Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 140 Trading Center

She found a slightly secluded corner, lifted Niu Niu up so the child could lean on her shoulder, and then looked up to carefully examine the huge electronic displays hanging on the four walls.

The screen kept scrolling and refreshing with various information, mainly real-time reference prices and purchase requests for supplies. She silently watched for a long time, her mind racing with calculations:

"Compressed biscuits, 1 point/300g"

"Pure water, 0.5 points/1000 ml"

"Unopened antibiotics, price negotiable (condition needs verification)"

"Labor hire, infrastructure work, 2 points per day"

After observing for about half an hour, she roughly understood the operation mode of this trading hall, which was divided into three floors.

The first floor is the most crowded and noisiest. This is a free trading area for the general public. People can put up items they want to trade or look for what they need. After agreeing on a price, they can go to the rows of worktables at the edge, where staff in uniform will assess the value of the items and use equipment to transfer points between the two parties. The staff only provide the most basic data entry and transfer services.

The second floor can be accessed via a side staircase. There are guards at the entrance, and the flow of people is noticeably less. An electronic screen indicates that this is the negotiation area for bulk goods, offering relatively private booth services, suitable for transactions of high-value goods or goods that are inconvenient to be seen in public.

However, the cost of privacy and guarantees is high. As long as a transaction is completed here, regardless of the amount, a handling fee of one-thousandth will be charged. Xu Xiaoyan saw some well-dressed people going up and down. The transactions conducted there probably involve points that she could not even imagine.

The highest level, the third tier, is described only briefly, as a private customized service provided to officials and important figures. It is a realm that ordinary people would hardly ever touch, symbolizing the power and hierarchy under this new order.

Xu Xiaoyan's heart pounded heavily in her chest. Under the cover of her backpack, she took out a black mask and a dark blue baseball cap from her storage space.

She quickly pulled her hat down low, the shadow of the brim instantly covering most of her face, leaving only her eyes visible. After putting on her mask, she adjusted the way she was holding Niu Niu, letting the child's face rest against the crook of her neck, while lifting the sack with her other hand.

She didn't linger on the first floor, but went straight to the stairs leading upstairs. Just as she stepped onto the second-floor platform, a figure conveniently blocked her way.

"Madam, please wait a moment." The person who entered was dressed in a well-tailored black suit, and his voice was polite but carried an undeniable sense of aloofness. "The second floor is the bulk trading area. May I ask what business you need to attend to?"

Xu Xiaoyan stopped, her voice muffled through her mask, but she deliberately kept it steady. "I'm not going up to the second floor." She paused, feeling the scrutinizing gaze, and pointed upwards. "I'm going to the third floor."

"The third floor?" A fleeting look of doubt crossed the man in black's brows. His gaze swept over her simple clothes, the child in her arms, and the shabby burlap sack. His professional demeanor allowed him to quickly suppress his emotions, but the surprise in his eyes did not completely fade.

Those who go to the third floor are either rich or noble, and rarely do they look so... disheveled.

"Yes," Xu Xiaoyan said clearly, meeting his gaze. "I have important information to sell."

"Important news..." the man in black repeated in a low voice, glancing at her again as if assessing the credibility of his words. After a moment, he nodded slightly. "Please come with me."

He turned around and led the way at a leisurely pace, his leather shoes making a soft sound on the smooth floor. Xu Xiaoyan followed silently behind him, feeling as if an invisible gaze was probing her from behind. They walked through the relatively quiet but still bustling corridor on the second floor and went straight to the stairwell leading to the third floor.

The atmosphere here is noticeably different; it's quieter, and the lighting is cooler. At the entrance stands another man in a brown suit, whose demeanor is more reserved and profound.

The man in black stepped forward and whispered a few words to the man in brown. During this time, the man in brown's gaze also fell on Xu Xiaoyan. His expression was calm and unwavering, yet it carried a sense of insight. Soon, the man in brown nodded, turned to Xu Xiaoyan, and made a "please" gesture. "Madam, please come with me."

He led Xu Xiaoyan through a quiet corridor covered with a soft carpet. The doors on both sides were closed, and there was no sound. Finally, they stopped in front of the door marked "0152". The man in brown used a key card to open the door. Inside was a simple but comfortable little room with a sofa and a coffee table.

"Please wait here," the man in brown said calmly. "Someone will come to communicate with you soon." After saying that, he bowed slightly, left the room, and gently closed the door.

With a soft click, only Xu Xiaoyan and Niu Niu remained in the room, cutting off the outside sounds. The silence inside was almost suffocating. Xu Xiaoyan sat down on the sofa with Niu Niu in her arms, her palms slightly sweaty from nervousness.

Time seemed to stretch out in the silence, each second exceptionally clear. About ten minutes later, accompanied by a soft electronic sound, the door slid open silently.

Two men entered. The one in front was a man around forty-five years old. He wore a pair of exquisite gold-rimmed glasses, his hair was neatly combed, and his dark gray casual clothes were clean and crisp, exuding a refined and elegant air. However, his gaze behind the glasses was sharp and calm.

Behind him was a slightly younger man, about thirty years old, carrying a rather professional-looking portable camera. The two sat down on the sofa opposite Xu Xiaoyan, their movements relaxed and methodical.

The older man placed his hands on his knees and spoke in a steady voice, "Hello, ma'am, my surname is Shao." He slightly turned his head to indicate to his companion, "This is Mr. Wang, my assistant." His self-introduction was extremely concise, without any unnecessary pleasantries.

As soon as he finished speaking, his assistant, surnamed Wang, skillfully turned on the camera. After adjusting the lens, it made an extremely slight operating sound, and the red recording indicator light lit up, clearly pointing at Xu Xiaoyan and Niu Niu in her arms.

"The entire transaction process needs to be recorded on video for evidence purposes. I hope you understand," Assistant Wang explained in a businesslike manner.

Xu Xiaoyan nodded through her mask, her voice coming through the fabric as she said, "Understood."

Mr. Shao leaned forward slightly, his gaze falling on Xu Xiaoyan, and cut straight to the point: "So, ma'am, what kind of information do you wish to sell?" His words were cautious and precise.