36: Aunt, are you confused because of hunger?

There were many obstacles underwater, so they had to avoid tearing the rubber dinghy, and also be careful of poisonous mosquitoes, insects, and water snakes. What was once a half-hour journey took Jiang Fei and the others over an hour to reach Central Square today.

To prevent anyone from snatching supplies or causing trouble during the chaos, the officials sent armed personnel to guard the area.

Military green rubber dinghies and assault boats were arranged in two rows, from the entrance of the square all the way to the nearby Jixiang Hotel, guiding the arriving residents.

The first batch of survivors had already entered the hotel to collect supplies.

Jiang Fei and the other three were the fastest in the second batch.

The soldier guarding the entrance said, "The location for collecting supplies is on the 4th floor of Jixiang Hotel."

"When you reach the hotel entrance, park your rubber dinghy, and someone will take you upstairs to queue."

"Thank you," Jiang Fei and the others rowed towards Jixiang Hotel.

Passing the statue in the square, Jiang Fei and Xiao Chuxia looked up simultaneously.

It was a giant white dove, symbolizing peace and freedom.

Now, however, its body was submerged, only its head, yearning for the sky, was exposed, as if struggling to break free from the restraints that held its wings down.

Xiao Chuxia sighed, "I wonder how Uncle Zheng and the others are doing..."

"Everyone has their own fate."

Jiang Fei stopped thinking about the matters of the First Hospital, chose a corner by the wall, and along with Lu Yu, secured the rubber dinghy, then walked into the hotel through the entrance prepared by the officials on the 3rd floor.

Several armed soldiers stood in front of a long table.

A ledger was on the table.

"Hello, please show your ID for registration."

Jiang Fei and the four others took out their IDs in turn, filled out the registration information, and were then led upstairs.

The inside of the hotel had been disinfected, and there were no poisonous mosquitoes or insects.

In the corridor on the 4th floor, survivors lined up against the wall, and on the window side, every five windows, a soldier stood, maintaining order.

"It's very safe here, we can take off our masks and get some fresh air."

As soon as Jiang Fei finished speaking to Xiao Chuxia and the two others behind her, she suddenly heard a gritted voice.

"You little slut!"

Li Yanping was two people ahead in the line, having lost a lot of weight.

A large red scarf was tied around her neck, making her face, covered in pustules and scratches, look extremely jarring.

Standing in front of her was Jiang Zhengkang, holding a dirty plastic bag, and his exposed skin, apart from pustules, was covered in insect bites.

Compared to the disheveled appearance of the two, Jiang Zixuan not only wore a homemade protective mask, but also only had two or three small pustules on her face, having been well protected by Li Yanping and Jiang Zhengkang.

Jiang Fei was a little surprised.

Her aunt's family is quite resilient, aren't they?

Li Yanping stared intently at Jiang Fei, her eyes full of venom: "Ziming died from infection because of you! Are you satisfied now?!"

"How can I be satisfied if Auntie hasn't gone to reunite with my cousin yet?"

Jiang Fei said calmly, without a trace of guilt, which enraged Li Yanping, making her wish she could tear apart the young girl's fair face.

But remembering the past beatings, Li Yanping was afraid to step forward, and suddenly a plan came to mind. She shouted to the soldier a few steps away, "Comrade! I report! There's a murderer here!"

The soldier walked over: "What's going on?"

Li Yanping: "She killed my son! Quickly arrest her and execute her!"

Xiao Chuxia and the others tried to explain, but Jiang Fei stopped them.

Jiang Fei showed a timely expression of bewilderment: "How could I possibly kill my own cousin?"

"Auntie, are you confused from hunger?"

"You need evidence for what you say; you can't just slander me because you don't like me."

The young girl's eyes gradually welled up with tears.

In contrast, Li Yanping looked fierce and malicious.

Seeing that Jiang Fei was pretending to cry, Li Yanping directly grabbed the man standing behind her: "You're a resident of Yulan Yuan Building A! You tell me! Has Jiang Fei ever killed anyone?!"

The man disgustedly shook off Li Yanping's hand: "I don't know, don't ask me."

Li Yanping relentlessly sought out other residents.

Everyone either kept silent or said no.

They only wanted to get supplies to fill their stomachs and were not in the mood to get involved.

Moreover, they had indeed never seen Jiang Fei kill anyone; it was mostly beating and tormenting people.

Discovering that no one spoke up for her, Li Yanping was on the verge of going crazy: "What are you afraid of?! The officials are here! Would Jiang Fei dare to lay a hand on you?!"

"Madam, if you cannot provide evidence to prove this young woman is a murderer, please remain quiet and do not disrupt order."

With that, the soldier returned to his original position.

Li Yanping, seething with anger, tried to return to the line, but was stopped by the man.

"You left, so this spot is mine now. Go to the back and queue again."

Fearing to attract the soldier, Li Yanping glared at the man fiercely and cut in front of Jiang Zhengkang.

The few survivors who had just arrived, at the very back of the line, were displeased by this scene.

"Hey, how can you cut in line?"

Li Yanping retorted righteously: "My husband is standing here, what's wrong with me cutting in front of him?!"

At this, people both in front and behind could no longer stand it.

"If everyone were as undisciplined as you, why would we even queue? We might as well all go to the front to get supplies."

"Who here isn't hungry? Are you the only one in a hurry? Rushing to reincarnate after eating?"

"Having a husband is nothing special, truly ill-mannered."

"Comrade! Someone is cutting in line! Breaking the rules!"

Hearing someone report, Li Yanping got scared: "If I have to queue again, I'll queue again! Why is everyone shouting?!"

Xiao Chuxia: "You're the one shouting the loudest."

Ling Zhaorui: "Ugly and unreasonable."

Li Yanping: "You!"

"That's enough, Mom!" Jiang Zixuan, unable to bear it any longer, dragged Li Yanping to the very back of the line.

Jiang Zhengkang silently followed, feeling exhausted by all of this.

"Mom, please be quiet. If the officials kick us out, we won't get anything!"

Li Yanping reluctantly shut her mouth, cursing Jiang Fei in her heart.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zixuan disgustedly released Li Yanping's hand, and glimpsed Jiang Fei's fair, clean face ahead, a flicker of hatred crossing her eyes.

Why was it that Jiang Fei hadn't been bitten by poisonous mosquitoes?!

—

Two hours later, it was Jiang Fei's turn to collect supplies.

After verifying her identity information, the staff member responsible for distributing supplies gave her a small cardboard box.

"Inside this box, there is a set of protective masks, a box of anti-inflammatory medicine, a box of insect repellent, two bottles of mineral water, three bags of compressed biscuits, and three packs of sanitary napkins. Please come back in two days to collect more."

Jiang Fei said thank you and took the cardboard box.

The officials had already made "meat patties," but had not brought them out at this time, likely intending to save them for an emergency.

After all, food made from the carcasses of insects and rats was difficult for most people to accept.

Noticing the sign standing nearby, Jiang Fei took another look—

"The fountain area of Central Square will be open to the public tomorrow at noon, providing a place for free trade for residents in need."

Perhaps she could acquire some gold.

Jiang Fei decided to come and see tomorrow.

Before leaving, meeting the resentful gazes of Li Yanping and Jiang Zixuan, Jiang Fei smiled maliciously.