After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Grocery Store Opening
Aberdeen City, 3 years ago

“What are you laughing at?” A velvety deep voice sounded beside her, gently asking.

Althea turned her head to see the handsome face of her fiance, his deep blue eyes looking at her as if she was the only existence in his world.

Her heart thumped and she grinned, showing him her ultra thin tablet. “Look!”

She showed a photo of two famous celebrities. “The actor here is called Fable, and the other party of his scandal is called Juni.”

“Their couple name is FaNi.” She giggled, and then shrugged. “I just thought it was funny.”

Garan smiled dozingly, patting the tip of her delicate nose with his callused finger. “It is very funny. My Althea is the funniest.”

She stared at his handsome features for a while, to the point that the serious man’s ears turned red.

Garan cleared his throat. “What is it?”

“Our couple name, I’m wondering what it is.”

He chuckled, “What do you think?*

“Well, what about… Garalthea? Ganea? Garantha? Altharan? Algara? Garalth? Galthea? Gaea?”

She paused, thought for a while before silently deciding on which one sounded best.

A second later, she nodded in agreement with herself and turned around to hug the man’s strong waist. “Gaea’ sounds very cool and auspicious.”

Garan chuckled, hands sliding naturally around her. “Whatever my wife says is right.” He said, leaning in to give her a peck on the lips.

It was just that such a simple peck would no longer be enough and he gestured to deepen the kiss, hugging her tighter—

“AH! My eyes!”

They turned their head to the jerk that had been lying down on the chaise lounge. “Please… please stop kissing out of nowhere!”

Did they forget he was right here?! JERKS!!

“No one’s asking you to watch~” Althea retorted, sticking out her tongue.

Ansel looked absolutely offended and he stood up and stomped to the door. “I’m leaving! Damnit! Not having the decency to get themselves room—

“Also ‘Gaea’ is a very stupid name.” He said and closed the door with a bang.

“Don’t listen to him.” Garan said with a smile, though internally he had already wondered when to ‘train’ that brat. “It is a wonderful name.”

Althea grinned in agreement, burying her head on his wide shoulder.

As always, her Garan had good vision.

_____________

[20 days of Protection Period]

That day the commercial street was particularly lively. Nearly all of the population had gathered in one spot, the look of excitement visible on their faces.

Why?

Because the second store in the street (after the furniture store) was finally opened!

Better? It was a precious Grocery Store!

They had long eaten up their supplies from Terran, and had to make do with the harvests of nature.

While there were creative brethren who could make decent meals with the current conditions, it would still get tiring after so long.

If every food available in the makeshift market was either fruit you could just get yourself or barbeque with a single type of sauce, people would naturally feel sick of it after so many days.

They had grown up in a world with an explosion of flavors available for choosing, a plethora of tastes that colored their lives obtained at a point of a finger.

Less than two weeks prior, they had dozens of barbeque flavors to choose from!

After their basic needs had been met, it was inevitable to long for what had been. Who could blame them from being choosy?

Anyway, back to the future grocery store, when would it open? They were very hungry!

They had heard that rice, flour, and other things would be sold here. It seemed they would finally be able to satisfy their taste buds!

They looked at the tall tower in the park in front of the village center.

It was a giant sundial-like sculpture, designed by the new NPC architect in conjunction with a few Terrans, and it served as the clock.

There were a lot of calculations that went on in there, but that was beyond their understanding so all they knew was that it was cool.

They saw that there were only a few minutes left before opening.

The crowd was big and occupied the carriageway, extending all the way to the sidewalk on the other side of the road.

Fortunately, there were no carts yet so the huge roads were all used by pedestrians.

Looking around, anyone could see the density of the crowd. “At least two-thirds of the population are here, right?” Fred said, gulping in excitement. Troy nodded, he couldn’t help but flinch around, unable to calm down.

Lulu sighed and took a step farther from the immature men, though her eyes stayed on the store whose doors had yet to open.

