Shen Yanming gently stroked her long hair: "From the moment we chose to help everyone, there was no turning back. The outcome is already very good. We can deal with the future later."
"Alright, that's the only way."
After the couple finished speaking, they returned to the cave they had only half-dug. Because of a lack of tools at the base, the excavation was progressing very slowly. Many people couldn't wait for the guards' help and started digging and digging on the hilltop themselves with their own tools.
The outermost area of Yunling Mountain is particularly popular because it's closest to the original base, making it very convenient. The guards don't compete with the survivors for accommodation; they can stay anywhere, and who knows, they might even encounter some wild animals in the mountains.
The survivors were hesitant to let all the guards stay in the mountains, fearing that a group of ordinary people wouldn't be able to handle any dangers outside. After discussion, it was agreed that two teams would remain outside to keep watch, while the rest would stay in the mountains.
Because caves are easier to dig than dugouts, those with tools were digging into dugouts. Those without tools picked up some sticks on the mountain and dug and dug in the areas designated by the guards.
Shen Yanming and Bi Qiaoan were at the third mountain peak. The guards had specially found them a small cave to accommodate the couple. However, it wasn't very big; if they wanted to be comfortable, they'd have to dig their own space. But because it was open at the front, it saved the couple a lot of effort.
An'an and Nuannuan also helped out. The family of four worked for two or three days before they could barely manage to put together a two-bedroom apartment.
Although there haven't been any more earthquakes in the past two days, hot air still erupts from time to time. However, the crowds are spread out and everyone remains vigilant, so it hasn't caused much of an impact.
Looking at the pile of yellow earth in the cave, Bi Qiaoan whispered to Shen Yanming, "Darling, we're still missing a stove and a door."
Shen Yanming nodded: "I'll go ask Liang Huaxin in a bit and get our stove and door back."
Bi Qiaoan was surprised, and Shen Yanming said, "The supplies in the ruins have all been dug out. At such a critical time, who would dare to waste them?"
Bi Qiaoan raised an eyebrow: "That's great. I thought you were going to make a stove out of yellow clay and cut down a tree to make a door."
Shen Yanming smiled but didn't say anything.
Bi Qiaoan then asked, "You've been digging for so long, have you figured out how to handle things over there?"
Shen Yanming paused for a moment, then said, "Let's borrow a few plastic buckets from the base and pretend to be water-type ability users!" Get him to admit he has a spatial ability? That's impossible! Even if it's just burying his head in the sand, he has to pretend!
Bi Qiaoan thought about it and decided it was acceptable. Since there was no other way, she'd just have to make do for now.
"Alright, hurry up and go, it's almost dark." Bi Qiaoan smiled and nudged Shen Yanming.
Shen Yanming nodded and took her hand: "You and An'an and Nuannuan go to the temporary camp first. I'm worried about leaving you here."
"Okay, let's stick together for a while longer."
“I’ll take you three over there first. Once the stove and door are installed tomorrow, we can close the door from the inside and continue our leisurely life.”
"Mmm," Bi Qiaoan responded softly, then began talking to Shen Yanming about other things. An'an and Nuannuan stood beside the two, silently enduring their public display of affection.
After delivering the people to the temporary camp and settling them in, Shen Yanming went to find Ye Wengui.
The base's supply warehouse, built with special materials, was completely undamaged in the previous earthquake.
However, after several years of consumption, there wasn't much left inside. After Ye Wengui took inventory of the warehouse, he reported it to Wen Chaohui.
Wen Chaohui felt that there was no need to keep guarding such a small amount of stuff, so he sent guards to transport it over and specially chose a large cave to store it. The less important odds and ends, however, remained at the original base.
So after Shen Yanming told Ye Wengui his request, Ye Wengui said with a troubled look, "Old Shen, the plastic buckets are all in the warehouse. It will take several hours to get them from here. Are you in a hurry?"
Shen Yanming sighed: "I urgently need this. How about I have Officer Wen write you a note?"
"The formalities still need to be completed." Ye Wengui nodded. "However, I don't have time to go with you. Would it be alright to send someone over?"
"Sure, as long as there's a bucket to use."
"How many of these 5L large ones do you want?"
Shen Yanming thought for a moment and asked, "What's the maximum number you can approve for me?"
“You’ll have to ask Officer Wen about that.” Ye Wengui patted his arm with a smile. “Go ahead, get the approval slip from Officer Wen first. It’s too dark to send anyone back today. We’ll bring the buckets back to you when we go back to collect the supplies we dug out of the ruins tomorrow morning.”
Shen Yanming nodded: "No need, I'll just go back with the team. As for the police, I'll go find the Wen Alliance official for approval."
Wen Chaohui was also on the third peak, but he was on the east side while Shen Yanming was on the west side. The straight-line distance between them was only about twenty minutes' walk. It wasn't a long time, but it wasn't short either.
When Shen Yanming arrived, Wen Chaohui was having lunch. She seemed quite surprised to see him: "I just saw you this morning, why are you here again? Is something the matter?"
Shen Yanming mentioned the need for plastic buckets to Wen Chaohui, and Wen Chaohui wrote him a note.
"Are ten enough?"
Shen Yanming felt that it was about time, so he nodded.
"Alright, I'll give you ten to start. If that's not enough, I'll order more." Without even asking what the other party wanted the buckets for, it was easy to guess that they were related to the capital.
Shen Yanming took the note and went to find Ye Wengui again. By the time he returned to the tent, it was quite late. He was starving and could only take out his dry rations to fill his stomach. It was Bi Qiaoan who handed him a cup of hot water, which finally dispelled some of the chill.
After sitting for a while, Shen Yanming said, "Go to sleep and get a good night's rest. We'll have a place to stay tomorrow."
Bi Qiaoan responded softly and leaned against Shen Yanming, slowly falling asleep. But one hand still held tightly to An'an, afraid something might happen. Shen Yanming did the same, holding Bi Qiaoan with his right hand and Nuannuan with his left.
The next day, Shen Yanming got up at the crack of dawn. After quickly tidying himself up, he followed the team back to the original base.
The area is now a ruin; almost no buildings remain standing. However, the road is still relatively clear, and after greeting the guards on duty at the entrance, I was allowed to pass.
The guards went to retrieve the supplies they had salvaged from the ruins, while Shen Yanming was led by a young man to the storage warehouse.
At first, he was quite apprehensive, feeling that this was not a good idea. But when he arrived, he realized that he had been worrying for nothing.
The place is almost empty; only plastic buckets, glass jars, and wooden shelves remain—things that aren't needed for the time being. Looking at this scene, there's really nothing worth missing.
Shen Yanming didn't say much. He counted ten plastic buckets, tied them together with rope, and dragged them away from the place under Sun Jinchuan's astonished gaze.
Sun Jinchuan asked him if he needed help, but Shen Yanming said, "No need, it's light and has no weight. I can just drag it slowly."
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