Chapter 155 Going Out to Find Supplies
Since antibodies were extracted from zombies that could speak, Song Heng shared the information with research labs across the country, giving virus research a new direction.
After a prolonged zombie outbreak, the population plummeted, and some laboratories began researching how to destroy the virus's tissues and kill the zombies with a single blow.
The Nanhua Biological Research Laboratory is currently short-staffed. Since some antibodies have been extracted, the research is mainly focused on vaccine development.
However, the research stalled after only a small number of antibodies were proposed.
The research institute, which also serves as a temporary shelter, is facing new challenges.
Since the last meeting, many employees from other departments have stepped forward to lead the way in planting vegetables.
Various types of bean sprouts are among the fastest-harvesting crops, and research institutes already have a batch of seedlings that have been put into cultivation.
Many mulberry fruits had already fallen from the trees in the green belt, but everyone still collected them. Under the guidance of professionals from the research institute, some non-toxic leaves were also picked for food storage.
The shrubs in the green belt were cleared away over several nights, and some crop seeds preserved by the research institute were planted overnight.
The entire nation seemed to have seen some hope for survival, and after two nights of enthusiastic work, their spirits gradually dampened.
Bean sprouts can be eaten in as little as a week, but the quantity is limited. And these newly planted plants will take at least 25 days to produce anything.
Where did this nearly month-long food shortage come from?
The only option is to go out and search for it yourself.
When the planting was first proposed, everyone had no objections and was even happy to contribute, but when it came to going out to find supplies, most people were unwilling to take the initiative.
They all escaped from outside and know what it feels like to flee from a zombie apocalypse.
In cities, survival supplies are generally concentrated in supermarkets and shopping malls. Since the zombie outbreak a month ago, many people have tried to go to supermarkets to look for supplies, but they have already been almost completely looted. Going there now not only won't yield much, but it's also very likely that they will fight with their fellow zombies over supplies. Coupled with the zombies chasing them, the internal and external troubles are stacked up, and no one dares to take on this responsibility.
Everyone's attention is still focused on the supplies that the relevant departments previously provided to the research institute. Those foods are now kept by the military, and Xin helps supervise their distribution after high-temperature disinfection every day.
Someone asked, "Since it's all going to the research institute, why don't we all share it and eat less? We can divide it up after our vegetables grow."
Xiang Xin retorted without hesitation: "You know it's meant to support research institutes, so why should it be allocated to you for no reason during this critical time?"
Ding Yan stood in the crowd, looking at this unfamiliar face, and said coldly, "You're not from the research institute either, but aren't you also using the resources distributed by the research institute?"
Xiang Xin frowned, and Lin Xi replied for her, "She brought her own funding to the institute, and all the supplies were brought by herself. She also helped out at the research institute."
Xiang Xin raised her eyebrows without any guilt after hearing this. That's right, she brought a truckload of supplies with her. Although Lin Xi had prepared the truck and the inventory plan, Xiang Xin had also invested a portion of it.
While saying this might absolve oneself of any involvement, it inevitably attracts covetousness by implying one possesses resources.
Xiang Xin looked at the timid crowd below, coughed lightly, and prepared to change the subject. But then she put on a serious face and said, "The research institute has provided us with a safe haven, but we also have to find our own way to survive. I am willing to take the lead in going out to find supplies!"
These words came so suddenly that Lin Xi had never heard them before, and thus glanced at her in surprise.
Lin Xi was a little worried. In his previous life, Xiang Xin rarely fought alone when he was with them. Most of the time, he was in the team and did reconnaissance work.
Feeling that familiar gaze, Xiang Xin lowered her voice and said, "San San, don't look at me like my parents do at such a young age."
Lin Xi: "..." So it was a kind look after all.
Xiang Xin: "You called on me to save the world back then, now it's my turn to perform!"
Lin Xi only remembered Xiang Xin's wish to save the world with her in her previous life, but in this life, she had to stay in the research institute due to her career, and Xiang Xin could only stay there with her.
Seeing that she was wavering, Xiang Xin added fuel to the fire, saying, "Someone has to take the lead in searching for supplies, otherwise no one will go. Once their food is gone, they'll eventually turn their attention to your stockpiles."
Lin Xi wanted to say something, but Xiang Xin patted her shoulder to comfort her, then, with eager eyes, said to the others, "I've signed up to go out and find supplies. Anyone else want to join?"
Everyone: "..."
Xiang Xin: "No way! There can't really be that many people who have the nerve to eat and drink here for free...!"
"I'll go!" a young man raised his hand in response.
With someone taking the lead, many arms gradually rose from the crowd, mainly those who were strong and healthy.
Some even shoved their companions, saying, "Even that young girl dares to go, and you're just cowering here?"
The companion he shoved stammered, "My dad was attacked by zombies while looking for food at the supermarket. I'm going to the Heim supermarket to find supplies now, and I'm afraid of running into my dad."
"..."
In a short while, the people who had come to get supplies wavered. Some took the lead in taking on the task of going out to find supplies, and the others were too embarrassed to say anything.
As Xiang Xin said, how could they possibly eat and drink here for free?
They were all proud South China natives, but overnight they became refugees. They had originally tried to use their numbers to twist the truth and force their way into food, but now they were internally divided and looked down upon by their own people. They dared not say "I'll go too, who's afraid of who?" and could only swallow their nameless anger.
Seeing that the troublemakers couldn't cause any more trouble and that Lin Xi didn't need to use force to suppress them, Xiang Xin winked at Lin Xi triumphantly.
Before long, a team of 40 people and 9 cars and 1 truck were assembled.
Of the 40 people, eight were soldiers carrying guns, and one of them was a military truck. The rest of the group boarded the trucks in separate teams and prepared to head to the city to try their luck at finding places where supplies might be found.
The truck that Xiang Xin drove contained all of Lin Xi's belongings, and since it was inconvenient for her to drive, she squeezed into the truck with the others, carrying a baseball bat for self-defense.
Before setting off, Lin Xi hesitated and touched the miniature gun in her pocket. Before she could say anything, Xiang Xin shushed her.
“I know you have it. I secretly took it out of your pocket and played with it while you were sleeping.”
"..." Lin Xi was unaware of this situation.
"Finding supplies isn't like fighting. If you can't find them, you can just run away. I've driven through zombies all the way from D District, so don't worry."
Before Lin Xi could say anything, Xiang Xin added, "The research institute is our hope. San San, keep the gun and protect this place until I come back."
Xiang Xin saluted: "Don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the mission."
Having spent many days stationed at the research institute, only able to watch the staff work busily, Xiang Xin was already eager to do something for the apocalypse.
Lin Xi was persuaded by her.
She was the one who rallied others to save the world, a promise she made to Xiang Xin in their past life—that she couldn't keep him by her side because of her own attachments.
Xiang Xin was born with enthusiasm. Unlike her previous lives where she had a passive and indifferent attitude towards life, she always wanted to do something for the end of the world.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com