After Apocalypse, I Got Rich With Superpower

Chapter 56: Chapter 54: Upgrade

Chapter 56: Chapter 54: Upgrade

“I’ve pondered coming to discuss this with you, but Wood Power Users are in such high demand that we might not be able to hire a long-term worker. I’m hesitant to hire someone with a family—I fear too many issues later on. Pan’er is an honest girl, and I worry she might be tricked or cheated.”

Xue Dong was unwilling for Pan’er to suffer the slightest grievance, so he only hired trusty brothers and comrades who had his back in life and death—all orphans, who had suffered and knew gratitude.

“There’s no chance of finding long-term workers anytime soon. Young and strong Wood Power users aren’t short of work, and they’re happy to stay at the base. There are few willing to endure the hardships on the farm.”

Despite the farm’s bountiful harvest, many Wood Power Users were acutely aware of how hard-earned that money was. Many were still unwilling to clear new land, which was not an easy task and involved significant hardship.

When Li Pan first started clearing No. 8 Farm, she couldn’t even afford a cow and had to pull the plow herself. After a whole day’s work, her shoulders would swell up so much she couldn’t even turn over in her sleep—hardships that went unseen.

“If it really won’t work, I’ll find you some short-term help or superpower users from other elements. I’ve got a surplus of those.”

The Base Commander was also short on Wood Power Users—adults did more work and were easier to manage; that’s why children could neither make enough money nor get enough food.

Yang Zhengfei’s kids worked extremely hard and never slacked off, but the reality was that their workload was worlds apart from the likes of Shi Lei. Yet Li Pan paid Yang Zhengfei’s kids the same wages and contribution points as an average adult, which was clearly a loss.

However, the two of them didn’t calculate it that way. They had once been orphans too and had grown up relying on the kindness of others. Now that they were capable and could eat their fill, they were willing to pass on this kindness and help more people survive.

“Otherwise, hire a superpower user from another element. This time, get someone from the Gold Element—I’ve seen that Gold can strengthen farm tools quite impressively. Get a Fire Element one too, and with all Five Elements combined, the work will be less exhausting.”

Li Pan considered it and decided to settle for less; without a Wood Power User, other elements would suffice. The work was the same, and Xie Ling’s Wood Power abilities were excellent, with her advancement only a matter of time.

“Alright, Gold and Earth Elements then. I’ll also take my own brothers.”

Xue Dong naturally prioritized his own family. If there was money to be made, his brothers would earn it first and ensure they were well-fed.

“Got it, I’ll arrange someone reliable and steady, someone who won’t cause trouble.”

The Base Commander nodded in agreement.

That afternoon, Li Pan went to the dark room to treat newcomers.

She had taken on ten patients, with diseases that looked serious, but for Li Pan, these were not difficult to handle, and she treated them quickly.

After the treatments, the patrol team’s vehicle arranged by the Base Commander took them back to the farm.

This round of treatments earned her five hundred thousand. The Base Commander charged a premium, and he had said, “If you advance to a high-level superpower user, I can charge three million to bring them back.”

As for how much the base would get, there were regulations in place to prevent favoritism, and it was open for inspection.

Li Pan was definitely not at a loss, and she also gained a significant amount of contribution points, which would give her priority when exchanging for Spirit Plants in the future.

Before leaving, she exchanged for some Wood Element Crystal Cores and eight Second-level Fire Element Crystal Cores—Xue Dong was about to advance.

Half a month later, Li Pan had knitted two more scarves and a sweater, and made three sheepskin coats.

The sweater was for Xue Dong, and the scarves were for Liu Qian and herself; the others already had theirs. The sheepskin coats were for Shi Lei, Qin Jianzhong, and Zhang Qi, who were freezing while working outside.

After absorbing the Fire Element Crystal Core and striving overnight, Xue Dong finally advanced to a high-level superpower user.

He specifically went to the Wolf King’s cave to advance, as he and Li Pan were different. Being from the Fire Element, his energy was violent during advancement and could burn a lot of things—he had learned this the hard way.

After all, it was their own house—if it burned down, would they sleep in the snow? Of course, he had to find a safe place to advance.

Xue Dong returned, full of vigor, lean and dashing, nonchalantly leaning at the door.

