The three people had been inside for a long time—so long that Jian Chu was beginning to feel restless. He had several times considered going inside to see what they were doing and why they hadn't come out yet. Just as he was crouched at the entrance again, listening for sounds from inside, he heard the noise of a box being dragged across the floor. He immediately became excited: "They're back."
Mu Nan also ran over to crouch and look inside. He could see the dim light approaching, and the first thing to appear was a dog's head. However, this time Mu Nan was at a distance and knew there was a dog inside, so he wasn't frightened.
Before the people came out, a series of boxes were pushed out first. Qin Huai pulled Mu Nan aside and went forward to help Jian Chu and Song Jia drag the boxes out. The items inside were likely packed tightly and were quite heavy. The cardboard boxes, some of which were already damaged, clearly couldn't handle the drag and were on the verge of falling apart.
The three of them managed to carry out more than five boxes of items, with canned goods making up the majority. Since it was the only edible food they could find, there were a lot of cans, but they came in various types—besides corn, there were also meat varieties like luncheon meat, braised pork, and even fish cans. Mu Nan had bought most of the canned goods, but fish cans were not on his food list, so he couldn't imagine what fish preserved with even the broth would taste like. There were also some fruit cans, but these were light-proof materials, not glass jars, so they were relatively well-preserved. At least the ones they took out seemed to be in good condition with no noticeable damage.
Jian Chu asked, "Is this all? Do we need to go in again?"
Xu Ming shook his head, "No need to go in again. What's left inside is about the same, and we wouldn't be able to carry more. However, there's still quite a bit left, so let's inform Xu Ge later. It's better to have soldiers handle it than to let others know and cause a scramble."
There were five large boxes in total. Three of them were filled with canned goods, including the one they initially brought out. The remaining two boxes contained some crystallized rock sugar that had partially melted but remained sealed in jars without any spillage, and also some flour, cornmeal, green beans, and soybeans. In total, there were six boxes of items, which was a huge haul. If they weren't so limited in carrying capacity, they would have liked to empty the stock entirely, but they knew not to be too greedy; being overly ambitious would only lead to having nothing, so taking what they could manage was sufficient.
Despite having a lot of items, they had to be discreet about dividing them, so they hid behind the marble counter and divided the goods one by one. The others stood guard in the front to prevent anyone from hearing the noise and coming to check.
Jian Chu said quietly, "These were discovered by your dog. Without him, we wouldn't have found them, so you guys pick first." He glanced at Qin Huai and Xu Ming, saw they had no objections, and then signaled to Song Jia and Wu Zheng to start picking from the back.
Wu Zheng said, "It's fine, there's plenty of stuff. Even if we take everything, we still wouldn't be able to carry it all. Let's pick together."
Qin Huai said to Jian Chu, "Leave it to you. Go ahead and get it. We'll be sharing meals on the road anyway. Just split it between two trailers to avoid damaging the wheels by overloading one."
Jian Chu agreed. Since they were five people traveling together, there was no need to split the extra haul too meticulously. If they were to be that detailed, they would still need to account for the solid fuel stoves and various pest control and disinfection supplies Qin Huai and the others brought.
So Wu Zheng and Jian Chu went to the back to divide the food. Wu Zheng picked out what they wanted, and the rest was for Jian Chu and his group. They took what they could carry and left the rest for the soldiers, ensuring nothing went to waste.
Wu Zheng and his team didn't take much, not because they didn't want to, but because their equipment wasn't very good. They had even gone downstairs in slippers, not knowing about the earthquake. They were rushed downstairs by the anxious dog, and by the time they reached the outside, the building had collapsed. They had nothing on them except for their phones and keys, but the building had fallen so there was no need for the keys, and the phone had run out of battery and was useless. However, the phone contained important items like photos and memories of the world before the disaster, so they kept it.
Later, the food submitted to the military was collected with Niu Niu's help, sifting through the ruins. When they learned that the first group would be going to the university town, they almost immediately signed up, leaving behind uncertainty about the future. It was better to leave, as there might be fewer people there and life could be a bit more bearable. They had only a dilapidated small cart from the ruins, which, although a cart, was no comparison to Qin Huai's vehicle. The wheels were loose, and it felt like they would fall off with one more drag. They had even prepared cloth to wrap the few remaining supplies in case the cart broke down on the way.
Given that they couldn't take too many cans because of the cart's limitations, Jian Chu collected the items after confirming they were genuinely giving them up rather than just being polite. Despite their two carts being full, there was still some space left if they squeezed things in. Bags and such could be hung on the cart handles, freeing up more space inside. Most of the canned goods, rock sugar, and flour were crammed into the carts, leaving only a small portion that couldn't fit and had to be surrendered.
