Chapter 46: How Much Money It Takes to Save My Child

Wang Xue Mei asked again, "Is anyone selling them at a high price? Sell me a few bottles." Most people expressed helplessness. Or, if they hadn’t managed to buy any themselves, they also requested to purchase some. Due to the sudden viral flu outbreak in the past couple of days, there had been quite a few deaths. This flu struck fiercely; if not controlled or treated overnight, it would be too late. As long as it was controlled in the early stages, patients would gradually recover. The problem was that hospitals were full, and word was that medication was already running low! Who would dare risk their own life? In some respects, the Huaxia people were actually quite vulnerable. The slightest hint of trouble would put them on alert, prompting widespread panic buying. So, when the news broke, people rushed to pharmacies and supermarkets, clearing the shelves. Although purchases were now limited, each person’s quota still allowed for buying about a dozen bottles of floral water. This meant one group of people managed to hoard a large supply early on, while those who went to buy later found everything sold out. With raw material supplies cut off, manufacturers had long since halted production, leaving people with no choice but to buy from scalpers at exorbitant prices. In her past life, Jing Shu’s family had gotten some information early due to Mrs. Jing, but they only managed to grab a few bottles at the pharmacy. Later, it wasn’t just Black Fungus Beetles; various kinds of rotten corpse insects also appeared. Sufficient floral water could have prevented these infestations. Therefore, in this life, Jing Shu had bought several boxes of Wind Oil Essence. It possessed the strongest and most lasting scent, a deterrent that kept these insects far away. Wang Qiqi_No.13 said, "Look, it’ll take a few days for the government to issue vaccines or deal with the insects. Those who bought a dozen or so bottles probably won’t use them all. Anyone with a surplus can sell some at three times the market price. Our group isn’t about enabling neighbors who just want to freeload. I’ll sell two bottles of floral water for 30 Yuan each." With Wang Qiqi, the group leader, taking the initiative, a few others soon began to offer some of their floral water as well. Jing Shu thought for a moment and said, "I’ll sell two bottles of Wind Oil Essence for 10 Yuan each." ... "Thank you, neighbors, for your generosity. I’ll record the names of those who supplied floral water on the notice board," Wang Qiqi announced, taking charge of the situation. She not only garnered a wave of gratitude from the neighbors but also satisfied the vanity of those who enjoyed doing good deeds. This approach seemed to take a page right out of the primetime news playbook. Jing Shu couldn’t quite tell what kind of person Wang Qiqi truly was; she’d have to observe her more. Although most residents in the community had floral water, some careless individuals were still invaded by Black Fungus Beetles, and their entire households contracted the viral flu that very night. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jing was at the villa watering her favorite apricot tree. Occasionally, she would pick an apricot to eat, then crack open the pit to eat the kernel inside. Then, she would wander into the greenhouse to pick strawberries, or gather grapes and apples to arrange in the living room, ensuring a constant supply of fresh fruit. She also tended to the potted fruit plants, milked the cow, fed the pigs and chickens, watered the vegetable garden, and fed the fish in the pond. Having run out of things to do, she went to the cloakroom to sort through the clothes once more. She realized her spendthrift daughter had truly bought every imaginable type of clothing. Lately, she’d been wearing a one-piece suit zipped up to her forehead. It featured two glass eyeholes for visibility, completely preventing any contact with insects while still being breathable. These clothes must have been incredibly expensive; what a spendthrift! Mrs. Jing, however, felt a sense of contentment. She was keenly aware of how others around her were living, yet her own life was even better than before. Mrs. Jing resolved to cherish this good fortune deeply. She would absolutely not allow anyone to shatter her happiness, nor would she let anyone find out about her family’s circumstances. Through this comparison, Mrs. Jing finally realized she was living *too* well—so well that she grew anxious about others prying. Ever since Mrs. Jing’s work schedule changed, she had more free time. Mr. Jing, however, was incredibly busy. Every day, he not only had to clear blockages in the water pipes and clean the tempered glass covers but also spray insecticide. After dealing with the cattle and sheep manure, he then had to manage their household waste. After the water supply was cut, their family, despite having a storage tank, didn’t dare use the water carelessly. Flushing toilets was no longer an option. So Jing Shu had bought a large quantity of disposable paper-based commodes and cat litter. After using the toilet, they would cover the waste with cat litter. At first, Mr. and Mrs. Jing couldn’t accept it. But after using the disposable commodes and covering the waste with cat litter, they only needed to dispose of it once daily. Being odorless and convenient, they finally accepted it completely. The only issue was their daughter’s habit of buying things in massive quantities whenever she shopped. Could this habit ever be cured? She’d bought enough disposable commodes and cat litter to fill a small room—enough to last until the next lifetime, perhaps! Recently, Wang Qiqi had organized the construction of several squat-style public toilets, which were now operational. However, for urination, most people still used chamber pots at home. Yet, an unavoidable odor lingered, much like the one Jing Shu had noticed at her Uncle’s house. Compared to braving dust, extreme heat, or freezing cold to walk several minutes to a public toilet, Mr. and Mrs. Jing much preferred using their own, which was also easier to manage. After finishing all these tasks, Mr. Jing still had to drive to the supermarket daily to buy some dried fruits and grains. Since Jing Shu held the key to the basement, she was in charge of daily cooking. Mr. and Mrs. Jing only knew that Jing Shu had stocked the kitchen refrigerator and bought a batch of grains, planning to do a live cooking stream. They had no idea exactly how much she had actually purchased. Mrs. Jing suggested they stockpile more grain, mainly because the family had hearty appetites, which worried her. So, Mr. Jing would queue up daily to bring some back. He enjoyed snacking on sunflower seeds and almonds, so he bought a large supply of both. Today, Mr. Jing returned early, fully clad in his protective suit, bearing bad news: "Starting today, all supermarkets will be closed for three days. After that, their opening hours will be changed to 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily—only two hours—to avoid the peak heat and periods of viral transmission." "These Black Fungus Beetles are incredibly contagious. A few young men from my unit got infected. Luckily, they were sent to the hospital promptly. But now, it seems hospitals are turning patients away—first, they’re out of medicine, and second, there’s simply no more room," Mrs. Jing said, tossing Mr. Jing’s discarded clothes into the washing machine. Just one trip outside and you’re covered in dust and grime. You have to change immediately, or it gets on the sofa and bed, and then those have to be washed too. That day we visited Jing Shu’s Uncle and sat there for an afternoon—when we got back, everyone’s pants were black! "Driving outside today, insects were constantly splattering against the windshield," Mrs. Jing continued. "There were far fewer pedestrians. Why don’t you take some leave from work? Aren’t other companies giving three days off?" "That’s not an option," Mr. Jing replied. "The higher-ups said unless we drop dead, we have to keep at it. We’re supposed to go all out for sixty days." ... Jing Shu was dozing fitfully when her phone began to beep incessantly. Her hearing had evolved to be quite sensitive, so the persistent noise eventually woke her. A glance at the time showed it was already 2:00 AM. There were over a dozen unread messages in the group chat. Jing Shu scrolled through them. ’I Have a Baby_Bldg13’: "@everyone, help! Our family of three has caught the viral flu! Does anyone with a car and fuel please take us to the hospital?! All 120 emergency lines are busy, and our one-year-old child is unconscious!" "Please, I’m begging you! If no one has a car, could some kind soul just carry my son to a Doctor? We’ll pay anything! Please, save my child!"