Night of the Apocalypse

Upon hearing this, Huang Gan immediately spoke up.

“I’m telling you, prices might rise even more.”

“Really? Come on, Huang, you can’t be serious! Prices are already so high.”

The others were taken aback, a bit incredulous at his statement.

“What would I gain from lying to you? I’m telling you the truth. From what I’ve heard, several key transportation routes in the Red Alliance are having issues, and the cost of transporting goods is skyrocketing. And that’s not even the worst part. I’ve also heard that several large production bases are in trouble, and their crops have all withered. In this situation, how can prices not go up?”

Huang Gan lowered his voice and addressed everyone.

“How are we supposed to live like this? Salaries haven’t increased, and the prices are soaring.”

Many brothers and sisters present complained with furrowed brows.

Cao Kun pondered for a moment and spoke up, “The rise in prices isn’t a big deal; for now, we can tighten our belts and stock up a bit. We can hang on; the Red Alliance will eventually come up with a response plan. What we should really worry about is the issue of the disappearances.”

“Disappearances? Cao, do you know anything about that?”

Upon hearing Cao Kun mention this, Huang Gan and the others asked nervously.

Shen Qiu also perked up, listening intently!

“I know a little. Technically, this is confidential information that I shouldn’t be discussing here. But I think it’s necessary to let you in on something important, so everyone should pay attention.”

Cao Kun spoke in a low tone.

“You can tell us. We won’t spread it around.”

The brothers and sisters present assured him.

“In fact, those who are missing aren’t really missing. They’ve gone to a special area, which is very dangerous. If they’re lucky, they might come back alive, but if their luck runs out, they won’t return at all. These strange occurrences are likely to happen at night, so everyone should avoid wandering around after dark. Also, don’t panic; the Red Alliance has just established a KPI department. If you encounter any dangers or strange incidents, call this department right away. You might be able to get help.”

Cao Kun spoke to everyone.

“Ah, so the rumors are true.”

“That’s so terrifying.”

At this moment, Huang Gan noticed Shen Qiu, who had been silent, and said, “Shen Qiu, why aren’t you chatting?”

“I’m just listening to you,” Shen Qiu replied, taking a bite of his steamed bun.

“I mean, why are you being so quiet? What are you doing for work now?” Huang Gan asked.

“Um, I’m still looking for a job,” Shen Qiu said after thinking for a moment.

“Is it still because of that illness that you can’t find a job? Why don’t you come drive for me? The pay isn’t much, but it’s stable. I can also try to help you with the medical situation later,” Cao Kun sincerely invited Shen Qiu.

“That’s too much trouble. Why don’t you just come work at my company? We’re all brothers, so how could I treat you poorly? Just to say, I’ll pay you 15,000 a month! And you’ll eat what I eat!” Huang Gan said generously.

“No, it’s fine. I’m doing pretty well right now and have some savings,” Shen Qiu declined their kind offers. He was more worried about being dragged back into those scary places than about finding work.

“Alright then,” Huang Gan and Cao Kun didn’t press the issue further.

An hour later, after finishing lunch, some of the brothers and sisters left to attend to matters at home.

Shen Qiu, Zhao Lian, Huang Gan, and others decided to catch up with Dean Zhao Anyuan and see if there was anything they could help with.

As they walked through the orphanage, they quickly found Dean Zhao Anyuan in the nursery.

She was helping a baby change their diaper and feed them.

“Dean Anyuan, let us take over; you should go eat something,” Zhao Lian and the others said as they approached.

“I’ve already eaten. How was your meal?” Zhao Anyuan smiled and asked.

“It was quite good,” Cao Kun and the others nodded in response.

Shen Qiu glanced around the nursery, which housed over a hundred infants and toddlers. Some of them were still attached to IV drips, and judging by the scale, the number of children being accommodated exceeded the capacity.

“How did you end up taking in so many? Are there no available spots at the other welfare homes?”

Zhao Anyuan turned to Shen Qiu and smiled.

“These infants all have congenital diseases, and the other welfare homes are unwilling to accept them. We can’t just stand by and watch them suffer. Honestly, when I look at them, I see a reflection of you all from years ago.”

“I know; they told me that several welfare homes turned them away before finally bringing them here,” Shen Qiu replied while helping change a diaper.

“Time has flown by; you’ve grown and achieved so much. I believe these newborns are not defective; they deserve to witness this world just like anyone else.”

Zhao Anyuan gazed at the children, her eyes filled with hope.

The others fell into a brief silence upon hearing Zhao Anyuan’s words.

Zhao Anyuan then said, “As we grow older, we tend to feel more sentimental. Share with me your experiences from these past years.”

“There’s not much to say. After I got out, I just went to work at a sales company, hustling and saving up capital and experience,” Huang Gan scratched his head and replied casually.

“You’ve had it tough over the years. But you should take care of your health; look at your belly!”

Zhao Anyuan gently patted Huang Gan’s head.

“I understand,” Huang Gan said, his eyes reddening slightly.

Zhao Anyuan turned to Cao Kun.

“What about you? Have things been smooth?”

“The first few years were tough, especially when I was trying to pass the civil service exams. I faced failure after failure, but I got through it all. Things are pretty good now,” Cao Kun replied.

“What about you, Shen Qiu?”

“I’m doing okay, just running around everywhere,” Shen Qiu said after a moment’s thought. He didn’t dare mention that after graduating, he had been working himself to death just to make money.

Zhao Lian hesitated before speaking up.

“Shen Qiu, it seems like you haven’t updated your Haiyin platform account in a long time. Have you been busy recently?”

Shen Qiu was surprised to hear this from Zhao Lian; he hadn’t expected her to be paying attention to him.

“Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy lately.”

“Oh, Zhao Lian, look at you! We didn’t even know about Shen Qiu’s Haiyin account, but you do!” Huang Gan laughed.

Zhao Lian’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she quickly explained, “It was just a coincidence; I came across it while scrolling.”

“Just a coincidence? We get it, haha!” The group continued to help Dean Zhao Anyuan while chatting casually.

Time passed unknowingly as they worked together.

After everyone finished their tasks, they noticed that it was getting dark outside the window.

Cao Kun glanced at his watch and said, “Dean Anyuan, it’s getting late; we should head back.”

Shen Qiu and the others echoed, “Yeah, it’s about time for us to go.”

Dean Zhao Anyuan looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was already past five o’clock. She then told Shen Qiu and the others, “It’s getting dark, and things have been unstable outside lately. It would be risky for you to go back now. Why don’t you stay here for the night and leave in the morning?”

“Is that okay? Won’t we be causing you trouble?” Shen Qiu hesitated and asked.

“No problem at all! You can still sleep in your own rooms,” Zhao Anyuan replied with a smile.