When Lao Xu was called over, he initially thought there was some issue and joked, "You found such a secluded corner. You'd better stay alert; don't get left behind because you can't hear the assembly from this nook."
His comment was purely a tease. With Qin Huai's vigilance, it was impossible that everyone would leave without him noticing.
Qin Huai asked, "Can we exchange these items for future redeemable points?"
Lao Xu glanced at their carts. Although they were somewhat dark and hard to see clearly, it was obvious they were stuffed full. He assumed they wanted to surrender part of their load because it was too heavy, so he said, "Yes, you can. It depends on what you're surrendering. We're not currently collecting daily necessities; everyone is already overloaded, especially for military logistics, which needs to supply food for so many people for at least a month. Adding more daily necessities would be too much."
Qin Huai smiled at this and said, "That's fine. Just look at the situation and decide later." He then looked at Yu Zibai and Xu Ming, "Take Xu Ge to have a look. We can discuss the points later, but Niu Niu is a major contributor, so he should get the largest share."
Yu Zibai and Xu Ming had no objections. Yu Zibai said, "I'll go. I'm already dirty anyway." Then he looked at Wu Zheng and his brother, "Who wants to come with me?" The five of them were getting along well, but Wu Zheng and his brother were only recently acquainted. To avoid any misunderstandings, it was better for their own group to send a representative to oversee the handover.
Wu Zheng waved dismissively, "It's fine, just take the extra trip. We're not worried about it." He didn't want to go inside again, and since they were trying to make friends, it was better to be open and generous rather than appear petty and worried about being taken advantage of.
Lao Xu looked at them curiously, "What's going on?"
Yu Zibai took out a flashlight and said, "We're handing over supplies. I'll take you to see them. The rest, you can come back and move at a later time."
Hearing this, Lao Xu became excited. The use of the word "move" indicated a large quantity. In the current situation, having more food was always better. If there were too many items, they could contact the military to have people come and move them right away.
Lao Xu and Yu Zibai went in and came out together after a while. Although Lao Xu knew they had called him in privately and would not make the stock in the ruins public, he still reminded them to be cautious. As for when to collect the items, Lao Xu would need to consult with Shi Yuanfei, who was in charge of the team. Lao Xu had roughly counted the number of boxes—there were dozens—and it would take some time to move. They would need to weigh whether to take it away themselves or wait for the military to come and fetch it.
Since the matter was handed over, it no longer concerned Qin Huai and his group. When Lao Xu left, he took a few cans of meat that couldn't fit into the small cart. He hadn't had meat for a long time and decided to give a few cans to the younger members of the group to satisfy their cravings.
After a busy day, they finally settled down. Mu Nan handed wet wipes to Jian Chu and the others to clean up a bit. Seeing Song Jia opening a can of meat to feed Niu Niu, Mu Nan asked, "Does he usually eat with you like this?"
Song Jia nodded, "Although we bought a lot of dog food, it was buried in the ruins. Having anything to eat is already good. However, when feeding him, we have to be discreet because some people tend to talk."
Mu Nan was about to continue chatting but was pulled by Qin Huai and pushed onto a mat. "Sleep now. It's already dawn. We'll have to get up soon."
Mu Nan lay on the mat, yawning immediately. Qin Huai asked, "Do you want to go to the bathroom again?"
Mu Nan shook his head. "No."
Qin Huai said, "Then sleep. When you wake up, what would you like to eat? Do you want corn cakes?"
Mu Nan asked, "What kind of corn cakes?"
Qin Huai described, "Mix corn kernels with flour. If you want it sweet, add sugar; if you want it savory, add salt. Make it into a flat cake. You can also fry some luncheon meat and sprinkle some cumin and chili powder, then roll it up in the corn cake."
Before Mu Nan could respond, Jian Chu couldn't help but interject, "Brother Qin, we're in a survival situation, not filming a cooking show." Although not in a professional broadcasting tone, the slightly magnetic, low, and detailed description made one feel hungry.
Qin Huai chuckled, and Mu Nan turned to look at Jian Chu and smiled as well. Yu Zibai also smiled, lying with his head propped up. Listening to Jian Chu's complaints felt like returning to the days of being stuck indoors during the haze, except now it was the descriptions of food from neighbors making them crave it.
When they woke up, Qin Huai indeed made the corn cakes he had described. The luncheon meat wasn't the best, but when fried with a bit of oil, it was quite fragrant. Adding cumin for seasoning made it even more tempting. Despite their efforts to find a secluded corner, the aroma attracted many people who peeked in, causing some to feel resentful. It seemed that while they were in a hellish escape, others appeared to be on a picnic. The disparity between people, no matter the time or place, was ever-present.
