Ning Yu's figure disappeared into the night, leaving behind only a heavy package. He skillfully navigated several streets and returned to an abandoned underground parking lot. This was his current temporary shelter, secluded and quiet, unlikely to be discovered.
By the dim light, Ning Yu carefully checked the makeshift alarm device he had set up, and only put down the package after confirming that no one had been there. He took out a plastic bucket full of water and breathed a sigh of relief. Water is the source of life, especially in this resource-scarce post-apocalyptic world, it is incredibly precious.
Having solved the water problem, Ning Yu began to set up defensive measures. He reinforced the entrance with discarded car seats and tires, and also set up some makeshift traps. Although he knew these defenses would be useless against those vicious raiders, they would at least serve as a warning and buy him precious time to escape.
After everything was prepared, Ning Yu leaned wearily against the wall, took a piece of dry, hard black bread from his pocket, and nibbled on it in small bites. This was his dinner for the day, and also his rations for the next few days. Food shortages remained a persistent problem for him.
"Knock knock knock..."
A soft knocking sound suddenly broke the silence of the underground parking lot, and Ning Yu immediately became alert. He gripped his dagger, held his breath, and slowly approached the entrance.
"Ning Yu, are you there? It's Widow Li." A woman's voice came from outside.
Ning Yu frowned slightly. Widow Li was a well-known "information broker" in the area, skilled at gathering information on all sorts of supplies, and also fond of taking advantage of others' misfortunes. He didn't want to deal with such a person, but given the current situation...
Ning Yu hesitated for a moment, but still decided to open a crack.
"What are you doing here?" Ning Yu asked coldly.
In the dim light, Ning Yu saw that Widow Li was dressed extravagantly, which was completely out of place with the dilapidated surroundings. She had a fawning smile on her face and was carrying a bottle of murky liquid in her hand.
"Young man, you look so pitiful all alone, so I brought some nice things to treat you." Widow Li said, and tried to squeeze in.
Ning Yu stepped aside to block her view, his sharp gaze fixed on the bottle in her hand. "What is this?"
"Of course it's good stuff, I guarantee you'll feel great after drinking it..." Widow Li deliberately dragged out her words, but her eyes intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the package behind Ning Yu, which contained the food and water he had worked so hard to obtain.
"No need, I don't need it." Ning Yu coldly refused. He knew Widow Li's character all too well; she wouldn't come without a reason, and he was sure she had ill intentions this time.
"Don't be so unapproachable, young man..." Widow Li said, reaching to unbutton her collar, her eyes filled with seductive allure, "If you let me in, tonight..."
Before she could finish speaking, Ning Yu shoved her away abruptly. Startled by Ning Yu's sudden action, Widow Li staggered back a few steps, nearly falling. She straightened her disheveled clothes, her alluring smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a sinister glint.
"You won't listen to reason, so don't blame me for being impolite!" Widow Li spat viciously. "Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
She suddenly drew a rusty dagger from her waist and stabbed at Ning Yu. This dagger was Widow Li's "self-defense weapon," made from a piece of metal found in an abandoned factory. Although crude, its lethality was not to be underestimated.
Ning Yu was prepared and dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding Widow Li's attack. The dagger grazed his arm, the cold touch sending a chill down his spine.
"Are you crazy!" Ning Yu shouted angrily. He never expected that Widow Li would actually try to kill him in order to steal something.
"Hmph, in this godforsaken place, the only way to survive is to be ruthless!" Widow Li's face was contorted with rage as she brandished her dagger, closing in step by step. "If you know what's good for you, hand over the goods obediently, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Ning Yu confronted her defiantly. He knew he couldn't back down; if he did, Widow Li would seize the opportunity, and his life would be in danger.
"Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!" Widow Li screamed and pounced on her again.
While dodging Widow Li's attacks, Ning Yu looked for an opportunity to counterattack. He grabbed a stone from the ground and threw it at Widow Li.
Widow Li hurriedly dodged, and the stone grazed her shoulder before hitting the wall with a dull thud.
"You brat, you're quite something!" Widow Li was furious. She had originally thought Ning Yu was just an easy target, but she hadn't expected him to be so capable.
Her eyes darted around, and a plan came to her. She deliberately created a flaw to lure Ning Yu into a trap.
Ning Yu fell for the trick. He seized the opportunity and kicked Widow Li in the stomach.
Widow Li screamed and flew backward, knocking over several gasoline drums behind her.
"Splash..."
The pungent smell of gasoline instantly filled the air. Widow Li scrambled to her feet, glaring fiercely at Ning Yu.
"You just wait!"
She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and turned to run deeper into the underground parking lot.
Ning Yu was startled; he knew Widow Li was about to resort to desperate measures. He quickly chased after her, shouting, "Don't do anything rash!"
"Hmph, I'm going to find you today, you little rascal who's been hiding all along!"
Widow Li's voice echoed through the empty underground parking lot, tinged with madness. She overturned a nearby abandoned car and began to frantically destroy everything around her.
Ning Yu knew he had to stop her, or the consequences would be unimaginable. He took a deep breath, gripped the dagger in his hand, and charged towards Widow Li…
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