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Chapter214
Everyone split into pairs to scout the terrain. After all these years, it was hard to determine if the area was still safe.
Without waiting for Shao Qi's response, Zhou You, feeling confident of his safety, ventured forward, commenting, "Judging by the untouched ground, it seems no one has been here for a while. There's no trace of mutated beasts either. It's a nice spot, suitable for future stays."
A door creaked open behind Zhou You, startling him. He was about to hurl a flying dagger when he noticed it was Shao Qi and hastily retracted it.
"You scared the life out of me," Zhou You said, patting his chest. In such a perilous place, what could possess Shao Qi to enter a cold storage unit?
Shao Qi shrugged, "It's cleaner inside. Let's stay there tonight. It's been without power for years, and the door is much sturdier than outside. I've checked the ventilation; it works, so we won't suffocate."
The group congregated, expressing relief at having a clean place to sleep for the night. After enduring countless nights outdoors, they longed for a comfortable bed.
Chapter 112: Danger in the Supermarket
After setting up their sleeping quarters, everyone explored the vast supermarket, once among the top chains in the country, but now eerily deserted.
"There should be another floor below. I recall this supermarket having two levels – the lower level for fresh produce and the main level for household items," Miao Miao remarked, shining her flashlight around, searching for an entrance.
Long Gan advised against venturing too far, "If the lower level was for food, there's no point going down. After all these years, anything edible would've spoiled by now."
"Captain Long has a point. Miaomiao, you need to curb your love for taking risks, or one day you'll end up capsizing in a ditch!" After walking a short distance, Qin Lifei didn't feel like going any further. The emptiness echoed with every step, giving him an eerie feeling. "Don’t wander off too far. I'm heading back."
Miaomiao grabbed his arm, saying, "Have you no sense? Are you going back to play the third wheel?"
"Isn't Cheng Yuran also inside?"
"All the more reason not to go. That guy is destined to be expendable. If you're around, our leader might deal with you both."
Qin Lifei didn't believe her, freeing his arm, "Don't worry. With Mr. Zhou around, certain people wouldn’t dare."
Inside the cold storage, there wasn’t a tense atmosphere. Zhou You sat in a corner meditating, while Shao Qi nibbled on compressed biscuits, drinking nutrient liquid as if it were water. His frown suggested it tasted terrible. But they all needed the energy, and regular food couldn’t offer such high calories.
Cheng Yuran, chin in hand, gazed at Zhou You, his expression slightly dreamy. The more he understood him, the more he was drawn to him. Not only was Zhou a martial arts expert, but he was also kind-hearted and loyal. Of course, it helped that Zhou had a face one could never tire of looking at.
Qin Lifei walked over and redirected Cheng’s gaze towards their leader, "Where do you get the nerve to vie with our leader for someone's affection? In this desolate place, aren't you afraid he'd dispose of you? Let me tell you, we all listen to him."
Cheng Yuran scoffed, "But doesn’t he also listen to Zhou You?"
Shao Qi, lifting an eyelid, glanced their way, stretching his long legs, "Why would I kill him? He's just a small-time joker."
"You…" Shao Qi never really paid much attention to him. And when it comes to rivals in love, what’s there to fear? If someone belongs to you, they’re yours; no one can take them away. If Zhou You didn't like him, then it’s his choice whom to be with. Would he really kill over such matters? That'd be beneath him.
Zhou You opened his eyes and started eating from his bag, not taking their banter seriously. In dire survival situations, romantic feelings are just a distraction. Who would seriously risk their lives for love?
Shao Qi, watching Zhou down a nutrient drink, inquired, "What flavor is that?"
"Flavor? These things come in flavors? I just blocked out my sense of taste and smell and gulped it down."
Speechless, Shao Qi copied Zhou's method, downing another drink, mumbling, "When I get back, I’ll make Dr. Xu taste this abomination he created."
Zhou You chuckled, "I'd like to meet the inventor of this nutrient drink." Glancing at the time, it was almost ten. To Qin Lifei, he said, "Time to call them back. We should rest and start early tomorrow."
Qin Lifei nodded, about to call the others, when a scream rang out. The four instantly dashed out, but saw no one.
Qin Lifei, anxious, remarked, "Didn’t Miaomiao say she'd check downstairs? Could they have gone down?"
Shao Qi, furious, snapped, "I told them not to wander! I’ve never been downstairs either. What are they fussing about in just one evening?"
Zhou You interrupted, "Do you know where the entrance is?"
Shao Qi, looking uneasy, explained, "Should be where the building collapsed, but there might be other ways."
"Let’s split up. This place isn’t vast; they couldn’t have vanished." Zhou You, flashlight in hand, dashed towards the source of the scream, always mindful of his steps. But reaching the end, he found nothing unusual.
Chaotic shelving made the area feel like a labyrinth. Turning around, he couldn't even spot his teammates. But Zhou wasn't worried; using his psychic ability, he scanned the area and soon spotted a pitch-black passage not far from him.
Shao Qi silently approached, asking, "Found it?"
Zhou You led him to the passage, stopped, and gently stepped on a floor tile. The tile sank, revealing a sloping path that disappeared into darkness.
Shao Qi threw a glow stick down and shouted the names of their teammates. After a long pause, a response came, "We’re down here; don't come down."