Chapter 112: A Perfect Reunion
Since the two elders had agreed, Zhan Yun decided to take them back to where they were staying. This place was truly far too crude—“bare walls and empty rooms” described it perfectly. What passed for a bed where Zhan Changfeng lay was nothing more than old mattresses and worn sheets laid together, warmed only by a small brazier. Zhan Yun was unwilling to let the two elders remain in such a place for even a moment longer.
Su Ruizhe took two sets of padded cotton jackets and trousers out of his spatial storage, along with thick cashmere socks, snow boots, long down coats, and hats. Together with Zhan Yun, he helped the two elders change into the new clothes. Then he took out two cans of eight-treasure porridge to help them fill their stomachs. This was the first time in many days that they had truly felt what it meant to be full and warmly clothed.
Neither of the elders had expected that when the children said they lacked nothing, it was actually true. And Su Ruizhe turned out to be a rare spatial ability user. The two were both happy and relieved—the children really hadn’t lied to them.
Because Zhan Changfeng’s legs weren’t in good shape, Zhan Yun and Su Ruizhe supported him on either side as they went out. Old Qiao, though advanced in years, still had fairly strong legs. Now that he was fed and warm, he even felt strength returning to them. He refused Cheng Qi’s help and insisted on walking on his own.
However, just as they stepped out of the small building, a hesitant voice sounded from behind them:
“Zhan Changfeng?”
Everyone instinctively turned around and discovered that it was Pan Lihua who had called out. She was holding a plastic basin filled with snow—clearly she had come downstairs to collect snow to melt for water.
Pan Lihua was still wrapped in that military coat, shivering in the cold wind. She had gone downstairs to use the toilet and, while she was at it, to gather some snow outside. On her way back, she just happened to see Zhan Yun and the others coming out of the building.
Their clothing and bearing were far too eye-catching, so Pan Lihua naturally noticed them. She remembered that they had come looking for Zhan Changfeng, and when she saw that the group had gone from four people to six, she was instantly alarmed. She stared closely at the elderly man being supported by two young men, limping as he walked, and finally recognized him as her husband, Zhan Changfeng.
Although Zhan Changfeng was now wrapped up from head to toe, Pan Lihua was still familiar with his silhouette.
“Who are you?! Where are you taking my husband?!” Pan Lihua rushed forward two steps, sounding frantic—anyone who didn’t know better might think she cared deeply about him.
Zhan Changfeng, however, didn’t even want to look at her. He simply turned his head away, his rejection plain for all to see.
“What does this have to do with you?” Zhan Yun frowned, his tone distinctly impatient.
“He’s my husband!” Pan Lihua shouted.
“Heh, now you remember he’s your husband? Where were you earlier?” Cheng Jiao replied mercilessly. With a wave of her hand, a gust of force lashed out, blowing Pan Lihua several steps backward.
The cold wind stung Pan Lihua’s face like needles.
An ability user!
There were actually ability users among these people!
Pan Lihua stared at Cheng Jiao in shock, her heart filled with both regret and fear. If she had known earlier that Zhan Changfeng was connected to people like this, she never would have treated him the way she had.
But there’s no buying “if only I’d known.” By now, Zhan Changfeng’s heart had completely turned cold toward her—he wouldn’t even spare her a glance.
Seeing her expression, Zhan Yun curled his lips into a cold smile. “I’m Zhan Yun. From now on, my father won’t need you to trouble yourself over him.”
Zhan Yun?!
Those two words struck Pan Lihua like a bolt of thunder, and she no longer dared to continue pestering them. She could only watch helplessly as they walked away.
“Ah Zhan, you head back first. We’ll go pick up my dad and mom too,” Cheng Qi said to Zhan Yun after they’d walked some distance.
“Alright.”
Cheng Qi and Cheng Jiao then split off from them and went upstairs to fetch their parents.
On the Cheng parents’ side, things were much easier compared to persuading Zhan Changfeng and Old Qiao. The two elders were already old and naturally wanted to be with their children. When they heard they were going back to the Southern Base, they agreed readily.
With such simple living conditions, there wasn’t much to pack—anything of value amounted to just a small bag of old rice and a speckled hen.
Cheng Qi and Cheng Jiao felt both helplessly amused and deeply saddened. They supported the two elders downstairs and returned to the building where they were temporarily staying.
Su Ruizhe gave up the rooms they had already prepared: thick Simmons mattresses, clean sheets, soft and comfortable duck-down quilts and pillows. With Zhao Bing acting as a human heater, using his fire ability to warm the room, it quickly became cozy.
Using the hot water Song Chengshu had prepared, the four elders enjoyed a comfortable hot bath.
After that, Su Ruizhe cooked a huge pot of instant noodles, letting the four elders enjoy another steaming, filling meal.
Having eaten their fill, drunk their fill, and with warm beds to sleep in, this was probably the most comfortable day the four elders had experienced since the apocalypse began.
