Previously, the burning was of piles of corpses. Now, it is of piles of rats. Not far off, several stretchers covered with white cloths were being carried over. The people on them had died of illness, not the earthquake. Almost all the bodies that could be cleared have been removed, but those buried too deep remain. The collapse of dozens of floors of high-rise buildings has left the deceased pressed at the bottom, and excavating them with just human labor is incredibly difficult. Heavy machinery like large excavators or cranes would be needed.
As the bodies were being burned, soldiers noticed a group in protective suits approaching. Their hearts raced with excitement. Whether they were rescuers or survivors, this area hadn't seen anyone from outside since the earthquake. The arrival of outsiders meant they might bring more news from the outside world.
However, it was disappointing to learn that the newcomers were seeking help and bringing even worse news.
During the initial distribution of supplies, the city was divided into districts, each assigned a battalion. Because Mu Nan and his group were in the city center, the main military headquarters were stationed there. Other areas were covered by scattered battalions. After the earthquake, only the headquarters stationed in their area had the means to contact the outside world. Other locations did not have satellite communication equipment.
The group that arrived was from the military south of Jiangqiao—twenty people who had walked across the bridge. After the earthquake, when rescue teams didn't arrive as expected, their commander sensed that something was wrong. They made the same decision as the local headquarters regardless of the outside situation, they had to first focus on self-rescue and do everything possible to save all survivors from the disaster area. However, the epidemic had spread faster there than here. They had run out of ammunition, medicine, and food. Without supplies, they were facing a collective death. They sent a part of their team to seek help from the military headquarters. If it weren't for the rain and overcast weather over the past few days, their journey would have taken even longer. Now that they had finally reached the headquarters, the sight of the devastation along the way only filled them with fear and unease, rather than relief. They feared that they might not survive this epidemic.
Despite constantly searching for food, most of the time was spent traveling. They only searched the surroundings for food when they needed to stop to avoid the sun. They ate whatever they could find, and if they hadn't been so physically resilient, given the varied diet and exhaustion, they would have collapsed long ago.
Knowing they hadn't had a proper meal in a long time, the regiment commander took them to the cafeteria for a warm meal.
As they ate, their eyes reddened with sadness. The leader of the group choked up as he said, "In our area, we couldn't find any food. Some of our brothers died either from exhaustion or starvation."
The commander, hearing this, felt a pang in his heart, but there was little he could do. He knew the situation outside the city was dire. The supplies they had could not last much longer, especially with the shortage of medicine. Staying here would only lead to more deaths. To survive, they would have to leave, though even then, only a small fraction might make it.
Hearing the noise from the elevator as the wardrobe was moved, Mu Nan clicked his tongue. "These people really aren't afraid of getting beaten? I'll go see how many have come up this time!"
Qin Huai pressed Mu Nan's head back down onto the bed. "Stay put in the room. Don't move around." He then went outside to check the situation.
Due to the noise of the wardrobe being moved, the three households living there all came out. They stood at their doors but made no move to stop him. When Qin Huai opened the door, he saw a man in military uniform peeking out, looking around. When he saw Qin Huai, he smiled. "You really have high security here."
Qin Huai frowned slightly but approached. "Captain Shi, you're here to see me?"
Recognizing someone familiar, Jian Chu and the others no longer stayed in the corridor. As long as the newcomers weren't those trying to move in, it was fine. Da Niu, worried that Qin Huai might struggle with the wardrobe alone, said before going inside, "I'll come back to restore the wardrobe later."
Qin Huai thanked him and then turned to Shi Yuanfei.
Shi Yuanfei wiped his sweat. To avoid bringing any germs close, he didn't approach too closely. Once the others had entered the room, he said, "I have some news for you. The military headquarters is preparing to relocate to the university town, but not everyone will leave. Many who are sick can't travel, and the elderly and children probably won't survive the journey. We don't know the situation in the university town yet, so a group will be sent ahead to scout. I'm one of those leaving."
He then pulled out a note from his pocket and handed it to Qin Huai. "This is a soldier under my command who will stay behind. If you need anything, you can contact him. I've informed him about you."
