Chapter 110: Base 110 Mall

"Where can we buy things?"

"At the base mall in the back. The mall was jointly established by the Holloway Family and the Hooper Family. The officials and the military also have survival and emergency supplies, but most of the supplies are in the hands of the Holloways and the Hoopers. The Holloways used to be the richest family in Corinth, and the Hooper Family, well, they’re a century-old clan."

Evelyn Ford massaged her temples. "So how are the base residents divided? Are they all under official management, or do the Holloways and Hoopers have their own people too?"

Quincy gave a mysterious smile. "For example, the medical department we’re in and the Hunting Squad both belong to the officials. But the Holloways and the Hoopers also have their own medical departments and hunting squads. Right now, it’s basically several factions in a stalemate. No single one is the boss of the base."

"Which side has the most say?"

Quincy smiled. "That would have to be the military. After all, they have the weapons."

The three of them left the apartment building and went straight to the base mall.

Here, you could either trade supplies for goods or buy them with points.

The base mall looked exactly like a pre-apocalypse shopping mall, but there were guards stationed downstairs, armed with electric batons and guns.

After swiping their residence cards at the machine by the entrance, they were allowed in. The mall had everything except for grain.

Evelyn Ford even saw an arcade.

"The place that sells quilts, clothes, and shoes is on the second floor. What price range are you looking for? A two-jin thin quilt costs five to ten jin of grain, depending on its condition. And the quilts are basically all old and worn-out. They’re all secondhand quilts scavenged from various cities by the supply collection teams. If you trade with medicine, a box of cold medicine can get you one thin quilt."

’Medicine saves lives. Even if someone had it, who would be willing to trade it away?’

"Actually, we have quilts in our packs, as you just saw. They’re a bit dirty, but still usable. I’m more interested in trading for a space heater and some toothpaste and toothbrushes."

’I have plenty of space heaters, toothpaste, and toothbrushes in my storage space, but I have to trade for something to keep up appearances.’

"Alright. Daily necessities are on the third floor, and furniture is on the fourth. I’ll take you up."

The three of them, dressed in rags, strolled leisurely through the mall.

Evelyn Ford tugged on Ronan Kendrick’s sleeve and leaned in to ask him in a low voice, "Is there anything you want?"

Ronan Kendrick looked down at her and said faintly, "I’m hungry."

Evelyn Ford was at a loss for words.

"We’ll eat when we get back."

Ronan Kendrick’s eyes lit up. "Okay."

"Evelyn, space heaters aren’t cheap. Does this guy need one too?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Ronan is extremely resistant to the cold. He doesn’t need one."

Quincy snorted. "A guy that tall is bound to be resistant to the cold."

Arriving at the general store, Evelyn Ford looked at the dazzling array of goods and felt like she was in a dollar store.

"What do you want to buy?" A skinny man walked over, his eyes sizing up the three of them, his tone dismissive.

Evelyn scanned the shelves. There were actually some unopened bottles of facial cleanser, shampoo, and body wash.

"Sir, what’s the price for toothpaste and toothbrushes?"

"One jin of rice or ten points."

"How much can I get for these?"

Evelyn Ford took out two packs of cigarettes. The man’s eyes lit up, and Evelyn saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

"Two tubes of toothpaste, two toothbrushes."

Evelyn smiled and picked up a bottle of body wash and shampoo. "Add these two."

"Are you trying to rob me?"

"Wouldn’t dare. If you’re not willing, Sir, then forget it."

The cigarette packs Evelyn Ford produced were in perfect condition. As a smoker, the man could already smell the rich aroma of tobacco.

"You got any more of these?"

Evelyn shook her head. "My last two packs. I only dared to take them out because you look like a kind person, Sir."

The man snorted, snatched the two packs of cigarettes from Evelyn’s hand, and then grabbed two tubes of toothpaste and two toothbrushes and tossed them to her.

"I’d advise you to know what’s good for you." He held the cigarettes under his nose, sniffing them for a long time with a satisfied expression.

Evelyn took the items, said her thanks, put them in Ronan Kendrick’s backpack, and led the other two out of the store.

"Let’s go. Time to buy a space heater."

"Evelyn, you’re amazing."

Quincy gave her a thumbs-up. Evelyn patted his arm. "Keep it on the down low."

Quincy then led them to the furniture section on the fourth floor. Most of the items on display were scavenged supplies, some still caked with mud. Evelyn picked out a small-sized space heater.

"Twenty jin of grain, or forty-five points."

’Now *this* is a real robbery.’

Evelyn once again used two packs of cigarettes to trade for a space heater. On the way back, Quincy couldn’t stop staring at the cloth bag she carried.

"That thing’s a regular Mary Poppins bag, huh?"

Evelyn Ford just smiled without a word.

Quincy had to return to the Hunting Squad, so after parting ways, Evelyn and Ronan went back to the apartment building.

Just as they reached the sixth floor, the door to the adjacent apartment, 603, opened, and a young man and woman stepped out.

"Oh, are you the new neighbors who moved in today?"

Evelyn Ford nodded slightly. The pair were dressed in clean, neat clothes, so it seemed they were doing quite well in the base.

"My name is Serena Lynch, and this is my boyfriend, Chase Underwood."

Evelyn nodded again, showing no intention of introducing herself. Serena Lynch didn’t seem to find it awkward. After the greeting, she pulled Chase Underwood along and left. Evelyn took the opportunity to open her door and carry their things inside.

Seeing Mina and Lola waiting obediently in the room, Evelyn finally broke into a smile.

"Ronan, let’s go to your room first. I’ll get out your quilt, clothes, and toiletries for you."

But Ronan Kendrick didn’t move. Evelyn looked at him, completely puzzled.

"What’s wrong?"

"Hungry."

Resigned, Evelyn had no choice but to quickly take out a pre-packaged meal and hand it to him. As it happened, she was hungry too. She hadn’t eaten or slept well for the past two days and looked much more haggard.

"Mina, Lola, time to eat." Evelyn patted Mina’s head and then stroked Lola’s tail.

Evelyn took a cactus and two potted camellias out of her storage space and watered them.

"Is the Hunting Squad where you want to be?"

Ronan didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at Evelyn and asked back, "What about you? Is the medical department where you want to be?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I don’t want to go anywhere. I just want to find a place to sleep for three days and three nights."

"Then you should rest here. We can live in this room for three months. I can just go earn points."

Evelyn looked at him and smiled. Ronan was confused.

"What are you smiling at?"

"I’ve never gotten to be a freeloader before."

"I can earn a lot of points on my own. Why do you still need to go out and suffer?" Ronan was genuinely perplexed.

"It’s not suffering. People have to adapt wherever they go. If I were alone in the wild, I’d have to adapt to the extreme weather and unknown dangers outside. Now that we’re at the base, I have to adapt to the rules of survival here."

"Right, don’t show your abilities in front of others. Just act like a normal person. Don’t be the worst, but don’t be the best or the one who stands out the most either."

’Ronan felt like Evelyn was treating him like an idiot, always having to remind him of these things.’

"But my eyes are really uncomfortable."

"Gouge your eyeballs out or wear cosmetic contacts. Pick one." Evelyn didn’t have the patience for his theatrics.

"Cosmetic contacts."