They all slept soundly. When they woke up, they found that Zhan Yun and the others were already fully packed and ready to go. Since they still needed to visit other bases afterward, Zhan Yun and his team decided to set off that very day.
When the four elders heard that the children still had other tasks ahead and wouldn’t be returning directly to the Southern Base, they suggested that the kids finish their missions first and then come back to get them, so as not to burden them.
But Zhan Yun and the others refused outright. Living conditions at the Capital Base were simply too poor at this stage, and they couldn’t rest easy leaving the elders there. After repeated persuasion, the four elders finally agreed to leave together with them.
Just as when they had arrived, everyone departed the Capital Base aboard the snow cruiser. Director Bai even came specially to bid them farewell.
Pan Lihua didn’t know they had already left. She was still trying every possible way to inquire about Zhan Yun and Zhan Changfeng around the base. Later, she finally learned that Zhan Yun was the captain of the special unit dispatched by the Southern Base to escort relief supplies—and that he was also a powerful Level-Four ability user. When this news reached Pan Lihua’s ears, her vision went dark. She regretted it so much her guts nearly turned green, but it was utterly useless.
Zhan Changfeng had no idea that his wife was on the verge of a breakdown. After leaving the Capital Base, he’d expected the journey to be exhausting, but instead found that the conditions inside the snow cruiser were excellent—not bumpy at all, with beds to sleep on, extremely comfortable. The living conditions were dozens of times better than at the Capital Base. They could take hot showers every day, and Su Ruizhe constantly came up with new dishes to cook for them, with meat almost every meal—something he’d never even dared to dream of before.
“Xiao Zhe isn’t even eighteen yet? And you already made a move on him?” Zhan Changfeng had now fully accepted the fact that he had a son-in-law, but after learning Su Ruizhe’s age, he nagged his son every day, treating him like a criminal who’d harmed the nation’s young sprouts.
“Dad, what kind of person do you think I am?!” Zhan Yun protested with both laughter and tears, explaining that things between him and Su Ruizhe had always been completely innocent. “Don’t worry—I’ll definitely wait until he’s an adult.”
“That’s more like it. Xiao Zhe is such a good kid—you’re absolutely not allowed to start something and then abandon him!”
“Dad, don’t worry…” Zhan Yun truly didn’t know what to say anymore. Still, since his father had accepted Xiao Zhe, being nagged a bit was fine.
Relying on Su Ruizhe’s spatial ability, they delivered large quantities of winter supplies to four other bases. Along the way, they encountered zombie attacks several times, but each time they resolved them without serious danger. Zhan Changfeng was shocked again and again by Su Ruizhe’s abilities.
“Ah Zhan! Xiao Zhe’s birthday isn’t far off, right? You really have to keep a close eye on him—this kid must be incredibly popular!” Zhan Changfeng grew more and more satisfied with his capable, obedient son-in-law, his attitude changing at lightning speed.
“Dad, don’t worry!” Zhan Yun didn’t know what else to say. But when it came to Su Ruizhe, he was full of confidence—he didn’t believe anyone could snatch him away.
While delivering supplies to other bases, Wu Jing and Zhang Shuoliang also made trips back to their hometowns. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to find their families.
By the time they returned to the Southern Base, two months had passed. The four elders had heard many times about the Southern Base, but seeing it with their own eyes felt completely different.
The Southern Base was bustling, almost like before the apocalypse. Although people wore old-fashioned padded jackets and trousers, they were warm enough that even in such cold weather, many people were still out and about. At the city entrance registration point, everything was handled by computer—efficient and convenient. The four elders quickly obtained temporary residence permits. Zhao Bing and Han Lei went straight to the base headquarters to report on the mission to Regiment Commander Jiang and Company Commander Zhang.
Although all newly arrived survivors could enjoy three days of free food and lodging, Zhan Yun and the others wouldn’t let the elders stay in the unified dormitories. They went to the management center and rented two more apartments in the small high-rise where they lived, right downstairs. With elevators for easy access, even if the elders’ legs weren’t strong, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Additionally, Zhan Yun had Zhang Shuoliang use his earth ability to create an internal staircase, making it even more convenient to care for the elders.
The elders were extremely satisfied—this kind of life was no different from heaven.
After resting, the four elders went with Zhan Yun’s team to eat at the cafeteria. The food there was far better than they’d imagined. Though the dishes were simple, they were hot, plentiful, and filling—something completely unimaginable at the Capital Base.
Just as they were lining up to get food, they were called over by Jiang Xuzhou and Company Commander Zhang. It turned out the two had specially prepared a welcome banquet for them.
With the base leadership hosting, everyone happily attended. The meal was enjoyed by hosts and guests alike, and the four elders once again clearly saw their children’s special status in the base. At last, they were completely at ease.
Back in the familiar home, lying on a comfortable big bed, sleeping embraced with the one he loved most, and being accepted by his lover’s family—things he hadn’t even dared to imagine in his previous life had all come true. Smiles couldn’t help but spread to the corners of Su Ruizhe’s eyes and brows.
The future would surely be even better.
(Main Story End)
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