Chapter 31 The Lone City (31)

Chapter 31: The Lonely City (Part Thirty-One)

Jiang Songnian swiftly pulled out the serum needle and jabbed it into the back of his hand.

He waited a few seconds, but the madman wasn't calming down. Instead, the grip on his wrist tightened even more, with enough force to shatter his wrist bones. That hand was definitely not a child's.

Jiang Songnian raised the serum needle again, stabbing it into the back of the hand. The syringe clicked—the sound of an empty cartridge.

Jiang Songnian clenched his teeth in pain, cold sweat streaming down his face, but he couldn't break free. The frenzied feel no pain, so shooting the wrist wouldn't help. The best response was to sever the wrist.

He tossed the serum needle aside and pulled out a knife hidden in his boot, about to sever the madman's wrist, when Lin Yanqing's voice came from overhead.

"It's Xiaoxi! Jiang Songnian, it's Xiaoxi! He's the one crying in there!" Lin Yanqing said anxiously.

Jiang Songnian *tsked* in annoyance, looking down at the arm, twice the size of his own, and yelled toward the ceiling, "Serum needle!"

Ye Suo scrambled around, searching frantically.

Seizing the moment while Ye Suo was distracted, Lin Yanqing jumped down, landing on the sticky floor. He quickly got up, opened the drawstring bag he was carrying, took out a serum needle, and handed it to Jiang Songnian.

Jiang Songnian stabbed two doses into the back of Zhuang Jiaxi's hand. The hand shuddered, its grip gradually slackening.

Lin Yanqing asked, heart still pounding, "Won't that much serum hurt him?"

Jiang Songnian held up his own limp, trembling hand and said, feigning heartbreak, "Sweetheart, how about worrying about me first?"

Lin Yanqing was exasperated and said, sounding guilty, "Well? Is it broken? I'll put some medicine on it when we get back."

Jiang Songnian gave a short laugh, stood up, and stomped on the floor. "He'll be out for a few days. Later, we'll have the furniture moved and get him to the infirmary."

Only then did Lin Yanqing notice the strange state of the two corpses behind the door. He glanced around the sealed room and asked hesitantly, "Did they commit suicide?"

"No," Jiang Songnian was silent for a long moment before saying. "Blood loss."

Lin Yanqing seemed to understand. He looked up, disbelief in his eyes, at Jiang Songnian's shadowy form.

"Zhuang Jiaxi's parents believed he could be saved. They were afraid he'd starve to death, so they cut off their own flesh to feed him." Jiang Songnian paused a long while before continuing, "They didn't know the frenzied don't starve."

Lin Yanqing turned sharply away, unable to bear the sight of the corpses any longer. Choking back a sob, he whispered, "Let's go back."

*

Xia Li went to visit He Yunchuan and didn't return until dusk.

Lin Yanqing paced aimlessly around the house. He went to the balcony to water the potted plants. The seed in the pot showed no sign of sprouting, and Lin Yanqing was starting to doubt the seed was even viable, even though it had recently saved the dying He Yunchuan.

Setting the pot down, he went to inventory their supplies, bored enough to count the dried shiitake mushrooms in a sealed bag.

The doorbell rang. Lin Yanqing figured it was Duan Beiya coming for supplies. He went to answer the door, reluctant, only to find Jiang Songnian on the doorstep, smiling.

"What are you doing here?"

"You said you'd put some medicine on it."

"Then go to the infirmary."

"Can't afford the consultation fee."

Lin Yanqing sighed helplessly and stepped aside to let him in.

Lin Yanqing brought over the first aid kit and began unwrapping the cloth bandage around Jiang Songnian's palm. Suddenly, he said, "When we first met, I remember one New Year's Day, you asked me if I'd bought new clothes. I said I wanted to save money to buy exercise books."

Jiang Songnian rested his cheek on his other hand.

"I was lying to you," Lin Yanqing said, holding Jiang Songnian's hand and carefully wiping away the blood and pus with a cotton swab.

"Hmm?" Jiang Songnian raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I was afraid you'd think I was living comfortably and stop supporting me. But later, I received a package from you. You bought me a lot of clothes, for all seasons, and they were all branded." Lin Yanqing said guiltily, "Actually, I did buy new clothes, and I even bought a few outfits for Lili. Life wasn't that bad. I was always pretending to be pitiful."

Jiang Songnian held his hand and said with a smile, "That's good. I'm glad you didn't suffer."

"Jiang Songnian, I can't go with you to find the Snow Country. I have to take care of Lili." Lin Yanqing bit his lip, tears streaming down his face, tracing wet paths on his cheeks.

Jiang Songnian reached out with his other hand to cup Lin Yanqing's face, using his thumb to wipe away the tears. "I never expected you to come with me on this dangerous journey. You want to take care of Lili, and I want to take care of you, Yanqing. I want you to be safe and happy."

"Why?" Lin Yanqing asked with a pained expression, his tear-blurred eyes reflecting Jiang Songnian's resolute yet gentle face. "Why do you take such good care of me?"

