ATDIWR Chapter 33
by Volare“The factory is already under construction, it’s planned to be a large factory for ten thousand people. The construction workers are Power Users, so it will be built in a month.” Zhou Qin reported the factory progress to Ji An. “The boss was afraid of delaying production, so he has found some people to form a small workshop to start work first.”
Ji An nodded. The Nutrient Agents were urgently needed; the sooner they were produced, the better. Selling them one day earlier might save many lives.
Wan Xueying blinked her beautiful large eyes. She said, “The auction is about to start, and representatives from various Bases have been arriving one after another. These people have all brought good stuff. As the host, our boss naturally cannot fall behind. Although having a Space Storage Item is enough to overwhelm everyone, the Nutrient Agents can definitely be the mysterious guest to appear last at the auction, which will surely be shocking!”
Kong Zhongcheng chuckled, thinking of how unbelievable those country bumpkins would find it. “I can guarantee that a Space Storage Item and a Nutrient Agent will definitely leave these people dumbfounded. They’ll think that just a few days away from our Base, we’ve already entered the interstellar era!”
The interstellar era? Ji An smiled and said, “Maybe next time they come, it will really be like that!”
The few of them laughed happily. Although they knew Ji An was very capable, they didn’t really take his words literally.
West City has been very lively recently. Some time ago, people came to recruit experimental volunteers, offering a volunteer fee of 100,000 yuan. This was truly too much, enough to buy a human life in The Apocalypse. Everyone swore that they were conducting human experiments.
Even if some clear-headed people came out to say that official experimental projects would not possibly conduct human experiments, no one listened. People are always only willing to believe what they want to believe.
As a result, those volunteers returned as scheduled. Not only were they not missing limbs, but they were also well-fed, healthy, and plump, bringing back a large sum of money. They also brought back a startling piece of news: there was something called a Nutrient Agent, which could keep you from being hungry for a day with just one Credit Point. This news caused those who had finally calmed down from spreading rumors to become agitated again.
“There’s absolutely no such thing. Do they think this is a movie?!”
“I told you! The Base must have a conspiracy. Otherwise, why would they be so kind and generous to give 100,000 yuan to support us, the unawakened garbage in the eyes of Power Users!”
“Those volunteers must have been bribed with that money to talk nonsense!”
“Nutrient Agent, it sounds like something good. One Credit Point for one tube, if only it were true!”
Before this wave of discussions subsided, people from the Base arrived. They bought five hundred mu of land in the most remote, desolate place in East City, a place even rats wouldn’t frequent, and built a large factory for several thousand people.
The most significant difference was that the factory primarily recruited ordinary people as workers, up to eighty percent. The remaining twenty percent recruited Power Users, all for management positions.
Such a structure made management convenient. After seven years of The Apocalypse, ordinary people had developed an innate fear of Power Users. A Level 1 Junior Power User could easily manage a group of dozens of people.
Level 2 Power Users could be hired as Workshop Managers, and Level 3 Power Users as Production Managers overall. This upward compatible model maximally saved on the recruitment of Power Users.
The factory’s recruitment notice was posted in every corner of East City, and people crowded before the notices.
“Base salary of 1,800, full attendance bonus of 300, piece-rate bonus with no upper limit. One meal provided per day, and it’s all you can eat.” A person at the front read aloud to those behind them.
“All you can eat?” People’s attention was drawn by these two words. How difficult was it to eat in The Apocalypse? Many factories didn’t provide meals, and even those that did only provided one meal a day, just a moldy steamed bun, which wasn’t enough to fill you up.
But even so, being able to eat your fill was great. How many people couldn’t even get that single moldy steamed bun?
“Really? All you can eat? I can eat ten steamed buns in one sitting, will they let me eat that much?”
“They’ll let you eat a hundred, okay? Ten? What are you dreaming of? At most two.”
“That’s still good. If my wife and I can both get in, I eat one, my wife eats one, and we can save two steamed buns a day, which is enough for the elderly and children at home.”
“If they could really provide two steamed buns, that would be great.”
In a certain factory, workers were working while whispering, “Did you hear? The Base is building a factory over here, recruiting only ordinary people. The wages are about the same as ours, and it’s all you can eat!”
“Really? All you can eat? How much grain would that require?” The worker didn’t slow down their work, replying, “If they let us laborers eat our fill, our factory would go bankrupt in two days.”
