NOVPUBChapter 102: Chapter 102 Apocalyptic Bull Demon Snake God
Chapter 102 -102 Apocalyptic Bull Demon Snake God
Lin Feifei listened to her grandfather’s words and felt unhappy. Pouting, she said, “Then I’ll go too, Grandpa. Just mention it to Brother Yuan Jiang, he will definitely agree. He always listens to you.”
Old Master Lin was truly disappointed in his granddaughter: “It’s better that you stay right in front of your parents’ eyes, I’ll feel more at ease keeping you in front of mine.”
After saying that, he turned to Lin Ran and said, “Tonight, you take Feifei out to gather supplies, okay? We have nothing now, not even food for tomorrow or the protection fee for the next month. From now on, we will be just like the others outside.”
Lin Feifei wilted at the thought: “Grandpa, should we sneak into the city?”
Old Master Lin scoffed: “We’re all registered, and there’s a record of everyone coming and going every day, plus neighbors keeping watch over each other. If we try to run and we’re caught, then there’s no way out for us. And do you think it’s easy to survive elsewhere? In the city, there’s no source of water. Those people are digging purple mud from dried-up river beds to filter water. We still have a mountain spring here, at the very least we won’t die of thirst. We can dig for roots and peel bark from trees to eat – it’s a little easier to survive here compared to inside the city. Besides, in most places outside, protection fees are still a thing; it’s better to stay where we know.”
Lin Feifei said, “But there weren’t many stores or supermarkets around here to begin with. It’s not easy to search for supplies, and we still have to pay the protection fees. It’s too hard, isn’t it?”
Old Master Lin sneered again: “Because we had supplies, we’ve already lived better than those outside for over half a year. In the apocalypse, nothing comes easy. Either you have skills like Xiao Gu, or you need to be diligent.”
“But, but before… we were doing fine. It’s all their fault for taking over our territory. Why should they? By what right?” Lin Feifei grew angry at the thought.
Old Master Lin coughed angrily, prompting Lin Ran to hurriedly go over and pat his back.
It took a while for Old Master Lin’s coughing to subside. He looked at Lin Ran: “Your daughter still doesn’t understand what the apocalypse is? Although those people didn’t kill anyone today, do you really think they won’t kill? They want us to pay them protection fees. The more households, the more fees they collect, that’s why they didn’t kill us. Do you really believe it’s because they dare not kill?”
Lin Ran quickly said, “Dad, Dad, calm down. I understand, I’ll teach her well. I’ll take her out to search for supplies today.”
After speaking, Lin Ran himself became truly anxious and shouted at Lin Feifei: “Our family has only one meal left, we’ll be starving by tomorrow. How can you still not understand?”
Song Yiru watched her frightened daughter and wanted to comfort her with a heavy heart.
Old Master Lin blocked Song Yiru with his cane: “If you want her to die sooner, then keep spoiling her.”
Song Yiru stopped and stood still. She knew her father-in-law was right, but her heart genuinely ached for her daughter. If it were possible, she would trade her own life for her daughter’s.
Old Master Lin took a deep breath, having nearly given up on his granddaughter. The only consolation was that Lin Mengmeng could take charge. She had told him that her involvement with Yuan Jiang had nothing to do with affection, and that having more options meant a better chance at survival. That was the attitude one should have during the apocalypse.
His own son and daughter-in-law had lived too comfortably in the old days and now had no idea how to face a crisis. While he was still alive, he would do his best to change them. If they couldn’t change much, then it was simply fate.
In the evening, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng woke up, got dressed, and went to check on the vegetables on the windowsill. They weren’t growing well; Lu Xuerong’s plants had all perished. The ones here, barely holding on with the help of the air conditioning fan, weren’t faring much better, but they could just about be considered vegetables.
Lu Ruisheng said, “Wait until we get to the base, there definitely will be greenhouses there, and no matter the weather, we should be able to grow vegetables.”
Gu Pan nodded: “Yes, the base has scientists and all kinds of talents. It’s like a small country. I hope we can get to the base soon.”
The two of them were still very eager for the base.
Talking, they packed up some supplies and were about to call Cheng Yang to join them for a trip to the Fang Family.
But just as they picked up the walkie-talkie to call Cheng Yang, someone was knocking on the door.
Lu Ruisheng went to the door cautiously, “Who is it?”
The voice outside was somewhat unfamiliar, “I’m your neighbor, two houses down. I’d like to have a word with you.”
Lu Ruisheng looked at Gu Pan, who had also come out, and after a glance exchanged, he opened the door.
Standing outside was a middle-aged woman around forty years old, accompanied by a girl in her twenties.
The middle-aged woman said to Lu Ruisheng, “Can we come in to talk?”
Lu Ruisheng firmly refused, “Let’s just talk here.”
Without acknowledging Gu Pan, the middle-aged woman pulled her daughter in front of Lu Ruisheng, “I know you’re capable. My daughter Huihui is clever and good with her hands. I think you’d find it more convenient having someone to boil water and cook for you, so why don’t you let Huihui stay to serve you?”
Gu Pan found this proposal odd. It sounded like sending a concubine to a man in ancient times. It couldn’t mean what she was thinking, right? This was Huaxia, and even after the apocalypse, people had received higher education.
Lu Ruisheng was just as puzzled, “We don’t need outsiders to serve us; please go back.”
Regardless of the implication, it was impossible for Lu Ruisheng to allow an outsider to interfere with his life with his wife, so whatever her intentions, it didn’t matter. A refusal would suffice.
Thinking that Lu Ruisheng hadn’t understood, the middle-aged woman continued, “I know you’re a capable man. You have weapons and skills. Things have changed after the apocalypse. Since you are capable, what’s wrong with having a few more women around?”
When she and her husband went out to scavenge for supplies, they heard that many leaders of groups outside had several women, just like the ancient times with multiple wives and concubines. Although a modern person educated in a new era, in times of apocalypse, not only did she have a daughter, but also a young son. With both kids in addition to protection fees, they were stretched too thin.
She had observed that Lu Ruisheng and his team were the leaders. This young and handsome man would be a good match for her daughter. At times such as these, status meant nothing. After discussing with her husband, they chose to offer their daughter to this household, which was close enough to see her and untouchable by Inner Circle, ensuring an easier life if they could forge a relationship.
Both Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng had fully understood by now. Lu Ruisheng’s response was even more decisive, “You’re mistaken. My wife and I share a loving marriage and I’m devoted to her alone. Don’t come to us with this again.”
The woman, desperate, said to Lu Ruisheng, “I know your wife is here and you might feel awkward accepting, but you are a man, and your wife has to depend on you…”
Before she could finish, Lu Ruisheng abruptly grabbed the woman’s clothes and shoved her out the door, “Get out now.”
The girl named Huihui suddenly knelt before Gu Pan, “I know no woman wants another woman by her husband’s side, but it’s the apocalypse. Your man is capable and even if I’m not kept, others will come. I’m not as good-looking as you, no threat to you. It’s better to take me in than someone else, right?”
