Chapter 56

The antibiotics from the shelter were indeed effective. After taking one, the older brother of the Yu family not only had his fever subside, but his leg swelling also reduced, and he could even get up and walk a few steps, albeit limping.

The two brothers of the Yu family expressed their deep gratitude, vowing to repay this kindness in the future. However, seeing that it was already late, they bid farewell to Chu Guang, and the younger brother supported his older brother toward the door.

When they passed by Fang Chang, Yu Hu stopped, took out a finely crafted knife that didn't seem to be from this era from his bag, and handed it to Fang Chang.

This was a good find he had made while scavenging.

Then, with a deep voice that didn't match his appearance, Yu Hu said,

"You're strong, able to dodge my arrows. But in a one-on-one fight, I wouldn't lose."

"Keep the knife for me, don't lose it. Next year, we'll have a fair fight. If I win, I'll take it back."

Fang Chang didn't understand what he was saying, but from his expression, it seemed he wanted to give him the knife.

Was this a way of thanking him for indirectly saving his relative?

Fang Chang pointed at the knife, then at himself. Seeing the NPC nod, he happily accepted it.

"Too kind!"

Yu Hu didn't understand what he was saying either, but seeing that he had accepted the knife, he nodded and supported his brother away.

Watching the two disappear behind the gate of the base, Fang Chang played with the small knife in his hand and suddenly looked at Kuang Feng, saying with a sigh,

"This game is too detailed. Look at the NPC's expression, every frame is a detail. Just for this, I'm blown away!"

Kuang Feng: "...Did you understand what he said?"

Fang Chang shook his head.

"No, it doesn't matter."

Ye Shi came over, grinning.

"What if he was planning to offer you his 300-pound tiger girl as a wife, and this knife is a token of engagement."

"Get lost!"

...

Supporting his brother out of the base,

Yu Hu looked back at the wall behind him and said,

"Brother, I told you, he's not an ordinary person. I advised you and Father to marry Xiaoyu to him, but you didn't agree. Now you regret it, right?"

Yu Xiong sighed, his mood complex.

"What's there to regret? He's our benefactor, don't think about unrealistic things... Besides, I never said I disagreed, and neither did Father."

Yu Hu frowned.

"Then why didn't it happen?"

Yu Xiong reached out and rubbed his silly younger brother's head.

"You only think about the good things. Have you thought about whether he would agree? Not to mention Xiaoyu, look at the girls in that group just now... Those from the shelter, which one isn't fair-skinned and beautiful? Would they look at you?"

Hearing this, Yu Hu became anxious.

"I may be a bit rough, but not Xiaoyu! She was so cute as a child, and even though she's a bit thin now, what does it matter? When we get back, we'll make her eat more meat, and I'll give her my share. She'll definitely get better."

Yu Xiong almost couldn't hold back his laughter, glancing at him.

"You're so eager to marry Xiaoyu off."

Yu Hu grinned, his honest face clear.

"Is it up to me? She'll be of age next year. According to the rules on the street, once you're an adult, you're a separate household and have to be counted as one more person. Look at our harvest this year, it's barely enough. If we have to pay for one more person next year, how can we afford it?"

According to Bet Street's rules, anyone 16 or older is considered a separate household, and during the annual autumn mobilization, each household must contribute supplies, regardless of whether they are married or not.

It's a kind of "head tax" in disguise.

Boys are better off, as they usually start hunting and scavenging with their elders at around 13 or 14, and within two or three years, they can become qualified scavengers or hunters, contributing to the labor force. For girls, it's harder in this chaotic world, and few can support themselves at that age, so they often get married early.

The reason Xiaoyu could stay at home carefree until now is mainly because their father is still able to work, the eldest sister hasn't had children, and the second brother hasn't married. The three men can barely support the large family.

If they wait, once Yu Hu gets married or Yu Xiong has a new child, even if they are reluctant, they will have to marry Xiaoyu off.

Survival is often a heavy topic.

"Anyway, she has to get married. It's better to find her a good family than to let her suffer with us."

Yu Xiong looked at the sky, squinting.

"The third son of the Wang family is also of marriageable age. Their family is good, and their youngest daughter is almost grown up. We can arrange a marriage for you too."

Yu Hu shook his head vigorously.

"That won't do. I don't like that Wang Defu kid. He even pushed Xiaoyu once! I bet he'll beat women once he's married."

"Li family..."

"Uh, that's not suitable. Our mother is from the Li family."

Bet Street has only about a hundred households, and in a small place like this, it's always a hassle to find a match.

Yu Xiong, unable to argue, looked at his younger brother meaningfully.

"Think carefully. Once she marries, you'll have to find your own wife."

"No problem, do you think I can't find a wife?"

Yu Hu grinned, and after a moment, muttered,

"I just don't want you to worry about me all the time! Whether I'm good or not is my own business... How can I trade my sister for something?"

...

As dusk fell, the sky grew dark.

Players who had gone out gradually returned to the base.