“That’s what the recruitment notice said, but I also think it’s fake. If everyone eats their fill, someone is bound to steal. Where there’s a first, there’s a second. How could the factory afford that?”
“Hearing you say that, it makes sense. I was tempted before, all you can eat… I even wanted to quit and go there, but let’s forget it. What if it’s just a gimmick?”
“Don’t bother. How hard is it to find a job now, especially for us ordinary people? It’s not easy to find a job, so cherish it.”
“Exactly. The factory my brother works at doesn’t provide food; they have to solve the food issue themselves. Don’t look down on our factory’s single steamed bun; they envy it to death.”
The management was not unaware of the workers’ discussions. The Workshop Manager reported to Factory Director Li Mingcai, “Boss, some people in the factory are restless recently. They are all discussing the Base factory over there, saying it’s all you can eat.”
Li Mingcai scoffed, “Don’t worry about them. A bunch of ordinary people can’t make much of a fuss. If they don’t want to work, just kick them out. In The Apocalypse, as long as people have something to eat, a bite is enough.”
“Yes, Boss.” The Workshop Manager couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, the Base factory over there says it’s all you can eat, is it true?”
Honestly, if it were true, he would be a bit tempted himself.
“Heh, what do you think?” Li Mingcai glanced sideways at the Workshop Manager. “You believe such nonsense? How much grain is there for that bunch to eat their fill!
And you managers are almost all Power Users. One person eats as much as ten ordinary people. Do you think this is before The Apocalypse, where there was plenty of grain?”
Li Mingcai snorted, “Now the land is polluted, the water is polluted. Growing grain and drinking water all depend on Power Users. Abilities are not endless; they are limited. The grain that can be grown is limited. How can they eat their fill? Drink the northwest wind? You believe their bragging?”
“Boss Li, what are you talking about? So happy?”
Li Mingcai’s heart skipped a beat. Why did this voice sound so familiar? It sounded like that bunch of idiotic inspectors.
Li Mingcai turned his head, breaking out in a cold sweat. It really was the inspectors from the Base’s Supervision Department.
“Section Chief Tian, wasn’t the inspection just finished this month? Why are you here this time…” Li Mingcai was most annoyed by this bunch of inspectors. Could you send them away quietly without giving them some tribute every time they came?
Section Chief Tian smiled and said, “Factory Director Li, there’s no need to be afraid. We’re not here for an inspection this time. We have good news for you. Let me introduce you, this is Xia Jianzhou, the Head of the Promotion Department for the factory invested and built by our Jing Shi Base.”
Li Mingcai was suspicious. Why was the Base factory looking for him? What did they want to promote to him? He didn’t plan on buying anything.
Thousands of mud horses galloped in his heart, but he still had to smile.
“Head Xia, hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The two shook hands.
“It’s also a pleasure to meet you, Factory Director Li.” Xia Jianzhou pretended not to see the fake smile on Li Mingcai’s face and said warmly, “Actually, I came here this time to discuss a business deal with you.”
Li Mingcai immediately became alert. “I don’t have money. All my money is invested in the factory. My pockets are cleaner than my face.”
Xia Jianzhou almost choked. He pretended not to hear and continued, “Actually, it’s not something expensive. I heard your factory has a total of eighty workers. It’s just a matter of eighty Credit Points a month.”
“Eighty Credit Points? Easy, easy.” That scared him to death; he thought the Base factory was here to beg for donations.
If they were really begging, it would be hard for him not to contribute, after all, the arm cannot twist the thigh. Now it’s just eighty Credit Points a month, the amount he offers as tribute to people above is more than that.
“Then, Boss Li, shall we sign the contract?”
“Okay, okay.” It wasn’t much money, so Li Mingcai agreed on the spot.
“Boss Li, you’re signing without looking at the contract?”
Li Mingcai said boldly, “It’s fine. It’s just a small amount of money. If it’s lost, it’s lost.”
“I advise Boss Li to take a look, lest you procure too much grain next month and have leftovers, which would be bad.”
“Grain could be left over? What joke is Head Xia telling…” Li Mingcai mumbled, but he still looked carefully at the contract, and then he was so shocked he almost screamed.
“What is this? Nutrient Agent, one tube for one Credit Point, and it lasts a day?”
