"We're about to be discovered. What should we do?" These trembling words echoed faintly in the small room, like a thunderclap, instantly exploding in everyone's heart. Fear spread like a thick black fog, filling every corner of the room. Xiao Yi's face instantly turned pale, his eyes widening. His body trembled uncontrollably, his lips quivering, yet he couldn't utter a single complete word. The others were also struck by this sudden terror. Some collapsed to the ground, their heads in their hands, whimpering desperately, "It's over, everything is over." Others stared blankly ahead with empty eyes, as if their souls had left their bodies, leaving only shells gripped by fear. The air in the room seemed to freeze, suffocating. Everyone's breathing became rapid and heavy, their heartbeats resounding like drums in their ears. Fear, like an invisible hand, tightened around their throats, suffocating them from breathing or thinking. Someone frantically searched for something to protect themselves, but their shaking hands caused them to scatter all over the floor, exacerbating their panic. Another huddled in a corner, their body twitching, their mouths mumbling, "What should I do? What should I do?" The fear spread, infecting everyone else, plunging the entire room into an abyss of despair. They could almost foresee the tragic outcome of being discovered, yet they felt powerless to avert it, sinking deeper and deeper into this vortex of fear.
Faced with the imminent danger of exposure, Xiao Yi's brow furrowed, his eyes bloodshot. He was consumed by an inner struggle, forced to make this difficult decision. He paced back and forth in the room, each step weighing heavily, as if he were treading a bottomless abyss. The thought of risking public disclosure of the supplies in exchange for trust flashed through his mind, but he knew the enormous risks involved. Whether the supplies would truly earn trust remained uncertain, perhaps even inviting even greater greed and predation, putting them in a situation even more out of control. Xiao Yi paused, his head in his hands, pondering painfully. Continuing to conceal the situation, seeking other solutions, was a path fraught with uncertainty and difficulty. How long could they conceal the situation amidst the constant scrutiny? Could they find an effective solution to the crisis quickly? Each question weighed like a heavy mountain, weighing him down, suffocating him. He recalled the efforts everyone had put in to preserve these supplies, the arduous days and nights, the moments of fear. If they were to disclose the supplies, all their efforts would be in vain. But if they kept it secret, the consequences of their discovery would be even more disastrous. Xiao Yi's gaze swept over his equally anxious companions in the room. Their eyes were filled with expectation and dependence on him, making the burden on his shoulders feel even heavier. His heart was torn between two choices, each thought tinged with deep pain and conflict. As the seconds ticked by, Xiao Yi felt as if he were trapped in a dark maze, each path fraught with thorns and traps. But he knew he had to make a decision quickly, as danger was approaching, leaving no room for hesitation. Xiao Yi understood deeply that in these incredibly difficult times, the crisis lurked like a beast in the darkness, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting. Every decision, every action, could mean the difference between life and death. The bottom line of humanity, once considered an indestructible moral fortress, now crumbled in the storm of crisis. The scarcity of resources and the pressure of survival hammered at the people's hearts again and again. The kindness, integrity, and tolerance of the past seemed so fragile in the face of hunger and despair. Xiao Yi watched helplessly as his usually amiable neighbors quarreled and even fought over a bite of food; friends who were once as close as brothers betrayed their friends under the temptation of interests. His heart was filled with helplessness and sadness, because he knew clearly that this was not their nature, but that they were forced into a desperate situation by the crisis. He was always vigilant and did not dare to relax. Because he knew that once he relaxed his vigilance and lost his sense of crisis, he would become another victim of this chaotic world and be swallowed by endless darkness. In this difficult time, only by maintaining a clear mind and keen insight can one hold on to the pure land in his heart in the torrent where the bottom line of human nature is repeatedly broken.
To effectively protect himself and his companions, as well as the treasured supplies they depended on for survival, Xiao Yi resolutely made a crucial decision: to thoroughly reinforce the room. He began by carefully examining every corner of the room, mentally formulating a reinforcement plan. He found thick wooden planks and nailed them to the doors and windows, one by one. Each hammering sound echoed his unwavering resolve. With his efforts, the once fragile doors and windows were gradually covered with planks, forming a solid defense. He stacked sandbags in layers to reinforce the weak points of the walls, personally carrying and placing each bag of sand, his clothes drenched in sweat, yet his work never faltered. He also addressed the ceiling, erecting thick wooden beams to withstand any pressure from above. He was determined to eliminate even the slightest potential threat. He laid thick wooden planks on the floor, placing sturdy supports beneath them to ensure they would not be easily damaged. During this process, Xiao Yi was fully focused and did not miss any details. He knew very well that this all-round reinforcement was not only a transformation of the room, but also a fortress of their lives and hopes, and a guarantee for them to survive in this dangerous world.
"There can't be the slightest bit of carelessness. We must ensure absolute perfection." Xiao Yi's gaze was as firm as steel, revealing a resolute determination and a sense of responsibility. He knew that even the slightest negligence could lead to irreversible consequences. At this moment, the tools in his hands seemed to become one with him, constantly busy. He raised the hammer high in his hand and brought it down heavily, each blow carrying his full expectation and determination to not let anything go wrong. The nails sank deeper and deeper into the wood, their "ding-dong" sounds echoing in the silent room like a battle cry. His forehead was covered with beads of sweat, which flowed down his cheeks, dripped onto the ground, and disappeared in an instant, but he paid no attention to it. He pulled the saw quickly, sending sawdust flying. His arms trembled slightly from the constant effort, but his movements never faltered. Xiao Yi's breathing became increasingly rapid, but his rhythm remained perfectly steady. He concentrated on measuring the size of each wooden board and carefully calculated every angle to ensure that every joint was seamless, leaving no room for danger.
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