74: Official test

It used to be Feng Chenlu who went upstairs to give notice, but now that she wasn't around, Jiang Fei was a bit worried about that dedicated girl: "Where's Feng Chenlu?"

"There are a lot of people downstairs fighting over supplies, it's a mess. Sister Chenlu is with the officials trying to control it."

"Please tell the others to collect their supplies for me. I still need to go help Sister Chenlu."

Before Jiang Fei could speak, Xiao Jia hurriedly ran downstairs, showing no curiosity about the 21st floor.

Apparently, Feng Chenlu had warned Xiao Jia.

Lu Yu and the others came over from 2101.

Xiao Chuxia asked in confusion: "There hasn't been any official movement for a month, so why are they suddenly distributing supplies?"

"I'm not sure. Everyone, grab your weapons and go downstairs. It'll be a good chance to get some fresh air."

While her teammates went home to get their weapons, Jiang Fei went to 2102 to give notice.

Old Mrs. Xu opened the door.

Jiang Fei told her about collecting supplies: "It's colder downstairs than upstairs, Grandma Xu. You should stay home and let Captain Xu go down to get them."

"Qian Yao went to the police station last night."

At this time, Xu Qianyao still ventured out. Could it be that Director Ning's side was about to make a move?

Perhaps it was related to today's supply distribution.

Jiang Fei suppressed her speculation: "Then I'll help you get them."

"Thank you, Little Jiang."

Old Mrs. Xu brought her ID card and casually handed Jiang Fei a bag of 10 peach crisps.

"Qian Yao brought back a lot of peach crisps. I can't eat them all by myself. You and your friends can share them."

Knowing Old Mrs. Xu's personality, Jiang Fei didn't decline and shared them with Lu Yu and the others who were going downstairs.

After eating, Jiang Fei went home, changed into her warm suit, and went downstairs with them.

The 21st and 22nd floors had heaters that were on all day, so it didn't feel very cold.

But there was nothing to keep warm downstairs. As soon as they reached the 20th floor, Jiang Fei and the others felt a bone-chilling cold air rush over them.

The coal previously distributed by the officials had run out long ago. Survivors could only burn cotton door curtains and any usable wood to make fires.

But after a month, everything had long been exhausted.

Frozen corpses could be seen everywhere.

Some sat in the corridor, maintaining the posture of drilling wood before they died.

Others stood by the only unsealed window, holding up tattered cotton clothes, trying to use their remaining life to block the cold wind for others.

More died at home, in their sleep.

Jiang Fei came down late, and there were only a few people left on the third floor.

However, she unexpectedly saw an acquaintance.

Jiang Zhengkang, wrapped in cotton clothes and quilts, was holding a box of supplies. His vaguely exposed hands were covered in purplish-red chilblains, and he was as thin as a rail.

"Fei Fei, the officials distributed a lot of supplies. If you don't have enough, you can come to 2001 to find me. I've moved there."

Jiang Zhengkang's tone was light and cheerful, without the former gloom.

Only now did he understand that without Li Yanping, life could be so beautiful.

Although cotton clothes and food were scarce, he could still manage by being frugal and scavenging supplies from corpses.

As if remembering something, Jiang Zhengkang frowned and whispered to Jiang Fei: "I just saw Zhu Zi come down to get supplies with two girls, Yu Xuanjiao and Huang Xiaoyuan."

"Yu Xuanjiao seemed very intimate with Zhu Zi, walking hand in hand."

Jiang Fei was a little surprised.

Yu Xuanjiao actually latched onto Zhu Zi?

Jiang Fei didn't feel anything about Zhu Zi, that mere tool.

She and Zhu Zi were just in a transactional relationship.

If they came upstairs to cause trouble, she would deal with them.

Jiang Fei didn't want the supplies, so Jiang Zhengkang went upstairs carrying the box.

Taking out her ID card, Jiang Fei went with her teammates to collect supplies.

Feng Chenlu sat on a chair, panting with exhaustion. Seeing Jiang Fei approach, she stood up: "You don't need an ID card now, it's given per person."

"Those few boxes are for the 21st and 22nd floors. I hid them for you in advance, otherwise they would have been snatched up in chaos."

"Thank you." Jiang Fei walked over and picked up a box.

The box wasn't sealed tight. Inside was a large bag of official-brand meat patties, a large bag of charcoal, 5 bottles of frozen water, plus a pile of small packaged foods like biscuits, bread, and hawthorn flakes.

