As for what would become of Scarface and his gang, whether they lived or died was no longer Lin Cheng's concern.
The steel pipes they had placed in the truck bed held no value to him either. His only intention in confiscating them was to prevent these thugs from having access to weapons again. He wasn't interested in taking their supplies because he knew they had no real intention of handing them over. Besides, in the time wasted dealing with them, Lin Cheng could have easily found more resources elsewhere. Teaching them a lesson was enough.
Not long after Lin Cheng drove off, Scarface and his men were surrounded by a group of survivors. These survivors wasted no time—they attacked mercilessly, beating Scarface to the point where his head was covered in blood. His henchmen fared no better, with many suffering serious injuries. Some were even unlucky enough to have their arms broken. In a world with scarce medical supplies, injuries like these could be fatal.
...
"Dad, next time someone tries to rob you, don't hesitate to punish them based on the situation," Lin Cheng said. "If they get on your nerves, show them what you've got."
Father Lin chuckled and shook his head. "They're just trying to survive. As long as they don't come looking for trouble, we don't need to intervene in their affairs."
Lin Cheng nodded in agreement. One of the survival rules he had learned in his previous life was to mind your own business unless it directly involved you.
"What do you plan to do with those steel pipes?" Father Lin asked, glancing at the truck bed through the rearview mirror.
"Throw them away, of course. These crude weapons are useless against alien creatures. They're only good for dealing with humans," Lin Cheng replied.
He had no interest in keeping the pipes. Against human threats, he didn't need them, and against alien creatures, they were completely ineffective.
"Don't throw them out just yet. Give them to me," Father Lin said. "I can use them to pass the time when I'm bored at the shelter."
Lin Cheng didn't know what his father intended to do with them, but it was such a small request that he saw no reason to refuse. "If Dad wants them, then they're yours."
Back at the shelter, it was time for Father Lin to shine. Under his expert tinkering, the generators began running smoothly, and soon the nearby electrical grid was back online. One of their biggest concerns had been solved.
But before Lin Cheng could celebrate, the system issued a new warning.
**"Ding! Today marks the seventh day of the Great Catastrophe! From today onward, the temperature differences between day and night will start to widen!"**
**"Ding! Cold Wave Warning: Starting on Day 10, the world will be hit by a massive cold wave lasting 30 days!"**
Hearing this, Lin Cheng immediately tensed up. The timing was exactly the same as in his previous life.
This cold wave would last until the 40th day of the Great Reckoning. The increasing day-night temperature fluctuations would be nothing compared to the brutality of the impending cold.
This cold wave would eliminate more than half of the surviving population. When it hit, temperatures could drop as low as -100°C, or even lower. The most extreme cases would see people freezing into statues within minutes of exposure.
Surviving this cold wave would require more than just warm clothing; coal or charcoal for burning would be essential for heat. For survivors out in the open, the cold was not the only threat—the alien creatures, which became more aggressive every 15 days, posed a constant danger. Surviving the second wave of these creatures was one thing, but surviving the third was far from guaranteed.
It was clear to Lin Cheng that he needed to head out again tomorrow.
The shelter was large, and heating the entire space was unrealistic. They would have to designate a specific room for temporary heating. Simply lighting a fire on the ground wasn't an option; they had to account for ventilation and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The last thing they needed was to survive the cold wave only to die of gas poisoning.
When Father Lin found out Lin Cheng was heading out again tomorrow, he insisted on joining. After all, staying cooped up in the shelter was getting dull.
Mother Lin, on the other hand, had no desire to leave and agreed to stay behind. Someone needed to watch over the shelter.
Worried his mother might get bored, Lin Cheng taught her how to operate the drone, so she could use it to monitor the outside world safely from the shelter. Excited by the opportunity, she eagerly agreed to learn.
"Mom, I also need to remind you of something," Lin Cheng said. "If you see any monsters or other people near the drone, don't bring it back to the shelter immediately. We can't risk anyone discovering our location."
Mother Lin smiled, nodding. "Don't worry. I might not be the smartest person, but I understand that much."
"You and your dad go ahead tomorrow. I'll watch over you with the drone and help check for anything nearby."
Father Lin crept up behind them, holding a bottle of alcohol in hand. "Honey, tomorrow, use the drone to tell me if you spot anything good, and I'll bring it back for you."
Mother Lin glanced at the bottle in his hand and immediately saw through his plan. "You think I don't know your tricks? You just want an excuse to drink again, don't you?"
Father Lin, caught red-handed, wasn't embarrassed. He nodded earnestly. "I won't drink much, just a little. I've got to be sharp for tomorrow."
"Well, just a little, then. Be careful with it—once it's gone, there won't be any more."
"Got it! I'll be careful," Father Lin replied with a grin, like a child being allowed a rare treat.
Watching his parents' warm interaction, Lin Cheng silently clenched his fists, vowing to protect them and himself in this harsh, post-apocalyptic world.