Chapter 73
After they set off again, the system’s voice sounded once more, notifying Jiang Qingyu that a large sum of points had been deposited.
Ever since the last checkpoint, his points and experience had been increasing in scattered bits and pieces, sometimes more, sometimes less. He had no idea what the judging standard was. In any case, he could not get a clear answer from the system, so he simply stopped caring about it.
But after leaving this time, the experience bar that was issued actually filled up directly, and the RV successfully upgraded.
The upgrade rewards given by the system were, respectively, the entertainment module and the ability for the RV to travel on water. Their upcoming journey was almost entirely over land. If they wanted to look at lakes or seas, they could just stop by the shore. For the time being, they had no need to go into the water.
So Jiang Qingyu chose to upgrade the entertainment module. That way, Fu Jingqiu would have a relatively safe and comfortable place to work out. If Tangyuan had too much energy, he could also go on the treadmill to burn some off.
Jiang Qingyu had discussed this choice with Fu Jingqiu, and both of them agreed. The RV smoothly activated the entertainment module. They did not even have time to clean up the bowls and chopsticks piled on the table before running off to tour all the newly upgraded facilities.
Needless to say, there were saunas and hot springs. It was a bit like the setup of a hot spring leisure center. If they wanted a sauna room, they could operate it through the electronic screen in the living room. It worked in a similar way to the medical pod. A door would appear behind them, and once they pushed it open and entered, they could directly do sweat steaming inside.
As for hot springs, they could even choose between outdoor and indoor hot springs, simulated environments, and so on. When the door was pushed open, the hot spring steamed gently, surrounded by artificial hills. To one side, there were tables and chairs where they could place things and rest.
Although it was a flowing-water hot spring, if they could not get over the psychological hurdle, there was also a one-button cleaning mode, so they did not have to worry about whether it was clean or not.
The gym facilities were extremely complete. Jiang Qingyu truly did not understand these things. He only knew about dumbbells, treadmills, spinning bikes, and the like, but the gym equipped in the RV was astonishingly spacious. All kinds of equipment and tools dazzled the eyes.
But Jiang Qingyu did not dare linger for long at all. He only made a feint at the gym doorway before immediately slipping away, leaving Fu Jingqiu inside to properly “inspect” it while he hurried next door to look at the spa room.
When the entertainment module had flashed by earlier, Jiang Qingyu had been curious about how this so-called massage and spa would actually work. In the end, it was simple and straightforward: they directly provided a robot. Its hands used the most advanced bionic materials, so it would not make people feel uncomfortable during massage.
The robot would massage and relax them according to professional procedures one by one. The strength could be adjusted according to needs, either lighter or heavier. If there was a specific area that needed extra attention, they could directly communicate with the robot. It was extremely convenient.
Traditional Chinese medical massage and the moxibustion room worked the same way.
Technology changed the world and changed life.
The entertainment options were dazzling. After touring everything once, Jiang Qingyu did not know which one to experience first. Just as he was hesitating, Fu Jingqiu finally came out of the gym with a satisfied expression and commented, “Everything is complete. Very professional.”
Jiang Qingyu said, “Since the stuff is ours now, we can’t waste it. We’ll experience it tonight.” He rubbed his hands together. “Give me a suggestion. Which one should we do first?”
“Oh,” Jiang Qingyu quickly added, “the gym doesn’t count.”
Fu Jingqiu: “…” He had not planned to say the gym.
He thought for a few seconds. “How about the hot spring or spa? To relax.”
Only children made choices. Adults wanted everything! Jiang Qingyu said without hesitation, “Then hot spring first, then spa!”
Fu Jingqiu had once arranged a hot spring hotel for him after hearing him mention it casually. It was also that night that Jiang Qingyu faced his own feelings directly. Looking back now, his wish had actually come true.
When soaking in the hot spring, they could even move the snowy scenery outside over. Soaking in the hot spring while watching the snow created an especially good atmosphere. Add some sliced fruit and iced drinks, and it was incredibly pleasant.
