Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Gaining Worldly Experience Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Gaining Worldly Experience The dim lights of the gambling house made the view from the doors and windows look like hell itself, where all kinds of people, like ferocious ghosts, had eyes devoid of luster, filled only with greed and desire.
Feng Zhekai shook his head as he looked inside, “I didn’t expect that in just a few months of not coming here, the city would have so many more places like this.”
They had left when it was just beginning to warm up; back then people weren’t out and about much, and they were still hopeful that the apocalypse would end.
But when, after the plague, things didn’t return to normal but instead started to get extrely hot, everyone’s obsessions faded. When there was no food to eat, people’s hearts changed quickly.
Now, most of the resources were controlled by a few hands, and so the ergence of these venues simply catered to the spirit of the tis.
Lu Xuerong clutched Feng Zhekai’s hand tightly; she knew scenes like these were a normal part of the post-apocalyptic world and that she needed to adapt. But still, seeing it all, she felt afraid.
Only now did Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng realize that it was wrong of them to have kept everyone from coming to the city area. They should have allowed them to adapt sooner because even if they were heading to the base, the journey wouldn’t be completely smooth. And there would be various situations at the base too. Since they were living in the apocalypse, they should understand more about the post-apocalyptic world. The reason the people from the villa area were so easily deceived was actually because they knew too little about what ca after the apocalypse.
Fortunately, they had co, and with a few more visits, everyone would adapt quickly.
They walked a bit further before finally reaching the night market’s exchange and trade point. Previously, Gu Pan and the others had co in disguise, either wearing wigs or sunglasses and hats, and their trades had been fast. So, their appearance today didn’t lead to recognition from others.
Of course, their clothing and deanor still attracted a lot of attention. Not many in the apocalypse looked or acted like they did, especially when five such individuals appeared at once.
Those who were savvy in business had already gathered around. They knew that people like them didn’t lack for food or drink; a potential big custor had arrived, and with five at once, it was a rare treat. Who wouldn’t want a bite?
A tall, thin man stepped forward, “The very look of you suggests you carry fortune, you must be individuals of great wealth. May I know what you’re in need of?”
The man was eloquent and strategic, not asking what they wanted to exchange but what they needed, elevating their status right at the start.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng remained silent, letting Feng Zhekai and the others handle the situation.
Feng Zhekai said, “We’re just looking around; we don’t need anything specific.”
The tall, thin man, unwilling to give up, followed up, “You’re not frequent visitors and must be unfamiliar with this place. Let take you around and introduce you to what’s available.”
Feng Zhekai responded, “No need, we prefer not to have soone follow us.”
Seeing Feng Zhekai was not giving in, the man turned his attention to the young man Cheng Yang, “With your impressive appearance, young man, whatever you want to play with, I can get it for you.”
Cheng Yang hadn’t handled the situation with the woman earlier well, which had bothered him. He didn’t want to be seen as a burden to the group, so this ti he was determined to show his worth.
He said to the tall man, “We don’t need anything, we’re just looking. Your following us makes us uncomfortable.”
Lu Ruisheng smiled at Cheng Yang, clearly sensing his eagerness to prove himself.
The tall man, upon hearing Cheng Yang’s words, found it hard to keep following, “If you distinguished guests need anything, make sure to co to first. My na is Wang Fugui.”
Lu Ruisheng said, “Alright.”
With that single word, crisply spoken, Wang Fugui dared not follow them any longer.
Gu Pan and their group made a round of the area but didn’t trade because Feng Zhekai still needed to get used to the environnt. Now was not the best ti to inquire about prices, so they decided to co back another day when they were free.
So, around the sa ti, they too left to head back.
After returning and arriving ho, Chen Lang was eagerly waiting at the door. Seeing them, he hurried over to ask Cheng Yang if there had been any fun.
Once they sat down inside, Cheng Yang shared the events of the evening with everyone. Of course, he also ntioned how he hadn’t reacted promptly when accosted by a woman and vowed to correct his response in the future.
Chen Lang listened with sparkling eyes, “The outside is so fascinating; I’ll get to see it tomorrow.” His enthusiasm was more a child’s yearning for the new world.
But Chen Shaonan and Duan Shui sensed unease about the outside world.
They asked about places with fireworks and gambling houses, also expressing their feelings about the changes in the world.
“After we moved here, it hasn’t been long, yet the outside has already changed so much, it’s really unexpected,” Chen Shaonan said, shaking his head.
Feng Zhekai said, “It’s true, there’s a suffocating air outside.”
Chen Shaonan said, “I don’t know if this presence will accompany us for life; I hope everything will get better once we reach the base.”
Gu Pan said, “I think it will, a place with laws and order has to be better.”
“That’s true, people without restrictions are really too frightening,” Lu Xuerong said.
Everyone seed to have lots to talk about upon their return, but as they spoke, a silence fell over them again.
The eting quickly dispersed.
Back at ho, after Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng had freshened up, they lay in bed chatting. It was still early, and they weren’t sleepy, but with nothing else to do, they often lay this way, talking until falling asleep or playing single-player gas on the tablet together. The pair were always good company for each other.
It was also why in her previous life, when her husband died, Gu Pan couldn’t live alone. Surviving by oneself in the apocalypse was more painful than death. One could hardly sleep in peace, and over ti, if they didn’t die, they would likely go insane. In her previous life, she had lived only to be with her husband, so when he died, her heart died before her body did, leaving her without any desire to live.
The next evening, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng took Chen Shaonan and his family of three out. They changed locations, but of course, these bustling places inevitably included fireworks and gambling houses.
As they walked, Chen Shaonan told Chen Lang they must always stay away from such places, to maintain their principles and keep their minds and bodies clean at all tis for a future.
They then visited a trading post, where Chen Shaonan briefly inquired about the items he needed. Unfortunately, none were available, as they were not considered necessities.
Since it was still early, they walked around the area to understand it better, then they headed ho.
After returning, they had another eting, shared their thoughts, and planned to keep exploring different places in the coming days. They had been too complacent before, and now realized they had been mistaken.
The day to pay protection fees to the Inner Circle arrived quickly.
At dusk, outside the Inner Circle’s iron railings, Fu Chenyuan had set up a station to collect protection fees. At the station, a table and a scale were placed, and the outer settlers lined up with their grain to pay.
The people from the Inner Circle recorded nas, families, and the weight of the grain on paper.
Just as Gu Pan and her group had thought, few households could muster a full pound of grain. At that mont, everyone carefully explained their family’s hardships to the collectors of protection fees.
If it weren’t for the pretext of outside attacks, many would likely hide more for themselves, but the events of that day made them reliant on, or rather submissive to, Fu Chenyuan.
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