The search for vehicles was something the soldiers had been working on throughout the journey. However, since they were not locals, and even if they were, they might not be familiar with the specific area, it was difficult to identify where any 4S shops (car dealerships) might be in a city now so thoroughly devastated. The roads were currently impassable for cars, and even if they could drive later, it was uncertain when car production would resume. So, throughout their journey, they not only moved forward but also kept a close watch on their surroundings, meticulously recording every place they passed. They noted which shops were located where and which areas might be worth revisiting for further exploration. Leading the team was not just about reaching the destination; there were many tasks and observations to be made along the way.
When Qin Huai asked Shi Yuanfei and his team if they would pass through the greenway and mentioned the possibility of finding single and double bikes, Shi Yuanfei decided to adjust the route temporarily. Although the route was slightly changed, it only involved taking a detour of one or two streets. "I'll let the team rest here in advance. I'll take two soldiers, and you bring someone who knows the route. We'll go check it out first." Taking the whole team along was cumbersome and slow. With fewer people, they could move faster. At this distance, a round trip would take at most two to three hours. Whether they found anything or not, they would be back before dawn.
Since Jian Chu was familiar with the area, he was the one who went to search for vehicles. Although Yu Zibai was from the same school as Jian Chu, he wasn't as familiar with the area as Jian Chu, who had worked in various places around town. Yu Zibai's knowledge was mainly limited to the school, and he was concerned about Jian Chu going alone, but since having more people would not necessarily help, he decided to stay behind.
Because they were hoping to find vehicles near the greenway, they decided to rest earlier than usual today. They began looking for a place to rest before dawn. Everyone was eager to rest as soon as possible; although they wanted to reach their destination quickly, no one wanted to walk any extra steps.
Before leaving, Jian Chu said a quick prayer: "I hope good luck will be with me."
Mu Nan walked up to him, performed a few gestures like a priest, and then placed his hand on Jian Chu's forehead: "Bless you, my child."
Qin Huai gave Mu Nan a gentle pat on the head: "Stop joking. Come over here and take off your protective suit to get some fresh air."
Yu Zibai said, "Be careful on the road. When you get back, we'll have a meal. Since we're resting early today, we can make some wraps, open a can of luncheon meat and a can of braised pork. Mu Nan brought some seasonings we'll cook them up."
Jian Chu gulped at the thought and was immediately filled with motivation.
The departure of the soldiers didn't attract much attention from others. Mu Nan lay on the mat and sighed, "I hope we find a vehicle smoothly."
Xu Ming was wiping his body with a disinfectant-soaked cloth and said, "The person who fell ill yesterday has passed away. Based on his symptoms, it's pretty much confirmed as plague."
Mu Nan, hearing this, couldn't help but sit up "Are there many people dying from plague now?"
Xu Ming nodded: "Yes, more than those dying from malaria, and the plague is highly contagious. The people who were traveling with him have been moved to the isolation area at the back."
Xu Ming looked at them and said, "The plague can be transmitted not only through droplets but also through feces. So, if you need to use the toilet, try to do it in daylight. Avoid areas with mosquitoes. If it's too dark to see, it's better to hold it in. How much disinfectant do you have left? I have one bottle of 500 milliliters remaining, which should last a few more days if diluted."
Qin Huai replied, "We still have two one-liter bottles."
Xu Ming nodded, "Remember to use diluted disinfectant to wipe your body every day." The disinfectant Qin Huai and the others brought was medical-grade and suitable for washing wounds, but they didn't know how long they would need to keep moving or what conditions they might face at their destination. Therefore, they could only dilute it to avoid too much contact with others. Personal hygiene had to be maintained, especially for food that went into their mouths. The soldiers' issued flatbreads had to be cooked again at least once.
Thinking about it, Qin Huai and the others were fortunate to have brought a small stove with fuel; otherwise, they would only be able to eat canned food, which was dangerous since the food had been exposed to air.
Mu Nan lay next to Qin Huai with a small fan blowing beside him. His mask was replaced with a new one because the previous one was soaked with sweat. Even while sleeping outdoors, they had to wear masks. If the environment was poor, like on grassy areas, they had to sleep in protective suits, as regular insect repellents couldn't fully drive away mosquitoes on the grass.
In one of the teams behind them, a middle-aged man had diarrhea and a fever two days ago. His body was alternating between cold and hot, clearly suffering from malaria. In the extreme heat, he was sweating even while sitting still. He also had a fever and diarrhea, and he didn't survive the two days. When the military doctor examined the body, they found mosquito bites on his back. Although they couldn't make a definitive diagnosis without more testing, it was highly likely that he died from malaria due to mosquito bites.
