“In recent days, multiple zero-yuan shopping cases have occurred across our country. The most prominent characteristic of these criminals is that they possess spatial abilities. Spaces have become essential tools for criminals.”
At the press conference, the director of the Natural Disaster Response Management Bureau, dressed in a black uniform with silver trim, wore a stern expression as he detailed the cases that had occurred in recent days.
Qin Sang had thought the bureau would try to cover things up—after all, many online posts discussing zero-yuan shopping had been deleted. But unexpectedly, the bureau came out with a full disclosure.
After announcing the recent cases, the director’s expression finally softened slightly. He then proceeded to read a long list of zero-yuan shopping criminals. Major websites simultaneously published the list for download and viewing.
Qin Sang immediately downloaded a copy. The list recorded the criminals’ names, ages, places of residence, and whether they were at large. These people were mostly concentrated in the 15–45 age range. Skimming through quickly, Qin Sang was deeply shocked.
The proportion of minors was particularly high.
Qin Sang had assumed that middle-aged people, having families to support, would be more desperate for supplies. But the opposite turned out to be true. Middle-aged people had more concerns and didn’t dare commit crimes. Minors, on the other hand, acted recklessly. Relying on the protection of juvenile laws and the fact that the apocalypse was coming, they all wanted to hoard supplies and become warlords in the future.
Qin Sang didn’t know what to say about this. This was the real world, not a game, not a novel, not a TV drama.
“Our country is governed by the rule of law. Even after the disaster strikes, the rule of law will not disappear. I urge everyone to abide by the law and be law-abiding citizens. Below, we will announce the temporary management measures for space holders…”
Qin Sang listened carefully to the temporary measures. She found that the authorities were still quite benevolent toward space holders.
For example, they urged everyone to register their spaces. Upon registration and verification, registrants would receive a supply care package.
At the same time, the authorities had also prepared countermeasures. For instance, space detection devices would be installed at the entrances and exits of all major supply storage facilities. If someone who hadn’t registered their space was detected, they would be fined a significant amount of supplies.
This provision was good. Qin Sang felt it would dampen the spirits of those bent on zero-yuan shopping.
Over the past two evenings, her family had been going with the villagers to line up for numbered rations at the nearby supermarket. Qin Sang noticed that the supermarket was extremely strict, practically implementing a one-on-one monitoring strategy. Yet some space holders still tried to steal.
So, after registration and publication, these space holders would be placed under extra scrutiny.
Of course, the authorities weren’t completely shutting the door on them. They also announced a recruitment drive for space holders to form supply teams, urging everyone to sign up enthusiastically.
Hearing that they could become public employees, Qin Sang’s parents were quite tempted—let alone everyone else. Although people had been saying that with the apocalypse coming, they’d stop being wage slaves and go home, the chance to become public employees using their spaces still excited many. Not to mention, when disaster struck, sticking with the authorities meant a higher survival rate.
If Qin Sang didn’t have her Roast Goose Space, she would have urged her parents to join.
That said, the recruitment for the supply team would likely be very strict. The political vetting process might be comparable to that for special government departments.
“Recently, the authorities will be selling a batch of compasses for space detection. Specific sale times and methods will be announced on the Survival app. Finally, please do not casually rent space from others to store your supplies. This practice carries the risk of losing your supplies.”
——
As soon as the press conference ended, Qin Sang opened her phone to browse the online reactions. Unsurprisingly, everyone had their own opinions on the management measures.
People without spaces envied those with spaces for the opportunity to become public employees. This was especially true in Dongshan Province, where the obsession with civil service exams ran deep. Even with the apocalypse coming, they still didn’t want to miss this good opportunity. Many netizens with Dongshan Province IP addresses expressed their intention to apply.
On the other hand, some space holders felt that the authorities’ measures were forcing them to expose themselves. Not flaunting one’s wealth was a cherished virtue in Flower Country. Now, having to announce that they had a space felt to them like declaring themselves fat sheep.
This group was particularly dissatisfied.
Even more dissatisfied were those who still wanted to go zero-yuan shopping.
