"Your radiation-resistant corn has matured!"
"Your..."
Lin Fan stood in the cultivation zone, listening to the pleasant chime of the notifications, and began harvesting the crops.
Busy times always passed quickly.
This was the fifth day after the Day of Destruction.
Just as Lin Fan had predicted, no military or police had come knocking.
Now, the entire South City—no, the entire Yanhuang Federation, and even the whole world—had plunged into unprecedented chaos. With the widespread mutations came riots; horrific crimes occurred every single day. A few people going missing? That was far too common...
Lin Fan didn't dwell on it for long. That very night, he had erased all traces.
In the apocalypse, one had to be ruthless to survive.
Not thinking about it anymore, Lin Fan opened the system interface.
After five days of hard work, his points had reached a terrifying total of 620,000 by this morning. It still wasn't enough to splurge in the system's store, but it was more than sufficient for another round of farm upgrades.
After the recent invasion, he realized the farm's defenses were still lacking. He needed to boost its security even further.
Only by turning this place into an impenetrable fortress could he sleep peacefully in today's world.
Resolute, Lin Fan spent 400,000 points to purchase four agricultural smart work robots and four adult-level combat warriors.
His points, which had just climbed, immediately plummeted to zero.
But the value was obvious.
The agricultural smart work robots could fully take over planting, harvesting, and land cultivation—everything except for the final step of exchanging crops for points, which still had to be done by Lin Fan himself.
> "Smart Work Robot (Agricultural Type)
> Energy: 300/300
> Functions: Planting, breeding, land reclamation!
> Description: We're fully charged and highly motivated! Our slogan is: '996 is a breeze; we are tireless model workers!'"
Lin Fan skimmed through the robot descriptions, pausing slightly at the end and letting out a sigh.
This system sure had a sense of humor.
"996 is a breeze..."
Capitalists would shed tears reading this. Even Jews would feel ashamed!
Next, his eyes shifted to the four adult-level combat warriors, each shining with a metallic gleam, tall and muscular like Schwarzenegger himself.
> "Level 3 Combat Warrior (Adult-Class)
> Roles: Invasion, Guard Duty
> Weapons: Sniping, Melee Combat
> Ammo: 50/50
> Speed: 8
> Attack Power: 12
> Defense: 5
> Energy: 300/300
> Description: I may look ugly, and no, I'm not gentle at all! Idiot, stay away from my master, or I'll let you see your own brains!"
Lin Fan silently gave a thumbs-up.
"Savage—there's only one word for it."
Just as he was inspecting his new robots, a message came through from the security system—there was a "visitor" approaching.
It wasn't a blaring alarm, just a calm notification.
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow.
Who would be visiting at a time like this?
Soon, the visitor's face was displayed directly in Lin Fan's consciousness.
It was a young man—tall and sturdy.
Uncle Nan's son, Xiao Tian!
Now he looked energetic, nothing like the near-death figure bedridden days ago.
"Him?" Lin Fan frowned slightly and walked out of the planting area. "What's he doing here?"
Soon, the full image at the gate appeared.
Xiao Tian was carrying a cardboard box in his arms. Inside were the very same food supplies Lin Fan had delivered to his family the day before—about half of them!
Lin Fan's gaze softened immediately.
"Big bro! That candy-loving brother from Uncle Nan's house is at the gate!"
Xin Xin, bundled up in thick winter clothes with rosy cheeks, came running in like she was reporting a great deed.
At her age, she couldn't stay cooped up inside. Too many cartoons might hurt her eyesight, and Lin Fan didn't want that.
So whenever he was busy with farm work, he'd let Xin Xin and Xiao Hei play around the property.
"I know, I know!" Lin Fan patted her little head and quickly headed to the gate.
…
"It's Xiao Tian. What brings you here?" Lin Fan smiled from behind the gate and asked warmly.
Xiao Tian smiled back when he saw Lin Fan and set down the cardboard box. "Boss Lin, a few days ago you gave us some instant noodles. My dad said we had to repay the kindness! So, now that we finally got some food, I brought you some!"
Lin Fan looked at the box and couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
He wanted to say, "I was the one who gave that to your family..."
He wasn't lacking in food, but the gesture still warmed his heart.
The apocalypse might be heartless, but people could still be kind.
Even in a world like this, there was still a trace of warmth.
"Where'd you get this food?"
Xiao Tian sighed, "Found it in our courtyard. Might've been left by a relative or some kind soul. I'm really grateful—whoever it was might've saved my life."
"Saved your life?" Lin Fan, though he already knew the truth, pretended to be surprised.
"It's a long story… I'd rather not get into it." Xiao Tian waved it off and smiled. "Oh, and Boss Lin, besides returning the favor, I was hoping to ask you for a small favor too."
"Go ahead." Lin Fan nodded.
"I just heard there's a new grain supply depot opened by the higher-ups in the South City outskirts. They've still got some stock. I want to go buy a bit to be safe, but I need to borrow your truck." Xiao Tian looked nervous, rubbing his hands together.
Lin Fan smiled. "Sure, go ahead and take it."
Xiao Tian looked even more awkward. "Thing is, I never got my license. And that place is pretty remote…"
He didn't finish, but Lin Fan understood.
He didn't just want the truck—he wanted a driver too.
Lin Fan rubbed his chin, glanced at the cultivation zone—now under the care of his work robots.
"Alright, but we need to be back by noon. I still have to cook lunch for Xin Xin."
In the apocalypse, genuine kindness was rare.
Since Uncle Nan's family had proven themselves grateful and trustworthy, helping them out a little wasn't a big deal.
"Xin Xin, stay home and don't open the door for anyone, okay? I'll be back soon!" Lin Fan instructed her seriously.
He didn't plan on bringing her along.
In a world filled with dangers, the farm was still the safest place.
"Okay! Xin Xin will be good!" she nodded quickly.
Xiao Hei crouched beside her, his cold eyes sweeping over Xiao Tian before ignoring him completely.
Lin Fan grabbed the keys, opened the gate, and drove the truck out, setting the combat warriors to auto-guard mode.
Xiao Tian hopped into the passenger seat.
As the engine roared, the truck slowly pulled away.
Xin Xin tilted her head, watching them disappear into the distance. Hugging Xiao Hei's neck, she murmured,
"Big brother Xiao Tian is so magical—he can even change colors…"
"The last time we saw him, he was green. Now he's red!"
"So fun!"
Xiao Hei didn't understand her words. With a low whimper, he turned and ran back toward the small building.