The little girl did not speak much. No matter what she was asked, she rarely responded, so Miao Suisui simply sat quietly at a table in the restaurant, keeping her company.
After a while, Pan Tong finally returned from outside.
Her expression was completely different from before, when she had seemed shrouded in a constant shadow. Now, she looked more like someone who had finally achieved vengeance and found release.
The little girl ran forward and gently tugged at Pan Tong’s clothes, her movements cautious yet filled with trust.
Pan Tong reached out and patted her head.
“Do you want to stay here?” After listening to Miao Suisui’s explanation, Pan Tong did not make a decision immediately, instead asking the little girl beside her.
The girl thought for a moment before replying softly, “Stay here and wait for Dad and Uncle.”
“Alright, then we’ll stay here for now. Mayor, please take us to a room,” Pan Tong said.
Hearing that the little girl had already eaten, Pan Tong did not plan to dine at the restaurant. Instead, she went to the general store and bought two packs of instant noodles and a sausage.
After settling them into Room 102 of Building A, Miao Suisui went to the town entrance.
By now, Niu Ge and his group had completely lost their abilities. They lay on the ground, weak and powerless. Even those without abilities had their physical strength reduced.
The robots were throwing them out of the town one by one.
Without the town’s protection, danger lurked everywhere. The distant roars of mutated beasts echoed in the air. Niu Ge and his group scrambled to their feet and tried to run back, but with the powerful robots guarding the entrance, they could only stumble away in another direction.
Miao Suisui saw mutated beasts already heading toward them.
However, she had no time to focus on that. The system had just informed her that the total crystal cores confiscated from Niu Ge’s group amounted to over forty thousand Level 1 crystal cores.
Upgrading to Level 5 required fifteen thousand, and Level 6 required twenty thousand. The town had skipped Level 5 entirely and upgraded directly to Level 6.
She could not wait to see the changes.
Back in the mayor’s residence, Miao Suisui opened her panel. After reaching Level 6, the changes were significant. Even her own house had expanded, with an additional room and more spacious interiors.
In the farm, new fruits were unlocked, peaches and strawberries. Vegetables now included sweet potatoes, taro, spinach, and chives. As crops increased, farmland expanded accordingly.
The crops did not follow seasonal growth. Some could be harvested multiple times a day, while others took two days.
Livestock finally included pigs. Each pig cost fifty Level 1 crystal cores, the same as cows. Miao Suisui bought ten pigs, restocked beef and dairy cattle, and added more chickens, ducks, and geese.
The simple row houses increased from eight to sixteen and were upgraded into sturdier single story houses. Maintenance fees rose by five crystal cores, now thirty per day, or eight hundred eighty per month.
The simple general store, restaurant, and bakery were upgraded into standard versions.
A clothing shop was also unlocked in the town’s lifestyle section.
The previously locked industrial section finally opened, though only a convenience food processing factory was unlocked. Even so, Miao Suisui was excited.
By the time she finished placing all facilities, it was already late at night.
The factory required three hours to complete construction, so she decided to check it the next day.
After a restful night, Miao Suisui woke early. She quickly made herself a bowl of noodles, finished it in a few bites, and rushed outside.
The town’s changes were immediately visible. The houses were now cement structures, sturdier and more organized, forming a proper settlement.
Behind them stood a brand new, spacious factory. Without stopping to look elsewhere, Miao Suisui headed straight there.
The factory had cement walls and a red tiled roof, with a sign reading “Convenience Food Processing Factory.”
A large rolling door stood at the entrance, opening automatically. Inside were production lines filled with machinery.
To her surprise, there were no robots inside.
As she wondered, the system explained, “The factory operates mostly through automated machinery, but some manual labor is required for final processing. The host can recruit workers from among the residents. Workers will earn points based on daily output, which can be used in the factory cafeteria. The factory currently requires ten workers.”
Even if the only reward was two meals a day, Miao Suisui was certain many would be willing.
She had already checked the workstations. Each had a comfortable chair and a properly positioned worktable.
When she sat down to try it, a panel appeared in front of her showing work output, points, and pass or fail status.
The system ensured strict standards, providing structure and discipline.
The cafeteria was located behind the factory. Passing through a small door and a corridor led to a spacious dining area with tables similar to a school cafeteria.
There were three counters, one for rice, one for cooked dishes, and one for noodles. A point scanning system ensured only workers could access meals.
Robots handled all food service.
With such working conditions, even in her original world, many people would compete for these jobs.
After leaving the factory, Miao Suisui checked the upgraded houses.
One bedroom had become two, and a small kitchen had been added. Water purification and cooking were moved into the kitchen. The living room now had sturdier wooden furniture and, most surprisingly, a small television.
The house finally looked complete.
Turning on the TV, she found it was a color screen. The programs were unfamiliar, featuring technologies unlike her world or this apocalypse.
The female lead in one show arrived in a floating vehicle, and robots like those in the town appeared frequently, though more advanced.
Miao Suisui guessed these were from the system’s original world. Aside from dramas, movies, and music channels, there was little else, but for people in the apocalypse, this was more than enough.
When she stepped outside, many residents had gathered to look around.
Su Qingqing and the others were already used to upgrades and accepted the increased fees. The newer residents, including the young couple and the team, were astonished.
Seeing Miao Suisui, several people gathered around.
“Mayor, what is going on? This town is incredible!”
“How is this even possible? This is like magic. You must be some kind of savior!”
Tao Mo and Xia Tao chattered excitedly.
Miao Suisui managed to deflect their enthusiasm and noticed that the newly unlocked clothing shop beside the library was already open.
The shop mostly sold simple clothing, T shirts, jeans, and plain dresses.
Despite the simplicity, people loved them.
In the apocalypse, clothing had been worn repeatedly until faded and patched. New clothes were a luxury.
Su Qingqing and her family were inside picking out clothes, along with Chen Xu’s parents and the young couple.
Prices were reasonable. T shirts cost twenty crystal cores, pants twenty five, and dresses thirty.
The restaurant and general store had also upgraded into proper storefronts, cleaner and more organized.
The farm produce shop now displayed fresh pork, much of it already sold.
Newly harvested strawberries and peaches were displayed beside apples, bright and appealing.
After reviewing all the changes, Miao Suisui was extremely satisfied. If more villains like Niu Ge showed up, she would not complain.
Taking advantage of everyone being present, she gathered the residents and announced factory recruitment.
Hearing that the work was easy and included two meals a day, many were interested.
Su Qingqing’s parents immediately signed up. Her father, now fitted with a prosthetic leg, could no longer fight but could still work.
Chen Xu’s parents also registered.
The two families chatted happily about their future.
Younger residents still preferred going out to hunt crystal cores, as they remained the main currency.
By the time everything was settled, it was nearly noon. Miao Suisui went straight to the restaurant.
The team was already there, discussing their afternoon plans while eating. They greeted her warmly.
“You’re heading out this afternoon?” Miao Suisui asked casually.
The lively Tao Mo nodded and explained.
They did not belong to a fixed base. As a strong team, they traveled between bases, taking on missions in exchange for crystal cores. Many bases had even invited them to settle permanently, since a powerful team could greatly strengthen a base.