Chapter 53 The Lone City (53)

Chapter 53: The Lonely City (Part 53)

When Xia Li and Zhuang Jiaxi returned from guard duty and found the main door bolted from the inside, Xia Li immediately knew something was wrong. In a fury, he pounded on the door for over ten minutes, but no one answered. Beside himself, Xia Li tried to persuade Zhuang Jiaxi to break the door down.

Zhuang Jiaxi was too timid. He shuffled off to the next room, hiding inside to play with his large crane truck.

Seeing Zhuang Jiaxi's large frame sprawled on the floor, engrossed in playing by himself, Xia Li itched to smash the crane truck. He crossed his arms, his eyes welling up.

Sensing something was off, Zhuang Jiaxi silently put down the crane truck, sat on the floor hugging his knees, peered up at Xia Li, and asked softly, "Brother Lili, why are you unhappy?"

Xia Li sniffled. "Someone took my brother away."

Zhuang Jiaxi thought for a moment, patted his shoulder, and comforted him, "If bad people took him, we'll call the police and rescue him. It's okay, Brother Lili. It's okay."

Xia Li slapped his hand away in disgust, hiding his face in his hands, utterly distraught.

Zhuang Jiaxi was at a loss. Just then, the door across the hall opened. Hearing the noise, Xia Li sprang to his feet and bolted into the living room.

Jiang Songnian had just showered, a towel still draped around his neck. He raised an eyebrow at Xia Li. "Your brother wants to sleep. He's skipping dinner. Fix yourselves something."

Xia Li's lips trembled, bile rising in his throat. He gritted his teeth, forcing an ugly smile. "What did you do to my brother?"

"He's tired and sleeping now," Jiang Songnian said, beaming, enunciating clearly. "Don't disturb him. There's a good boy."

Xia Li's face turned livid; even the ugly smile vanished. He nodded, stony-faced, and turned to enter his own room.

Jiang Songnian's smile faded. He let out a soft sigh and pushed open the master bedroom door.

Lin Yanqing was cocooned in the duvet, only his eyes visible. Soft, tousled hair covered his forehead. He was clearly having an uneasy dream, his thick, long eyelashes fluttering as he murmured something in his sleep.

Jiang Songnian locked the door, gently lifted a corner of the blanket, and lay down. He embraced Lin Yanqing from behind, inhaling the sweet scent of shower gel that was now on them both, and smiled contentedly, kissing his smooth shoulder.

In his dream, Lin Yanqing reached back, found Jiang Songnian's hand, and clutched it to his chest.

When day was about to break, Lin Yanqing opened his eyes. Having slept early the previous night, he woke early in the morning. He turned on his side; Jiang Songnian was still asleep, one arm pillowing his head, the other around his waist.

In the faint moonlight, Lin Yanqing gazed at Jiang Songnian's face. It felt both strange and familiar, completely different from the Uncle Niangao of his childhood imagination, yet somehow similar, as if this was the face he was always meant to have.

Lin Yanqing couldn't explain this feeling, but being with Jiang Songnian made him feel safe, as if he always had a way out, and Jiang Songnian was that way out.

Jiang Songnian slowly opened his eyes, a sleepy smile appearing as he nuzzled the pillow. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

"What about a good morning kiss?"

Lin Yanqing leaned in and pressed his lips to Jiang Songnian's.

Content, Jiang Songnian, still half-asleep, buried his face in the crook of Lin Yanqing's neck and asked groggily, "What's the plan for the next few days?"

Lin Yanqing wrapped his arms around Jiang Songnian's shoulders, tracing the scar on his shoulder blade, and said softly, "I've cleared the road to the neighboring city recently. I originally wanted to take the highway, but I'm worried about blockages. Master Zhang from the supermarket told me about a small road. If it goes smoothly, we can reach the neighboring city the same day."

Jiang Songnian nuzzled his neck in response, indicating he was listening.

"I went to the hospital yesterday and restocked a month's worth of supplies. I also distributed walkie-talkies to several nearby survivor outposts. Wu Ke will stay behind. If needed, he'll deliver supplies. In the community, we have Chen Xian, Yun Chuan, and Siqi. Chen Xian is responsible, Yun Chuan is strategic, and Siqi backs them up. I've met the other Psychics; they're a bit timid but not bad people. They can help occasionally. Xie Zhihang is also locked up now, so the community should be fine."

He cupped Jiang Songnian's face, lifting his head, and asked with bright eyes, "What do you think?"

Jiang Songnian nodded. "It'll be a rough road, but eventually, everyone will unite. Where there's a will, there's a way."

Lin Yanqing smiled, nodding firmly. "So, I need to prepare more supplies these next few days. Then, the three of us will go find reinforcements. We'll head to Nanyao City first and then make further plans."

"Wait, three people?" Jiang Songnian propped himself up on an elbow, resting his hand on the pillow, and asked in confusion, "Which three?"

"You, me, and Lili."

"Why take him?" Jiang Songnian said tactfully. "The road is so dangerous. It'll just be suffering for him."