Meanwhile, the more sharp-minded people were already thinking of getting a detection compass for themselves.
“Sangsang, should we get a space detection compass too?” Mom Qin was listening to voice messages on the side. Her group chat of lady friends was buzzing—everyone was saying they needed to get a detection compass.
None of these women had spaces at home. With a detection compass, if someone with a space came to their house, they could be on alert.
Qin Sang smiled. “If we can get one, that would be good.” She could directly sense who had a space, but her parents couldn’t. Having a compass would make things easier in case of trouble.
As for the final plea at the press conference not to rent space from others? Qin Sang glanced at the lively village group chat and shook her head. Until people suffered losses, they wouldn’t listen to advice.
She shook her head again and opened the list. After searching, she confirmed that Qu Meijing’s name wasn’t on it. She sighed inwardly at how lucky Qu Meijing was—despite getting injured, she had made off with so many supplies.
Thinking of Qu Meijing, Qin Sang checked the time and prepared to go change her dressing and give her an IV.
——
After returning from Qu Meijing’s place, Qin Sang went out to work. The information verification job would be finished today. Although the work had been tiring over the past few days, Qin Sang now had a much more comprehensive understanding of the entire urban village.
She knew where every alley was, which families were feuding, and who had spaces. This information might not be useful now, but that could change in the future.
Seeing Qin Sang, the two young men waved at her happily.
“Sang Sang Jie, Sang Sang Jie.”
Qin Sang said, “Did something good happen?”
“Hehe…” The two young men grinned before saying, “Remember the classmate of ours who was showing off his space? He got caught. We saw his name on the official list.”
Qin Sang: … That counts as good news, she supposed. She didn’t really get why they were so happy about it.
But soon, she encountered others who were happy because of the list.
“Sangsang, that Manman from Qin Wenqiang’s place got caught too. When will your Second Uncle’s family get their stolen things back?”
Looking at Second Uncle’s creditors, Qin Sang spread her hands. “I really don’t know anything about his family’s affairs.”
But now that Manman had been caught, would Fourth Aunt Qin’s family also go demand supplies from her?
After finishing her work and handing it over to the village, Qin Sang returned home and was told that a group of Second Uncle’s creditors had formed an alliance and dragged Second Uncle to the nearest police station to inquire about Manman’s case.
Qin Sang told her parents about it at home but didn’t pay it much mind.
“Mom, Dad, the personal information verification for our village was completed today. Before I left, the village chief said we should be able to go to the community office tomorrow to pick up the space care package.”
Hearing about free stuff, Mom and Dad Qin perked up again.
Just then, the sound of Fourth Aunt Qin’s wailing came from downstairs.
The Qin family exchanged glances, already guessing how things had turned out.
Sure enough, someone in the group chat soon posted the details. The “debt collection alliance” had gone to the police station and found out that Manman had indeed been caught. But she refused to hand over the supplies in her space. She insisted the supplies were gone. She would rather be fined or forced into hard labor than return the stolen goods.
After hours of effort, they had nothing to show for it. The creditors were furious and, as a group, went back to Second Uncle Qin’s house and trashed it.
Someone in the group chat tagged the Qin family, asking if they would help resolve the debt for Second Uncle’s family.
It scared Dad Qin so much he wanted to just leave the group chat.
Mom Qin was more direct. She started cursing in the group: “Back then, I told you not to lend them money, but you all were blinded by greed. Now what are you whining about? The Second Qin family’s problems have nothing to do with us. If you want your money back, go ask them!”
Cowed by Mom Qin’s scolding, the group fell silent. By bedtime, Qin Sang saw that these people were preparing to go as a group to work at a nearby official construction site.
Among them were Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt Qin. Apart from their house, the family truly had no money left. With no one buying houses, to get supplies, they had no choice but to sell their labor.
Qin Sang sighed but had nothing more to say. Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt Qin had their own issues too—starting with the house purchase. Now, with no money, two people in their fifties were going to do hard labor, while their son lay at home doing nothing.
Wasn’t this just suffering for no reason?
She thought that was the end of it. But in the middle of the night, someone came knocking.
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