Chapter 45

Xue Ling and Wen Jiuze spent a peaceful winter day together.

At the start of spring, when Wen Jiuze went to the New Fourth Base on a regular supply exchange, he overheard some news.

This piece of news, whose authenticity was unclear, stirred excitement throughout the base. Wen Jiuze didn’t even need to ask anyone in particular because everyone he came across was talking about it.

“Have you heard? The Northern Base seems to have developed a vaccine for the zombie virus!”

“They say that if you get the vaccine, you won’t turn into a zombie even if you’re bitten by one!”

“Really? That vaccine is only available at the Northern Base. We don’t have it here, do we? When will our base get it?”

“Can we all get the vaccine? How much does it cost? Or is it only available through base contribution points?”

“I wonder if I could get it if I went to the Northern Base. If I get the vaccine, I won’t have to be afraid of zombies anymore!”

“Don’t spread rumors. The vaccine hasn’t been fully developed yet. It’s still in the experimental phase, and its success rate is uncertain. It’s not available on the market. You wouldn’t be able to get it even if you wanted to.”

“I think the vaccine is out already, but only high-ranking officials or the rich have access to it! Us common people won’t get it.”

“Don’t say that. If the technology really exists, wouldn’t they distribute it to the public? Our country isn’t like others. People still care about our well-being.”

There was a mixture of rumors and facts, and opinions varied greatly.

Some people were hopeful, others skeptical, and some were so excited they couldn’t wait to get to the Northern Base.

Wen Jiuze had exchanged goods at the New Fourth Base’s trading post many times, so he was a familiar face. He asked around for more details about the vaccine, and he eventually learned that the news came from a convoy from the north.

A few days ago, a convoy traveling from the north passed through the New Fourth Base. They stopped to rest and brought news from some northern bases.

The zombie virus vaccine was real, and it had created quite a stir in the north.

However, the vaccine wasn’t as effective as people had hoped. The first batch failed to deliver the desired results. It only delayed the process of turning into a zombie.

Later, another vaccine was developed. If administered right after a person is infected with the virus, there’s a small chance they won’t turn into a zombie. However, it leaves severe side effects, and the person will need to stay bedridden, receiving injections and medication for the rest of their life.

This news was from over three months ago, so it was unclear what the current situation was.

The New Fourth Base was far from the Northern Base, and with communications down, transportation inconvenient, and information delayed, things weren’t clear.

When Wen Jiuze returned home, he told Xue Ling what he had heard. Xue Ling screamed with joy.

In contrast to Wen Jiuze’s calm reaction, Xue Ling’s excitement felt more alive.

“Don’t be too happy just yet. The zombie virus vaccine hasn’t truly been developed. These are just rumors going around. We don’t even know if they’re true.”

Wen Jiuze, carrying a hoe, was digging in the vegetable field. He had exchanged some vegetable seeds at the New Fourth Base.

Xue Ling put down the small hoe she was using to clear weeds and optimistically wrote: “At least we’ve made some progress. The effects aren’t great now, but with time and improvement, it will definitely get better. Maybe one day, we’ll really figure it out.”

Wen Jiuze replied, “Go write over there. I’ll dig this side.”

After imagining the vaccine’s development, Xue Ling returned to the present, picking up her small hoe to dig the soil. “The vegetables we plant now should grow, right?”

“If it doesn’t grow, it’s because the weather is too cold. It’s a temperature issue,” said Wen Jiuze.

Although it was still cold, Xue Ling had been looking forward to this moment since the snow began. Wen Jiuze noticed that she had been counting the days and had started preparing the vegetable garden early.

He didn’t have much interest in growing anything. He just wanted to pass the time.

They planted the vegetable seeds, but before the first batch of seedlings had even emerged, they received news from the New Fourth Base.

It was Xiao Chu who delivered the message.

After the New Year, Wen Jiuze and Xue Ling occasionally ran into Xiao Chu at the gate of the New Fourth Base, exchanging greetings. Xiao Chu, aware that Xue Ling had a special condition and didn’t interact much with others, kept in touch with them.

Working at the base’s management office, Xiao Chu had some insider information.

She said, “The base leaders are planning to send a convoy to the Northern Base to check the situation. There are also some wealthy individuals in the base who are planning to move there.”

“If you want to go, it’s best to join them this time. Xue Ling’s illness can’t be treated here because we lack medical resources, but there’s a large hospital in the Northern Base that might be able to help.”

The Northern Base is one of the largest in the area. The detection equipment now at the New Fourth Base was even transported from another northern base.

The Northern Base has a wealth of research talent, far more resources than the smaller scattered bases, and, of course, better medical facilities.

However, the Northern Base is a long way from here, and without someone familiar with the route and road conditions, it’s easy to get lost. Traveling without the main convoy could be dangerous.

