บท 22: Chapter 21 Treasury
Dealing with a single or a small group of zombies is really not difficult, but dealing with a large number of zombies is a different story altogether.
Understanding this, Gao Yuan couldn't help but sigh, "When I used to watch zombie movies, I wondered how completely unintelligent zombies could cause so much destruction. Well, now that I think about it, if zombies swarm you in huge numbers, it's indeed not easy to cope with."
Xiang Weiguo said seriously, "I never used to watch any zombie films, but I know that if it were a human, as soon as they're shot in the torso, they would instantly lose the ability to move, even if it's not a fatal hit. But zombies are different. Even if a zombie is shot and likely to bleed out soon, its ability to move is hardly affected. Firstly, zombies don't have a sense of fear, and secondly, I think they've lost the sense of pain. So unless you hit a vital spot, like blow their head off or directly hit the heart, they can still move around for a while even after being struck in a critical spot."
Luo Xingyu couldn't help it any longer, and in a low voice, she said, "Can we please not talk about this here? It smells awful..."
Gao Yuan and Xiang Weiguo both turned to look at Luo Xingyu, who said with embarrassment, "It really does smell bad."
How could it not? The fact that zombies never bathe was secondary; the key was that zombies also excrete wastes. Over time, it would be strange if it didn't smell.
This topic was not up for further discussion. The three of them silently walked out of the woods, and Gao Yuan took a deep breath, but couldn't help but glance at Luo Xingyu beside him.
Her face turned red and then, with an annoyed look, she said, "What are you looking at! Don't you smell as well? You stink way worse than I do!"
Gao Yuan smiled slightly and said, "I'm a stinky man; it's okay for me to be a bit smelly, but it's different for you."
Luo Xingyu glared fiercely at Gao Yuan. At that moment, Xiang Weiguo spoke sternly, "If it weren't for the fact that I just used this stick to fight zombies, I would definitely smack you."
Gao Yuan looked at Xiang Weiguo in surprise, to which Xiang Weiguo, with an expressionless face, said, "Xiaoyu has been holding back from taking a bath for a long time. With your provocation today, she's determined to take one even if she freezes to death, you fool!"
Realizing his mistake, Gao Yuan was just about to speak when Luo Xingyu said in a melancholic voice, "Uncle Xiang, you're biased. A stick can't be used to hit, but what about a hand?"
Xiang Weiguo immediately smacked Gao Yuan hard on the head, then with a bitter smile, he said, "Let's go! Don't you want to see what's left at the convenience store now?"
They immediately stopped their bickering; now, scavenging for treasures was most important.
A while ago, a convenience store couldn't really be considered a treasure trove, but now, it truly was one.
The three people approached the convenience store, and Xiang Weiguo said in a low voice, "The door to the convenience store is open; there probably aren't any zombies inside. But still, be careful. If the zombies were trapped inside and couldn't get out, it would be troublesome. So I'll go in first to check, Xiao Yuan, be ready to back me up, and Xiaoyu, if you hear anything, run as far as you can. Everyone follow my orders and don't act on your own, we can't afford to cause more trouble, got it?"
"Understood."
"Okay, Uncle Xiang."
The three approached the store, and Xiang Weiguo picked up a stick. He glanced inside and then walked into the store. After a moment, he spoke softly, "It's safe, come on in."
Gao Yuan and Luo Xingyu couldn't wait to enter the store.
The store was in complete disarray; it was clear it had been looted at the onset of the disaster. The shelves were nearly empty, but the store was not completely void of items.
"Ah, there's still food! Spicy strips, huh, Monk Meat? What's that? No instant noodles... Ah, marinated eggs, two of them, and here's another one!"
Luo Xingyu was like an excited hamster as she picked up the snacks that had fallen to the ground, letting out a happy chirp each time she found something to eat.
However, at the onset of the disaster, the first thing people rushing into a store would grab would be food, bottled water, and beverages. No one was foolish, so it's unrealistic to expect a lot of food.
Luo Xingyu was absolutely thrilled as she picked up a bottle of Coke, almost in tears.
Moments later, Luo Xingyu was indeed in tears.
"Coke! Coke... I've been dreaming of drinking Coke, and now there's really a bottle, this is fantastic!"
Luo Xingyu held onto a bottle of blue-packaged Coke, tears streaming down her face.
It wasn't just Luo Xingyu—Gao Yuan felt like crying too. Because that was a remnant of civilization, the industrial product they had lost, the past they couldn't return to.
But after only a brief glance, Gao Yuan really felt like crying.
"Condolence Cola..."
"What do you mean?"
With a mournful look on his face, Gao Yuan said, "Not 'hundred' but 'white', it's counterfeit! Fake goods..."
Holding the snacks in one hand and examining the Coke closely with the other, Luo Xingyu said with a puzzled look, "White... affairs, it really is white, there's fake Coke?"
Gao Yuan, resigned, said, "Someone like you, a precious young lady, of course, wouldn't encounter that. But in the countryside, there's a lot of these fakes. Well, even a fake is better than nothing, right?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Luo Xingyu asked, "Is it drinkable?"
"It won't kill you. Have a drink."
Luo Xingyu turned to Xiang Weiguo, who smiled and said, "Go ahead, drink. What are you waiting for?"
"Brother, open it."
