NOVPUBChapter 82: Chapter 82: Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child
Chapter 82 -82: Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child
Out in the open space outside the residential area, there were no people around. They walked quite a distance before stopping, and even then, they maintained a safe distance.
Lin Ran was the first to speak, “My daughter doesn’t know better, and she doesn’t have the authority to represent us. So, let’s call it quits on this bet, alright? We’re willing to offer some supplies as compensation.”
Gu Pan pulled out the written agreement signed by both parties, “It’s all here in black and white. You think a few light words can just override that? Impossible. And we don’t want supplies. We just want water.”
Li Changsong’s brows furrowed, “Is this some form of coercion?”
Gu Pan said, “Everything was initially provoked by Lin Feifei. We simply followed her lead. It’s not about what we want but what Lin Feifei wanted. Now that she’s stirred things up, we’ve invested time and effort. You can’t just expect to turn the page with a single sentence. Lin Feifei is an adult, not a child.”
Lin Ran increasingly realized that this woman was no ordinary person, and he was thankful for his father’s advice that he should come today. If Lin Feifei had come, keeping the water source would definitely have been impossible.
Of course, he also saw that the man by Gu Pan’s side was no ordinary person either—far from a mere showpiece.
Remembering his father’s advice, he lowered his stance, “We’ve always operated within the Inner Circle, as you’ve probably seen. We dislike war. And since your arrival, there has been no looting or killing, which proves you’re not bandits. So, can we reach a mutually satisfactory agreement?”
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng exchanged looks; they really didn’t want war either, so they were in favor of this idea.
So Gu Pan asked, “Then, what do you propose? Go ahead and share your thoughts.”
Lin Ran said to Gu Pan, “Allow us a moment to discuss this among ourselves,” and then he and Li Changsong walked a bit farther to whisper privately.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng, without needing to speak, understood each other’s thoughts clearly.
Soon, Lin Ran and Li Changsong returned.
Lin Ran exhaled deeply, as if making a significant decision, “You don’t have many people, and for now, there’s plenty of water. So, we can share the water source, but it must remain a secret. If the source is exposed because of you, you forfeit your right to use it.”
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng were amenable to this proposal. Avoiding conflict and sharing the resource was a good arrangement.
And they had no intention of revealing this deal. In an apocalypse, resources are scarce; a single spring couldn’t sustain everyone anyway.
So Gu Pan agreed, “Alright, we will share the water source. However, this also requires written documentation. Otherwise, if you back out, we have no proof.”
As she spoke, Gu Pan took out paper and pen, replicating the process from the day before.
Lin Ran and Li Changsong looked on, bewildered. These two young individuals seemed to have everything calculated. Not antagonizing them was clearly a wise decision.
After the agreement was signed, Lu Ruisheng spoke to Lin Ran, “Mr. Lin, shouldn’t you give us a spare key now?”
Lin Ran offered no resistance and handed Lu Ruisheng the keys he had. The Inner Circle had other keys, and they had already redirected the water; normally, they did not require the keys for water access.
Still, Lin Ran was not entirely at ease, “When you take water from the mountain, make sure it’s in small, frequent amounts, to avoid drawing attention.”
Gu Pan replied, “We have the technology to filter dew for drinking. We never lacked water previously; it’s just that you have a bigger supply. There’s no need for concern on your part.”
Lin Ran felt reassured hearing this but also admired their ability to survive.
Everything settled, just as they were about to bid farewell, Lin Feifei ran over, “Dad, Uncle Li, I must compete with her today.”
Lin Ran’s temples throbbed with irritation as he grabbed Lin Feifei who was rushing over, “If you stir up trouble again, don’t blame me for being harsh.”
Lin Feifei felt her father’s anger for the first time, becoming frightened, but still defiantly told Gu Pan, “There will surely be a chance for us to compete in the future, but I’ll let you off today.”
Gu Pan ignored her, turning to Lin Ran, “Mr. Lin, please take care of your family matters. We have things to attend to, goodbye.”
With that, she and Lu Ruisheng left, satisfied with their negotiation and not interested in engaging with Lin Feifei’s frivolous challenges.
Watching them walk away, Lin Feifei remarked disdainfully, “Dad, what did you discuss? Let me tell you, that woman is no good, she’s obviously…”
Before Lin Feifei could finish, Lin Ran cut her off with a sharp slap across her face, “Shut up already! Every day it’s the same, learning those vile expressions, saying ‘bitch this, bitch that.’ It’s the apocalypse for heaven’s sake. People are dying. Can’t you grow up? Your mother has really spoiled you.”
Lin Feifei, holding her face, retorted tearfully, “But Dad, you were always busy working. It was Mom who was with me. Now you criticize both of us? You never took care of me, so why do you have the right to criticize?”
Lin Ran exhaled deeply, “Because I am your father. All these years, I’ve earned the money that provides for us. No me, no villa living. What would your mother use to buy her brother a house? How would you attend an elite school or enjoy luxury goods?”
Lin Feifei touched her nose, “Yet, you lacked in giving me your company.”
“Enough, my head hurts. Let’s go home,” Lin Ran was at a loss with his daughter, the only child he had. In this apocalypse, there was no chance for a ‘do-over’. He would have to discuss with his wife and father how to toughen her up, to help her grow and change quickly.
Li Changsong chose not to comment on their family matters. After all, his own household was in disarray. With limited resources, his wife and mother fought constantly—it gave him a headache to think about.
Of course, they didn’t realize how fortunate they were—to have such a sanctuary, supplies, a water source, free from disease during the apocalypse. While others could barely survive, they were still bickering over trivial matters.
People who lived in peaceful times and never experienced despair could hardly imagine what that situation was like.
Since the apocalypse, the elderly, children, and women here rarely ventured outside. The men, upon returning, didn’t discuss much of the outside world, afraid of scaring their families. They all hoped to last until either a base was established or order was restored.
Back at their place, Gu Pan’s group happily received the news—they would have water to drink.
Considering Squad Leader Fang, they decided, after discussing among themselves, to teach him how to filter water. They couldn’t teach too many people; otherwise, if everyone headed to the mountains, disputes could arise and create more trouble. It was good enough to take care of people they knew well.
So the next day, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng went to Squad Leader Fang’s house. Without even entering the house, they stayed in the courtyard. They wrote down the water collection method on paper, placed it there along with the required tools, and left without discussing what they’d given—speaking might have alerted others outside. After all, everything was noted on the paper.
