Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

A few minutes later, the path to the outside was cleared.

Two newly dispatched construction robots brought a stretcher into the hall. Under precise AI control, they carefully placed the unconscious Chen Yue onto the stretcher without causing unnecessary disturbance.

"We should leave now," Su Wu said, piloting a construction robot. He placed a portable cooling device next to the stretcher. Even though the post-earthquake temperatures had dropped below 70 degrees Celsius, the harsh conditions were still unbearable for a sick person. The cooling device would provide some relief.

Noticing this considerate gesture, Chen Xin felt a small part of her uncertainty about the future ease. Someone attentive to such details likely wouldn't treat them too harshly.

She nodded quietly but hesitated, then looked at the robot controlled by Su Wu with an apologetic expression. "Please wait for a moment."

Without worrying about maintaining her composure, she hurried over to a group of her peers. "Thank you for taking care of us during this time," she said sincerely, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry for the trouble we caused."

Although they were not friends and had barely exchanged words, Chen Xin deeply appreciated how these individuals had shielded her from harm during their time in the underground shelter. Genuine gratitude was the least she could offer.

"It was no trouble at all," one of the boys stammered, unable to make eye contact with her. Their faces flushed with embarrassment as they struggled to respond to the girl they admired.

One of them, mustering courage, spoke up. "Take care, and… stay happy."

"Thank you," Chen Xin replied earnestly, nodding.

Leaving the buried hall of the underground residential zone, the outside heat hit her like a fiery wave. She frowned slightly but endured the discomfort silently, following the robots' lead to the surface.

A large truck adjusted its position, opening its rear door to deploy a ramp for entry. The robots carefully placed Chen Xin and her sister inside the truck, leaving one robot behind to monitor the sisters while the rest returned to rescue more trapped residents.

Though the mission's primary goal was to retrieve Chen Xin and her sister, Su Wu had no intention of abandoning the remaining survivors. Bringing them hope meant committing to their safety.

Inside the truck, Su Wu activated the interior lights before closing the doors. The vehicle began its journey back to the farmstead ruins.

In the truck, Chen Xin sat with her knees tucked in beside her sleeping sister, observing the plain, windowless interior and the stationary robot standing nearby. Her thoughts wandered to Su Wu, whom she knew only as an online acquaintance.

Before the apocalypse, Su Wu had been a kind stranger who warned her about the worsening coastal conditions, prompting her timely relocation inland. Later, he reached out again after hearing her music uploads online, occasionally chatting with her.

But now, after his sudden call to join his shelter, Chen Xin found herself questioning her decision. "Was this too hasty?" she thought, a mixture of unease and trepidation weighing on her. Yet, she understood this was likely her best choice. Staying in the official shelter would eventually bring challenges she couldn't overcome. This alternative offered a faint glimmer of hope.

"Let's just pray for a better future," she whispered, curling up slightly.

After a 20-minute journey, the truck arrived at its destination. It backed into the entrance tunnel of Su Wu's shelter. With the help of waiting robots, the sisters were guided out of the truck, decontaminated for residual radiation in the purification chamber, and given a simple cleaning before entering the shelter.

Inside the living quarters on the second underground floor, Chen Xin finally met the shelter's owner face-to-face.

"Welcome to my shelter," Su Wu greeted warmly, noticing her unease. He kept the introduction simple and turned his attention to the unconscious girl on the sofa. "Your sister doesn't look well," he noted. "How about we check on her condition and stabilize her health first? We can talk later."

Chen Xin's anxiety was immediately replaced by concern for her sister. Looking at Su Wu with hope, she asked, "Do you have a doctor here?"

"I am one, for basic checks," Su Wu replied with a nonchalant shrug. While he wasn't a professional, the AI-assisted database at his disposal was reliable for diagnosing common ailments.

Unaware of his methods, Chen Xin's face softened with gratitude. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Without further delay, Su Wu approached the unconscious Chen Yue. Following the AI's step-by-step guidance displayed on his tablet, he conducted a thorough examination. Moments later, he found the cause of her condition.

"Your sister is fine—just a bit frail. She's suffering from mild heatstroke and environmental allergies. With some rest, she'll recover," Su Wu reassured.

Hearing this, Chen Xin's tense expression eased, and a flicker of hope returned to her eyes. "Thank

you so much," she murmured, her voice full of relief.

--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/LegendaryTL

Thanks!