374: Strange new place

“You never used to make unprofitable deals.”

“The research project in Xi Province doesn’t benefit you much. You could easily hand this over to the authorities and go to Huaxia Base yourself, far from the nuclear contamination area.”

Su Liuyuan said tactfully.

Before the apocalypse, who didn’t know that Gu Yunshan, the boss of Dark Night, was a Pixiu—only taking in, never letting out?

He absolutely refused to do anything that couldn’t earn big money, and the products he developed were for internal use only.

Otherwise, Dark Night wouldn’t have hidden so many good things like thermostatic clothing and nutrient solutions.

Understanding Su Liuyuan’s meaning, Gu Yunshan smiled: “People change.”

“Since last year’s tsunami, I’ve seen too many tragic fates. Perhaps I’m getting older; the older I get, the more compassionate I become, wanting to do something for this world, for all of humanity.”

“Just like how you all chose to join the authorities and take on missions.”

“We are all striving in our own ways, hoping to end the apocalypse sooner.”

“Besides, more than half of the researchers in Li Family Village are my people, my brothers. As their elder brother, I must advance and retreat with them.”

Gu Yunshan took a few bottles of water and distributed them to Jiang Fei and the others.

“Xiao Yu, Liu Yuan, honestly, I don’t know if I’ll live to see the project succeed. If I can’t hold on and pass away first, don’t forget to visit my grave when you have time, you two brothers.”

“Water for wine, may we always be safe and healthy, cheers!”

Lu Yu and Su Liuyuan solemnly raised their water bottles and clinked them with Gu Yunshan.

This meal was exceptionally somber.

Before leaving, Jiang Fei, using the excuse of reaching into her pocket, took out the life-saving medicine she had just drawn—a vacuum-sealed bag.

It contained 10 pills, which she quietly gave to Gu Yunshan, whispering:

“Brother Gu, these are some pills I found in a logistics warehouse. The instructions say they can cure cancer and all bacterial and viral infections. I don’t know if it’s true, but you and Aunt Xiao and the others can each try one. Keep the rest for research.”

“If they’re real, then we have hope.”

Although it sounded a bit far-fetched, Gu Yunshan wanted to try it.

“Thank you, Miss Jiang.”

Gu Yunshan accepted the medicine and eagerly sent it to the laboratory.

Xu Qianyao returned to the RV to rest, while Gray Rat went outside to continue helping with the work.

Jiang Fei, Lu Yu, and Su Liuyuan returned to the Super Awesome RV.

After closing the door, Jiang Fei told the two about giving the medicine.

Brother Gu was Lu Yu and Liu Yuan’s only remaining family, and she didn’t want them to worry.

Learning of the miraculous effects of the life-saving medicine, the gloom in their hearts instantly vanished.

“With the life-saving medicine from the Supermarket, I’m not afraid that Brother Gu will have an accident!”

Su Liuyuan asked Jiang Fei curiously:

“Captain, what happens if a healthy person takes the life-saving medicine?”

“I’m not sure. We’ll catch some unlucky soul to test it on later.” Jiang Fei’s tone shifted:

“Or would you like to try?”

Looking at the pill in Jiang Fei’s hand, Su Liuyuan hesitated for a moment, then refused.

“I’d rather not. What if there are irreversible side effects? No one could save me then.”

He wasn’t someone who just put anything into his mouth!

—

Early the next morning, as Jiang Fei and the other two had just woken up, there was a knock on the door.

It was Yan Tianjie.

He was holding a large iron basin containing cooked egg noodles.

Yan Tianjie said unnaturally: “Xiao Wu made breakfast and asked me to bring a basin for you, Captain.”

Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow: “What did you call me?”

“If you didn’t hear it, forget it!” Yan Tianjie placed the iron basin directly on the low cabinet by the door and turned to run off.

Su Liuyuan couldn’t help but complain: “He’s so awkward.”

“Captain, you don’t know, in the half-month you and Lu Yu were on your mission, Yan Tianjie went to the entrance of Songquan Town almost every day to see if you had returned.”

“I heard from Xiao Wu that he really admires you for daring to go deep into the nuclear contaminated area to install the locator.”

“Because of that, he respects you now.”

Jiang Fei didn’t care.

