After Apocalypse, I Got Rich With Superpower

Chapter 43: Chapter 41 Barbecue

Chapter 43: Chapter 41 Barbecue

Li Pan led Zhang Yu to pick all the lotus pods and seeds from the lake and spread the seeds out to dry. The lotus roots weren’t ready yet; they’d have to wait for the weather to get colder. For now, there were just a few good ones, enough for their own consumption.

They used fishing nets to catch fish and began to clean them, planning to make some smoked fish to save for winter. The excess would be sold at the base.

In the field, the fruits and vegetables were plentiful. Qin Jianzhong saw many ripe ones at different stages. They dried some of the surplus vegetables that they couldn’t consume, and sold the rest to the base. They provided melons and watermelons daily to the Patrol Team to quench their thirst, for which the brothers were very grateful. Li Pan’s farm was the one they patrolled most diligently.

Li Pan prepared a meal and put it in a tin pail, complete with rice, vegetables, meat, and a big jug of stevia-sweetened water. There was also a basket of fruits such as watermelon, sweet melon, and tomatoes, left at the entrance to the farm for the Patrol Team to eat when they returned from patrolling. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Hers was the only farm that provided meals. Other farms didn’t bother; they wouldn’t even offer a sip of water, forcing them to take a long detour back to Li Pan’s farm to eat.

In the afternoon, after finishing their tasks, Xue Dong came to consult with Li Pan, “I want to invite the brothers over for a good meal. How about we have barbecue and a few meat dishes? It’s so hot, and they can’t even get a drink of water. It’s really pitiable.”

“Sure, I was also thinking of inviting them over for a meal. I’ve heard Brother Qin say that some farms didn’t even offer water, which is going too far. If they can’t spare food, at least give them some plain water.”

“Ah! Never mind, I’ll go call them.”

Xue Dong sighed, unable to broach the frustrating subject.

Li Pan quickly took out the meat to make preparations as two Patrol Teams would come and go in shifts.

Actually, they worked very hard. The distances between farms were exceptionally large, and they only had tricycles to use. They charged their vehicles at Li Pan’s farm because other farms wouldn’t let them in, not even acknowledging them.

Previously, due to thefts and attacks by mutant animals, several farms suffered heavy losses, which caused much resentment towards the base. They felt that the base had failed to protect them and did not keep their word.

Some angrily wanted to cancel their leases and no longer work at the farms, preferring to return to the base. Three farms, particularly furious, had already cancelled their leases and left.

The remaining ones also suffered great losses. Going back to the base might not ensure a place for them, but staying was hard to bear, stuck between a rock and a hard place, they felt cheated by the base.

When the Patrol Team came around, several farms ignored them outright, refusing them even a sip of water. The Patrol Team was also upset. They simply completed their task of patrolling twice a day and left, whereas Li Pan’s farm received four or five patrols a day, which were monitored very closely.

“Brother Qin, I’ve chopped some big bamboo, can you make some water bottles for me?”

“Sure, what do you need them for?”

“I see that the Patrol Team doesn’t have water to drink. Since they can’t take the water we give them without the Space superpower, let’s make some water bottles with strings for them to carry around, so at least they can have some water to drink.”

“Sure, I forgot about that. They have water bottles, but it’s not convenient to carry them. The electric tricycles use electricity, and they’re still charging here at my farm.”

“Ah! Creating such opposition is pointless; it only leads to losses for everyone.”

“There’s no other way. This is the first year working on the farms, and truthfully, none of us are well off. Plus, with the continuous disasters, no amount of savings can withstand it. All we can do is hang on for now.”

As nightfall approached, Xue Dong and the Patrol Team returned. They had hunted a wild boar and a sheep. It would be impolite to eat for free, so without saying a word, Xue Dong invited the team to hunt the mutant animals, insisting on contributing a dish.