Qin Huai took the note and asked, "Is it only the military leaving?"
Shi Yuanfei shook his head. "No, a portion of people who are currently healthy and strong enough to withstand the relocation will go. If you want to go, you can join us. The university town is vast and sparsely populated. Even if it collapses, the casualties won't be worse than here. Moreover, they had cleared an area there for a solar power station. If the situation improves, a new district might be established there. But we need to ensure health first. That's just my guess. If the collapse there is worse than here, everything will need to be rebuilt, which could take a year."
Given the current scale of the epidemic, it's uncertain how many survivors there will be in a year.
Qin Huai asked, "When will you leave?"
Shi Yuanfei replied, "In ten days. I came to inform you. The relocation notice will be announced soon. Those who want to join will need to register with the military. Health and fitness are the primary criteria. We can't take sick people. If you want to join, just register."
With protective measures still in place, the awareness of safety was strong. Although the face couldn't be seen, the clear eyes and strong presence suggested good health.
Qin Huai asked, "Will it be on foot or by vehicle? The people who go there shouldn't return unexpectedly, right?"
Shi Yuanfei nodded. "Definitely on foot. If we could stay here, no one would bother with the relocation. We don't know what conditions we'll encounter on the way. The epidemic is not limited to our area. With such a severe earthquake, diseases are likely widespread. So, if you choose to leave, be prepared for the hardships of the journey. Exhaustion makes it easy to fall ill, and if you get infected, you might not make it."
Qin Huai said, "I have a lot of belongings. Just moving the solar power system is not easy. What will happen to these things if I go with you?"
Shi Yuanfei was taken aback. "You have such good equipment? No wonder you look so clean, without a hint of sweat."
After thinking for a moment, Shi Yuanfei said, "If you leave with the first group, you won't be able to take these things. They'll have to be handed over to the military. If the university town stabilizes, the military will gradually relocate, and your equipment will be transported. Once it's moved, you can retrieve it from the military."
They continued discussing in the corridor for a while. Noticing the noise coming from his own room, Qin Huai glanced back. Shi Yuanfei, aware of his younger brother at home, said, "Think it over. You can come find me anytime in the next few days."
Qin Huai nodded. After Shi Yuanfei left, he didn't wait for Da Niu and directly moved the wardrobe back into place.
As soon as he entered the room, Mu Nan came over. Qin Huai asked him to stay back while he disinfected himself, then rolled up and threw away the mask in the trash can by the door.
Mu Nan asked, "I heard. Are they evacuating?"
Qin Huai replied, "Not exactly an evacuation, just starting to build a refuge base."
Qin Huai took out Mu Nan's notebook, which recorded some events and dates. It noted that the private base would be established in April. With March beginning, that meant it would take about a month for the private base to be set up. In another half-month, there would be temporary electricity, and snow would start in June, lasting for over half a year.
In other words, there are currently two main issues: one is the extent of the epidemic outbreak in their area and whether staying indoors will offer sufficient protection. Epidemics can spread through pests like insects, fleas, and mosquitoes. Although there might still be an epidemic in the university town, its vast and sparsely populated nature would slow the spread compared to the densely populated central area. The other issue is whether the refuge base's housing can be occupied before the heavy snow arrives. If the area is still just an undeveloped construction site when winter comes, it will become even more dangerous.
Seeing Qin Huai staring at the notebook in silence, Mu Nan asked, "Brother, are we going together?"
Qin Huai didn't respond. He was leaning toward leaving with the group. The supplies in Mu Nan's space could get them through summer or winter if they found a place to stay, but they couldn't withstand an epidemic. Moreover, their current floor had strong defenses, and the people upstairs and downstairs knew they had a solar power system. As the number of sick people increased and food decreased, they would become prime targets. Sick individuals could spread infection by leaving blood, saliva, or even feces at their door. This wasn't a potential threat—it was a certainty. People often drag others down when they can't have something good themselves.
