Chapter Fifty-Two: Flourishing Prosperity

The afternoon sunlight, tinged with a hint of laziness, filtered through the newly constructed courtyard of the base. Jiang Qiyu stood before the young sweet potato sprouts.

The freshly transplanted seedlings hung their leaves listlessly, showing no sign of mutation.

She reached out to touch them; the softness under her fingertips was apparent, yet there was no unusual vitality to be sensed.

She must have been overthinking.

Jiang Qiyu withdrew her hand and turned away.

The evening glow stretched her silhouette long and lonely.

As night fell, in a corner unnoticed by anyone, the seemingly lifeless vines of the sweet potato plants trembled softly. A few of the once drooping leaves slowly unfurled, as if curiously “observing” their surroundings.

The next day, Jiang Qiyu set out to finalize the location for the logging site.

The land deep within the mountains boasted towering ancient trees and resources so abundant they were breathtaking, yet the winding mountain roads made transportation arduous and time-consuming.

Another plot lay adjacent to the highway, offering convenient access and lower transportation costs, though the trees there grew faster but yielded slightly inferior wood quality.

After careful consideration, she chose the site near the highway.

In this post-apocalyptic world, efficiency and safety were paramount.

“This is the place,” she said simply, without hesitation.

The logging site began operations. Meanwhile,

at dawn, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows that swayed gently in the breeze.

“Everyone, be safe. Clear division of labor and strive for efficiency,” Jiang Qiyu stood at the front, her voice clear and resolute.

The workers split into groups: felling trees, transporting timber, and managing logistics.

With the fall of the first tree, the logging operation officially commenced. The clatter of axes and saws echoed in waves, sawdust fluttered in the air, and the scent of fresh timber permeated the atmosphere.

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After several days of hard work, the logging site yielded a substantial amount of high-quality lumber.

Jiang Qiyu stood aside, watching with satisfaction as truck after truck of timber was hauled back to the base.

This wood would provide critical materials for the base’s expansion.

Upon returning, Jiang Qiyu immediately organized manpower to begin enlarging the chicken and duck coops. Workers busily erected new shelters; timber was cut to size, nails striking wood with crisp sounds.

“This wood is excellent. Construction is going smoothly,” Zhao Hu remarked as he worked.

Over time, the new coops took shape. The spacious areas and sturdy structures inspired confidence.

At the other end of the base, the aviary grew lively.

During the construction phase of the birdhouse, Jiang Qiyu stood amid the bustling workers when suddenly a large gray-feathered bird flapped its wings and soared upward, diving directly toward Zhao Hu, who was carrying wooden planks.

“Hey! What the heck is that!” Zhao Hu ducked and covered his head just as the bird’s sharp beak narrowly missed the back of his head. It struck at nothing and refused to relent, circling once before diving at him again.

Slapping his thigh, Zhao Hu jumped up and shouted, “You want more? You think I’m made of mud? Today, you’re going down!” Grabbing a wooden stick, he squared off against the gray bird.

The nearby workers stopped their tasks to watch. When Zhou Hang arrived, he found Zhao Hu and the bird glaring at each other like sworn enemies.

“Zhao Hu, be careful not to anger it!” Zhou Hang cautioned, scanning for an opening. “This bird’s smart. It probably thinks we’re invading its territory. The more you provoke it, the less it backs down.”

No sooner had he spoken than the gray bird flapped again toward Zhao Hu, who dodged and shouted, “Zhou Hang, don’t just talk—help me out here!”

Zhou Hang sighed, shoved his notebook into a bystander’s arms, rolled up his sleeves, and stepped into a clearing. He bent slightly and spoke softly to the bird, “This will be your new home. No one will hurt you here. Stop making trouble, okay?”

The bird hovered, slowing its wingbeats, as if considering his words.

Seeing this, Zhou Hang pulled a strip of dried meat from his pocket and waved it. “Come on, no more fuss. Try this—it’s delicious.” He tossed the treat a short distance away and slowly backed up.

The bird hesitated, folded its wings, landed, and cautiously approached the meat. It let out a satisfied call.

The gathered workers burst into laughter. Zhao Hu patted his chest and grumbled, “Well, Zhou Hang, you sure know how to tame beasts.”

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Zhou Hang ignored the teasing and continued softly soothing the bird while it relaxed its guard. “This will be your domain now, with plenty to eat and drink. It’s better than the outside world. Come on inside the aviary—it’s spacious and comfortable. You’ll like it.”

He gently nudged the bird toward the entrance. The gray bird paused hesitantly, then stepped inside.

Seeing this, the other unsettled birds seemed to lower their defenses and flew into the newly built aviary. Soon, the place was alive with chirps and wingbeats.

“Done!” Zhou Hang said, glancing at Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu curled his lip. “Don’t worry, I’m not making any more enemies among the birds.” He slapped his grimy sleeve and muttered, “How did I end up as the joke of the birds today?”

A flock of “big silly birds” had been chased from the experimental fields and flew straight to the fish pond, trying to steal fish, much to the frustration of the aquaculture team.

Shi Chao lounged lazily nearby, teasing the gathered birds but occasionally glancing at Jiang Qiyu. “Boss, aren’t you going to do something about this?”

Jiang Qiyu shot him a glance, picked up a stone, and with lightning speed flicked it. The stone struck a bird’s claw with a sharp “snap,” scaring it into flapping away. The rest scattered in a flurry.

Shi Chao smiled sheepishly and wisely kept quiet.

Time flew, and the first batch of cherry tomatoes ripened. Though few in number, they stirred excitement throughout the base. In this resource-starved apocalypse, they symbolized hope and renewal.

At the celebratory feast, the atmosphere was light and joyful. Jiang Qiyu was persuaded to drink a few cups of fruit wine, her cheeks faintly flushed. Lu Yao sat beside her, quietly watching her with a subtle tenderness in his gaze.

Late at night, a sharp knock shattered the base’s tranquility.

“Boss! Bad news! A large horde of zombies is coming down from the highway, heading straight for the logging site!”

Jiang Qiyu’s eyes snapped open, her gaze instantly sharpening. The earlier haze of intoxication vanished without a trace.