NOVPUBChapter 95: Chapter 95: Trading Goods
Chapter 95 -95: Trading Goods
Old Master Lin called Lin Ran to fetch a small box of vitamins, which they exchanged with Gu Pan and the others for two bottles of asthma medication.
Then, both parties bid each other farewell.
Lin Ran accompanied Gu Pan and her group out, expressing thanks along the way. Lin Feifei didn’t come out, likely confined to her room.
Gu Pan had no time to waste thinking about the thoughtless Lin Feifei, unnecessary as it was, because without Old Master Lin’s protection, she wouldn’t survive many days. In fact, not only Lin Feifei but also her parents were not the types to accomplish much. Although Lin Ran wasn’t particularly imposing, he always followed his wife’s lead. If she had been a wise wife, that would have been fine, but his wife…
No wonder Old Master Lin said he dared not die. Indeed, without the old man, this family of three couldn’t muster the wits of a single person.
It wasn’t until they had left through the iron gates that Lin Ran turned back.
As Gu Pan and the others made their way home, they didn’t wish to speak much, simply walking side by side.
They hadn’t gone far when Lin Mengmeng caught up with them, blocking their path, “Could I speak with you for a moment?”
Gu Pan and her group stopped, not saying much, but they gave Lin Mengmeng the chance to speak.
Seeing that they had stopped, Lin Mengmeng quickly said, “Can I join you?”
Gu Pan was somewhat puzzled, “Why?”
For now, the Inner Circle seemed like a safer place for a girl, what with its mix of old and young and its cooperative spirit, where survival should be easier than with them.
Lin Mengmeng paused, then, with a determined look, raised her head, “I can’t stand Lin Feifei. Grandfather’s health is failing and if someday he’s gone, living with my uncle’s family will be tough. And honestly, Lin Feifei’s personality is such that she’d have a hard time surviving in the apocalypse. I’m afraid she might get me killed. She has already made enemies more than once. That was in our territory, and because others want to settle nearby, they prefer to avoid conflict with the Inner Circle and tolerate her to some extent. But the Inner Circle is running out of supplies, and now we need to venture out for resources too. Honestly, sticking with Lin Feifei is a risk that could get us killed.”
Listening to Lin Mengmeng, Gu Pan agreed, “You’re smart, with a sharp eye. I appreciate that about you. However, our team has agreements and doesn’t add members lightly, not even our own relatives and friends. So, I cannot help you. But I want to suggest that you form your own group, one like ours that doesn’t invade but can defend itself and thus survive more easily.”
Lin Mengmeng looked at Gu Pan, rubbed her hands together before speaking again, “Thank you for your advice. I’ll seriously consider it.”
Gu Pan smiled, nodded, and then continued walking back with Lu Ruisheng and Feng Zhekai.
Gu Pan couldn’t comment much on Lin Mengmeng. Her previous encounters with Lin Feifei and Yuan Jiang were messy, and she certainly was not without her schemes, but when it came to dealing with things in the apocalypse, she was smart.
At this point, Cheng Yang ran over. Seeing that they were all right, he relaxed. He had been scouting the nearby situation, ready to provide support if needed, following the strategies Lu Ruisheng had taught them.
Lu Ruisheng patted Cheng Yang on the shoulder, “All good, we traded for some great stuff. We’ll talk when we get back.”
Cheng Yang nodded, relieved, “Good, that’s what matters.”
After walking a bit further, Feng Zhekai sighed, “The Inner Circle must be running low on supplies; these people haven’t experienced the ruthless struggles of the apocalypse. Coming out now, when others have already been through bloody battles, it’ll be tough for them to survive.”
Lu Ruisheng shared the sentiment, “Indeed. When we were in the city, virtually every family had seen murder and pillaging for resources. And yet Lin Feifei remains so naive; going out like that is practically a death sentence.”
Yuan Jiang came towards them, apparently heading for the Inner Circle. He greeted Gu Pan and her group first, “Out scavenging for supplies?”
Gu Pan and the others didn’t care to engage in much conversation with him, so they simply nodded in response and moved on.
However, they soon heard Yuan Jiang talking to Lin Mengmeng behind them. The distance was too great for them to make out the words, but they knew the two were conversing.
Of course, this had nothing to do with Gu Pan and her group, so they quickly headed home.
After they returned, they went to see Cheng Yang and Chen Lang. The twenty bottles of vitamins were distributed, five bottles per household, which was fairly even.
Gu Pan cautioned them that these had expiration dates and should be consumed while they could, as they were good for the body. There would always be other solutions in the future, but for now, they should focus on living well in the present.
Because of the day’s exertions, it was getting late, and no one planned to go out for scavenging. They all decided to rest instead.
The next two days were relatively peaceful. They didn’t find much, but nothing else happened either.
The following morning, Gu Pan had just fallen asleep when the walkie-talkie woke her up.
Cheng Yang’s voice was urgent, “A truck with armed men is heading towards us. Everyone, get up quickly.”
He and Chen Lang had sneakily been doing extra training these past mornings. It was so hot that they had drunk a lot of water and just went out for a bathroom break when they noticed the situation. They immediately started shouting over the walkie-talkie.
Soon, each household confirmed over the walkie-talkie that they heard and began to get up and get ready.
Since they were now accustomed to going out at night and sleeping during the day, this was a time when there were usually no people around.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng quickly dressed, putting on white sun-protection shirts, which were more like camouflage in daylight, and then donned sunglasses. Direct exposure to the weather could harm the skin and eyes.
Over the walkie-talkie, Lu Ruisheng commanded, “Don’t reveal your positions yet. Cheng Yang, keep an eye on the front situation. Teacher Chen, monitor the back. Gu Pan and I will go to the sniping position on the roof.”
Acknowledgements came through the walkie-talkie.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng headed straight to the top floor. They had previously drilled on how to respond to external invasions, and they knew the terrain and how to defend their position. The rooftop also had concealed sniping spots.
Holding a sniper rifle, Gu Pan observed through the scope as the two trucks entered the community and bypassed the individual houses, heading straight for the Inner Circle instead.
It was now almost certain that these people were targeting the Inner Circle, likely aiming to occupy that position. Although scavenging for supplies was not convenient there, it was still a good choice for survival if one had enough resources.
In fact, if it was just a change of occupancy in the Inner Circle, they would probably have to pay protection fees in the future. This had advantages and disadvantages—the advantage was that no one would attack the individual residents anymore, but the disadvantage was that they would be controlled by the Inner Circle.
Of course, there was no need to worry about that yet. With their current location and abilities, they could evacuate at any moment. However, being close to the mountain and having a basement made it the most comfortable place to survive in extreme heat, and they were reluctant to give it up.
Additionally, the base was about to recruit more people. It would be best to endure for a few more days and wait for the recruitment. Leaving would be troublesome with so many people. Therefore, Gu Pan and her group decided to wait and see before making a decision on whether to leave or not.
Before long, gunshots came from the Inner Circle. They were sparse but deadly enough to cause panic among the villa residents who had been living in tranquility since the apocalypse. Most people from both the Inner and Outer Circles were startled awake, too afraid to leave their houses, yet unaware of what was happening.
