Chapter 4 – The Small Camp (Part ②)

Volume 2: Battlefield Between Two Worlds

Watching Grandpa Sun get up and leave, Sun Ruixing let out a helpless sigh.

"Brother, don't take it to heart. If you ask me, in a place this small, with a thousand difficulties and ten thousand hardships, the hardest part is serving these old men and old ladies."

Hearing Sun Ruixing's helpless tone, Wen Yu couldn't help but laugh.

If you're going to build a Camp, you have to be prepared for this. All kinds of people will show up, and if you mishandle even one of them, they'll make a huge scene. Unless you have truly extraordinary ability, or you wield overwhelming strength and iron-blooded methods, it's best not to get involved with something like a Settlement.

Just like Sun Ruixing in front of him-if not for the burden of all the people in this Camp, with Sun Ruixing's capabilities he could've reached at least 5 Points of Physique. Why put himself in such an awkward position?

Wen Yu gave Sun Ruixing a faint smile and didn't comment on the matter. Everyone has their own way of living. Since Sun Ruixing felt it was worth it to bring this group along, Wen Yu had no place to judge.

"Eat, eat." Seeing the atmosphere turn a bit awkward, Sun Ruixing called loudly to the people below. In truth, he was mainly speaking to the young men he'd personally brought up who actually had fighting ability; most of the older folks had followed Grandpa Sun out.

Wen Yu lowered his head and ate quietly. He had to admit, rural cooking was genuinely delicious-though it was also possible that this was simply the first hot meal Wen Yu had eaten since the Apocalypse began.

After the meal, a group of middle-aged women started clearing the tables, and Wen Yu chatted with Sun Ruixing about everyday matters.

"Sun-Ge, have you always lived in Hualin Town?" Wen Yu took the cigarette Sun Ruixing handed him and took two light puffs.

"Yeah. I used to haul freight all the time. Then the Apocalypse broke out. My daughter's in college in Yanjing City-no idea how she's doing now." Sun Ruixing exhaled a stream of smoke, his eyes unfocused.

"Don't worry. The good have heaven on their side. With how many people Sun-Ge has saved in HL Town, your daughter will be fine." Wen Yu offered a rare word of comfort.

"That's true." Sun Ruixing chuckled.

"Oh right, Younger Brother-tomorrow I'll need your help with something. Tomorrow morning I'm taking some people to the Mudanjiang City Toll Station to have a look. The safety of this little Camp of mine-I hope Younger Brother Wen Yu can give your Old Brother a hand." Sun Ruixing was clearly unwilling to keep talking about family matters, probably because it hit somewhere painful.

Wen Yu thought for a moment, then said to Sun Ruixing, "That's not a problem. But after you come back tomorrow, I'll be leaving. I won't hide it from Sun-Ge-the Big Lion that's been chasing me might catch up again, so I need to get away from Mudanjiang City as quickly as possible."

"If Brother Wen Yu doesn't mind this bit of strength I've got, I can help you deal with that Big Lion." Sun Ruixing patted his chest. Seeing Wen Yu keep smiling without saying anything, Sun Ruixing seemed to realize Wen Yu didn't think much of his combat power, and he gave an embarrassed laugh.

"Alright, let's not talk about that. I'll arrange a place for Brother Wen Yu to stay first."

Sun Ruixing took Wen Yu by the arm and led him straight inside.

There were many small rooms inside. Most were just partitions-simple wooden boards and a bedroll on the floor, carving out one little space.

He led Wen Yu to a small cubicle farther in that was fairly clean, and said apologetically, "It's cramped, and the conditions aren't great. I hope Brother Wen Yu can bear with it."

"No problem. At a time like this, I'm not the fussy type." The place was decent enough-at least far better than where he'd lived in his previous life. Wen Yu didn't nitpick, and set his War Blade down on the floor.

"Brother Wen Yu, you rest up first. I'll come call you when it's time to eat this afternoon." Food was scarce, and there were only two meals a day. That was still at the very beginning of the Apocalypse-after some time, if any Settlement could manage to let people eat their fill even once a day, it would be considered well-off.

Nodding to Sun Ruixing, Wen Yu watched as Sun Ruixing turned and left, at the same time gathering people to head out to clear the Zombies nearby and rescue Survivors. Wen Yu shook his head helplessly.

"He's a good man. I hope you get a good ending."

No longer paying attention to Sun Ruixing, Wen Yu lay down directly on the bedding on the floor and slipped into a state of light dozing.

Wen Yu was exhausted. Days of nonstop fighting had long since drained him of energy. The moment he touched the bed, he wanted nothing more than to drop his head and sleep like a log. Unfortunately, the surroundings forced Wen Yu to keep a measure of vigilance.

The Little Soul Beast curled tightly against Wen Yu's neck, likewise drowsing off to sleep.

…

Hearing footsteps from not far away, Wen Yu jolted, immediately sat up straight, and gripped the Steel Blade in his hand.

Seeing Sun Ruixing walk in, and catching Wen Yu's bewildered gaze and the Steel Blade in his hand, Sun Ruixing gave an awkward smile. "Sorry to disturb you, brother. I came to call you to eat."

Only then did Wen Yu come back to himself, recalling everything that had happened that morning.

Setting the Steel Blade down, Wen Yu gave Sun Ruixing an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Sun-Ge. When you've been on your own for too long, you can't help being a bit more on guard."

"I understand, I understand." Sun Ruixing laughed heartily, grabbed Wen Yu, and led him straight toward the main hall.

It was still early outside, but none of the Survivors had any doubts about eating at this hour.

Eating at night would mean turning on the lights. Leaving aside where the electricity would even come from, light would attract Zombies and Mutant Beasts. Turning on lights was absolutely a taboo in the Apocalypse.

Seeing that, aside from the people standing watch outside, all the Survivors had entered the dining hall, Sun Ruixing didn't make another speech. He simply said to everyone, "Eat," then lowered his head and started wolfing it down.

"Wait, Sun. This Old Man has a few words to say here."

Before Sun Ruixing could even take a couple bites, Grandpa Sun spoke up from not far away.

Sun Ruixing wiped the corner of his mouth and said respectfully, "Grandpa, go ahead."

"Sun, a few of us old folks talked it over. Tomorrow we'll still have to trouble you to take us to Mudanjiang City to have a look. Is that alright?" Grandpa Sun spoke in a consultative tone, but his cloudy eyes stared straight at Sun Ruixing, as if he'd hang himself the moment there was any disagreement.

With a group of elderly people all staring at him, Sun Ruixing said helplessly, "Everyone, it's not that I don't want to take you. It's just that it really is dangerous outside, and I can't guarantee I can bring you all back safe and sound."

That one sentence from Sun Ruixing somehow poked a hornet's nest. The old folks below immediately started shouting.

"Sun, aren't you a Class Holder? Aren't you a lot stronger than ordinary people? Don't try to fool us old folks."

"That's right, that's right. I think Sun just doesn't want to take us out. Maybe the Mudanjiang City Government has already started rescue operations-Sun just doesn't want to give up his position as leader."

"Sun didn't used to be like this. I remember Sun used to treat people so well. How is it that the moment someone has power, they change?"