Although the army had provided some information about the most likely infectious diseases and their transmission routes in the current environment before they departed, the military officers repeatedly emphasized the need for vigilance whenever someone fell ill or died. They stressed that everyone had to take personal responsibility, as a small oversight could lead to deadly consequences. Apart from taking care of themselves, there was no extra capacity to look after anyone else.
Some people who had brought long-sleeve clothing had tightened their cuffs and trouser legs to keep sweat from dripping. Those with better conditions changed into dry clothes after their first set got wet, repeatedly switching between wet and dry clothes. The smell from this process was truly unbearable.
However, as time went on, Mu Nan felt that the smell from people who hadn't bathed in days was less shocking than on the first day when they gathered downstairs. He just tried to breathe as little as possible through his mask.
Even during the day, Qin Huai would light a short moxibustion stick, which burned for at least eight hours, to repel mosquitoes and disperse odors.
When they first brought out the moxibustion sticks, they faced a moral dilemma. Some people argued that there were at least twenty or thirty sticks in the box, and since they only had eight teams left (after some members had died, reducing the number to seven), each team could get one stick, ensuring nearly three days of use for everyone. They even used the isolated teams who had fevers as an argument, saying that since they had so many insect-repelling disinfectants, it was only humane to share them.
As a result, the person making these demands had several of his teeth knocked out by Qin Huai. When he could no longer speak due to the beating, Xu Ge arrived late, feigning a scolding for the fighting but imposing no substantial punishment.
The man with the knocked-out teeth, seeing the soldiers arrive, was still somewhat unyielding. Xu Ge, not taking sides, simply said, "I won't say much more. Let them bring out their supplies. They can take one item each, and you can take one item too. It's fair this way. Don't say you have nothing. If they have disinfectants and moxibustion sticks, you can take food and water. It's all for helping others. The isolated sick ones at the back will certainly thank you."
Taking others' things was acceptable, but taking one's own belongings was absolutely not. The middle-aged man, holding his bloodied mouth, mumbled, "Why did he hit me? Did I just get beaten for nothing?"
Qin Huai chuckled lightly and pulled out a small pack of individually wrapped biscuits from his bag. There were only three or five pieces in the pack. He tossed it onto the middle-aged man's lap and said, "Here, for medical expenses." He then glanced at the group that had supported the man earlier and added, "I have plenty of medical expenses here. If anyone wants more, feel free to talk."
Mu Nan looked at Qin Huai and sighed, "Brother, you're getting more and more brutal."
Qin Huai responded, "Otherwise, should I reason with them?"
Mu Nan quickly smiled and said, "A brutal brother is still very handsome!"
Seeing Qin Huai's readiness to resort to violence, some people were too intimidated to approach. Especially those who had sided with the man earlier kept their distance. They were a group of people who hadn't even been to a gym, let alone fought. Watching Qin Huai beat someone while the rest of his group remained passive and just watched made it clear that provoking them would only lead to a beating. So, they preferred to keep their distance.
Those who hadn't spoken up or come close, when it was time to sleep during the day, tried to get closer to their group, hoping to benefit from the moxibustion sticks. They didn't want to contract a disease from mosquito bites in their sleep.
As long as people kept a safe distance, Qin Huai would not drive them away. He had previously chased away those who tried to sleep too close to them. He was firm on this policy to prevent setting a precedent. Once people started gathering close, it would be hard to control. Who knew if those who seemed healthy now might be in the incubation period of a disease? Even the moxibustion sticks were kept in the middle of their sleeping area to avoid any potential risks. Qin Huai didn't want to leave any room for error that could lead to irreversible consequences.
During these times, Wu Zheng would often pat Niu Niu's head and reflect on how they managed to stay close and avoid being chased away, all thanks to Niu Niu's efforts.
Mu Nan noticed Xu Ming was cleaning his scalpel again and thought that the real unsung hero in keeping people away during the fight was Xu Ming, who had casually sat on the ground, cleaning his scalpel and watching the commotion. If that scene were shown close-up, the background music would likely be some kind of cold-blooded, psychopathic soundtrack.
Seeing the scalpel reminded Mu Nan of nail clippers. He looked at his own nails, which had grown a bit long, and moved to the lamp to trim them. After clipping his nails, he called Qin Huai over to trim his. Qin Huai looked at him and laughed, "This is the first time I've enjoyed your service."
