Chapter 046: I’ll Pay Anything to Save My Child

Wang Xuemei asked again, “Is anyone selling them at a high price? I’ll buy a few bottles.”

Most people responded that they couldn’t help or were also unable to purchase them. Because of the sudden outbreak of viral influenza these past few days, many have already died. This illness strikes swiftly; if not controlled and treated overnight, it’s too late. As long as it can be managed in the early stages, it can be dealt with gradually later.

The problem was that hospitals were overwhelmed, and it was rumored that medications was running low! Who would dare risk their family’s lives?

The Chinese people are actually quite vulnerable in certain aspects. A slight disturbance would trigger panic, leading people to rush and hoard supplies. So when the news broke out, everyone rushed to pharmacies and supermarkets to stock up. Although there were now purchase limits, each person could still buy a dozen bottles of floral water.

This led to a group of people hoarding a large amount of supplies first. When others tried to buy, the shelves were already empty. With raw materials no longer being supplied, businesses had long ceased production and could only turn to scalpers to buy at exorbitant prices.

In her previous life, Jing Shu’s family was more informed thanks to her mother’s connections, but they could only grab a few bottles from the pharmacies. Later, not only did the Black Fungus Beetles appear, but various other decaying insects emerged as well. If there was sufficient floral water, this could have been avoided. So in this life, Jing Shu bought several boxes of essential oils. The strong scent of essential oils was the most potent and long-lasting; wherever essential oils were present, these insects would stay away.

Wang Qiqi said, “Here’s the plan: once the country releases vaccines or exterminates the insects, which will take a few days, those who have bought more than a dozen bottles probably won’t finish them. If anyone has extras, sell them at three times the market price. Our group shouldn’t encourage neighbors who love to take advantage. I’ll sell two bottles of floral water for 30 yuan each.”

As the group leader, Wang Qiqi took the lead, and soon others followed suit, contributing some floral water.

Jing Shu thought for a moment and said, “I’ll sell two bottles of essential oil for 10 yuan each.”

…

“Thank you all, neighbors, for your generosity. I will record the names of those who provided floral water on the announcement board,” Wang Qiqi took charge of resolving this matter. Not only did he receive gratitude from the neighbors, but he also satisfied the vanity of those who felt good about helping others. His methods had mastered the essence of news broadcasts.

Jing Shu couldn’t quite judge what kind of person Wang Qiqi was; he could only keep observing.

Although most communities now have floral water, some careless individuals still get infested by the Black Fungus Beetles. That very night, Jing Shu’s entire family contracted viral influenza.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Jing Shu’s mother was in the villa tending to her beloved apricot trees. She would occasionally pick an apricot, bite through the shell to eat the almond inside, then go to the greenhouse to get some strawberries, pick grapes and apples to place in the living room to ensure there was always fruit at home. She managed the potted plants, used a milk extractor to milk the cows, fed the pigs and chickens, watered the fishpond, and took care of the vegetables.

With nothing else to do, she went to the dressing room to organize her clothes. She discovered that her spendthrift daughter had indeed bought all types of clothing. These days, whenever she goes out, she wears a full-body suit with the zipper pulled up to the top, and two glass mirrors provided visibility. This completely prevented any contact with insects, and crucially, the outfits were breathable.

“These clothes are damn expensive, that spendthrift child.” But Jing Shu’s mother felt pleased. She could clearly see how others were living, while she herself was living better than before. She decided to cherish her situation and firmly refused to let anyone disrupt her happiness or know about her family’s circumstances.

Comparing Jing Shu’s mother’s recent lifestyle, she realized that her mother was living a bit too well, to the point where she feared others might peek into her affairs.

Since the work hours had changed, Jing Shu’s mother had more free time, but Jing Shu’s father was busier than ever. Every day, he not only had to clear blockages in the water pipes, sweep the tempered glass covers, and spray insect repellent, but after handling the manure from the cows and sheep, he also had to clean up the house.

After the water supply was cut off, although their family had water storage tanks, they couldn’t use them recklessly. They couldn’t flush the toilet anymore. Jing Shu bought many disposable paper toilet containers and cat litter. After each use, they would bury the waste with the cat litter.

At first, Jing Shu’s father and mother couldn’t accept this, but once they used the containers and covered them with cat litter, they only had to dispose of them once a day. It didn’t smell and was convenient, so they completely accepted it.

However, Jing Shu’s daughter had a habit of buying things in bulk, leaving them with no idea if this habit would ever be curbed. The disposable containers and cat litter had occupied entire rooms, and they might need to use them in their next life.

A few days ago, Wang Qiqi organized people to build several squat-style public toilets, which are now in use. However, everyone still preferred using urinals at home for urination, though it inevitably resulted in some odors, similar to when Jing Shu visited her uncle’s house.

Compared to enduring dusty, scorching, or freezing weather just to use the restroom a few minutes away, Jing Shu’s father and mother preferred to do so at home for convenience.

After finishing all these tasks, Jing Shu’s father still had to drive to the supermarket every day to buy some dried fruits and grains. Since the basement key was with Jing Shu, Jing Shu did all the cooking. Her father and mother only knew that Jing Shu had filled up the kitchen refrigerator and had bought a batch of grains to start live-streaming and cooking delicious meals, but they didn’t know exactly how much she had bought.

Jing Shu’s mother insisted on stocking more grains, mainly because her family ate so much. Jing Shu’s mother worried that if Jing Shu stored up four water tanks, she might have trouble later. Jing Shu’s father went out to queue and fetch some; he liked sunflower seeds and Bada wood, and he bought a lot of them.

Today, Jing Shu’s father returned fully equipped in a one-piece protective suit and brought back bad news: “All supermarkets are closing for three days starting today. From now on, they will open from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM each day, only for two hours. This is to avoid heat and prevent viral transmission.”

“These Black Fungus Beetles have an extremely strong ability to transmit. Several young men in my unit have been infected. Luckily, they were sent to the hospital on time, but now hospitals seem to be refusing admissions—first, there are no medicines, and second, there are no available beds,” Jing Shu’s mother tossed Jing Shu’s father’s suit into the washing machine.

Going out once would leave a trail of dust everywhere—covering the sofa, the bed, and everything else. The family had spent the afternoon at Jing Shu’s uncle’s house, and when they returned, their bottoms were all dirty!

“Driving outside, these insects keep hitting the glass. There are far fewer pedestrians outside. Why don’t you take a day off and not go to work? Aren’t other companies giving three days off?”

“No way, the higher-ups have said that unless you die from the illness, you have to endure it. We have to work hard for another 60 days.”

…

Jing Shu was half-asleep at night when her phone kept buzzing incessantly. Her hearing had improved significantly, and she was eventually woken up by the noise. Checking the time, it was already 2 AM. There were over a dozen unread messages in the group chat. Jing Shu scrolled through them.

Building 13, Young Mother with Kids: “@Everyone, help! My family of three have contracted viral influenza. Who has a car and fuel to drive us to the hospital? The emergency line 120 is overwhelmed, and my 1-year-old child is already unconscious!”

“Please, I’m begging you. If you don’t have a car, could any kind-hearted person carry my son to see a doctor? I’ll pay anything to save my child!”

Author’s Note:

Second update at 3 PM, additional updates at 7 PM. Thanks to Rain God, Q District’s Tong, Yan Weier for their support. Donations appreciated, mwah~ ��