Chapter 32: Missing Mother

"I haven't explained what these points are for yet, so don't be impatient. In the future, points will be the currency of Miaomiao Farm, used to purchase farm goods. You won't need to pay points this time; consider it a special offer for our first collaboration. When you bring the supplies next time, the points you earn can then be used to buy more."

"Understood! Miss Tang, our Jin'an Safe Zone will forever hold this kindness in our hearts!"

In truth, everyone knew that in this apocalypse, contracts were little more than waste paper. Collecting sample data, planting a few seeds, and keeping an eye on people already within the safe zone was hardly a difficult task. Yet, for Tang Miao to offer such generous compensation made it clear she was simply using this as a pretext to provide aid to the safe zone.

Over the phone, Zhang Xinrou spoke in a flustered rush: "Tang Miao, wait a moment! I've drafted the contract; I’m plugging in the printer now, I'll print it immediately."

A few seconds later, the entire farm dimmed.

Tang Miao scratched her head in embarrassment: "Sorry about that. The farm's power supply issue hasn't been resolved yet. Just a moment."

"Power supply? Is the turbine bounty Miss Tang posted online intended to generate electricity?" Gu Suian realized. The reward for that bounty was incredibly tempting, but the fatality rate on the road to Liutuo Mountain was far too high. Even if one managed to reach the mountain safely and secure the turbine, one would still have to contend with those waiting to intercept and steal it on the return trip. Consequently, when a subordinate suggested accepting the bounty, the safe zone's leadership held a meeting and rejected the proposal. But now... "Miss Tang, if the farm is in urgent need of the turbine from Liutuo Mountain, our safe zone..."

"No need. I’ll go to Liutuo Mountain myself after a while. In two days, there will be a small blackboard outside the farm. I’ll update the items for sale and their prices there; if you want to make a purchase, come in person."

Once they delivered the samples, Tang Miao would give them a homemade point card.

A while later, Lin Chaofeng and Zhang Xinrou arrived, each carrying two large crates of bottles and jars. The dormitory aunt and the others also brought over the chickens, ducks, geese, and fish. The vegetables that had been harvested but not yet sold were stored by Tang Miao in her space. This infinite space could lock in freshness; items placed inside would remain in their original state forever, never spoiling. Due to the limitations of the jeep, the supplies couldn't all fit, so 200 catties of vegetables were temporarily left at the farm to be transported the following day.

With the supplies delivered and the contract signed, another influx of points was recorded. The three expressed their solemn farewells; Ge Shan and Zhang Ansong repeated their thanks over and over, nearly kneeling before Tang Miao and her group. The redwood trees closed up once more, and the light from the canopy vanished.

***

In the jeep.

Ge Shan was driving, and Zhang Ansong sat in the passenger seat. The necks of the chickens, ducks, and geese in the back seat had been snapped by Gu Suian to prevent their noise from attracting nearby zombies.

"Uncle Zhang, how is your injury?"

Zhang Ansong laughed heartily: "It’s nothing! This trip was worth it! This wound was well worth it!"

Ge Shan nodded firmly, then added after a moment: "I noticed that several of the employees at Miss Tang's farm didn't look well; they appeared quite lifeless."

Gu Suian, in the back seat, chimed in: "I noticed that too. The farm is huge, yet they only have a few people working there. I’m afraid the workload is too much for them to handle."

Zhang Ansong mused: "When we return to the safe zone, we'll pick out some capable people and see if Miss Tang needs any help."

Gu Suian’s expression turned somber: "Regarding that turbine on Liutuo Mountain, let's gather everyone and discuss it again when we get back." From a broader perspective, sacrificing a small number of people to secure the benefits for the majority was a viable trade-off. Furthermore, if they solved Tang Miao's immediate crisis, perhaps she would be willing to offer some assistance if the safe zone were to face hardship in the future.

Gu Suian lowered the window slightly to observe the surroundings with night-vision goggles, her other hand clutching the tomato Tang Miao had given her before they left. At night, zombies were more active than during the day. Tang Miao had instructed them to toss two tomatoes by the roadside every so often to keep the zombies from lunging at the vehicle. She followed the instructions, and sure enough, there were no zombie attacks; some zombies even ignored the vehicle, swaying toward the dropped tomatoes instead.

Just then, a bullet whistled past her eyes, followed by the sound of gunfire.

"Ambush! Ge Shan, speed up! We’re about to reach our safe zone's support range!"

The sound of gunfire drew the zombies' attention. Gu Suian aimed toward the source of the shots and tossed the tomatoes one by one. Shouts erupted in the darkness, and the number of bullets hitting the vehicle dropped significantly.

Zhang Ansong, in the passenger seat, also put on his night-vision goggles: "One person in the tree canopy at three o'clock. The zombies can't get up there!"

Gu Suian immediately pulled out the sniper rifle from under the seat, loaded, aimed, and fired! The person in the canopy fell to the ground, only to be swarmed by zombies the next instant.

The chance of encountering zombie attacks when traveling at night was extremely high, and they were far more ferocious than during the day. But precisely because of this, it lowered the risk of others intercepting the supplies along the way. Gu Suian hadn't expected someone to be so desperate as to risk their life for a robbery, especially when dealing directly with Tang Miao was clearly the superior strategy.

***

Bright searchlights illuminated the road ahead, and the support team on the embankment began providing fire cover for the vehicle. Ge Shan pressed harder on the accelerator: "We’ve entered the support range! We'll be safe in a moment!"

...

As night fell and the stars glittered, Tang Miao lay in the open space of the farm, counting the stars with her fingers. Zaizai lay in the crook of her arm, raising its small hand to point at them as well: "Aba, aba..."

One, two, two, three, four...

She wondered if her mother would ever be able to find the planet she was on through the Star Tower. She had felt a premonition the moment she woke up in this body. It wasn't until she obtained the Survival Guide that she confirmed the nature of the problem. Without the assistance of her family's homologous spiritual power, these things could not directly enter her mental sea.

Her mother likely knew about the experimental project all along but had never agreed to it. The Federation had probably tried every trick in the book without getting her mother to relent. In the end, they resorted to this desperate measure, colluding with family members to deceive her mother. They chose the day of her birthday banquet, the day her mother would least expect a move to be made.

Tang Miao scoffed at such behavior, yet she also wanted to contribute a little more to her family, the Federation, and the citizens of the interstellar community. *Mother, please forgive my stubbornness. Since I’m already here, I’ll finish the experiment and then return to ask for your forgiveness.*

A certain star in the sky brightened, flickering and moving as if in response.

"Miaomiao, what's wrong?"

Jiang Nanxing gently draped a small blanket over Tang Miao, holding two pillows in his arms. He lay down beside her, feeling a bittersweet yet warm emotion—it was quite contradictory.

"Jiang Nanxing, do you remember anything from before you became a zombie? How did you get the scar on your back? Do you remember your mother?"

Jiang Nanxing blurted out, "I don't remember."

"Alright then."

Tang Miao sighed and pulled the blanket up a little higher.