Finally, this card ended up with Huang Tao.
Because he had more people.
Compared to others, where a family could send at most two adult males, Huang Tao alone gathered a team of four young adult men, with three security guards always by his side.
Moreover, Huang Tao had been very active throughout the giant crocodile hunt.
Although everyone hadn't formally voted or elected him as leader, during this process he had become familiar with most people.
Familiarity provides the foundation for negotiation.
Plus, after nearly half an hour of fighting over it, everyone was getting tired.
Three people had already died, and many were starting to feel like giving up.
In the end, Huang Tao agreed to give everyone present one jin of meat.
Looking at the three bodies on the ground, Huang Tao's expression was complex: "Which families are these three from?"
"I know this one in the white clothes, he lived on the fourth floor, Unit 1, Building 10."
"This hook-nosed guy seems to be from the third floor, Unit 1, Building 8. I think he was divorced and lived alone."
The last victim's face was purple and swollen, with bulging eyes, and his body was covered in muddy footprints.
Doctor Lin checked his pulse and then his breathing, shaking his head regretfully: "Death by compressive asphyxiation."
Watching this scene, Qin Ziwen didn't know what to feel. Only three people died while killing the male leader crocodile, but the number of deaths from fighting over the card was the same as those sacrificed to kill the crocodile, with even more injured people.
Besides the three dead,
many people had obvious bruises on their faces and bodies.
Seeing this scene, Qin Ziwu felt oppressed. He thought about the changes in his brother's home and became even more determined never to reveal the secret of their home to anyone.
These people were fighting to the death over just one card - if they knew his older brother had so many cards at home, their lives would probably never be peaceful again.
Thinking this, Qin Ziwu secretly glanced at his older brother's expression and found Qin Ziwen's face looked normal as usual. He couldn't help but admire in his heart how deep and composed his older brother really was.
Someone started heckling: "Brother Huang, since you got the card, why not let us have a look?"
"Yeah, this is our first time seeing this thing, let us broaden our horizons."
With so many people joining in, Huang Tao couldn't outright refuse. He knew he couldn't avoid it today.
So he smiled and said: "Alright, everyone come with me."
Qin Ziwen was also curious - this Carpenter's Hut sounded like an actual building type, different from the Beast Cage and cellar he had used before.
Everyone went to Huang Tao's home.
Building 7, Unit 1, Room 701.
Opening the door, Huang Tao went in first and took out the card.
He walked around his home several times while others urged him impatiently.
Huang Tao explained: "I was just informed that using this card requires a 4x4 empty space. My home doesn't have that much empty area. Can some brothers help me move the sofa and table in the living room?"
Everyone pitched in and quickly cleared a 4x4 area in the center of the living room.
Then the card in Huang Tao's hand transformed into a white light that flew out and enveloped this large area.
This spectacle elicited waves of astonished exclamations.
Finally, when the light faded.
A small wooden cabin with four walls stood in place, its roof almost touching the ceiling, perfectly square in shape.
The style was semi-open, with three wooden walls and one open side.
Inside was a workbench with a vise, planing tools, and a simple saw frame. On the back wall hung tools including handsaws, hammers, chisels, planes, carpenter's squares, and ink markers.
The scene of a house appearing out of thin air amazed everyone present.
Those crowded outside the door stood on tiptoes, "Let me see!"
"So amazing, so the Carpenter's Hut actually builds a carpenter's workshop."
"What did you think it was?"
"Speaking of having a carpenter's workshop, they should at least include a carpenter too."
This comment sparked waves of laughter.
If it could produce a carpenter, that would be like performing the living person magic trick.
Huang Tao also felt somewhat regretful - he thought it would be great if it came with a carpenter too. Someone summoned by himself would probably count as his "loyal follower." He clearly understood that at this stage, having an obedient adult male who was skilled in carpentry would be incredibly valuable.
Hearing the others' conversation, Qin Ziwen pondered - he remembered that in the initial information given by Home, there was mention of [Recruitment Cards].
The name alone suggested their purpose, so it might not be impossible to produce living people in the future.
After witnessing the Carpenter's Hut's function firsthand, some people felt more settled.
Although it was miraculous, it wasn't as wondrous as they had imagined.
It was just an additional carpenter's room that took up space.
After satisfying their curiosity, everyone returned to the south gate and worked together to haul out the three vehicles and the crocodile from the pit.
Although this crocodile was larger, there were many participants.
Divided among over a hundred people, each person only received 10 jin of crocodile meat.
Carrying seventeen jin of meat, Qin Ziwen prepared to go home first with his younger brother.
With this small amount of meat, there was no need to deliberately smoke it. Although smoked meat extends shelf life, it loses some of the fresh meat's texture.
"Hey, young man, wait!"
In the residential complex, an auntie called out to Qin Ziwen.
Looking at the meat strips in Qin Ziwen's hands, she swallowed hard and said ingratiatingly: "You two handsome young men, how old are you? You don't look very old - probably not married yet, right?"
Qin Ziwen stopped warily, frowning slightly.
Qin Ziwu said impatiently: "None of your business."
The auntie said: "No, no, it's like this - I'm here to arrange a marriage for a neighbor. They have two daughters - the older one graduated from university, just twenty-four, currently preparing for civil service exams. The younger one is still in high school, senior year, about to take college entrance exams."
"During the day today, they were observing at the south gate, wanting to find good matches for their two daughters. As parents, they want to take more initiative. They think both of you would be suitable."
Qin Ziwu blurted out: "Isn't this selling their daughters?"
Qin Ziwen shook his head, "Sorry, we're not interested in that."
He had too many secrets to bring a stranger into his home.
Hearing their refusal, the auntie wasn't discouraged and persisted tirelessly: "How is this selling daughters? Their two daughters are quite pretty, I've seen them, and the girls are kind and polite too. You could go meet them, just to get acquainted. If there's no chemistry, then we can talk later."
Qin Ziwen waved his hand and walked straight away.
Qin Ziwu jogged to catch up with his older brother.
He shook his head, showing he didn't understand, "Older brother, this is just too bizarre. I think it's probably a scam."
Qin Ziwen's mind flashed with Wang Xiaoli's figure.
It was already the sixth day since the transmigration.
Even the slowest people should have realized by now - everyone was trying to adapt to this new world in their own ways.
Countless schemes, thousands of methods - ultimately, it all came down to survival.
"Maybe."