“I’m a high-level superpower user now. Want me to show off a bit?”

“No, definitely not, don’t you dare. If you destroy anything, we’ll team up and beat you.”

Qin Jianzhong’s eyes bulged out as he immediately objected.

What a joke—as a Middle-level Superpower User, he was already nearly on par with High-level superpower users. Now that he had advanced, his destructive power would be even greater.

Xue Dong pouted, “No fun, you guys don’t know how to appreciate.”

“Appreciate my ass. Last time you advanced to Middle-level and burned down three dorms, I had to squeeze in a room with others. Three guys snoring, farting, smelly feet—tortured me for a month. You may have forgotten, but I haven’t. Just forget it.”

Shi Lei grumbled resentfully.

“Hahaha!”

Li Pan laughed heartily.

Xue Dong’s laughter was both smug and asking for a beating.

“Bro, congrats, you’re awesome.”

Li Pan quickly cajoled him, as his temper was like that of a child’s.

Only then did Xue Dong smile contentedly and leaned over, “Pan’er, now I can protect you and the farm.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll advance in at most half a year.”

Qin Jianzhong huffed in dissatisfaction, as if the world wouldn’t go on without you. Look at how full of yourself you are.

“Brother Jianzhong, when we went there were no Wind Element Crystal Cores of Second-level or higher left, but I’ve spoken to them, and they’re saving one for you.”

“Alright, I know. Wind Element Crystal Cores are scarce to begin with.”

Qin Jianzhong wasn’t surprised. Wind Element Crystal Cores were hard to come by, and they’re more expensive to exchange than others.

In the afternoon, Liu Qian brought the children back and also two Middle-level Superpower Users.

They were the Gold and Earth Element ones they were looking for, both teammates, and they were very familiar with each other. Cui Yanjun, a Middle-level Gold Element, honest and simple, an orphan with no relatives, a Base Combat System soldier.

Jiao Ming, a Middle-level Earth Element, straightforward in temperament, and part of the Combat System.

“Wow, you’ve advanced, you’re doing great, kid, your face has gotten rounder.”

Jiao Ming was cheerful and gave a hug to Xue Dong, Qin Jianzhong, and the others upon seeing them, punching each on the shoulder.

“I’m one step ahead of you. I’m treating tonight, to meat.”

“If you’ve upgraded and you don’t treat, who will? I heard you’ve been eating well; I’ll stick with you from now on, no questions asked. I’ll follow your lead unconditionally.”

Jiao Ming declared his position right away, not taking advantage of his seniority and listening to Xue Dong’s instructions.

Cui Yanjun, a genuine and honest man, didn’t talk much. Hearing Jiao Ming’s words, he also nodded vigorously, agreeing to the arrangements.

“No problem, we’re all brothers. With you guys here, I can rest easy. There’s just too much to worry about with two farms. There’s endless work for the few of us.”

Xue Dong led his brothers inside to sit down, poured hot tea for everyone, served some fruits and snacks, and asked Pan’er to start cooking.

“What’s there to worry about? We’re not afraid of working; we’re afraid of being hungry. You just assign the work, now that we’re here.”

Jiao Ming patted his chest confidently, signaling they were here to work.

Their conditions and treatment had all been agreed upon in advance and were the same as Qin Jianzhong’s and Shi Lei’s. They were Middle-level, and Liu Qian was slightly higher, being a High-level superpower user.

The brothers hadn’t seen each other for a long time and the room was lively as they talked. They teased each other but especially enjoyed the camaraderie.

For dinner, they had hotpot with beef and mutton rolls, along with streaky pork, smoked fish with bones, chicken chunks, fresh vegetables, and so on.

“Your food is too good, kid; you have the brains, starting to reclaim land early, and now living the good life. We’re all going to follow you.”

“It’s all thanks to my Pan’er. Without her, I wouldn’t have had the right to reclaim land. You don’t know how hard it was when we first arrived; this year hasn’t been easy. Several times we nearly faced disaster, living each day with our hearts in our throats.”

“Yeah, that flock of Mutated Birds was like a dark cloud looming over us. If Pan’er hadn’t advanced early, we’d have been goners.”

Qin Jianzhong also felt lucky when he recalled the attack by the mutant animals. There were so many they couldn’t kill them all.