The temptation of the delicious meat smell was strong, but it was only a fleeting desire. Although people were aware that food would become scarcer, they had been used to having a steady supply of food at the camp. Even if they didn't want to trade labor for food tickets, they could still find plenty of supplies in the ruins. While their meals might not have been gourmet, they were far from starving and scrambling for every morsel.
Thus, even though the meat smell was alluring, most people could only inquire about trading with valuables like gold, silver, or jade. Despite some people being tempted to steal, they refrained, as the group was composed of tough-looking men, and soldiers were watching closely. Their sense of morality, although somewhat frayed, was still intact, and they weren't likely to cross ethical lines.
Qin Huai and his group weren't interested in trading for valuables like gold or jade, which wouldn't benefit them other than reducing their load. However, they were quite willing to trade a bit of luncheon meat for water. Water was heavy, but it was essential for the journey. Even if they had to reduce their food supplies, having enough water was crucial. Hygiene was a big concern; the notion that one could avoid illness despite being dirty was pure nonsense. Whenever possible, it was better to keep oneself and consumables clean to reduce the risk of getting sick.
In the end, only a couple of middle-aged men with ample supplies came to trade for some slices of the processed and fried luncheon meat. They felt it was a bit unfair if a bottle of water was exchanged for an entire can of meat.
Jian Chu, munching on a corn cake with luncheon meat, said, "We need to be more discreet from now on. I'm worried we might attract too much attention."
Yu Zibai agreed, "We lost a day yesterday, and with fewer people now, the pace will likely increase. There won't be as much time for cooking."
As Yu Zibai predicted, the pace of their journey did increase significantly. However, more people began to struggle. After a rodent attack, many were afraid of another incident. Those who had long-sleeve shirts and pants put them on despite the heat. Yu Zibai and Xu Ming donned their protective suits and raincoats, and even Xu Ming wore his long-sleeve clothing.
Jian Chu commented with a smile, "Looks like our team's equipment has upgraded."
Xu Ming added, "It's really hot."
Jian Chu replied, "There's no choice. We'll have to endure for survival."
Nearby, Song Jia was already drenched in sweat, wearing a ragged short-sleeve shirt. He looked at the others and couldn't help but remark, "You guys have fan hats that's something."
Mu Nan, concerned that Qin Huai might suffer from dehydration, took turns pulling the cart with him. Yu Zibai and Xu Ming also took turns pulling their cart, while Jian Chu helped Mu Nan. Given Mu Nan's limited stamina, Jian Chu thought it was quite impressive that he could walk in protective gear, but adding a cart was pushing his limits.
The initial days were the toughest. Legs ached with fatigue, and the overexertion and dehydration were brutal. Those who appeared strong but were internally weak soon collapsed, either from heat exhaustion or sheer exhaustion, requiring soldiers' assistance to continue.
When Mu Nan saw someone collapse ahead, the whole team had to stop to rest. He quickly gave Qin Huai a drink of diluted salt water with ice to replenish lost salts. Concerned that Qin Huai might not hold up, he said, "Let me pull the cart for a while. You rest."
Qin Huai shook his head. "No need. I'm nearly adjusted now; it's not as difficult as it was at the start."
Seeing others resting, Mu Nan suggested, "Have some fruit to cool down and replenish sugar."
Qin Huai responded, "Just take care of yourself. If you feel dizzy or have chest tightness, don't hesitate to tell me. Don't push yourself."
As they talked, another person collapsed nearby. Xu Ming, who was fanning himself, immediately asked everyone to move away and called for soldiers.
Mu Nan, observing from a distance, saw that the person who collapsed was writhing in pain, clutching their lower abdomen, and convulsing, with white foam spilling from their mouth. The sight was alarming.
Qin Huai, frowning, said, "I've read about symptoms of plague in some documents—rapid breathing, vomiting, groin pain, consciousness disorders. This person's symptoms resemble those."
Hearing this, people retreated further and tightened their masks.
Soon, soldiers arrived, but the symptoms were clearly not just heat exhaustion or dehydration, so they didn't approach the person. They waited for a military doctor.
After over an hour of waiting, the person was carried to the rear. A military doctor used a thermometer to check everyone's temperature. Those with high temperatures were sent to the back, and those who were sick or showing symptoms were placed at the end of the line. People with only slightly elevated temperatures were reluctant to move to the back, claiming they were just too hot. They didn't have masks, so being at the back could potentially expose them to illness.
