Chapter 70

This trip to the university town was essentially a scouting and pioneering mission. Therefore, it consisted mostly of young, able-bodied men. There were only two female military doctors among the medical personnel. The total number of ordinary people was three hundred, and there were thirty soldiers. To prevent any accidents or individuals from falling behind due to exhaustion, the team leader, Shi Yuanfei, organized the people into groups: five people per small team, thirty people per large team, making a total of ten teams. Two soldiers were assigned to each large team, with additional soldiers acting as medical personnel and handling logistics.

Qin Huai's group happened to consist of five people, forming a small team. They were assigned to the first large team, which was in the lead, directly behind the soldiers. This was Shi Yuanfei's way of showing them some consideration. Leading the group on a long journey is actually the easiest position; trailing behind is mentally and physically more exhausting.

The equipment carried by Qin Huai's group attracted a lot of attention, especially since very few people still had protective suits. Most of the soldiers lacked protective suits, and the trailer they pulled drew particular interest. The large wheels of the trailer made it seem like it could handle rough terrain easily, which was a significant advantage.

Looking around, some people had luggage, but they weren't sure how long it would last. At least they had something to carry their belongings in. Those without backpacks wrapped their things in sheets or cloth and carried them on their backs. The sight of these scattered, ragtag groups made them look like refugees.

Among the crowd, some had shaved heads for convenience, while others had unkempt hair with visible fleas. Most people didn't wear shirts due to the heat; those who did were dressed in ragged strips of cloth that were too dirty to discern their original color. The smell was unbearable, with a pungent sweat stench that was no better than the filth-covered ruins.

This was probably after a recent heavy rain when some people had bathed. If they hadn't washed since the earthquake, the scene might have been even more overwhelming.

Seeing Jian Chu and others struggling with the discomfort, Mu Nan remembered he had bought some aromatic tablets. These were herbal tablets with a refreshing medicinal scent, useful for alleviating unpleasant odors. He had forgotten they were already using mint-infused masks, but seeing Jian Chu nearly overwhelmed by the smell, he decided to help. He pulled out three small tablets from his bag and suggested they put them in their masks to help disperse the smell.

Jian Chu, too exhausted to be polite, quickly placed a tablet in his mask. While it couldn't completely block out the odors, it at least made breathing a bit easier.

Xu Ming, unfamiliar with the tablets, asked curiously, "What is this?"

Mu Nan replied, "They're aromatic tablets made from traditional Chinese herbs. They help block out some of the odor and refresh your senses."

As Xu Ming inserted a tablet into his mask, he commented, "You have quite a few of these strange but useful items. It's a good thing you have this hat; even though it's blowing hot air, it's better than nothing."

Mu Nan smiled, "I used to enjoy browsing shopping websites."

Jian Chu, fanning himself vigorously with a fan, said, "Can we get moving already? It's getting suffocating in here."

Yu Zibai helped fan him, offering some soothing words to hang in there a bit longer.

Qin Huai adjusted Mu Nan's hat and asked, "Is it too hot? Do you need some water?"

Mu Nan shook his head, "It's not too bad. The mist spray helps a bit." The spray cools the clothes, and with the fan's help, it was bearable.

After several reminders about the departure time, despite the large number of people and the time needed to organize the teams, they set off as planned. They aimed to cover as much ground as possible before dark. Since the outside was not only ruins but also had many fissures from the earthquake, it was crucial to move quickly to avoid dangers, such as falling into these cracks.

Qin Huai's vehicle proved easier to manage than expected. The items they carried were not particularly heavy, even though their load appeared larger than what Yu Zibai and Xu Ming had. The vehicle's rear had an added pull bar, which helped Mu Nan keep the small trailer balanced and prevent it from tipping over on uneven terrain.

Qin Huai and Yu Zibai pulled the vehicle side by side, with Xu Ming helping Yu Zibai maintain balance. Jian Chu, seeing that Mu Nan's group had a lot of items, lent a hand, still having the energy to comment, "I just saw a dog in the team."

Mu Nan looked back in confusion, "Is it a military dog?"

