pan, who had stockpiled a lot of grain. Some young people, who had read too many apocalyptic novels, had hoarded substantial amounts of food. They weren't lacking in supplies yet and hadn't reached the point of desperation.

This meant that those committing robberies would always manage to seize grain. Coupled with manipulation from three parties behind the scenes—some groups were merely killing for the sake of killing—they were only contributing to the increasing chaos in Wucheng!

However, no matter what, for a city like Wucheng that had been in turmoil for half a month, this news was undoubtedly uplifting. The group chat immediately ignited with heated discussions.

Luo Zhu, Unit 9: "I heard that after distributing cooked food, the water provided per person has been reduced even more. With such hot days, I don't know if it's enough to drink."

Fat Girl, Unit 25: "My relatives work for the government. I heard they’ll start supplying fresh vegetables daily tomorrow. But I don’t know what they’re going to provide for people like us."

Zhu Fan, Unit 7: "Who cares what it is? As long as there's something to eat, it's fine. I've already felt sick from eating tree bark. Before, I even complained about white rice. These dark days have lasted half a year. When will the sun come back?"

Wang Cuihua: *Voice message* "Tonight, we're planning to ride bicycles to Aijia Supermarket at 3 AM to queue up. Anyone want to join?"

Feng, Unit 3: "Aunt, take me with you."

Wang Cuihua: "I've told you so many times not to call me 'auntie.' I only recognize my grandsons, not nephews."

Feng was left speechless again, and Wang Cuihua ended the group chat.

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At 4:30 AM the next day, Jing Shu's family set off. First, they went to drop Jing’s mother off at work. Then, the two elders, Jing’s father, Jing Shu, and Wu Youai drove to Aijia Supermarket. They were fortunate to have purchased a 7-seater BYD Song Max, which provided ample space.

Throughout the journey, Wucheng was pitch black. Recently, even the shuttle buses had stopped running, but fortunately, the number of wanderers was unknowingly decreasing, allowing energy cars to navigate along the curbs.

Jing Shu’s father had cut and replaced the broken car windows with old glass panels. Jing Shu was already thinking about sourcing some bulletproof glass and raising the car’s chassis higher. After all, the roads would only become more treacherous, and an off-road vehicle would be ideal.

Third Aunt Jing Lai woke up every day at 3 AM to take the government shuttle to work, especially busy lately. She had been assigned to Aijia Supermarket to handle cooked food.

Jing Shu hadn’t expected her third aunt to secure such a coveted internal position through her efforts in her previous life.

Wu Youai, sporting panda eyes, stubbornly refused to get up for the supermarket, saying:

"I’d rather not eat or drink than go to the supermarket and sleep at home."

In the end, she was defeated by Jing’s grandmother’s bowl of glutinous rice balls. Surprisingly, Wu Youai liked eating glutinous rice balls... Jing Shu ate three bowls in a row without finding them particularly tasty.

Jing Shu understood Wu Youai's feelings well. She used to love sleeping in too, but since drinking the spring water, she no longer felt sleepy. She could no longer experience the bliss of a good night's sleep.

She would fall asleep as soon as she closed her eyes and wake up as soon as she opened them. She didn’t even dream anymore; the experience of sleeping had become extremely poor.

On Monday, May 22, at exactly 5:00 AM, after dropping Jing’s mother off at work, Jing Shu's family arrived at Aijia Supermarket.

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The supermarket had undergone significant changes. Jing’s father parked the energy car by the roadside. The family, armed with sticks and weapons, along with four-liter mineral water bottles and bustling crowds, entered the store together.

Due to the recent robberies, everyone was armed with weapons and utensils, making the scene rather comical—it looked more like a street fair than a supermarket visit.

The perimeter of the supermarket had been fortified with high walls, and the entrances and exits had been rerouted to prevent another attack. Bright lights illuminated the long queues at the entrances.

At the gate stood a row of armed SWAT officers and security guards with shields, conducting searches and security checks. Anyone carrying weapons was required to store them on the other side. Jing Shu’s family had to turn back and place their weapons back in the car.

At 5:00 AM, with temperatures at 2°C, it was freezing cold.

Jing’s grandmother and grandfather donned thick coats and pants. Jing Shu wore a coral fleece pajama with an outer layer, still feeling a bit chilly. Despite drinking the spring water for nearly half a year, she wasn’t resistant to the cold or heat. She regretted not bringing a hand warmer, though compared to the later -40°C temperatures, it was just light rain.

People queuing around were also wearing dirty, heavy clothing. Their hair was a tangled mess, with clumps of dirt and sweat sticking to it, forming lumps.

Based on Jing Shu’s experience, they hadn’t washed their hair for at least half a year. In her previous life, she had simply shaved her head to avoid lice infestations.

Everyone carried bowls in one hand and sticks in the other, resembling members of a beggars' guild. Yet, from their eyes, Jing Shu could still see hope, unlike the numbness and indifference ten years later. Everyone was fantasizing about the artificial sun solving the energy crisis.

They quickly passed through security. The supermarket’s former parking lot had been converted into a temporary SWAT station.

At that moment, the national anthem began to play slowly. A team of military flag-raisers, dressed in uniforms, marched in perfect formation to raise the national flag. Everyone instinctively stopped in their tracks, saluting respectfully.

Under the dim lights of the dark night, Jing Shu watched the flag slowly rise, feeling a surge of pride. No matter what, after ten years in the apocalypse, China had the most survivors and was the best; there were many bad people, but there were also many who contributed to the nation.

If she were to describe it in one sentence, it would be: "No regrets in this life for joining China."

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"...No sunlight, but we still raise the national flag every Monday. Starting at 5 AM every day, free food is distributed until the artificial sun is completed.

The state won’t let everyone starve. Everything will get better! We will strictly punish criminals. Those who rob and kill will not receive food if their crimes are recorded. Please think carefully about your actions..." The loudspeaker repeated the message.

This was China's gentle policy during the early apocalypse, aiming to reduce robbery and murder through such measures. However, it had failed—the free things were not cherished by the people.

Jing Shu knew that the distribution of free food wouldn’t last long before another reform. Want food? Fine, then work for it. Or exchange items.

The once large supermarket had been emptied and divided into two sections: one was the water distribution area.

The other was ten cashier counters converted into food distribution windows. Everyone queued in an S-curve pattern, taking a large ladle of rice for each person. Once filled, they would leave. Those with bowls used them, and those without used their hands or clothing pockets to carry the rice.

Jing’s grandmother: "What kind of rice are we eating?"

Jing Shu: "Mushrooms cooked with rice." Jing Shu's face showed a look of horror.

Looking at the clump of unwashed mushrooms mixed with rice, cooked into black-green mush, a moldy smell permeated the entire supermarket, making her feel disgusted. In her previous life, she had been sick of eating it for ten years.

Some people gulped down the rice hungrily, undoubtedly starving to death.

Others ate a couple of bites and threw it away. Jing Shu could only smile coldly at those who wasted food. "Today's rice is good enough. In a while, you'll be eating maggots. There's not even any rice left. Let's see if you'll regret it."

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Author's Note:

Happy New Year! Thanks to *Melody_辰辰*, *Yunshan Youyo*, and *Tian Jiujiu* for their generous rewards! Excited about all your group donations! 🥰