"Although the past was filled with suffering, the future will surely be bright." With this conviction in their hearts, everyone forged ahead with resolve. Those past days hang like a heavy cloud over their hearts. Memories are filled with endless pain and sorrow, and the devastation wrought by natural disasters remains vivid. Raging winds roared across the land, crumbling houses and shattering roads. People cried and cried out in despair. Floods surged like a ferocious beast, drowning once-fertile farmland and warm homes. Earthquakes shook the earth, tearing apart the very fabric of the city, reducing everything beautiful to ruin in an instant. Disease spread, claiming the lives of loved ones and friends, leaving behind deep pain and endless longing. Yet, even through such profound suffering, the light in their eyes never faded. Deep within each of them burned an unwavering belief in a bright future. This faith, like a brilliant star, shone in the dark night sky, illuminating their path forward. At every sunrise, Xiao Yi gazes into the distance, telling himself, "This pain is only temporary. In the future, warm sunshine will shine upon our rebuilt home." He marches steadily toward the base's construction, each drop of sweat brimming with anticipation for the future. During sowing season, Lin Yue gently caresses the seeds in her hands, as if she can see them growing into lush forests and bountiful fields. She smiles, her heart filled with hope: "The barrenness of the past will be replaced by greenery and vitality, and the world of the future will be filled with birdsong and flowers." In the workshop, Chen Hao meticulously polishes each component, believing it will become the cornerstone of a brighter future: "Past destruction cannot stop our creative progress. The city of the future will be even more glorious because of our efforts." Everyone encourages and supports each other in their daily lives. When someone feels tired and discouraged, those around them hold their hands tightly, offering warmth and strength: "Don't forget, our future is bright. Every effort now brings it one step closer." With this conviction, they never retreat, no matter how many difficulties or challenges they face. They seek hope amidst ruins, carve out paths amidst adversity, and march resolutely toward a better future, step by step, knowing that as long as the flame of faith in their hearts remains unextinguished, a better future will surely arrive as expected.
Xiao Yi set about arranging the room, starting with the reinforcement of the doors and windows. He found thick wooden planks, measured them, and carefully cut them, each cut precise and cautious. His eyes focused, his saw moving steadily, sending wood chips flying down. To install the planks, Xiao Yi used strong nails and a hammer. He meticulously fitted the planks to the door and window frames, hammering each nail with precise positioning and just the right amount of force—neither too loose, causing the planks to falter, nor too tight, causing them to crack. Beads of sweat gradually formed on his forehead, but he didn't bother to wipe them, completely absorbed in his task. After finishing the doors and windows, Xiao Yi began to arrange the interior's defenses. He placed a thick wooden stick in a corner, within easy reach, just in case. Next, he carefully concealed sharp objects, such as nails and broken glass, in hidden areas near the door and window, creating a hidden line of defense. Then, Xiao Yi drew the heavy curtains, making it difficult for anyone outside to see what was going on inside. He also tied bells behind the curtains. Any movement would trigger a sharp chime, serving as a warning. Xiao Yi was especially cautious about the entrance to the room. He spread a thin layer of fine sand across the doorway, allowing him to detect unauthorized entry by observing footprints. He also tied a thin wire to the doorknob, connected to a simple mechanism that would trigger a sound if someone forcibly twisted the doorknob. Even after completing all this, Xiao Yi did not let down his guard. He repeatedly reviewed every detail of the defense, constantly considering whether there was anything he had overlooked. He paced the room, simulating possible scenarios and formulating strategies. He knew that even the slightest oversight could be fatal, so he had to be absolutely sure.
Even in a seemingly safe base, years of experience in the apocalypse had conditioned him to be cautious. Those days spent surviving in the apocalypse were like nightmares, deeply etched in Xiao Yi's soul. He had witnessed a seemingly sturdy shelter being instantly breached by a surging tide of zombies, the cries of the people and their cries for help intertwined, only to be swallowed up by the silence of death. He had also followed the team in searching for food in the ruins, but due to a moment of negligence, they were ambushed by the enemy. His companions fell one after another before his eyes, and their blood stained the ground red. Another time, they spent the night in a makeshift camp, believing the surroundings had been carefully explored and were safe. However, a sudden acid rain in the middle of the night corroded their protective equipment and most of their supplies, leaving them in dire straits.
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