Chapter 220: Charity Auction

Look, even in the apocalypse, there are still selfless good people. Today’s dishes and food must have been the best the old man had to offer. The food provided for over two hundred people could have easily sustained his family for six months.

When Jing Shu arrived earlier, apart from some fish left in the pond, all the vegetables in the garden had already been harvested.

The old man could have easily announced that all the gifts today would be donated. He could have avoided wasting this feast and still gained endless admiration. But instead, he first used his best resources to host and entertain his old friends.

Some might say that the things he’s donating aren’t even his own, but in reality, he could have received those gifts without donating anything. He simply chose not to do that.

Sometimes, the act of giving itself holds value. Over the years, the gifts he had given out were always going to return to him. At the end of the day, these were all still his belongings.

Jing Shu suddenly remembered an event from her previous life that made the news: the old man had indeed donated a large amount of white rice to thousands of people in Wucheng, gaining much gratitude. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to taste it back then, as the supplies hadn’t reached Banana District before they ran out.

What Jing Shu admired most were people like the old man, especially in the apocalyptic world, where survival was much tougher for elderly people.

No wonder Yang Yang had been sighing earlier—this time, it truly was a case of losing everything. Not only did they not receive the cash gifts they were hoping for, but they also sacrificed all the food they had, leaving his grandmother to surely make his grandfather kneel on the washboard later.

As the room buzzed with shock and disbelief, the auctioneer, Shen Sanqiao, knocked on the podium. “In addition, everyone participating in today’s charity auction will be featured in Wucheng News for their good deeds. This auction will also be listed in the big data charity auction column for recognition.”

In Jing Shu’s view, it didn’t matter if celebrities used charity to promote themselves. As long as they truly donated and did good deeds that benefited the common people, both sides got what they wanted—what’s wrong with that?

The auction quickly began, going table by table, starting from the top left. The first person to stand was an elderly man who presented a filtration system. The old man, Yang Laoyezi, looked pained—his family had been relying on his son’s filtered water, and now he was giving it away.

“Haha, you old rascal, you’re really going to give away something so valuable? Alright, let’s auction it.”

The value of filtration systems had skyrocketed, and it ultimately sold for 1,000 virtual coins. Everyone was being considerate, knowing this wasn’t a formal auction, so they bid according to the item’s worth.

Next up: “I brought you some dried walnuts, hoping they’d help sharpen your mind.”

Five kilograms of walnuts sold for 600 virtual coins.

“I caught a rooster and a hen from the farm for you.”

The chickens fetched a final price of 1,500 virtual coins.

With the water supply no longer an issue, and even feed becoming abundant, the government had been heavily promoting livestock farming. However, due to the mutation of the red line worm eggs, a large number of livestock had died after drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, the government managed to restore a sewage treatment plant, which made it possible for both people and animals to drink filtered water again.

“Old Yang, I’m not going to give you any gifts. I don’t want to cause you heartache. Instead, here’s 1,000 virtual coins to make you feel the pain, haha…”

Others followed suit, giving between 500 to 1,000 virtual coins directly.

Most of Yang Laoyezi’s old friends gave items to improve his health, while others contributed rice. And, of course, there were some who were more extravagant.

One by one, it soon reached Jing Shu’s table.

“That’s my grandson’s friend. Family. Let’s move on to the next table,” Yang Laoyezi said, laughing. After all, his old friends could afford to skip the formalities and join in the donation together.

Jing Shu was content to be skipped, figuring she could give her gift to Yang Yang privately later. But to her surprise, the group who had gone to America, including Wang Dazhao, stood up together and presented the M1911 meteorite pistol. Yang Yang quietly explained the gun’s background to Jing Shu.

Without revealing the model, they simply showed the pistol to the old man, who instantly recognized it.

“Laoyezi, this is the pistol you’ve always wanted. We all chipped in to get it for your 88th birthday, and your grandson went out of his way to find it. This one doesn’t need to be auctioned, right?”

Yang Laoyezi stroked the pistol lovingly—one of a pair, the only two in the world. Crafted at great expense in America, each one was valued at 30 million yuan. But this cheeky grandson of his had managed to swipe one of them… well, it’s not like the U.S. had the resources to chase after a missing gun in the middle of an apocalypse.

“Besides, no one else here can legally own a gun. Auctioning it off would only cause trouble, wouldn’t it?”

Seeing his grandfather hesitate, Niu Moo delivered the final blow.

The other guests, all seasoned veterans of these social games, began chiming in, urging the old man not to auction the gun. Who would dare bid on it? It would be embarrassing if no one did.

“Since it’s from family, of course, it doesn’t need to be auctioned,” Yang Laoyezi said with relief, after watching so many gifts pass through his hands. At last, there was one he didn’t have to part with, and it improved his mood considerably.

Niu Moo then presented his gift—a massive double-layered peach-shaped birthday cake, covered in thick frosting and topped with strawberries.

“It’s a family-made cake. Everyone will get a slice, no need to auction this either.”

The crowd laughed, agreeing that a birthday party needed cake, and this was a thoughtful gift.

With all the gifts from her table given, Jing Shu finally took out the blood mushroom she had brought. As soon as she revealed it, gasps filled the room. Wasn’t this the famous blood mushroom that had been making headlines recently?

The mushroom had appeared at the Wucheng auction three times already, each time selling for at least 1,500 virtual coins. Demand far exceeded supply, and prices were still rising. Yet here was someone presenting one now.

“This is the biggest one I’ve ever seen, and it’s so fresh!”

Those who had eaten blood mushrooms before couldn’t stop praising them. Not only were they delicious, but they also made people feel younger, more energetic. Even those around them noticed how much more spirited they looked afterward.

The rumors about the mushroom’s miraculous effects grew even more exaggerated.

“My whole family ate one, and it really works.”

“That explains why you look so much younger these days.”

“You can’t find good things like this. Laoyezi, you should keep it for yourself.”

“Exactly! You old coot, you don’t have many years left. I’m waiting for you to return my gift after you pass.”

Yang Laoyezi didn’t recognize this young girl, but seeing her quiet demeanor and the fact that she was sitting with his grandson, a thought crossed his mind, and he broke into a goofy smile. “This is a gift from family. It doesn’t count.”

The crowd let out a collective “Ooooh” in unison.

Jing Shu: "???" Did they just misunderstand something?

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Side Note: Thank you all for your continued support!