Of course, because there were still arrangements afterward, they soaked in a pure hot spring, and nothing unexpected happened.
After their bones had all been soaked soft and their whole bodies had become limp, they went to do spa treatment. They were comfortably rubbed with essential oil and properly massaged.
Honestly, the robot’s technique was quite good. Jiang Qingyu was massaged so comfortably that he fell asleep right there on the massage bed. When he woke up, the robot was still pushing oil and massaging his calves. He immediately sighed in comfort and shifted into another position to look at Fu Jingqiu.
Mm… yes, the two of them were doing it together.
Aside from the towel covering his waist, there was almost nothing concealing him.
Looking at him like this, even in a relaxed state, Fu Jingqiu’s muscle lines were extremely beautiful. Especially because of the essential oil, the color and shape of his body made him look like he was about to shoot a magazine spread. The way he lay on his arms was very lazy, like a leopard in a relaxed state. As soon as it locked onto its target, the next second, all its muscles would tense, and its whole body could shoot out like an arrow released from a bowstring.
As if sensing his gaze, Fu Jingqiu turned his face and looked at him, saying gently, “Awake?”
What Jiang Qingyu did not know was that his appreciation had come one step later than Fu Jingqiu’s. When Fu Jingqiu realized he had already fallen asleep, he had already stared at him for a very long time.
Jiang Qingyu always said he did not want to exercise, flopping onto the bed with a pillow in his arms and declaring, with his eyes closed, that he was a lazy bug. But in daily life, he did not skip anything he needed to do. On top of that, almost all the cooking was done by him, and that was also physical labor.
So although there were no especially obvious traces of training on his body, his flesh was firm. His body lines were flexible and smooth, his waist narrow, his hips lifted, his calves pale and bright, coated in a layer of glossy sheen by the transparent essential oil.
Yet his face was pure and carefree. Even when asleep, he looked very obedient. His cheek was pressed against his arm, and he slept without knowing anything. Even if Fu Jingqiu carried him away at this time, he probably would not notice.
Jiang Qingyu made an “mm” sound. “How does it feel?”
Fu Jingqiu said, “Pretty good. The relaxation effect is nice.”
Jiang Qingyu joked, “Then are you going to be out of a job from now on?”
Fu Jingqiu’s expression turned slightly serious. “This is only pure relaxation. If it’s to solve a problem…”
Jiang Qingyu knew he was going to say that and had already prepared his answer in advance. “Did you forget? We also have a traditional Chinese massage room.”
Fu Jingqiu: “…”
More than half an hour later, the young couple, both covered in fragrant floral essential oil, walked out of the spa room in satisfaction and entered the long-missed bedroom.
As the saying went, a golden nest or a silver nest could not compare to one’s own doghouse. The quilt was soft, and the pillows and bedding were familiar. Jiang Qingyu excitedly pounced forward and rolled on the bed. “We’re back!”
Fu Jingqiu walked over and stuffed Jiang Qingyu, who was sprawled across the blanket, into the quilt. Just before letting go, his thumb unconsciously rubbed twice against the hollow beneath the protruding bone of Jiang Qingyu’s ankle. His expression did not change. “It’s time to sleep.”
Jiang Qingyu lazily yawned and patted the spot beside him. “Don’t keep busy either. Whatever it is, talk about it tomorrow. Come here.”
Fu Jingqiu smiled and answered okay. He went to turn off the lights, then returned to the bedside, carrying the floral fragrance of essential oil all over his body as he got under the blanket. Jiang Qingyu could not stop laughing. Before, he had only smelled laundry detergent or body wash on Fu Jingqiu. This time, he had been completely soaked through with essential oil.
“What are you laughing at?” Fu Jingqiu’s body heat pressed closer. With a sweep of his long arm, he let Jiang Qingyu lie comfortably on his chest, then lowered his head and kissed the top of his hair. “Sleepy?”
Jiang Qingyu said, “I’ll fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes. Believe it or not?”