Mu Nan replied, "Don't worry, it won't be the last. When you're old and can't move, I'll still take you out for some sunshine."
Qin Huai responded, "I'll be counting on you to take care of me in my old age. Thanks in advance."
Yu Zibai was busy mixing flour with corn kernels and cooking a pot of mung bean soup. They still had rock candy, which, even though it had melted, would be fine if added to the soup. Mung beans were good for cooling down and detoxifying, so he planned to cool the soup in a large box and have it before they set out in the morning to avoid the heat.
Given Jian Chu's departure time, it was estimated that a round trip would take about two to three hours at most. They needed to be back before the sun became too hot, so all preparations were made in advance to start cooking as soon as Jian Chu returned.
Jian Chu's search went even better than expected. Although the area had collapsed, they found several bicycles and tandem bikes that could be repaired and used. After the soldiers tested them on the ground, they found that single bicycles were easier to use compared to the tandem bikes. The tandem bikes, which allowed for side-by-side riding, also had a rear basket for carrying things, making them suitable for those with more personal items. However, due to their size, they were not as nimble as single bicycles.
Regardless, they had managed to find some useful transportation tools, though it was unclear if there were enough. Since the sun was rising, they decided not to delay any longer. They each picked a single bicycle and rode back, planning to return with the team in the evening to search further and find as many vehicles as possible.
Returning with bikes was much faster than coming on foot. They reached the temporary camp before the sun grew too hot. The bikes were taken directly to logistics by Shi Yuanfei to prevent Jian Chu from being seen riding them. Although they would return in the evening with the team to search, it was better not to cause any disturbance during the day.
Seeing Jian Chu return sweaty, Yu Zibai quickly approached him, "Was the trip successful?"
Jian Chu nodded, "Very successful. We found a few bikes, and tonight we'll head over to the greenway to search through the ruins. I took some pictures; we need to decide which type of bike to use. Others don't know about our plans for tonight, so we can set our targets in advance. We don't know how many vehicles we'll find, but we'll certainly need more."
Mu Nan had initially thought the tandem bikes were the kind where riders sit one behind the other. He realized from Jian Chu's photos that these were four-wheeled, side-by-side tandem bikes with rear baskets for carrying items. "Can the space below be used for a small cart? The rear basket can also hold things."
Jian Chu replied, "That was my initial thought, but I found that these bikes are a bit cumbersome on the road. Single bikes are better for maneuverability, but they don't have much space for carrying items unless we leave everything behind."
Qin Huai suggested, "Let's try to equip everyone with a single bike first. If we have time, we can also modify the tandem bikes. We can attach a wooden board to the rear of the tandem bikes and secure a cart to it. If that doesn't work, a tandem bike can still carry two carts, with people swapping rides."
Qin Huai's plan seemed the most practical, and they quickly agreed on it. Yu Zibai then began preparing the canned braised pork with some seasonings.
Jian Chu had specifically instructed the brothers with Niu Niu to decide on their objectives in advance. They planned to take action while others were still unaware of their move. Given that they were currently enjoying canned meat thanks to Niu Niu, it was only right to take good care of Niu Niu's owner, especially since their cart was broken. Riding a tandem bike would be more comfortable than carrying heavy loads on the road.
As they spoke, their food started coming off the stove, exuding a delicious aroma. It had been over half a year since they last had such a good meal. They ate until they were stuffed, enjoying the corn cakes which were made twice. Everyone was satisfied and went to sleep with full stomachs.
Jian Chu then analyzed the situation with the others, "On the way back, Captain Shi mentioned that when the weather gets extremely hot, those who used to run agritourism around here likely went back to their villages if they could. So, the collapsed ruins don't seem to have been extensively searched. It looks like there aren't many people around."
Mu Nan asked, "Are the bikes all in warehouses? There must be many places in the area that rented out bikes for tours. Are they all stored together?"
Jian Chu nodded, "Actually, they're all from one family. It's a situation where every household is related in the same village. Several families' bikes are stored together. They built a small two-story structure with a shed in the back. I used to go there early on weekends when I was working, and rode out the bikes one by one. They were organized by color. I found it curious that despite the extreme heat and lack of shared bikes outside, these bikes were still here and hadn't been stolen or sold."
Mu Nan said, "Maybe it's because the area is somewhat remote. There aren't many people around, and shared bikes are free for use. Taking one would be considered theft, and buying them might seem like a waste."