They waited patiently for the minutes to pass and soon, a beautiful pregnant woman and an old man appeared in front of the store.

They naturally knew them, especially the beautiful Ms. Althea, who was primarily responsible for the richness of their farmlands and livelihoods.

They clapped at her arrival and she smiled at them beautifully, fascinating a lot of men.

The newcomers went in front of the shop, standing tall, in front of the so-called ‘ribbon’ made of rattan painted in red pigment.

They needed to simulate ribbon cutting, after all. Amusingly, the scissors to be used were a sickle.

Althea stood in front of the crowd in a graceful posture, attracting everyone’s apt attention.

Holding the ‘ribbon cutter’ in her hand, she began to open her mouth to speak to her people, “Thank you for being here today, in what we believe would be a major turning point for our new home.

“Amidst the chaos and uncertainty we have been thrown into—twice—all of us here showed our resilience and will to live.

“We all knew what we have been through, and how far we’ve come.” She said, pausing, emerald eyes looking at the crowd and grasping their attention tightly.

“Let this grocery store be one of the symbols of our indomitable will.

“Let each product tell the story of the true perseverance of the farmers, the skills and hard work of the workers, and the hope of the people who consume them—

“Today will be the day the Grocery Store will finally be open! The store where we could obtain what we need, to make various types of food, condiments, and tools to improve our lives.

She paused and waited for the applause to die off before resuming. “We will open up the avenue of enjoyment and happiness back to our lives. As individuals and as a community—we will not only survive, we will thrive.”

More and more cheers echoed in the territory, everyone’s souls hyped up for the opening of a shop.

Indeed, it was more than just a shop, it was a symbol that their lives would get better!!

“For today, 30% off of all purchases! Available until today’s stocks last!” She said and looked at her team, who lined up next to her.

Together, they welcomed their guests. “Welcome to Gaea Grocery Store!”

Claps and cheers were heard, even a few rambunctious roars as they watched the scisso…the sickles… cut through the red rattan.

They looked in excitement at the unveiling of the wooden sign, a special order carving from the furniture store.

With neat strokes carved into the flat piece of wood, the store’s name was finally exposed to the masses: Gaea Grocery Store.

Interestingly, it was not written in just the Terran Lingua Franca, but there was also the local letters—that no one understood yet—with the help of the NPCs.

Anyway, everyone felt high at the sight and more at the removal of the ‘ribbon’ that blocked their way!

The cheers did not stop even as the people began to enter with the guidance of the guards.

On the 10th person though, he was blocked and couldn’t enter anymore. He looked at Althea with a look of puzzlement and despair.

Althea chuckled in amusement. “The store is small and can only accommodate so many people at once.

“Don’t worry, there’s a purchase limit so no one will be able to hoard our products, at least until the factories are done.

The waiting crowd was attracted by this word. “Factory?

“The huge construction team seems to be building a few warehouse-like structures?”

“Indeed. A few people and I had requested the building and it was approved by the system. We already reserved a few.”

Everyone brightened at this. More factories not only meant more supplies but also more job openings! They had heard of this woman’s team hiring a lot of people.

The wages were enough for them to live well without having to risk their lives outside!

Of course, the priority of these jobs was the women and the old people but, with these factories, more chances for them will be provided!

Seeing it this way, the Gaea grocery not only provided food but it also gave them livelihood.

To the population, the grocery store had become much more than just a place of purchase. It had become a place of hope, a pinnacle of human survival.

Under heated stares at the door, the first batch of people soon emerged, carrying baskets filled with items.

Looking at their satisfied happy grins, the people outside couldn’t help but feel itchy.

What was that? So many vegetables and fruits! So colorful!

There was rice and wheat! They could see it with their razor-sharp eyes!

They also seemed to see a few potteries. What was inside?

And… when did they have pottery?

Everyone was seriously impressed.

How many days had it been?? They’ve already done so much!

This team was really hidden!