C3 Ten Thousand Kilograms of Rice First!

"Oh my god, am I seeing this right? It's actually white rice!" The group of level-2 paranormals couldn't contain their excitement at the sight before them.

"Let me have a taste."

"It's delicious, unbelievably delicious!" The first paranormal to purchase three kilograms of rice from Shen Chen shared it with everyone. They acted as if they hadn't eaten in years, and even raw rice brought them to tears of joy.

"Shen Chen, where on earth did you find this rice?" Yang Hanshuang's hands shook with emotion.

With this rice, the base could hold out for at least three more days. And if traded for other sustenance, it could last up to two months!

Rice was just that scarce.

"Don't worry about where it came from. If you want it, have your people come and collect it. But first, you need to help me move it somewhere else. I'm not selling it here," Shen Chen instructed.

In private, Yang Hanshuang pulled Shen Chen aside, her gaze intense. "Shen Chen, can you share your motives with me? With this rice, you could corner the black market and make a fortune. Yet, you're selling it to our base for next to nothing, allowing us to indulge in such luxury. Why?"

"It's simple. I'm happy to do it, isn't that enough?" Shen Chen didn't want to elaborate.

"Okay... Shen Chen, you've given me a huge advantage this time. I owe you one. Whatever you need in the future, just ask. I'll promise you anything," Yang Hanshuang pledged with utmost sincerity.

"And what if I want you to join me?" Shen Chen inquired.

Yang Hanshuang paused, "If you can provide another 1000 pounds of rice, I might consider it."

Realizing she'd misinterpreted his words, Shen Chen quickly clarified, "No, no, no, I meant for you to join my team, not to be my woman. We've known each other for years; I understand you. I would never coerce you."

Relieved, Yang Hanshuang adapted, "That's what I meant too. If you can bring out another 1000 pounds of rice to help my base through this hardship, I'll agree."

"Let me take a look," Shen Chen offered.

"Looks like you might actually have another 1000 pounds to spare?" Yang Hanshuang's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"I'm not sure, to be honest. I'm just in sales, so I can't make any guarantees about our stock." Shen Chen was in the dark about the system's next steps, which meant he couldn't make any promises.

"Shen Chen, who's backing you, really?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, my livelihood depends on this big shot. You can't go getting any ideas about him!"

"Cheapskate!"

Taking Yang Hanshuang's cue, Shen Chen concocted the idea of a 'big boss' behind the scenes, smoothly deflecting her curiosity.

The people Yang Hanshuang brought along unwittingly became Shen Chen's unpaid movers.

Shen Chen was keen to sell all the rice right there and then, but his hands were tied. The shop was picked out, and the system insisted on selling through the store to bolster its reputation.

"Amu, get back to base quickly and bring everyone here. Each person gets a level-1 Zombie Crystal Core and three pounds of rice," Yang Hanshuang commanded.

"Understood!" Amu, the paranormal, zipped off, faster than a rabbit.

They were about to receive an incredible boon; excitement was inevitable.

"Three hundred and forty-one level-1 Zombie Crystal Cores, for three hundred and forty-one people—no one less. I have to make it official. Once that's done, all the rice is yours," Shen Chen stressed.

"Understood," Yang Hanshuang responded, somewhat exasperated.

She thought the formality was unnecessary.

But Shen Chen was in charge now, and his word was law.

"Are we really going to get rice?"

"Is it actual rice? Is it edible?"

"Line up and proceed in order, right towards the bank up front. Trust me, it's all real!" Amu led the throng of over three hundred people. More than two hundred were civilians, with the remaining paranormals there to ensure everyone's safety.

Yang Hanshuang's base had pulled out all the stops for this operation!

These people were just like Yang Hanshuang and her group earlier, inherently skeptical. But the moment they laid eyes on the rice, they were all abuzz with excitement.

"Oh my goodness, it's actually rice."

"What a kind soul. Selling us rice so cheaply, he's practically a reincarnation of the Buddha."

"Thank you, thank you!"

"Please, let this old man bow to you!"

Shen Chen was seated behind a dilapidated table, keeping track of the number of people collecting rice, their names, and the amounts they received. Suddenly, an elderly man rushed toward Shen Chen and knelt down, poised to bow deeply.

Shen Chen quickly lifted the old man to his feet. "Grandpa, I really can't accept such a gesture."

With shaking hands, the old man clutched Shen Chen's arm. "By offering the rice at such a bargain and saving our lives, you more than deserve this old man's respect."

"Grandpa, if you don't stand up, I'm going to be upset," Shen Chen warned, feigning anger.

"Don't be upset, please. I'll stand," the old man relented.

"Next," Shen Chen announced, handing out more rice.

"What's going on in there?" A scavenger armed with a weapon peered in curiously. He couldn't fathom why there was such a crowd. If a high-level zombie or a formidable Zombie Beast took notice, wouldn't they all be in danger?

He watched as one after another, people emerged with bags full of glistening white rice.

He paused, taken aback.

'Damn, are all these people that wealthy?'

"Grandpa, may I ask what's happening inside?" The scavenger approached and questioned the old man who had just exited.

"Inside..." The old man began to speak but, noticing the scavenger's attire, realized he wasn't from the base and quickly clammed up.

"Sir, just tell me, I'm dying to know," the scavenger pressed.

"It's nothing, nothing at all." The old man quickly moved on.

"Hey, what's your business here? This doesn't concern you, move along," Amu intervened, shooing the scavenger away.

"Pfft, what's with the attitude?" the scavenger grumbled under his breath as he walked off. But he didn't stray far, instead choosing to lurk in the shadows, keeping a close watch from not too far away.

His instincts told him that it wasn't these people who were wealthy, but rather the one inside.

If he just waited patiently, perhaps a stroke of good fortune would come his way too.

"Mission accomplished. The sale of 1,000 catties of rice is complete. Reward: seven days of unlimited rice supply. Please claim at the designated location."

"New mission: Sell 10,000 catties of rice within three days. Reward: Become a Level 1 rice agent and enjoy a 10% commission on sales."

Upon receiving the system's notification, Shen Chen's hands involuntarily started to shake.

10,000 catties!

That's how much food countless people rely on!

"Hey, Shen Chen, are you even listening to me?" Yang Hanshuang asked with growing impatience.