“Yes, this is the Nutrient Agent newly researched by our Base, and it is the main product our factory produces.” Xia Jianzhou said, “Since Factory Director Li is our factory’s first cooperation partner, the promotional price of one Credit Point per tube will be valid long-term. Of course, even if we restore the normal price later, Boss Li will still enjoy this preferential policy.”
“I remember, Boss Li, you are a Power User, right? I’ll give you a few tubes of Nutrient Agent specifically for Power Users.”
Due to the evolution of their abilities, Power Users’ physical qualities undergo earth-shaking changes, requiring more nutrients than ordinary people, and the most basic nutrients needed are also different.
Li Mingcai stared intently at the ten plain-looking, flat, long tubes made of the most common PVC material lying in Xia Jianzhou’s palm. There was only a line of small text on them: Power User Nutrient Agent, followed by “Apple flavor”, and then a simple nutrient composition ratio table.
“What those people said is true, Nutrient Agent really exists?”
“Of course, Boss Li will know if you try it.”
Li Mingcai immediately drank one. Upon entering his mouth, there was a faint apple taste. He hadn’t eaten an apple in how many years? He hadn’t expected to taste apple flavor today, which was truly touching.
Li Mingcai smacked his lips, then realized something was wrong. Because he had to go out on errands that morning, he was too rushed to eat breakfast and had just felt hungry. As a result, he ate just that one Nutrient Agent and was now full.
Yes, he felt very full now, as if he had eaten ten bowls of rice with an open stomach, but in reality, he had only consumed less than ten milliliters of a Nutrient Agent.
His business mind made Li Mingcai immediately realize the benefits of this product. He said, “Head Xia, I’ll personally order one hundred tubes, at the same price, one Credit Point per tube?” As he spoke, Li Mingcai was about to transfer the money.
Xia Jianzhou stopped him. “Factory Director Li, this is specifically for Power Users; the price isn’t the same as the one just now. One Credit Point per tube is the price for ordinary Nutrient Agents. You know that a Power User’s appetite is on average ten times that of an ordinary person. When compressed into a Nutrient Agent, the volume may look the same, but its nutrient content is ten times higher, so the price is naturally different.”
Xia Jianzhou finally said, “Power User Nutrient Agent is ten Credit Points per tube.”
Li Mingcai felt this price was acceptable, and it was the apple flavor he hadn’t been able to eat since The Apocalypse. He said, “Okay.”
However, Xia Jianzhou added, “The ten Credit Point Nutrient Agent can only buy the most basic flavors, such as corn, sorghum, potato, etc. The one you just ate was apple flavor, which is a fruit and a luxury. This price has to double, twenty Credit Points per tube.”
Twenty Credit Points could solve a day’s hunger and also allow you to taste apple flavor, which was hard to find in The Apocalypse. Li Mingcai felt it was worth it. “Okay, I want one hundred apple flavored ones.”
“Sorry, apples are rare. I only have two here, and you ate one, so there’s only one left.”
“What other flavors are there?”
“For fruits, we currently have banana and pear flavors. Meat-flavored Nutrient Agents include braised pork flavor and red sausage flavor…”
Li Mingcai’s order went directly up to one hundred tubes per month. Ordinary Nutrient Agents had the most basic flavors, while Power User Nutrient Agents had ten basic flavors, with the rest being various different flavors.
The promotion staff from the Base factory visited those factories, and seventy percent of the factories signed orders. Only thirty percent chose to wait and see, and even some factories that didn’t previously provide meals ordered a batch.
At this time, the Nutrient Agents produced by the small workshop were already on the tables of the Command Center and Research Institute’s cafeterias.
People from these two departments who came in at noon found that their cafeteria had changed.
The original buffet meals were removed, replaced by trays, and each tray contained flat, long tube-shaped items. Each tray also had a small sign that read: Corn flavor, Sweet Potato flavor, Sorghum flavor, Steak flavor, Honey Fries flavor, Mint flavor, Braised Pork flavor, Milk flavor… In total, there were no fewer than twenty flavors.
People from the two departments had long heard of Nutrient Agents but had never had the chance to see them. Today, they finally saw their true appearance and were quite curious, stepping forward one after another to take them.
“Apple flavor? Let me try. I haven’t eaten an apple in several years. You know what, I really miss them.” A researcher took a tube of Nutrient Agent from the tray, twisted it open, and drank it. Then his eyes widened.