Whether Yan Tianjie respected her or not, she was still the Captain of the Newborn Squad.

After breakfast, Jiang Fei and the others bid farewell to Gu Yunshan and drove away from Li Family Village.

The nuclear contamination in Xi Province was severe, so Jiang Fei chose to take a detour to their next destination, Tianshui City in Ling Province.

From there, they would start collecting from the logistics warehouses in Ling Province.

They entered Tianshui City at dusk four days later.

The lingering rays of the setting sun filtered through the gaps in the tree branches and leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on the grass.

Occasionally, butterflies and birds flitted by, disturbing the scattered specks of light.

If it weren’t for the ruined walls all around, Jiang Fei would have thought the apocalypse was over and they were on vacation in some beautiful city.

“Holy crap!”

Suddenly, Su Liuyuan on the sofa blurted out a curse:

“Captain, look outside! There are rabbits in the grass!”

Jiang Fei turned her head to look.

In the grass, there were not only yellowish wild rabbits but also shiny black large beetles.

They hadn’t seen animals outside for at least a year.

All the plants and animals in Ling Province were actually able to survive… it was too strange.

The temperature was 26℃, the nuclear radiation level was within a safe range, and the air was not polluted, as if this was the only pure land left in the apocalypse.

Yet, Jiang Fei felt uneasy.

She had a feeling there was some trap waiting for them.

It wasn’t that she was overly nervous.

It was just that there had been too many disasters along the way.

The mutated black eagles in Tai Province, the severe drought in Min Province, the heavy nuclear contamination in Xi Province.

But Ling Province was full of birds and flowers; who wouldn’t overthink it?

Just then, the walkie-talkie in the car crackled.

Xu Qianyao also found Ling Province strange: “It’s one thing for plants to grow, but there are also wild rabbits and insects.”

“Could the disaster here be mutated animals and insects?”

Zhu Xiaowu: “Possibly. I just swatted a big mosquito that tried to bite me in the car.”

“I suspect it’s an insect plague.”

Yan Tianjie couldn’t listen anymore: “Even if insects don’t mutate, mosquitoes will still bite you and suck your blood.”

Zhu Xiaowu’s simple-minded laughter came from the other end of the walkie-talkie.

“It’s been so long since I was bitten by a mosquito, I forgot.”

Jiang Fei: “Stop the cars. Shoot and kill a few wild rabbits. Let Xiao Wu check if their bodies contain any bacteria or viruses that can infect humans.”

They weren’t afraid of obvious disasters, only invisible, intangible pathogens.

The three RVs stopped.

The car windows lowered, and Yan Tianjie and Lu Yu used sniper rifles to shoot at the wild rabbits in the grass.

Each of them killed two.

Zhu Xiaowu put on protective gear and got out of the car with a sack to collect the rabbit carcasses.

His and Yan Tianjie’s RV had laboratory equipment.

Jiang Fei and the others waited for the results in their respective cars.

More than an hour later, Zhu Xiaowu got out of the car, removing his protective gear.

“Everyone can come out. The animals’ bodies don’t contain any bacteria or viruses that can infect humans.”

At this, Jiang Fei and the others got out of their cars to get some fresh air.

Su Liuyuan speculated: “Since there are no bacteria or viruses, and the wild rabbits haven’t actively attacked humans like mutated animals did before, could it be that Ling Province’s disaster is over?”

Xu Qianyao: “We can’t conclude yet. When we encounter survivors, we can ask them.”

“What about these wild rabbits?”

Zhu Xiaowu swallowed: “I checked. The rabbit meat is safe to eat.”

So, the seven of them built a bonfire, skinned and cleaned the rabbits, and roasted them on the spot.

The evening breeze was pleasant, and the roasted rabbit was spicy and delicious.

Su Liuyuan ate and sighed: “It’s been so long since I’ve been this relaxed. I even feel like I’m on vacation.”

“Don’t let your guard down.” Jiang Fei instructed:

“Just in case, after dinner, everyone take a dose of the special medicine.”

Everyone agreed.

Tonight, Su Liuyuan stayed to keep watch, while Jiang Fei and the other six returned to their respective RVs to rest.

Sleeping until dawn, Jiang Fei went to ask Su Liuyuan:

“Was there anything unusual last night?”