Chapter 21 Supplies and Robberies
Yan Fei until now had not known that the power had been cut – including in Luo Xun’s home. The soldiers from before had spoken to Luo Xun about the blackout however Yan Fei did not hear since his injury was being checked.
Food was not an issue, it was not just congee and Luo Xun consumed most of what had been used. He made a bunch of simple rice cakes more preservable in the current climate. In a few days, the initial base should be established, people would go out to work. By then he could bring some food out, save some base currency and exchange for something useful.
Luo Xun looked at Yan Fei and estimated two or three months of required bed rest. He could only keep the other for this period…the more he thought the more it seemed like a loss.
If Luo Xun had been unable to make a weapon and get a room of his own would it be cheaper for him to work, cook and serve Yan Fei instead? His life could already be counted as secure.
After dinner, he tidied up the kitchen and the dishes. Luo Xun gently padded into the room after washing and lowered himself into bed, not too far from Yan Fei.
This morning’s experience had made him a little nervous. Holding hands had prompted such a prominent reaction, what would happen if there was other intimate contact accidentally while not paying attention?
Alas life could be bitter, no way to control bodily instincts.
“Will the army come tomorrow?”
“Well it’s been said they’re distributing food and water. They officially launched the broadcast of the security zone. The military first calmed the residents who are now patiently awaiting rescue. Then announced a number of distribution sites near cleared up junctions.”
“Are you going tomorrow? Isn’t it dangerous outside?”
“No way otherwise. I should be able to pick up our supplies, any zombies in the area should have been cleaned out. I heard if everyone went, it would take two days to build a wall. You and Puppy stay at home, I will bring back food…”
Yan Fei was silent for a while before opening his mouth. “Sorry…”
Anyway he was currently a burden. Even if Yan Fei had abilities and might be promising in the future, right now Luo Xun had to shoulder the cost of supporting two peoples’ food and living.
Yan Fei had never felt so dependant on others, especially since he was an adult. The feeling may have left a person feeling depressed but at the bottom of his heart a trace of satisfaction rose. He savored the feeling.
Yan Fei thought of the uncomfortable feeling in his heart this morning when Luo Xun advised him to leave, and now felt the opposite feeling.
“No matter, you rest for now, when you’re better you can repay me. Just don’t strain yourself.” Luo Xun turned and spoke to him.
Anyway even if Yan Fei ended up running and leaving, Luo Xun would accept the room next door as sufficient repayment.
“Well, go to bed early.”
Yan Fei stared at the dark ceiling. “Your cooking skills are good, the rice was very delicious.”
Luo Xun paused then smiled, mostly joy with some melancholy. In his past life he could only use what had and gradually increased his skill to slowly improve the taste, to strive for deliciousness. However at the time even if he wanted to eat with others, there was noone to share with.
Now, he may have only accompanied Yan Fei for a short time, but Luo Xun felt heartfelt joy at the praise. It was nice to have someone to share results with, one to praise them sometimes.
The announcer on the solar radio relayed the elimination method of the current zombies, the way to find hel, results of rescue work etc.
In addition there was information on areas to b
e cleaned up, preparation of a safe zone and the location of material distribution.
Luo Xun made breakfast for two people with some vegetable meat congee. He would have liked to put some shredded egg but did not dare in fear of contamination. Luo Xun had been unable to use the network since two days ago and now wanted to find a hub to double check.
The breakfast garnish was replaced with Yan Fei’s leftover egg soup.
Yan Fei hesitantly looked at Luo Xun after swallowing the custard. “Your home has a lot of eggs?”
“Quite a few and some more.”
Two big, full bamboo baskets from the nearby village when he bought the puppy. The eggs would go bad if left aside for too long, this was him simply using up the food efficiently.
Yan Fei seemed to have a relieved tone then ate some more custard – was he afraid the eggs were bad? It was fine so long he did not entertain bloody thoughts. In a real fight, the winner was not clearly certain.
He glanced at Luo Xun’s lithe arm, although he was slim and thinner his limbs were in fact well-proportioned. Yan Fei did not notice anything wrong with closely analyzing another’s body. He stayed silent and ate mouthfuls of egg instead.
After eating breakfast and leaving some water and emergency food on the bedside table Luo Xun went downstairs to let Puppy wander around. He felt the Yan Fei is his current state had little combat capacity. Luo Xun went out carrying a backpack and his equipment.
Of course before going out he checked last night’s video feed. The corridor was quiet as ever and no one came through, very good he could go out now!
The building elevator came to a stop, Luo Xun was all the way downstairs. The area was finally becoming popular, many people had gone out of their houses, ready at the food and water distribution points.
Luo Xun secretly observed a bit and found more than a few student faces in the area. They had likely fled like Yan Fei and should be with the army in a few days. Some trapped people were rescued by the army and unable to return to their original homes would be placed in nearby empty homes.
After this the population would only increase since people were the primary source of labor. As long as there were enough people in the safe area to find food and supplies, some stopped factories could be reopened.
There was a flow of people forward to the designated location, reassured by military vehicles driving by time to time. Luo Xun was quite curious, who had inflicted such a heavy injury on Yan Fei? He had not asked before and the other party’s characteristics were unclear so no guesses.
Material distribution point was to the west of the area’s junction corner. There were two other districts nearby, one was old with six-storey buildings The old residential area was densely built and populated, one of the hardest areas to clear.
Luo Xun overheard while in line that the old area had not been completely cleared up. The army had only cleared up the corpses. Still need a few days before families could move in.
The crowd would riot upon hearing any sounds remoting resembling zombies. People would squeeze forward to get the things quickly then hurried home, in case a zombie appeared. What if one got attacked? What if one ended up bitten?
Luckily the situation was not out of control since there were a lot of armed soldiers around to keep order.
It was Luo Xun’s turn – name of district, ID number, name and confirmed that there was an injured cousin at home. He received ten bottles of 550 mL mineral water, packages of instant noodles, two bags of biscuits – the amount for two people for five days.
The staff who had finished work and handed out items also gave Luo Xun a leaflet. The military had already divided the perimeter and was recruiting people for construction.
Carrying his backpack, Luo Xun did not immediately look at the contents of the flyer but rushed back and along the way avoided walking in unsafe areas. He hid the baseball bat inside the backpack – no iron nails, the regular version.
Luo Xun would not forget his life experience after the apocalypse and would not forget that Yan Fei’s injury had been caused by someone. In this chaotic world, people could sometimes be more fearful than zombies.
Luo Xun sped up towards building seven hearing some sounds. The zombies had been cleared, at night there would be an army patrol, any danger would not be from zombies!
Sure enough it was not long before a man with a scarf and sunglasses suck in and out of view.
Luo Xun hurried into the corridor, all the way up the stairs. He felt relieved when he reached the door and Puppy reacted excitedly. He changed his shoes and quickly checked the surveillance video, fortunately nobody passed by outside.
He placed the supplies down and took the flyer to the second floor.
Yan Fei did not need to sleep to long each day but could not move around. He looked at the bedroom door to see the puppy curled around Luo Xun’s legs.
“How was outside?”
“Okay.”
Luo Xun came in with the flyer and sat down on the bed. “The distribution point was just east of the intersection but there was a robber in building three before I got back.”
“Robbery?” Yan Fei raised an eyebrow.
“Well, wearing a hat, scarf, mask and sunglasses. More covered than when I went out to kill a zombie.”
Luo Xun shrugged and took a look at the flyer.