Chapter 121: Departure for Chenshi (1)

Sang Chu got up, opened the window, and looked down. Yu He and Si Yu were riding their bikes and laughing happily.

""I really don’t know who came up with the idea of riding bikes. Just look at how much fun those kids are having!""

Tu You squatted on her shoulder and looked down too. ""It doesn’t look like the apocalypse at all from up here.""

""Yeah, sometimes when I see them like this, I almost forget we’re still in the apocalypse. Who knows when it’ll finally end.""

She both hoped the apocalypse would end soon, but also worried about what would happen if Qin Dalao’s plan succeeded. If the world really was rebuilt, wouldn’t everyone left become some kind of super expert?

Would ordinary people even have a chance to survive then?

She understood the laws of nature, but she still felt uneasy—very uneasy. She knew she wasn’t strong enough yet to protect her family.

Tu You said, ""Forget it, don’t think about it. Aren’t you leaving for Chenshi today? When are you heading out?""

""In a bit. Lu Minli has already packed up. We’ll leave once everyone’s awake.""

""Okay, let’s see if we can pick some more apples along the way. Your storage space is almost empty now, right? If you get too many, give me some, I’ll help you carry them.""

""Alright.""

Most of her things were already stored in her portable space, which was now almost empty.

—

When Lin Muxue woke up, she habitually opened the window and looked at the bright morning outside. The moment she opened it, she heard laughter.

Looking down, she realized everyone was riding bikes!

She hurriedly got dressed and ran downstairs.

The villa was very soundproof, so unless the windows were open, you couldn’t hear anything from outside—not even the noise from the kids.

Lu Minli had just stepped out when Lin Muxue bumped right into him. ""Xiaoxue? Why are you running so fast?""

""Huff… huff…""

Lin Muxue was so out of breath she couldn’t speak. Lu Minli quickly steadied her and patted her back gently, ""Don’t rush, catch your breath. Did something happen?""

""No, no.""

Knowing he was worried, Lin Muxue grabbed his hand and started running again, talking breathlessly as she went, ""No, I just heard a commotion outside. Everyone’s out there, it looks so fun!""

When they got outside, she realized everyone really was up already.

Sang Jingwen and Yi Ge were both there.

""Brother Wen, Brother Yi, you’re up so early too!""

Seeing Muxue and Lu Minli holding hands, a little flustered, everyone just smiled knowingly but didn’t say anything.

Yi Ge leaned against Sang Jingwen, still half-asleep, and muttered, ""Ruan Yaru and Xia Ru came up with the bike idea. My brother dragged me out here at the crack of dawn!""

He yawned as he spoke. He’d been up late fixing things last night, and now he was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open. His little brother really was a handful.

Sang Jingwen, worried he’d fall asleep standing, held him up and asked, ""Want to go back and sleep for a bit?""

""No, aren’t we heading to Qingliu City soon? I’ll sleep in the car later.""

He only trusted these people. Once they were on the road, he could nap in the car.

Lu Minli said, ""Brother Yi, if you’re tired, you can go wait in the car. Once Ah Chu finishes eating, we can leave.""

Everything at the base was basically arranged. Even if he left now, there wouldn’t be any problems.

Sang Chu came down just in time to hear this. ""Since everyone’s up, let’s eat and get going.""

Grandma Lin came out with a smile, holding a tray of freshly steamed meat buns. ""You’re all up so early! I just finished steaming these meat buns.""

She’d thought the kids were just playing and might get hungry, so she brought out the buns. She hadn’t expected even Sang Chu to be up already.

As soon as Lin Muxue saw her grandma, she let go of Lu Minli’s hand and ran over. ""Grandma, you made meat buns! How did you know I was craving them?""

Grandma Lin dotingly pinched her cheek and handed her a bun.

Sang Chu noticed Lu Minli looking a little down at his empty hand, so she rubbed her nose and walked over. ""Grandma, why does Xiaoxue get one first?""

""There’s enough for everyone!""

Grandma Lin opened the box and handed out a big bun to each person. Yu He, tired from playing, smelled the buns and ran over, abandoning his bike.

""Grandma, those smell amazing!""

His eyes sparkled like a puppy’s as he stared at the buns.

But just as Grandma Lin was about to hand him one, Yi Ge grabbed him by the collar and said, ""You just finished playing, go wash your hands before you eat!""

""Aw, come on, bro! It’s the apocalypse, does it really matter? I won’t get sick!""

He craned his neck and took a big bite out of the bun anyway. Yi Ge gave him a firm smack on the head.

""It didn’t matter before, but now that we have supplies, you need to be careful. Isn’t there a sink? Remember to wash up next time, got it?""

""Alright, alright, I got it. I’m going to play—no, I’m going to patrol with Si Yu!""

Si Yu arrived just then, a little shy in front of all the adults.

""Sister Sang, my sister and Brother Xia Ru came up with the bike idea. They made one for me and Yu too. Usually, I use it to patrol the underground base. He says the place is too big to run everywhere.""

He was usually talkative, but now, caught by so many adults, he was a bit embarrassed—especially since his sister made the bike for him to use on patrol.

Sang Chu gave him a look and said, ""Alright, go ahead. Tell your sister and Xia Ru that we’ll be leaving soon. Everything at the base will run as usual. Once we leave, the outer shield will be activated, so the underground base and the mountain villa will be completely sealed off from the outside.""

""Okay, I’ll let them know!""

He ran off at once.

Muxue walked over, hooked her arm through Sang Chu’s, and leaned on her shoulder, grinning. ""I never thought my Sang Sang would be so intimidating. Look how scared the kids are of you!""

""Alright, eat your bun and stop talking.""

Sang Chu stuffed her own bun into Muxue’s mouth, and Muxue took a big, satisfied bite. ""I have a golden stomach, you know. I never get tired of these!""

Grandma Lin said, ""Uncle Gao made plenty. I’ve already packed some for you and put them in the car—there are fried ones, steamed ones, all sorts of easy-to-carry food.""

She didn’t know how many days they’d be gone, so she made sure to prepare food that would keep well and be easy to eat on the road.

Grandma Lin’s food was always delicious, and it was convenient to take along, so Sang Chu didn’t object.

""Thank you, Grandma. Please thank Uncle Gao for me too. We’ll head out now. Grandma, if anything happens at the base, just do what we discussed.""

""Alright, Grandma knows.""

Seeing Sang Chu about to leave, Grandma Lin patted her hand and said, ""Take care of yourself too, you hear me? Don’t worry about us here at the base. Come back soon!"""