All the plants in the square had been cleared, leaving the area wide open and easy to see across.
Perhaps because they heard a newcomer had arrived, a few people appeared in the square, some old, some young, and many heads also peeked out from the surrounding buildings.
Since the incident, this was the first time Wen Xian had seen so many people.
But their expressions were already different from before. Some looked curious, but most appeared confused or indifferent, like lost travelers not sure of their direction.
Wen Xian thought that now, in appearance and state, she probably looked much the same as they did.
When she looked away, the young man was already waiting for her downstairs. Seeing her approach, he extended his hand and said, “Hello, my name is Xiang Yuyang, from Bei Province.”
Wen Xian didn’t like physical contact, but since she needed help, she quickly shook his hand: “Hello, I’m Wen Xian, from Hu Province.”
Xiang Yuyang glanced at his palm, his eyes flickering slightly, then withdrew his hand and introduced the people behind him.
Pointing to a burly middle-aged man in his forties, he said, “This is Old Qiu, a local.”
Another woman in her early thirties with a cold expression and tied-back hair, he said, “This is Sister Li. She used to run a shop in the old town.”
Both of them only nodded at her, without offering their hands. Wen Xian secretly relaxed and greeted them: “Hello.”
The room had likely been a shop as well. Along both walls were display cases, and in the center was a square table with four chairs.
Xiang Yuyang invited Wen Xian to sit, then he, Old Qiu, and Sister Li each took a seat.
Sensing Wen Xian’s reserved personality, Xiang Yuyang didn’t say much. He opened a small door at the bottom of the display case behind him and took out a red multifunction radio.
When her grandmother was still alive, Wen Xian had bought more than one of these. They were cheap, multifunctional, and loud, capable of playing operas and receiving broadcasts. Elderly people liked them, though younger people considered them extremely outdated.
Yet now, this simple device had become an important channel for people to get information from the outside world.
Xiang Yuyang said, “Communication was still possible the morning after the mutations appeared, but by that afternoon, the power and internet were cut off. I guess the rapidly growing mutant plants destroyed the base stations, power plants, and signal towers. This mutation came suddenly and violently. So far, the power grid hasn’t been repaired, and all government messages have been broadcasted over the radio.”
He looked puzzled. “You didn’t know this?”
Wen Xian explained with difficulty, “The day the incident happened, I was picking mushrooms in the mountains. I was attacked by mutant plants and lost consciousness. When I woke up, it was already three days later.”
Xiang Yuyang suddenly understood. He glanced at his watch. “There are three broadcast times every day: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. You arrived at just the right time, 10 a.m. is about to start. You can listen in.”
After saying that, he turned on the radio, the channel already pre-set, and thoughtfully placed it in front of Wen Xian.
Wen Xian thanked him, her eyes fixed tightly on the red box, her hands clenched on her lap.
The wait felt unbearably long. Even though it was less than a minute, her lips had already turned pale, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind, until a sudden, sharp, and triumphant march snapped her back to reality.
When the march ended, a clear, precise voice began to speak, sounding oddly familiar. Wen Xian vaguely remembered hearing it every evening at 7:30 on the news.
“This is the Central Broadcasting Station. We now begin today’s report. According to incomplete statistics, as of now, the global crisis caused by the mutation of plants and animals has resulted in over 200 million deaths worldwide, with nearly 500 million missing. In our country, the current death toll is 1.32 million, with 3.58 million missing…”
The steady, calm voice of the radio host played in her ears, but Wen Xian could no longer focus.
This was information broadcast by the most authoritative source, there was no possibility of falsehood. In other words, this was truly a global catastrophe.
Only six days had passed since the mutations began, yet over 200 million people had already died worldwide, and over 1.3 million had died domestically.
By comparison, the deadliest disaster in human history that she knew of, the “Spanish Flu,” took two years to claim 50 million lives.
But now, just five days. Only five days!
Over 200 million dead.
At that moment, Wen Xian felt her whole body turn icy. A suffocating despair enveloped her completely, and she shivered uncontrollably, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.
“Wen Xian, Wen Xian? Are you okay?”
The concerned voice beside her brought her back slightly. Xiang Yuyang looked at her pale face with sympathy. “Don’t think too much. No one wants to face this situation, but there’s nothing we can do. If we want to survive, we have to face it. And you have to trust our country, the government won’t give up on us.”
As if to confirm his words, the broadcast continued: “…The government is mobilizing all possible resources for rescue. However, because this is a global disaster, rescue is extremely difficult. While the government works tirelessly to help, citizens are also expected to self-rescue. The government has established safe zones in Shangjing, Xinzang, Chuansu, Zhehai, and Nanguang. Citizens may go to the corresponding safe zones on their own…”
The country had indeed done everything it could, but it was still powerless.
Wen Xian blinked her reddened eyes and whispered hoarsely to Xiang Yuyang, “Thanks to you, I now understand the situation.”
The broadcast was nearing its end. Xiang Yuyang casually turned off the radio. “In times of disaster, helping each other is only right.”
He then asked, “Do you still want to go out now?”
Wen Xian blinked, remaining silent. Xiang Yuyang kindly suggested, “Why don’t you stay here for now? Most of the survivors in the old town are gathered here. They say there’s strength in numbers. Everyone can discuss a plan together.”
Wen Xian shook her head. “Thank you, but I…”
At that moment, Old Qiu, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke sharply: “Girl, how can you be so ungrateful? Young Xiang has only your best interests at heart. He tells you whatever you want to know, now he’s kindly offering you a place to stay, and you keep refusing, this is really a bit ungrateful.”
Wen Xian was stunned. Xiang Yuyang had indeed helped her, and she was grateful, she would repay him when she could, but what did that have to do with whether she stayed here? Why was this man getting angry for no reason?
Xiang Yuyang’s temper was genuinely good; he quickly smiled and said, “Old Qiu, don’t scare the girl. I’m sure she has her reasons for not wanting to stay here.”
He then looked at Wen Xian. “If you have any concerns, you can tell us, but I really hope you’ll seriously consider it. The situation is still unclear, and if you rush out and encounter danger, no one will be able to help you. Regret will do no good then.”
Wen Xian replied, “I understand. I’m not trying to go out on my own. I have companions, and this morning we agreed to split up to gather information, so I ended up alone. If I don’t go find them, they’ll worry.”
Xiang Yuyang’s eyes shifted slightly, and he exchanged a glance with Old Qiu and Sister Li. Old Qiu said in a deep voice, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? That’s nothing. Just stay here comfortably. Give us your companions’ addresses, and we’ll send people to bring them here.”
Xiang Yuyang also urged, “Yes, Wen Xian, give me the detailed information about your companions, so I can arrange for someone to pick them up.”
Looking at Xiang Yuyang’s sincere expression, Wen Xian smiled faintly. “That really would be trouble for you, thank you.”
She then roughly described Chen Lian and the others. When Xiang Yuyang heard there were only about ten people, half of them women, and even a child, his smile deepened slightly, and in a gentle voice he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll organize people to rescue them immediately. I’ll arrange a room for you so you can rest first.”
Wen Xian thanked him. Old Qiu called over a middle-aged woman to guide her, and she followed.
After Wen Xian’s figure disappeared, Sister Li frowned. “Yuyang, why are you so set on keeping her here? What’s so special about her?”
Old Qiu also looked at him.
Xiang Yuyang glanced at his hands. “She should have the Wood ability, but her internal energy is incredibly abundant, something I’ve never seen before.”
Both were shocked. Old Qiu said, “Never seen before? Even you can’t match her?”
Since the mutation occurred, they were among the first to resist and among the first to gain abilities, especially Xiang Yuyang, who was scratched by a mutated wildcat. He not only gained the Speed ability but also the Perception ability.
As long as he made physical contact with someone, he could sense their abilities and the level of their energy.
He had already assessed everyone in the square. Perhaps due to frequent use of abilities, he could clearly feel his Perception ability improving. Later, Old Qiu, Sister Li, and others frequently went out to fight mutated plants and animals, consuming their abilities, and they could also feel their powers growing stronger.
In short, they were among the first to master ways to improve their abilities.
Even so, Xiang Yuyang remained the one with the highest ability level.
Yet then they encountered Wen Xian.
If Old Qiu and Sister Li’s abilities were considered peak Level 1, Xiang Yuyang was Level 2, and Wen Xian…
Xiang Yuyang slowly clenched his fists. “She’s probably already surpassed Level 3.”
Old Qiu and Sister Li exchanged glances, finally understanding why Xiang Yuyang wanted to keep her.
But Sister Li said, “But I see that she’s determined to go out. I’m afraid any talk of companions is just an excuse. Are you really sure you can keep her here?”
Thinking of Xiang Yuyang’s gentle, tender attitude toward Wen Xian, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy and continued, “If in the end she refuses to stay, we’ll just waste our food. Then we’ll be losing both resources and manpower, you’ll regret it.”
It wasn’t a secret that Sister Li liked Xiang Yuyang. Seeing her jealousy, Old Qiu grinned and looked at Xiang Yuyang.
Xiang Yuyang said, “Her companions are probably real. Otherwise, if she were lying, we could have gone to verify it already, there’s no need for that. And for just ten people to survive this many days, they must have some abilities.”
He smiled at the two of them. “After all, this is our main base. I can’t allow any other threats to exist. If she’s willing to stay, that’s great. If not…”
He chuckled lightly. “It’s only a young girl, after all.”
Sister Li relaxed, a faint smile appearing on her radiant face, and stood up to say, “Then I’ll go call someone.”
Old Qiu watched her sway gracefully as she left and couldn’t help but envy. “Brother, you really have good luck with women.”
Xiang Yuyang raised an eyebrow. “Old Qiu, don’t be so shallow. Do you know what kind of world this is now? Once we establish our footing and take all of Lishi under our control, there’ll be as many women as you want.”
A gleam flashed in Old Qiu’s eyes, and he laughed heartily. “You’re right, Brother Xiang. That was shallow of me.”
The apocalypse, a hell for ordinary people, yet a paradise for many others.