Chapter 226: "Being Praised to Death" (First Update)

“I heard from Xiao xiao that she was specially recruited by Zhou Hui, but come on, does she really have the face to not show up for work after that? Xiao xiao, such a hardworking person, lost her proper position because of her. President Tie, you really need to stand up for her.”

Jiao jiao stood with her hands on her hips, her figure curvy and alluring, catching people’s eyes.

The usually quiet Herbal Medicine Association had undergone a drastic change today. It seemed that the surrounding buildings had filled up with new residents—likely those migrants Zhou Bapi mentioned had arrived. Wucheng had only been half-submerged in the flood, making it a relatively safer place. In contrast, some cities had been entirely flooded, forcing people to relocate to nearby safer areas.

The northwest was remote, and Wucheng aimed to consolidate the population for easier management. Wucheng was still far from the border, but there had been rumors of many foreigners arriving here, drawn by reports of abundant food. Of course, Jing Shu thought, we might have food, but it’s no different from what’s available globally.

Jing Shu also had to admire the foreigners for their habits. They had already started eating their emergency reserves during a year when food was still plentiful. In contrast, the people here had a deeply ingrained sense of crisis, always saving what they could, like squeezing toothpaste, only using reserves when absolutely necessary.

“Oh, and I heard there’s a stash of high-value supplies nearby—food, survival gear, all sorts of essentials,” Jing Shu mused. If she could dig that up, she’d be set. Jing Shu could almost feel herself drooling at the thought.

The Herbal Medicine Association had built its own cafeteria, and it was now 7 a.m., prime breakfast time. The place was bustling, with people lining up for meals. Jing Shu noticed the breakfast options were simple porridge and a side of chilled mushroom and vegetable salad—definitely better than what the general public was eating.

Jing Shu was walking past the cafeteria when she overheard the conversation about President Tie. She immediately understood that the president must be Xiao xiao’s backer, recently returned.

Compared to Zhou Bapi, who had the appearance of a scraggly old villain, President Tie truly looked the part of a fat, bald man. His head had three or four layers of fat rolls stacked at the back.

There’s a difference between being bald and being shiny-bald. A bald person could still grow hair, but a shiny-bald head glistened like an oiled egg, with no chance of regrowth.

President Tie’s body resembled a round iron ball, and even walking made him wheeze for breath. He was even fatter than the former Fat Girl in Building 25, who had slimmed down since.

In the apocalypse, every fat person was definitely rich.

President Tie’s voice was oily and smooth. “If she was personally recruited by President Zhou, and has the freedom to come and go as she pleases, she must be very capable. Maybe she’s from a famous herbalist family.”

“You all better open your eyes and avoid offending people you shouldn’t.”

“I know Jing Shu—she’s one of the most talented individuals I’ve ever seen. President Zhou himself has vouched for her, saying she’s being groomed to be the vice president. She’s even being considered for a spot in a nationwide competition.”

“Think about it: She solved problems even President Zhou couldn’t. She grew plants that no one else could. Doesn’t that make her incredibly capable? If I hear anyone badmouthing Jing Shu again, I’ll make sure to punish you.”

President Tie smiled as he walked toward Jing Shu. “I have high hopes for you, Jing Shu. Everyone should learn from her and follow her example. She’s our proud representative from Wucheng, and no one else can compare.” After these flattering words, he waddled away, looking as if he genuinely admired Jing Shu.

Jiao jiao snorted, muttering, “Don’t get too cocky. We’re not done with my sister’s issue.” It was hard to imagine that a rough, masculine woman like Xiao xiao could be sisters with someone as delicate as Jiao jiao.

But... this was a classic case of “praising to death.”

Jing Shu had expected President Tie to give her a hard time while Zhou Bapi was away, but instead, he publicly praised her in front of so many people in the cafeteria. His intentions were malicious.

Right now was the time when talented people from other cities were eager to prove themselves. President Tie’s words had just painted a huge target on Jing Shu’s back.

Sure enough, after President Tie left, Jiao jiao began whispering exaggerated stories about Jing Shu’s accomplishments, ensuring her reputation spread far and wide.

“She’s got special privileges now. She can show up whenever she wants, and she still gets paid while we work fifteen-hour days.”

“There are seven official positions here in Wucheng, and she managed to get one of them by having Xiao xiao kicked out. That’s how influential she is. President Zhou just went along with whatever she wanted.”

“She’s already cultivating several plant species and even declared she’ll be the next vice president.”

Even a clay figurine has its temper. Jing Shu, who was known for her fiery personality, was certainly no pushover. Unfortunately, the more you tried to avoid trouble, the more it seemed to find you.

But now wasn’t the time for Jing Shu to lose her cool or arrogantly say something like, “I did say that, and if you push me, I’ll make sure you get kicked out too,” even though she had the power to back up such a claim.

“That’s nonsense! Xiao xiao was the one who made the mistake!” Wang Danai arrived just in time to intervene.

Jing Shu sighed deeply. “Drinking papaya milk now, are we?” She admired the view, seemingly distracted by the sight of a pair of "big white rabbits" bouncing toward her.

As a senior staff member, Wang Danai had some authority. Thanks to her vivid retelling of the events, she successfully got into an argument with Jiao jiao. Meanwhile, Xiao xiao had yet to make an appearance, and no one knew where she had gone.