Chapter Fifty-Eight: Unraveling the Knots

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Jiang Huan parked her car, not bothering to exchange pleasantries with anyone downstairs, and went straight up. She hurriedly ran a hot bath for herself, washing away the clinging discomfort from her body.

She had always been an ordinary citizen. If not for the months of forbearance in her previous life, when she finally destroyed that despicable pair, she would never have had blood on her hands. But just now, she had shot Fang Rou’er, stood her ground against several men, and even felt that dying alongside them wouldn’t be a loss.

She stretched out her hand, wondering: why did she feel it would be no matter if she died? Was it that her obsession in her past life—to kill them—had been fulfilled, leaving her unburdened? Or was it that she was truly afraid of this apocalypse?

Closing her eyes, Jiang Huan submerged herself in the water. Bubbles gurgled up as the oxygen in her chest grew scarce. Just as she thought she might actually drown herself, she grabbed the edge of the tub and sat upright with a start.

“Phew!” She took a deep breath and let it out.

Why should she let the deaths of those scoundrels erase the meaning of her own life? She still had her younger brother, and the mysterious box-opener she had yet to fully explore. There was still an endless array of delicacies waiting for her to savor. Perhaps, once the world thawed, everything would return to normal.

She only had to survive a few more months!

Jiang Huan had a revelation, casting aside the gloom that had haunted her heart. Her whole being became brighter. Why shouldn’t she cherish her own life? Not only her own, but also the lives of all those still striving to survive in this apocalypse.

With a wide grin, Jiang Huan burst out laughing. Jiang Xi, outside the door, thought something was wrong and knocked gently.

“I’m fine, just happy! Xiao Xi, we’re having a feast tonight!”

“Okay!” Outside, Jiang Xi grinned too, his teeth white and gleaming.

That evening, Jiang Huan brought out lobsters, scallops, mussels, and other seafood. She and her brother enjoyed a sumptuous seafood banquet, experimenting with new ways to eat. They grilled some of the seafood usually eaten raw, and even made hotpot.

They wrapped cooked lobster, fish, and shellfish in thin pancakes.

Full and content, Jiang Huan felt relaxed enough to start watching a downloaded TV series. The large screen brought the characters vividly to life: two waitresses from vastly different backgrounds bickering and bantering in a rundown fast food joint, later striving to make little cakes together. Every episode was full of laughter.

After nearly four hours, she had only watched part of the show. With a yawn, Jiang Huan washed up, turned off the tablet, and burrowed under the covers to sleep.

This epiphany seemed to open her mind completely. She resumed training as usual, visited the official base every couple of days to exchange for bullets, and spent the rest of her time as she pleased, eating and relaxing as she wished. She felt younger and more vibrant than ever.

Thanks to her good mood, the residents of Building Six often had meat in their basic meals, and every day included a serving of canned fruit. Everyone kept quiet about their good fortune, focusing instead on tidying their homes and exercising. As their health improved, they no longer needed Jiang Huan to shepherd them everywhere like a mother hen—they had grown much more independent.

Jiang Huan, in turn, began to enjoy the pleasure of “lying back and collecting rent.”

One day, after exchanging several boxes of frozen bread for bullets, Captain Guan—rarely so proactive—asked her to stay.

He even said he wanted to treat her to a meal.

Jiang Huan: ...???

It wasn’t that she looked down on Captain Guan, but their group spent every day training, rescuing people, and completing missions. Who had enough contribution points to splurge on a meal that would cost at least a hundred points per head?

“Recently, we’ve expanded our searches in the city and found some warehouses. The base is now well-stocked, and there are more people. We’ve even made contact with other survival bases. With more missions, our contribution points have increased. You’re always the one treating; it’s only fair if I host once.”

Jiang Huan squinted at him. “Captain Guan, we’re not exactly close, but we can call each other acquaintances. If you have something to say, just say it. You’re not suited for these... formal pleasantries.”

Captain Guan scratched his head—was he really that awkward?

Seeing she meant it, he found a secluded spot sheltered from the wind and confided in her.

“It’s like this: there’s a soldier I admire, you’ve met him—Xiao Fang, the one who came to your community with me. Last month, he saw his teacher’s daughter being harassed by a second-generation kid here at the base, so he stepped in to stop it. Since then, that girl and Xiao Fang have been in close contact. Whatever their true feelings, they look like a pair and Xiao Fang has suffered for it—petty bullying and such. I can’t intervene, and Xiao Fang doesn’t care, but last time that guy deliberately pushed Xiao Fang into the water. He got seriously ill with pneumonia. If that girl hadn’t been a trained doctor herself and cared for him diligently, he wouldn’t have survived.

But the harassment hasn’t stopped, and it’s getting worse. I want to send Xiao Fang away. After thinking it over, your community seems the best place I know. Don’t worry, I’ll personally supply whatever materials she needs to live there.”

Jiang Huan, however, only focused on a single point.

A trained doctor.

At the very least, someone professionally educated and already with practical experience in a hospital. Certainly more competent than that greedy pharmacist couple downstairs, who were an eyesore in Building Six. Jiang Huan couldn’t expose her box-opener or openly supply super-useful medicine for everyone, but this doctor...

She decided to try. “So Xiao Fang won’t return to the base or take base assignments anymore?”

“For now, it’s best for him to keep away.” The other man’s father controlled considerable resources at the base.

“Alright, but that girl—Xiao Fang’s been protecting her all this time. Staying at the base can’t be easy for her, either.”

Captain Guan’s face lit up. “Miss Jiang, you mean...”

If Miss Jiang would even take the teacher’s daughter, it would be perfect! If Xiao Fang left, there’d be no one to protect her, making all his earlier sacrifices pointless. And he would never leave with peace of mind.

“Yes, I need someone who can prescribe medicine and treat common ailments. If she’s willing, I’ll pay her—at a very high salary. And if Xiao Fang trains the survivors in my building, you won’t need to supply their rations; they’ll eat with us.”

“Truly?” One surprise after another.

Captain Guan hurried off, soon returning with the still-coughing Xiao Fang and the girl bundled up tightly.

“Hello, I’m Jiang Huan.”

“Hello, hello, I’m Bai Weishuang.”

A name both poetic and evocative.

After a brief introduction, Jiang Huan said, “I’ve spoken with Captain Guan about your situation. If leaving the base will get you away from that scoundrel, you’re both welcome. I do need a skilled doctor. If you come with me, I can guarantee three hot meals a day and a warm place to sleep. If you’re willing, pack your things and come. My car’s just over there.” She pressed her key, and the car beeped in response.

“Wow, your own car.” Xiao Fang’s eyes sparkled with envy.

Jiang Huan grinned and waved. “Want to drive? There’s plenty of fuel.”

Xiao Fang’s eyes shone—he clearly longed to try.

As they chatted and laughed, a voice suddenly cut in.

“So you really are at the base.”

Jiang Huan’s smile faded as she looked over.

Damn.

This city wasn’t small—why did she keep running into them?

(End of Chapter)