NOVPUBChapter 52: Chapter 52: The Future is Even Harder
Chapter 52 -52: The Future is Even Harder
In recent days, Cheng Yang and Chen Lang had been walking around the neighborhood and came up with an idea. They thought the attic on the property’s roof could be used to store supplies since it had already been searched before, and there weren’t many materials left. Previously, it was the property’s storage room mainly containing tools, and it was essentially covered in snow, so no one went in anymore.
Gu Pan, having the “Space,” was not so obsessed with hiding supplies. Previously, using the morgue to store things was also to deceive others.
However, it was good that Cheng Yang and Chen Lang had this idea. The younger men were not only physically active but also sharp-minded.
Gu Pan recalled that after the snow melted in her previous life, the water did not reach as high as this attic, so she agreed as well.
Now, these people had another place to store their belongings.
Their small team collected more things than most people because they had Gu Pan’s prophetic ability, making them particularly concerned about gathering non-renewable resources.
The next day, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng visited Shi Liang’s house. Since Lu Ruisheng had basic skills in dressing wounds, there was no need to bring Feng Zhekai along.
Upon reaching Shi Liang’s house, Deng Fang opened the door. Seeing Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng, she became so overwhelmed that she didn’t know what to say and invited them in, “Please come in, honored guests, feel free to sit anywhere…”
While speaking, Deng Fang started crying. She thought about how she would have been killed if not for these two. She was overwhelmed by her emotions at the moment.
Gu Pan looked at her, “See, you start crying as soon as we arrive. We won’t dare to come next time.”
Deng Fang quickly wiped her tears, “No, it’s not that, I just really don’t know how to thank you both.”
Hearing their arrival, Shi Liang, leaning on a cane, stood up to greet them. Lu Ruisheng quickly supported the swaying Shi Liang, “You’ll complicate things if you tear open your wound. Sit down; I’ll change your dressing.”
Shi Liang seemed well-rested these past few days and was in good spirits, “I have to trouble you again. Lucky we met you. Before, in our community when someone was injured, even with less severe injuries than mine, they would die from infection. If it weren’t for you, even if I didn’t die, my leg would have been useless.”
Lu Ruisheng sterilized his hands and went to change the bandage, “You were also lucky we happened upon you.”
Shi Liang shook his head, “You came specifically for us. After the apocalypse, even my own brother hasn’t visited. I’m not foolish; I know you are truly kind-hearted. You both are wealthy and kind. If it weren’t for the apocalypse, you would certainly achieve great things. I’m not well-educated, but I truly admire you.”
Gu Pan sat on a nearby bench, “We both come from humble beginnings. We’re not as great as you say.”
Deng Fang then brought over some boiled water and brewed tea, “Benefactors, please drink.”
Gu Pan felt it strange to be addressed that way and said smiling, “Don’t call us benefactors or noblefolk. My name is Gu Pan, and my husband is Lu Ruisheng. We’re only a few years older than you, just call us by our names.”
Shi Liang quickly responded, “That won’t do. Sister Pan, brother-in-law, in my heart, you are my family.”
Lu Ruisheng asked with a smile, “Then why not call me brother and sister-in-law?”
Shi Liang laughed, “At home, I always listen to my wife, and I can tell that brother-in-law listens to Sister Pan. Shouldn’t I depend on the one with the most power?”
Gu Pan also laughed at Shi Liang’s words. He truly knew how to read people’s hearts, a skill that allowed him to easily adapt and survive in any situation.
After some casual conversation, they brought up the incident where Shi Liang was followed.
Shi Liang said, “Us second-hand dealers all have some resources and money, which makes us targets. Although we have a boss above us, normally people wouldn’t dare rob us knowing this; if they did, our boss would make sure they couldn’t survive. But sometimes you encounter those who are desperately hungry.”
Gu Pan nodded understandingly, “You need to have some self-defense skills yourself; otherwise, it’s difficult to survive in this apocalypse. Since you call me sister, I can’t just not care about you. Once your injury is healed, we’ll come again and teach you some self-defense. You both just need to practice regularly, then at least you can protect yourselves in critical moments.”
Of course, Gu Pan also felt fortunate that they hadn’t dealt with Shi Liang’s older brother initially. He was able to control so many people, which was no simple feat. Such tough characters were something Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng didn’t want to associate with. They just wanted to calmly wait for news from the base. In their previous life, they did not have a car, and it took them months to reach the base.
Upon reaching the outskirts of the base, they heard that entry required handing over supplies, but they didn’t have enough. They had to go out and gather more resources, and later they encountered a tornado that swept them away.
In short, after several twists and turns, they ended up getting killed without ever entering the base. This time, they definitely wanted to get in earlier and settle down sooner.
Shi Liang expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Sister Pan, thank you, brother-in-law.”
Gu Pan stood up, pulled out a small bag of red dates and dried longans for blood nourishment, along with a small pack of dehydrated vegetables and two packs of noodles, and placed them on the table.
In the apocalypse, they couldn’t give too much. Keeping people always aware of dangers was better. Of course, they understood the principle of small favors causing resentment and didn’t want to appear as if they had everything, which could easily bring them trouble. So, these items were just right.
Lu Ruisheng took out a small box of charcoal from his bag and placed it on the ground.
He then said to them, “Don’t go out until Liangzi’s injury is healed. We can still handle supporting your basic needs during this recovery period.”
Lu Ruisheng also understood the precautionary points Gu Pan had considered, thus clarifying that their resources were limited. They could support them for a few days, but they couldn’t let them become dependent or think that these resources were easily available as that would prevent them from appreciating the value.
Shi Liang’s eyes filled with tears, “Sister, brother-in-law, don’t worry. Once I’m well, I’ll work hard and earn money. I will definitely repay your kindness.”
This word “repay” made Gu Pan laugh and cry at the same time, “There’s no need for repayment; we’re growing together.”
Shi Liang shook his head, “Sister, you are like my real sister, the only sister I have. My parents died early, and since the apocalypse began, my brother has cut off contact with me. He doesn’t even open the door when I visit. In my heart, you are my closest people, and I will honor you in the future.”
Gu Pan also realized, no matter how they chatted today, it wouldn’t follow a normal path. She smiled and said, “Just focus on healing. Don’t think too much. It’s getting late; we should head back. We’ll come to see you again in a few days.”
Shi Liang had Deng Fang support him as they walked the guests to the door.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng bid them farewell and left.
On their way back, it was already evening. The only good thing now was that there was still sunlight. The setting sun cast a beautiful red glow on the snowy ground, which was quite a sight. It was just a pity that this was the apocalypse.
Gu Pan, looking at the sunlight, mentioned to Lu Ruisheng that there would be sandstorms later, lasting several months with no sight of the sun, and even acid rain that could corrode metal. And she only remembered up to three years. Who knows what would happen after three years.
