Chapter 32 The Lone City (32)

Chapter 32: The Lonely City (32)

Jiang Songnian unfolded and spread the map out on the table. It was dotted with numerous circles and crosses, indicating areas already surveyed by the Pioneers. A blue circle was drawn on the eastern coastal region, marking the location of the Blue Sea Base currently under construction.

"The Blue Sea Base covers over a hundred square kilometers and can accommodate tens of millions of people. It possesses the most advanced disaster-resistant technology, but it's not yet complete. The fastest estimated completion is 2028, with official activation in 2029. According to expert predictions, the apocalypse will arrive around New Year's Day 2030, when tsunamis, earthquakes, and extreme weather will start hitting one after another," Jiang Songnian explained.

"Looking at the map, the base is near Blue Sea Province," Lin Yanqing said thoughtfully. "If that's the case, should we stay in Suxi City?"

"No, the base is currently here." Jiang Songnian drew a circle on the coast of Bei'an City. "The base relies on hydro and wind power, but initial operation requires a massive amount of fuel. You can think of it as a mobile, enclosed city. In its initial activation phase, the base will move at a snail's pace towards the coastal area of Blue Sea Province. The great earthquake will cause tectonic shifts, splitting Blue Sea Province in two from northwest to southeast, in an unprecedented seismic event."

Jiang Songnian drew a line across Blue Sea Province on the map and continued, "The Blue Sea Base will then be carried by the tsunami into this newly created fissure, filling this 'sky-cleaving' gap. Ultimately, using Blue Sea Province as a shield, it will endure the most severe century of the apocalypse."

"The seawater will eventually submerge Blue Sea Province. The base will sink to the seabed along with it, and Blue Sea Province will become the two wings reinforcing the base," Lin Yanqing murmured.

"You could say that," Jiang Songnian said, sitting on the edge of the dining table, legs crossed casually. "Actually, this method is quite risky. Even a slight data error could cause the base to lose balance, ultimately failing to withstand the tsunami's impact and all the work will be for nothing."

Lin Yanqing's gaze shifted to the northwest on the map. He pointed with his finger. "The chance of a tsunami hitting this area is very low. Perhaps we could migrate there."

"Unfortunately, the northwest will experience extreme low temperatures. A hundred degrees below zero Celsius is no longer suitable for human survival. Furthermore, it lacks the fuel resources to support long-term survival. Humanity wouldn't last a hundred years there."

Lin Yanqing rubbed his temples.

"Duan Beiya is taking a team to the extreme north to try their luck. I want to return to Bei'an City for further investigation. There might be new discoveries," Jiang Songnian said.

"But you were expelled..." Lin Yanqing paused, then had a sudden idea. "Do you have any tickets for the base? Can you get me a few?"

Jiang Songnian smiled at him. "I was expelled, sweetheart."

"I know you were expelled. But do you have any connections?" Lin Yanqing looked at him hopefully.

"Family members can get one. Others have to enter a draw," Jiang Songnian's smile widened.

Lin Yanqing grumbled, "One is too few." He paused, his eyes widening. "Wait, weren't you expelled?"

"It was a temporary measure. One day, we'll drive those scum from the Aimeile Company off the planet!" Jiang Songnian said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah!" Lin Yanqing nodded vigorously. "I'll keep thinking too. Maybe we can find the entrance to the Snow Country."

The door to the bedroom banged open as Xia Li walked out, yawning. "Bro, is there any breakfast?"

"There's mung bean porridge." Lin Yanqing went to open the fridge, scooped a bowl, and handed it to Xia Li. "Later, I'll go with you to Building 7. I'll also check if Xiaoxi is awake."

"Okay." Xia Li slurped down the mung bean porridge. "When will the supermarket open? I really want to eat grilled meat, hot pot, fried chicken..."

Lin Yanqing handed him a tissue. "Here, wipe your drool."

"I'm not drooling!" Xia Li laughed heartily, folded the tissue, and put it back in the box.

Lin Yanqing packed the chilled mung bean porridge into a thermos, put the rest back in the fridge, then went to the balcony to water the plants. After Xia Li finished breakfast, the three of them headed to Building 7 together.

He Yunchuan was recovering well, but he walked with a limp. Xia Li found him a wooden stick to use as a crutch, so he limped even worse.

Zhuang Jiaxi had been moved to Building 7 and placed in a separate room. When Lin Yanqing arrived, he had just woken up and was huddled in a corner, whimpering.

Jiang Songnian opened the door and walked in. Zhuang Jiaxi was startled, shrinking back and turning away.

"Don't come over..." His speech was slurred, his voice sharp and childlike. He curled up, trying to make himself as small as possible, unaware that his massive frame was now taller than Jiang Songnian's, nearly two meters tall, completely an adult's physique.

"Didn't he already receive the serum?" Lin Yanqing asked, shocked.

"Bones that have undergone secondary development won't revert to their original state. The serum's function is to inhibit his evolution, allowing him to regain human functions. Muscle mass will decrease, and his sense of smell will degrade, but his bones won't change," Jiang Songnian sighed. "He'll be like this from now on."

An adult's body, a child's mind, an orphan—these words together spelled disaster.

Zhuang Jiaxi peeked over his shoulder. Seeing Lin Yanqing beside Jiang Songnian, his eyes widened in surprise. His lips quivered pitifully, and he burst into loud sobs. "Brother... Big Brother..."

Lin Yanqing walked over, crouched down, and patted his head. "Are you hungry, Xiaoxi?"

Zhuang Jiaxi pouted, wiped his tears with his arm, and nodded, sniffling. "Hungry."

