Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 272 Unexpected Surprise

"Wow... I've really struck gold!" she couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

This list is completely different from the one she had on her food truck before!

First, the variety of products is much greater.

In addition to basic ingredients such as flour, cornmeal, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green vegetables, and Chinese cabbage.

It also adds ingredients such as rice, millet, various beans, more varieties of seasonal vegetables and fruits, and even dairy products and more kinds of seasonings.

Frozen meat is no longer just "random cuts," but is now available in different cuts, and even includes some pre-processed meat products such as sausages and ham slices.

Secondly, and most importantly, the quota has almost doubled! Moreover, some categories also specify that "with this vehicle's special code, you can enjoy the qualification to apply for monthly extra supply packs."

Finally, the procurement locations are no longer limited to the two or three distribution stations in Zone C.

The list includes the addresses and opening hours of several official and partner supply points in Zones B and C, some of which are marked "Exclusive for Intercity Vehicles".

What does this mean?

This means that she not only got a car that can travel across regions, but also gained a doubled and higher-quality channel for obtaining official supplies!

The value of this car far exceeds its significance as a means of transportation.

It is a key that can unlock more resources, allowing her to obtain more diverse and abundant operating materials at a lower cost.

It may even include some "good stuff" that you can't find at all at the food truck operators in Zone C.

She had previously worried whether it was worthwhile to trade deer antlers and cigarettes for this car, but now it seems like a steal!

To show his filial piety, the son of the Ge family got his father a car that was clearly not the lowest-spec "transportation vehicle," but rather a "welfare vehicle" with many perks.

However, before the Ge family elders could even enjoy this "benefit," it fell into Xu Xiaoyan's hands.

She carefully folded the "Purchase List" and placed it together with other important documents such as the vehicle confirmation letter, then put it away.

She then looked around through the car window to make sure there was no one nearby and no surveillance cameras were pointing directly at the corner.

She didn't open the car door and enter the trunk from the outside—that would be too conspicuous.

Instead, they nimbly squeezed into the trunk through the gap between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

The enclosed carriage was dimly lit, with only a little daylight filtering in through the windshield.

With a "click," she closed the small partition door between the carriage and the driver's cab from the inside, and then checked whether the bolt on the rear door of the carriage was locked.

After doing all this, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, temporarily letting down her guard against the outside world in this completely private space that belonged entirely to her.

With a thought, she took out a dark green, large-capacity professional mountaineering backpack with multiple external attachment points and thick shoulder straps.

This backpack is clearly a men's design, made of durable Oxford cloth, and looks quite sturdy. It has more than twice the capacity of her previous backpack.

Considering that we will be going to "Honghu" company for modification and that the subsequent operation will require frequent purchases and transportation of materials, a large-capacity backpack with good load-bearing capacity is obviously more practical.

Actually, she had other backpacks in her space, but they were either too small or too conspicuous, so this dark green hiking backpack was the most suitable.

Looking at the empty backpack, Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but sigh deeply, her eyebrows furrowing.

I thought of the farce that had just ended in front of that monopolistic company.

And those shop assistants with their indifferent, arms crossed, watching the spectacle with such disdain.

And the tall man's summary, "Even if he spits in your face, you still have to smile," made her feel annoyed.

It's a bottomless pit; as soon as one is filled, another one opens up.

Modifying vehicles, adding cooking utensils... this is not a trivial matter that can be dealt with in a few cigarettes or Snickers bars.

Given the arrogant and domineering nature of "Honghu" restaurant, she'll probably have to be prepared to spend a fortune on this trip.

"Sigh..." she sighed again, her shoulders slumping slightly.

But soon, she forced herself to straighten her back and whispered encouragement to herself:

"I've finally gotten my hands on the most difficult car to get, and it's a 'treasure car' too. The accompanying purchase list is twice as good as everyone else's!"

This modification was just a final gamble. You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub—don't you understand that better than anyone?

After some self-reflection, she rallied her spirits. What she needed to do now was to prepare as thoroughly as possible and strive to get things done and done well at the most "economical" cost.

She took out two original, unopened bottles of baijiu from her spatial storage. The brand was different from the one she had given to Lao Yu before, but the quality was similar, and the packaging was also very presentable.

Then they took out a whole pack of branded cigarettes. These two items were the key to getting in touch and the basis for showing "sincerity" and importance.

Next, she thought about the repairmen and modification technicians at "Honghu" company.

They deal with oil, steel, and electrical circuits year-round, doing both manual and technical work in noisy and stressful environments. They must have their own small circle culture and preferences.

A sudden inspiration struck Xu Xiaoyan – betel nut!

