The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 478

Chapter 478

The residents had kept their word. Every potato was in good condition, and the sizes were remarkably consistent.

Including the seed potatoes, Nicole and Zeph received a total of 2,000 pounds of fresh potatoes.

After checking everything over, Nicole returned the solar generator to Oakhaven Gardens.

Just as they were about to leave, Alex stopped them.–

“The villas in the new district are almost finished. I was at the work center yesterday handling the grain payment paperwork and happened to see some wealthy people quietly picking out their houses.

“There are only 50 villas in the first phase, and building materials are in short supply. No one knows when phase two will even start. You two should get over there and choose one as soon as possible.”

Nicole froze. She had been too naive, waiting for the government’s official announcement.

The government could build villas when construction materials were so scarce because it had confiscated factories, land, and supplies from wealthy families and business owners. It had to offer something in return.

As for the reason a three-bedroom villa cost fifty thousand points, it was because it had never been intended for ordinary people. The fifty-thousand-point requirement was simply there to keep most survivors from qualifying.

“Thanks, Captain Landon.”

They climbed back into the truck and rumbled toward the new district over roads riddled with potholes.

After a while, Nicole broke the silence. “Are they building a second phase of villas?”

Zeph thought it over. “I don’t think so. They’re planning phases two and three for the apartment buildings, though.”

It made sense. Only a handful of survivors could ever afford villas, while the government still had to house everyone else.

In other words, earning 50 thousand points had never guaranteed a villa.

Nicole’s uneasiness grew. Their chances of getting one were probably slim.

Buying a home had never been fair.

People with connections always got first pick long before sales officially opened. By the time honest buyers lined up on launch day, they were greeted by nothing but a giant “Sold Out” sign.

Only two months had passed since their last visit to Pinewood, yet the place had changed beyond recognition. Construction was in full swing, with unfinished concrete buildings stretching as far as the eye could see.

Every apartment building was six stories tall, and each unit measured less than ninety square feet. The rooms were so cramped that you could practically touch both walls just by turning around.

Nicole finally understood what people meant by a bedspace apartment.

At least the streets had been laid out in an orderly grid, though they were still nothing more than packed dirt.

The administrative hall bustled with people earning points and exchanging supplies.

After asking around for quite a while, they finally found the inconspicuous property office, where two employees

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were dozing behind their desks.

Nicole approached politely. “Sorry to bother you. We’re here to choose a detached villa.”

Without even raising her head, the female employee replied, “Sales haven’t started yet. Go home and wait for the announcement.”

Nicole stayed calm. “But aren’t most of them already gone? What does that have to do with the official launch”

“A detached villa?” The man at the neighboring desk finally looked up. “How many points do you have?”

“Fifty thousand.”

“Housing is assigned by point ranking. We haven’t reached the 50-thousand-point tier yet. You’ll have to wait for the next round.”

Nicole narrowed her eyes. “The original requirement was 50 thousand points. It never said applicants would be ranked by their total points.”

“That’s true,” he admitted, “but when multiple applicants meet the minimum requirement, priority goes to those with higher point totals. We appreciate your understanding.”

It sounded perfectly official.

If they hadn’t been standing inside a government office, Nicole might’ve been tempted to pull out her knife.

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