Li Yu saw that Xiao Shi had changed into a set of clothes issued by the base, namely a pink tracksuit.
The fabric was of good quality with minimal embellishments, making Xiao Shi look youthful and vibrant.
These clothes were from the initial outbreak of the apocalypse, crazily obtained by Li Yu and his people for free.
Indeed, a stockpile had been accumulated, which included not only tracksuits but also various windbreakers, jackets, etc.
As for the clothes Xiao Shi originally wore, they had been long reduced to tatters during their exile.
Li Yu glanced at her and quickly averted his gaze, then led Xiao Shi towards Weng City in the Outer City.
....
On the other hand, Captain Luo and his team had been waiting inside Weng City for nearly half an hour.
Although Captain Luo was anxious, given that they were on someone elseās turf, and that these people had saved them,
he felt it inappropriate to rush them.
He could only chat with Li Yuās Second Uncle, who happened to be quite the conversationalist, cleverly extracting clear details about the situation at their Headquarters Base during their sporadic chat.
Captain Luo didnāt realize that Second Uncle was pulling information from him; his mind largely occupied with thoughts of Ye Shishi and why she hadnāt appeared yet, occasionally glancing up at the gate of Weng City.
He hadnāt paid attention when Second Uncle directly responded to his queries, as answers tend to be truthful when oneās attention is scattered.
Second Uncle continued the conversation smoothly,
saying, "This apocalypse is really too arduous. Tell me, how did you manage to survive last yearās severe winter?"
Captain Luoās mood suddenly dropped upon hearing this, saying, "Last winter, many trees died, crops perished. Ah, if it werenāt so cold, we wouldnāt have had such severe food issues.
Nor would so many people have died."
Upon hearing that, Second Uncle could see that they were having a tough time.
He quickly changed the subject and said, "Not to worry, youāve found food, right? What are your plans on using these supplies?"
Captain Luo replied, "Initially, because of the food issue, we couldnāt aid the civilians. Receiving instructions from Elder Ye, who commanded that we serve the people, we might distribute some to the civilians."
Second Uncle subtly asked, "How many people are there?"
"Thatās a lot," Captain Luo said. "Just around Headquarters, there are thousands.
Due to the weather last year causing many foods to mold and rot very quickly, very little of what we found was edible. Many are still starving, and even more have died..."
Second Uncle expressed strong praise for their lofty actions but internally he was worried. Directly distributing food to civilians,
This method, sigh.
It seemed somewhat problematic. Unconditionally giving away food could foster dependence, potentially sparking riots.
Whether before or after the apocalypse, giving too many benefits freely
fears disparity more than scarcity.
Seeing Captain Luo frustrated, Second Uncle opened his mouth but ended up saying nothing.
He knew it would be pointless, some lessons can only be learned through painful experience.
Big Camphor Tree Base hadnāt learned those lessons, but they had seen similar cases.
Wasnāt the collapse of Jiefang City attributed to this?
.....
The two continued their disjointed conversation, suddenly Captain Luo stood up abruptly.
At the gate of Weng City, slowly opening,
A pink silhouette approached.
It was, it was Xiao Shi!
His face filled with excitement, it was her, indeed it was her.
Captain Luo, who frequently visited Elder Yeās house, had watched Xiao Shi grow up and treated her like his own niece.
Thus, when he learned about this mission, he was the first to volunteer to lead the team both to retrieve the food reserves and because he truly wanted to find Xiao Shi.
"Uncle Luo!" Xiao Shi ran up to Captain Luo.
She then saw Captain Luoās bandaged wounds, her eyes, just calmed, reddening again: "Uncle Luo, your injury..."
Seeing the worry in Xiao Shiās eyes, Captain Luo stretched his body pretending to be fine and said, "Itās nothing, Xiao Shi. How have you been this past year?"
It was fine until he asked, but upon hearing this, the tears Ye Shishi had been holding back fell: "It was very tough before, but after Director Li rescued me,
life at Big Camphor Tree Base has been good."
Xiao Shi hadnāt cried in a long time, and seeming to reassure Captain Luo, she quickly wiped her tears, saying, "Iām fine, Uncle Luo. How is Grandpa doing?"
Captain Luo sighed heavily, "Elder Yeās health was already poor, and with many people dying last winter due to the cold, his health deteriorated further.
However, just before we left, Elder Yeās health surprisingly improved much.
He seemed much better overall."
Worriedly, Xiao Shi said, "Grandpa always worries too much. Heās so old and still staying up late. Iāve told him several times, but he doesnāt listen..."
Captain Luo sighed again, remaining silent.
Immediately, as if recalling something, Captain Luo said to Ye Shi, "Ye Shi, the purpose of our trip this time, besides finding food reserves, is to find you and take you back. You....."
Captain Luo glanced at Li Yu and left the rest unsaid.
