I Have A Mansion In The Post - Apocalyptic
10

Chapter 10: The Ghetto of Talent

"Hehe, Boss, are you satisfied with this one?"

The weather in the desert is known for its peculiarities. Although it was the middle of a summer day, sometimes the temperature would drop to zero as it was late autumn. Thick radiation dust blocks most UV rays, which means the weather fluctuations are quite normal. If radiation dust like clouds will not drift away, then the temperature will feel cooler.

Especially in the morning, the cold was even more pronounced.

Covered in a trench coat, Jiang Chen stuffed one hand into his pocket while he checked the resume with the other. The fat man standing beside him was already bald and almost old enough to be Jiang Chen's father, but he just stood obediently there, waiting for Jiang Chen's orders.

Survival camps are governed by absolute freedom and a capitalistic view; crystals determine who has power. Although he did not know Jiang Chen's background, if he offended the customer in any way, his boss would not take this lightly.

Also, Jiang Chen was a man of status. He took a recommendation from Sun Jiao to create the fictitious position – which is the general manager of a company called Canned Fishbone. In addition to the leaders of different factions and armies, the other two prestigious positions in the desert were arms dealers and food producers.

Both types of products are very profitable, especially since the majority of agricultural land is no longer viable for production.

Regarding why the company was called Canned Fishbone, well it was convenient because the brand produced most of the canned food that Jiang Jiang brought. He even considered, after receiving some cash, he would buy the company to save the trouble of removing the production date.

“... Zhang Tianyu, originally vice president of Walkman Electronic Company, specializes in business administration and development of electronic products. Asia's famous Walkman P7 phone designer. '' Jiang Chen smiled. A vice president, that sucks. "Hmm, Sir. Wang Yi, I need people who specialize in computers and can do several jobs at once. However, you managed to find me vice president? "

Despite continuing, he did not consider the vice president any further. He does not need people who are capable of corporate strategy.

He doesn't know why, but it feels great to turn down the vice president. His face remained emotionless on the surface.

“Sorry Sir. If you can, please excuse me for a moment. "Labor market manager Wang Yi apologized profusely, as he ran into the data room to search again.

Jiang Chen looked at the poorly dressed refugees in the ghetto as he let out a long sigh.

The ghetto included several families with young people who could work. Usually, they will work in a factory area in exchange for a supply of cheap nutrients and small tablets of iodine. They will continue to survive with the family in trouble until death.

If they find a disease, their background almost foretells their unfortunate fate.

Jiang Chen stared at the radioactive dust cloud; the light that struck an unhealthy color.

Immediately, the fat Wang Yi rushed out of the data room and gave a stack of resumes to Jiang Chen. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and smiled at Jiang Chen.

Most of the resumes are dusty. It was clear that Wang Yi had recently cleaned them up. There are too many highly skilled tech individuals in the desert. After all, the production of bullets did not require advanced technology. Also, no one wants to bother buying a new computer or phone.

Jiang Chen carefully sifted through the resume while raising his eyebrows occasionally.

"Boss, are you not satisfied?" Wang Yi asked anxiously, as this affected his commission, which was his only source of income.

“There are some pretty amazing people. However. . . "Jiang Chen pointed to the criminal record at the bottom of the resume,". . Why are they all criminals? "

Lu Haitao, an IT Specialist, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after stealing 15 nutrient supplies. He currently works in a nutrition supply boiler as a laborer.

Li Kaiming, Feixun Technology Project Manager, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for robbery, and currently works in an ammunition factory as a laborer.

Wang Yi's face was filled with sadness as he said with a plea, "boss, there's nothing I can do about that. ”

After Wang Yi explained, Jiang Chen finally understood. Not everyone in the ghetto has freedom. Everyone who is traded as a product is a person who loses his freedom. Everyone who receives low-income support is a Sixth Street "property. They were similar to slaves in ancient times. Any capable individual is forced to work in a factory, and people who are unable to act as population reserves will serve as soldiers on the front lines. For the refugees who were given freedom, although mostly poor, they were able to survive without problems. Therefore, they do not require low income support.

But that's the rule from ten years ago. Wang Hai City had now formed a stable "ecosystem", and mutants and zombies did not attack the remaining space of the survivors. Therefore, Sixth Street was left without any external enemies. Therefore, there was no need for slaves like refugees.

