NOVPUBChapter 78: Chapter 78 Different Paths
Chapter 78 -78 Different Paths
Of course, based on this information, Gu Pan and his group couldn’t be sure about these people’s true capabilities.
Whether they were being restrained, lacked armed combat strength, or had some secrets, it couldn’t be fully confirmed, so they didn’t intend to make enemies with them. It was best if each side could mind its own business in peace.
But in the apocalypse, one couldn’t just be suppressed by others. Take Lin Feifei today, for instance; if they had let themselves be suppressed today, then in future encounters, they would automatically be at a disadvantage. The situation would be different; they didn’t seek trouble, but they were not afraid of trouble either.
The stewed meat they cooked satisfied everyone greatly. In the extreme cold of the past, there was an abundance of frozen meat, and they didn’t lack for it. What was scarce were fresh vegetables and fruits. However, after the weather warmed up, many had not tasted real meat. To have some dried or jerky meat was already a sign of a good family.
After a good night’s sleep, the next day Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng went to look for the spring water’s location since a larger group would be easier to detect, and they both were skilled in stealth.
Gu Pan, in particular, had the Space, so if they encountered anyone, they could hide inside and wouldn’t be found. Of course, this was something they couldn’t disclose to others.
This time they had a clear target, so they found the spring’s location in half a day. It was in the mountains near their Inner Circle, but it had been concealed with an electrical box and locked. The pipe was buried underground and very well hidden with branches. If Gu Pan and his group hadn’t specifically targeted this spot, it really would have been difficult to find.
After finding it, they remembered the place and marked it, then returned.
Although they didn’t currently plan on seizing it, and there was no need, it was vital to know this location. In a critical moment, it could save lives, and in the future they could negotiate to share it if needed.
This time, the two of them returned from the direction of the main gate, to give the impression they had gone out to look for supplies.
But as they approached the walls of the residential area, they heard an argument from inside, the voices were familiar to them.
Lin Feifei’s voice carried that accustomed self-important tone, “Yuan Jiang, I just don’t get it, why are you men so brainless? Can’t you see what Lin Mengmeng is really thinking? She’s always acting like some delicate little flower, but what’s the reality? Isn’t she just stirring up trouble between us, making my parents like her, and now even you…”
Before she could finish, Yuan Jiang replied with resignation, “Feifei, do you even realize what time it is? Do you understand the apocalypse? It’s already not too bad that we are alive, so why are you obsessing over these trivial matters?”
“The apocalypse will be over soon. The weather is back to normal, the epidemic will end, and everything will start anew. There’s a saying, ‘No plague lasts more than three years.’ With fewer people, the epidemic will pass even more quickly,” Lin Feifei had often heard the elders discuss this, so she believed everything was about to get better.
During the extreme cold, they had generators, fireplaces, and firewood, so they didn’t suffer much. Even if it was cold, it was much better than most other places.
The following plague hadn’t infected them, and they weren’t short of water. With their parents and loved ones by their side, still doting on her, the only differences were the long periods without going to the city center, the lack of internet, and not much else, so her perception of the disaster wasn’t as profound. She was even still preoccupied with romance and love.
But Yuan Jiang and Lin Mengmeng felt differently. Yuan Jiang had been stranded here alone, relying on the Lin family for support. During the few days when the snow melted, he went into the city to find his family, but no one was home. He wasn’t sure if his parents were still alive. Before his departure, Old Master Lin had warned that a plague would surely follow a great disaster, so he rushed back before the snow completely melted, without continuing to search for his family in the city. But he had witnessed the tragedy of the city, the bodies on the roadside, the people so emaciated they scarcely looked human, and he had seen too much horror and cruelty.
He came back and told everyone, which alarmed the elders. They too went out in batches to see for themselves, but the elders, not wishing to frighten Lin Feifei, didn’t allow Yuan Jiang to share too much with her.
Lin Mengmeng’s situation was different; she was staying at Old Master Lin’s home, also without parents around. Her hometown wasn’t in the city, and she had always acted as Lin Feifei’s little follower. Considering she was now living at the mercy of others, she didn’t shy away from secretly inquiring about the apocalypse—after all, she also wanted to know about her parents. However, she heard nothing, which made the disaster feel even more terrifying to her.
Yuan Jiang sighed again, “Feifei, the elders don’t tell you about the situation in the city because they’re afraid you’ll be afraid. But you really need to know about the cruelty out there, what a true apocalypse is. Do you know that there are dead bodies everywhere outside, many people starved to death on the roads?”
Lin Feifei frowned, “But the apocalypse is about to pass, and soon we will return to normal life.”
Yuan Jiang shook his head, “That’s what the elders say to avoid scaring us. If the epidemic were really over and everything was about to get better, why would the government be building bases? Why isn’t the military taking care of the epidemic?”
Listening to Yuan Jiang’s words, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng exchanged a glance. They didn’t expect that the people in the Inner Circle would say unsaid things, understanding the situation quite deeply, huh?
Many people would think like Lin Feifei, believing that after the plague, everything will improve. But they overlook the question: why hasn’t the military returned, and why are bases still being built? This actually suggests that the disaster won’t be over so quickly.
However, having hopeful wishes is also normal. Who doesn’t want to live in peace, grow under the sun? Actually, everyone inwardly wishes for a better outcome. Otherwise, why would the Little Match Girl think of happy times with her grandmother before death, rather than her own frozen corpse?
The two wanted to take advantage of their argument to go inside; passing by during someone else’s quarrel didn’t seem quite right.
But just as they were about to walk in, Lin Feifei’s voice rose again, “That’s just your guess, equal chances of good or bad. Maybe it will develop in a good direction, huh? Don’t talk to me about this. As long as I’m alive, I won’t endure any grievances.”
Yuan Jiang sighed, “How can there be a life where everything goes your way? Back when I was under my parents’ protection, I thought I was without troubles too. But now, I don’t even know if my parents are alive or dead. Feifei, can’t you stop making a fuss?”
What Lin Feifei detested the most was hearing this line, which ignited her anger, “Stop? Stop fussing? Everything is my fault, I’m being unreasonable, I’m immature. Lin Mengmeng is the one who’s perfect, sensible, just admit that you like her. You’re just worried that if you say so, my family will treat you poorly and you’ll have no one to rely on, right?” 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
Yuan Jiang fell silent for a moment, “I will move out of your family’s house. There are plenty of houses outside, I have a place to stay,” and with that, he began to walk back.
Lin Feifei followed him, “Brother Yuan Jiang, that’s not what I meant, you know how I am, I’m direct when I speak. I’m not like Lin Mengmeng, who’s all tea and no taste, she’s just a hypocritical little white flower…”
Yuan Jiang said nothing, and the sound of their footsteps grew more distant.