Initially, his plan was to move with the military. When this area lost control, it would be the most dangerous. What seemed strong could become a target, and what seemed weak could also become a target. During disasters and famines, cannibalism and killing are common. Unless you join those groups, it's impossible to remain unaffected.
Now, he was hesitant about whether Mu Nan's stamina could withstand the journey on foot.
Mu Nan didn't know what Qin Huai was struggling with and just quietly waited for his decision. He didn't know what would become of their current place. He had joined people to go to the private base in early May. Initially, people didn't understand the private base concept. Later, more people went, some joined the recruitment team, and then came back to promote the base. As more people went, fewer stayed, and the heat and constant power outages led to more chaos.
He had been living alone and felt scared in such a disordered place, so he eventually went to the private base. The private base was better than the unmanaged area they were in, but unfortunately, it didn't last long. The summer dried the land, and winter froze it, making cultivation impossible. The renovation efforts were focused on heat prevention, so they were caught off guard.
If not for the deep snow and extreme cold, which forced many to stay in the private base, it might not have lasted even the first year. When high temperatures returned, the private base fell apart.
He had never planned to go to the private base. He intended to join the military when they relocated to the refuge base. He didn't go early because he wasn't sure about the situation during the earthquake. He knew at least the small square hadn't collapsed. The journey to the base was tough, but Mu Nan didn't mind. In his previous life, he had gone to the private base even without training. The private base was a resort outside the third ring road, farther than the university town. This life, with daily training, should have improved his physical abilities.
Qin Huai said, "Tell the neighbors about this."
Mu Nan asked, "So, are we going or should we wait to see if they go before deciding?"
Qin Huai shook his head and made a decision. "We'll go. The journey will be tough. If you can't endure it, don't force yourself. We have maps, and they will leave traces. It's fine if we don't keep up with their speed. We can go slowly behind them and don't need to push ourselves too hard."
Mu Nan nodded. "Okay, don't worry, brother. I'll be fine. There will definitely be more people joining us, not just soldiers. The more people there are, the slower the pace will be. We need to be careful with our food. If not, I'll cut the sushi and pancakes into smaller pieces, so we can eat without being noticed!"
The intercom call was quickly answered by the neighbors, who had likely been waiting since they saw Shi Yuanfei come up.
Jian Chu came over from the balcony and directly asked, "Did the soldier come with any news? Is there a new situation outside?"
Qin Huai explained, "They are preparing to move to the university town, taking some people with them. The university town is vast and sparsely populated. They seem to plan to rebuild and establish a new district. The first group going will be the pioneers."
Jian Chu looked at Yu Zibai. He hadn't considered leaving or that the military would find a new place for a district. He thought the rebuilding would be a slow and painful process, so they worked hard to maintain their environment and increase protection. But if the military was evacuating, what would they do?
Yu Zibai asked, "Do they say when they're leaving?"
Qin Huai replied, "In ten days. The notice will come soon. The first group will be the advance team, so physical fitness is required. The elderly, weak, and sick cannot go. They don't know what conditions will be there, so it's a complete unknown. If you choose to go, be prepared to lose your house here."
Jian Chu couldn't help but say, "We put so much effort into building that door. Isn't it all in vain?"
Mu Nan said, "It's not entirely in vain. At least our hallway is still clean. Think about the situation upstairs—so many people, how terrifying!"
Jian Chu asked, "What about you two? What are your plans?"
Mu Nan glanced at Qin Huai and didn't hide their intentions. "We plan to go with the group. Once the military evacuates, it's obvious what will happen here. The new district will expand slowly. Although the city will eventually recover, it's uncertain how long it will take to reach our area. Since the decision has been made, the government must have done a lot of planning. Following them is the best option. Even if it's not ideal, it's better than staying in the epicenter of an epidemic."
Mu Nan continued, "Consider it carefully. It's not necessarily because we're leaving that you have to come with us. As for electricity, don't worry too much. We'll leave the battery for you, and power should be restored here in a while."
Jian Chu asked, "Did the soldier mention this today?"
