Chapter 20 The Lone City (20)

Chapter 20: The Lonely City (Part Twenty)

"He's badly hurt."

"Who is he? Does anyone know him?"

"He seems to be a friend of Hua Sheng's."

"He's always been so mysterious, appearing and disappearing suddenly."

"How could Hua Sheng have a friend we don't know? That's too strange."

Lin Yanqing drifted in and out of consciousness, his head pounding dully, his limbs feeling heavy. His dry eyelids fluttered a few times but refused to open no matter how hard he tried.

Someone helped him sit up, an arm encircling his body, and fed him a bowl of medicinal broth.

"Poor child, you'll get better soon," a silver-haired granny with a beautiful bun said affectionately.

The kind voice echoed in his ears. Lin Yanqing caught the scent of agarwood, a pleasant, natural fragrance.

He slept for a long, long time. Someone wiped his face, fed him medicine. The wound on the back of his head gradually improved. In the deep quiet of night, Lin Yanqing opened his eyes.

He found himself lying on a bed made of wooden planks, covered with soft bedding. The ceiling of the empty room was high, the construction of the house ancient and simple. He pushed back the covers to get up, tugging at the wound on the back of his head. The bandage seeped pinkish blood. He hissed in pain. After the wave of pain subsided, he put on his shoes and left the room.

Behind the door was another room, filled with books and overflowing with plants and flowers, a stark contrast to the world of swirling snow outside the window.

A slightly plump, round-faced woman was climbing to reach a book. Seeing him enter, she widened her eyes in surprise.

"Oh, dear, you're awake."

Lin Yanqing stood silently in place, seeming at a loss.

"My name is A Hua, Hua Sheng's mother. You can call me Granny A Hua. That's what everyone calls me," Granny A Hua said kindly. When she smiled, deep dimples appeared on her cheeks, making her look quite adorable.

Hua Sheng's mother? Lin Yanqing was puzzled. Granny A Hua's face was covered in wrinkles; she looked nearly eighty years old, while Hua Sheng was only five or six.

"You must be hungry. Quick, have a seat." Granny A Hua brought over a bowl of milk and had Lin Yanqing sit on the sofa to eat.

"Thank you." Lin Yanqing was indeed hungry. He ate ravenously. Granny A Hua brought him two more pieces of sponge cake.

"You've been lying down for half a year. Start with something easy to digest," Granny A Hua said.

"Six months?!" Lin Yanqing asked, shocked. He remembered now—he had been attacked by Xue Xiaofeng and suffered severe injuries.

"You collapsed in the snow. Hua Sheng carried you back. Don't be shy, eat more."

Lin Yanqing said anxiously, "I need to go back. My brother is waiting for me."

"Child, the gate to the coastal district is sealed. You can't leave this place," Granny A Hua said regretfully.

Lin Yanqing hazily knew he was dreaming but didn't know how to wake up. He tried to stay calm, grasped Granny A Hua's hand, and said urgently, "My father is here. He must know a way out."

"Your father?" Granny A Hua looked puzzled. "Who is your father? What's his name?"

"Lin Moshen." Lin Yanqing's eyes reddened. "His name is Lin Moshen."

Granny A Hua's eyes suddenly widened. After a few seconds, her gaze softened. She opened her arms and pulled Lin Yanqing into a hug, her voice trembling. "This must be a miracle."

"Grandma, can you help me find him? I'm so worried. I can't protect my brother." Lin Yanqing's eyes were filled with sorrow. He was like a wounded young beast, clearly wrapped in fear and despair, yet stubbornly baring his fangs, trying to hide his vulnerability.

Granny A Hua stroked his face, her heart aching. "Don't be afraid, child. Nature always leaves humanity a thread of hope."

*

On the twentieth day of the community lockdown, Xue Xiaofeng had killed all the infected people roaming outside. Residents watched the bloody massacre through their hot glass windows. Blood soaked the grass, the asphalt roads stained crimson. Under the blazing sun, the community was shrouded in an eerie, terrifying atmosphere.

On July 1st, Xue Xiaofeng formally established the community Self-defense Team, declaring himself the Leader. He led a large group of young people in clearing the buildings, isolating residents who were already infected, and established new rules that everyone had to strictly follow. Every three days, residents lined up to offer him tribute, thanking him for maintaining order in the community.

Lin Yanqing and other residents suspected of infection were driven to Building 7. He Yuanshan voluntarily confined himself to care for him more easily, while He Yunchuan and Chen Xian joined the community Self-defense Team—the only way to move freely.

Xue Xiaofeng was like a tyrant, establishing his own kingdom within this tiny space. He reveled in the people's deference, dreaming of rising to power in this chaotic world.

