"I understand that, but isn’t using money to buy things a bit too, well, normal, especially considering it’s the apocalypse?"
Guan Hao lightly patted the other’s head, "Fool, have you not really grasped the true meaning of this situation? It’s true that we’re using money to buy things, but the point is for us to be able to live as usual. Didn’t you spend money when you went shopping before? If you didn’t spend money, the shopkeepers would have called the police and had you arrested long ago."
"Haha, Guan Hao is right."
Everyone around laughed.
Guan Hao said, "See, everyone’s smiling now. Think about it, since the apocalypse erupted, have you ever laughed and chatted so leisurely as you are now? This is a change for us. Everyone brought back by Lin Fan isn’t fundamentally a bad person; it’s just that damned apocalypse that has forced us into such a state."
Listening to these words.
Everyone fell silent, looking at each other, right, this kind of laughter that came from deep within, they really hadn’t experienced since the apocalypse began. Such smiles were common only during peacetime.
In recent times, all they had was fear, dread, unease, constantly worrying that zombies might appear out of nowhere, or that they might be killed for no reason by others.
"I’ve been sponsoring students’ education every month, not a lot, just a few hundred yuan, but I really felt like I wasn’t a bad person."
"Yes, I never thought I was that indifferent. In the past, I saw a few big guys bullying someone, I would bravely step forward. Even though I got beaten up for it, I wasn’t afraid at all. But I don’t know why, at that restaurant, when I saw those women being dragged away, I was truly scared, I didn’t even dare to speak up, I could only be a turtle, shrinking its head."
"I feel the same, I feel like I don’t even recognize myself anymore."
Hearing everyone’s confessions.
Guan Hao said, "I can understand everyone’s situation. During this time, I’ve thought about it: we changed, we became fearful, indifferent, because we were sinking into despair. Back in peacetime, we dared to stand up because we had faith, we had hope, with numerous people supporting us, believing in justice.
And now, Sunshine District is our final homeland, and Lin Fan is our support.
Tomorrow, let’s work together, work hard to earn money, and make our lives better, just like we lived in normal times."
With Guan Hao’s professional consolation, everyone lifted their heads, their eyes filled with light, gradually looking forward to and longing for the future life. People are easily uplifted, and moments of silence are often just temporary.
When a group comes together, all their beliefs and confidence are reinforced in everyone’s heart.
Guan Hao raised his beer, "Let’s toast to muster strength for tomorrow."
Everyone held up their beers.
A young man shouted excitedly, "Awesome!"
"Awesome awesome awesome..."
Looking at each other, everyone burst into laughter, spontaneous smiles that lift the spirits.
A hopeful life starts now.
The past is the past and will be thoroughly discarded.
Lin Fan left the district, ready to continue clearing out zombies.
He saw everyone busy, some cleaning the ground, others working together to tidy up shops, still others dismantling abandoned cars, sorting out old equipment, so it could be repurposed for other needs.
Lin Fan watched, feeling very good. He saw vibrant life from here, and whether or not they entered Sunshine District, this would become the second living place for the survivors.
"Big brother, good morning," greeted Gu Hang with a smile.
Lin Fan nodded back with a smile.
"Lin Fan, good morning."
"Lin Fan, good morning."
The survivors one by one greeted him, each presenting a different vibe than the day before, the hope for the future bright in their eyes, their demeanor more relaxed.
"Good morning, everyone."
Lin Fan greeted them back.
Such a familiar feeling, no... even better than in peacetime. Once, when he went to work in the morning, only the owner of the breakfast shop would greet him, but now everyone greeted him.
Before his eyes, the scene had changed tremendously.
He stood on the bustling street.
People greeted each other with friendly smiles, busy together, welcoming the new day.
The vision faded, returning to reality.
Looking at the scenes before him, although there were not many people yet, he believed it wouldn’t be long before it becomes much livelier. Then he turned around, looked at the iron fence blocking Sunshine District, and thought that maybe soon this iron fence could be moved elsewhere.
The inside and outside would be connected, with everyone interacting.
In their leisure time, they could play chess, drink tea, boast, and even hear the shouts of vendors, witness children happily running on the streets, chasing and playing.
At the rooftop of Sunshine District.
"Old Chief, it’s slowly taking shape here. I think this is the life that Lin Fan is pursuing. Look at him standing there, how brilliant his smile is, how happy he looks," Gu Hang stood next to the elder, his eyes shining in the sunlight, even more bright.
Elder Wang reminisced, "Yes, it’s nice, really nice."
Gu Hang said, "Old Chief, we do have a lot of food reserves here, but strategic materials such as this can never be too much. I think we should collect more supplies from outside. The population here will grow, maybe not even one thousandth or one ten thousandth of what it once was in Huang City, but as long as there are people, we have hope, resources to contend with the apocalypse."
Elder Wang looked at Gu Hang, "Your thinking is not quite correct. What do you mean, ’collect’? This is called buying. If Lin Fan were here, he would definitely correct you."
"Haha." Gu Hang laughed, "Right, right, the Old Chief is correct, it’s my mistake. We should buy more supplies."
Elder Wang smiled kindly.
He truly hadn’t expected to see such a scene in the apocalypse.
When people can truly unite, there’s nothing in this world that can defeat or break this nation.
Whether it’s natural disasters, human-made ones, or demonic beasts, none of them can do it.
Because when united, everyone is filled with hope for the future, unafraid of sacrifice, unafraid of dedication, only wishing for a better tomorrow.