“Pan’er, you’ve been so generous these days. Look… we brothers have eaten so much of your food; we feel quite ashamed,” said Qian Xi, the leader of the first team.

“No need for pleasantries. Your patrolling gives me peace of mind. You don’t know how the mutant animals attack in packs. The last time the Mutated Bird attacked, I also suffered a lot. A huge flock swooped in all at once, with no time to dodge, chewing up the fields as if they were covered in scabs. You’ve been a big help to me. What is a little food in comparison? Come on in, dinner will be ready shortly.”

“Thanks, girl, need a hand?”

“No need, I’ve made some syrup water. Wash your hands and have a drink to quench your thirst first; the barbecue stove is already lit. Are we eating barbecue in the yard or inside the house today?”

“Let’s eat in the yard, it’s too hot inside.”

Xue Dong waved his hand, signaling to set up and wipe down the tables, while the barbecue stove was also getting started, with the meat already skewered.

Li Pan had also killed two chickens and two ducks, along with fish and steaks from mutated cattle and sheep, and all the homegrown vegetables and fruits were laid out as well.

Qian Xi whispered to Xue Dong, “This is way too much; are you nuts? We’ll be stuffed! We can’t eat like this. Having just steamed buns and veggies is already pretty decent food.”

Xue Dong chuckled, draping his arm over his buddy’s shoulder, “No worries, we hunted these from the forest, and the chickens and ducks are raised by us. The brothers have had a hard time patrolling, and they deserve some meat. This is all meat we’ve saved up at home, so eat up. You guys have been slaving away in the summer heat, it truly has been tough. I can’t take care of everyone, but I’ll make sure not to let our group suffer, at least to replenish some energy.”

Qian Xi’s eyes reddened, “Brother, I won’t say things that are out of line. I’ll definitely keep your farm safe and prevent any losses for you.”

“My Pan’er has made a few water cans for you guys. Fill them up with water so you at least have something to drink.”

“You guys are really thoughtful, always looking out for your brothers.”

Gratitude showed on the faces of Qian Xi and the other team members.

“Forget about that, come on, let’s have a drink,” Xue Dong invited.

“Can’t do it today. We can eat meat, but no liquor—we have patrols to do, and we can’t delay things. The harvest season is coming; we can’t screw anything up. Those other farms are unreliable, the boss is counting on your crops to relieve the difficulties. If anything goes wrong, the boss will have my hide.”

The other farms had suffered heavy losses and even if they had a harvest, they wouldn’t sell it to the base. They would surely keep it for themselves first. The Base Commander couldn’t count on them and could only hope that Xue Dong’s farm would provide some relief by selling them crops, otherwise the whole city would be in trouble.

“Alright, after the autumn harvest, I’ll treat the brothers to a drink,” Xue Dong offered.

“I’ll definitely be there. I’ll keep your kindness in mind. If you need anything, just say the word. As long as I can lend a hand, I won’t refuse. We’re all family here, no need for formalities.”

“Come on, let’s go eat some meat.”

“Hey, hey! I’ll handle the barbecue. Don’t rush to put on the salt, or the meat will turn out tough.”

Qian Xi hurried off to push his teammates aside and take over the grilling.

The brothers talked and laughed over barbecued meat and syrup water, a lively happiness they hadn’t felt in a long time returned.

Li Pan and Zhang Yu served them, wrapping fresh vegetables from the field around the barbecued meat, and it tasted absolutely amazing.

They ate in shifts; after Qian Xi and his team finished eating, they left for patrols. When the night fell, the second team arrived to have their meal.

In a couple of days, the base called, saying that the contribution points for the ginseng had been calculated and would be added to her account on her next visit to the base; Xue Dong also requested some tea tree saplings, to be picked up together next time.

Days passed like flowing water, and half a month’s deadline finally arrived.

Upon hearing the news, the two Patrol Teams came over in shifts to help out for free; they couldn’t eat for nothing, so the team members volunteered to come over and work.