Regressed with Omnipotent AI on Zombie Apocalypse-Chapter 156: Bountiful Harvest

"Yes, sir," Ego replied. "Gavin Lee left a message for you yesterday, but you might have missed it."

Gavin Lee was the man Zack had appointed to manage Sing Sing Farm after Antonny's death. A former steel mill worker, he was one of the first people to follow Zack. Under Gavin's leadership, the farm had expanded dramatically, with its reclaimed land now more than three times what it had been before. Fields of grain, vegetables, and even fruit trees stretched across the horizon. "He wants me to come by, doesn't he?" Zack guessed, a faint smile forming on his lips.

Gavin Lee, like Charles from the industrial zone, was one of Zack's most loyal followers. Their unwavering dedication sometimes bordered on the ceremonial—they lived for his approval. Zack knew that Gavin's request to visit was less about the harvest and more about hearing Zack's praise firsthand. "Yes, sir. He'd like you to give the order to start the harvest," Ego confirmed.

"These old-timers and their traditions..." Zack shook his head, though his smile lingered. "Alright. Let's pay them a visit."

Returning to the villa, Zack called for Annie and Sophia. Together, they boarded the jet and set off for Sing Sing Farm. "Big brother, look!" Annie's voice was filled with excitement as she peered through the window. Below them, vast fields of golden rice swayed gently in the autumn breeze.

In a world plagued by despair, this sight—a bountiful harvest—brought a rare sense of joy. For Zack and the others, it symbolized hope, a connection to their roots, and a glimpse of a brighter future.

"Look, it's the leader's plane!"

"Make space for the landing! Clear the area!"

"Get those brats out of the way!"

On the ground, the people of Sing Sing Farm—elderly, disabled, and children—buzzed with excitement. They rushed to make way for the landing, shooing away children who were playing too close. Despite their hardships, their faces radiated genuine smiles. "We're so lucky to have the leader. Without him, my old, broken body would've never survived this long," an elderly man muttered as he set aside a half-woven basket. In other bases, people like him—the old and weak—were discarded as dead weight. But here, they thrived.

The jet landed vertically in the open space cleared by the crowd. As the cabin door opened, Zack stepped out with Annie and Sophia by his side. "Sir Zack! Sir Zack!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Hundreds of people—old, young, and disabled—knelt to the ground in reverence. Some threw aside their crutches and prostrated themselves entirely, bowing with overwhelming gratitude. "Ah!" Annie squeaked, startled by the display, and hid behind Zack. Sophia also looked uneasy. Neither of them had expected such a dramatic gesture.

"Stand up," Zack said firmly, his voice calm but commanding. His youthful, handsome face carried a growing air of authority. Those few simple words were enough to make everyone rise, their respect for him evident in their eyes. In reality he doesn't care to be worshiped like this, but he also doesn't feel to put out effort to stop them. If anything the situation work to his advantage.

"Sir. Zack!" From the fields emerged Gavin, his dark face beaming with a broad smile. His trousers were caked in mud, but he didn't care. The fifty-something man hurried over, breathless but brimming with pride.

"Sir. Zack, the workers and harvesters are ready. We're just waiting for your order," he said, panting slightly.

Zack smiled faintly. "Then let's get started."

The moment the words left his mouth, a group of young workers sprang into action. Though some of them were missing limbs, their disabilities didn't hinder them from operating the harvesters with practiced ease. Machines roared to life, rolling into the fields as their blades began slicing through the golden crops.

"Hurry up, everyone!" Gavin shouted. "Don't waste a single grain!" His words weren't necessary. The farmers, who had tended to these fields with such care, were already following closely behind the machines. With sickles, baskets, and dustpans in hand, they worked tirelessly to gather every stalk of rice and wheat.

Workers manually harvested the rice and wheat missed by the machines, carefully gathering every stalk. The rich aroma of fresh grains filled the air, carrying a sense of accomplishment. "Brother, can I go help?" Annie's bright eyes sparkled as she watched the bustling scene of the harvest.

It wasn't just Annie—Sophia and the other women were itching to join in as well. For them, this wasn't just a new experience; it was a chance to feel the joy of harvesting with their own hands. "Go ahead," Zack said, smiling.

The moment he gave permission, the girls rushed into the fields, eager to help Gavin and the others.

"Hey, hey, don't mix the rice with the wheat!"

"Leave the soybeans; those are for seeds!"

Amid the busy farmwork, bursts of laughter echoed across the fields. Though they fumbled at first, the girls quickly got the hang of things. Soon enough, they were genuinely contributing to the harvest. By late afternoon, the fields were full of activity. Rice and wheat filled sack after sack, carted off in trucks to be dried and processed. Corn, peanuts, and other crops were stacked in hills nearby. The scene was one of overwhelming abundance.

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As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, the day's work finally came to an end. Though some crops remained to be harvested over the next few days, the granaries were already overflowing with the day's bounty. The sheer volume of food was so overwhelming that there wasn't enough storage space for it all.

Exhausted but smiling, the workers—old and young alike—sat together, their faces glowing with the satisfaction of a successful harvest. "Wow, I'm so tired!" Annie flopped onto the ground, her short hair now a tangled mess of dirt and weeds. "I didn't think harvesting could be this exhausting!"

"Four sacks of corn," she added with a tired grin, "all by myself!"

"Only four? I managed two bags of wheat and still feel like I'm dying," Sophia chimed in, her voice teasing. "By the way, Sister Ezra, how are you not even sweating?"

"Maybe ask your brother Zack," Ezra replied with a sly smile. The group burst into laughter. Annie, though, was a different sight altogether. Her small face, usually smeared with engine oil from tinkering with machines, now had bits of mud and leaves sticking to it. Despite her natural beauty, Annie had a knack for making herself look like she'd been through a war zone.

"How'd you get so filthy?" Zack asked, grinning as Annie shuffled over. "Were you rolling in the mud?"

"I wasn't rolling!" Annie puffed her cheeks. "I was carrying those huge sacks! Those rice bags weigh hundreds of pounds!"With her enhanced strength, Annie had managed to lug multiple heavy sacks, but it left her absolutely covered in grime.