RIACMET chapter 59

 

The girl had a bright and straightforward personality, much like Huang Qian’s.

As they chatted, Jiang Nian learned that Jiang Wenwen had also traveled with a group when she left Qingyun City, just a few days behind them.

Some of her teammates died along the way, some split off to Base L and Base K, and she was the only one who came to South City Base.

She came here for much the same reason as him: she felt that a military-led base like Nancheng was better organized and safer.

It was much more suitable for someone like her, who was not especially strong, to survive.

Despite facing many difficulties, Jiang Wenwen arrived at the base only two days after them.

Without any acquaintances here, she relied on her water-based abilities and applied for a water plant manager position in the wasteland areas via the base’s job postings.

The job was nine to five, with three meals included, one day off each week, and a fixed salary of 1,500 points per month.

Her duties were to regularly check the water facilities and refill the tanks as needed.

If daily water usage met the quotas, she could earn extra.

Though it was an easy job, the base pay of 1,500 points was a little low for a water-ability mutant.

Nevertheless, Jiang Wenwen said she’d rather have a stable, ordinary life than settle for anything less than she deserved.

“If I don’t find a team that suits me, I’ll just stay like this for now,” she said lightly.

Currently, she was renting a room in the outer district and was content.

After hearing all this, Jiang Nian nodded sincerely.

“Even if it’s not much money, in times like these, it’s better for a girl to have stability than to take risks without good opportunities.”

You had to admit, Jiang Wenwen wasn’t overly ambitious; she was very clearheaded.

“Yeah, I think so too,” said Jiang Wenwen with a smile. She looked down at the planning map on the table and asked, ”

“Are you planning to lease some farmland?”

“I am.”

Jiang Nian nodded and tapped the map with his finger.

“You work here, so why don’t you give me a few suggestions?”

It was always more convenient to handle these things with someone you knew.

The mischievous look on Jiang Wenwen’s face returned, and she looked at him with a playful blink.

“Hey, want to be my boyfriend? I’ll sell water to support you.”

“You… What are you doing again?”

Jiang Nian was startled. He knew she was teasing him and sighed helplessly.

“Can’t you just help me without flirting? Can’t we talk normally? I’m already married.”

This was so strange. He could usually keep his cool in front of Brother Jing, but he completely lost his composure when faced with this girl’s shameless banter. Honestly, it was because she was just too funny and unpredictable.

“It’s not that I don’t want to help,” Jiang Wenwen said seriously. “I’m just worried that if we get too close, I won’t be able to control myself. You really are my type. I don’t mind that you’re married.”

She spoke those dangerous words as she leaned forward, flipping the map toward herself and fixing her gaze on him.

“Ahem… Don’t overdo it!”

Jiang Nian was so embarrassed that his scalp tingled and his ears turned red. He covered his mouth and lowered his voice.

“Miss, calm down. I’m not good at dealing with pretty girls.”

He was doomed. Honestly, he didn’t think Jiang Wenwen was a bad person. She was less overbearing than Huang Qian, but she spoke so outrageously that it made him feel helpless.

Women these days were way too aggressive.

“Hahaha…”

Jiang Wenwen laughed heartily. Seeing his flushed face, she seemed delighted.

“All right, all right. I’m just kidding. Let’s be friends. There are plenty of decent guys in the world. I’d rather be a zombie outside than get tied to a crooked tree.”

Enough was enough—she knew when to stop. She thought that shy, easily flustered guys like him were exactly the right match for Cheng Jing.

Jiang Nian rubbed his forehead.

“That’s really not necessary…”

“. . .”

Jiang Wenwen stopped teasing and refocused on the map. After a moment, she murmured, almost to herself,

“I didn’t expect you to be the type to farm vegetables.”

Jiang Nian propped up his chin and said,

“Don’t judge a book by its cover. I can always find someone to teach me.”

When adults want to learn something, it isn’t that hard. And if he couldn’t learn, well, he could just hire help.

“… ”

Jiang Wenwen raised a thumb in silent approval.

“Sir, you make a lot of sense.”

Then she dug a pen out of her small shoulder bag and pointed to the map.

“Here—this section faces the main road. To the left is the irrigation channel beside the livestock breeding area. To the right is the perimeter wall. Behind it, there’s a row of water storage facilities. As it happens, that’s my assigned sector, so I can help arrange it for you.”

She genuinely wanted to be friends with Jiang Nian and was being upfront about everything.

Jiang Nian nodded.

“Great, let’s hear it.”

Perfect—this was perfect.

“On the other side of the base’s livestock farm…”

Jiang Wenwen moved her pen, circling another section of the plan.

“This area is where the base wall guards are housed. It’s one of the most heavily defended zones. Next to it is the dormitory for the volunteer construction crews who work outside the walls every day.”

“You know, those volunteer workers are actually convicts, and their dorms are basically cells. Security patrols in this area are extra frequent. It’s very safe.”

“… ”

Jiang Nian studied the area she had circled, thinking carefully, and then nodded.

“All right, let’s go with this one. Five mu[mfn]3,333.35 m² / 0.8235 acres[/mfn] should be enough.”

His goal was modest. He just wanted to be self-sufficient and perhaps have a small surplus.

As an ordinary civilian, he didn’t have the power to save others from disaster. The least he could do was not become a burden to his country.

“Uh…”

Suddenly, Jiang Wenwen stopped pointing at the map and looked up.

“By the way, you do know the soil hasn’t been purified yet, right?”

Jiang Nian nodded calmly.

“I know. I’ll lease it anyway. A mountain man has his own methods.”

Jiang Wenwen rolled her eyes.

“Damn it! You’re pretending again! Do not forget to allow me to lick you when you become wealthy in the future.”

“No problem.”

Jiang Nian agreed without hesitation.

They continued chatting and poring over the plans. After a while, Jiang Wenwen offered,

“How about this? I’m free this afternoon, so I can take you to see it in person. Since we know each other, it’s no trouble.”

She had originally planned to spend the day selling water, but decided to postpone.

Jiang Nian’s eyes lit up.

“Thanks a lot. I’ll treat you to dinner afterward.”

He’d been wandering the base lately and knew there were already a few decent restaurants in the inner district.

“Sure, let’s go.”

“… ”

Since they were the same age and both straightforward, the conversation flowed easily.

During the site inspection, Jiang Wenwen gave him lots of practical suggestions.

By late afternoon, the matter of leasing the farmland was basically settled.

He didn’t sign the contract immediately, only putting down a 1,000-point deposit. The administrator handed him a thick packet of information and told him to think it over carefully.

The deadline was ten days, the same as for renting a shop stall. If the deadline expired, the deposit wouldn’t be refunded.

“It’s almost five o’clock. Thanks for all your help today. No rush—let’s go get something to eat first.”

Jiang Nian invited her politely. After all, she had taken the day off to help him, so he owed her a proper thank you.

“I don’t have a vehicle,” Jiang Wenwen said. “I usually pay to hitch rides from others. So after dinner, you have to drive me home.”

Jiang Nian nodded.

“Of course.”

“… ”