After Apocalypse, I Got Rich With Superpower

Chapter 46: Chapter 44 Go to the Base

Chapter 46: Chapter 44 Go to the Base

Li Pan absolutely had to go; otherwise, they couldn’t fit everything in.

She ran to the storeroom, selected a few good pieces of beef and some bones to take, and brought pork as well, along with two jars of lard; even without meat, having lard meant there was some greasy food.

Chicken, duck, and fish were definitely on the list, and vegetables and fruits were a must. She took two jars each of tomato sauce and soy paste that she had made. The clay pots she fired herself could be used for growing vegetables, so she decided to take some and give them away.

She brought some stevia sugar cubes and herbs like senna leaf dandelion, and she brought a good extra amount of all kinds of grain. They needed to eat throughout winter, and the orphanage had many children, some too young to work and earn money.

All in all, the total amount added up to quite a bit.

“Sis, this is enough, it’s too much.”

Zhang Qi hurriedly intervened, their own home had to eat too, they couldn’t give it all to the orphanage.

“It’s not too much; we need to eat until spring comes and the New Year is over. Bring some rapeseed oil too, we won’t finish it all at home.”

The benefit of owning a farm was that they always had a bit of everything, and when one thing was gone, there were other things to eat, never running out completely.

“Sis, thank you, but we can’t take too much, we can’t afford it.”

Zhang Qi felt a warm feeling in his heart, but also guilt, feeling like a burden. In reality, he and his sister didn’t work as much as Brother Qin and the others, but Brother Dong and Sister Pan’er still paid them full adult wages. He always felt uncomfortable about it and wished he could grow up overnight.

Every trip to the orphanage, he worried about bringing over a hundred pounds of items would affect the farm.

“Don’t worry, I make the calls at my farm.”

Li Pan patted her chest with pride, jutting out her chin smugly.

“Sis…”

Zhang Qi’s eyes reddened, unsure of what to say next.

“I’ve talked with your Brother Dong, this time we’re not just bringing food; I plan to hire a Water Power user, or an Earth Element if there’s no Water Element available.”

“We have Water and Earth Element users. My sister is a Water Element user. You know the water reservoir on the hillside by our home? She can fill two reservoirs worth in one day.”

“That powerful?”

“Mhm, actually there are quite a few superpower users in the orphanage, but many are young and I’m afraid they might get bullied or tricked. There isn’t much work they can do, so the older ones lead the younger ones in work, still, they often get the short end of the stick.”

“Then I’ll come to see, and if they can do it, they can work for me.”

“I’ll tell the director.”

Zhang Qi was beyond happy.

Gathering everything, they set off early in the morning, this time with Qin Jianzhong, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Yu. Liu Qian and the wolf pack stayed behind to look after the house.

Upon arriving at the base, they first went to the orphanage, where they dropped off Zhang Qi and Zhang Yu. They missed the director and the kids and wanted to check on everyone.

“Director, I’m back.”

“Qi and Yu are back, are you two doing okay? Have you been listening to your brother and sister, and not slacking off at work?”

“We haven’t been lazy, the farm’s had a good harvest. Brother and Sister sent grains and meat for the home, Sister packed lots of stuff for the younger brothers and sisters to eat.”

Zhang Qi cheerfully jabbered, hugging the director.

“Did you remember to say thank you for me? Every time your brother and sister come, they bring so many things. The work you two do isn’t worth so much food.”

The director patted the siblings on the head, patiently guiding them.

“We did.”

“Director, Zhang Qi and Zhang Yu are very diligent in their work, never slacking. They have been a great help to me. Our farm had a good harvest, so we’ve brought some flour and wanted to bring you some grain too. Winter is coming soon, better early than late.”

“Come in and sit down, Yu, go pour some water.”

“I’ll put the things in the storeroom for you.”

“Thank you, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

The director was an elderly gentleman and a superpower user who had retired after an injury to take care of the children at the orphanage.

Li Pan placed the items in their small storeroom, and the director let out a long sigh, “This is too much, how could I possibly accept so much?”