Fu Jingqiu said, “I may not believe other things, but I definitely believe this.”
When it came to falling asleep in seconds, Jiang Qingyu was extremely authoritative.
After a round of enjoyment, both of them were relaxed to the bone. It was indeed not early anymore. After casually chatting for a few sentences, they tacitly stopped speaking and both fell into dreamland.
The RV moved steadily through the heavy snow. The traces left behind were covered by snowflakes all along the way. When it passed uneven places, it seemed to sway and tremble on the outside, but inside the bedroom, everything remained warm and steady. Two heads leaned together, sleeping extremely sweetly.
Because they had not stayed in the RV for more than a week, when Jiang Qingyu woke up in his own bed again, he actually felt as if a lifetime had passed. But after putting on his shoes and going to the living room to find people, everything looked just like before.
Tangyuan, who excitedly pounced at his legs and acted spoiled the moment he saw him; Meimei, who liked staying up high or curling up on the sofa to sleep; and Fu Jingqiu, who was doing things.
This, in the end, was the life of their family of four.
Today, they planned to stop at the Flaming Spring in Baicheng. The Flaming Spring was near Devil City. It was only a small pond, with natural gas vents beneath it. Because there was abundant natural gas below, fire could be lit on the surface of the pond, making flames and spring water coexist.
Visiting the attraction was free, but if one wanted to light it oneself, there was a ten-yuan fee.
Only, who knew whether there were still staff members staying by the Flaming Spring to collect fees at this time.
They ate something simple, and about half an hour later, they successfully arrived at their destination.
In the current situation, even if someone was still willing to stay inside the small house beside the Flaming Spring, there probably would not be any tourists passing by to check in. Beside the spring, the sign reading “A must-visit in this lifetime” stood alone in the heavy snow. The words on it were already hard to see clearly.
Snowflakes kept falling into the spring and instantly melting. Around it was a ring of solidified salt crust. It looked very plain and unremarkable.
The small house beside it was almost entirely buried by the heavy snow. A lock hung on the door, the lockhead faintly visible among the accumulated snow.
Jiang Qingyu took out a disposable torch, lit it with a lighter, and sent it to the center of the spring. A cluster of crimson flames instantly leapt up, surging and rolling over the surface of the spring water.
Photos and videos were one thing. Seeing it with one’s own eyes was another.
The Flaming Spring was divided into wet spring and dry spring. The wet spring was the one in front of them. The dry spring was a slightly raised abandoned well mouth. It looked utterly ordinary, but the natural gas rising from underground had already burned several times, with flames strong enough to melt all the snow covering it.
White snow stretched all around, an endless field of frost-white. Most traces of human presence had been covered. Even the tracks behind the RV were almost gone. Only these two spring vents continued to spout flames, just like a thousand years ago, without any change.
It was magical.
After leaving the Flaming Spring, they traveled north all the way, passing Qiongkushitai, then heading toward Yining, arriving at a stop he absolutely had to make, one of the attractions originally in the plan.
Their speed was not fast. After all, the road conditions were very poor now. When the temperature had first dropped, heavy snow would come only occasionally. But now, it seemed as if the whole earth had to be covered in snow, falling endlessly every day.
Considering transportation needs, no matter how cold it was, snowplows had to work every day, or snow-melting agents had to be used to clear the roads, so people would not truly be trapped to death by the heavy snow.
A few days later, the family of four drove the RV to the next stop where they could rest.
When they reached this place, the entire world seemed to have been dyed by a very clear blue. Although snow-capped mountains stretched nearby, the plains seemed endless at a glance. The road beside them seemed to have had vehicles passing just yesterday, and the snow on the road was not too deep. Their vehicle could drive a little farther in. The wind was not strong at the moment, so Jiang Qingyu thought for a moment, put Tangyuan in a hooded down jacket, knee pads, and little shoes, and tentatively got out of the RV.
It really was cold!
But it was truly beautiful.