Jian Chu shook his head, "Do you remember when we were setting up our stall before? There were these two guys who bought a lot of dog food from us. I saw them with a dog, but I'm not sure what breed it is. It's all white with short hair, kind of like a Labrador but not quite. It looked pretty good. A lot of people were eyeing that dog with envy."

Mu Nan couldn't help but comment, "It's not easy to keep a dog at a time like this."

Jian Chu sighed, "I'm worried that along the way, people might see it as a meal. It's too conspicuous."

Mu Nan said, "There's nothing we can do about it. We can't just abandon the dog. If someone has gotten that attached, what can they do but bring it along?"

Jian Chu replied, "Shouldn't they be keeping the dog hidden at home? Being out here with it, especially with those starving and desperate people around, I can't imagine what might happen."

Mu Nan said, "Staying at home might not be safe either. Who knows if their home still exists? If not, living in a tent wouldn't be any different from being out here."

As they were talking, Qin Huai, who was leading the group, suddenly turned around, "You two, stop talking. Save your energy. You're treating this like a leisurely outing."

Mu Nan quickly acknowledged and shared a smile with Jian Chu before falling silent.

The soldiers leading the way kept in constant contact with those at the back via radios to maintain the speed of the entire group and prevent anyone from falling too far behind.

After navigating through the residential ruins, they reached a main road, which made the journey slightly easier. They chose to stick to the main roads as much as possible. These roads were flanked by shops, a bit farther from residential buildings, which made them easier to traverse, though they still had to be cautious of cracks caused by the earthquake.

On the main road, Qin Huai found it easier to pull their trailer. With soldiers clearing the path ahead, it was less of a concern to follow in their footsteps, avoiding gaps in the road. Qin Huai paid close attention to Mu Nan, who, due to wearing a protective suit, was more prone to overheating compared to others who were shirtless.

Seeing Qin Huai's concern, Mu Nan quickly jogged up to him, "What's up? Do you need water? I can get it for you." Since they were constantly moving, stopping wasn't feasible. If Qin Huai needed water, Mu Nan would have to get it while walking.

Qin Huai shook his head, "Now that we're on the main road, it's not as close to residential areas, and there's less debris. If you're too hot, you can loosen your protective suit and drink plenty of water."

Mu Nan said, "I know. Let me get you some water. You're sweating a lot more than I am." He was just balancing the trailer while Qin Huai was pulling it, so Qin Huai's exertion and energy consumption were greater.

Mu Nan retrieved a water bottle from the trailer, which he had taken from their supplies, although he pretended to reach into his bag. The bottle had a built-in straw for convenience. He opened it, and the straw popped out, then handed it to Qin Huai, "Drink up while I pull the trailer."

Qin Huai took the bottle, and they briefly switched tasks. Walking on the main road was easier compared to the debris-laden paths, so swapping the tasks wasn't a big deal.

The water in the bottle was chilled, and Mu Nan had added some diluted glucose to prevent dehydration, making it slightly sweet but not overwhelming. Qin Huai drank half the bottle before handing it back to Mu Nan, who then took a slow sip from the bottle. He had grown accustomed to drinking slowly from Qin Huai's practice, finding that it quenched his thirst better.

Jian Chu followed suit but without ice water. After a whole day without power, the ice had melted, leaving only water that was less warm but not as cool. Watching them help each other, Xu Ming, who was alone, quietly pulled out his own water from his backpack. No one fed him, but he took care of himself!

As evening approached, the rear of the group started to lag. After nearly four to five hours of walking from dawn till dark, Shi Yuanfei ordered a rest.

Although they had mostly traveled on main roads, they still passed through a lot of ruins and had to detour around collapsed bridges. Not all earthquake survivors could be immediately gathered by the military. The camp that Mu Nan's community managed to set up quickly was because the military base was nearby. The distribution of supplies was initially organized by community, with teams responsible for multiple communities. After the earthquake, those farther from the military base either had to fend for themselves or wait in dire conditions.

On their journey, they encountered many bodies lying in the ruins, left unburied and apparently deceased from illness. Some scavenged through the rubble, dirty and desperate, looking for anything to eat. When they saw the large group approaching, they merely looked up briefly before continuing their search.