Jian Chu sighed, "Perhaps. It would be nice if they could rebuild here. Just a bit further is a vast open space. You know, when I first dragged my luggage to school, I saw the school gate was an empty road with endless construction on the opposite side. There were no shops or amusement facilities in sight, and I was despaired. But I didn't expect the back of the school to be so well-equipped. There was everything one could want, otherwise, I wouldn't have found a place to work."
Mu Nan whispered to Jian Chu, "They can't stay here forever, even though it's suitable for rebuilding."
Jian Chu leaned closer and asked, "Why? Do you have any inside information?"
Mu Nan replied, "My military training was done at the 713 Base, not at the school. The base is in Xihe District. I think they might choose to rebuild there. One reason is that area is mostly university campuses. Before the earthquake, the schools were closed, so there were fewer people. Another reason is the military base is there. The 713 Base is a provincial-level base, and you can imagine the weapons and high-tech equipment there. During our training, we even got to see some outdated tanks, though the latest ones weren't allowed for us to examine. Now, such roads are passable."
Jian Chu was excited by Mu Nan's words. The sense of security from military presence made people feel more connected to their homeland. But he wondered, "If the base is still operational, why haven't they come out to provide rescue?"
Mu Nan shook his head, "Maybe they did help, but haven't reached the city center yet. We're quite far from there it used to be a two-hour drive, but now it takes half a month."
As they discussed, Qin Huai, noticing their animated conversation, scooped Mu Nan up and rolled him over to his side, saying, "Time to sleep."
Mu Nan didn't resist but snuggled closer to Qin Huai, whispering, "Did you eat enough?"
Qin Huai, fanning Mu Nan, replied, "I'm not a big eater." It seemed he had developed a habit of worrying about whether Mu Nan had eaten enough.
Mu Nan responded, "Oh, by the way, do you want some fruit? I've got some grapefruit in the fridge."
Qin Huai covered his eyes with his hand, "Close your eyes and sleep."
Since they had gone to bed early, many people had rested well. As the sun set, people started waking up feeling refreshed. Xu Ge had prepared more flatbreads. They weren't sure if the supplies found in the hotel had been moved yet, but Qin Huai suspected they had contacted the military to arrange transportation. After all, dozens of boxes would add significant weight to their already burdened team.
Once the heat subsided, the troops set out again. Shi Yuanfei didn't inform the public about the detour, but the team followed his lead. Few people could correctly navigate using a map alone, so whether they took a shortcut or a longer route wasn't widely known.
After about two hours of travel, they finally reached the outskirts of the greenway. Jian Chu pointed to a spot where green tarps were piled up and quietly said, "It's over there. There's a lot buried underneath, but many are damaged. I'm not sure if we should let everyone act freely or if the military will organize it."
Qin Huai said, "No matter how we proceed, you're familiar with this area, so lead us." He glanced at Wu Zheng, who was holding Niu Niu's leash. Wu Zheng handed the leash to Song Jia and walked over.
Qin Huai instructed, "We'll act together. Hand over the things to your brother to watch. Let him take care of Niu Niu and wait with my brother. Everyone else should carry as little as possible to stay light."
Jian Chu was well-acquainted with the area, so he couldn't stay behind to guard the supplies with Mu Nan. Originally, either Jian Chu or Xu Ming was supposed to stay behind, but with the addition of the two brothers and the dog, Jian Chu's brother was a better fit for the task. The presence of a dog, especially one as loyal and protective as a hunting dog, could be even more effective than a human in some situations. If anything unusual happened, the dog would bark, giving them a chance to respond quickly.
Jian Chu turned to Xu Ming, who was preparing for the task ahead, and said, "Since my brother and the dog are staying behind, you'll be with us to manage the search. We'll need your expertise to make sure we cover as much ground as possible and handle any issues that arise."
Xu Ming nodded, understanding the situation. "Got it. I'll make sure we're organized and efficient. We need to maximize our search and gather as much usable equipment as we can."
Jian Chu then turned to his brother and gave him a few last instructions. "Keep an eye on the supplies and stay alert. If anything happens, let the dog alert you. We'll be moving through the area systematically and will return as soon as possible."
His brother nodded, holding the leash of the loyal Niu Niu. "Understood. We'll be ready for anything."
With their plan set, Jian Chu, Qin Huai, and the rest of the group began to move towards the greenway, while Jian Chu's brother, along with Niu Niu, stayed behind to safeguard their supplies. The team made their way cautiously, keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble and ensuring they could quickly react to any changes in their environment.