Gu Ling and Ke Xin frowned. For the past few days they have been eating only dried fishes and dried lotus roots to point they got sick of it.
Seeing the packet of dried fish, their kidneys hurt but they knew better not to reject it.
"Thank you, Boss."
….
Because the place was not suitable for a talk, the group decided to find another place.
As they roamed the resort, they found the area near the edges was still submerged in the water.
The pavilion bridge connecting the resort to the ranch and orchard was destroyed.
Nanzhi knew there was a shallow rivulet downstream. She is planning to take that route tomorrow if the lake also has alien beasts.
The remaining villagers gathered in the small clearings where their houses were built before.
Clearing the debris, they dug a hole on the ground, stuck long broken branch as post before placing wet blankets to serves as roofs and walls.
On the center of the small clearing was a small bonfire.
Dozens of children along with women and men cleaning the lotus rhizomes and tubers sat and when they saw Nanzhi's group coming, they immediately stood up.
The women dragged the children behind them.
While the men grabbed knives and wood, waved in front of them while shouting, "The remaining food is for the children, we can't give it to you!"
Nanzhi and the others stopped.
Feng Ran said, "We won't take your food, Uncles. We just wanted to find a place to rest for the night."
"They have guns too!" The women's expression became pale.
Too? Nanzhi frowned and her eyes shifted to the Grand Hotel. It seems like it's not going to be a peaceful night.
"Go somewhere else!" As if triggered by unpleasant memories, the men became aggressive.
Feng Ran was about to say something but Lin Weihao stopped him.
Nanzhi didn't insist on coming in and find another spot.
In between trees that had not been completely uprooted, Nanzhi and the other started cleaning the debris.
They took out tents from their backpacks and set it up.
Nanzhi snuck out and surrounded the camp with strings attached with broken parts of metals acting as small bells. If there was an intruder, she will be notified.
Lin Weihao gathered firewood and made a small fire to boil water for the ready-to-eat meals.
"This is Feng Ran, Hei Qian and Bingwen." Lin Weihao introduced the three to Nanzhi.
Nanzhi's heart skipped a beat when she heard their names.
Feng Ran, a talented fire-based awakener who helped Lin Weihao greatly eliminating the locust tide that almost destroyed the Pearl City Base.
Hei Qian was the tall man in the middle. He had a robust body which contrast his baby faced visage. He was famously known for his excellent proficiency in controlling his metal-based power.
If it was a game, he was like the fighter and marksman of the group. He can switch to range and close combat anytime and lastly, Bingwen.
Rumours had it that he had awakened a non-attribute mental power just like hers and because of it, Weihao had valued him highly, always taking him on every mission he goes.
No one knows what it was but survivors said that it was very powerful. Her eyes stayed on Bingwen for a few more seconds.
Lin Weihao noticed it and silently observed Bingwen matured and rugged look.
She only lived for a year yet these three's names were knows far and wide along with Lin Weihao.
Nanzhi introduced herself. "I'm L...Lin Roulan. It's nice to meet you." She almost said her true name only to realize that Lin Weihao knew her for her forge name.
"Hi, sister-in— I mean Miss Lin!" Hei Qian slapped his mouth, nearly letting the words slipped from it.
Bingwen, was the shy one among the group. He scratched his head before saying in a low and soft tone, "Hello."
Feng Ran was the last one and he also introduced himself. He was a chatterbox compared to the two, "Miss Lin, I've been hearing about you so much from Brother Lin and Little Cheng! It's nice to finally get to meet you! Anyway, the way you dealt with those two women was very awesome! It's like I'm seeing a drama being played out right in front of my eyes!"
Nanzhi didn't know how to respond to Feng Ran.
"By the way, why are you here, Miss Lin? Are you also heading to the shelter?" Lin Weihao asked. His eyes landing on her face. Seeing that her cheeks had grown more fat, he felt relieved.
"No. I'm going to the tourist hotel." Nanzhi said.
"Tourist Hotel? We're going to the hotel to fetch someone too." Lin Weihao replied, his body moving closer to Nanzhi. "In this case, how about coming along with us? It will be safer that way."
Feng Ran, Bingwen, and Hei Qian looked at Lin Weihao trying to make a move and listened to him talking a whole paragraph: "..."
Nanzhi thought of alien beasts she met before. The more people the safer it is, like now, they can take turns in night watch. But her movements will be restricted.
Suddenly, the sounds of metal clanking entered her ears.
Nanzhi and Lin Weihao stood up.
"What is that?" Startled by the noise, Feng Ran asked.
Nanzhi picked up her bolo machete and head out.
Lin Weihao also followed along.
Once they reached the string fences, the two saw the intruder, it was a child.
The child was frightened when she saw the bolo and gun. "Please don't hurt me!" When she was passing by to relieve herself, she saw them eating and approached their camp.
Nanzhi and Lin Weihao looked at each other.
A minute later, inside Nanzhi's camp, there was an additional female child.
Nanzhi watched the little girl drank the warm soup in the foil packet to the last drop before asking, "Where are your parents?"
The girl shook her head, "They died. I'm the only left and my brother. We are only staying with our aunt right now."
Nanzhi was very curious if how many people are there in that building. So, she asked the little girl about it.
Through the little girl, she was able to know what happened.