There were also those who sought help but were warned away by the medical staff. These individuals were already ill, and since their team had no protective suits or many masks, they couldn't risk letting the sick come near. The potential for disease spread was too high, so they used warning shots to drive the ill away from a safe distance.

The desperate looks from those turned away were hard to ignore. While plague might not be a death sentence with modern medicine and antibiotics, it was virtually a guaranteed fatality in the current situation. Without access to medication, whether traditional or modern, their only option was to harshly expel the sick.

The people in the group knew that this was the only choice they had. Before leaving, the soldiers had warned them that if anyone became sick with the plague on the road, the only option was to immediately abandon them. Since they had chosen to embark on this dangerous journey together, they had to be prepared for the possibility of dying on the road. Even though they felt compassion, no one stood up to criticize or sympathize with anyone. After all, they didn't know if they would be the next ones to suffer.

The recent expulsion of the sick left everyone feeling less relieved and more subdued. Having left the safety of the camp and the protection the soldiers had provided, they were confronted with the harsh reality of the outside world. The sight of true cruelty and despair made everyone more silent and introspective.

Mu Nan carefully leaned against Qin Huai. They were now sitting in what resembled a plaza. The damage here wasn't too severe—aside from some cracks in the road, the open space was relatively clear, with shops around and some distance from the residential areas. Qin Huai unfastened Mu Nan's protective suit, wiped his sweat with a wet wipe, and used a small fan to blow air into the collar of his suit. Luckily, Mu Nan was wearing a sleeveless vest and had a wide collar, allowing the wind to circulate easily.

Qin Huai loosened the elastic of his pants, letting sweat pour out like water being poured into his clothes. Mu Nan felt a pang of concern and quickly offered him the water bottle to help him stay hydrated: "Otherwise..."

Before Mu Nan could finish his sentence, Qin Huai interrupted, "No, Nan Nan. I'd rather you be a little hot and uncomfortable than to let your guard down. Just because there are fewer people doesn't mean there's no plague. If a mosquito carrying the virus bites you, it could be deadly. So, the protective suit cannot be removed outside."

Xu Ming, who was nearby, added, "Your brother is right. Even if it's hot, it's nothing compared to your life. We don't have the luxury to remove it. If we had that option, we wouldn't remove it, no matter how hot it gets. Be careful; it's better to be safe than sorry."

Shi Yuanfei, who had finished a patrol, came over and announced, "Rest here for an hour. If you have your own supplies, you can eat something. The military will only provide two meals—one before sleeping and one after waking. Other than that, we don't have the conditions."

Qin Huai nodded in understanding. The fact that they had turned in their food didn't mean the others, who had brought less, had to turn in all of theirs. If the military had to manage three meals a day, distributing food on the road would consume a lot of time and hinder their progress. Ensuring a meal before and after sleep was much better than just one meal a day.

Mu Nan took out two portable chargers and handed one to Jian Chu's group, "Charge your hats with this. My charger is solar-powered, so you can use it without worry. Just leave it outside to recharge during the day."

An older man sitting nearby noticed their equipment and couldn't help but comment, "You've got quite a complete set of gear."

Qin Huai replied, "We're lucky. Our house didn't collapse, so we still have all our stuff."

The older man sighed, "These times are tough."

Mu Nan took off his mask and then adjusted Qin Huai's mask, both soaked with sweat. He retrieved two dry masks and Qin Huai said, "Don't throw them away. It's just sweat. Keep them for now; they can be dried in the sun and reused."

Mu Nan nodded. Although they didn't lack masks, they had to maintain appearances and recycle what they could.

Jian Chu pulled out a few packets of jerky from their trailer and handed two packets to Mu Nan, "Eat some to replenish your energy. We don't know how long we'll be walking before we get another break."

Mu Nan said, "You guys eat. We have our own." He reached for his bag.

Jian Chu insisted, "Sit down and eat. Aren't you tired? You gave us so much it's just two packets of jerky."