Gao Yuan stepped forward, took the Coke, opened it, and handed it to Luo Xingyu, saying, "Drink up."
It was clear that Luo Xingyu really craved that bottle of cola, but she said with all sincerity, "You drink first."
Gao Yuan took a sip without concern and said, "You really think it's poisoned, huh? Even if it's fake, it can't kill a person. Hmm, it's quite flavorful, almost like the real thing."
Luo Xingyu glared at Gao Yuan and snapped, "Can't you say anything nice? Do I really seem so stupid that I'd need you to test for poison? I care about you! I wanted you to drink first, don't you understand?"
Gao Yuan was taken aback and replied, "Then I'm sorry."
Luo Xingyu rolled her eyes at Gao Yuan and said, "Uncle Xiang, you have some too."
Xiang Weiguo shook his head and responded, "I'll pass. I never drink it anyway. I'd have a drink if you found some alcohol, but cola? Too cold for my liking."
Gao Yuan handed the cola to Luo Xingyu and said, "Okay, your turn. It's all yours; I don't really like it either."
Luo Xingyu took the bottle, took a breath, and then, with reverence, took a sip of the cola. She smacked her lips and nodded, "Tasty."
After another small sip, Luo Xingyu said with enjoyment, "It really is good!"
Having said that, Luo Xingyu held the bottle up to Gao Yuan and urged, "You drink too."
"I don't want anymore."
"You have to drink!"
Luo Xingyu sternly said, "I know you like it, so you must drink. I don't want to be the kind of person who is clueless and doesn't share."
Gao Yuan really liked it, even though it was fake, he truly did.
So, Gao Yuan and Luo Xingyu took turns sipping from the cola, sharing it between them. During this time, Xiang Weiguo was observing everything closely.
"Hmm, there's no more instant noodles left, not even a single packet, and the sausages are gone too, all snatched up. Someone had been here when the disaster first struck, but they took things in such a hurry that there are still many good things left for us."
The little village shop, guarding the road, was larger than necessary for the local population's needs, but it was still small.
Nonetheless, there were many good things to be found.
Xiang Weiguo, extremely pleased, said, "We've found vinegar, soy sauce, salt, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise as well as MSG and chicken powder. Look, there's even laundry detergent. But most importantly, we have chili peppers, haha."
All the edible stuff was now in Luo Xingyu's arms. At this moment, Gao Yuan picked up a plastic bag and said, "Don't just hold them, put them in this bag and carry it."
The bag was handed to Luo Xingyu; Gao Yuan said with a hint of regret, "Too bad this isn't a hardware store."
Xiang Weiguo laughed and replied, "We don't need that. This is the countryside, which household doesn't have farm tools? Tools are the same; just go into the houses and search, you'll find everything."
At this, Gao Yuan also got completely excited and said, "Right, there are big pots, and quilts—we won't have to wake up cold because our sleeping bags were snatched away anymore."
Luo Xingyu's face turned red and she protested, "Stop talking nonsense, who stole your sleeping bag... Hey!"
Luo Xingyu was like someone who had discovered a new continent, whereas Gao Yuan and Xiang Weiguo could only smile wryly, for Luo Xingyu had finally shifted her gaze from the food to other treasures.
Shampoo, shower gel, soap, and even toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Of course, the store would carry these daily necessities. Although rural shops usually stocked various no-name brands, they would undoubtedly have what was needed and it would surely be usable.
"I need to take a bath, definitely. It suddenly occurred to me that there must be clothes in the village. They might be old, but every household is sure to have some clothes!"
Luo Xingyu was beside herself with excitement and shouted, "We can take baths, the food is delicious, no more freezing nights! This is amazing..."
After exchanging looks, Xiang Weiguo and Gao Yuan said in unison, "What are we waiting for? Let's start moving!"
Pointing to the backyard connected to the shop, Xiang Weiguo said solemnly, "I've checked earlier; there are no zombies in the back. There's a stove and a large pot there—I'll start by moving the large pot back."
This had been a scouting trip, so they hadn't expected to take anything back and had left their backpacks behind, but this was the countryside—what household would be without some bags?
"Maybe there are still some grains hidden in the back. Let's carry what we can find. Today we'll move the quilts, clothes, pots, and seasonings. We can come back for the rest tomorrow, how about that?"
After a moment of thought, Xiang Weiguo agreed, "That works. Take the essentials first. As long as we have enough seasonings for today, we can slowly bring the rest tomorrow."
Luo Xingyu was quick to suggest, "Let's take more back. I can carry the food; I'll be fine, no matter how heavy. See if there's flour or rice, vegetables would be even better, err... there can't be vegetables still, can there..."
Xiang Weiguo chuckled and informed her, "There are vegetables, it's potato 'eggs'—the potatoes."
Luo Xingyu, puzzled, asked, "Inside? Did you see potatoes when you went in just now?"
Xiang Weiguo sighed, then with a look of helplessness, explained, "They're buried out in the field, you silly girl. Those potatoes are in the ground. When you were hungry, didn't you think about digging up some potatoes away from the village? Anyway, potatoes are more filling than radishes and cabbages..."
Luo Xingyu was stunned and then with a trembling voice she said, "There are potatoes? Right, potatoes grow underground. But they've been planted in the field? I need to—there are actually potatoes! I... I..."
Choking back tears, in that moment, Luo Xingyu was overwhelmed with emotion and wept.
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