He didn't choose the supermarket.
Hangzhou had fallen sooner than Yangzhou, and the evacuation had also been earlier. There probably wasn't much left in the supermarket.
However, the residential complex was still worth exploring. Some residents who left in a hurry might have left supplies behind.
Shen Mo wanted to find some fruits and vegetables to improve his diet.
He first climbed into a courtyard lush with flowers and plants. Luck was on his side. He discovered a vine of green cucumbers in a corner and found a pot of cherry tomatoes in another courtyard.
He continued searching a few more houses. Some had scallions and garlic planted in their yards, while others only had ordinary flowers and plants.
Still, it wasn't a bad haul.
After all, these days, ground-floor apartments with courtyards were rare.
Unknowingly, he had walked from the south gate of the complex to the north gate.
Figuring he'd been out for a while, he prepared to return the way he came. Suddenly, the road outside the complex brightened, as if illuminated by distant headlights.
Shen Mo frowned, slung his backpack over his shoulder, grabbed a nearby tree trunk, and climbed up in a few steps, crouching in the dense canopy to observe.
A vehicle was indeed approaching.
As it got closer, he heard the rustling sound of tires on the road. The driver was going very slowly for some reason.
Closer still, he heard heated voices—male and female. It wasn't exactly an argument, but judging by the tone, it was definitely unpleasant.
After a few more moments, a sturdy-looking jeep came into view.
The vehicle was clearly modified, with unique wheels and headlights. The roof was currently open, and five people were seated inside.
Three men and two women.
Shen Mo subconsciously frowned, not only because he remembered the group Tu Dan had mentioned, but also because these people were carrying weapons.
These days, those who could get their hands on weapons were either soldiers or bandits.
Shen Mo held his breath in the tree, avoiding being discovered.
The jeep slowly drove into the complex.
The driver was a middle-aged, stout man. To be precise, he wasn't fat, but powerfully built, with a broad back, a full beard, and a fierce appearance!
The man in the passenger seat was a stark contrast, handsome and refined, with a calm and scholarly air.
Further back, on the left, sat a woman in red, her eyebrows furrowed in impatience.
On the right was a young man wearing glasses, holding an injured young woman in his arms, complaining indignantly:
"Su Man, that's enough! Zhu Shu didn't do it on purpose. Was it necessary to speak so harshly?!"
"You think I'm being harsh?" The woman in red sneered. "If it weren't for your sake, I would have already taken action!"
"Su Man, you!"
"Don't blame her…" The woman in the man's arms spoke weakly. "It's my fault. I've implicated everyone… caused everyone to waste an item."
The man hugged her protectively. "Alright, alright, don't talk. Rest well. Your wound will heal soon. Don't be afraid…"
The woman in red sneered, "Hmph, what a fragile little white lotus!"
"Su Man! I'm warning you…"
"Enough." The man in the passenger seat spoke with displeasure.
The two in the back fell silent simultaneously, though their faces still held resentment.
The man said, "Settle down. We just came out of the maze, and everyone needs to rest. Let's find a place to settle down first. Tomorrow, we'll see how Zhu Shu's recovery is going and decide whether to continue on our journey."
The jeep turned a corner and disappeared from Shen Mo's view.
Shen Mo stayed in the tree for a while longer. After confirming that he could no longer hear any movement, he jumped down and walked out of the complex.
As he was leaving, he glanced at the tire tracks left by the jeep. Following the tracks with his eyes, he looked up towards the distant mist.
"Just came out of the maze, huh…" he murmured thoughtfully.