With food, drink, and lodging provided, the two stayed home for two days, focusing on recuperating.
On the third day, Ding Jiaojiao couldn't stay still any longer and went downstairs for a stroll by herself.
After the perpetual motion arm was removed, lighting in the southern area became a problem, with only a few houses having faint light coming through.
The bright lights of the North District filled Ding Jiaojiao with envy.
Noah's Ark was like a beacon in the darkness, and she and Pei Nan were born with the light in their hearts.
I tried my luck in the North District first, but since I didn't have an ID card, I wasn't allowed in. I only made it to the South District after being guided by the security guard.
Not only was she envious, but several idle men in the shadows were also envious.
One person said, "Look at the lives people in the North District are living, and look at the lives we're living. It's so frustrating to compare yourself to others."
His words resonated with many: "It would be great if we lived in the North District too."
"Yeah, if it weren't for... sigh."
Thinking back to the days before the districts were divided, I feel a pang of sadness.
Some people joked, "Go back to dreaming, you can have anything in your dreams."
Another person said, "You're a good-looking guy. You could go to the North District and become a live-in son-in-law. You could just move in there."
"Me? I don't have that ability. I have nothing. Why would a girl from the North District want to date me?"
"That's not necessarily true. The girl is lonely and can't sleep alone. She just needs you to warm her bed."
"Hey, that girl surnamed Zuo in the North District lives in a huge doomsday fortress-style apartment all by herself. Why don't you go hang around her more often? Maybe she'll take a liking to you."
"That girl is pretty, but she has a fiery temper. I heard she kicked someone several meters away."
"Heh, quite the fiery one. We're late, buddy, tell us your story."
"Yes, yes, tell me, tell me."
"Surname Zuo?" Ding Jiaojiao subconsciously took a few steps closer to the group, wanting to hear more clearly.
There was an audience, and the man was speaking with great enthusiasm:
"She's on good terms with the rich young men from Noah's Ark; they kicked out anyone who was gossiping about her. Oh, right, I remember now, her name is Zuo Ling..."
"What? What's her name?"
Upon unexpectedly hearing Zuo Ling's name, Ding Jiaojiao couldn't control her emotions and asked in a shrill voice.
The group was startled and all looked at her.
Ding Jiaojiao grabbed the person who spoke: "Say it again, what's her name?"
They had all been Scarface's underlings and had met Ding Jiaojiao before.
"Zuo...Zuo Ling."
He was one of the early refugees placed on Noah's Ark, so he recognized Zuo Ling.
Zuo Ling! Ding Jiaojiao was overjoyed. This was truly a case of finding something without even trying.
He hurriedly returned to his temporary residence and shouted, "Brother, I found Zuo Ling! She's in the North District!"
Pei Nansheng was doing push-ups when he heard this. He stopped and stood up to wipe his sweat.
"Who told you that? Was it her?"
Pei Nansheng was not as excited as Ding Jiaojiao; in fact, he was somewhat indifferent.
Ding Jiaojiao said, "I heard it from the people in the South District, it must be her. Let's go find her."
Pei Nansheng's eyes flickered slightly. Urged by Ding Jiaojiao, the two arrived at the entrance of the North District twenty minutes later.
Taking out a packet of instant noodles, Ding Jiaojiao smiled and said to the security guard, "Could you please help me find Zuo Ling?"
The security guard glanced at her with a stern face, then at the instant noodles, swallowed hard, and said nothing.
I understand, it's not enough!
Ding Jiaojiao pulled out another packet of instant noodles and handed it to him, her voice soft and sweet: "Little brother, please help me out."
The security guard twitched his lips. The honey trap was very effective before the apocalypse, but now... it's far less effective than instant noodles.
He carefully put away the instant noodles and said coldly, "Wait."
After hearing the security guard's description of the two, Zuo Ling's eyes flashed with cold light. "Ding Jiaojiao, you've finally arrived!"
He gave the security guard a packet of the cheapest noodles as a delivery fee, and the guard thanked him profusely.
Dried noodles don't taste as good as instant noodles, but one pack can last for several meals. When food is scarce, dried noodles are more popular than instant noodles.
Upon seeing Ding Jiaojiao again, Zuo Ling's heart surged with rage, and she could hardly contain her hatred.
Occasionally, she would still have nightmares, and every time that thick steel needle stabbed her, she would hate Ding Jiaojiao even more.
Seeing her come out, Ding Jiaojiao excitedly greeted her: "Sister, we've been looking for you for ages!"
She affectionately linked arms with Zuo Ling and swayed them playfully.
Concealing the sarcasm in her eyes, she realized that in her previous life, she had been blinded by Ding Jiaojiao's outward appearance.
How did you find this place?
Ding Jiaojiao laughed and said, "Sister, we've been looking for so long. Come on, let's go to your house first, and we can talk slowly."
He took Zuo Ling's arm and tried to lead her inside, but Zuo Ling didn't move.
Ding Jiaojiao's smile gradually faded: "My brother and I have come all this way to see you, aren't you going to invite us in?"
She tugged at Pei Nansheng, pouting as she complained, "Brother, look at sister! We came all this way to see her, but she won't even let us in the door."
Pei Nansheng ignored Ding Jiaojiao and looked at Zuo Ling with a gentle smile: "Are you alright?"
From those few simple words, Zuo Ling sensed the concern.
My nose tingled with emotion. Apart from my grandmother, probably no one in the world cares whether she is doing well or not.
He mumbled in a low, inaudible voice, "It's alright."
Ding Jiaojiao found it strange that Pei Nansheng, who had grown up with her, was so gentle with Zuo Ling but had no patience for her at all.
She stomped her foot in dissatisfaction: "It's freezing cold, you can't expect us to talk to you outside, can you?"
The security guard looked at the three of them strangely. Hearing Ding Jiaojiao calling them "brother," "sister," and "younger sister," he thought they were really a family. But Zuo Ling wouldn't even let the two of them in the door, so it was obviously not the case.
Zuo Ling was about to say that she should say it right there.
Then Pei Nansheng said, "We live in the South District, so it's the same if you come to our place."
"Brother!" Ding Jiaojiao stomped her foot angrily. She wanted to see what Zuo Ling's family was like.
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