Jiang Qingyu’s voice was muffled inside his scarf, yet it carried crisp and clear far away. “Teacher Sa Beining! I’ve come to Sayram Lake—!”
He had not lived in vain!
Fu Jingqiu: ?
Needless to say, there were snow-capped mountains. Beside the lake, it was almost as if tall buildings had risen out of flat ground. Irregularly shaped ice pillars connected in strings, like a natural glacier. The image was extremely spectacular.
The accumulated snow here had been blown hard by the wind, becoming solid pieces like crispy snow-covered ice cream. Stepping on it felt firm and satisfying. Because they had considered this in advance, their equipment had been changed. When Jiang Qingyu pulled his calves out of the snow, almost no snow stuck to his pants. It was just that his speed was a little slower.
Fu Jingqiu went ahead to scout for a while. The lakeside was completely frozen. The ice surface was crystal clear, and bubble ice spread out like pancakes, with an enormous number of them.
This seemed to be formed when marsh gas from the lake bottom froze into ice. The round ones looked like ice balls, while the thin ones looked like ice flakes. They stacked densely beneath the ice surface. It did not make people feel trypophobic at all. Instead, it was very beautiful.
In places where the ice had frozen more solidly, it looked like a huge piece of blue gemstone. Looking closely, there were traces and bubbles inside like cotton fibers. Tangyuan even wanted to lick it, but Fu Jingqiu stopped him.
If his tongue stuck to the ice, he would definitely howl.
Jiang Qingyu crouched on the ice. He was truly curious and thought that, since it was frozen solid anyway, he would chisel open an ice bubble. Unexpectedly, he could actually dig out fine, dense crushed snow like salt from inside. It was very fun.
Not only that, walking farther ahead, clusters of ice flowers had condensed on the ice surface. Extremely thin and fine ice edges piled into snowflake shapes, cluster after cluster, extending across the ice surface like an ice-and-snow garden.
If there were none on the ice surface, there would definitely be some underground. The shapes there were even bigger and more beautiful, like blooming white epiphyllum flowers, only sharper.
One could imagine how beautiful this place would be if the weather were good.
Jiang Qingyu took the initiative and said, “Let’s stay here tonight and leave tomorrow.”
Fu Jingqiu could tell. “You really like it, don’t you?”
Jiang Qingyu made an “mm” sound. “It’s just a pity that the weather is so cold now.”
Otherwise, they might even be able to see ice waves, countless pieces of shattered ice pushed ashore by the tide. From afar, they would look like scales of a cold-blooded creature, refracting rainbow light under the sun, bright enough that people could barely open their eyes.
Fu Jingqiu said, “It’s all right. The extreme cold will pass eventually.”
When the time came, they could come again and see it all the same.
Jiang Qingyu said, “We just don’t know what disaster it’ll be by then.”
But as long as they were alive, there would always be chances.
After all, they were beside the lake. Although the lake surface had already frozen, there was still inevitably wind. When they had just come down, it had been slightly better, but now that the wind had started blowing, it was truly deadly.
“Quick, quick, let’s go back to the RV!” Jiang Qingyu hurriedly slipped back. Fu Jingqiu picked up Tangyuan in one motion and followed him, jogging all the way home. The sound of wind chased behind them, almost relentless.
Although they were fully armed, they could still feel that bone-piercing cold through their clothes. It was beautiful, yes, but if they stayed any longer, their bodies would not be able to take it.
The two of them rushed up into the RV in a few quick steps. A wave of heat instantly met them. Jiang Qingyu was so comfortable that he instinctively let out a long sigh. The two people and one dog first stood by the steps for half a minute before they began taking off coats and changing shoes, freeing their faces from the layers of scarves and raising their hands to cover them.
When they looked by the window, snow-capped mountains filled the distance. Sayram Lake lay beneath the mountains like a huge blue sapphire. A string of footprints in the snow extended to the RV, becoming the only trace that disrupted the beautiful scenery.
