Famine 107: Chilled White Peaches

“Water…”

A water park?

Was this even Chinese?

For a moment, no one knew how to respond to that. As soon as Si Zhiyan finished speaking, it was as if a mute button had been pressed—the crowd froze, expressions caught in suspended animation.

The river still flowed overhead, cool droplets splashing down like living things, striking parched skin made tight and dry from the heat.

Most of the players now trapped here had come with their families, trekking over lava fields for days to reach the ice drink shop near the farm. While waiting in line, many clutched half a flask of their precious remaining water—some didn’t even have that, having been without for a long time.

Cracked lips and raw airways tortured them at every moment.

They stared dumbly at the river flowing above their heads. The water was so abundant, so clean, so utterly plentiful it seemed free—so unlike the deprivation they’d suffered for days on end, it felt like a dream.

“Am I still awake? I’m not under some illusion, am I…”

One player murmured as if sleep-talking, opening his mouth by reflex. It wasn’t until the cool droplets splashed onto his tongue that he jolted awake.

Si Zhiyan kindly reminded them, “Please do not drink the pond water directly—it does not meet drinking water hygiene standards.”
This water was intended for the future water park.

Hygiene standards!!!

The player’s eyes instantly turned red.

They couldn’t get a drop to drink elsewhere; a nutrient paste with even a trace of water could fetch a high price, and people had killed dozens over a limewater-dripping stone pillar. Yet here, in this sealed underground cavern, such clear, fresh water was being declared unfit for drinking!

Some couldn’t help themselves, rising on tiptoe…

But Si Zhiyan raised a hand and pressed down, stopping them, and said, “This lockdown came upon everyone so suddenly. It must have been a frightening shock, and though it was never our intention, in the end, the cause lies with us.”

“We will install a separate tap beside the ice drink shop, providing everyone with free pure water that meets hygiene standards, ensuring your basic needs.”

“In addition, to express our apologies, the farm has prepared for each of you a piece of iced fruit. You may choose from four options: seedless watermelon, frozen orange, little fragrant pear, or white peach. Please line up in order to claim yours.”

“Does anyone have any questions about this arrangement?”

Every player exploded in jubilation.

The crowd went wild at once, a chorus of excited cries rising to the heavens.

“Seriously?! Is this real? Someone pinch me—am I dreaming?!”

“Sir, you’re a man of great righteousness!!”

“Damn… white peaches…” One person was already drooling.

“No problem at all! Sir, of course, there’s no problem!”

“It wasn’t their fault we got locked up anyway!”

“How did they get all this stuff… in this place…?”

“Shh, just enjoy it. We’re lucky enough as it is—don’t go poking around for secrets. Curiosity killed the cat.”

“…”

Even Qiu Hong was at a loss for words, completely speechless in the face of it all.

The reckless, desperate ideas she’d had only moments ago, her resolve to do whatever it took, had been swept away like smoke before a rising tide. A sudden lightness filled her heart.

She took an uncertain step, eyes reddening, pressed her lips together, and bowed deeply to Si Zhiyan.

He smiled down at her.

Nothing else needed to be said.

By the time Qiu Hong lifted her head, Si Zhiyan’s figure had already vanished, fading away into the mist.

Several farmworkers emerged from the shadows, each displaying their own abilities and dragging huge sacks of iced fruit.

Leading them was a magician in a blue tailcoat and half-mask. With a wave of his wand, he set up four signposts along the corridor, each bearing the name of a different fruit.

“Everyone, please queue according to your choice,” the magician said cheerfully, his tone soothing as a spring breeze.

Beside him, a burly, tiger-headed man folded his arms and boomed, “I’ll say this up front: if you queue up like decent folks, we’re all friends—plenty of fruit to go around. If you try to cut or cause trouble… well, watch out, and see if you even get your share!”

Conversation buzzed through the crowd as people excitedly discussed and chose their favored fruit, lining up in an orderly fashion.

Qiu Hong was first in line. Anderson handed her a white peach, along with a straw.

The peach was perfectly ripe, its skin glistening and delicate, icy cold beneath her touch, so plump it seemed nearly bursting, impossibly soft. Qiu Hong cradled it carefully, and holding it to the light, she could see a sheen of juice trembling just under the surface.

Plunk.

The peach skin was so thin, the slightest pressure from the straw pierced it. Immediately, ice-cold, sweet juice rushed up the straw. Qiu Hong quickly closed her lips around it, letting the nectar stream into her mouth. Fresh and luscious, it sent a shiver of delight up her spine.

