Chapter 31: Drawing Blades

Chapter 31: Drawing the Blade

Gu Pan couldn't help but admire Chen Shaonan's way of thinking. As expected of someone who had suffered deeply, his mind was truly clear.

In truth, among these people, Feng Zhekai was the most soft-hearted. However, he was not a naive fool; he had a strong sense of right and wrong. As long as they continued to instill the concept of self-preservation in the apocalypse, he would understand what needed to be done and what must be avoided. As they had discussed earlier, he clearly understood; the fact that he raised no objections proved his acceptance. This was a good sign. After all, Feng Zhekai was the only emergency physician they knew, and having such a person close by would provide a greater sense of security. Having been reborn, Gu Pan knew that many things had changed, so she had to ensure everything was handled with the utmost thoroughness.

Because Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng had scouted locations with supplies across the city beforehand, they knew where to find them. The places they led the group to were fruitful, and everyone had a good haul today.

On the way back, Cheng Yang shared his romantic history. His ex-girlfriend had cheated on him with his best friend, so he decided that if he never met someone he could trust enough to spend his life with, he would simply remain unmarried. The conversation flowed naturally from there. Feng Zhekai and his wife were DINKs (Double Income, No Kids). They had a wonderful relationship; married for twenty years, they had always enjoyed their life as a couple. His wife, Lu Xuerong, was a painter with a flexible schedule, and they traveled to a different country every year. They had lived happily for so long, only to be met with the apocalypse.

Listening to everyone, Gu Pan was surprised that this temporary alliance of theirs held such stories. Furthermore, the absence of the elderly and children among them was a significant advantage. Today, they had learned more about each other, which fostered a deeper sense of trust. Previously, Gu Pan had been worried about Feng Zhekai’s soft-heartedness, but after getting to know them better, she realized that the couple was extremely private. They would never let outsiders into their home, which proved that they had inadvertently blocked many potential troubles.

Chen Shaonan’s family was not overly saintly either, making them very reliable. Cheng Yang, though young, had experienced enough to be level-headed, making him a safe companion. He was also adept at maintaining interpersonal relationships. He no longer called Gu Pan "Sister-in-law" but "Sister," saying that since he called Lu Ruisheng "Brother," calling Gu Pan "Sister" made them both his family. This logic left Gu Pan both amused and exasperated, but it was just a title—he could call them whatever he liked.

Of course, Gu Pan was well aware that they had yet to witness the true, cannibalistic cruelty of the apocalypse. After all, they had grown up in peaceful times. Only when they faced life-and-death situations would they quickly grasp the reality. This didn't need to be taught; reality would soon teach them.

Since everyone was returning home with bags full of supplies, there was no need to hide what they had found; they could simply take it back. However, they had hidden a portion of their loot elsewhere earlier because it was too much to carry and they feared attracting attention. They agreed to retrieve it when the 7th floor began their night patrol. To ensure her own household's supplies had a plausible source, Gu Pan claimed that she and Lu Ruisheng had also stashed some items and would retrieve them together later.

Before reaching their residential complex, Gu Pan remembered something. She stopped the group in a secluded, empty spot and said, "Do we need a base of our own? A clever rabbit has three burrows. We shouldn't keep everything at home. In these times, it’s safer to have an escape route."

Everyone agreed with the suggestion. Chen Shaonan said, "Gu is right. If something unexpected happens, we can't be without a way out. People are going red-eyed over supplies these days."

Feng Zhekai added, "I agree. My wife and I have no other backup, so we must find our own."

Cheng Yang chimed in, "I'll listen to whatever my brother and sister decide."

Lu Ruisheng looked toward the tumor hospital's morgue three streets away and said, "I think that morgue is a good spot. No one would dare go there to hide or look for supplies. It has no windows but has a sturdy door. As long as we lock it properly, it should be safe. That’s the most suitable place."

Gu Pan always trusted Lu Ruisheng's judgment and thoughts, so she said, "Shall we go take a look?"

Lu Ruisheng calculated the distance. "Cheng Yang and I will go scout it first. We’re faster on our feet. You all take the supplies back to the complex and wait for our news."

None of them felt particularly fearful of a morgue. When people are struggling just to survive, certain fears tend to fade. Gu Pan, Chen Shaonan, and Feng Zhekai returned home with the supplies, while Lu Ruisheng and Cheng Yang headed to the hospital morgue.

As soon as Gu Pan and the others entered the building entrance, they were blocked by the grandmother and grandson from 501. The two were kneeling on the ground, crying pitifully. The old woman wailed with dramatic flair, "Please, help us! We haven't eaten in a day and are starving to death. You young people are capable and can get food. It doesn't have to be much; just a bite to keep us alive is enough."

In the apocalypse, everyone’s rations were their lifeline, so naturally, no one would give them away. People were already killing for a bite to eat on the streets. The "saintly" types had drastically diminished; she could kneel there all day and likely get nothing.

Gu Pan said to the old woman, "We haven't found much either. We have nothing to spare."

Unexpectedly, the child from 501 grabbed Gu Pan’s leg. "Mommy, I’ll be your son from now on! Mommy, give me a bite to eat!"

Gu Pan felt a vein throb in her forehead. She pulled the child away. "Don't go around calling people 'Mom.' I’ve never given birth to a child, so I don't have a son."

The child saw the bag in Gu Pan’s other hand and lunged at it like a monkey, pulling at it with the intent to snatch whatever was inside. Chen Shaonan was quick; he grabbed the child's hat and pulled him back. But the child was faster, clawing at the bag in Gu Pan’s hand. At home, his grandmother had taught him that no matter what people said, he should just snatch, eat, or run, because adults wouldn't dare hit a child.

Chen Shaonan couldn't pull him off, but he was reluctant to use force against a child, leaving him feeling helpless and anxious. Seeing that the child wouldn't let go, Gu Pan drew a dagger from her waist and pointed it at him. "If you don't let go, I’ll chop your hand off."

The child was so terrified he stopped crying. He released his grip and shouted, "Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I won't snatch anymore, I promise!"

Gu Pan didn't put the dagger away. She addressed the old woman from 501, "What kind of time do you think this is? It's the apocalypse; people are starting to cannibalize each other. I don't look for trouble, but I am certainly not afraid of it. If you dare eye my things again, I won't be so polite."

The old woman was so shocked she stood there, mouth agape, unable to speak. She couldn't fathom how this young woman, who had always appeared polite and quiet, had suddenly become as fierce as a demon.

Gu Pan didn't say another word. She said to Chen Shaonan and the others, "Let's go."

With that, they headed upstairs, leaving the grandmother and grandson trembling in fear behind them.