Lin Yanqing opened the thermos. "Chilled mung bean porridge. Have some for now. The doctor uncle said you need to eat liquid foods these days. When you're better, I'll make you spam wraps."

Zhuang Jiaxi blinked. "Mommy?"

Lin Yanqing pressed his lips together, trying to speak as calmly as possible. "Your mommy and daddy are on a business trip."

Zhuang Jiaxi didn't understand. He gulped down the mung bean porridge and mumbled, "Business trip... come back..."

Lin Yanqing took a gummy bear from his pocket. "Want one?"

"Cavities." Zhuang Jiaxi swallowed hard and shook his head gently.

"One is okay." Lin Yanqing tore open the wrapper and fed it to him.

Zhuang Jiaxi smacked his lips, savoring it carefully, not daring to chew too fast. His eyes were still red, but the bloodshot hue was fading, revealing hints of black pupils.

Lin Yanqing patted his head and played with him for a while. Jiang Songnian went to inspect other parts of the building. After the Pioneer army left, only the residential volunteers and family members remained in the building, and there was much help needed.

After Zhuang Jiaxi fell asleep, Lin Yanqing returned to the first floor. He Yunchuan was practicing walking, with Xia Li cheering him on. He Yuanshan was collecting the freshly washed laundry.

Just as Lin Yanqing was about to tease He Yunchuan, someone knocked on the door. A young man, wiping sweat, said, "Brother Xiao Lin, the doctor is running low on medicine. Brother Chen asked me to see if you can go with him tomorrow to sweep the buildings for supplies. Some apartments are empty; there might be medicine inside."

Lin Yanqing nodded. "Sure, I'll go with him tomorrow."

He Yuanshan said, "I'll go too. I'm free anyway."

Xia Li eagerly raised his hand. "I'll go too!"

"You better not. You take care of Yun Chuan," Lin Yanqing said. "Uncle He, you shouldn't go either. Please help look after Xiaoxi. He's only five, after all. I'm worried he'll be scared alone."

"That works too. Call me on the walkie-talkie if you need anything," He Yuanshan said.

Lin Yanqing went to the temporary medical station in the neighboring building. Jiang Songnian was chatting with the doctor.

Lin Yanqing knocked on the door. "Doctor Xiao, can you make me a list of the medicine you're short on? We're going to sweep the buildings tomorrow."

"Why go to all that trouble? All medicine is somewhat toxic. Just tough it out," Jiang Songnian interjected.

Lin Yanqing snapped, "Stop causing trouble!"

Doctor Xiao smiled awkwardly and wrote out a list for Lin Yanqing.

Lin Yanqing scanned the list. He still had some of the medicines at home and could bring some out for emergencies, mixing them in with the supplies collected tomorrow.

"Where's Chen Xian?" Lin Yanqing asked.

Doctor Xiao said, "He just left. Today, they're returning the supplies everyone handed over. There's a queue at the sales office."

"Why aren't you going? Want me to cover your consultations for a bit?" Jiang Songnian offered eagerly.

Dr. Xiao, basking in the cool air from the AC, said, "Trying to avoid heatstroke here."

Jiang Songnian laughed, pulling a ballpoint pen from the pen holder and spinning it on his fingertip.

"Let's go help out then. It's so hot outside—more hands will get things done faster," Lin Yanqing suggested.

Jiang Songnian grumbled reluctantly, "It's just a few things. Why make such a fuss over returning them? Your new friend is way too uptight."

"You two seemed pretty close? You were even holding hands yesterday," Lin Yanqing turned and walked out.

Jiang Songnian's face darkened instantly as he hurried after him. "That's a flat-out lie! Lin Yanqing, what are you playing dumb for?"

"Worried about me?" Jiang Songnian's expression shifted from gloomy to bright.

"I'm worried you'll waste medicine."

Jiang Songnian's face grew even darker.

Just then, the young man who had delivered the message earlier came running back, wiping sweat off his brow and shouting frantically, "A fight broke out at the sales office! Can anyone go help?"

The conflict started because the supplies Xue Xiaofeng had collected were now being returned. There had been no inventory records kept at the time, and since they were all consumables, Xue Xiaofeng had used some, distributed a portion to the Self-defense Team, and what remained was less than half of what had been confiscated. All of it was now stored in the sales office lobby.

After more than two months, every household was running low on food. Although the neighborhood had been unsealed, countless madmen still roamed outside the community, and no one knew when the city would fully reopen.

Duan Beiya didn't bother with these trivial matters. After handing the supplies over to Chen Xian, he washed his hands of the whole affair.

Chen Xian wanted to allocate half of the supplies for public use and return the other half proportionally. But this meant each household would receive only a meager amount. After contributing for two months and depleting their own reserves, they were now getting back just two or three items. Many had even fantasized that the army would bring large quantities of supplies when they arrived.

When Jiang Songnian arrived, he found two groups of people pulling each other's hair out. He stepped forward, drove his elbow into the two brawling men, knocking them to the ground, then drew his gun and fired a shot into the air, barking, "What the hell are you all fighting about!"

The crowd fell silent instantly, instinctively shrinking back toward the corners.

A man named Huang Qiang huddled with his arms crossed, trembling as he muttered, "Who do you think you are, throwing your weight around? If you've got the guts, give us back our stuff."

Jiang Songnian strode toward him, raised his gun, and pressed it against Huang Qiang's shoulder, saying coldly, "When Xue Xiaofeng told you to hand over your supplies, you obeyed without a word. Now that I'm letting you take some back, you dare to make a scene and act all high and mighty!"

He pushed the barrel forward slightly, his sinister eyes filled with murderous intent. "Do I look easier to mess with than Xue Xiaofeng to you?"