“Mm!!”

The flavor overflowed in her mouth. In her excitement, she squeezed too hard, almost crushing the peach. Juice started to run down her hands, startling her into recovering her composure. She carefully held it steady, then sipped up every last drop—even licking the juice from her fingers.

“It’s just too delicious…” Qiu Hong was beside herself, even feeling that this white peach was better than any she’d had before the apocalypse.

Suddenly—

[Ding! Your defense has increased by 11%!]

Huh!!

Qiu Hong’s eyes flew wide open.

[Witch’s Fruit Tree]
…
After consuming a whole piece of fruit, you gain a random attribute bonus. The bonus ranges from 5% to 25%, lasts for one hour, and cannot be stacked.
Eating a new type of fruit replaces the previous bonus; the duration does not refresh.

She had had enough shocks for one day; Qiu Hong was almost numb.

This fruit tasted amazing… and it gave buffs?!

What kind of miraculous produce was this!

Around her, the other players wore dreamy expressions, licking their lips with longing.

“This pear is incredible, even sweeter than the Korla fragrant pears… My god, I’ll remember this flavor till the day I die. It’s just too small, though.”

“And there’s a buff! Amazing! It’s random? I got 21%! And it’s my main stat—strength!”

“What? You got 15%? How’s your luck so good?”

“Dammit, I only got 6%… Where can I find more of these fruits…”

“It’s like eating fruit and drawing a lottery—one’s just not enough…”

At that moment, the shop staff, wearing flawless smiles, stood in the ice drink shop and raised their voice:

“Specialty fruit drinks and fresh iced fruit, starting at 120 credits—now available for purchase.”

Boom!

In an instant, a long line snaked out from the front of the shop.

Anderson, busy distributing fruit, glanced back at the steadily growing queue and shook his head with a private sigh.

He had simply moved some fruit here and said a few words—yet the tense, explosive atmosphere in the cave had changed completely.

Providing free drinking water and giving out fruit seemed, on the surface, bad for business.

In reality, it was the opposite: once people had free water, they stopped hoarding expensive lemonades and instead flocked to buy high-end fruit, smoothies, and specialty milk teas.

Business at the ice drink shop rose, rather than fell.

Killing more than one bird with a single stone—truly worthy of being the Farm’s Mr. Si.

By now, the mood in the room had undergone a complete reversal.

All previous conflict and chaos had vanished. Now everyone eagerly anticipated the meals, and maybe even a chance to play at the new water park…

……
…

Si Zhiyan sat in the back of the ice drink shop, air conditioner humming, sipping his slushie, and sighed in relief.

With this, a crisis in their midst was unlikely to erupt. The greatest danger had passed.

Si Zhiyan was no naïve child—he understood very well: even if everyone knew this was the work of the Silver Ring Alliance, some would always resent the farm for getting them caught up in this mess; some would see the lockdown and think it a golden opportunity for lawless deeds… That’s human nature—and out of his hands.

But self-interest is human nature, too.

He had never expected everyone to be a good person—reality didn’t work that way. But he could show everyone—

Laying down your arms and working with the farm was the optimal choice at this time.

Once people’s minds settled, leading thousands through these thirty days became a much simpler matter.

First, food.

That was hardly a concern—the restaurant had always been one of the farm’s fundamentals. Handling a few extra customers only meant opening more windows.

He left that to Li Xuanyun and company—with just a nudge of the “Rest Day CBD,” a window could be opened instantly on this side. Everyone had experience expanding their operations; handling this was no trouble at all.

As for how first-time visitors to the farm’s canteen would eat themselves to the point of round bellies and streaming tears… that was not Si Zhiyan’s problem.

Next, he still had to solve the trash and waste problem for several thousand people.

Si Zhiyan spent some credits at the farm shop to exchange for a hundred [Portable Extra-dimensional Fertilizer Bags], placing them in the distant corridors. He then mobilized the farm’s workforce to hurriedly build enough stalls within a day.

The [Portable Extra-dimensional Fertilizer Bags] could automatically collect, process, and compact human waste, eventually converting it into magical fertilizer through several procedures. The farm’s employees would then spread this on the forest, doubling the yield of fruit trees and other crops.

Wang Jianguo even seemed slightly disappointed, muttering to himself about “that guy’s not getting anything to eat this time,” drawing odd looks from those nearby.

