Chapter 24: Material Mall

"Regarding the price, how about we calculate it based on market prices from seven months ago?" Ye Luoshuanghua suggested. "A geothermal generator capable of producing 300 kWh would have a factory price of around 2.5 million yuan. Considering your generator is more advanced and the installation is complex, we can offer 3.5 million yuan. You can use this 3.5 million quota to exchange for materials from us at prices from seven months ago. Things like cement, gasoline, diesel, medicine, food, etc."

Ye Luoshuanghua sent a flurry of messages, revealing a well-established trading method for the post-apocalyptic world.

"Seven months ago?" Su Wu focused on the specific time. He tried to recall any significant events from that period, but nothing came to mind. However, Ye Luoshuanghua's emphasis on the date indicated its importance.

After a moment's thought, Su Wu asked, "Did you realize seven months ago that the end of the world was coming?"

"You don't know?" Ye Luoshuanghua seemed surprised. After a pause, he continued, "It's not a secret. The Federal Academy of Sciences confirmed the possibility of extreme climate events, like heatwaves and cold waves, seven months ago. It wasn't made public to maintain social stability."

Ye Luoshuanghua's understated statement hid a grim reality: millions displaced and lost along coastal regions. Had they known, they could have relocated inland like Su Wu, avoiding the panicked exodus. Their life savings were now lost, and many were trapped at sea.

Su Wu's lips moved, but he only sighed. He, too, had benefited from the secrecy, using real estate sales in coastal cities to fund his shelter. He wasn't in a position to judge.

"Send me a price list from seven months ago," Su Wu requested. "If everything is acceptable, we can proceed at those prices."

He had lost his desire to haggle, partly due to Ye Luoshuanghua's fair offer. While trading at pre-apocalyptic prices was unusual, it was better than hoarding and arguing.

"Good," Ye Luoshuanghua replied. "Ask me any questions you have. It's best to finalize the deal by tomorrow morning. We're facing severe power shortages and need your generators urgently."

Ye Luoshuanghua sent two documents: a price list and instructions on purchase limits and price adjustments.

This was expected. Although prices were generally from seven months ago, some items, like livestock, were more expensive to maintain in shelters. Also, shelters had limited supplies, so quantity and type restrictions were necessary. Essentially, it was barter.

Despite these conditions, the prices were fair. Livestock was only about three times more expensive than normal, medicine was comparable to pharmacy prices, and cement was nearly at factory price.

The available quantities were also substantial.

"Is this official inventory?" Su Wu wondered. "It's incredible."

He was envious. Compared to his previous sugar purchases, where he was warned for buying dozens of kilograms, this inventory offered tons of sugar.

After carefully reviewing the price list, Su Wu made his decision. Ye Luoshuanghua wasn't trying to deceive him. The deal was profitable and a rare opportunity.

"I'll finalize the deal tomorrow," Su Wu said. "Two geothermal generators, totaling 7 million yuan in supplies. That should make me one of the wealthiest small shelter owners in Jianghe City."

He added new tasks to the engineering robots in the Machinery Manufacturing Center, pausing the third-floor renovation to create two geothermal generator models.

Upgrading two generators would cost 26 survival points, a significant amount, but manageable. The exchanged supplies would exponentially expand his shelter, allowing him to truly develop the manufacturing center and the aquaculture factory.

He contacted Ye Luoshuanghua again to discuss details and finalize delivery.

Feeling tired, Su Wu went to the living area for a shower, planning to rest for the next day's tasks.

The night passed quietly.

The next morning, Su Wu woke to the simulated sunlight from his bedroom ceiling. He checked the shelter's logs on his tablet. The second geothermal generator model would be completed in three hours.

"I woke up a bit early," he thought, yawning. Instead of going back to sleep, he instructed the AI to send a construction robot with a van to the Reinstalled Knight's shelter for the charging transaction. He had almost forgotten about it and decided to take care of it while he had the time.

(End of Chapter)