Chapter 57: The first snowflake on wasteland

The antibiotics produced by the sanctuary were indeed effective. After taking one, Yu's older brother's fever subsided, and even his leg injury was reduced. He could even walk with a limp.

The Yu brothers were extremely grateful and vowed to repay this kindness in the future. But since it was getting late, they bid farewell to Light Chu and started walking towards the entrance.

When they passed by Tomorrow, Tiger stopped and took out a finely crafted small knife from his bag. It didn't look like it was produced in this era. He handed it to Tomorrow.

It was a good find he picked up while scavenging.

Then, Tiger, with a deep voice that didn't match his appearance, said, "You're strong. You managed to dodge my arrows. But in a one-on-one fight, I won't lose."

He gestured towards the knife and then pointed at himself. Seeing Tomorrow nod, he happily handed it over.

"Thank you so much!"

Tiger didn't understand what Tomorrow said, but seeing him accept the knife, he nodded and walked away with his brother.

As Tomorrow watched them disappear behind the gate of the outpost, he played with the small knife in his hand.

Suddenly, he looked towards Hurricane beside him and exclaimed with admiration, "This game is so detailed. Look at the expression on that NPC's face, every frame is full of details. I'm blown away just by that!"

Hurricane replied, "...Did you understand what he said?"

Tomorrow shook his head.

"Nope, but it doesn't matter."

Nighten approached with a smirk on her face.

"What if he intended to betroth the 300kg top beauty in the tribe to you as a wife? And that knife is the token of engagement."

"Get lost!"

...

Supporting his brother as they left the outpost.

Tiger turned around and looked at the wall behind them, saying, "Brother, I told you, he's not an ordinary person. I advised you and Dad at the time to marry Lil Fishie to him, but you didn't agree. Do you regret it now?"

Bear felt a mix of emotions and sighed.

"What's there to regret? He's our benefactor. Let go of unrealistic ideas... Besides, I never said I disagreed with Fishie's marriage, and Dad didn't either."

Tiger furrowed his brow.

"Then why didn't it happen?"

Bear reached out and ruffled the hair of his silly little brother.

"You only think about the good things. Have you ever considered if the other person would be willing? Not to mention Fishie, just look at a few of the girls among the people next to him... These people who came out of the sanctuary, which one of them isn't clean and presentable? Would they be interested in someone like you?"

Upon hearing this, Tiger became anxious.

"I might look a bit hasty, But lil sister doesn't! She was so cute when she was little. She's just gotten a bit thinner now, but what's the big deal? When we go back, I'll make her eat more meat. I'll give her my share too. I'm sure she'll recover."

Bear couldn't help but laugh and glanced at him.

"Why you're so eager to marry our sister off?"

Tiger grinned, his simple expression surprisingly clear.

"Am I the one who gets to decide? Whether she marries or not, Fishie will come of age next year. According to the rules on the street, when someone reaches adulthood and forms a separate household, they need to contribute an extra share of supplies during the autumn mobilization. Look at our harvest this year; it's barely enough. If we have to contribute another share next year, how can we afford it?"

According to the rules of Bette Street, when someone turns 16, they are considered a separate household, and during the annual autumn mobilization, whether they are married or not, they have to contribute their share of supplies.

It's a kind of "head tax" calculated in various ways.

Boys are somewhat better off. Generally, they start going out hunting and scavenging with their elders when they're around 13 or 14 years old. In two or three years, they can become qualified scavengers or hunters, becoming a labor force. However, it's more difficult for girls in this chaotic world. Few of them can find their own way at this age, so they often marry early.

The reason Fishie has been able to stay carefree at home until now is mainly because their father can still work, their sister-in-law hasn't had children yet, and the second brother hasn't married either. The three men can barely support this large family.

But if they wait a little longer, once Tiger gets married or there's a new addition to Bear's side, even if they don't want to, they'll have to marry Fishie off.

Survival is always a weighty topic.

"Since she's going to get married anyway, it's better to find her a good family. It's better than living a hard life with us."

Bear looked at the sky, squinting his eyes.

"The third son of the Wang family is of marriageable age. Their family is not bad, and coincidentally, their youngest daughter is also growing up. It's a good match for you."

Tiger quickly shook his head.

"That won't do. I don't like that Wonderful's kid. He even pushed Fishie last time! Just by looking at him, you can tell he's the kind of guy who beats women."

"The Li family..."

"Uh, that's not suitable either. Mom came from the Li family."

There are only a hundred households in Bette Street, and that's the annoying thing about living in a small place. It's all about making compromises and going in circles.

Bear was left speechless by the counterarguments, but he glanced meaningfully at his younger brother.

"Well, you better think about it. If she gets married outside, you'll have to find your own wife."

"No problem. Are you worried I won't be able to find a wife?"

Tiger smirked and after a while muttered again.

"I just don't want you guys to worry about me. Whether I'm doing well or not is my own business... How can I use my own sister as a bargaining chip?"

...

As dusk approached, the sky grew darker.

Gamers who had gone out gradually returned to the outpost.

Just like yesterday, many gamers set up stalls on the open space inside the north gate of the outpost. They shouted and haggled, creating a bustling market-like atmosphere.

"Selling fresh meat! Fresh squirrel meat, whether stir-fried, grilled, or boiled, it's all delicious! Pick one for 1 silver coin, affordable price for quality goods!"