With that, all the basic needs—food, water, hygiene—were settled.

Now, it was time to build the water park.

Si Zhiyan stood in front of three caves he’d chosen.

At the moment, they’d all become cool, flowing rivers.

Every inch of the Imaginary Pond was connected to the endless seas of other times and spaces. This, after all, was why the Imaginary Blue Whale could come and go so freely.

He didn’t fully understand the underlying principle, but one thing was clear—this property of the Imaginary Pond, when projected onto this world, became [Living Water].

Every drop was ever-fresh, in eternal flow. The water wound its way into the cave, swirling before mysteriously disappearing. There was no worry about quality or running out—Imaginary Pond would remain always clear and inexhaustible.

The three caves formed a set of natural steps, joined by winding corridors and spiral passages, stretching from top to bottom for hundreds—almost a thousand—meters.

Perfect for a multi-level river run as Imaginary Pond’s water coursed through them…

Si Zhiyan wasted no time.

Surf pool, swimming pool, water slides, trampolines—he arranged it all at once…

He’d even decided to introduce some of the farm animals and special features—how could he let those unique experiences go to waste?

He’d long wanted to build a water park—especially in this blazing summer, eating iced fruit and playing in the water was the only way to live!

……
…

While the sealed cave was abuzz with activity, the Silver Ring Alliance’s own lair was far from idle.

Wang Jinyu, exhausting every means, finally filled a bucket from the stone pillar with lime water, filtered most of the impurities out of a small cup, distilled it once, then respectfully presented it to his elder sister.

Qi Zhi accepted the cup and downed it in one go.

Even with the grit and sand mostly filtered out, who knew what weird substances remained in that water. Though it had been distilled, there were still suspended particulates, giving it a bitter, dusty taste.

Yet it scratched that burning thirst, was relatively translucent, and in these days was considered an unimaginable luxury.

The assembly beneath the platform gazed up at Qi Zhi with respect and envy.

No matter how you distilled it, plenty of water was lost. Most players, their stomachs modified to be tough, would never squander so much for purity.

In this searing heat, to drink a glass of such distilled water was a mark of status.

“Whew…”

Qi Zhi exhaled, lips curling into a smile.

“Heh… Don’t worry, everyone. With the Silver Ring Alliance here, no one’s going to go without water.”

She clapped her hands, and Wang Jinyu emerged with dozens of bottles of untreated water, distributing them to the alliance members.

“Thank you, Sister Qi!”

“Thank you, Master Wang!”

“Following Sister Qi is always the right move!”

Each person received their share with reverent gratitude, swearing allegiance with every breath.

Only those who had contributed enough to the Silver Ring Alliance—bringing ample benefits—were qualified to stand here and receive their daily ration of water.

All felt a sense of honor.

Today, there were more people in the hall than yesterday.

The Silver Ring Alliance’s ranks had swelled again.

“No need to thank me; you should thank Sister Qi. If you’re loyal, Sister Qi will not treat you unfairly.”

Wang Jinyu smiled, hands clasped behind his back.

“But those parasites who defy her orders will die of hunger and thirst, with nowhere to rest their bones.”

All echoed their assent.

Wang Jinyu turned and spoke softly, “Sister, by my count, it’s been five days since those wretches got sealed into the ‘jar’ at the edge of the cave system, hasn’t it?”

“About that long,” Qi Zhi replied with a smile.

“They must’ve run out of supplies by now. Hah…”

Wang Jinyu said, “Now, as we’re distributing water, they’re probably already desperate, clawing at themselves for thirst—drinking their own urine or blood.”

“Let’s hope they start soon,” another ally laughed. “Otherwise, they won’t last much longer.”

“In the end, they won’t be able to produce even a drop to drink!”

The crowd erupted in raucous laughter, a wave of perverse delight infecting the air.

“Heh… only twenty-five days to go.”

Qi Zhi smiled, a cold gleam flickering in her eyes.

“In these next twenty-five days, they will eat human flesh, drink blood, swallow urine, tear each other apart—enduring a living hell of agony.”

“Some might cling to life and survive… That’s fine. It doesn’t matter if they make it.”

Qi Zhi spoke softly.

“In twenty-five days, all of you will lead your subordinates, gather your allies, and follow me to open the ‘jar.’ We will all witness their suffering, and deliver final judgment to any struggling worms left alive.”

“I want everyone to see what happens to those who stand in the Silver Ring Alliance’s way!”