The temperature at night was very low. The heavy rain outside was no longer a warm spring rain but had turned into a cold deluge of red earthworms.
While others in different caves were shivering from the cold, the firewood in Cave 5 of Zone Z had already burned out. After the thick smoke cleared, the hot stones still ensured a comfortable temperature. Sleeping next to the stones at night was exceptionally comfortable. This text is hosted at NoveIＦire.net
Jing Shu’s earthen kiln also burned charcoal, and the family gathered around the warm kiln, chatting.
After dinner, Mr. Jing began carving a set of mahjong tiles for the family because Grandma Jing’s craving for the game had flared up. By the time Jing Shu and Li Yuetian had finished their handover and returned, the family had already gathered around a small wooden table, playing mahjong.
Every now and then, sounds like "One Bamboo!" or "Pung!" could be heard. It truly felt like they were on vacation.
Meanwhile, Jing Shu watched them from the sidelines. When one player lost, they would step down, and another would take their place. All the while, she continued practicing with her Magic Cube, which had given her a new zest for life in this lifetime.
Jing Shu watched as the Magic Cube, which she had just managed to align, reverted to its previous jumbled colors. That’s the 33rd time, she silently calculated.
Indeed, the Magic Cube really did change colors on its own, which greatly increased its difficulty. Initially, Jing Shu thought it was an illusion, but after paying closer attention, she realized it genuinely changed colors secretly.
As a result, Jing Shu had become very sensitive to sudden changes in color, and capturing such changes with her eyes felt like watching a slow-motion replay.
It was as if she could clearly see the trajectory of a fly suddenly buzzing past her face.
Jing Shu wasn’t sure if this was a new skill developed from her daily Magic Cube practice or an enhancement of her abilities from drinking too much Spiritual Spring. But for now, it doesn’t seem to have any practical use, does it?
Regarding this, Jing Shu could only hope that after the Magic Cube Space was upgraded, it would gain some extra functions, much like how the cube itself could change colors. It’s predictable that future upgrades to the Magic Cube Space will become increasingly difficult, she mused.
The sleeping arrangements for the night had Jing Shu’s parents squeezing together to free up a tent for Su Long. Uncle and Aunt would sleep in two inflatable boats, placed near the earthen kiln to stay warm.
Sleeping in the car was actually colder, and it was hard to stretch out their legs. Plus, they were all covered in mud and red earthworms. While not a major issue, the car was still less convenient for sleeping than the inflatable boats.
As for Su Long, Aunt felt embarrassed about using the clean tent and made an effort to tidy him up before dinner. Eventually, she used a dry towel to wipe the red earthworms off Su Long’s body, some of which were even eaten by the fat chicken.
At 11 p.m., Wu You’ai finished the roll call for everyone in caves 5 and 6. Afterward, they all went to rest, and her workday concluded.
Around 2 a.m., Jing Shu’s phone started beeping repeatedly. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! She abruptly opened her eyes.
The night was eerily quiet in the residential area, with only the top floor of Building 25 flickering faintly with firelight. Shangguan Jun, his bloody shoulder blades exposed, stood cautiously by the window. He pressed a piece of burning wood fiercely against them, immediately producing a SIZZLE like cooking meat. Shangguan Jun gritted his teeth, sweat soaking his back, and he bellowed, "That feels great!"
Just then, a sound came from below, prompting Shangguan Jun to quickly extinguish the fire. He then looked down as about a dozen people walked toward the villa area, an interested expression on his face.
"Brother Dasheng, theft now leads to labor reformation," one man said. "Didn’t you see Old Wang the other day? He stole someone’s clothes and was taken away. Even now, with the flood, he’s still being forced to work."
Zhou Dasheng held Zhou Dafu’s phone, his small eyes darting about. "Stupid! All our phones are hidden in the cave. Without big data access out here, who do you think will know we came out? Besides, we’re just fulfilling Brother Da Fu’s last wish by avenging him! And to be extremely generous, even though that woman stole Brother Da Fu’s handgun, if we steal a few things from her house, doesn’t that make us even?"
"Right... I’m just afraid they might not have anything."
"What do you know? They can afford an energy car and even keep chickens. Their car was loaded with food. Do you think their house would be short on good things? According to the big data registration, this is the house," Zhou Dasheng said, comparing the information from the big data. Zhou Dafu’s second-level access had been granted to him by his cousin, Zhou Daheng. This meant that by simply looking up someone named Jing Shu, they could find out where she lived and what her family members did.
We’ve hit a rich target! Zhou Dasheng was gloating inwardly when screams suddenly erupted.
"OUCH! What bit me? It hurts!"
"I got bitten too! It’s Bees! Damn it, why are there Bees here?"
"So many! There are so many Bees!"
Zhou Dasheng felt a large welt on the back of his neck and cursed a few times. "Just a few Bees? We’re dressed warmly anyway. Just keep your heads down, and we’ll be fine once we’re inside the house!"
Shangguan Jun narrowed his eyes and murmured, "So, there are insects around here?"
"Oh... and a foot-snare trap? It seems Biri snared quite a few people with these two traps back then."
"If there are traps like these outside, there are probably many more inside." Shangguan Jun fiddled with his special glasses. Although they allowed him to see life forms moving in the dark, his vantage point was somewhat high, so the view wasn’t very clear.
A loud CRASHING noise came from below as the men smashed at the door. But after just a few hits, they all collapsed...
"Useless fools. They couldn’t even break through the first line of defense. Oh well, it doesn’t really matter," Shangguan Jun lamented as he slowly closed his eyes.
Within half an hour, a woman arrived. She checked the bodies, then casually tossed them into another trap on the outer perimeter of the villa. She entered the villa again and, about half an hour later, drove off in the Shark Submarine.
"I guessed right; there was surveillance around. Lucky I didn’t go forward..." Shangguan Jun coughed violently. "Was that woman Jing Shu? Her strength is truly frightening."
Shangguan Jun slowly leaned against the wall and slumped down, his eyes filled with a mad glare. "I hope you all return soon; this body won’t last much longer. Wu You’ai, I want to go to Hell with you and study various punishments together! As for the others... since they caused Zhetian to be annihilated, they can serve as funeral offerings! COUGH. COUGH!"
"It looks like I’ll be busy in the upcoming days. How can I ensure that all of you die without a burial place? A family must be kept together, so no one should be missed. Otherwise, Wu You’ai would also have regrets. COUGH. COUGH."
Even if his body could hold on, those chasing him were likely already heading to Wu City.
"Twelve bodies in total. Go to Cave 6 and report them missing. It’s Zhou Dasheng, who was with Zhou Dafu yesterday. I found Zhou Dafu’s phone at the scene. It contains our information. They were probably here to rob the villa."
The next day, Jing Shu quietly explained the situation to Wu You’ai. Wu You’ai nodded; she knew what to do.