Mu Nan vaguely nodded, indicating that Shi Yuanfei probably didn't know when the power would be restored. Although electricity might not be continuously available, charging a battery daily should be possible.
Yu Zibai said, "Let's think about it. This isn't something that can be decided immediately. Can we tell Xu Ming about this?"
Qin Huai replied, "Of course."
To Yu Zibai's surprise, Xu Ming, upon learning of the situation, immediately agreed without hesitation. "I'll go with the team."
Jian Chu quickly asked, "You're deciding right away? Aren't you going to think about it a bit more?"
Xu Ming shook his head. "If we can leave, there's no reason to stay. You've been up on this floor with good protection, so you haven't seen the outside. It's full of corpses, rats, insects, and waste. As the military withdraws, order here will collapse. Think about what you'll face—no one will clean up the ruins or plan the environment. Food will eventually run out. This isn't a localized earthquake that will pass in time. Once the military leaves, there may never be order again. If we don't follow the government, what will we do later? The first group might be exploring unknown territory, but it's also an opportunity. The new district might end up better, and with fewer people, we might get a better choice."
Jian Chu sighed, "I'm just worried we'll be left with ruins and have to build houses with our bare hands."
Xu Ming smiled. "Then we'll build with our hands. It's not that difficult. Ancient people developed step by step to today's world. We stand on their shoulders and should be able to manage. Also, the university town has many schools. Even local residents are few because most houses are rented to students. Extreme heat had already closed the schools, so there are hardly any people left. As long as we stay away from places with buried corpses, we should avoid the epicenter of the epidemic."
While people tend to follow the crowd, Xu Ming's analysis made sense. Staying there only offered temporary stability. Once the military left, that stability would be gone. Their food stockpile would last a month at most, and after that, finding food in the ruins would be impossible. They had to follow the government. Thinking this over, Yu Zibai and Jian Chu stopped hesitating. If they were going, they would go together.
Having made the decision, Qin Huai went downstairs to discuss the details. Mu Nan brought out a huge, ugly protective suit with a gas mask and said, "Brother, wear this. It's safer."
Qin Huai replied, "Just the lightweight one. Wearing this thick suit will make you overheat and dehydrate."
Mu Nan had to retrieve a lighter version and also provided Qin Huai with several layers of shoe covers. Even though Qin Huai hadn't been downstairs, he could imagine how filthy it must be. In his previous life, when he left, every step was a challenge due to the filth.
Qin Huai chose to go during the day to avoid the risk of stepping into something dangerous in the dark. With no lights at night and the area being pitch black, safety was a concern. Although it would be hotter during the day, it was manageable as long as it wasn't the peak of noon.
Seeing Qin Huai fully geared up, Shi Yuanfei couldn't help but be curious about how well-prepared Qin Huai was. However, he was only curious. He was pleased that Qin Huai would join them, appreciating capable people, especially since Qin Huai's warning before the earthquake had saved many of his soldiers. This alone was enough to make him grateful.
Although the future was uncertain, Shi Yuanfei remained hopeful. The saying "moving trees and surviving" had its truth. Clinging to their current situation was truly an uncertain path.
Qin Huai, besides informing them of their decision, also inquired about the food distribution on the journey—whether to bring their own or submit it for uniform distribution. He even brought the map to discuss the preliminary route, wanting to make all possible preparations. If Mu Nan couldn't keep up, they would have to go on their own.
Shi Yuanfei, knowing Qin Huai was meticulous, patiently answered his questions. "You can bring your own food or submit it. There's no strict requirement. If you submit, you'll eat with my soldiers, and the food won't be great—mainly for traveling. We'll only bring durable dry food due to the heat. As for what you submit, we'll see at that time. If it's not excessive, we won't make you compensate. If there's extra, we'll try to return it to you."
Qin Huai nodded. "Then, on the day before departure, please arrange for someone to take away the generator and food. We'll try to travel light. None of us have experienced such hardship, so we don't know if we can endure it. Please take care of us on the road."
Shi Yuanfei smiled. "You'll be fine. With your physique, it would be a waste not to be a soldier."