Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 248 Comprehensive Service Consultation

A few people were sparsely lined up in front of the counter.

Some were asking questions, others were filling out forms, and the walls were covered with printed notices, area maps, and simple procedures.

It is here.

Xu Xiaoyan took off her backpack and held it in her arms. Then she silently walked to the end of the line, carefully observing the situation inside the counter and the interactions between the residents in front of her while waiting in line.

She saw people complaining about malfunctions in their assigned capsules, and the staff were taking notes.

People came to inquire about the search for relatives.

Someone came to collect some kind of registration form...

The process is mostly brief, the staff speaks quickly, and there is very little unnecessary small talk.

It was almost her turn. She took a deep breath and mentally reviewed her prepared words and expressions one last time, making sure her eyes were sincere with a hint of confusion.

"Next." The female staff member behind the counter, who looked serious, looked up and calmly glanced at Xu Xiaoyan.

Xu Xiaoyan stepped forward and placed her backpack on the table.

With her hands slightly clasped in front of her, she put on a smile that was just right, with a touch of the awkwardness and forced smile typical of newcomers, and said, "Hello, sorry to bother you."

The female staff member behind the window looked up, her face displaying a formulaic calm.

She looked to be around forty years old, with her hair neatly tied back and her uniform tidy.

"Please speak."

"I'd like to know, what are the usual ways to legally earn extra points in Zone C?"

Xu Xiaoyan chose a broad opening, speaking at a slow pace, her gaze calmly fixed on the other person's face, observing the most subtle changes in expression.

"For example, are there any small businesses or service projects that are officially recommended or recognized?"

After listening, the staff member didn't answer immediately. Instead, they glanced at her for a few seconds before speaking, their voice calm and even, as if reciting a manual entry:

"Area C encourages residents to earn points through labor. Common ways to earn points include taking on temporary tasks assigned by various residential communities, participating in public service rotations, or registering in the skills pool."

Providing paid services such as repair, teaching, and nursing to residents in need requires prior application and approval for registration.

She paused here, tapping her fingers a few times on the internal keyboard.

Bring up the page and turn the screen slightly towards Xu Xiaoyan so she can see the categories and brief descriptions listed above.

"These are relatively standard and stable methods," the staff member added, perhaps because she had handled so many of these types of inquiries, as she answered very quickly.

Xu Xiaoyan quickly scanned the screen, silently noting down a few categories.

At the same time, it was noted that although the staff member's tone was official, there was no impatience. She leaned forward slightly, showing greater interest and a just-right amount of confusion.

"I understand, thank you. This information is very useful. So... what if we could use a more flexible approach?"

For example, is it the kind of service where the hours aren't fixed, or where you can decide the service content and location yourself?

She phrased it carefully: "I've heard... there's something like 'food trucks'?"

She spoke the words "food truck" softly, but clearly enough.

The female staff member's gaze lingered on her face a little longer this time.

She didn't immediately deny it or show any aversion, but instead nodded thoughtfully.

"There is indeed a category called 'mobile convenience services,' which covers a wider range than fixed services, and the approval process and regulatory requirements are also slightly different," she explained.

His tone remained calm: "This typically involves using small, mobile facilities to provide food, daily necessities retail, or simple convenience services in designated areas and time periods."

Residents often refer to them as "street vendors," but all business operations in Zone C must be legal and compliant, and require a license.

Xu Xiaoyan's eyes lit up, revealing a restrained yet still expectant and focused expression. Her fingers, resting on the table, unconsciously tightened slightly.

The female staff member stopped talking.

She seemed to have come to the conclusion that the young girl in front of her was not just asking casually, but had a clear goal and had made some preparations.

After a brief silence, without any warning, the female staff member skillfully pulled out a light blue form from a neat stack of documents beside her and smoothly pushed it across the counter to Xu Xiaoyan.

At the top of the form, a line of bold text is clearly printed: Application Requirements for Operating a Mobile Food Truck in Zone C.

"Is this what you want to know?" The staff member's voice was a little lower than before.

"You can take a look at this list first. It lists the basic eligibility requirements, the supporting documents required, the permitted operating areas, the health and safety standards, and the specific application steps."

Xu Xiaoyan was stunned. She hadn't expected the test to go so smoothly. She quickly took the paper with both hands, her fingertips touching the cool texture of the paper.

"Thank you so much." She looked up, trying to keep her voice steady, but gratitude and a hint of excitement had already crept into her eyes.

Submitting the documents is easy, but whether they will be approved is another matter entirely.

