Chapter 16 Going Out
A week after the apocalypse, the extreme cold continued, and the rescue did not arrive as expected.
The sub-zero temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius couldn't stop hungry and thirsty people from peering out of building windows, trying to find a glimmer of hope for survival.
In small groups, taking advantage of a lull in the rain, they ventured onto the frozen ground, groping their way into the distance. A few scattered cries for help could be heard, but they quickly dissipated into the wind and snow.
Some people collapsed from the extreme cold after walking only a short distance. Collapsing meant they could never get up again. Their bodies would fall vertically onto the solid ice without raising a speck of dust, and they would be frozen in the ice like dead fish in no time.
Those around them could only turn a blind eye; they were powerless to cry or stop. Numb from the cold, they braved the biting wind, afraid to stop, for if they did, they might never be able to take another step.
Yu Miaomiao's tent neighbor handed her another note, asking if they planned to go out to look for supplies.
In the early stages of the previous apocalypse, apart from the low temperatures, there were no other disasters for the time being. With thick clothing and heating tools, humans could barely walk on the permafrost.
Although a large amount of supplies had been frozen under their feet, and the probability of finding usable supplies outside was very small, they still decided to participate in several supply searches from time to time in order not to arouse suspicion.
After several interactions with the tent neighbors, I found that they had a good sense of boundaries, only occasionally exchanging supplies, and never inquiring about or being curious about the two of them.
Moreover, they have already gone out a few times, so they shouldn't be a liability to us. We can try forming a team temporarily.
Lu An wanted to go himself, leaving Yu Miaomiao at home to keep watch and prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation.
Yu Miaomiao felt that she should go herself because she had her own space and more experience in the apocalypse, making her better at dealing with unexpected events that might occur in the apocalypse, and it would be easier for her to bring back the supplies she found.
"No, it's too dangerous outside."
"So I have to go. I'll be more at ease than you because I have my own space! If we really encounter danger, I can hide in my space."
The game was deadlocked, so they played rock-paper-scissors, best of three, and Yu Miaomiao won.
She changed into a smart thermostatic suit, put a power bank in her pocket, and felt the warmth.
Over the thermal suit, he wore a windproof jacket, a hat, a scarf, and hiking gloves. He also carried a large backpack that was more than half his height, which was empty to conceal his intention to retrieve items from his spatial storage.
I went downstairs and met up with Liu Pei and the others.
Lu An and the three little ones watched her leave with longing eyes, feeling a bit like the lonely left-behind children.
When Yu Miaomiao arrived at the 16th floor, she saw Liu Pei and his wife He Xin each carrying a hiking backpack.
They were wrapped up tightly except for their eyes, and it looked like they had worn all the warm clothes they could. Their bodies were bulging, and Yu Miaomiao felt sorry for them because of their bulkiness and inconvenience.
"Here you are."
The group nodded to each other slightly. Apart from Liu Pei and his wife, there were a few other people who were also bundled up tightly, wearing middle-aged and elderly-style down jackets, which looked somewhat out of place.
A small head peeked out from behind He Xin; it was a little girl, about 5 or 6 years old, with a ponytail.
She still looked young and timid, but despite being in the apocalypse, her clothes were clean and tidy, clearly showing that she had been carefully cared for by her parents.
Liu Pei touched the girl's rosy cheeks, which were red from the cold, and said, "My daughter Yaoyao should call her Sister Miaomiao."
"Hello, Sister Miaomiao, Sister... Sister, you're so pretty." The little girl's voice was a little timid, but her soft and cute voice touched people's hearts.
"When did this child learn to be so glib?"
The child mischievously stuck out his tongue.
Yu Miaomiao smiled. This child was speaking such blunt truths.
"It's cold outside, go back inside quickly. Mom and Dad will be back soon." He Xin hugged and kissed the little girl, then pushed her into the tent.
The child's grandmother opened the tent from the inside and welcomed the girl into the tent. She smiled and nodded at Yu Miaomiao before closing the tent flap.
As they walked downstairs, they introduced themselves to each other. Only then did Yu Miaomiao realize that she recognized several of the people in the crowd; they were the same group who lived on the 13th floor.
Although Yu Miaomiao was unhappy about being paired with them, she didn't care. Once they arrived at their destination, she would find an opportunity to split up and act separately.
Yuan Yong and his son, who lived on the fifth floor, were also among them. Remembering that Tuanzi and Yuanzi's misfortunes in their previous life were all due to them, Yu Miaomiao silently clenched her hands, which were in her pockets.
Of course, we won't attack them in front of everyone for no reason right now, but if they cause trouble or are alone, they're asking for trouble.
When I got to the window on the 9th floor, the window was more than two meters above the ice.
Yu Miaomiao has been training diligently these past few days, and with the constant consumption of spring water, her physical functions have improved considerably. She walked at the front, braced herself with her arms, and flipped off, landing lightly on the ice.
The others somehow found a rope, made a simple pulley lifting device, and slowly slid down the rope.
Yuan Yong's good-for-nothing son, Yuan Lixuan, has been sponging off his parents at home for more than two years, but he has become increasingly obese. His fat body makes him breathless after just a few movements. He hangs outside the window wall, looking at the ground but too scared to let go, making everyone who is waiting impatient.
"Hurry up." Lin Miaorong was shivering from the cold. If she weren't so hungry, she wouldn't have endured this ordeal.
The old man's house where they lived had some supplies, but Zhang Fengqiang's family kept them tightly, and they were only given a meager meal a day.
They had a fight once, and Zhang Fengqiang, as if he didn't care about his life, swung an axe and was about to chop them up...
This time, Zhang Fengqiang also ordered them to go out and find supplies. If they couldn't find any, they would be kicked out of the 13th floor. Being homeless in temperatures below -100 degrees Celsius meant that death was not far away.
Although unwilling, they had no choice. No more news of rescue came. If they didn't go out, they would die anyway. They went out to explore, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
"We went out a few days ago, before the floods broke out. To the west is the Central Market, where we found some food. We plan to go there again this time, as it is a higher area and there should still be some parts exposed above the permafrost."
The floodwaters have stopped, but the entire city is frozen over. As far as the eye can see, everything is white. There are no cars or boats available, and it takes half an hour to walk there, which is not far.
No one objected, and Yu Miaomiao was mainly there to put on a show, so she went with the flow and set off.
They hadn't gone far when Yuan Lixuan approached Yu Miaomiao.
He not only stared at her with lecherous eyes, but also tried to grab her waist.
She quickly left Yuan Lixuan behind, skillfully dodging him, and retrieved a small knife from her spatial storage, holding it in her hand.
If he insists on walking into the line of fire again, he shouldn't blame her for being impolite.
The group soon arrived at the Central Mall.
However, the current situation is not optimistic.