Chapter 171: Well... This Is Pretty Awkward

The spicy aroma filled the bus, and even the powerful exhaust and filtration system couldn’t completely absorb the scent.

Everyone held a large bowl, eating the spicy hotpot cooked by Bai Yifan.

The Bai Family never lacked food, but they were also never picky eaters; they ate whatever was available.

Even the four small beasts in the space had their share of the spicy hotpot.

The little kitten was still young and couldn’t finish its portion, so Taowu cleaned up what was left.

Bai Yifan carried two large lunch boxes and two bottles of prepared milk powder, hobbling off the bus.

He still owed his classmate Zhao Zhen a meal!

Outside the living area, it was pitch black. Groups of shadows huddled together, indistinguishable from one another.

"Zhao Zhen! Zhao Zhen!"

Bai Yifan quietly called out Zhao Zhen’s name.

The clusters of shadows stared intently at Bai Yifan and the lunch box in his hand emitting the spicy aroma.

In the post-apocalyptic world, being able to eat one’s fill was already quite fortunate, and spices were precious.

It had been several months since anyone had tasted such flavorful food.

Bai Yifan felt uncomfortable being stared at by those people, so he began to utilize his special ability: glowing.

A faint yellow light emanated from Bai Yifan’s body, casting a bright yellow glow in the pitch-black night.

He looked like a walking large light bulb.

The people staring at Bai Yifan’s lunch box were instantly deflated.

Superpower Users were the last people you wanted to mess with.

Covered in yellow light, Bai Yifan was too conspicuous in the living area; now he no longer needed to shout Zhao Zhen’s name.

He just needed to walk aimlessly among the crowd, keeping his face down.

"Xiao Fan?"

A surprised voice came from a corner in the distance.

Bai Yifan’s eyes brightened, and the yellow light around him vanished as he dashed towards Zhao Zhen’s direction.

In the light from the entrance of the living area, Bai Yifan could barely see Zhao Zhen’s face across from him.

"Xiao Fan, what are you doing out here so late?" Zhao Zhen looked curiously at Bai Yifan.

The spicy aroma reached Zhao Zhen’s nose, and he swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the lunch box in Bai Yifan’s hand.

"I brought you food. Did you forget I still owe you a meal?" Bai Yifan shook the lunch box in his hand, lowering his voice.

In the living area, surrounded by hungry people, Bai Yifan deliberately lowered his voice to prevent others from snatching Zhao Zhen’s meal.

It had been a long time since Bai Yifan had dinner with his old classmate, and a small smile appeared on his lips.

The past was better!

Every time after they finished copying test papers, they could go have a good meal together with Zhao Zhen.

"But..." Zhao Zhen hesitated while looking at the lunch box in Bai Yifan’s hand, but then vigorously shook his head, "The past is the past. You should keep it for yourself. I heard that tomorrow everyone in the base will get a piece of snake meat, so I’m skipping dinner tonight."

Zhao Zhen quietly swallowed, struggling not to glance at the lunch box in Bai Yifan’s hand.

He had been wandering outside for so long and knew the value of food.

"Xiao Zhen, is this your classmate?"

A strong man rubbed his eyes, draped a blanket over his sleeping wife’s body, and quietly stood beside Zhao Zhen.

The man was tall and rugged, with a simple expression on his face, dark skin, and thick hands, all indicating his honest nature.

"Yeah, his name is Bai Yifan, the one I told you about," Zhao Zhen nodded, a faint smile on his face.

Now that the family was together, although there wasn’t enough food, they were happy.

The simple man’s face froze momentarily.

Bai Yifan?

Isn’t he the terminally ill patient who sent their computer?

But wasn’t he dead?

They even burned paper money for him!!

The simple man couldn’t help but reach out and tap Bai Yifan’s forehead.

Thankfully, it was warm.

He remembered the day of the apocalypse, his son wiping tears while gaming in the room.

Saying a classmate named Bai Yifan was dying.

Unexpectedly, this classmate Xiao Fan, despite his terminal illness, was still living tenaciously.

The simple man pursed his lips and looked at Zhao Zhen.

This kid Zhao Zhen always counted Bai Yifan’s last days, planning to see him off on his final journey.

One day a month ago was Bai Yifan’s "death day."

That night, in the rain.

Zhao Zhen’s family spent a lot of time in the dark folding paper ingots and cutting yellow paper.

In a circle, Zhao Zhen chanted Bai Yifan’s name, crying like ghosts as they burned the paper money and ingots.

Zhao Zhen cried until he was snot and tears, even pouring half a can of milk powder he’d hidden for a long time onto the burning paper money.

Then... it caused a dust explosion.

Thankfully, Mr. Zhao, with quick reflexes, grabbed his pitch-black son and ran.

That time, Zhao Zhen, wailing like a ghost, was chased by some zombies wailing like ghosts as Mr. Zhao carried him under his arm...

Now, this living person stood right before them.

It’s... quite awkward.

Cried too early.

"Hello, Uncle!"

Bai Yifan bowed politely, slightly curious.

What’s with Uncle’s strange look?

"Ahem..." Zhao Zhen suddenly coughed, winking frantically at his dad.

Hoping his dad wouldn’t betray him.

Too embarrassing.

"Here’s the meal I owe you from last time, take it."

Bai Yifan handed over the two lunch boxes and two bottles of milk powder to Zhao Zhen in one go.

Seeing the old look on the simple uncle’s face, Bai Yifan figured Zhao Zhen’s family had a hard time in the apocalypse.

He didn’t dine with Zhao Zhen but gave him everything.

"This, this isn’t right."

Zhao Zhen hurriedly pushed the heavy lunch box back towards Bai Yifan.

A meal now isn’t the same as a meal before the apocalypse.

He couldn’t accept it.

"You should take this, my classmate!"

The simple Mr. Zhao also helped Zhao Zhen stuff the lunch box back into Bai Yifan’s arms.

"Take it!"

Bai Yifan quickly took a step back, limped slightly, and ran away.

"Hey―Xiao Fan!"

Zhao Zhen wanted to catch up with Bai Yifan, but his skinny self couldn’t outrun a limping person.

Bai Yifan turned and waved, quickened his pace.

Zhao Zhen’s stomach growled, and he gave Bai Yifan a deep look, tightly holding onto the lunch box as he returned.

"Xiao Zhen, your classmate... didn’t die, how come his leg is lame?" Mr. Zhao was a bit puzzled.

"Don’t ask, it must be because he got into trouble and was beaten by his dad."

Zhao Zhen carefully placed the lunch box in front of Mr. Zhao, gently waking up his sleeping mom.

That night, it was the best meal the Zhao Family had had since the apocalypse began.

Under the night, endless darkness swallowed the sky.

After eating, the Bai Family locked the door of the bus and entered the space to continue absorbing Crystal Cores.

Absorbing Crystal Cores in the space was more effective.

Some time passed, and the night deepened further.

Bai Xiqin and Leng Yebai got off the bus, manually locking the door.

The patrol team of Superpower Users continued pacing the safe base.

Seizing the chance during their shift change, Bai Xiqin and Leng Yebai scaled the wall and quickly left the safe base like phantoms.

After a long walk from the safe base, under Leng Yebai’s eager gaze, Bai Xiqin gritted her teeth and pulled his beloved bicycle from the space.

The creaking sound echoed, Leng Yebai quickly pedaled the bike.

Fearing Bai Xiqin would find the bicycle too slow and demand it be swapped for an electric bike.