Chapter 193: Housewarming Gifts (Seeking Monthly Votes)

“You guys shouldn’t underestimate Jing Shu’s capabilities anymore.”

As they walked along, Jing Shu counted the seats: a row of 30 positions, two rows totaling 60 seats. The people in the two rows were also distinctly different. One row resembled high-ranking officials before the apocalypse, dressed appropriately and formally. The other row consisted mainly of mismatched outfits and a uniform bald appearance.

In the second year of the apocalypse, you could gauge someone’s family background by whether they were bald. Generally, people who were particular and capable wouldn’t tolerate having red worms in their living spaces, so naturally, they wouldn’t be bald.

Thus, one row was bald, and the other had styled hair.

By a certain time, the banquet tables were almost fully occupied. Su Mali then announced:

“I’m very happy that everyone could respond to my invitation. Now, I declare the housewarming and the first Su Mali Auction officially open! Please enjoy your meal while we begin our auction and exchange event.”

The room fell silent, and the background music changed accordingly.

Su Mali continued, “First, I’ll explain the rules. We’re not following traditional protocols but instead setting prices based on the bidders’ needs. Items can have a minimum price, and you can directly bid with virtual coins or specify what you’d like to exchange for.”

“Since the currency system is still in testing and only a few government personnel have the currency exchange function, I’ve invited our internal government official, Ah Yu, to handle the virtual coin transactions for everyone.”

Today, Jing Shu saw Ah Yu, a handsome young man she had met once, stand up and bow to everyone. “Miss Mary, have you finished explaining the rules? I have a few words to say.”

Su Mali gestured for Ah Yu to speak, and he presented a gift box from beneath his feet:

“Today is also Miss Mary’s housewarming celebration. I happened to bring a gift and hope she likes it. Everyone who has prepared a gift, please send them over quickly, or they might go stale soon.”

A wave of friendly smiles filled the room. In these times, what was most valuable? Food. However, these families had stored ample food before the apocalypse, making it ordinary for them while it might be precious for others.

So, what was the rarest? Fresh fruits and live bento boxes were undoubtedly more scarce than any storable food.

Ah Yu had prepared two fresh ginseng fruits molded into the shape of gourds, surrounded by red grapes, looking very attractive.

“I know you love strawberries, here’s a bouquet of strawberries.” It was in the form of a flower bouquet, filled with fresh strawberries.

Others brought sugar-coated haws arranged into various patterns, and so on. It was just like the Eight Immortals each showcasing their unique talents. Throughout the group, they had essentially gifted all the fruits available before the apocalypse.

What made Jing Shu feel the class disparity even more was that these people, like Nima, seemed to have coordinated their gifts perfectly. Most impressively, everyone brought different items!

Soon, Su Mali was surrounded by an array of fresh fruits and even a cute little white goose. The white goose was also very valuable, especially since it was a female goose.

The classmates stared wide-eyed at the mountains of fresh fruits and food, their mouths watering. Look, Su Mali hosted a housewarming and collected so many items—it was truly enviable.

Wait a minute…

They hadn’t brought any gifts!

Everyone had thought that just showing up to eat would be enough.

The people in the opposite row had finished their gifts. Although no one said, “Now it’s your turn,” they looked at them with eyes that seemed to ask: Are you going to bring gifts or not?

Jing Shu calmly sat next to Su Mali. After all, since some classmates were bringing gifts, she would too. If no one brought her a gift, she wouldn’t make a fuss, otherwise, she’d offend the entire class, which would be too embarrassing.

Seeing the situation stalemate here, Ah Yu said, “Looks like we’re stuck here. Should we move on to the next part?”

Su Mali pouted her little lips. Growing up with etiquette meant that when visiting someone’s home, especially during a housewarming, you should bring a small gift. Even something like a handkerchief or a pen—not necessarily expensive, but as a courtesy.

Jing Shu found Su Mali’s expression amusing. The young lady was truly detached from the mundane world, unaware of the hardships her high school classmates were going through. She had long abandoned the habit of bringing gifts to housewarmings.

Su Mali’s high school classmates were all dumbfounded. However, since she had already started giving gifts, they couldn’t just refuse, right? But if they did, they wouldn’t know what to offer.

At least a few people had prepared gifts.

Xie Zihao brought a box of assorted nuts—a large gift package. Although it was a storage item, it was still valuable in the apocalypse.

Yao Zixin brought a PVC foldable rain shelter house, which could be easily opened and closed, quite convenient. Su Mali expressed her liking, finally showing a smile.

Mu Xiaoxuan brought a peach seed, packaged in a small gift box. “With the ample rain now, it should grow next year, but it might take three years to bear peaches.”

“Thank you, I’ll plant it in the villa’s courtyard. I really like it,” Su Mali smiled happily. She cared more about the thought behind the gift. Although she was naive, she liked giving and receiving gestures of goodwill.

Jing Shu looked at Mu Xiaoxuan. Does her family plant fruits? They had all sorts of seeds? She should ask her about other rare seeds. When she went to wholesale seeds, she had bought various medicinal and edible seeds in bulk. Not other plants, but now she realized many plants could play significant roles in the apocalypse.

Others also brought their exchange items in small groups—some brought vases, some brought gold, and others brought hair clips.

For these… although some might seem laughably awkward, at least they brought something. Jing Shu noticed the strange looks from the opposite row as her classmates presented their gifts.

Some even came empty-handed… They could only bow their heads, saying nothing.

Thus, the turn came for Jing Shu.

First, the potted plant couldn’t be gifted because it contained medicine. Without the spiritual spring to nourish it, Su Mali couldn’t keep it alive—it would be a waste.

Jing Shu thought hard for a long time, trying to decide what to give. Should she gift fruit? The opposite row had almost given every kind of fruit they could offer before the apocalypse.

Should she give food? They had already stocked up plenty of long-lasting food.

What about poultry? She did have some, but they were large. She couldn’t just pull them out from her waist, nor could she say, “Hey, wait a minute, my house is next door, I’ll go get it for you.” That would be even more embarrassing.

She could only offer something small, but still decent.

Jing Shu was tossing and turning in her Rubik’s Cube space, and suddenly her eyes lit up. She knew what to give.

(End of Chapter)