Given the ongoing plague of corpse worms, Jing Shu suddenly remembered that frogs were among the top predators of these pests. Maggots, too, thrived by consuming corpse worms, illustrating nature’s cycle of life and death.
In the first year of the apocalypse, maggots had sustained many lives, which in turn relied on the corpse worms, proving that what goes around comes around.
While the bees in Jing Shu’s second-floor greenhouse were pleasant and aesthetically pleasing, the chickens in the yard served as effective pest controllers, devouring any insects they came across.
Seeing an opportunity for both business and gifting, Jing Shu decided to breed frogs. After all, it was essential to have a legitimate business in the apocalypse.
Early in the apocalypse, many people were initially squeamish about the infestation of corpse worms, which indeed caused many troubles. No matter how cautious, nearly every household eventually faced an invasion. The worms spoiled food, and their bites caused painful, swollen reactions.
Even with insect repellent like floral water, maintaining a consistent protective atmosphere like Jing Shu’s was nearly impossible for most households. As a result, once the supplies of repellents ran out, giving live frogs as gifts became a popular and highly regarded practice.
Keeping a frog at home could solve many insect problems, making frogs a luxury akin to having a prestigious breed of dog before the apocalypse. Households capable of maintaining frogs were considered quite affluent.
“Frogs thrive at around 32°C, which is why they’ve nearly gone extinct, leading to the proliferation of pests. If you’re thinking of having gourmet frog dishes like stir-fried bullfrog or deep-fried frog legs, these frogs won’t be suitable,” Wu Youai informed Jing Shu as he casually nibbled on a piece of cola chicken wing.
“Are you suggesting I’m a glutton?” Jing Shu rolled her eyes, “Any frog will do.”
“Our professor still has a few Amazonian horned frogs left. They’re aggressive and voracious but easy to maintain. Half their body is basically a giant mouth, and they even eat their kind. Do you want them?”
“That’s perfect,” Jing Shu clapped her hands, delighted with the choice.
After dinner, Jing Shu and her The Fat Chicken conducted a thorough cleaning at her grandparents’ house, discovering a few corpse worms, although not many since they stored most of their food in Jing Shu’s refrigerated spaces. Deciding to take preventive measures, Jing Shu resolved to walk the chicken through her grandparents’ property daily to prevent any infestation.
Recognizing the severity of the corpse worm issue, Jing Shu knew that waiting until food was ruined would be too late, as happened with a neighbor whose grain was destroyed overnight. This could lead to more aggressive behaviors like burglary and violence when people became desperate.
“Dark times are ahead!” Jing Shu mused, expecting an escalation in societal collapse as theft turned to violent home invasions.
The evening news indeed covered the corpse worm situation, detailing its characteristics and naming it officially. They also discussed black-market poultry operations that exacerbated the problem, leading to a national crisis as billions of female corpse worms spread across homes in just days. The government was now taking drastic measures like insecticide spraying and poultry culling to control the outbreak.
In preparation for increased security needs, Jing Shu upgraded her home’s defenses, including a comprehensive infrared surveillance and alarm system, feeling a sense of safety once it was all set up.
The next day, Wu Youai delivered five horned frogs, their spherical bodies and gaping mouths adding a comical yet eerie touch to the household. Jing Shu and her grandfather prepared a spacious enclosure for them by the pond, though her grandfather doubted the economic value of raising frogs.
Intent on breeding the frogs for profit and as a strategic gift in the apocalypse, Jing Shu isolated a pair in her space, hoping they would reproduce soon.
Her father returned from a visit to relatives with good news and gifts of bottled water, reflecting the value of maintaining strong family ties during these hard times. He mentioned that more relatives might be coming to stay, prompting a discussion on family dynamics and preparations for additional members.
—
*Thank you to Yunshan You for the donation! I’ve uploaded a picture of the horned frog in the character management section for those interested.*
Translator thought: Thank you so much for visiting the site and reading the story. If you would like to support my translation you can buy me a cup-ontea. You can also help by shopping in our store or watch the youtube video to get more traction to the website. If you can’t wait to read the next chapter why not subscribe to our monthly plan, you will get 15 chapter every month for $35.