He had thought that such a small thing, even if it had apple flavor, wouldn’t be too strong, just a faint hint. Unexpectedly, the apple flavor was very pure, and after drinking it, his entire mouth was filled with the sweetness of apple.
“Delicious.” The researcher wanted to take another tube, but was reminded that each person was limited to one.
The person in charge of the cafeteria said with a smile, “One tube of Nutrient Agent is enough for the most basic nutrients the human body needs. Eating more won’t be absorbed and can easily cause nutrient buildup, turning into fat, and making you obese.”
Although the person in charge of the cafeteria spoke tactfully, everyone was smart and understood that only one per person was allowed.
Over at the Research Department, they also switched to Nutrient Agents today. This thing had always been something people in the Research Department only heard about, never saw.
Now that they finally saw the real thing, they were all filled with curiosity about it, even more enthusiastic than the people in the Command Center.
“This thing is so small, can one tube really last a day without hunger?”
“Of course it can!” Wu Youyang brought his students over for lunch. This was the first day the Nutrient Agent was launched, so he had to come and show support, after all, a part of the credit belonged to him regardless of the amount.
Everyone from Han Yaokun’s side looked over, watching Wu Youyang swagger over with his students.
Rong Fan took a tube of braised pork flavored Nutrient Agent from the tray, smiling and saying with a mix of showing off and pride, “I liked this flavor before, I didn’t expect the cafeteria to have it too.”
Wu Youyang said cheerfully, “Me, I like the apple flavor. Fruit is expensive now, and I didn’t earn much before, so I couldn’t bear to buy it. Now it’s good, I can enjoy the taste with Nutrient Agent and also fill my stomach.”
Wu Youyang deliberately twisted open the Nutrient Agent in front of everyone, drank it in one gulp, and then smacked his lips. “Delicious, and really full! My stomach was just rumbling non-stop, but after eating the Nutrient Agent, I’m stuffed.”
“Researcher Shi Jun is here too.” Wu Youyang deliberately called out Shi Jun. He still remembered this guy blocking him in the research institute’s corridor to humiliate him. At that time, he couldn’t say anything because the Nutrient Agent hadn’t completed clinical trials. Now, it was finally his time to win back a round and feel proud.
“I remember Researcher Shi Jun’s salary was about the same as mine before. Presumably, you couldn’t afford to eat fruit either, right? Come, there are many fruit flavored Nutrient Agents here, just pick any you like, eat whatever flavor you prefer.”
Shi Jun’s face twisted, almost unable to maintain his composure. This guy calling him out now must be retaliating for him mocking him before. But precisely this time, Shi Jun couldn’t refute. Something like a Nutrient Agent, which could save countless people, what could he say?
Shi Jun could only grit his teeth and accept it, only hoping that the Nutrient Agent wasn’t as miraculous as the rumors said, so he could find a flaw and get back at Wu Youyang.
The result was that after Shi Jun ate the Nutrient Agent, his expression became even uglier. Although the dosage of the Nutrient Agent was small, its taste was truly intense. The honey fries flavor permeated his mouth, as if he had truly stuffed a large bite of fries into his mouth. While his taste buds were satisfied, his stomach also felt a happy sense of fullness, and he felt full of strength after eating and drinking.
Even if Shi Jun wanted to find something wrong, he couldn’t. He couldn’t just make things up, could he? That wouldn’t make Wu Youyang look bad; it would only make himself look foolish and arrogant.
Shi Jun fake-laughed twice. “The taste is good.”
Wu Youyang puffed out his chest like a triumphant rooster, shook his brilliant feathers, and said smugly, “Students, let’s go. After eating our fill, let’s go back and get some sleep, rest up, and we still have Space Technology to work on this afternoon. Our time is very tight; we can’t waste it!”
“Yes, Professor!” Rong Fan took the lead and responded loudly.
When they followed Wu Youyang and switched sides to Ji An, many people secretly laughed at them for being foolish, saying they wouldn’t achieve anything following a kid who hadn’t even fully matured, and their lives would be ruined.
But now? Nutrient Agent! That’s a treasure that can save billions of people!
Wu Youyang led his students away, looking satisfied and full of energy, leaving behind everyone else filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Many researchers began whispering to each other. “I didn’t expect they were truly capable. Nutrient Agent, something I never dared to dream of.”