To address the problem of overpopulation, Sixth Street officials must also participate in the human labor business. They provide connections to certain "suppliers" and use them to sell out overflowing refugees. Mercenaries or merchants often bought refugees as bait. It is fair to say that those people often do not end up in the best places. No one wastes the supply of nutrients.

Therefore, individuals who are allowed to be sold are incapacitated persons who provide no value or criminals.

Jiang Chen hesitated again because he did not want the two types of people to join him.

A monstrous character would be difficult to control, but someone of weak stature would also be challenging.

“Bos, you don't have to worry. These people will wear electronic bracelets once they are sold. Hence if they were to hurt .. "Wang Yi saw the doubt in Jiang Chen's eyes and carefully explained it to him. In the end, he made a shooting move.

Although he was still worried, there was no better solution. Jiang Chen sighed again as he had to make a decision from the group of villains. He just needs to be careful, that's all.

“010342, please stop or you will be shot directly. "An emotionless voice echoed through the door as Jiang Chen looked in that direction.

His body gently moved his legs and he paused for a moment before looking down.

“I'm sorry to hear your talk. I know computers. Please, buy me. "The girl spoke in a quick tone. The emotions thrown by his disciple switched between fear and despair.

As the tiny body wrestled at his feet, Jiang Chen carefully touched the weapon on his back. However, after he saw the soldiers hinting him not to overreact and pointed his weapon at the girl, Jiang Chen immediately abandoned the idea of pulling out his weapon.

The soldier grabbed the girl like he was picking up a chicken. Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows but did not say anything.

Even though he sympathized with her, he was worried about the girl's intentions. What if it was a trap by the Hui Zhong Mercenaries?

"I'm so sorry . There were always many people who did not want to live to see the daylight tomorrow, "Wang Yi apologized profusely. He also moved the soldier to send the girl back to the camp.

Jiang Chen noticed the girl had a watch like item on her wrist. Items kept flashing. If anyone receiving low income left the ghetto, it would immediately set off an alarm.

"If he was sent back, what would happen to him?" Asked Jiang Chen haphazardly.

“Let in work camp. "Wang Yi shrugged, because things like this happen every day.

"Even a child that young can work?"

“He's not that young. Usually, only people over the age of 16 wear the bracelet. He's just a little malnourished. Anyway, boss, who you want to choose …. ”

"I'll choose the girl. '' Jiang Chen sighed as he made his decision. A thin and weak girl is about to die in a labor camp. Jiang Chen saw many corpses since he came to the desert, he even killed someone with his own hands. But he could not let the girl be taken to hell like a place right before his own eyes, especially if she was the reason. Jiang Chen tried to convince himself.

[Maybe it's my conscience after all? ] Something rare, but valuable.

"Hmm?" Perplexed, Wang Yi stopped before he approached Jiang Chen.

“You seem to have a lot to say. ”

Wang Yi looked at Jiang Chen's cold and emotionless face, and shivered at his back.

"Yes, Yes, It doesn't matter," it would be foolish to offend a customer because Wang Yi apologized again.

"How long does it take to complete the process?"

“Kira one day. Please tell me your address. ”Although the girl had just broken the rules that made her a criminal, it still required some procedures before she could be sold.

"Two crystal units, I'll wait here. ”

“Bos, there is a judicial system. ”

"Three crystal units. I was referring to just a tip, "said Jiang Chen without patience. Civilization isn't even here, and you tell me about the justice system.

"Yes! I'll take care of it for you soon. "Wang Yi ran to his office when he made the necessary contact with the" connection "quickly. Although the man looked fat, he was quite efficient.

Jiang Chen only waited half an hour before a soldier brought the girl to the door. He noticed that in just half an hour, there were already bruises on the girl's face.

Wang Yi looked at Jiang Chen's darkened facial expression as he tried to comfort him. “Bos, inspection takes time, but it's for your safety. Please understand, "she whispered into Jiang Chen's ear," The examiner told me that she was still a virgin, haha. ”

Jiang Chen briefly moved his head. The man felt like a portable heat source with an unpleasant aroma.

Jiang Chen signed the agreement as he left five crystal units on the table. After today, the girl codenamed 010342 will have nothing to do with Sixth Street.