Jiang Songnian looked at that tear-streaked face and found himself at a loss for words. He and Lin Yanqing were the same kind of person. His father, Jiang Feng, had driven his mother to her death for the sake of a marriage alliance. Wasn't Lin Yanqing in a similar situation?

Jiang Songnian had endured an extremely long and painful childhood. He had known about Lin Yanqing's existence for a long time. Every time he saw their shared younger brother, he would think of Lin Yanqing. He often wondered what Lin Yanqing, abandoned by both his missing father and his mother, was like. Unconsciously, Jiang Songnian had come to see Lin Yanqing as himself—they were both sorrowful, unsupported souls of the same kind.

Over the long years, he had projected himself onto Lin Yanqing, conjuring a vague figure.

Lin Moshen and the Pioneers were his excuse to get close to Lin Yanqing. He tried to compensate for his own missing life by raising Lin Yanqing.

It wasn't until he got to know Lin Yanqing deeply that this vague figure gradually took concrete form, becoming the unique Lin Yanqing.

Jiang Songnian was filled with countless emotions, but when he finally spoke, he habitually put on a bright, cheerful smile. He said, "Because I'm a good person."

Lin Yanqing sniffled and asked, "Do you support any other children?"

"No, I don't have that much money. Just that little salary, and it all goes to you." Jiang Songnian gently tapped Lin Yanqing's nose. "Don't cry, darling."

"I'm not crying," Lin Yanqing muttered, turning his face away.

"Weren't you going to apply medicine? Are you going to or not? If we wait any longer, I might need an amputation."

Lin Yanqing couldn't help but laugh. He reapplied the medicine and took out a crooked piece of cloth from the bottom of the box, wrapping it around Jiang Songnian's palm.

"What is this thing?"

"I made it from old clothes. It's a bandage, pure cotton. Make do with it."

Jiang Songnian sighed dramatically.

After applying the medicine, Lin Yanqing put away the first aid kit and asked, "Where are you planning to go next? The Far North?"

Jiang Songnian tried flexing his fist and said casually, "According to the records left by Professor Lin, the Snow Country is perpetually covered in snow, with no sun or moon visible. He claimed to be from the Snow Country, a land that could accommodate all of humanity on Earth. It sounds like the ravings of a madman." He lifted his eyelids and glanced at Lin Yanqing. "Your dad sounds like a charlatan."

"Don't say that about him. At least he found the Blue Sea Base for you and provided the design plans."

"But the construction cost is astronomical. It's still not finished."

"Jiang Songnian, do you believe in spiritualism?" Lin Yanqing opened his eyes wide, looking at Jiang Songnian with an expectant gaze.

Jiang Songnian studied his expression and said with a half-smile, "Tell me about it."

"I actually dreamed of that land. It was exactly as my father described."

"Could it be that you read the diary and had a similar dream?"

"Then how do you explain the life-saving seeds? How do you explain why I didn't mutate after infection—neither becoming a Madman nor a Psychic?" Lin Yanqing stated with conviction. "I'm certain I've been to that land in my dreams. I recovered there and saw the entrance where Snow Country borders the human world."

Jiang Songnian's expression turned serious as he steadied himself. "Tell me more."

"The entrance to Snow Country isn't in the Extreme North. It's deep within a canyon, surrounded by continuous green mountains with countless birds and beasts. That's definitely not the terrain of the Extreme North."

Jiang Songnian muttered, "That doesn't match the records."

"You forgot—my father lost his memory. His speculations might not be correct."

Jiang Songnian remained noncommittal, saying in vexation, "Even if Snow Country is hidden in the Amazon rainforest, it couldn't accommodate billions of people. Theoretically, the Extreme North's terrain features still need investigation due to magnetic field issues, but in terms of area, the Extreme North is more expansive."

Lin Yanqing racked his brains but couldn't figure it out.

"Do you need a haircut? I can help," Jiang Songnian said.

Lin Yanqing asked suspiciously, "You know how?"

Jiang Songnian said offhandedly, "Of course. I used to be a barber."

Lin Yanqing doubled over laughing onto the table, tilting his head and gazing at Jiang Songnian with an amused smile.

Seeing him laugh so happily, Jiang Songnian couldn't help but smile too. "Where are the scissors?"

Lin Yanqing went into the room to get a towel and scissors for cutting paper, then was guided by Jiang Songnian to sit in a well-lit spot on the balcony.

Jiang Songnian washed the scissors, dampened them slightly, then pulled up a chair to sit behind him, tucking the towel into his collar.

"When are you leaving?" Lin Yanqing asked.

Jiang Songnian undid the hair tie at the back of his head, looping it around his wrist, and combed through his hair with his fingers.

"Tomorrow morning," Jiang Songnian said. "Besides the Extreme North, there are a few other locations to verify. Time is tight, and the roads aren't clear, so we need to set off as soon as possible."

