People were already going hungry even when they had jobs. Now, no longer having any income, these people can only exchange valuable items at home for food and necessities. Stalls and black markets have emerged as time goes on.
Only a handful of people managed to keep their jobs. Soon, Su Han also became a member of the unemployed army.
At noon on day 7, the lady boss announced after lunch, "I'm going to close the noodle shop. You guys go find some other ways to make a living."
'The days of freeloading are over?' Su Han was a little disappointed. These seven days in the instance, she didn't have to worry about food or housing because she worked in the noodle shop. Not only did she not have to eat anything from her warehouse, she even saved up a bit more rations (milk, brown bread, soap bought with her salary).
Even when the noodle shop provided one less meal, Su Han still didn't have to eat anything from her warehouse – the daily consumption of satiety is about 50, and two bowls of noodles were enough to fill the level back to 100.
'Now that I don't have a job, what should I do for the rest of the day?' Su Han sank into contemplation.
Without saying anything, the cook quietly went back to the kitchen to pack up.
Seeing Su Han not moving, the lady boss sighed and said in a sad tone, "Sorry, there's nothing I can do about it. The noodle shop really can't go on, I also have to leave a way for myself."
Su Han was stunned. She smiled and said, "It's okay, I understand." She was shocked to be able to stay in the noodle restaurant until the 7th day.
Waving goodbye, Su Han left without taking anything from the shop.
*****
After thinking about it, she decided to see what people were selling in the stalls. Maybe someone is willing to take out some valuable materials in exchange for food?
On the way, Su Han witnessed three robberies in just ten minutes.
In the first robbery, a middle-aged man with stubble on his face snatched a lollipop from a little girl that looked like she was in kindergarten. He then turned around and ran away.
In the second robbery, an older man in his seventies was walking down the road when suddenly pushed to the ground. The robber rummaged through all the pockets on the older man's body. After taking the money, the robber yelled at the older man and swaggered away.
"Crazy, everyone's going crazy." Su Han muttered. She had underestimated the degree of danger outside. Su Han began to avoid suspicious people and stayed on the main street. But even so, she was still targeted.
*****
Su Han silently looked at the woman and two men that surrounded her. A young girl walking alone on the road looked too conspicuous, and they blocked her way, thinking she was easy to bully. The only woman among the robbers grinned, "Take out everything you have. I will let you go if you hand everything over obediently."
Su Han obediently reached onto her pocket… and took out the slingshot and steel beads from the warehouse.
The female robber was initially overjoyed, thinking that the prey would give up her things compliantly, who knew in the next second, she pulled out a slingshot and shot a steel bead at them. With a "clang", a hole broke through the can of coke in one of the robber's hands, and the drink splashed everywhere.
The three were dumbfounded.
Su Han slowly took out another steel bead and said, "When I hit people, I always like to hit them right in their face."
The female robber's face turned blue. A steel bead that can pierce a can of coke if it hit her face. "Go!" As she spoke, she took the lead in running away. The men followed behind. The three of them ran away speedily, not even daring to turn their heads back.
Su Han put everything back into the warehouse, "I have to find a way to get a backpack. There's no free slot in the warehouse anymore."
The bag of steel beads, once opened, are counted by beads, not by the bag. In other words, it occupied one more slot in the warehouse.
"If there's a backpack, I can put these steel beads inside." Su Han continued to move towards the market, full of expectations.
Perhaps other robbers saw what happened just now and realized she was not easy to provoke, and no one else approached her on the way to the market.
*****
Soon, Su Han reached the market. This "market" is just people selling their belongings in makeshift stalls everywhere in a small park.
"Candles, useful candles! Don't miss them when you pass by!"
"Matchbox, lighter, flint and more! come and take a look if you're interested!"
"Super thick quilts, very warm! Interested buyers come check it out!"
"Nylon backpack! Extremely durable! I bought it less than half a month ago, at least 90% new!"
'Nylon backpack?' Su Han followed the sound and saw that the stall owner was negotiating with a customer, "Nylon material, absolutely wear-resistant, and it's particularly light to carry! Has good elasticity and doesn't smell easily."
The customer asking about the bag was moved, but he hesitated, "The two pieces of bread for the bag is too expensive! I will buy it if you'll sell it for one piece of bread."
The stall owner was anxious, "How is it expensive? I spent more than a hundred coins to buy this bag! How much can two loaves of bread cost?!"
"You can't calculate it like that." The customer was not worried at all, and he righteously said, "Look at the times we're living in now, besides, if the backpack is more valuable would you be taking it out to exchange it with bread? Nowadays, gold has a price, but food is priceless!"