Chapter 294: Is There Still Hope After Drawing the Line?

Jing Shu shook her head hard, the impression deepening bit by bit. “That’s right, it’s definitely Qian Duoduo. I never thought the richest man in Wu City, Qian Duoduo, was actually starved to death in his past life. How ironic.”

Why did he starve? It probably started with this Stone Garden. Qian Duoduo gathered all the people from the old oil base and focused on developing his one-stop base. The development was indeed impressive, forming a complete industrial chain that allowed everyone in the base to eat well and have work every day—truly the happiest thing in the apocalypse.

But its biggest flaw, Jing Shu thought, was that it probably crossed the government’s bottom line.

Great功盖主 (功大盖主, meaning “merit overshadows the ruler”), those who flaunted their wealth too much never ended well, like Qian Duoduo.

In the end, he developed the base well, placing its people at the top of Wu City’s social pyramid. Everyone knew about the Stone Garden and wanted to go there. It was described as “the last paradise of the apocalypse.” Some even suggested learning from Qian Duoduo’s management or making him the leader of the provincial capital.

Qian Duoduo’s reputation reached unprecedented heights. People affectionately called him “Mr. Stone Garden,” so much so that people knew the Stone Garden but not Qian Duoduo.

But that was in the fifth year! All of China’s reserve food was basically gone, corpses of the starving everywhere. Countless people died of hunger and cold daily. In just half a year, the Earth’s population decreased by 20%. Imagine what hell that was.

In such a situation, the people in the Stone Garden could still eat full meals daily. Wouldn’t that make everyone else jealous?

The government eventually intervened. Whether they deliberately killed the fat pigs raised for years or let Qian Duoduo develop the base only to cut him down like harvesting chives, no one knew.

Even with backing from the imperial capital, Qian Duoduo couldn’t escape the immediate crisis.

Back then, Jing Shu was naive. She only heard that Mr. Stone Garden was benevolent, donating all his food to the people of Wu City. The watered-down food sustained tens of thousands for a few days, saving many from starvation. Everyone was grateful to Mr. Stone Garden.

This boosted his reputation to a peak. But soon after came news that Mr. Stone Garden felt ashamed of the people, unable to eat until the food problem was solved. A few days later, news spread that he had become depressed over Wu City’s food shortage, his health deteriorated, and he died without rescue.

The government erected a monument for him, widely publicizing his good deeds as a model for all. His story was even included in Chinese textbooks.

At the time, Jing Shu thought that no matter how cruel the apocalypse was, there were still good people like Mr. Stone Garden, who donated his food. If there were more good deeds, the world would be full of warmth. She admitted she often wanted to help others but felt like a burden.

Much later, she accidentally met a former mid-to-upper manager of the Stone Garden and heard rumors that it was all the government’s doing.

“At first, a new government leader came to negotiate, wanting to borrow all the boss’s food and return it after the disaster. The boss refused because that meant dismantling the Stone Garden, his greatest achievement. Then… well, things changed.”

“If you had so much food, would you be willing to give it all away?”

Jing Shu shook her head hard. She wasn’t a saint.

“So the boss wasn’t wrong. He just wanted to keep enjoying the apocalypse and hoped the Stone Garden people could eat well and keep serving him. We at Stone Garden also want good food every meal. But the government isn’t wrong either; they want everyone in Wu City to survive. No one is wrong—it’s just that damn nature that can’t grow food!”

Speaking of Wu City’s leader, Jing Shu remembered a decisive young man who, at only 31, held such a high position. Later generations nicknamed him “The Tyrant.”

He saved half the people and personally killed the other half. His actions were highly controversial. For example, with Qian Duoduo’s case, others said there were many alternatives like house arrest or food taxation.

But the Tyrant chose extreme methods, pushing Mr. Stone Garden’s reputation even higher, portraying Qian Duoduo as a legendary figure to emulate for his selflessness and contribution to Wu City, simply because he said, “Everyone needs a belief now.”

Thus, Mr. Stone Garden became that belief.

Jing Shu shivered at the thought. Fortunately, Wu City’s situation hadn’t changed yet, and that man wouldn’t take office for another two or three years.

“No, no, I’m actually in the famous Stone Garden! The place countless people wanted to see in my past life!” Jing Shu covered her face, wondering if there was still hope after distancing herself from Qian Duoduo.

That man would be the fat pig three years later, and the Stone Garden would be requisitioned! No matter how rich the richest man was or how much he ate, you need to have a life to spend and eat!

Jing Shu suddenly felt the gifts she received today were rushed. You can’t fight the government in the apocalypse—they control all food, resources, and police. Unless you want to be a villain, you don’t go against them.

She decided to keep a low profile from now on. Flaunting weapons or the RV was fine, but after the fourth year, never flaunt food! Hide what you eat and say “I’m so hungry” every day, or else Qian Duoduo’s fate will be yours.

“Xiao Cai, you haven’t told us—what’s on the first floor?” Su Mary clapped excitedly. This place suited her tastes perfectly.

“The first floor is multifunctional, half built so far. It includes the staff canteen, guest dining hall, Code Playground, office area, exhibition hall, and more. The other half is still being planned. Let’s go, Mr. Qian has arrived, and the event is starting. He has a purpose for gathering everyone today.”

“Is it fundraising? Mr. Qian’s money is running out? Then I’ll invest more,” Su Mary giggled.

Jing Shu felt as if her feet weighed a thousand pounds, unable to move. Her mind was in chaos. Her connection with Qian Duoduo seemed inevitable. What would she do in three years?

Hearing Su Mary mention fundraising, Jing Shu sighed deeply. Some people just love to watch the show. What happened to Su Mary in her past life? Was she implicated?

(End of chapter)

If you want, I can help with summaries or more translations!

Here is the English translation of the passage you provided: