In the car, Tang Yun occasionally overheard discussions from outside.
“Earlier, a few people were killed fighting over food. I observed that the red color of the Ring has faded a bit more.”
“I think there must be some connection here.”
“I’ve been trapped here for six days now. I don’t know when we’ll get out. Shelter No. 3 is nearby. Don’t the rescue teams from the safe haven know about this strange Ring?”
“Right, my food is running low. What are we going to do if we can’t get out soon?”
When the conversation reached critical points, their voices lowered considerably. But Tang Yun’s hearing had become very sharp; even when they whispered to each other, she could still catch quite a bit of what was said.
“If it comes to it, we’ll have to take action. After all, there are more of us. What’s there to fear?”
“I’ve observed that there are a few women in other groups who look very weak. They probably survived this long by relying on men.”
“Such people are the most useless. The food in their hands should be given to capable men. Using them to disperse the Red Light of the Ring would be most appropriate.”
“Hearing you say that, it really does make sense.”
…
That night, Tang Yun sat in the driver’s seat, propping her chin with one hand as she gazed at the red light outside, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the steering wheel. Unlike usual, Lu Chuan did not return to the back seat to rest but instead sat in the passenger seat.
“Aren’t you going to rest?” Tang Yun adjusted her blanket.
Lu Chuan leaned in a little closer, his voice somewhat low. “If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep. I’ll keep watch for you tonight. I noticed you haven’t been resting well before.”
“Tang Yun, since we’re cooperating now, you can trust me temporarily these days, and trust in my abilities.”
Tang Yun didn’t understand at first, but after a few seconds, she realized he was aware of what had happened earlier.
She resignedly moved to the back seat, lying down slightly curled up. “Thank you, Brother Lu.”
The cold autumn wind couldn’t blow into the car, but the chill was unstoppable; the blanket did little to ward off the cold. She took a deep breath of the cool air and, not forcing herself to stay awake for long, fell asleep.
Perhaps because of Lu Chuan’s words, this was the first time in many days she felt a slight sense of peace in such an atmosphere.
The morning of the eighteenth day of the Apocalypse.
Tang Yun was awakened by the sound of arguing. She opened her eyes and met Lu Chuan’s gaze from the passenger seat. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Lu Chuan smiled, yawning unusually. “Let’s switch. I can sleep now.”
Tang Yun immediately gave up her spot. She ate breakfast in the car before getting out.
“Damn it! When are we ever going to leave this wretched place? There’s not even water to drink. I’m dying of thirst!”
“Stop pacing around. Be careful not to provoke conflict and give someone an excuse to rob you!”
Tang Yun saw several men arguing near the red Ring, their voices hoarse, clearly suffering from dehydration.
Moreover, more and more people inside the Ring were running low on water and food, and the anxiety on their faces was impossible to hide.
With this beginning, the arguments around grew increasingly intense—though not too intense, as many were too hungry to muster much strength to speak.
These dizzy, starving people soon caught the attention of others. Whenever someone died, the red glow of the Ring would fade, and those desperate to leave could hardly suppress the evil thoughts that arose.
Many people began whispering and plotting something, nothing more than robbing for food to survive, or killing to weaken the Ring’s binding force.
Just as Tang Yun’s thoughts were in turmoil, Wang Zhan approached with Chuchu.
As they walked over, Tang Yun knew very well in her heart that she owed Wang Zhan nothing. As long as there was no debt, everything would be easy to handle.
“Sister Tang, I have no food left. Could you lend me some?”
“Once we reach the safe haven, I will definitely find a way to gather supplies and repay you.”
Her timid voice reminded Tang Yun of that girl from G Town High School.
Her eyes were innocent, making anyone who saw them feel sympathy, and it was hard to refuse such a request.
However, Tang Yun had no intention of dealing with this matter now. Among this group, how many were secretly waiting for an opportunity to hunt her down?
“I have no food to lend you. Please leave.”
Chuchu didn’t expect Tang Yun to refuse so bluntly, and tears were about to fall.
Wang Zhan quickly comforted her a few words, then turned to Tang Yun and said, “Xiao Yun, even if you don’t want to lend food, you shouldn’t say such hurtful things.”
“Get lost!” Tang Yun spat out a single word expressionlessly.
They were neither relatives nor friends, yet they came to cause trouble. She had no reason to give them any face.
Chuchu hung her hands down and began sobbing.
A burly man walked over, clearly looking for trouble.
“I say, miss, how can you be so heartless? This little sister even called you ‘sister.’ You’re so cruel, unwilling to share even when you have food.”
Tang Yun gave him a faint glance, then turned and walked away.
Her aloof demeanor left people feeling choked. Many around noticed the commotion and gathered, eager to stir up trouble.
“Bang!” The off-road vehicle’s door opened and closed as Lu Chuan stepped out, holding a gun, and stood beside Tang Yun.
The gun was taken from those who had ambushed Tang Yun. There were two, one of which was in Tang Yun’s Space.
When others saw the gun in Lu Chuan’s hand, they wisely backed away a distance, and the noise quieted down considerably.
Lu Chuan holstered the gun, and the expressions of those present varied.
Fang Lan stepped forward to smooth things over, as Tang Yun and Lu Chuan were nominally his team members.
“It’s all a misunderstanding. Everyone, please disperse.”
Over forty people spent another day peacefully, each being very cautious.
But seeing that the red glow of the Ring showed no change, they couldn’t help but grow anxious.
“Damn! What kind of hellish place is this, forcing us to kill each other?!”
“If we don’t get out soon, everyone will starve to death. Think of a way, quick!”
“Easier said than done. What can we do? Why don’t you selflessly feed the Ring so the rest of us have more hope of getting out?”
“…”
On the twentieth day of the Apocalypse, Tang Yun sensed the atmosphere within the Ring growing even more tense.
She stood close to Lu Chuan in front of the off-road vehicle, vigilantly observing the surroundings, worried about a sudden ambush.
Sure enough, the largest group began to speak.
“Everyone staying idle won’t solve anything. I believe you’ve all seen that this Ring’s glow requires living people to dispel.”
“We can’t just wait for death. Someone needs to make a sacrifice now, or we’ll all die together.”
“I think most people don’t want to see such a tragic outcome.”
The burly leader spoke plainly and selfishly, his words vicious.
Living people aren’t objects—how can they be discarded so casually?
Moreover, no one wants to admit they are the useless one who would be thrown away.
With no elderly or children in the group, women became the ones most labeled as useless by the majority.
Tang Yun sensed many malicious gazes directed at her, but she was not someone to be bullied easily. If anyone dared to lay a hand on her, she would retaliate without hesitation!