Following their meal, Lu Yu shared with Qiao Manli the specifics of their agreed-upon plan before they went their separate ways.
Lu Yu, mindful of the proximity of the hotel to the school and wishing to prevent any potential complications, suggested that Qiao Manli depart from the hotel by herself.
Acknowledging the wisdom in Lu Yu's advice, Qiao Manli consented to the arrangement and subsequently exited the hotel solo.
Observing from the hotel window, Lu Yu inhaled deeply, watching as Qiao Manli hailed a vehicle below.
Reflecting on the time constraints, Lu Yu mused,
"Two days have already slipped by, leaving us with under five days remaining.
It's imperative that we expedite our efforts!"
The binding of the system had occurred a mere two days prior.
With the system's binding, Lu Yu became aware of the impending apocalypse.
This revelation meant that Lu Yu had a mere seven days to make preparations.
In contrast to Chu Feng, who had previously endured the apocalypse, Lu Yu faced the necessity of a more thorough preparation.
Contemplating his next steps, Lu Yu retrieved his mobile phone and initiated a call.
The connection was swiftly established.
"Xue Li, please enter," Lu Yu beckoned.
Xue Li, alongside Ding Feng, served as the bodyguards assigned to Lu Yu by Lu Mingyuan.
Both were skilled individuals, honed by Lu Mingyuan's personal security firm.
In the post-apocalyptic world, where the human psyche could prove to be fickle, trust was a scarce commodity.
Apart from Lu Mingyuan's most trusted confidant, Lu Yu found it challenging to place his faith in other bodyguards, with the exception of these two individuals.
Master Lu!
Upon entering, Xue Li greeted his master with a respectful nod.
Lu Yu gave a nod of approval and inquired, "Are the preparations I requested earlier complete?"
Xue Li responded with enthusiasm, "Nearly there!
The rooms are brimming with food and water as per your specifications!"
"We've also meticulously prepared clothing, footwear, protective gear, binoculars, crossbows, hammers, baseball bats, and first aid supplies, among other essentials."
"Excellent!"
Lu Yu expressed, feeling a surge of confidence within.
As the apocalypse looms, humanity faces a temporary setback in production and transport capabilities. In such times, the consumption of food and water becomes a delicate balance.
Hence, stocking up on these essentials is paramount for survival.
To enhance his chances, Lu Yu proactively engaged in rigorous training, familiarized himself with various weapons, and acquired combat techniques from his bodyguards.
Though the guards' prowess was modest, their knowledge was better than none.
"Have you located the individual we're searching for?" Lu Yu pressed on.
"Do you mean Wei Jianjun and Xu Hao, Lu Shao?"
"Yes."
"We've successfully located Wei Jianjun. However, Yancheng lies outside our domain, so locating Xu Hao might require additional time."
"You've found Wei Jianjun?" Lu Yu's gaze sharpened.
"Good, but ensure Xu Hao search and don't get complacent. Xu Hao holds greater significance to me than Wei Jianjun."
"Understood."
"Instruct Ding Feng to persist in the search for Xu Hao.
Meanwhile, escort me to Wei Jianjun."
Lu Yu issued his commands and took the lead, striding towards the exit.
"Understood!"
Xue Li acknowledged with a nod and hastened to keep pace with Lu Yu.
He had questions lingering in his mind, but as Lu Yu's figure receded into the distance, Xue Li reluctantly suppressed his curiosity.
.................................................
Character Profiles:
Qiao Manli
Yan Yun
Wei Jianjun
Xu Hao
Lu Yu's system extends beyond a mere control panel; it boasts a storage repository capable of housing unique items generated by the system itself.
These four character profiles serve as beginner's aids for Lu Yu, designed to bolster his chances of survival.
Each profile card displays the character's portrait and name on the front, while the reverse side details their complex relationships—both past and present—with the main character, Chu Feng.
To ensure his survival in the impending confrontation with Chu Feng, Lu Yu must strategically leverage these intricate relationships to curb Chu Feng's progression.
.................................................
The issues with Qiao Manli and Yan Yun have been temporarily settled.
Now, the focus shifts to Wei Jianjun and Xu Hao.
Wei Jianjun, now 35, bid farewell to the special forces at 27.
Post-retirement, a confrontation with extortionist thugs led to a violent outburst, resulting in severe injuries to several gang members.
This incident cost him dearly, both financially and legally, culminating in a year-long prison sentence.
Upon release, lacking any particular skills, he resorted to menial labor to eke out a living.
Wei Jianjun's past, marred by a stint in prison, cast a long shadow over his employment prospects. Factories shunned him, leaving him with no choice but to accept security work at various small to mid-sized enterprises.
He resigned himself to this unremarkable existence, devoid of ambition or hope for the future.
However, at 29, his life took an unexpected turn when he encountered a woman.
She was not strikingly beautiful, but her affection for him was genuine, and she embraced his past without judgment. Touched by her acceptance, Wei Jianjun found himself falling deeply in love, leading to marriage.
Together, they welcomed a daughter, now four years old. Despite the hardships of their marital life, his wife remained complaint-free, offering encouragement and solace.
This brought Wei Jianjun a sense of gratitude but also a profound sense of guilt towards his wife and child.
With the onset of an apocalyptic world, his resolve to safeguard his family intensified.
Wei Jianjun's connection to the protagonist, Chu Feng, is straightforward yet significant. In his former life, while defending his family from thugs, Chu Feng intervened to assist him.
Chu Feng's combat abilities may have been modest, but his courage earned Wei Jianjun's respect.
The two formed an alliance to overcome their adversaries, forging a bond as strong as life and death amidst the apocalypse's harsh realities.
In such dire times, friendship is an invaluable treasure.
In this new reality, Chu Feng is determined to recruit Wei Jianjun early on, relying on memories from his past life to make him a trusted ally.
Unbeknownst to Chu Feng, however, Wei Jianjun has already allied with Lu Yu, altering the course of their shared destiny.
A/n :- Dear readers, I welcome your suggestions and feedback in the comments section below. If you find the story engaging and enjoyable, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review for this novel.
Thank you for reading.