Lin Yanqing lowered his gaze, fiddling with a loose thread on his clothes. Suddenly, he felt warmth against his back as Jiang Songnian wrapped his arms around his shoulders from behind, holding up a phone in front of both of them. "We're about to cut your hair. Let's take a photo as a memento."

Lin Yanqing slightly turned his head away, putting distance between himself and Jiang Songnian's cheek, which was right next to his.

Jiang Songnian pressed the shutter button, and just in time, Lin Yanqing raised his thick-lashed eyes, a hint of a smile in them. In the photo, Jiang Songnian beamed, flashing a bright, cheerful smile.

"Can we connect via Bluetooth? I'll send it to you," Jiang Songnian said. "Let's cut your hair first."

"Okay."

Lin Yanqing bowed his head again. Jiang Songnian tied up his hair once more, braided a four-inch-long strand, and with a *snip*, the long locks fell to the floor. Jiang Songnian slipped the braid into his pants side pocket.

He continued trimming the hair a bit shorter, then finally pulled out the towel, tugged open the back of Lin Yanqing's collar, and blew the clippings away.

"If the signal is restored, remember to message me. Stay safe and don't push yourself too hard."

"Okay."

"If something feels wrong, come back quickly."

"Okay."

"Don't get your hands wet, and don't be careless. It's hot now—if it gets infected, you really could require amputation."

"Okay."

Lin Yanqing suddenly paused. He tucked the loose strands behind his ear, turned his head back to look at Jiang Songnian, and asked with a smile, "Do you think we're like online friends meeting in real life?"

Jiang Songnian's eyes, deep and constantly smiling, held his gaze. "Did I disappoint you?"

"Why would I be disappointed? You're my savior. I can't thank you enough."

"What savior..." Jiang Songnian pouted, saying discontentedly, "I already told you that day—I like you, Lin Yanqing. I like you."

Lin Yanqing looked at him quietly, then suddenly lowered his head and chuckled. The loose strands tucked behind his ear fell down, covering his smiling eyes.

"What are you laughing at?"

Lin Yanqing straightened up again, saying with a straight face, "Then you approached me with ulterior motives, ill intentions, hidden schemes, and malicious plans." Holding back a laugh, he poked Jiang Songnian's chest with his finger.

Jiang Songnian grasped his hand, smiling as he looked at him.

"Uncle Niangao isn't like that. He's kind-hearted, understanding, helpful, and charitable," Lin Yanqing asked with a smile. "Do you want to be the gentle and kind Uncle Niangao, or the ill-intentioned Jiang Songnian?"

"The ill-intentioned Jiang Songnian."

"Really?"

"Really," Jiang Songnian said earnestly. "I want to be the ill-intentioned, scheming, and brazen Jiang Songnian."

Lin Yanqing laughed so hard his shoulders shook. He rested his forehead on Jiang Songnian's shoulder, and his laughter gradually subsided. "Be sure to stay safe and don't be reckless."

Jiang Songnian pulled him into a hug, agreeing in a low voice.

Early the next morning, the military convoy departed. The weather was hot, so they set off at first light, around 4 a.m.

Lin Yanqing carried a box of supplies to see them off. He handed the cardboard box to Duan Beiya, who opened it to find only a shallow layer inside—a few packs of tissues, some boxes of medicine, and a pack of compressed biscuits.

Duan Beiya's anger spiked early in the morning. "You promised half a box of medicine and half a box of biscuits!"

"This is half a box. What you're holding is half a box," Lin Yanqing said seriously.

Duan Beiya was left speechless with anger. He pointed at Jiang Songnian and scolded, "Your student!"

Jiang Songnian grinned. "It's not the time for that. Count your blessings."

Lin Yanqing handed the backpack from his shoulder to Jiang Songnian. "This is just for you."

"Jiang Songnian, I might go to Bei'an City later. Once communications are restored, I'll tell you right away," Lin Yanqing said, his eyes suddenly growing moist. "You need to keep me updated on your whereabouts too."

Jiang Songnian touched his face and affectionately pulled him into a hug.

Lin Yanqing tightened his grip on Jiang Songnian's shoulders, asking in a near-whisper, "When will we see each other again next time?"

Jiang Songnian released him, sighing with difficulty. "It depends."

Duan Beiya rolled his eyes nearby, tapping his wristwatch at Jiang Songnian.

"If all goes well, we'll see each other in ten minutes," Jiang Songnian said, scratching his head. "I'll try to be quick."

"Huh?" Lin Yanqing was taken aback.

"I'm seeing them off, helping with opening and locking the gates. Hopefully, no large groups of Madmen will rush in," Jiang Songnian said, rummaging through his backpack and tossing a pack of medicine to Duan Beiya. "Brother Duan, see you when fate allows."

Duan Beiya said coldly, "See you at the base." He snatched the backpack from Jiang Songnian, stuffed the medicine back inside, threw the bag into the vehicle, and bent down to get in.

Jiang Songnian walked over to unlock the iron gate, urging, "Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry—ten minutes."