Fu Jingqiu shook out their coat hoods and gloves beside him. They were all covered in snow. The moment it fell onto the floor, it immediately melted. After hanging everything up, he went to get a mop to clean the floor.
For things like this that could be wiped clean in passing, Fu Jingqiu rarely released the robot. Otherwise, it would have to self-check, wash its mop, and go through a whole process. By the time it finished, the robot might not even have left its base station.
With that time, he would have already finished cleaning.
After pouring hot tea and holding it in his hands to warm up, Jiang Qingyu called Fu Jingqiu over to rest at the dinette. At this moment, there was no need to worry about anything. The curtains were all opened. The side windows could be adjusted in size, and now they were almost in panoramic mode, with the scenery outside fully visible.
With wind this strong and no obvious buildings around to block it, the RV still remained stable, without any sign of movement or shaking.
Jiang Qingyu sipped his tea in small mouthfuls and stared unblinkingly out the window. Perhaps it was influenced by the lake water, but even the sky overhead at this moment was that kind of clear, pure blue, with snow falling continuously.
He admired it quietly for a while before pulling his attention back. Seeing Fu Jingqiu sitting opposite also looking outside, one hand resting on the table, the back of his hand slightly red, Jiang Qingyu thought he had been frozen outside earlier and took the initiative to hold his hand.
Huh? It was very warm.
Fu Jingqiu turned his face and met Jiang Qingyu’s clear, bright eyes. His outline softened first. “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Qingyu said, “Tonight, we have to eat a proper meal.”
Snow mountains, lake scenery, delicious food, and fruit juice. Just thinking about it made him unbearably happy.
The sky gradually darkened, and the blue became deeper and heavier, mixed with a bit of hazy gray. The ice pillars stood faintly in the distance like a crystal palace. Jiang Qingyu changed clothes, first prepared the cat and dog food, and let the children eat first before beginning to make human food.
These past two days, they had eaten quite a bit of hotpot and barbecue. When there were many people, eating those things was lively. Now that they had returned to RV life, they could be more casual and arrange meals according to the day’s situation.
Inside the vehicle, the lights were bright. Jiang Qingyu took out a fine piece of beef, sliced it thinly, added egg white and various seasonings, evenly coated it with a spoonful of starch, then sprayed a little olive oil to marinate it. It would be very tender when eaten later.
He scooped out the seeds and pulp from passion fruits and set them aside. Then he found a round, plump clay pot, stir-fried a base with chopped bird’s eye chili and minced garlic, then added one frozen tomato and stir-fried it. This way, it would break down more easily and become more flavorful.
Then he added water and seasonings. Once the pot boiled, he added the beef, then large pieces of tomato, thin slices of lemon, and cilantro, reducing the sauce slightly. This passion fruit sour soup beef was then finished. The sourness stimulated the taste buds and was super good with rice.
He also stewed a pot of pumpkin, chestnut, and pork rib rice. He had eaten this himself once before, but Fu Jingqiu had not tried it yet. He dared to guarantee that Fu Jingqiu would definitely like it too. Putting aside everything else, the aroma alone would drift two li away. With these ingredients together, as long as one did not get any whimsical ideas, it definitely would not taste bad.
Aside from that, there was a small seafood vermicelli pot loaded with ingredients. Fu Jingqiu’s beloved shrimp appeared once again, along with squid rings, small abalone, and razor clams. They were all pan-fried in oil in advance, so they would taste even more fragrant later.
This dish also went well with rice. Jiang Qingyu loved eating it.
There was also fish-fragrant shredded pork, steamed egg with yam and minced meat, and a pot of three-delicacy soup. With that, everything was complete, and once it was plated, they started eating.
Jiang Qingyu had guessed correctly. Fu Jingqiu really did like this pot of stewed rice. All the ingredients had absorbed flavor. The oily fragrance of the ribs had soaked completely into the rice, so fragrant that Tangyuan could do a somersault—yes, he had a share too.
