Chapter 596: Chapter 20: Farmer Spring Is a Bit Bitter (2)
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Last night a strong wind blew, collapsing a corner of the staircase wall in the dormitory. For the students living in Zone C, this wasn’t much of a problem, as such damages were considered objective damages and could be directly reported to the material supply center for public expense repairs.
Xiao Xian and her peers had already repaired it once after they moved in.
However, the "Watermelon Shed" was not so lucky. Neither Xiao Xian nor Zhang Yiyi had woodworking skills, and the shed they built with sheer brute force could handle daily use, but not the winds of a stormy night. The wooden frame was blown down, and the cattail mats Xiao Xian had woven were nowhere to be found.
Fortunately, the sand and seeds inside the shed were intact.
After reporting the collapsed stairway to the robot Romeo, there was a quick response. Romeo brought over cement and bricks, and it took just about ten minutes to repair the stairs. When passing by the remains of the melon shed, Romeo didn’t even stop, treating it as just a pile of trash.
Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi had to stop their studies and clean up the collapsed melon shed.
"Let’s just forget about it. I think unless we use steel scaffolding like the ones at the entrance of the material supply center, any material we use to build the melon shed will just be blown away by the desert’s strange winds. I’m not even craving tropical fruits anymore; I’ll just stick to apples," Zhang Yiyi sighed, blaming herself for whimsically wanting different fruits, which had tired Xiao Xian out with her futile efforts.
"We’re growing Hami melons not just for ourselves. Like you said, the climate in Zone B only suits certain fruits, probably similar in Zone A. If we can grow Hami melons, then we can sell them to Zones A and B, where people have more money than us. Then, you won’t have to pick apples or give lessons in the desert facing sand lizards," Zhang Yiyi abandoned her computer-simulated lessons to save money, which Xiao Xian was aware of but hadn’t mentioned, considering Zhang Yiyi’s stubborn nature and dislike for relying on others.
"Then I’ll go to the material center again and see if we can get some steel scaffolding," understanding Xiao Xian’s intentions, Zhang Yiyi did not insist further and went to look for Romeo.
Xiao Xian searched nearby for the cattail mats blown away, so that her messy arrangements wouldn’t require Romeo to clean up.
Some mats were blown far away, but the blown-away mats were much stronger than the wood, shattered by the wind, and each was intact. This showed that cattail has good wind resistance; it’s just the supporting wooden frame that wasn’t strong enough.
Zhang Yiyi returned with bad news. Romeo informed her that the iron frames at the material center were military supplies and not for sale to students.
"The desert sandstorms are strong and corrosive. Even these buildings we live in have to be reinforced every five or six years. In this great desert of Zone C, nothing can withstand the erosion of the sandstorm," disappointed, Zhang Yiyi stood under the dormitory building.
Nothing can withstand the erosion of the sandstorm? Xiao Xian silently repeated Yiyi’s words inside her head, her gaze drifting deeper into the desert. Her dormitory building, resembling a war-torn site grimy with dust, footsteps immediately engulfed by sand, the scorching sun, and further away, cacti every kilometer, and... cattail, crawling in the wind, toppled but rising again.
"Yes, I thought of something that can stand upright in the sandstorm," Xiao Xian shouted, breaking into a sprint towards the edge of the desert.
Zhang Yiyi was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly followed Xiao Xian’s steps.
**
"A bottle of beer," a familiar voice floated into the material supply center of Zone C through the howling desert night wind.
The robot Romeo reviewed Wang Shuai’s monthly alcohol purchase records.
"No need to check, it’s midnight, a new month, I haven’t bought a single bottle yet." In such late hours, only advanced students would dare to wander alone in Zone C.
"Five minutes and fifty seconds to go until the first, totaling twelve bottles this month. Our store temporarily restricts the sale of any alcohol-containing beverages to VIPs like Wang Shuai," Romeo, seeing his poor mood, immediately cut Wang Shuai off.
"Hey, what’s with your menopause... Never mind, a good man doesn’t fight with a robot, give me a Coke," Wang Shuai, in a sleeveless sweatshirt, his muscles outlined, sweat freshly dried by the outside wind, his messy hair standing on end like thorns.
"According to reliable research reports, one can of Coke can kill *** sperm. Our store recommends Farmer Spring, green and pollution-free." Romeo picked a bottle of mineral water from the shelf, "200 Heaven-defying Value."
Wang Shuai snatched the water, glanced at the label, "Farmer Spring is a bit bitter," spotted the very prominent advertisement, "Farmer Spring appeared again? How much is left, I want all of them," if possible, he really wanted to punch Romeo into a metal pancake, but having just exercised, this Farmer Spring unique to Zone C was indeed a good energy replenishing drink.
Farmer Spring is an intermittent desert spring deep within the desert of Zone C, accessible only to the campus management robot Romeo. The spring contains various organic substances and some Spiritual Power vital for replenishing energy, making it an excellent drinking water for Cultivators and Superpower Users, albeit a bit more bitter than ordinary water.
"Restricted to one bottle per person," the high price of 200 Heaven-defying Value wasn’t affordable for everyone. Romeo recommended it only according to the specific needs of certain students.
"By the way, I just came from Zone A and saw a new grass house on the main road of Zone C? Building a grass house under the dormitory? Isn’t that an illegal construction?" Originally, Wang Shuai wanted to build a dog house next to his villa to keep a pet, and it was directly leveled by Romeo of Zone A.
"Lead the way," Robot Romeo was curious, not having heard any report from Juliet One about illegal construction. There is really no such thing as illegal construction in Zone C, as no one could build anything substantial there. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to Qidian () to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)
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