Despite protests, the military doctor reassured them, "Not everyone in the back is sick. We've separated the sick from the healthy. Those with high temperatures are just being observed for twenty-four hours. If your temperature drops, you can rejoin the group."
Still, many were unwilling. For the safety of the healthier majority, soldiers forcibly moved those with elevated temperatures to the back. It had been clearly stated before departure that various situations could arise, and anyone who became ill would have to be left behind. Complaints at this stage were futile.
Mu Nan calculated that they had been on the road for about seven or eight days now, and their numbers had already been reduced by half. Although more than a hundred people initially retreated due to the rodent attacks, more than twenty had fallen ill later. Those who were beyond saving had to be left behind with some food. Despite the difficulty of abandoning a living person, both the soldiers and the medical staff had no choice but to do so.
After the team moved out again, the atmosphere became increasingly somber. Some began to question whether their choices had been right or wrong, and whether they should have stayed put in the camp. However, they had already moved out of one district, and with a bit more effort over the next day or two, they could potentially exit the second district. If the road conditions improved, they might be able to traverse another district and reach the university town. Currently, they were stuck in the middle with no choice but to keep moving forward. If the road conditions were poor, they might need to bypass another district. Predictions made before departure suggested that if things went smoothly, they could reach the university town in half a month, but if not, the time could be indefinitely extended.
After a grueling night, everyone skillfully followed the soldiers leading their teams to find shelter from the sun. After a brief rest, Old Xu began taking everyone's temperature with a thermometer. Those with elevated temperatures would need to be moved. Fortunately, most of their team was in good health, and there had been no infections so far, which gave Old Xu some relief. After spending so many days together, he could almost call out everyone's names, and seeing those he knew being abandoned halfway was quite distressing.
After removing his protective suit and wiping himself down with cooling wipes, Mu Nan sat on a mat blowing in the breeze. He noticed that the two brothers, who had been tinkering with their trailer wheels during each break, had finally worn out one of their wheels that had been on the brink of breaking for days.
Song Jia almost burst into tears. Although pulling a small broken cart was tiring, it was better than carrying everything on their backs. Now that the cart was unusable, they had no choice but to carry their food and water on their backs.
Jian Chu suggested, "You could make a small cloth pouch and have Niu Niu carry it."
The two men looked at Niu Niu, who was lying obediently nearby. Song Jia sighed heavily, "With all that fur, Niu Niu is probably hotter than we are." He was reluctant to make Niu Niu bear any weight.
Jian Chu turned to Yu Zibai and asked, "Can our wheels hold up?"
Yu Zibai checked both wheels and said, "They seem okay for now. Hopefully, the road ahead will be better and the wheels can last a bit longer."
Qin Huai spread out the map and said, "If the road damage ahead isn't too severe, the main roads will be easier to navigate. We're approaching the area near the third ring road. Although their chosen route is somewhat indirect, it is mostly on newly constructed main roads."
Mu Nan asked, "Does that mean newly constructed roads are less damaged?"
Qin Huai explained, "It's not that newly constructed roads are less damaged, but rather that newly opened sections are less densely populated. Look at this area it's mostly new developments. Even though roads aren't fully open yet, the occupancy rate is low. This area is part of new developments with wide, grid-like roads, and the buildings are set back from the street with a green belt in between. Even if something collapses, the obstacles on the main roads will be less, so the roads ahead should be much better."
Jian Chu nodded, "That's true. I'm familiar with this road; my school is in this area. The main roads are sparsely populated with lots of open space, whereas the small roads are more densely populated. But it's certain that the main roads are easier to navigate."
Mu Nan sighed, "It would be great if we could drive. I have a camper van in my space, but unfortunately, it can't navigate these roads."
Jian Chu suggested, "While four-wheel vehicles can't make it, bicycles might."
Mu Nan replied, "But we don't have any."
Jian Chu pointed to a location on the map, "If we pass through here, we might be able to find some."
Mu Nan wasn't quite sure where Jian Chu was pointing and asked, "Why would there be bicycles here?"
Jian Chu explained, "I studied in this area, so I'm familiar with it. There's a greenway up ahead, a sort of semi-ring island structure. It used to be a tourist spot with single and double bikes available for rent. Double bikes even had space for carrying things. I used to work here, managing the rental and return of those bikes. I know where the locals parked them. If we're lucky, we might find some usable ones."
Of course, this was assuming that after the extreme heat, the locals hadn't sold the bikes as transportation. But even if they did sell them, they might have sold only single bikes the double bikes might still be there. If not, they would have to continue their journey on foot.