Even through brief contact, and only having seen the Outer City, truth be told, the Headquarters in Guangdong Province arenāt even comparable to their Outer City.
Not to mention, he had never been inside the Inner City, and just now when he observed Ye Shi, he noticed that although her face was a bit darker and fatter,
she looked much healthier compared to her previously thin and trashy appearance.
From Ye Shiās condition, it seemed she was living quite well.
Even though Captain Luo hadnāt finished speaking, Ye Shi already understood his intention.
Ye Shi turned her head, glanced at Li Yu, and wanted to say she would follow Captain Luo back, since her only relative was there after all.
But saying this directly in front of Li Yu, wanting to leave,
didnāt feel quite right; the base had treated her so well, and to just leave like that felt as though she had no attachment to the base.
Just as she was struggling how to begin speaking,
Li Yu softly said: "If you want to go back, then go back, after all, thatās where your family is.
But if you encounter any problems and want to return, the baseās doors are always open for you."
Hearing Li Yuās words instantly filled Ye Shiās heart with emotion: "I-I-I... Thank you, Brother Yu, without you, I would have died from the cold or starvation long ago."
Li Yu smiled and said: "Donāt worry, go back peacefully. And if you want to come back, just come back."
In Li Yuās heart, there wasnāt much dilemma; whether Ye Shi stayed or left, it didnāt pose any detriment to the base.
Since she wanted to go back to her grandpa, it was only reasonable, and Li Yu could understand that. Furthermore, when she returned, having her there would also solidify the alliance relationships with Yeās group.
So Li Yu gave her some encouragement, "You can come back anytime," sending Buddha to the west, making Ye Shi even more grateful for the base.
That way, future collaboration and communication would become much simpler and pleasant.
Li Yu saw that they, the old acquaintances, surely had some things to discuss, so he arranged for the remaining tasks as well.
He then said to Second Uncle: "Second Uncle, itās getting dark now, go talk to He Chao later, arrange for them to stay in the Outer City."
Second Uncle nodded and said, "OK."
Then to Captain Luo he said, "Captain Luo, you and your team follow me later, Iāll make arrangements."
Li Yu continued, "Letās distribute some of the food first. We just weighed them at the weighbridge.
There are a total of 22 trucks, each carrying about 45 tons. Weāll transport our portion back first.
Of the remaining 11 trucks, five were brought by you guys, keep those there, and later, you will need to drive here to collect the rest."
Captain Luo gave a thumbs up and said: "Director Li is generous, but this trip we probably canāt transport so much, can only take three trucks back.
The rest, weāll come back next time to pick them up."
Li Yu nodded and said: "Okay, then you guys chat, Iāll go inside then. Second Uncle, arrange dinner for these brothers tonight and then take them to the Outer City."
Today there were especially many things to do, only trouble Second Uncle.
Second Uncle waved his hand, indicating he understood.
Li Yu was about to leave, suddenly turned back to Ye Shi and said, "Ye Shi, if you do leave, remember to tell everyone later."
Images of several people flashed through Ye Shiās mind; her heart filled with reluctance. In this post-apocalyptic world, sometimes a goodbye might mean never seeing each other again.
Captain Luo noticed Ye Shiās sentiment and said, "Ye Shi, donāt be too sad, if it doesnāt work out, next time when you come to pick up the rest of the food, come with us."
Upon hearing this, Ye Shi immediately felt it was a good idea and said, "Uncle Luoās suggestion is good."
Li Yu saw that things here were already more or less settled, so he prepared to leave.
He still had important things to do; before bringing Ye Shi, he had talked with He Bing.
Tomorrow, he needed to get up early to go to the neighboring city to find that lathe.
The production of bullets was crucial.
Eventually, bullets would run out, and they had to be able to produce their own.
Strength was the fundamental safeguard for survival in the post-apocalyptic world.
After bidding farewell to Ye Shi and Captain Luo, Li Yu found Dapao and Third Uncle.
On the ramparts.
Inside the Inner City base, smoke curled from cooking fires, Lai Dongshengās wife was preparing food.
Li Yu said to Third Uncle and the others: "Do you think what He Bing said today might be false?"
This question instantly made everyone tense.
But He Bing had no motive for deception.
Deceiving would bring no benefit to He Bing and his team.
Moreover, He Bing and his team were also going tomorrow.
Li Yu smiled and said: "The possibility is lower, but we still have to follow our usual principle: assume the worst in everything and prepare adequately.
Especially since according to what He Bing and his team said, the factory with the lathe still has some surviving workers.
We need to consider how to handle the situation if they donāt want to give us the lathe."
Third Uncle glanced at Li Yu, smoking silently and said, "You kid have many tricks, Iāll follow your arrangements."
Li Yu said, "Alright, then weāll do it this way..."