Cheng Jili was the happiest because she had too much energy to use up every day and now she could exchange the algae she collected for compressed biscuits.
You have to know that this batch of compressed biscuits is military supplies, and the shortest shelf life is five years.
They really need something with a long shelf life.
Cheng Jili took Ruan Ning’s arm and said, “Ning Ning, from now on, we will go out to collect algae every day and try to exchange it for a catty of compressed biscuits a day.”
Ruan Ning didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Do you still want to collect so much? The algae will be snapped up like crazy after this policy comes out. It’s good to collect ten catties a day.”
“Just give it a try. It won’t hurt to give it a try.”
Cheng Jili said again, “We agreed to get up early tomorrow to collect.”
Ruan Ning nodded.
The next day, the two girls set out from home before five o’clock. But they didn’t expect that the water surface was already full of people.
Ruan Ning thought about it and said, “Let’s go farther away. The bathtubs they use can’t float far. If we go to a farther place, we should be able to collect more.”
Cheng Jili nodded.
The two people rowed for about half an hour. As expected, there were fewer people on this side, and the water surface was densely covered with algae.
Cheng Jili’s eyes lit up. She quickly took out a knife, grabbed a handful of algae, and started cutting it.
By eight o’clock, the two of them had filled a whole boat.
However, this still did not meet the government’s storage standards because the algae had to be dried first.
The two people hurried home, receiving countless jealous and envious glances along the way.
Ruan Ning could only pretend not to see it.
After returning to the 18th floor, the two of them squeezed the moisture from the algae in the corridor, then took out a few wooden boards to build a drying rack, and put the algae on it.
Cheng Jikuan came out to help. Seeing how much the two girls had collected, he asked, “Did you row the boat too far?”
Cheng Jili sighed: “There is nothing we can do. The huge crowds are too terrifying. It seems like everyone in the world has come out to pick up algae.”
Cheng Jikuan didn’t say anything more and helped to carry the algae.
Ruan Ning said, “Aren’t you going out to get firewood? You don’t have to worry about this. We can handle it.”
Cheng Jikuan thought for a moment and said, “Okay, be careful when you go out to exchange supplies.”
Cheng Jili said innocently: “There are not many people robbing now. I think the Self-Help Association has calmed down.”
Cheng Jikuan shook his head and said to Ruan Ning, “Thank you for taking good care of her.”
Ruan Ning smiled and said, “You should get out of here quickly. It’s okay. I don’t plan to exchange today. I’ll go tomorrow after it’s dried.”
Cheng Jikuan nodded and left with the rubber boat.
Cheng Jili approached Ruan Ning and whispered, “Ning Ning, will there really be people robbing supplies?”
“Do you know how valuable rice is now?” Ruan Ning asked.
Cheng Jili shook her head.
Ruan Ning said: “People don’t eat human flesh now. I guess I can’t even get five catties of rice if I sell you.”
Cheng Jili exclaimed: “Then I am only worth 200 catties of algae. Is that so exaggerated? Besides, how could anyone eat human flesh?”
Ruan Ning smiled and said, “Yes, how could it be possible? So, let’s hurry up and get our own things. Don’t worry about others.”
*****
Translator’s Comment:
Well, I think if I am in their situation, I will be like Cheng Jili, naive and will never think that the worst is not yet to come, but it is also because she doesn’t know the novel’s content and how dangerous the world will be.
Although a bit naive, she is really a positive and lively girl. In this novel, I admire her character so much.
You can support your favorite novel by buying me a cup of Ko-fi ( ˘▽˘)っ♨
I will really appreciate it. ♥️♥️♥️
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 98.2