The Forest Tribe's Request

Lu Yao had been able to slip out early yesterday, but today the entire company was stuck working overtime.

The boss must have taken some heat outside, because he came back and called an impromptu meeting. He tore into everyone, demanding they all write up their recent work summaries and submit them for his review before the end of the day.

A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung over the entire office.

The boss stood alone by the window, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze dark. As long as he didn't leave, no one dared to budge. Even the usual slackers with connections had shed their lazy demeanor, putting on a show of diligent overtime work.

"Here, something to tide you over." Colleague Sister Peng handed Lu Yao a wafer biscuit.

"Thanks, Sister Peng." Lu Yao was a bit hungry too.

Sister Peng was one of the three people in the company who actually got things done.

She was around thirty, single, and though not particularly pretty, she spoke gently and amiably, easy to get along with.

Sister Peng claimed she initially suspected Lu Yao had connections and wanted to build a good relationship. Later, she realized Lu Yao really didn't have any backing, but he was reliable—someone you could count on in a pinch. Most importantly, Sister Peng felt Lu Yao's temperament was a lot like her cousin's, so she looked out for him.

"Know why the boss is pissed?" Sister Peng lowered her voice.

Lu Yao shook his head.

"Someone keyed his car."

Lu Yao recalled that the boss drove a white BMW X5, and the woman in the passenger seat was always changing. Their only common trait was being young. Beyond that, Lu Yao knew nothing.

"The kid who did it is the son of one of the boss's mistresses." Sister Peng's face lit up with gossipy excitement.

"A couple of days ago, the boss lost a big contract. Heard he was beaten by some young guy. Even an old hand can stumble... This time, he lost both his wife and his army."

Lu Yao nodded along absently, his mind entirely on the simulator.

After barely making it through until the boss left, Sister Peng picked up her handbag: "Want a ride? It's on my way anyway."

"No need, no need. I was planning to browse around a bit, buy some stuff."

"Then take care of yourself."

Sister Peng said, "Didn't you hear about that recent incident? Some pervert who knocks people out, strips them naked, and hangs them up with ropes..."

Lu Yao had heard about it.

All you could say was that the world was full of wonders. He couldn't understand that kind of fetish.

"The two victims—a female college student and a male courier—are said to be undergoing psychological treatment. They've changed completely, like different people. That pervert doesn't discriminate between men and women."

Sister Peng suddenly thought of something: "Don't you live in Jiuyuan Community?"

Lu Yao nodded.

"Both victims live in your community. Be careful. The pervert hasn't been caught by the police yet. Don't wander around. Even guys need to watch out."

Lu Yao hesitated.

"Um... could I take you up on that ride today?"

Sister Peng let out a snort of laughter. "Scared?"

"A little."

"Alright."

"Then I'll trouble you, Sister Peng."

"No big deal. I'll get you home in one piece, safe and sound. Get in."

She drove a red Mazda, merging into the city's nightscape.

Lu Yao sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window.

Truth was, he and Sister Peng had an unspoken understanding. When she offered him a ride, it was a polite gesture. When he said no thanks and expressed gratitude, that was also courtesy. Today was the first time Lu Yao had actually gotten into her car.

Even though they chatted freely at the office, inside the car—a private space for just the two of them, a man and a woman—they both fell silent, maintaining a deliberate distance.

A faint scent of air freshener lingered in the car. Luckily, the music playing eased the awkward silence.

Lu Yao wasn't really afraid of the pervert. He'd have taken the bus or subway back to the neighborhood anyway, walking at most a couple hundred meters. But hitching a ride with Sister Peng got him home faster. He couldn't wait to get back and check the simulator's progress.

The Mazda stopped outside the neighborhood. Sister Peng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief too, her natural office smile returning: "Go on in. See you tomorrow."

"Thanks, Sister Peng."

Lu Yao added, "Drive safe. Take it slow."

"Don't worry."

Watching the car drive off, Lu Yao sprinted all the way to his little room.

Garlic Tribe, your God has returned!

When he opened the door, on the computer desk facing him, the Cactus Follower knelt in salute.

Lu Yao found the single-room apartment completely transformed.

The sheets, duvet cover, pillowcases, and curtains had all brightened by a shade. The dust and grime on the surfaces and inside had been sucked out by the cactus. The wardrobe and bedside table were wiped clean and shiny. A faint scent of grass and wood filled the room.

The only thing the Cactus Follower hadn't touched was the computer and the computer desk.

These two things seemed to be sacred, inviolable domains in its eyes—places only a god could touch, not to be overstepped.

The 24-inch LCD monitor glowed with white light.

Ever since Lu Yao learned that the God Simulator would run on its own, he simply stopped shutting down the computer, leaving the simulator always active on the screen.

Approaching the computer, he noticed another change in the Garlic Tribe.

The tribe's population had reached 38. Among the 13 new arrivals were small figures from the Forest Tribe in leather vests, barefoot and shirtless wandering natives, and even a wild man with thick hair draped in leaves.

Faith points had risen to 44.

Lu Yao felt a surge of joy—enough for two more lightning strikes.

The [Cactus Follower] and [Energy Staff] together provided 2 faith points per hour, a fixed income. The tribe's population growth was the variable gain.

Now for today's main event.

Lu Yao opened his backpack and pulled out a cardboard delivery box. He tore it open in a few quick motions, revealing a transparent plastic bag filled with light brown seeds.

This was the [Blessing] he had decided on after much thought.

Wheat seeds.

Let the Garlic Tribe fill their bellies first; only then would they have the energy to develop writing, pottery, smelting, even weapons. If they couldn't eat their fill, learning? Learn nothing.

If he sent books over, even something like the Three Character Classic, a basic primer, the Garlic Tribe's current cultural level—barely above prenatal education—would probably be unable to understand it, unable to even read the characters.

Better to give them a material foundation. Once the little people had enough food, they would naturally generate higher needs and the drive to think.

--Would you like to bestow [Wheat] upon your followers?

Lu Yao clicked [Yes].

A moment later, exclamation marks popped up above the heads of the tribe's little people outside the Temple, and they raised their arms in cheers.

"God's blessing!"

"Long live the blessing! Long live the miracle!"

"Great God, thank you for your blessing!"

"Wheat! Miraculous wheat!"

"Food! Delicious food!"

"Eat our fill! Eat our fill!"

The Prophet then said, "The god has bestowed wheat upon us. We must make good use of it, to spread the god's faith better across the world. Just like garlic."

Lu Yao was very satisfied.

Truly the only literate one in the tribe—the Prophet had a real sense of the bigger picture.

The screen displayed.

[Your blessing has taught your followers to plant and use wheat, increasing their faith.]

Faith points jumped from 44 to 84.

Lu Yao recalled that garlic had added 15 faith points, while wheat this time brought 40. It seemed blessings also varied in effectiveness; for now, food had a greater impact on the Garlic Tribe.

After a while, the Prophet entered the Temple, knelt on the ground, and a question mark appeared above his head.

Lu Yao clicked on his doubt.

"Great God, the Forest Tribe knows of a dying Old God Apostle and wishes to sacrifice him to you. However, they demand we teach them about wheat in return. But wheat is far too precious; my humble wisdom cannot weigh this trade. I can only devoutly beg, almighty God Yao, for your revelation."

--Would you like to share wheat with the Forest Tribe in exchange for the [Apostle]?

[Yes] [No]