NOVPUB
Chapter 190: Chapter 190 Lingchuan Base
The scale of Lingchuan Base was not much different from that of Beicheng Base; it too was established by relying on a river.
The entire base was built along the riverbank, forming an outward bulge and inward dent in a long strip shape. A high perimeter wall was also erected, but unlike Beicheng Base, Lingchuan Base had many cleared fields around it, surrounded by iron fences with only a long gated corridor made of wire mesh, leading directly to the base.
Beicheng Base was established on the foundation of the Huaihe Development Zone, and nearly all the fields nearby had been filled in, turning into construction sites and skyscrapers, hence there were no fields around the base.
Lu Changyuan, looking at the fields enclosed by fences, saw that crops had already started to grow and couldn’t help but praise, "This method is good, it can continuously produce crops and ensure the safety of personnel to a certain extent. Just not sure how these fields will be dealt with when the Ice Age comes."
"Maybe they’ll cover them with greenhouses?" Yan Xiao tilted his head and thought for a moment, then negated, "Probably can’t build greenhouses, the area is too large, and heating is a problem, plus if it really gets to below minus forty degrees, the energy consumption for the greenhouses will be considerable, and the base might not be able to support it."
"What about solar heating?" Bai Kairui, thinking of the modern farms in his own country, asked, "Build vertical greenhouses, streamline the planting space, and then add plenty of solar thermal panels."
Lu Changyuan shook his head and said, "We can’t rely solely on solar energy, since the future is an Ice Age, the weather will naturally be dominated by ice and snow."
Yan Xiao, unable to be bothered to think further, said coolly, "Whatever, it’s not like we’re going to farm."
As the three of them chatted idly, they arrived at the base’s entrance without realizing it.
The people from the Lingchuan Base ability team got out of the vehicle, spoke with the personnel at the entrance, and were immediately allowed to pass. Their vehicle entered through the wire mesh without any hindrance, and then several medical staff members came over to conduct physical examinations for everyone. The process was very simple, checking only blood pressure and temperature without the need for blood samples.
The lead man of the ability team walked over to the vehicle where Han Yi was sitting, and Yan Xiao rolled down the window.
"Recently, there’s a shortage of housing in the base. If you don’t mind, why don’t you come stay with us in the Ability Team’s accommodations? There’s a lot of empty space there," he said.
Yan Xiao looked back at Han Yi, who was resting with his eyes closed. Seeing no displeasure on his face, he said to the man, "Thanks, bro."
Regardless of whether this person was expressing gratitude for being rescued or trying to win them over, providing accommodation for more than twenty people on the spot was indeed a big help.
Han Yi and his group settled in smoothly at the exclusive accommodation area of the Lingchuan Ability Team.
—There were six rows of neatly arranged three-storey apartment buildings, which were obviously newly built and still had the scent of fresh paint, but they were clean and tidy. The simple furniture was also complete, with water and electricity. Each floor had about ten rooms, with stairs in the middle, and at the end of the corridor, there was a hot water room on one side and public toilets and bathrooms on the other.
As they were going upstairs from the first floor, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead. Han Jiaojiao and Han Yi, following at the back, saw a crowd of people gathering and looked over curiously.
A few men, visibly agitated, surrounded Lu Changyuan, talking over one another.
When Han Yi, escorting Han Jiaojiao, passed by, those several people were taken aback and lowered their heads, calling out, "Young Master Han."
These individuals had previously worked for Han Yi in a southern city, and they never expected to suddenly see their former master today.
After Lu Changyuan ascertained the situation, he informed Han Yi, "After the apocalyptic world began, these guys banded together and came to Lingchuan, joining the Ability Team."
One of them, his expression one of shame, said, "We heard previously that Young Master Han and Brother Lu might be at Beicheng Base, so we tried to head to Beicheng. But something happened en route, and we had to return to base." 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Their ammunition had run out on the way to Lingchuan Base; relying solely on abilities, encountering a group of Mutant Beasts or Alien Species on the road would indeed be highly dangerous.
"It’s good to be alive," Han Yi said indifferently, "If you want to come back, just tell Changyuan."
Some people’s faces lit up with joy, others displayed hesitation, and some openly showed troubled expressions.
Han Jiaojiao noted these reactions, feeling somewhat wistful. She looked up at Han Yi and saw his indifferent expression; he didn’t care about these people’s responses as he took her hand and headed straight upstairs.
As soon as they entered the room, Han Yi closed the door. He opened the Ring Space, first replacing the bed in the room with the one he and Han Jiaojiao usually slept in, and the bedding was also changed to the set they were accustomed to. Next came their clothes, slippers, toiletries, and lastly, he took out a cedarwood bathtub.
Han Jiaojiao blushed at the sight and murmured, "Isn’t there a public bathhouse here..."
"Dirty." In response to his sister’s question, Han Yi uttered a single word, unembarrassed. When they were at Beicheng Base, sharing a bathroom with several people was already the limit of his tolerance. And now, his sister sharing a bathhouse with an entire floor of people—letting her bathe in a place where over twenty men had been?
Heh, don’t even think about it.
...However, the thought of his sister bathing in the room brought a pleased expression to his face.
Han Jiaojiao, unaware of what Han Yi was thinking, busied herself with setting up their new room, saying, "Pepper and the others will definitely suffocate if we leave them in the car. Brother, did you leave a gap in the car window?"
"Don’t worry about them. Later on, pack them into cardboard boxes and have someone move them to the back of the military truck. There’s more space in there."
"Oh... I want to go too when you move them. I’m afraid they’ll misbehave and scare people if they escape from the boxes."
"Alright, I’ll accompany you in a bit."
Han Yi and his group were staying on the third floor, which had twelve rooms in total, all vacant. Of course, with so many empty rooms, it wasn’t possible to let them live there indefinitely; the ability team only allowed them to stay temporarily.
Each room was of the same size, resembling a large studio apartment found in hotels, with a small partition in the middle dividing the entrance from the bedroom. Some people had converted the outer entrance area into a small kitchen so that they could cook separately at home, even when there was nothing left to eat in the canteen.
The bedroom had a large window that offered a view of the outside scenery.
After making the bed, Han Jiaojiao walked over to the window to look at the neighboring dormitory building and remarked, "There are so few people living here."
From observing shoes placed at the doorstep, small potted plants on windowsills, and clothes drying in the corridor, it was easy to ascertain the occupancy of these exterior-corridor-style residences. The first four dormitory buildings were all filled to capacity, whereas the fifth and sixth buildings were sparsely populated with just a few households.
"This is a newly built dormitory building, only members of the Ability Elite Team can apply for housing here, so there are fewer residents," Han Yi explained as he came up behind her and embraced her.
"Oh... I see..." Han Jiaojiao nodded in understanding.
No wonder there were so few people; she had counted earlier, and there were only around two to three hundred people here in total. In a base with a population of tens of thousands, having only two to three hundred superpower users would indeed be too inconceivable.
