Chapter 387: Chapter 387: Everyone’s Sche
After all, they weren’t the first to leave, and they didn’t mind that, they were just clear in their minds that so people who had gone carried hope, others might be waiting, while so would be eliminated.
During the foggy period now, many people were off work, so information wasn’t widely available; the base hadn’t yet spread any news about the relocation.
The Entertainnt City outside the base hadn’t received any precise news either, for only a few people in senior positions and their families, as well as Gu Pan and her group, had been inford.
Ordinary people wouldn’t talk about this either, because once too many people knew, those able to leave faced the risk of falling into traps and failing to leave, so, even within one’s own family, it might not be truly spoken of.
However, Gu Pan’s group was different; even without tickets to Mount Everest, they had ans to leave—they had many modes of transport, and at worst, they could join Gu Ci’s group in building their own base outside Mount Everest Base, still capable of surviving.
Two months later, the fog finally cleared, and that mont of sudden clarity made everyone feel an expansive relief in their hearts.
Gu Pan noticed that after every disaster ended, there would be very good weather, albeit brief, that gave people a sense of hope.
It was as if nature was deliberately offering people a bit of hope and sweetness, a glimpse of life in the most desperate of tis.
During this ti, the happiest were those tending to the strawberries and sweet lons that were soon to ripen; ng ng checked on them eight tis a day, rembering clearly each fruit hanging from the vines.
With the weather restored, they were eager to go see the situation at Entertainnt City.
After greeting the neighbors, they made sure Guo Gang would look after the house tightly because the fruit was about to ripen, and it’d be terrible if it were stolen.
Afterward, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng rode a motorcycle to Entertainnt City.
Chen Dasheng’s foot had healed long ago, and he was particularly happy to see them: “You’ve finally co, I’ve missed you. Co on in, the strawberries have ripened.”
Gu Pan didn’t expect theirs to have ripened earlier, she was truly surprised: “So soon, that’s wonderful.”
Both followed Chen Dasheng to the planting room.
Gu Ci was there too, picking strawberries, and upon seeing them, he hurriedly handed them a small basin of picked strawberries: “Try these.”
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng each ate one, and although not as sweet as before the apocalypse because there was no natural sunlight, they were still fresh-tasting.
“Delicious. Our own are just beginning to show a bit of red; they’ll need a few more days to ripen,” Gu Pan said while eating.
Gu Ci ntioned: “Ours ripened earlier because we had ample light.” He added, “The lons are nearly ripe too.”
Lu Ruisheng, looking at the lons on the vines, said, “They should be ready soon. It’s just that if we need to relocate, I’m not sure how best to take these with us.”
Indeed, this was sothing that troubled everyone. Gu Ci also had news about starting the relocation, but they were reluctant to leave these behind.
Gu Ci suggested: “I’m thinking we wait until everything is ripe, then preserve them as canned goods and take them with us.”
Gu Pan felt this was probably the best option: “That’s good; that will take at least a month.”
Gu Ci nodded: “Yes, at least a month, but I really can’t bear to leave these behind.”
Gu Pan expressed: “In a month’s ti, we might also relocate, so if we do it together, that would be good.”
Chen Dasheng trusted them completely, “If I go with you, I’ll feel safer. Maybe we should start preparing during this ti.”
When it ca to relocating, there was actually a lot to do. After discussing for a while, Gu Ci and Chen Dasheng took them to the storeroom, where all their supplies were kept, except for gasoline and diesel, which Gu Ci always hid outside, in places only he knew of.
Looking at the remaining food, household goods, antiques, and paintings, as well as gold and jewelry in the storeroom, Gu Pan still wanted to collect the gold.
She said to Gu Ci: “Brother Gu, how much gold is left? I’d like to trade so.”
Gu Ci looked at the half-box of gold: “Not much left. Take so if you need it. After all, we haven’t shared anything from Entertainnt City with you.”
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng then realized this. Right, they hadn’t received anything for their stake; in peaceful tis, they might have been given money or supplies, but now, in the apocalypse, when they were about to abandon their stronghold, what was there to share?
Gu Pan didn’t hold back: “Then we’ll take these. I also have so ergency dicines, I’ll give so to each of you. If we split up and go to Mount Everest, these could save your lives if you get sick or injured.”
As she spoke, she took out a dical box from her backpack, filled with common dicines: “Although these are past their expiration date, they are still effective, so you must hide them well.”
Chen Dasheng trusted this completely. Although the anesthesia was expired, it had really helped him suffer less. He quickly took it: “Thanks, sis, brother-in-law.”
Then Lu Ruisheng loaded the gold onto a portable cart, and together they returned to the office to discuss anything they might’ve overlooked, considering what was necessary for the relocation.
That night, the couple didn’t return to the base and slept at Entertainnt City instead.
The following morning, they headed back to the base.
The base was now completely different from when they first arrived—many buildings had collapsed and been repaired, only to collapse again, and the base now looked run-down.
The base had begun relocating and no longer spent effort and ti on repairs.
There weren’t as many people on the streets as before, and those there were dressed in more tattered clothing and looked dispirited, nothing like the bustling atmosphere when they first arrived.
After all, most people no longer worked, but instead grew sweet potatoes at ho, barely sustaining life. Eating those unpleasant sweet potatoes and protein larvae, as well as so poor-quality vegetables, with no other entertainnt, and the base supplying electricity for only half an hour in the evening—such a life drained people’s hopes, naturally diminishing their spirits.
The next day, Gu Pan’s strawberries ripened, and using the walkie-talkie, she called over her neighbors.
There was no need for anyone to be responsible for picking—who wouldn’t want to enjoy the pleasure of harvesting?
Each person only allowed themselves one berry, insisting they would not eat more.
After all, not too many had ripened on the first day, so Gu Pan didn’t insist further. They discussed what to do in the event of relocation if the lons were unripe.
They hadn’t grown much; there wasn’t a surplus after personal consumption. Lu Xuerong suggested canning the remainder. They had so airtight jars and could also dry out the surplus in the oven to preserve them.
Another option was turning the produce into candied fruits—essentially, they aid to preserve the freshness for as long as possible.
That evening, the base’s loudspeaker announced: “Residents of No.7 Base, residents of No.7 Base, the greenhouse fruits have ripened. Please queue up in designated areas with your ID cards tomorrow morning to collect…”
Hearing such an announcent, Gu Pan felt indescribable emotions. Before, it might have signaled joyful tis, but now things were different—many people wouldn’t be able to relocate, and this might be the last ti they could enjoy fresh fruit.
But such thoughts were unspeakable; they had their own supply and didn’t need to collect any, yet curiosity drew them to see what would happen the next day.
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