“Director, please take it. Additionally, there’s another matter I’d like to discuss with you. Our farm is still short of hands, and I’d like to hire two more, ones with Water Element and Earth Element powers, as long as they can do some work.”

“There are some, younger than Zhang Qi and Zhang Yu, only eleven years old; do you want them?”

The director looked troubled, the child was too young, and in reality, they wouldn’t have the physical strength and capabilities of an adult. Even the base found them unsuitable for the work.

The director felt that he was taking advantage of Li Pan’s offer for the two children, felt a bit greedy, and was somewhat embarrassed, his hands twirling without knowing quite what to say.

“That’s fine, I have a lot of odd jobs, nothing too heavy, just a lot of small tasks. An extra pair of hands would help. Don’t feel like you’re taking advantage of me; I have my own reasons. Others at the base have families to care for, which I don’t prefer hiring. Pan’er is honest, and I’m afraid she would be bullied. The kids are simple and kind, easy to get along with.”

Xue Dong explained with a smile, he was reluctant to hire adults because he feared dealing with extended family concerns, which required consideration, and over time, could affect the unity between them.

“Alright then, if you don’t mind that the child is not very sharp, I’ll call them over. Come inside and have some water.”

The director smiled happily, pulling on Xue Dong’s hand, clearly excited. What a good child, these children had found a kind person.

After sitting down and drinking a glass of sweetened water, the director called the two children over for them to see.

Pointing to the little girl in front of them, he said, “This is Sun Wenwen, a Water Power user.”

Pointing to the boy who was about eight or nine, he said, “This is Yang Zhengfei, an Earth Power user. They can both do odd jobs and are hardworking kids.”

“Come work at my farm, keep Zhang Qi and Zhang Yu company. If you work well, you can stay working at my farm long-term. You’ll be provided food and lodging, plus wages.”

“Food and lodging are fine, we don’t need wages. You’re good people. Every month you bring us food, and ever since Brother and Sister brought us food, we’ve all been able to eat well. Grandpa said that one must be grateful and repay kindness. If Sister sees promise in us, we’ll definitely work hard. We don’t need wages, just food and lodging is enough.”

Sun Wenwen, clearly the more outspoken, made her point very clearly.

Yang Zhengfei also nodded seriously, echoing his sister’s words.

“Silly kids, you’ll still be given wages. I’m an orphan too; we’re the same. Good children, come back to the farm with me. As for the wages, I’ve already agreed with the director. You will each have your own portion of the food supply, which can be sent to the director here.”

“Then I’ll listen to Grandpa. I’ll give my food portion to the younger brothers and sisters. Eating at the farm is enough for me. I don’t need that much for wages. I was getting 500 coins at the base, just give me two hundred yuan to buy some candy for the little ones.”

“Silly child, the director and I agreed on one thousand yuan each for you two, with contribution points also at one thousand. What about two hundred? You’d be at a big loss.”

Li Pan couldn’t help but laugh. Two hundred yuan was just too honest, it would be taking advantage of the kids.

“One thousand yuan, that’s so much?”

The children had never seen that kind of money. They couldn’t earn that much, and during times of disaster, competing with adults for work, it’s easy to imagine how difficult it was.

“Good children, work hard when you get there, and don’t misuse the money.”

“I’ll remember, Grandpa. I’ll come to see you when I have free time.”

“Good, listen to your Brother Xue Dong and the other seniors when you’re there. Don’t wander off or leave the farm on your own; it’s very dangerous outside.”

“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll definitely work hard and not be lazy.”

“Ah! That’s my good treasure.”

Each of them had a ten kilogram ration of grain, which was documented in an electronic contract, but since Li Pan and the others always gave more rather than less, the director didn’t question it.

After chatting with the director for a while and treating his injury, they checked all the children’s health, leaving Zhang Qi and her siblings behind so everyone could gather.

Li Pan and Xue Dong left to get flour from the base, and Qin Jianzhong went along with them, taking the opportunity to buy some things.