Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The extreme cold affected both humans and zombies alike—it all came down to who could adapt and make use of it more tenaciously.

Gradually, more and more superpowered individuals began forming groups, teaming up with others for survival.

Stronger teams of superpowered individuals, unwilling to hand over the supplies they gathered, became self-sufficient outside the official aid system. Relying only on shelters at the relief station, they ended up with far more resources than those dependent on government assistance.

When ordinary people argued that the superpowered should hand over their supplies for public distribution, they were met with refusal.

This conflict eventually widened the class divide between the superpowered and ordinary people.

The authorities didn’t intervene much. After all, this was only a temporary relief station, not a formal post-apocalyptic rescue base. With only basic rules in place, they couldn’t force the superpowered to serve the public—they could only ask, not force.

Besides, since the superpowered no longer consumed relief supplies while also refusing to contribute, they actually took pressure off the relief station. As for shelter, their presence even improved the settlement’s defensive capabilities—it worked out for everyone.

Under these circumstances, more superpowered individuals began banding together for mutual support, striving to live better lives.

In desperate times, looking out for yourself came first.

Some tried to recruit Cheng Jing’s team, but he refused. He spent his mornings providing his powers at the command office, then led his team out to scavenge after lunch. Jiang Nian had also started joining them, having gotten used to the cold after the adaptation period.

Cheng Jing had initially objected, leading to their first fight since getting back together.

Jiang Nian argued that during the initial chaos of the extreme cold, he had stayed behind to avoid causing trouble, quietly offering Cheng Jing advice instead. But now that things had stabilized, he needed to get out there.

After all, he was tall, strong, and had powers. His combat skills weren’t bad either—he’d once been a back-alley brawler who ruled with his fists.

Yet now, Cheng Jing was overprotecting him like he was some helpless overgrown baby. If this continued, he’d end up useless.

Cheng Jing only cared about keeping his beloved safe, but hadn’t expected Jiang Nian to be so stubborn.

The man who usually clung to him and sweet-talked him actually gave him the silent treatment for two whole days, wouldn’t even sleep next to him, and snuck out after Cheng Jing left.

The love was real, but so was the frustration. Yet Cheng Jing couldn’t lay a hand on him—domestic violence would cost him his partner. In the end, he had no choice but to compromise.

Once allowed to join the team, Jiang Nian reverted to his usual clingy and sweet-talking self, a complete contrast to his earlier defiance—adorable and annoying all at once!

“Brother Jing, are you still mad? You were so rough…”

Jiang Nian lay on the pillow, clutching his aching back in complaint. Just two days of the cold shoulder, and Cheng Jing had gone wild—if it had lasted any longer, he might’ve been wrecked!

“No, I just wasn’t used to you ignoring me for two days.”

Cheng Jing massaged him, his expression calm as he played it cool.

Little brat. If he couldn’t hit or scold him, couldn’t he at least indulge him a little?

“…”

Jiang Nian didn’t believe him, but bringing up the past helped no one. He could only grumble and let Cheng Jing spoil him. Whatever—he’d let his grumpy man have his way.

Since their team had ample supplies, Cheng Jing not only stopped taking resources from the relief station but also donated most of what they scavenged to the supply depot. Providing his powers became free help.

Zhou Li and others in the command office deeply appreciated Cheng Jing’s actions. Strong, sharp, and always thinking ahead—who wouldn’t admire him?

No wonder he had worked with the government even before the apocalypse.

Therefore, Zhou Li proactively informed Cheng Jing about the progress of the rescue team's base construction:

He said that once the extreme cold ends, the military will mobilize to search for survivors in various cities. Things will get better once we’re inside the base, and the authorities won’t forget their contributions.

After returning home from the command center at noon, Cheng Jing shared the news with Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian was bundled up like a mummy, preparing two self-heating meals. After listening, he nodded:

"Entering the base is just the beginning of the real fight for survival in this apocalypse. All reconstruction efforts will ultimately rely on the authorities and the military taking the lead. Building good relationships is always smart. Rules just formalize the class divide—the more refined the rules become, the stricter the hierarchy gets. It happens on its own."

"I think the same way. Zhou Li comes from a military background, and I believe he means what he says. After all, any relationship goes both ways."

Cheng Jing agreed, placing the heater nearby before sitting with Jiang Nian around the small table to eat.

With their connections, their team has a good chance of getting into the central district once they reach the base. They’ll be way safer than most.

After the meal, Jiang Nian shivered as he pulled out two apples, soaking them in hot water to warm them up—some vitamin intake. Halfway through, he asked Cheng Jing to toast them over the flame. The taste wasn’t bad.

...

In such harsh conditions, going outside means taking risks. Outside is a frozen wasteland, and even covered spots crawl with zombies.

Moreover, as time passes, the zombies are slowly evolving—adapting to the extreme cold, moving faster, and becoming more aggressive.

Especially terrifying are the Super-Zs, transformed from infected Supers, who use their powers with no control.

So, people who go out don’t always come back.

"Please, I beg you… My husband hasn’t come back since last night… Please help me find him…"

"I’ll give you all my supplies… Just bring him back…"

"…"

A tall woman, dressed in a black down jacket, snow pants, and boots, with cracked leather gloves, a gray knitted hat, and a matching scarf, stood there.

She held the hand of a kid wrapped up like a burrito, her big eyes wide and alert. The mother and daughter looked desperate, begging the returning Supers for help.

An old couple clinging to each other also stopped the returning Supers, asking everyone they met:

"Our son and daughter have been gone for a day… Did anyone see them?"

"They said they wouldn’t go far… Has anyone spotted them?"

Nearby, many others waited anxiously just like them:

"My younger brother went out with your group—why didn’t he come back with you?"

"Has anyone seen my boyfriend? *Sobs*…"

"My dad said he’d be right back… *Cries*…"

"…"

Every evening, grieving families hovered near the command center on the first floor of Building 1, grabbing at the Supers who made it back safely—asking about their loved ones with quiet pleas or full-on breakdowns.

Everyone knows: go out early, come back before nightfall. Many only venture out for a few hours. If they don’t return by dusk, they’re probably dead—forget about anyone missing overnight.

Even those who go out in teams end up the same way. At best, the surviving teammates hand over some rations to the families left behind as a token gesture.