"How many days' worth of supplies are the officials distributing this time?"

Feng Chenlu said she didn't know: "The officials didn't say, they just told us to give one box per person and go home."

"But schistosomiasis and influenza are both under control, which is a good thing, I guess."

After speaking, Feng Chenlu and Xiao Jia packed their things, ready to go home.

Jiang Fei and her five teammates carried the boxes upstairs, occasionally hearing people complain.

"Pfft! What kind of meat is this patty made of? It tastes awful."

"It has no flavor at all, how can anyone eat this?"

"Don't be so picky, it's good enough to have something to eat."

Su Liuyuan, who had never tasted a meat patty, curiously took one from the box, took a bite, and his expression was subtle.

"Why do I feel... the texture of the meat patty isn't quite right?"

Xiao Chuxia said calmly: "It's made from rat and insect carcasses."

Su Liuyuan: "..."

He wanted to throw up.

Lu Yu distastefully avoided the retching Su Liuyuan and said to Jiang Fei: "The officials distributing supplies today is very suspicious. They didn't control the quantity and told the community workers to leave after distributing them, as if they're planning something big."

"When Xu Qianyao returns, we should know more."

Jiang Fei delivered Old Mrs. Xu's share of supplies and then went home to put away her boxes.

She had so much food, there was no need to eat the official-brand meat patties.

That night.

Xu Qianyao came to the 22nd floor to find Jiang Fei, with un-wiped white frost still on his eyelashes.

"These are the ID cards to enter the Safety Shelter. I promised you a total of 4 cards. You can distribute them to your friends. Each cardholder can bring one family member."

"Remember to remind them to keep their ID cards safe. When the officials transfer survivors, they will only recognize the cards, not the people."

At this point, Xu Qianyao became serious: "If you hear any sounds recently, don't go out to watch the commotion. The officials are screening people who can go to the Safety Shelter."

Jiang Fei immediately thought of today's events: "Using supplies for testing?"

"Exactly. Those who can't hold onto food are considered incapable. Such people can't keep up with the team and can only be left in Lincheng."

Survival of the fittest.

Although cruel, it was the fastest way to screen survivors.

Those with quotas, or special talents, had already been notified by the officials and forbidden to go out, and even had people assigned to protect them.

Jiang Fei understood: "Do you need me to help you take care of Grandma Xu?"

"No need, I'll be staying home during this time. Director Ning said that he wants things to get completely chaotic outside. I'll head back now."

After Xu Qianyao left, Jiang Fei looked at the ID cards in her hand.

The size of an ID card, a pure black card body, with a magnetic strip for scanning.

A small card, yet it decided a person's fate.

She was glad that she and her friends were eligible to go to the Safety Shelter.

Jiang Fei delivered the ID cards to Lu Yu and the others.

There were only 4 cards, so Su Liuyuan didn't get one. Ling Zhaorui gave his family member quota to him.

Su Liuyuan was touched: "You're better to me than Lu Yu is. You're my true brother."

Ling Zhaorui spoke truthfully: "My relatives are all gone, so there's no one to give it to. It would be a waste not to give it to you."

"Hurry up and modify the weapons. Sister Jiang is waiting to inspect them."

Su Liuyuan: "..."

He had wasted that tear.

—

Since the officials distributed supplies once, they didn't appear for a week, and no patrolling soldiers could be found outside.

Some survivors believed that the officials had abandoned Lincheng and fled.

This news spread like wildfire, and everyone became restless.

If the officials weren't there, who would manage them?

No one wanted to die.

Thus, the survivors in the city, disregarding the cold weather, began to wantonly kill and steal supplies.

Cold weather? Then steal other people's cotton clothes to keep warm.

Not enough food? Others have it!

In just one week, Lincheng descended into chaos.

Rumors about the apocalypse also spread, making those who stole supplies even more reckless, feeling that this was an opportunity given by heaven.

Those with extreme and radical ideologies captured other survivors for sacrifice, hoping to end the disaster in this way.

Even more, unable to bear the pressure, collapsed and committed suicide.

Jiang Fei could hear cries from outside almost every day.

The frozen city was no longer silent, but at the cost of blood and lives.

Shashasha — Jiang Fei's walkie-talkie suddenly rang.

It was Su Liuyuan.

"Jiang Fei, the crying uncle is looking for you, saying he has something important."

Jiang Fei: ?