Chapter 63: Danger at the Tian Family Residence

While they were talking, a sound came from the bedroom, and Zhang Xiumin hurried over.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng followed her. They saw that Mother Guo on the bed had grown so thin her features were barely recognizable. The room was kept relatively warm because the brazier was kept burning constantly.

Mother Guo woke up and didn’t recognize anyone. She just took a sip of water and lay back down to sleep.

Then they all retreated to the living room. After exchanging a few words, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng said their goodbyes, knowing that given the family's situation, the old woman could pass away at any moment.

Mengmeng was reluctant to let Gu Pan go and pulled on her hand.

Gu Pan stroked Mengmeng’s little face. "Auntie will come to see you again in a few days."

Only then did Mengmeng nod. "Auntie, you must come early."

Gu Pan smiled and agreed.

Zhang Xiumin saw them to the door, watching them go downstairs before closing it.

Back inside, looking at the supplies, Zhang Xiumin felt genuinely grateful. In times like these, anyone willing to give such things was truly a life-or-death friend.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng then headed to Tian Zhenzhen’s apartment complex. Upon arrival, they found the main gate wide open and no security guards in sight.

Walking inside, they discovered bloodstains and corpses in the courtyard.

With not a single soul visible in the yard, they dared not head upstairs rashly, so they retreated outside the complex and waited by the street to ask passersby what had happened.

The first two people they asked got so frightened at the mention of the complex that they simply ran away.

It was only the third person who stopped to tell them a few words. They heard that the community-wide management had suffered from an uneven distribution of supplies, leading to a riot on New Year's Eve when people lowered their guard. Many people had died, and much had been looted. It had completely descended into chaos—essentially an internal uprising.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng thanked the person. Knowing roughly what had happened and that the area was not controlled by an organized military force, the two of them entered the complex, confident that their skills allowed them to move among these people without worry.

Once inside, they didn't encounter anyone on their way to Tian Zhenzhen’s apartment. The door was open, and there were signs of a struggle and bloodstains inside.

However, a thorough search revealed no people and no supplies, though they did find a used smoke grenade.

Lu Ruisheng pulled the anxious Gu Pan close to comfort her. "The absence of bodies proves that they are still alive. They probably used a smoke grenade to escape during the chaos."

Gu Pan still felt a sense of unease. "But there is blood. Exactly who got hurt?"

"Right now, we should go home and wait. If Tian Zhenzhen runs into trouble, she will come looking for us first thing."

"You're right, you're right. I was so worried I lost my head. Let's hurry home."

Originally, the two had planned to visit Dong Mingyue and Shi Liang as well, but that was no longer possible. They had to get home and wait for news from Tian Zhenzhen.

Back home, they first asked the neighbors if anyone had come looking for them, but the answer was no.

With no other choice, they had to wait at home. If Tian Zhenzhen still hadn't appeared after two days, they would have to go back to her complex to dig for clues.

Two days of waiting at home brought zero news.

After discussing it, the two decided to first deliver the New Year goods to Dong Mingyue and Shi Liang. Visiting them would also allow them to ask for help with the search before heading back to Tian Zhenzhen's neighborhood for clues.

When they arrived at Dong Mingyue’s place, they found that she was thriving in her community, acting as the resident "big sister." Hearing that Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng were looking for her, a subordinate ran off to report it.

Before long, Dong Mingyue ran out to meet them. "If you hadn't come before the New Year, I was about to go look for you anyway."

Gu Pan smiled and said, "That's why we came first, to bring you some New Year supplies."

"It's not easy for you to scavenge supplies, why are you bringing them to me? We aren't lacking anything here; I was even thinking of sending some to you." Dong Mingyue was now a completely different person compared to the past—her speech, mannerisms, and deportment had all changed.

Seeing her like this, Gu Pan felt relieved. "We have plenty. A few days ago, a faction in our complex tried to start a war with us and we absorbed them."

"With your Captain Lu around, you're guaranteed to be the bosses in any fight," Dong Mingyue remarked.

"I'm not weak either. A strong general has no weak soldiers," Gu Pan joked lightly.

"Come on, let's go inside and check out my territory." Dong Mingyue grabbed Gu Pan's hand, pulling her toward the interior of the complex.

Gu Pan held her back. "Not today. There was an internal riot in Tian Zhenzhen's complex, and everyone in her household is missing. I'm afraid she might come looking for me or you, so I came to give you a heads-up. If she shows up here, have someone let me know."

"Missing? I'll send people to look for her," Dong Mingyue said.

"Make sure you have enough people to spare, or you can hire someone with gold. Your safety is just as important. With the New Year here, these next few days will be even more chaotic, so you must be careful."

"I know, don't worry. If you get any news on your end, let me know too."

"I will. We have to go now, take care of yourself."

"You too." Dong Mingyue finished, then looked at Lu Ruisheng. "Director Lu, take good care of Panpan."

Lu Ruisheng nodded. "I will. Take care."

After saying their goodbyes, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng left Dong Mingyue's complex and rode their snowmobile to Shi Liang's place.

Shi Liang was quite busy today. With the New Year approaching, in the eyes of the Chinese, this holiday was of utmost importance. Usually, people could make do, but during the New Year, they wanted to live as well as possible. Therefore, whatever valuables families had been reluctant to trade were finally brought out these past few days.

The two of them didn't interrupt Shi Liang's transactions, choosing instead to wander around the perimeter and listen to what goods others were trading.

The value of traded items was always fluctuating. Not only had food become expensive, but certain daily necessities were also growing scarce.

Once Shi Liang finished up and had a free moment, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng approached him.

"Sister, Brother-in-law, things have been busy these past few days with the New Year coming up. Lots of people are trading supplies." With that, he pulled two thick, soft red scarves from his backpack. "My Xiaofang knitted these for you. With the New Year here, we don't have much else to offer, but this is a small token of our appreciation."

Gu Pan accepted the two warm scarves and smiled. "This is the best New Year gift we've received. We'll wear these through the holiday."

Shi Liang was thrilled. Then, lowering his voice, he whispered to them, "Oh right, Sister, Brother-in-law, there's major news I need to tell you. There's been a lot of gold circulating at the trading grounds lately. If you want any, you should trade for it quickly over the next few days. With the New Year, a lot of families are emptying out their old savings to trade. It's the best time."

Hearing this, Gu Pan grew excited. "How much do you have right now? Trade it to me first."

"Please, help me figure something out. I really need medicine, medicine for trauma. My younger sister is injured and unconscious, and these are all the supplies my family has left. I'm begging you to help." Not far away, a man was crying out desperately as he pleaded with a scalper.

Gu Pan suddenly found the voice familiar. She stood up and looked over.

She saw the scalper nearby responding ruthlessly, "At a time like this, trauma medicine is the hardest thing to get. There really is nothing I can do."

"I'm begging you to help me find a way, or at least put me in touch with a doctor," the man pleaded again.