"You, what's your name?" Jiang Chen looked at the bruises on the girl's left cheek and the bloodstains on her arm. He shifted his gaze for a moment and took a deep breath.

His bruise was the result of a blow with the barrel of a gun. Although it had nothing to do with Jiang Chen, he felt responsible for it.

"Yao Jiayu," the girl replied in a calm and obedient voice, but her tone sounded fragmented and frightened.

"So, you understand computers?"

"Yes, I know!" The girl suddenly raised her voice, but she immediately realized her haste and lowered her head. “I received the designation B in computer programming in virtual education system. So I am confident in programming and hacking. ”

"Oh, then why are you stuck in such a terrible place?" Jiang Chen looked at the girl with a bit of surprise. If a 16-year-old can do well, then he will become a genius in the modern world. However, this seemed to make quite a lot of sense in the apocalypse. The virtual education system speeds up the basic education process and trains people based on individual talents and potential. Therefore, one would excel in one particular field after several years. Almost everyone who grows up on a survival basis receives such education. The designation B is quite distinctive.

The girl's name, Yao Jiayu, was obviously from the defense headquarters but she ended up here for some reason. It was quite common as the resources at the base of survival ran out, the people inside would go looking for a new home. Almost everyone from there would go to a survival camp.

“There are many people in the ghetto who can do it. "Yao Jiayu flushed. He then lowered his head timidly. Afraid Jiang Chen would not be happy; he then raised his head boldly.

“While I may not be the best in this area, I believe in my potential. I am also very obedient. If you ask me to do something, I won't refuse .. "At the end of the sentence, Jiang Chen can't be sure if it's because of excitement or shame, the girl's face turned red like the sun at dawn.

Jiang Chen smiled when he saw the girl struggling to sell herself. He did not care about the crystals he spent. It is like money; it is meant to be spent.

“Quiet, you don't need to be too stressed working for me. ”

Yao Jiayu trembled in agreement. Jiang Chen suddenly realized his clothes. It was a thin textile that stuck to his tiny and petite body. It seemed that everyone in the ghetto was wearing such clothes. After he left the camp, all his "assets" were confiscated, including an old jacket.

"Cold?"

He shook his head while continuing to shiver.

Jiang Chen only realized that the girl was shivering not because she was afraid of him, but because her temperature was too low.

He sighed. To Yao Jiayu's disbelief, he took off his trench coat and covered it up.

“Do not catch a cold, difficult to maintain here. ”

Jiang Chen was not a ruler taking care of people, but the girl silently nodded her head. Her greasy hair covered what looked like a smile of happiness.

"Too lucky. ”

"Hmm?" Jiang Chen glanced.

"No, there's no. ”

Jiang Chen smiled and did not continue to ask. He did good deeds after all, which made him feel warm inside. Maybe this is the nature of civilized people.

Yao Jiayu peaked at the smile on Jiang Chen's face and then lowered her head in fear as she tightened the trench coat.

[It's warm. ]

He didn't say it, but he waited so long for this day. Every day he hid in a corner of the labor market to peek at the people who were buying slaves. He wanted to find someone who wasn't so bad.

There were ruthless mercenaries, wealthy merchants, and people he did not understand very well.

But this was the first time he ran into a buyer. He doesn't even understand himself. Why would he risk his life to beg this man? Maybe it was because of the way he looked at the ghetto. He caught a glimpse of a special emotion; an emotion called sympathy. Even though it was just a little bit, and it was almost gone, it was still there.

So if he didn't take that chance, he would spend the rest of his life in hell. He knew that the reason the******** in the ghetto had not touched him was because he had not reached puberty. But as soon as she grew up, she knew she would face the same tribulations that her little sister next door faced.

Forced to use his body to exchange for a pack of cigarettes? Or humiliated by a group of people?

He watched his father fight for his mother's life, to the death. He also saw the plea of his helpless mother. He witnessed too many tragedies that were not appropriate for his age.

This world is crazy.

If the outcome would be the same if he had to rely on others to survive, why not choose someone who could treat him a little better. It might not be better, but if that person beat him a little, he would be very happy.

If he didn't take the risk and Jiang Chen didn't buy it, perhaps death in the labor camp wasn't a bad end.