She looked at the service counter and recalled a saying: "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible... You have to be a little 'flexible'."

The word "lively" rolled on her tongue. She looked down and pulled out an inconspicuous little transparent sealed bag from her backpack—inside lay two cigarettes.

She folded the form in half, then in half again, and gently pressed the small bag under the folded form.

Xu Xiaoyan handed the stacked forms and plastic bag over the counter, her voice low, "Excuse me, is there a time limit for freezing points, as mentioned in the seventh line of the situation form?"

The female clerk raised her eyelids, glanced at it, and her gaze lingered on the transparent bag for less than half a second.

Her face remained expressionless, but she reached out and took the items, naturally placing both items into the counter.

She pretended to flip through the situation report.

Then, as if just remembering, she tapped a blank space on the back of the form with her fingertip and said in a low voice without looking up, "The freeze period is equal to the duration of your food truck rental."

She paused for a moment, her chin almost imperceptibly tilting to the side and back. "You can go to the review office at the back to inquire about the specifics."

Xu Xiaoyan's heart skipped a beat. She took the form from the female clerk and thanked her repeatedly.

The moment she turned around, she smiled happily.

Official procedures? Waiting in line for notification? Materials being shelved... that's definitely a long shot.

But now, with the disappearance of those two cigarettes, a shortcut has emerged.

She clutched the sheet and walked towards the back of the hall.

The corridor was much quieter than the lobby. She stopped in front of a silver-gray door; the sign beside it was clearly legible.

Director Wang Jianguo

Li Xiaoli's staff

The first one should be the name of a middle-aged man, and the second one is undoubtedly the name of a woman. The labeling of the position is like a silent declaration, revealing the subtle power structure within the organization.

Xu Xiaoyan paused very briefly at the door, then raised her hand, her knuckles about to knock on the door, when her gaze swept over the nameplate again.

A deep, slightly hoarse male voice came from inside, saying, "Please come in."

She pushed open the door and went in. The office was not big, with a large desk placed near the door.

A slightly overweight middle-aged man wearing a light gray jacket was writing something at his desk; he must be Director Wang Jianguo.

Behind the desk, there was another smaller set of tables and chairs. A middle-aged woman wearing glasses was typing away at a computer screen. Hearing the noise, she looked up at her briefly before quickly looking down again.

There was a faint smell of tea stains in the air. Xu Xiaoyan put on a perfectly polite smile and bowed slightly towards Director Wang's seat.

"Director Wang, hello, excuse me for bothering you," she said clearly, her volume just right. "I'd like to consult you about some policy matters. Is this a convenient time for you?"

Wang Jianguo raised his head, put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, placed his hands on his stomach, and looked at her calmly.

It was the typical look of a grassroots cadre who had seen countless demands, a look that carried scrutiny and a touch of habitual detachment: "Inquiring about policy? In what aspect?"

His tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

"It's about our C district... the 'Resident Points Incentive Program'."

Xu Xiaoyan had already prepared her speech in her mind. At this moment, her pace was steady, and her eyes revealed a thirst for knowledge and a just-right amount of anxiety:

"My family is struggling financially, and I heard that the base encourages residents to earn some 'extra points' legally and compliantly to improve their lives."

But I don't have any connections or understand the policies, and I'm afraid of crossing the line, so I wanted to ask what kind of small businesses or services are available for ordinary residents like us... uh, what kind of small businesses or services are available?

Her question was very broad and "positive," perfectly capturing the image of a resident who actively wants to respond to policies but is at a loss.

Instead of immediately mentioning "food trucks," she focused on the broader and safer topic of "legally earning extra points" and "officially recognized small projects."

After listening, Wang Jianguo's face remained calm, and he gently tapped his clasped hands twice with his fingers.

"Oh, this?" he said slowly, as if reciting a poem or explaining something:

"There are indeed relevant documents in the base that encourage residents to take initiative and engage in small-scale services or businesses that benefit the community, provided they comply with laws, regulations, and market management rules. Those who meet the requirements can apply. As for the specific projects..."

He paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping over Xu Xiaoyan's empty hands, before continuing:

"It's very broad, such as base delivery, housekeeping services, handicraft production and sales, restaurant work... The premise is that it must be compliant, it cannot affect the appearance and environment of the underground city, it cannot disturb the residents, and it cannot involve unlicensed operation or prohibited items."

He spoke in high-sounding platitudes, but his tone wasn't harsh; it even carried a hint of "I'm just saying this, and you're just listening to it."