"I'm not comfortable leaving him alone here."

"If you keep doing this, he'll never grow up."

"And what about you? How long do you plan to laze around?" Lin Yanqing propped himself up, rubbing his nose against Jiang Songnian's. "Time to get up, Uncle."

Jiang Songnian cleared his throat, fighting a smile as he kissed Lin Yanqing's lips, then rolled out of bed.

Lin Yanqing was taking Master Zhang, who drove the cargo truck, out today. Master Zhang wouldn't need to get out of the truck. Upon reaching the supply area, Lin Yanqing and Wu Ke would load the supplies into the back where Jiang Songnian would be waiting.

Wu Ke would lead the way in a separate SUV. They couldn't take all supplies from the supermarket; they also needed to visit several commercial streets along the way. Filling both a cargo truck and an SUV would take considerable time. They agreed to leave at dawn to allow ample time.

Regarding the plan to head north, Lin Yanqing had discussed it with He Yunchuan over the past few days. They had a major disagreement, again concerning Xia Li.

After finding military reinforcements, Lin Yanqing still needed to search for Lin Moshen. There were too many variables; he might not have a chance to return to Suxi City for a while. Heading north to find Lin Moshen, he would pass several Aimeile Group research bases along the way and planned to try his luck there. Ultimately, they would reach Bei'an City, regain control of the Blue Sea Base, and take Xia Li to a safe place.

He Yunchuan thought Lin Yanqing was insane and had been giving him the cold shoulder for days.

But Lin Yanqing was used to it and proceeded with preparations step by step.

Knowing Lin Yanqing was taking the cargo truck out today, He Yunchuan finally couldn't hold back. He got up early in the morning and pulled Lin Yanqing into a room for a talk.

Lin Yanqing looked out the window. The sky was turning pale with the first light of dawn; it was almost five o'clock, and daybreak was near.

"Let's make a deal. Nanyao City is the provincial capital of Lanhai Province. The Blue Sea Base plan was ultimately to be executed in Lanhai Province. I believe the military has already secured Nanyao City. How about this: you and Jiang Songnian go to Nanyao City first to request support. If that really doesn't work, once Nanyao City is confirmed safe, we all move there. As for the Aimeile Group..." He Yunchuan's breathing grew heavy. He grasped Lin Yanqing's shoulders and said solemnly, "A Qing, such a heavy burden... can we just not take it on?"

Lin Yanqing felt a pang of bitterness. He forced a smile. "Originally, that would have been possible. But look, the infected don't bite me. The time of my dad's disappearance coincides with the start of the nutritional supplement research project. I suspect they used my dad's DNA to create the virus, which is why I'm immune."

Suppressing turbulent emotions, he asked with feigned nonchalance, "Yun Chuan, how can I not get involved? What should I do? All these people are because of me."

He Yunchuan covered his face in agony, lowering his head as he breathed heavily, trying to steady himself.

"I have to go to Bei'an City. Even if it means turning myself over to the lab, I have to go. Only then can the base be free from Aimeile's threat."

"You planned this from the start," He Yunchuan said, his face pale with anger. "Your dad had 24 pairs of chromosomes, but you don't. You're just an ordinary person! Going into the lab is useless! You're just going to your death."

Lin Yanqing suddenly laughed. "Then let me tell you another secret. My dad didn't lose his memory. He wasn't amnesiac. He always knew who he was and where he came from. He was actually..."

A knock sounded at the door. Xia Li pushed it open and came in. "Brother, are you done talking? Sister Siqi is looking for you. It's time to go."

"Coming right away," Lin Yanqing said.

Xia Li nodded and closed the door again.

As Lin Yanqing prepared to leave, He Yunchuan grabbed his wrist and said in a low voice, "Leave Lili behind."

"No," Lin Yanqing said resolutely. "My dad handed me over to Uncle Xia. I resented it for many years. I wished he had taken me to the Far North to face death together, not left me with a neighbor. If Lili is willing to stay, he can stay. If he wants to come with me, then I'll keep him with me. I won't abandon him. I don't want to become someone like my dad."

"I understand," He Yunchuan said, having composed himself. He sighed softly. "I'll persuade Lili to stay with me."

Lin Yanqing glanced at him and left the room directly. Zheng Siqi was sitting in the living room, playing a game of Chinese checkers with Zhuang Jiaxi.

Seeing Lin Yanqing come out, Zheng Siqi stood up with a smile, her eyes crinkling.

“You wanted to see me? Let’s talk while we walk.” Lin Yanqing slung his backpack over his shoulders.

“It’s nothing urgent. I just wanted to tell you, Brother Lin, you can go without worrying,” Zheng Siqi said earnestly. “I’ll do my best to protect this community and hold out until the day the military arrives!”

Lin Yanqing straightened up and promised, “I will definitely bring the military back! I will make sure this city is reopened!”

Zheng Siqi broke into a radiant smile, like the rising sun, brimming with fresh vitality.