Chapter 145 - 137: Hot Meals! Hot Water! Electricity!
In this cannibalistic apocalypse, to still have such a harmonious and friendly atmosphere is truly rare; moreover, with high walls and a beautiful environment, there's even a garden, making them feel as if they were in a dream.
As dusk fell, solar lamps automatically illuminated the base, the Big Camphor Tree in the middle lush and flourishing, all of this looking completely different from the lifeless world outside, with every corner of the base exuding vitality, and many people at work had an air of composure on their faces.
This base was like Taoyuan, isolating all dangers, filth, and malice from the outside world, maintaining its unique freshness and harmony.
They were like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, exceptionally curious about this base.
The optimistic and adorable young girl was now following behind Yang Xiaozhu, having reached the room assigned to her. As the door opened, she saw a bed, a small table, and a bathroom with a shower, very simple, but very clean.
Yang Xiaozhu, looking at the little girl who had been observing everything along the way, said softly, "Here we have hot water and electricity. But since you just had blood drawn, it's best not to take a shower right now. Come down later to eat together."
The girl's face showed a shocked expression, saying with some excitement, "There's hot water here?!!"
Ever since the apocalypse erupted and the power went out, they'd hardly ever had hot showers. Sometimes they were even afraid of water contamination, worried even when drinking, so clean water sources were too important. How could they afford to use it for showers!
Yang Xiaozhu, seeing the girl's shocked face, did not tease her. After all, she was just as surprised when she first came in.
So she smiled and said, "Yeah, the whole base has electricity, hot water, and there's also a Mountain Pond, the water is very clean. I can give you a tour another day."
The optimistic girl laughed, her eyes squinting into slits, joyfully saying, "Yeah, that's great! Wow, wow, wow, this is too amazing! I haven't had a shower in so long, I stink..."
Yang Xiaozhu understood her well and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll go down first then. Remember to come down later."
The optimistic girl turned on the showerhead and, realizing that it really was hot water, quickly shut off the tap upon hearing Yang Xiaozhu's words, and came forward saying, "Thank you, thank you so much."
Her face full of sincerity made Yang Xiaozhu feel as sweet as if she had tasted honey, but she knew very well that everything in this base was the result of Li Yu and the others' initial efforts, and she too was a beneficiary.
So she waved her hand and said, "If you're going to thank anyone, thank Li Yu. Without him, there would be no base. He led the creation of this base."
The girl suddenly remembered that guy who was so cool and handsome, ruthless in killing, but still nice to them, and suddenly thought, this guy is really amazing.
Yang Xiaozhu nodded and then left the room.
After Yang Xiaozhu left, the optimistic girl suddenly jumped up from the spot. It was embarrassing for her to express her inner joy with someone there, but now alone, she could freely express herself.
For her, she'd never dreamed that such a place could exist in an apocalypse.
For them, hot water and electricity were once very ordinary things before the apocalypse, but in this apocalyptic world, they were extremely rare!
At the same time, in other rooms, similar scenes unfolded. The girls who entered together today were all exceptionally happy. After all, for girls, the love for beauty conquers all; being able to be clean and comfortably take a hot shower, in this apocalypse, was simply a luxury!
For them, all of this might just be the beginning of a surprise.
Dinner time.
Many of the young girls had taken their baths and came downstairs with their hair still damp. They looked as if reborn, their faces filled with longing for a beautiful future.
The dinner menu included eggplant with garlic sauce, bamboo shoot tips stir-fried with cured pork, celery stir-fried with potatoes, accompanied by a winter melon soup. These dishes were cooked by Lai Dongsheng's wife and Second Aunt, among others. Lai Dongsheng's wife was an excellent cook who used to prepare food for workers at construction sites. She was particularly adept at cooking these large communal dishes.
The dishes were served in several oversized stainless steel bowls, with dozens of people lining up to get their food. Everyone got the same portions. They used the stainless steel bowls Li Yu had previously purchased and, after getting their food, went to eat on their own.
When these newly arrived young girls saw the steaming hot food, their sense of happiness was indescribable.
Within the base, everyone's roles were clearly defined. Even during mealtime, guards stood watch at the door and surveillance staff remained at their posts. Only a few people were needed to bring their meals to them.
Song Qi also received his portion of food. Although the meal smelled delicious, seeing his sister Song Min still unconscious in the medical room weighed heavily on his heart.
Li Yu brought him his meal. Seeing Song Qi's gloom, he said, "Eat up first. Your sister doesn't have any serious problems; she'll be fine once she wakes up. We men need food as iron needs steel, so you better eat first."
Hearing Li Yu's words, Song Qi looked up, his young face filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Brother Li. If it weren't for your help, we really wouldn't know what to do."
Li Yu heard this, patted his shoulder, and spoke kindly, "Once you're in the base, we're all one team. No need to see yourself as an outsider."
Feeling the warmth on his shoulder and hearing Li Yu's words of acceptance, a warm current surged in his heart. Suddenly moved, he soon became choked up, "Okay, Brother Li. From now on, we'll follow you."
Li Yu nodded, "Eat up before it gets cold."
"Okay!" Song Qi nodded vigorously, and, attracted by the aroma of the food, he couldn't help but start eating eagerly. He hadn't tasted meat in a very long time.
Elsewhere, the young girls finished their meals completely. Whether it was them or other people at the base, no one would waste food in this post-apocalyptic world. Wasting food would invite the contempt of everyone.
Therefore, the food prepared each time would always be consumed. Even if there were leftovers, they would be finished during the next meal. There would never be any waste.
After dinner, the group discussed their next move. Today they had driven the vehicles back. They had transported most of the food and supplies collected by the Salvation Army, but two vehicles had broken down, so Li Tie temporarily hid those supplies somewhere.
There were still some belongings left at the place where Song Min and her group had previously stayed. Due to the haste and urgency of their return, those items had not been transported.
They planned to move these items back to the base tomorrow.
As the night deepened, many people could not find sleep.
Only in the surveillance room, Third Aunt and Yang Xiaozhu kept taking turns monitoring the screens.
On the surveillance screens were views outside the base, cameras mounted on the perimeter wall, as well as some internal cameras.
Among them, the screens clearly displayed the few buildings where the newcomers had settled in today.