She had casually swept this item from the snack shelf at Zhonglian Supermarket into her spatial storage during that previous shopping spree.

In today's apocalyptic world, where production has almost come to a standstill and logistics have been cut off, well-packaged branded betel nuts are considered "light luxury" among consumables and are not commonly seen.

The unique spicy and stimulating sensation of betel nut and its so-called "energizing" effect.

Perhaps it is precisely this small comfort and stimulation they seek in their monotonous, greasy, and noisy work environment.

With a slight thought, Xu Xiaoyan produced about a dozen individually packaged orange bags, each bearing a prominent brand logo and exaggerated GG language.

It appeared out of thin air on the carriage floor, next to the two bottles of liquor and the pack of cigarettes.

These orange bags, placed together with cigarettes and liquor, form a rather "targeted" gift set.

Baijiu (Chinese liquor) and cigarettes are used to smooth things over and deal with those in charge; betel nuts can be used to "bribe" the workers who actually do the work, so that they will pay more attention or do them a favor.

She then remembered that the Snickers bar she had kept in the side pocket of the backpack had been given to Grandma Ge along with the backpack.

The dark green backpack is currently empty; she needs to replenish it with some small, easily accessible items that, while not expensive, can instantly express her feelings.

After all, you can't offer a bottle of wine or a pack of cigarettes to everyone who strikes up a conversation.

After thinking for a moment, she took out a pack of cigarettes from her spatial storage, opened it, took out about ten cigarettes, and put them separately in small transparent resealable bags.

She carefully tucked the single cigarettes into a small zippered pocket on the side of her backpack.

Who knows if there are any heavy smokers among the modification mechanics in "The Great Swan"?

What if they happen to like betel nuts? If you offer them betel nuts, wouldn't that be like trying to flatter someone but ending up hurting them?

Prepare to light a cigarette, just in case.

On the other side, she thought for a moment and put a few small individually packaged packets of spicy beef jerky into the small mesh pocket.

This stuff is high in energy, flavorful, and filling, making it a good snack choice for manual laborers.

It is suitable for masters who seem to have a relatively simple personality or are a bit older.

With everything prepared, the dark green professional mountaineering backpack was stuffed full of these "gifts," making it quite heavy to carry.

Although she didn't know if these things were enough or if they could impress the well-informed employees at "Honghu," it was the best combination she could think of at the moment.

She stretched her stiff neck, then bent down and deftly slipped back into the driver's seat through the small door in the partition, before closing the door behind her.

She lifted the heavy backpack onto the passenger seat with some difficulty, making a dull "thump" sound.

Then, she inserted the key and started the car.

The dark blue pickup truck was parked directly on the slightly messy open space in front of "Honghu Motor Vehicle Repair and Modification Company".

The front of the car was directly facing the gate with a half-length greasy, transparent plastic curtain hanging on it.

Park the car, turn off the engine, and engage the handbrake.

She sat in the driver's seat, not getting out of the car immediately, but calmly looking through the windshield.

Behind the curtain, shadowy figures could be vaguely seen moving around in the dimly lit room, with occasional clanging sounds of machinery colliding or even more muffled knocking sounds.

No one wearing that conspicuous dark blue "Honghu" work uniform proactively lifted the curtain to greet or inquire about the new car that had stopped outside.

Not a single person cast a curious or attentive glance at the vehicle's movements.

They don't need to solicit business because customers have no other choice.

They don't care about customers' first impressions either, because they set the rules.

Xu Xiaoyan had already lowered her expectations to the bare minimum; the scene before her was merely a reflection of reality that met her expectations.

She pushed open the car door, jumped out cleanly and neatly, closed the door with a "click" and pressed the lock button on the key to confirm that the vehicle was locked, which made a "beep" sound.

Then, she moved to the passenger side, opened the car door, and took out the heavy, dark green hiking backpack.

She adjusted the shoulder strap length, slung the backpack over her shoulder, and felt a slight weight on her shoulders, but quickly regained her balance.

She took a deep breath, then strode toward the door.

Reaching out, I lifted the plastic curtain, and a stronger, more pungent mixed odor wafted out:

The smell of engine oil, the pungent smell of welding or cutting metal, and the smell of old sweat.

The store is larger inside than it appears from the outside, but it also looks more cluttered.

Everywhere you look, there are mountains of items, leaving almost no wide and unobstructed passageways.

Near the entrance, there was a small mountain of discarded tires of various sizes, piled up like a black, strange rock formation.

Various types of rusty or oil-stained parts, iron frames, steel pipes, and metal sheets are piled up haphazardly against the walls or in places that should be passageways, forming dangerous obstacles.