In late July, during the hottest part of the day, temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Patrol teams roamed every corner of the community. The scorching sun made it hard to keep their eyes open; they were drenched in sweat, trudging along with their heads down.

Passing Building 20, He Yunchuan stepped out of the line. The rolling shutter door was tightly locked. He circled to the other side of the building. A climbing rope hung down the wall. He Yunchuan wiped the sweat from his hands, gripped the rope, braced his toes against the wall, and using both hands and feet, quickly climbed to the second floor.

The second-floor window opened just in time. He Yunchuan swiftly jumped inside. He was drenched in sweat, as if he'd been caught in a downpour.

"How are you? Is it very hot?" Xia Li had prepared a towel and a cold Coke in advance. He unscrewed the cap and handed it to him.

The two hid in an empty room on the second floor, whispering. After Xue Xiaofeng cleared out the residents of Building 20, he locked both the front and back doors.

Xue Xiaofeng was sometimes insane, sometimes shrewd. Xia Li could walk around inside this building, but when Xue Xiaofeng returned, he had to be home. Otherwise, Xue Xiaofeng would fly into a rage, causing trouble for many people.

Xia Li had dampened a towel with a bit of water and put it in the freezer earlier. Now, placing it on his face felt cool and refreshing. He Yunchuan took a few deep breaths, gradually recovering. He asked, "How are you? Has that bastard bullied you?"

Xia Li's eyes curved into a smile. "No, don't think like that. He's just crazy."

He Yunchuan, heavy with worry, opened his arms and hugged him. He took a few gulps of cola and said, "It's been two months. A Qing still hasn't woken up."

Xia Li's lips trembled, his eyes instantly reddening. "How is he?"

"Although he won't wake up, there's nothing abnormal overall. Maybe he's recovering." He Yunchuan lowered his voice. "I climbed the wall and looked. There's an off-road vehicle outside the east gate. Once I make arrangements, I'll come get you. We'll climb the wall and leave this place."

"Leave here... but where can we go?" Xia Li said anxiously. "There are many infected people outside. Once we leave, we won't get far, and we can't take supplies. My brother is still unconscious."

"Xue Xiaofeng is insane! He'll get everyone killed sooner or later! And that Chen Xian, he's got a screw loose! Actually teaming up with a lunatic like Xue Xiaofeng!" He Yunchuan grew angrier as he spoke. "It's all Lin Yanqing's fault! Why did he have to play the hero for no reason? Bringing back such a disaster!"

"He Yunchuan, I've noticed you love to complain. That's not good. Don't be like that," Xia Li said, touching his sunburned, peeling cheek.

He Yunchuan suddenly fell silent. After several seconds, he said stiffly, "I'm only like this in front of you."

"And Uncle He, don't always criticize him," Xia Li said unhappily. "I don't have a father anymore."

He Yunchuan's eyes welled up. He took another gulp of cola, unable to hold back another complaint. "It's all Lin Yanqing's fault. Insisting on going to the amusement park in the middle of summer. If it weren't for him, there wouldn't have been a car accident."

"It wasn't him, actually... it was me." Xia Li tried to force a lighthearted smile, but tears streamed from his eyes. "We agreed that if I got into the top ten, we could go to the amusement park. But I kept failing. My brother only said he wanted to go because of me. I'm the one who killed Mom and Dad."

He wiped away his tears with the back of his hand, trying hard to smile as if he hadn't been crying.

He Yunchuan held him tightly, choking back sobs. "It's okay, Lili. I'll change. I'll change everything. I won't complain anymore."

"Mm." Xia Li was enveloped in the stuffy, humid air, finding it hard to breathe. After a long moment, he pushed He Yunchuan away, wiped his tears, and said, "You should go. Xue Xiaofeng will be back soon."

He Yunchuan gritted his teeth until they ached. "If he tries anything inappropriate with you, remember to fire the signal gun. I'll come save you immediately."

"I know." Xia Li nodded vigorously. He tied the rope around He Yunchuan's waist, watched him climb down, then pulled the rope back up and stuffed it into a cabinet before hurrying upstairs.

Xia Li didn't take the elevator upstairs. He climbed the stairs back to the 19th floor, panting and drenched in sweat.

Just as he was about to open the door, Xue Xiaofeng stepped out of the elevator, his sharp gaze fixed on Xia Li's back.

Xia Li's hand trembled, and the keys clattered to the floor.

Xue Xiaofeng swiftly stepped forward to pick them up for him.

"Thank you." Xia Li said flatly, reaching out to take them.

Xue Xiaofeng closed in behind him, his breath hot against Xia Li's ear, and hissed:

"Why do you reek of another man?"