One assumes he acquired the fish with the exchange of money, however some occupations actually still require your physical presence outside your bedroom. Do you

One assumes he acquired the fish with the exchange of money, however some occupations actually still require your physical presence outside your bedroom. Do you see the catch-22? Given the photo of food rations (unlikely to support an adult for a day) the implication is there is no financial support for Shanghai residents, but the author doesn't say.