Chapter 52 The Harvest After the Conflict

This group's target was clearly the food section as well. No one was sure if they were just ordinary residents from the residential area or a violent organization like the group guarding the Supermarket, so no one took the initiative to confront them.

Returning to the vehicle watch point, Shi Jun quickly and succinctly explained the situation to those who had stayed behind.

"What should we do then? Our next group going out only has a dozen or so people. They have over thirty. If they take over the food section, we won't be a match for them either," someone worriedly said.

"What can we do? We came all this way with difficulty. How can we go back empty-handed and explain it to our families?"

"Didn't the first group who went earlier already gather quite a bit? We came together, so the collected supplies should be shared equally, right!"

Hearing this, the people from the first batch of collectors instinctively clutched their backpacks. Someone muttered softly, "It's true we came together, but we never agreed beforehand to share everything equally. We went first because we drew the lucky lots. It's not our fault your luck was bad."

"What kind of talk is that? If it weren't for us staying behind to watch the vehicles, could you have gone searching for things so carefree?!"

With everyone arguing back and forth, a quarrel seemed imminent. Shi Jun stood between the two groups, quickly raising his hand to stop them. "Let's not fight among ourselves. They have numbers, but we're not few either. Besides the second batch going to scavenge, we can have seven or eight more people from the first batch join them. With over twenty of us against their thirty, we won't be at a significant disadvantage."

Everyone lowered their heads in thought, finding the method feasible. However, this meant some from the first batch would get two chances to search for supplies. Wouldn't that be a huge advantage?

"Who from the first batch will go? Those who go will have two chances to find supplies. Isn't that unfair? Also, with too few people left behind, could we hold the vehicles?"

After a brief moment of thought, Shi Jun said, "We can't worry about that for now. Let's draw lots again. Half of the first batch stays to guard the vehicles, the other half goes to scavenge. All collected supplies will be shared equally among everyone. How's that?"

Everyone could only nod. There was no better solution at the moment.

Without a strong leader, a group going out together often leads to situations where no one is willing to submit to another.

Bai Xiao thought to herself, this was far less efficient and convenient than acting alone. It would be wiser to participate less in group actions in the future.

The first batch quickly finished drawing lots. Bai Xiao drew a lot to go out; Shi Jun did not. His actions over the past two days had been observed by everyone, and he was considered relatively reliable. Seeing him stay behind, those worried about the vehicles' security felt slightly reassured.

This time, familiar with the route and driven by urgency, fearing the other group might take everything, not even the heavy rain could dampen their racing hearts. The group soon reached their destination.

Unbeknownst to them, during their discussion, another group had arrived at the food section. When they entered the large shed, two groups were already in a standoff.

The group of over thirty was clearly the first to arrive. Seeing their weapons—cleavers, fruit knives, baseball bats—they were most likely also residents who had banded together from a residential area.

The other group had only a dozen or so people, but their equipment was more sophisticated. Some even carried double-edged knives with blood grooves—clearly regulated weapons.

Seeing another twenty or thirty people swarming in at the entrance, the tense atmosphere of the standoff instantly dissolved. Both groups turned unfriendly gazes toward the newcomers.

A man holding a long knife pointed the tip at them and said displeasedly, "This place is taken. You'd best go back where you came from."

Following Bai Xiao's signal, Zhao Fangzhe, still holding his Compound Bow loaded with arrows, stepped forward from the back, drew the bow, aimed at the other party, and proposed, "Everyone, there are plenty of supplies here. It's better if we each take what we need."

Seeing their larger numbers and even a long-range weapon like a bow, the other side momentarily couldn't think of any advantage to intimidate them with. Even the leader who had just brandished his knife and threatened them fell silent.

Seeing this, Zhao Fangzhe continued analyzing the pros and cons. "It's getting late, and the weather outside is worsening. I advise everyone not to waste time on posturing and fighting. My arrows have no eyes. With medical supplies scarce now, I doubt anyone wants to get injured and let others benefit from it."

After he finished speaking, the previously quiet space suddenly erupted into noise like a bustling market. The two opposing groups weren't monolithic entities either; most were temporary alliances forced to unite. In such situations, personal interests far outweighed collective ones.

Everyone tacitly lowered their weapons, no longer in a standoff, but remained wary of each other as they scrambled to gather supplies.

The entire food section instantly descended into chaos. Everyone feared the good items would be snatched by others. They grabbed without restraint, frantically stuffing useful things into their bags. Useless items were knocked to the ground and mercilessly trampled underfoot by passing people, leaving the large shed in complete disarray.

Several times, groups of three or five people converged on the same item, cursing and shoving each other. Generally, the side with more people had the advantage.

This time, Bai Xiao also carried a large bag, stuffing items inside. According to the agreement, this portion would be shared equally upon return. This was the task for the first group coming here, so she no longer stood by idly, doing her best to fulfill her role for the team.

"So there's a woman here too. Can you even carry or lift anything? Why are you making trouble? Step aside."

Originally, everyone wore raincoats, making faces and figures hard to distinguish. The man only realized Bai Xiao was a girl when he bumped into her.

Encountering such a person, Bai Xiao couldn't be bothered to waste words. Wearing a raincoat made carrying a knife inconvenient, so she had hidden the Small Fixed Blade inside her sleeve.

With a flick of her fingers, the seam connecting the hood and neck of the raincoat was slit by the blade. The cold, damp tip of the knife pressed against the man's artery.

"Do you understand now why I'm standing here?" Her expression was displeased, eyebrows raised. As she spoke, the blade pressed closer.

The man opposite hadn't even seen her move before a knife was at his neck. He trembled in fright, realizing he had kicked an iron plate. Raising his hands in surrender, he tried to back away. "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. My apologies, my apologies. I was blind."

The world always had people who liked to judge strength based on gender, trying to bully others and take advantage. Unwilling to waste more time on this, Bai Xiao let him retreat without further action.

Everyone's bags were already full, and they had taken many store plastic bags and large sacks. But the weight one person could carry was ultimately limited. Moreover, the return journey was over ten kilometers. At most, each person could manage three large bags, carrying some on their back and in their hands.

Only when everyone could carry no more did they reluctantly leave the food section.

The day's harvest was substantial. On the return trip, the bicycles were piled and hung with so much stuff front and back that riding was impossible.

Along the way, groups of two or three people pushed each bicycle back together.

The ride there had taken over an hour. Returning on foot while pushing heavy loads, with the sky seemingly leaking as the rain grew heavier, and roadwaterlogging varying in depth, made the journey extremely difficult.