Can't I Go?

The rules of survival in this world have changed. Overprotecting someone is not necessarily for their own good, and Alice doesn't feel the need for others' protection.

The Allen family, initially resistant to Alice, eventually had to compromise.

After a week, Alice received a notification about the safe house, stating that they would gather in front of the office building the next morning.

That evening, Alice packed her things, though there wasn't much to pack. After all, isn't space more practical than a suitcase? Just to confuse others, she stuffed a few clothes and packs of compressed biscuits into her suitcase. Everything else that could freeze easily went into the space, and she took a lot of food to leave for her family.

The next day, Alice arrived in front of the office building and immediately saw the tall man leaning against the car door. It seemed like he sensed her gaze, and Hurley walked over to her.Don't tell me you're going to deliver supplies too," Alice frowned slightly.

"Why can't I go?" Hurley asked with a light smile.

Alice retorted, "This is nonsense, isn't it? You can't carry on your shoulders or lift with your hands. The laboratory is where you should be."

Hurley paused at her words, suddenly realizing that he had never made any physical moves in front of her, leading to such a misunderstanding.

He slightly twitched the corner of his mouth, "It's okay, I can use a gun.""Oh, by the way, thanks for the data you sent. It's been useful to me," Hurley said, looking deeply into her eyes with a clear voice.

"As long as you can make use of it," Alice replied, considering it as repaying him for the temperature-regulating suit he had sent.

After a while, Hurley asked, "Did you used to enjoy scientific research?"Otherwise, how could there be so many professional materials, papers, and classified categorizations? Alice shook her head, "Not really, I just downloaded them casually when there was still internet."

Hurley was about to say something when a middle-aged man walked out. The man was wearing a green military coat, appeared somewhat bulky, had a beard on his face, and spoke loudly, "I'm in charge of this grain delivery. Just call me Craig."

"Is everyone ready?"

Those who hadn't gotten out of the cars replied from the windows, "Ready."

"Good, let's go!" Craig gave the order.

Alice turned and walked towards her own car. Hurley had his own car, so there was no need for her to take him along. The other vehicles in the grain delivery convoy took the lead, and Alice initially thought of following at the back. After waiting for a dozen seconds and seeing that Hurley's car didn't move, she drove off. Hurley followed behind her.

Each car in the convoy had a snow plow attached to the front, saving a lot of time in clearing snow. The wheels were also equipped with anti-skid chains. The convoy's speed was not particularly fast. As Alice casually glanced around, she suddenly noticed several bodies in the snow piles on the roadside.

The leading car suddenly stopped, and Craig, along with a few others, got out. Alice also opened her door and walked over, just in time to hear Craig and the others analyzing, "These people weren't frozen to death; it's obvious they were attacked by wild animals."

"Craig, there's a line of footprints here," someone in the convoy shouted.

They walked over, and Craig pondered for a moment, "These are bear footprints. Everyone, be cautious and don't get out of the cars easily." Their clothes were layered, making their movements slower than usual. Without guns, they might not necessarily be able to handle bears.

Alice added, "From these footprints, there are probably more than ten bears."

Everyone heightened their alertness.Fortunately, the journey went relatively smoothly. They drove for an hour, and by noon, they reached their destination. As the safe house didn't provide meals, they had to handle it themselves. Since it was cold outside and no one wanted to get out of the cars, Alice could cook inside her vehicle.

The front seats were too crowded, so Alice moved to the back, laid down a fireproof mat, and took out a portable stove. After installing the gas canister, she could start cooking lunch. Just as the food was ready, someone lightly tapped on the car window.

Alice pulled back the curtain and saw Hurley outside. She lowered the car window and asked, "What's up?"

Hurley held up a piece of meat and asked in his magnetic voice, "Can I join you for lunch? I brought some vegetables."

Alice had enough meat, but thinking that Hurley probably didn't have a stove, she agreed, "Come up."

Hurley raised an eyebrow, smoothly opened the car door, and upon seeing Alice fully prepared, he was somewhat surprised. "Why didn't you bring a pot when you brought the meat out?" Alice asked in confusion.

The car was warm, and Hurley took off his hat, then removed his coat, revealing his handsome face. His deep gaze met Alice's. "I have a pot, but I would need to go outside to find firewood to cook. It's all snowy outside, and firewood isn't easy to find."

Hurley had seen Alice busy in the back and faintly smelled the aroma of rice, prompting him to come over.

"How about making stir-fried shiitake mushrooms with meat and seaweed pork slice soup?" She couldn't take things out of her space, and the ingredients in the car were limited, so these were the only ideas Alice had.

"Sounds good." Hurley nodded slightly and added, "I also have chicken and wood ear mushrooms in my car. Let's have stir-fried chicken with wood ear mushrooms tonight."

Alice suggested, "I have pig trotters and soybeans here. Let's cook a soup."

"Perfect!"The two of them discussed and planned the dishes for tonight.More than just Alice and Hurley brought pots, bowls, utensils, and meat outside. The current temperature was like a natural refrigerator, allowing the meat to be stored for a long time without worrying about spoilage. Others in the group were also cooking in their cars, and before long, the enticing aroma filled the air.

Alice didn't expect Hurley to suddenly join her, but fortunately, she had cooked an extra portion of food, just enough for two people. Hurley assisted her, and the two of them worked quickly, completing two dishes in less than half an hour.

Alice had seasoning, making the meal exceptionally delicious, tempting the others in the convoy. However, since they were all strangers and everyone was facing food shortages, no one dared to brazenly ask for a share.

Hurley brought two cans of cola from his car and raised an eyebrow, "Want some?"

Alice replied, "..OK."She took a can and clinked it against his. This time, Hurley, as always, praised the meal, "Not bad, much tastier than what I can cook."

Curious, Alice asked him, "Aren't you going back to city A? Won't your family worry?"

"I don't have a family," Hurley fell silent for a moment, his deep eyes filled with sorrow. "My parents died in an accident when I was eighteen."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Alice said after a moment, offering him a piece of meat.

Hurley was amused by her gesture, "It's been six years; I've long moved on."

After finishing lunch, Hurley took the initiative to heat water and wash the dishes. Alice sat on the side, leisurely sipping cola. Occasionally, she looked up at the man's perfect profile, savoring the rare visual feast. Like everyone else, Alice appreciated beautiful things; she was, in fact, someone who valued appearances.