Reluctantly, Mu Nan accepted the jerky but only ate two pieces. He was concerned Qin Huai might not have enough to eat, so he gave the rest to him. Mu Nan could eat anytime while his mask covered his face, but it was difficult to feed Qin Huai, so he tried to make sure Qin Huai ate well when he could.

Qin Huai understood Mu Nan's intentions and promptly ate the jerky.

An hour quickly passed, and the group resumed their journey. While others were organizing their things, Mu Nan discreetly pulled down Qin Huai's mask and slipped two sushi pieces into his mouth. The area was dark as they rested in place, and to save electricity, they didn't use lights. Besides, lights would attract mosquitoes, which could be infected. As long as movements weren't too noticeable, no one would realize Qin Huai was eating.

Qin Huai tapped Mu Nan's hat to get his attention, quickly adjusted his mask, and began to chew the sushi slowly. With the mask in place, as long as he didn't move too much, no one could tell he was eating.

After the rest, the team moved continuously until dawn. Their speed gradually slowed due to fatigue, and navigating through steep debris was increasingly challenging. Fortunately, a soldier noticed Mu Nan struggling and helped lift the trailer, or else Mu Nan might have needed extra help from Yu Zibai or Xu Ming.

At dawn, they needed to find a place to rest before the sun became too hot. Even though everyone was relatively fresh on the first day, a whole night of walking had been exhausting. They needed to rest during the day and continue traveling at night. However, the collapsed ruins offered few good resting spots, so they decided to find separate areas to rest while ensuring the entire team stayed together. If they dispersed too much, it would be hard to find lost members once darkness fell.

The team responsible for Qin Huai's group included a veteran and a young soldier. They were fortunate to find a partially collapsed bank. The veteran broke into the bank's counter and directed everyone to sleep inside to avoid the sun during the day. Once settled, they began distributing food. Each person received a hard, dry flatbread called a "naan," slightly larger than an adult's hand. The naan were baked to be durable and heat-resistant. Those who hadn't turned in their food ate their own supplies.

Mu Nan tapped the naan against Qin Huai's, and it was so hard that not a single crumb fell off. The young soldier watching their interaction couldn't help but laugh, "Take your time eating it. Chew a bit more—it's actually quite tasty."

Qin Huai said, "Take out the small pot. Use the instant noodle seasoning or the kimchi seasoning packet, add some water, and boil it."

Mu Nan replied, "Let's go with the kimchi. People are probably tired of instant noodles by now, like Jian Chu here next to me, so we should consider the others around us."

When they pulled out a small stove with solid fuel and a tiny pot, everyone was surprised. "I wouldn't have guessed you were out here for camping."

Qin Huai chuckled and said, "We brought as much as we could from home. Better to be prepared than not. If it gets too cumbersome on the road, we can always lighten the load by gradually discarding things."

Although the naan was hard, with some effort it could still be torn apart. Qin Huai broke the naan into small pieces and put them into the kimchi soup pot to cook. Jian Chu and the others didn't wash their hands to conserve paper towels, so they left the naan tearing to Qin Huai to avoid dirtying the food.

Mu Nan then pulled out several packets of beef sauce from his bag. "Should this be used for dipping, or added to the soup?"

Jian Chu suggested, "Add it to the soup. It'll give it a bit of spiciness." He then pulled out several disposable lunch boxes from his trailer, planning to use them once and clean them with paper towels since washing wasn't an option. They would then store them and reuse them later.

Mu Nan squeezed some beef sauce into the pot and handed the remaining two packets to the young soldier. "Here, for you guys. Spread it on the naan to add some flavor."

The young soldier quickly shook his head and refused. "No need, we have our own food. You keep this. The journey ahead is long, and we don't know how long it will take to reach the university town."

Mu Nan insisted, "Just take it as a thank you for helping us with the trailer earlier. It's just a small packet, not much. You might need it later on." Each packet was only ten grams, not a lot, but it was a small token of their gratitude.

The young soldier felt a bit embarrassed, but the older soldier smiled and accepted the packets, patting the young soldier's shoulder to reassure him. They would have plenty of opportunities to look out for each other on the road, so accepting the small gift wasn't a big deal.