"Who the hell would buy yours! How much meat does one squirrel have!"

"It's not little meat, these are mutated squirrels, each one weighs 2 kilos! If you buy meat from the warehouse, you'll only get 300 grams for 1 silver coin. Think about it!"

"No money."

"If you don't have money, get lost!"

"..."

"The teeth of mutated hyenas! Can be used as accessories! One is sold for 1 copper coin, only 10 available, get them while they last!"

"Who the hell would use this thing as an accessory, it's ugly as hell!"

"What do you know? What if the game introduces an accessory system in the future? Think about equipment sockets and enchantments, these materials will definitely appreciate in value!"

"Oh, really?"

"Absolutely! Trust me!"

"Then... give me two."

"Sure, here you go."

In addition to gamers selling hunting materials, there were also those selling trash collected from the wasteland.

Although it was already the 211th year of the Wasteland Era, if you searched carefully, you could occasionally find some good things that hadn't been taken away in time.

Especially in locked doors and cabinets, or buried under the ruins.

Some alloy products with good anti-oxidation effects, with a little modification, could become excellent weapons. For example, Light Chu saw an anti-rust fire axe with intact paint and it was priced at 7 silver coins.

It was indeed worth that price.

But not many people could afford it.

"Anyone interested in gold? I found a gold necklace, found it when I was searching the row of connected buildings! Only 3 silver coins, it can't get any cheaper!"

"That's too expensive, with 3 silver coins, you can buy so much food! What's the use of your gold necklace? It can't be used as a weapon, and it's not money you can spend!"

"Give me one. Damn it, I can't afford it in real life, at least I can enjoy it in the game."

"Ah, you spendthrift, such a spendthrift! If you don't accumulate capital now, how will you rise to the top tier in the future?"

"Bros, are you crazy? This is just a game!"

The most popular stall was still owned by Raven_raven.

Every time she finished performing her unique skill of eating raw giant mushrooms, it would attract applause and cheers from the gamers.

These gamers were not just freeloading, as the mushrooms in front of the stall were quickly sold out.

Yesterday, the price was 3 copper coins per kilogram of mushrooms, but today it had already increased to 4 copper coins, and gamers were still coming to buy them.

In addition to that, she also made a bottle of Rara's secret homemade jam using the berries she collected, and priced it at only 1 silver coin.

Unfortunately, that bottle of jam couldn't be sold no matter what.

The bright green color was too unappetizing.

After that, there was Summer Salt's armory shop. Although no one could afford the weapons on the shelves that cost hundreds of silver coins, it didn't stop everyone from coming to see the shopkeeper.

"Miss, can you say one line as 'I'm Kerry from the Celestial Realm'? Just say one line, please!"

"Miss shopkeeper is so aloof, she doesn't even acknowledge us! It's definitely because we're too poor! Damn, is this a realistic game?"

"Did you guys notice? Her gaze towards the governor is obviously different!"

"Did the NPC ship has sailed? Ship, ship!"

"You ship yourself, the handsome Dawn brother is obviously my husband, no one can steal him, wuwuwu!"

"What are you daydreaming about? Just a few points of favorability? Just a few days of bricklaying? Don't talk nonsense!"

"What do you think the NPCs will do when we log out?"

"...Wait for us to log back in?"

"Idiot."

Coincidences happen all the time.

Although Summer couldn't understand what these people were saying, at this moment, her expressionless face was thinking exactly that.

"These lunatics..."

She muttered under her breath, glanced in the direction of the infirmary, and then looked at Light Chu.

She was so hungry.

When would they be able to return to the sanctuary?

By the way, would there be dessert after dinner tonight?

That chocolate was so delicious...

...

Perhaps due to the addition of 20 new gamers, today's market was even more lively than yesterday.

Light Chu, standing in front of the sanatorium, couldn't help but imagine what a lively scene it would be when 100 gamers gathered here.

"Life is getting better." As he thought about it, a fatherly smile appeared on his face.

He was happier than anyone else.

After all, for the gamers, this was just a game, but for him, it might be the rest of his life.

At this moment, a slight chill suddenly touched his straight nose.

Light Chu looked up and saw a small, silver-white flake gently falling.

He reached out and touched his nose, wiping away the cold moisture. He stared at his fingertips, murmuring thoughtfully.

"...Snow? Or hail?"

The temperature hadn't reached zero yet.

More accurately, it should be between 10 to 15 degrees.

There were no cumulonimbus clouds in the sky, not even thicker clouds. The horizon could faintly be seen in the twilight.

A preliminary estimation would be that a cold air mass passed by, coming into contact with the moist and warm updrafts, causing condensation and the formation of ice crystals in the lower atmosphere... He was just talking nonsense.

This probably couldn't be considered snow, nor hail. Instead, it seemed to be a unique climate of the wasteland.

But regardless, this wasn't a good sign.

Flicking off the water droplets from his fingertips, Light Chu sighed softly in his heart.

"...It seems old Charlie was right."

"This winter will come earlier than previous years."

Food.

Fuel.

Materials and weapons.

Sigh!

Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

However, people's joys and sorrows somehow do not converge.

In the distance, faint cheers could be heard, as well as the joyful chatter of gamers.

It was a newly joined female gamer, looking at the sky with anticipation.

"It's snow!"