Xia Ning glanced at the flustered Xiong Xue through the rearview mirror: "Could you help me see what's in those two backpacks?"
"OK."
Xiong Xue responded, and then, without minding the dirt, placed the two bags on his lap and thoroughly searched them inside and out.
"Five packs of cigarettes, a lighter, a bag of toast, two gummy candies... a flashlight, and a wrench!"
Xiong Xue stared at the back of Xia Ning's head with bright eyes, like a dog begging for a reward from its owner.
Suddenly realizing the danger, the younger sister playfully nuzzled Xia Ning's legs.
Xia Ning was completely unaware that the two of them were vying for attention. She didn't see Xiong Xue's expression and shooed away her annoying sister with disgust.
"Pack your things away, roll up your backpack and stuff it under the seat."
"receive!"
After Xiong Xue finished doing what Xia Ning instructed, he placed his hands neatly on his knees, looking as if the 1.8-meter-tall man wished he could shrink to 1 meter.
His and Sister Mei's shelter was actually only a few hundred meters away from Xia Ning's apartment, but Xia Ning was not in a hurry to get out of the car.
She wanted to get more information about the pregnant woman.
Xiong Xue didn't actually know much either. According to him, Mei Mi's fiancé was away on a business trip, which was why she was a pregnant woman at home alone.
Premarital pregnancy is not a big deal in their culture; living together for a period of time is considered a de facto marriage.
After Xiong Xue finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly and asked Xia Ning in a low voice, "Can I tell Sister Mei Mi about your special ability?"
Xia Ning raised an eyebrow: "What if I say no?"
Xiong Xue made a zipping motion in front of his mouth: "Then I absolutely won't say a word."
He said with a hint of smugness, "I understand, I understand everything. Villains die from talking too much, and cannon fodder die from being arrogant. Don't worry, I may follow your lead. If you say east, I won't go west; if you say west, I won't go south. My main goal is to be obedient."
Xia Ningxin said, "I don't care about east, west, south, or north, I'm going north."
The two got out of the car, and Xia Ning let Xiong Xue walk in front.
This is a typical middle-class house. Xia Ning glanced at the wall out of the corner of her eye. There were nail holes in the wall where photos used to hang, but they were later taken down.
Xiong Xue lifted a rug, raised the movable floorboard, and beckoned Xia Ning to follow him to the basement.
As Xia Ning stepped onto the wooden stairs, her vision widened, dimmed, and then became a soft, yellowish light.
Xia Ning initially thought that Xiong Xue had ventured out because they had run out of ammunition and food. However, she was surprised to find rows of shelves on both sides of the basement, neatly stacked with canned fruit, compressed biscuits, mineral water, and even soil-grown corn and potatoes.
Xia Ning subtly slipped her hand into her pocket, ready to draw her knife at any moment.
She's starting to suspect she's been scammed.
Perhaps Xiong Xuebian's excuse just happened to coincide with the game's plot?
If she had that much food, she would definitely keep a low profile and not bring in a stranger.
Xiong Xue was completely unaware of Xia Ning's growing vigilance, and ordinary people couldn't sense the so-called "killing intent." He quickly walked to the end of the basement and said to a small hole, "Sister Mei Mi, I've brought reinforcements!"
For a moment, Xia Ning hallucinated—"Master, Senior Brother is here to save you!"
Then Xia Ning was surprised to discover that there was a hidden door in the basement.
This house was either built by apocalyptic enthusiasts, or they came here to take refuge.
As the hidden door slowly opened, a blonde, blue-eyed pregnant woman appeared before Xia Ning and Xiong Xue.
Xia Ning finally understood why Xiong Xue insisted on going out to investigate the situation despite having abundant supplies.
Nothing more.
The pregnant woman's belly was so big, and she looked like she could give birth at any moment. How could Xiong Xue, a young man, not panic?
When Meimi saw Xia Ning, a hint of wariness flashed in her eyes, but then she put on a gentle smile.
"Are you the rescue worker sent by the Chinese embassy?"
Xia Ning shrugged noncommittally.
Mei then asked, "I don't know how to address you?"
Upon hearing this, Xiong Xue looked over. This silly kid still didn't know Xia Ning's name, yet his secrets had been completely exposed. Xia Ning had no doubt that he would be sold out and still be counting the money.
Xia Ning gave a pseudonym: "Ji Xia".
Xiong Xue decisively gave a thumbs up: "Write it down, good name!"
My little sister popped out of the backpack: "Meow~"
When Meimi saw the Persian cat, her pupils suddenly contracted. Even though she tried to hide it well, Xia Ning still caught her shock.
It's confirmed that this is the pregnant woman from the side quest.
Xiong Xue noticed Xia Ning's intense gaze and seemed to have misunderstood something, so he explained, "Don't worry, Sister Mei's belly is so big because she's carrying twins."
Xia Ning: "..."
I'm not at ease.
Although novels often depict three pregnancies or no pregnancies, she knew that childbirth was a life-or-death ordeal, twins were even riskier, and twins were often born prematurely than singletons.
Mei said, "You must be hungry. Let's eat first, and then we can slowly plan what to do next. There's no rush."
“Okay,” Xiong Xue stood up, “I’ll go cook.”
Mei said, "If we're leaving, we won't be able to move all those canned goods. Don't be stingy, eat as much as you can, cook as much as you want."
Xiong Xue became visibly excited, his voice rising eight octaves: "Alright!"
Xia Ning coldly watched as Mei Mi sent the brat away.
Mei, supporting her large belly, adjusted her posture and said slowly, "I know why you came. Whether you are from the research institute or not, I can go with you."
Xia Ning wasn't surprised that she said the words "research institute," and quietly waited for her "but."
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