“Before, many people secretly mocked Wu Youyang. Now, they’ve slapped themselves in the face.”
“To be honest, although I didn’t say anything before, I privately thought Wu Youyang’s choice was crazy. Now it seems I was the one with short sight, and Wu Youyang was truly far-sighted.”
“This time, who knows how many people will be eager to move again.” Two researchers exchanged glances, not daring to continue talking.
Among the students, Meng Chang’an’s face was complex, both envious and jealous.
One student said, “I thought Rong Fan was finished. Following Professor Wu Youyang and switching over there, he definitely wouldn’t have much development and would surely be left far behind us. But now it seems Rong Fan will leave us far behind in the future.”
“Did you hear Professor Wu Youyang? His students over there are already researching Space Technology. Looking at how he acts, it seems they are even involved in it. But over here, after waiting until now, they’ve developed something new again, and we are still completely in the dark about Space Technology.”
“Meng Chang’an, it would have been great if you had followed Professor Wu Youyang back then. Although Professor Wu Youyang valued Rong Fan more than you, you were both the students Professor Wu Youyang valued most. That side had no one available back then, so if you had gone, you would definitely have been greatly valued.”
“Now there’s no chance. Just watch, many experienced researchers will want to switch over there. Even if you want to go now, it’s impossible to be valued as much as Rong Fan.”
Meng Chang’an knew himself that one step behind meant every step behind. The gap between him and Rong Fan would only get bigger and bigger, with Rong Fan ahead and him behind, only able to look up from a distance.
Meng Chang’an clenched his fists, unwilling but helpless.
Just as everyone guessed, Wu Youyang was blocked by someone after turning a corner upon leaving the cafeteria. “Researcher Wu Youyang, congratulations! You must have received a large bonus for developing the Nutrient Agent this time, right?”
Wu Youyang laughed heartily twice, gestured a number, and the questioner gasped, saying enviously, “That much? That’s enough for the project head’s bonus, isn’t it? The Base is really generous this time.”
Wu Youyang said casually, “My boss isn’t managed by the Base. This is the bonus my boss personally gave me. It’s just a small amount of money. One of my students, named Rong Fan, I’m having him work on more things now, and he’s already getting this amount.”
The questioner was stunned. A student earned more than he did.
However, that wasn’t all. Wu Youyang continued his attack. “But that’s just pocket change.”
This was bragging, the questioner fake-laughed.
Wu Youyang pretended to say casually, “To talk about the big money, it’s Space Technology. My boss has too many things to do, he just likes to try new things, and once an experiment is done, he’s too lazy to touch it again. So, he just threw the Space Technology to me, keeping me busy spinning around like a top. I wish a day had seventy-two hours; time is absolutely not enough.”
Was he just busy for nothing? That was all money! Who didn’t know Space Technology was a high-profit business!
The questioner’s eyes widened this time. They heard Wu Youyang continue, “Now that the Nutrient Agent is also completed, my boss, that fickle person, doesn’t care about it anymore and threw everything to me. I have to go to various factories to provide technical guidance for the Nutrient Agent, and I also have to be busy with Space Technology over there. I’m really stretched thin. I’m thinking of letting go of some profit and just throwing the Space Technology to my student Rong Fan to handle.”
“No, no, give it to me, I’ll do it!” The cultural worker approached Wu Youyang, stuffing him with a bag of dried meat jerky. “Old Wu, you know I’m capable and experienced. Talk to your boss, recruit me, and I’ll help you with Space Technology. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely get your share of benefits then.”
Wu Youyang said hesitantly, “You know my boss is currently very popular. Too many excellent people want to switch over; he’s overwhelmed with choices. Forget it, I’ll recommend you to try. First things first, if it doesn’t work out, you can’t blame me.”
“I won’t blame you, I won’t blame you.” The questioner repeatedly said, “As long as you’re willing to help, I’ll be grateful. Whether it succeeds or not, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“Okay.” Thinking of the taste of a restaurant meal, Wu Youyang licked his lips. He hadn’t eaten there in a long time and was indeed a bit greedy.
The two separated. Not long after walking away, Wu Youyang was blocked again. “Old Wu, see if Boss Ji is still short of hands. Why don’t you recommend me to try…”