When drinking water, he no longer swallowed it in large gulps like before. Instead, he took a gentle sip to moisten his dry lips and throat, then immediately put the cap back on the bottle, fearing to waste even a drop. The food that could have lasted him several days was carefully planned, and his daily intake was reduced to the minimum.
At the same time, Xiao Yi's eyes were constantly searching the surroundings, not missing any clues that might lead to new supplies. He carefully observed the plants along the road, trying to identify which ones were edible vegetables or fruits. Every time he saw a tree that might bear fruit, he would run over with anticipation, but most of the time he returned disappointed.
When he passed by an abandoned house, he would carefully go in and search, hoping to find a forgotten can or bottle of water in the corner. Even a broken kettle could become a life-saving treasure in his eyes.
During his long journey, he would also keep an eye out for streams or wells. Once he found one, he would rush over, but often he would see dry riverbeds and polluted well water. His hopes were dashed again and again, but he never gave up looking for new supplies.
When passing through an abandoned town, Xiao Yi, with a glimmer of hope, stepped into the dilapidated houses. He pushed open the rickety doors one by one with light hands, and the door hinges creaked, as if telling stories of the past.
The room was filled with the smell of decay and dust, and the sunlight shone through the broken windows, casting hazy beams of light. Xiao Yi's eyes swept across the room eagerly, not missing any corner.
He first walked into a kitchen with its cupboard doors open. Inside, it was bare except for a few worn-out dishes scattered on the floor. The shelves where food had once been stored were now empty, with not even a grain of rice or a crumb of bread left.
Next, he went to the bedroom and searched the drawers and wardrobes where food might be hidden, but he found nothing except some worn-out clothes and miscellaneous items.
Then came the basement, a dark and damp space filled with a pungent musty smell. He walked down with great anticipation, but saw only garbage and broken tools on the floor, nothing to fill his stomach.
Most places had been searched and plundered, as if they had been searched for countless times in despair. Xiao Yi's mood grew heavier, but he did not give up, still searching house by house, even if there was only a glimmer of hope.
Just when he felt despair, the dark emotions that threatened to consume him seemed to solidify in his heart. However, fate seemed to smile at him at the last moment.
He walked mechanically, heavy-footed, into a nondescript basement. It was dark and damp, emitting a nauseating stench of decay. Drops of water dripped down the walls, seemingly playing a melody of despair for him.
At first, his eyes were dull and he just glanced around habitually. But in that casual glance, his eyes suddenly widened, and a hint of surprise instantly lit up his face.
In the corner of the basement, half-hidden by a pile of debris, he found a dilapidated wooden box. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and with a hint of disbelief and extreme desire, he walked over quickly.
As he laboriously moved the debris and opened the wooden box with trembling hands, he saw a box of unopened cans. The metal cans gleamed with hope in the dim light. Each can was intact, and the patterns and words on the labels seemed like gospel from heaven.
Next to the cans lay several bottles of mineral water, each crystal clear, the water sloshing gently inside like a fountain of life.
Xiao Yi stared blankly at these unexpected discoveries, his eyes moist. At this moment, he seemed to see the dawn of survival, the haze of despair was instantly dispelled, and a strong desire to survive was rekindled in his heart.
As he continued to move forward, Xiao Yi gradually saw some moving figures. As the distance got closer, he finally saw clearly that they were a group of other survivors.
Their team looked somewhat disorganized, with men, women, young and old alike, each with a look of deep fatigue and fear on their face, their clothes tattered and covered in stains and dust.
In front walked a strong middle-aged man with a vigilant look, holding a thick wooden stick tightly in his hand, seemingly the leader of this small group. Behind him followed several young men, some carrying simple bags, some supporting injured companions, and staggering along.
A white-haired old man was supported by two women. His eyes were empty and he was muttering to himself, as if he had not yet woken up from the nightmare of the past.
There were also a few children following the adults closely, their eyes filled with fear of the unknown, but also with a hint of desire to survive.
Coughs and low groans could be heard from the team from time to time. Everyone had scars on their bodies, which were the marks of their struggle to survive in this cruel world.
Xiao Yi's appearance made them nervous instantly. They stopped and stared at him intently, unconsciously tightening their weapons in their hands, as if Xiao Yi was an unknown threat.
They approached slowly, each one's steps heavy and dragging. Their faces were filled with fatigue, dark circles around their eyes, and their eyes revealed endless despair and confusion.
The man in the lead had disheveled hair, patchy stubble, and tattered clothes covered in stains and dust. With some effort, he raised his head and said to Xiao Yi in a hoarse voice, "Friend, we've been walking for a long time. We're hungry and tired, and we can't hold on any longer." There was a hint of pleading in his eyes. "I'd like to discuss with you whether we can share your supplies so we can travel together and look after each other."
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