He crouched beside their dining table without saying anything, simply lifting his face and staring at them with his pair of wet puppy eyes. How could Jiang Qingyu not soften? In the end, he let the puppy taste some too.
During the two hours when the snow fell most exaggeratedly, they could almost no longer see the snow-capped mountains. Thick snow accumulated on the roof of the vehicle before being automatically cleared off, sliding down with a rushing sound and falling to the ground silently, not affecting the dining mood of the two people inside in the slightest.
If the vehicle had not been upgraded for the extreme cold apocalypse, never mind the window edges, there would probably be a row of icicles hanging from the roof by now. How could it be as safe and sound as it was now?
Only, after the sky completely darkened, there was no especially good scenery to look at. The curtains were pulled shut again, and they focused on the delicious food before them.
The wind outside was not quiet, rushing against the front and back of the vehicle in waves. On the TV screen, Tangyuan’s favorite suspense drama was playing. Having eaten until his belly was round, he curled up in his little dog bed watching the suspense drama, incredibly comfortable.
“We’ll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll use the snowy scenery to have another meal, then set off,” Jiang Qingyu said while drinking soup.
Fu Jingqiu said okay, but some counties and towns had been sealed off and did not allow entry or exit, so they would probably have to make a small detour.
On their way here, many checkpoints had been unmanned. It seemed the ongoing extreme cold and the slightly evolved zombies had indeed had some impact on everyone.
Even if people had to work, everyone wanted to work from home.
“But will tomorrow’s meal be lunch or dinner?” Fu Jingqiu asked.
Jiang Qingyu glared at him. “You’ve learned bad habits.”
Couldn’t it be breakfast!
Of course it could not.
The worse the weather outside, the more Jiang Qingyu felt this kind of moment was precious. It was like when he used to intern, and his rest day happened to coincide with rain. He practically wanted to set off firecrackers at home in celebration.
The heavier the rain, the better. The gloomier the weather, the better. Even if he only lay there doing nothing, he could feel his happiness index soar all the way up.
At times like this, he really wanted to sleep, yet was reluctant to sleep. After all, the sense of security of being able to hide in a safe harbor during such weather was hard to obtain.
Just like now, with the cold wind howling outside and snowflakes continuously falling, after dinner, Jiang Qingyu even ran to the sofa bed and lay there for a little while. He pulled the curtain open slightly and did nothing, resting his head on his arm as he quietly listened to the wind with his eyes closed.
Fu Jingqiu, meanwhile, cleaned the dishes in an orderly way, tidied the kitchen and dining table, put the bowls and chopsticks into the dishwasher, and each person and machine performed their own duties as everything began operating.
Only after everything was done did he wash his hands and come over to lie beside Jiang Qingyu.
Jiang Qingyu did not even open his eyes, yet he actively searched for the position of Fu Jingqiu’s chest. He shifted and moved, using both hands and feet. After touching the other man’s chest muscles, he casually felt down to his abs before withdrawing his hand and leaning his whole body against him.
Fu Jingqiu let him finish this whole series of little movements before laughing and holding Jiang Qingyu. “Meditating?”
Jiang Qingyu said, “No. I’m not thinking about anything. I’m just emptying my mind.”
After Fu Jingqiu lay down, his happiness index rose another level.
Indeed, from the earlier heavy rain to the current extreme cold, even though many zombies were still wandering outside and had not been dealt with, order had not completely collapsed. Even the internet was still normal. He could contact classmates and friends, browse online, and he had countless downloaded movies and variety shows to relieve boredom. Even the system could chat with him for a few lines.
He had not yet been lonely to the point of being abandoned by the entire world.
But none of that was what Jiang Qingyu wanted.
He wanted a living, breathing person. Real breath and warmth. Someone who could lie beside him and chat with him, sentence by sentence, about meaningless topics, discussing tomorrow’s route and the menu for the next meal.
And none of that could be given to him by the internet or the system.
Only Fu Jingqiu could.
The Apocalypse of Natural Disasters Descends During an RV Trip
