Zuo Feng was pensive after hearing this; he had come with the intention of seeking advice, as Firefly Base was gradually growing and would inevitably face similar issues in the future.
Currently, almost all of Firefly Base's supplies are collected by Zuo Feng personally leading a team, which means his team has to feed over 150 people, an immense pressure.
Perhaps, they could learn from Sunshine Base's management model and establish dedicated supply collection teams; those female students could be useful. They couldn't just keep supporting them indefinitely; that wasn't realistic.
"What is the remuneration for workers, for those who participate in labor?" Zuo Feng asked.
Master Duan looked a bit awkward and replied, "Resources are scarce now. For ordinary survivors like them, working on building city walls earns them one ration per day."
Zuo Feng was silent for a moment, looking deeply at the hardworking survivors, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.
Zuo Feng and his group walked slowly, their eyes taking in the busy figures all around them.
They walked past construction sites, the sound of tools clanging in their ears, the air thick with the smell of sweat.
Looking at the gaunt, emaciated survivors, Zuo Feng couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
They might have once been white-collar workers, teachers, or doctors, but now they could only fight with all their might for survival in this apocalypse.
All for a full meal, to prolong their lives.
Zuo Feng's group, dressed in their fine clothes, stood out conspicuously among these people, as if from another world.
Their appearance undoubtedly drew whispers and envious glances from the surrounding survivors, but no one dared to approach; seeing them from afar, they quickly made way.
Zuo Feng understood in his heart that this disparity was a microcosm of the harsh reality of the apocalypse.
Without further inspecting the construction site, Zuo Feng turned and continued in a different direction. When the group arrived at an area full of tents, Zuo Feng couldn't help but walk over curiously, only to see that the tents were extremely dilapidated, simply constructed from a few tree branches and tattered cloth, swaying in the wind as if they could collapse at any moment.
The figures of women were faintly visible inside the tents, and occasionally a woman's head would peek out. When their eyes met the girls from Firefly, a hint of envy and helplessness flashed in their eyes, and these women quickly retreated.
"What is this area for?" Zuo Feng asked curiously.
Master Duan replied with a hint of awkwardness, "Most of the women here don't have jobs. You know, without a job here, there's no food. They come here... to do that kind of business, to get a meal."
Zuo Feng immediately understood; this was the apocalypse's version of a red-light district...
"Are such areas everywhere in Sunshine Base, or is this the only one? How do they charge?"
Zuo Feng couldn't help but ask curiously; this Sunshine Base was indeed quite interesting.
But no sooner had Zuo Feng spoken than he felt a chill down his spine.
He looked back and immediately coughed awkwardly, "Uh, I was just curious, no intentions!"
The Firefly girls snorted, offering no reply.
Master Duan explained:
"These types of areas are divided into four main sections within the base. Each area has dedicated personnel to manage order. The women who don't have jobs come voluntarily, and they can go to whichever area they want and work if they choose. Many women with jobs also occasionally come here to work part-time. The payment method is negotiated between the two parties."
Zuo Feng clicked his tongue in amazement after hearing this: "Wow! That's quite humane, labor freedom, huh!"
As for sympathy, Zuo Feng didn't feel much. In the apocalypse, survival was the top priority.
Everyone had their own choices and helplessness; what could he do? He just needed to protect his girls.
Zuo Feng retracted his gaze and continued forward. What he saw and heard along the way gave him a deeper understanding of the cruelty of the apocalypse. However, his impression of Sunshine Base had improved.
At least here, people still had choices, and although difficult, the hope of survival had not completely extinguished.
Moreover, the order here was well-maintained, without chaotic scenes, indicating that the person who established this base was not someone whose conscience had been extinguished. Furthermore, his abilities were quite outstanding; otherwise, managing and maintaining order for tens of thousands of people would be no easy feat.
As they walked, the group arrived outside a towering wall, densely covered with barbed wire. Zuo Feng looked up to see sentry posts on top of the wall, with guards sharply scanning their surroundings vigilantly.
"This must be the inner city, right?"
Zuo Feng already knew that Sunshine Base was divided into an outer city and an inner city. The inner city was the core area of the base, where mostly high-ranking officials and people with special skills resided, including Mutants.
"Yes, inside the wall is the inner city, which was our original base. The outer city was expanded later as more survivors were taken in," Master Duan added. "Security measures in the inner city are extremely strict; no one is allowed in without permission."
Zuo Feng nodded, thinking to himself: Doesn't Firefly also have outer members? The two models are somewhat similar; Firefly Base is equivalent to the inner city, and the Nongjiale (Farmhouse) is the outer city.
Just as Zuo Feng was about to speak, he saw a patrol team approaching. The leader had a stern face and piercing eyes, scanning everyone.
When he saw Master Duan, he immediately showed respect, nodding slightly in greeting.
"Master Duan holds an unusual position here!" Zuo Feng said with a hint of teasing, smiling. "It seems I need to butter you up well so I can also become familiar in the base later."
Master Duan replied half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Brother Zuo, you're joking. If you could join us, your status would certainly be higher than mine."
Zuo Feng smiled, noncommittal.
"Come, Brother Zuo, let's enter the inner city. The leaders will be very happy to know that Brother Zuo has graced us with his presence!" Zuo Feng followed Master Duan into the inner city, secretly observing his surroundings. The buildings were sturdy, the layout strict, and patrol guards were visible everywhere, with tight security.
Along both sides of the street, shops lined the way, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.
Despite being in the apocalypse, a hint of vitality emanated.
These shops naturally did not supply daily necessities for ordinary people but rather scarce resources specifically for Mutants and high-ranking officials, ranging from advanced weapons to rare medicines, all readily available.
Moreover, the methods of transaction were diverse, but the primary currency was loss crystal.
Compared to the outer city, it was completely two extreme worlds. The Firefly girls behind Zuo Feng, seeing the dazzling array of goods, their eyes began to sparkle. They wanted to shop, but they tried their best to suppress it because they had serious business next—which was to exchange for supplies at Sunshine Base!
Led by Master Duan, the group passed through the bustling streets and soon arrived in front of a magnificent building.
"Brother Zuo, please wait a moment. I'll go inform the leaders, and you'll be able to see them very soon."
Master Duan turned and entered the building.
Zuo Feng and the Firefly girls stood in front of the building, waiting quietly. Soon, the large doors slowly opened, and a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes came out, smiling, his eyes radiating authority and wisdom.
He stepped forward, extending his hand: "Welcome, Brother Zuo. I've long heard of your reputation, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."
Zuo Feng smiled and returned the greeting. The man before him was the leader of Sunshine Base, Luo Tianyu—a powerhouse who had lit up four lotus seeds! Luo Tianyu's smile carried a hint of scrutiny, but Zuo Feng met it calmly, secretly admiring the other's demeanor.