Chapter 35: Women

After gathering all the supplies they came back home safely. Anna ask Ike to take shower.

"No, I'm used to it. Bathing again might make me catch a cold," Ike replied. Anna agreed, "That's true," and continued to dry his hair gently.

Outside, the woman was still shouting and banging on the security window, demanding an explanation for her husband's death.

Anna glanced at the woman with disgust and annoyance, her facial expression mirroring her thoughts. Ike, on the other hand, paid no attention to her. He tapped on the window, beckoning her to keep yelling if she pleased.

In the current circumstances, right and wrong had lost their significance. Some individuals were willing to do whatever it took for personal gain, regardless of ethics or morality.

 As the power outage persisted and social order deteriorated further, these individuals no longer felt the need to hide behind a facade of respectability.

There was a saying: "You can't be kidnapped if you have no morals.

"Is there any wire in the house?" Ike asked Anna.

Anna pondered for a moment. "I don't think so. Why do you need wire? We might find some in the hardware store, though. Last time we visited, we were able to exchange items for wire."

As Anna spoke, Negan, who had just awakened, descended from upstairs. "What do you need wire for?"

"We need to reinforce the house," Ike explained.

Negan clapped his hands, agreeing, "That's a good idea. We should give it a try."

Since the three families had started working together, most of Ike's daily activities took place at Regus's house. He only returned to his own home to sleep at night.

The rain in the lower areas continued to accumulate, threatening to flood Ike's house in less than half a month. To make matters worse, the shutter door at Negan's place was previously damaged, so he and his family had relocated to Regus's house.

 Consequently, most of their activities were centred there, and the security of this house became a top priority.

Regus's house had a rectangular design with a semi-open balcony on the second floor, lacking any safety net. This made it vulnerable to intruders who could scale the walls and reach the balcony, posing a significant security risk.

However, the house had a notable advantage – all its doors were made of solid wood, exceptionally sturdy and soundproof.

Ike had been considering strengthening the house for a while. With the influx of neighbors from downstream and the gathering of women who liked to chat and gossip at Regus's place, it was clear that many people knew about their relatively abundant resources.

 They weren't flaunting their wealth, but the fact that they ventured out every morning and returned with supplies was a telltale sign.

Hence, Ike's family became the target of envy and potential threats. Strengthening their house and transferring some of their resources to another location seemed like a wise move. This would not only improve their security but also provide them with a secondary base of operations.

If the situation deteriorated further, they could even consider relocating.

Yingli's studio stood out as an excellent secondary base, as it was likely unoccupied. However, the specifics needed further investigation.

Ike shared his thoughts and calculations with Negan, Tom, Regus, Nami, and others, who were gathered in the living room. While the meal was being prepared, they discussed their plans for the next day.

The dinner table was set with several dishes, though not particularly large portions. They included a variety of dishes along with bowls, chopsticks, and drinks, creating a full spread.

Tom, always concerned about their food stockpile, diligently closed the curtains every time they dined to avoid prying eyes from outside. Tonight was no exception, but there was an annoyance waiting outside.

"You must give me an explanation!" The persistent voice of a woman could still be heard through the seamless glass window.

Tom rolled his eyes, made a face in response to the woman's demands, and closed the curtain to block her from view.

On the dinner table, there were several small dishes, along with a canned peach, which was a customary pre-meal fruit.

 Everyone was obliged to eat it, regardless of personal preference. Negan, in particular, disliked it, but Linda insisted on spoon-feeding him two pieces.

There was also a small dish of hot sauce mixed with soybeans, featuring golden beans soaked in a sweet and sour sauce with a hint of spice.

All these ingredients had been sourced from the wholesale market through their scavenging efforts.

Linda and Yingli dedicated their time to brainstorming nutritious and delicious meals for the group. Since Anna was not skilled in the kitchen, she contributed by utilizing her other talents.

As dinner continued, the conversation shifted to their decision not to venture outside for supplies the next day. Everyone at the table was in agreement, recognizing that their current stockpile could sustain them for several months if managed carefully.

Fuel, however, was a concern. While water was abundant due to the incessant rain, their supply of fuel would only last about four months.

The group had also planned to reinforce their homes and transfer some of their resources. Anna raised the issue of how their neighbors might perceive their actions.

Anna pointed out that the outside world was becoming increasingly dangerous, and their frequent trips in and out of the house were conspicuous. Everyone was aware of their relatively well-stocked supplies,

making them potential targets.

Negan chimed in, noting that he had observed unfamiliar people lurking around their neighborhood.

Ike asked for more information, and Negan explained that the strangers appeared unfamiliar and did not seem to be from the local area.

With this new information, Ike emphasized the importance of acting cautiously and maintaining a low profile, especially when leaving the house.

Tom added some humor to the conversation, mentioning the proclivity of their neighbor Lu Wei to talk endlessly about unrelated matters, earning him the nickname "foot wrap."

Ike agreed with Tom's humor but cautioned against partnering with Lu Wei and Ralph in future endeavors.

He considered Lu Wei to be measured and trustworthy but deemed Ralph ill-suited for their group due to his introverted personality.

Regus and others concurred with Ike's decision, preferring not to team up with Ralph.

The discussion then turned to the recent arrival of workers at an industrial park, a topic Ike had previously raised. Ike emphasized the importance of staying vigilant, given the potential for larger companies and factories to form groups and establish dominance.

Anna raised the question of whether their current safe period would be short-lived, prompting Nami to acknowledge that the ongoing chaos would likely continue.

Ike stressed the need to seize opportunities during this chaotic period and reduce their outside excursions once a new social order was established.

The group realized that their relatively safe period was fleeting, and the conversation grew somber. Life had become increasingly challenging in the 40-plus days since the power outage, and the future appeared uncertain.

After finishing dinner in silence,

the group prepared to rest for the night. The dark, rainy night outside enveloped them as they made their way back to their respective homes.

As they left Regus's house and entered the narrow, pitch-black street, they encountered a cold gust of wind mixed with rain and dew. The darkness outside was absolute, as there were no longer any lights or signs of civilization.

The trio reached Ike's house safely, took off their raincoats, and carefully navigated the rain-soaked stairwell to their room.

 Inside, they checked the door and wiped their feet with towels before settling in for the night.

Before going to sleep, Ike retrieved a desiccant pouch from under the pillow and placed it in the quilt.

At dawn, Ike awoke, and although he was fully awake, his body felt heavy, as if he had been soaking in a hot spring with a foggy head. He attributed this discomfort to the continuous rainy and humid weather, affecting his overall well-being.

Despite maintaining a daily exercise routine and getting adequate rest, his morning lethargy persisted. Sometimes it felt like his organs had absorbed too much moisture, making him feel sluggish.

He knew that similar minor health issues were affecting Yingli, Linda, and Anna in various ways. The ongoing humidity was causing problems like edema and acne. Nami, however, seemed to be faring better physically, showing fewer signs of distress. Each person had their own minor issues to contend with, and there was little they could do except endure them for now. They all hoped for the rain to cease soon and for conditions to improve.

Given the constant moisture, they had also stockpiled quicklime, found at a nearby construction site. In the early morning light, they began to prepare for their plans. However, an unexpected visitor arrived at Regus's doorstep.