As usual, many players set up stalls in the open area inside the north gate of the base, hawking and bargaining, making it as lively as a market.

"Selling fresh meat! Fresh squirrel meat, delicious whether stir-fried, roasted, or boiled! 1 silver coin per squirrel, pick any, cheap and good quality!"

"Who would buy yours! How much meat is there in one squirrel!"

"It's not little, it's a mutated squirrel, about 2 kilograms each! If you buy meat from the granary, 1 silver coin only gets you 6 ounces. Think about it!"

"No money."

"Then get lost!"

"..."

"Mutated hyena teeth! Can be used for jewelry! Only 1 copper coin each, only 10 available, buy now!"

"Who would use this for jewelry, it's so ugly!"

"What do you know? What if the game adds a jewelry system later? Equipment slots, enchantments, this material will definitely rise in value!"

"Really?"

"Really! Trust me!"

"Then... give me two."

"Sure thing, hey."

In addition to players selling hunting materials, there were also those selling trash scavenged from the wasteland.

Although it's the 211th year of the Wasteland Era, if you search carefully, you can still find some good things that haven't been taken.

Especially in locked doors and cabinets, or buried under the ruins.

Some well-oxidation-resistant alloy items, with a little modification, can become excellent weapons. For example, Chu Guang saw a fire axe with the rust-proof paint still intact, priced at 7 silver coins.

It was worth it, but few could afford it.

"Anyone want gold? I found a gold chain while searching a building! Only 3 silver coins, can't get cheaper!"

"Too expensive, 3 silver coins can buy a lot of food! What use do I have for your gold chain? Can't make a weapon or use as money!"

"Give me one, damn it, I can't afford it in real life, at least I can indulge myself in the game."

"..."

"Spending money, really spending money! If you don't accumulate capital now, how will you join the top tier later?"

"Brother, are you crazy? This is a game!"

The most popular stall was still Ya Ya's.

Every time she performed her act of eating a large mushroom raw, she would receive applause and cheers from the players.

These players didn't freeload; the mushrooms at her stall were quickly sold out.

Yesterday, mushrooms were 3 copper coins per pound, today they were 4 copper coins, but players still came in a steady stream.

In addition, she made a bottle of Ya Ya's secret fruit jam from the berries she collected, priced at 1 silver coin.

Unfortunately, this bottle of jam, with its greenish color, was hard to sell.

Then there was Xia Yan's weapon shop. Although no one could afford the weapons on the shelves, priced in the hundreds of silver coins, that didn't stop people from coming to see the shopkeeper.

"Shopkeeper, can you say you're the Celestial Kai Li? Just one sentence, please!"

"The shopkeeper is too aloof, she doesn't even acknowledge us! It must be because we're too poor! Damn, is this a realistic game?"

"Did you notice? Her gaze toward the administrator is different!"

"Are the NPCs already a couple? I'm shipping them!"

"Ship who? Handsome Dawn Brother is my husband, no one can take him, waaah!"

"What are you dreaming about? How many affection points do you have? How many bricks have you moved? Don't just talk big!"

"What do you think the NPCs do when we log off?"

"..."

"Wait for us to log back in?"

"Insane."

Coincidentally, people often think alike.

Although she didn't understand what these players were saying, the expressionless Xia Yan was thinking the same thing at that moment.

"These lunatics..."

Muttering to herself, she glanced at the direction of the sanatorium and then at Chu Guang.

So hungry.

When can I go back to the shelter?

Speaking of which, will there be dessert tonight?

That chocolate was quite good...

...

Perhaps because of the 20 new players, today's market was even livelier than yesterday.

Standing in front of the sanatorium, Chu Guang couldn't help but imagine what it would be like when all 100 players gathered here.

"Life is getting better." Thinking about it, Chu Guang's face showed a fatherly smile.

He was happier than anyone else.

After all, for the players, this was a game, but for him, it might be his life from now on.

At that moment, a slight coolness touched his prominent nose.

Chu Guang looked up and saw a small, silvery flake gently falling.

Touching his nose, he wiped away the cool moisture and gazed at his fingertip, murmuring thoughtfully,

"Snow? Or hail?"

The temperature wasn't below zero.

To be precise, it was between 10 and 15 degrees.

There were no cumulus clouds in the sky, not even a thick layer, and the horizon was faintly tinged with dusk.

Preliminarily, it might be a cold front passing through, meeting warm, rising air, and condensing into ice crystals at a low altitude... he was just speculating.

This probably wasn't snow or hail, but a unique climate of the wasteland.

Regardless, it wasn't a good omen.

Wiping the water droplet from his fingertip, Chu Guang sighed softly.

"Old Charlie was right."

"This winter will come earlier than usual."

Food.

Fuel.

Materials and weapons.

Sigh.

Just thinking about it made his head hurt.

However, people's joys and sorrows are not the same.

In the distance, the players' "carefree" cheers and joyful chatter could be heard.

A new female player, who had just joined the game, was gazing at the sky with anticipation.

"It's snow!"