The most difficult issue for the survivor in the first year was a lack of food due to the sudden arrival of the zombie apocalypse.
Unlike the portrayal of zombies in popular media, the real zombies not only preyed on living humans or animals but also anything that resembled raw flesh, bone, or meat to satisfy their insatiable hunger.
The only foods that the survivor could salvage, even if they somehow found a food store, grocery store, or alike, were canned fruit, half-rotten vegetables, or instant foods, which obviously didn't contain as much nutrition as their body needed to retain their health or strength, which often led to the loss of their lives in the claws of zombies.
Even if there was a lucky case where the survivors successfully collected abundant food, only a small group of people had the privilege of enjoying the most sumptuous and nutritious meal.
Aside from the people in authority, such as the city major or the military upper management, another group known as superhumans or evolved humans, was also included in the privileged group.
They were a small fraction of humanity who, due to the mutation of the Z-virus, instead of becoming zombies, obtained supernatural abilities beyond modern understanding.
In Qin Yu's memory, for example, Ling Luo was one of the strongest superhumans in City K with the moniker "Shadow Queen."
On the other hand, most of the people who weren't part of the military or superhumans could only compete for whatever remained of the provision, which often wasn't even enough for a single day. Qin Yu was included in this group.
Because of such a wide disparity in treatment, one of the most bloody events following the apocalypse occurred, in which ordinary people revolted against the authorities and superhumans, and nearly 25% of survivors in City K died in a single day.
Qin Yu wasn't involved in that event, as, at that time, she was outside of City K with her hunting team.
In a nutshell, Qin Yu believed that obtaining a stable source of food was her first and most important priority so that she and the people she held dear could survive the apocalypse.
"Actually… I want to utilize the unused land around the mansion for farming and raising chickens and cattle, but I don't think that I can do it alone. I want to ask for your suggestion, Uncle Wang."
Uncle Wang rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment before he said, "We still have a lot of lands available, so there will be no problem in that regard. The main problem is the workers, especially for raising the livestock, since I don't have any experience in that area, but it can be easily solved by recruiting men from the town. There are many elderly with abundant experience."
Qin Yu nodded and then her expression turned solemn. "But other than their capabilities, I also need them to be trustworthy and tight-lipped. I plan to experiment with a new invention I had developed together with my professor. I don't want it to be leaked to another competitor or I'm definitely going to be scolded by my teacher."
Qin Yu trusted Uncle Wang and Ling Luo to a certain degree, but she still didn't want to expose her system or her past, at least not before the apocalypse came, for she was afraid that they would see her as a monster or supernatural being and grow fearful of her.
After all, it was in human nature that they would, at least, feel apprehensive when facing something that was far from their common sense.
She didn't want to be isolated like in her previous life.
Before the apocalypse descended on this world, she definitely couldn't expose herself, even to the people that were close to her.
So, she needed to fabricate a reasonable excuse to avoid their suspicion, or at least try her best to do so.
Uncle Wang looked at Qin Yu with a puzzled expression as he didn't understand the need to be overly cautious, "Is there a need for such secrecy, Little Yu?"
Qin Yu gestured with her hand for them to come closer, which they did after a brief exchange of glances, and when they were close enough, she spoke in a voice soft enough to be a whisper, "Well… I hope you can keep it secret, Uncle Wang, and you are too Big Sis Luo. This is like a super confidential project!"
Uncle Wang patted his chest as he proclaimed, "Don't worry, young miss, your secret is safe with me. I'm not known as "The Confidant" Old Wang for nothing."
"I never know you had such a nickname, Uncle Wang?"
"Hehe… there are many things that you still don't know about me, little Luo. That's how excellent I am…"
Ling Luo rolled her eyes at Uncle Wang and made a silent gesture for Qin Yu to continue.
"We are developing high-quality soil nutrients which would be able to decrease the harvest time by four times shorter…"
""f-f-four t-times shorter harvest time?!""
Ling Luo and Uncle Wang exclaimed while struggling to keep their voices low.
Although harvesting times may vary from one kind of vegetable to another, the average time needed for a plant to ripen was around 90-120 days or around 3-4 months.
For example, soybeans, which were the main ingredient in making tofu, the seeds were just mature or nearly mature, from 70 to 100 days after sowing, depending upon the variety.
Another example, all varieties of Chinese cabbage or Chinese leaves were ready for harvest when the leaves are about 15 inches long, about 80 to 90 days after sowing seeds.
It meant that by using the soil nutrients provided by Qin Yu, they would obtain fresh vegetables in just a month!
Before they could calm the trepidation in their hearts, Qin Yu dropped another bomb.
"… and at the same time, the yield will be four times better."
"Goodness!"
A loud gasp could be heard coming from the two people in front of Qin Yu, which caused Qin Yu to give them a knowing look.
"That's why I want to keep this a secret at least until we have a solid result, if it works as it intended to be this will revolutionize the agricultural field, but it can also bring us harm if we don't proceed carefully."
Uncle Wang understood and said, "Just let this old Wang handle it."
"So, we will start on a small scale first. Am I right, Little Yu?"
"Yes, Big Sis Luo. We will start with a small field of various plantations, mainly staple foods like rice, potatoes, and fresh vegetables. If we get a good result, we will then start to expand the farmland. The main concerns are security."
"Don't worry, Little Yu. The entire Bless Hill is Qin's family property, and no one will be able to easily trespass on it. Although the mansion is only taken care of by me and Little Luo, there are a lot of security guards employed by Master Qin around the area, so it is relatively safe."
"Yes, I understand Uncle Wang. So, I will trust this matter to you. I hope you can do it as soon as possible."
Uncle Wang nodded in affirmation and, with a look full of determination, hurriedly excused himself, "Don't worry, I'll do my best! Please excuse me, I need to contact some people right away."
"Thank you. Uncle Wang!"
After Uncle Wang left, Qin Yu glanced at Ling Luo anxiously.
"Big Sis Luo, is there really something different about me?"
"It's a good thing, so you don't need to worry," Ling Luo answered with a smile.
"A good thing?" Qin Yu tilted her head sideways in confusion.
"Yeah. How to say it… you look more expressive and sincere…"
"This… I…"
Qin Yu became more restless when she saw Ling Luo looking at her with a curious gaze. Although she could easily come up with some lies about any strange items she got from the system, it couldn't be said so with the change in herself.
Fortunately, Ling Luo didn't seem to want to question her further as she patted her in the head and spoke in a gentle voice, "I know Little Yu, there's something changed about you and there's nothing strange about it. After all, a person is constantly changing, and in your case, it's a change for the better. Don't let it burden you. No matter what, you're still the little Yu I know."
"Hmm."
Qin Yu weakly nodded, and her expression visibly became more relaxed.
As she watched the change in her expression, Ling Luo couldn't help but tease her again.
"Good. Now, one smile for me please!"
Qin Yu glared at Ling Luo with an adorable pout as her cheek suddenly marred with red blush, "Urgh… you're bullying me again."