Like many others in the New Fourth Base, Xiao Chu had considered moving to the Northern Base but eventually gave up.

The journey was too long, harsh, and dangerous. Given that they were getting by, it seemed better to avoid taking such a risk.

Still, she felt that Wen Jiuze and Xue Ling could make the trip. They had already dared to live alone outside the base and often scavenged in the city, bringing back valuable items that they exchanged for supplies. With their skills, they would certainly live a better life in the north.

After hearing the news, Xue Ling remained quiet on the way home. Once they arrived, she asked, “What if we go to the Northern Base together?”

Wen Jiuze raised an eyebrow.

The Northern Base wasn’t part of his plan. No matter how good the doctors there were, they couldn’t cure Xue Ling.

As for the vaccine, he was unsure.

His plan had been to wait for warmer weather and, when Xue Ling became bored, start looking for news about Wen Yi at the surrounding bases.

“Maybe the Northern Base already has a developed vaccine!” Xue Ling kept thinking about this.

Once Wen Jiuze got vaccinated, she wouldn’t have to worry all the time about accidentally scratching him and turning him into a zombie.

Even if he simply touched her face with his lips, Xue Ling worried he could get infected. Whenever he touched her skin, she would urge him to wash his hands to avoid transferring the virus to his mouth.

She restricted herself so much, even controlling her movements when angry, afraid she might accidentally infect him.

If she could sleep, she feared dreaming that Wen Jiuze caught the zombie virus because of her.

“Even if the vaccine isn’t available yet, we’re close enough that we can get it once it’s available.”

Wen Jiuze wasn’t convinced by this reasoning. He got out of the car and splashed his face with well water from the yard.

“The Northern Base is too far away. If you really want to go, we can wait for two years.”

Xue Ling followed behind him, scribbling hastily on the writing board: “There’s a convoy leading the way now, so we’ll follow them to save time.”

She wrote another line, “Opportunities are fleeting, and they may never come again,” and shoved it in front of his eyes.

Wen Jiuze chuckled. It looked like a supermarket advertisement, complete with exclamation marks and an explosion frame drawn around the words.

“Don’t worry. Even without anyone to lead the way, I’ll figure out how to get to the Northern Base later.”

Seeing that he was resolute, Xue Ling stood in front of him, hugged him, and knocked her chin against his chest several times.

When Wen Jiuze looked down, he saw “Agree, agree” written in her eyes.

He picked her up with one arm and started walking, sighing theatrically, “Hey, why do you care so much about me?”

He knew exactly why Xue Ling wanted to go to the Northern Base, so he was even more reluctant to agree.

He was being asked to travel to a far northern base to wait for a vaccine that might be developed at an unknown time, all while he wanted to stay here and search for Wen Yi.

But Xue Ling refused to back down this time.

When Wen Jiuze was chopping wood, she grabbed the axe. When he lit a fire, she poured water on it. When he washed the pot, she banged it. When he went to sleep, she cried.

After days of torment, Wen Jiuze finally agreed with a frown.

Xue Ling threatened that if he didn’t agree, she would drive off by herself, and he’d have to chase after her.

Wen Jiuze: “…”

In his life, the only compromises he had ever made were with the Wen family when he was a child—and now, with Xue Ling.

Especially in the last three years of the world, he had become increasingly reckless, and no one could threaten him.

“Fine, fine… let’s go.” Once he said this, Xue Ling, who had been playfully strangling his neck while pretending to be a ghost, let go of him and stopped clinging to him.

Xue Ling got what she wanted and happily packed her bags for the long journey.

The trip to the Northern Base wasn’t just for the vaccine. She also wanted to use the opportunity to make Wen Jiuze give up on searching for Tai Sui.

It was better not to worry about something that seemed hopeless from the start.

It was Xue Ling who decided to stay here for the winter, and now it was also Xue Ling’s decision to leave.

A house that had been empty for so long had changed significantly over the past few months and was now full of life.

Xue Ling felt a bit reluctant to pack up her things. She glanced at the firewood stacked outside the kitchen—chopped by both her and Wen Jiuze on the mountain.

The clothes hanging in the closet were all chosen by her and brought back repeatedly.

The table and comfortable chairs in the living room were also selected by her and carried back by Wen Jiuze.

The muddy path leading to the vegetable garden, which used to be slippery with mud, had now been paved with pebbles brought from the river, making it much cleaner.

The vegetable garden was thriving, and the seedlings had started to emerge.

“If you don’t want to leave, then don’t,” Wen Jiuze said.

To show her determination, Xue Ling pulled out most of the seedlings and handed them to Wen Jiuze. She asked him to wash the vegetables and cook lunch. At least he could eat the vegetables they had grown, so it wouldn’t feel like a complete waste.

Since they were preparing to leave, Wen Jiuze went to confirm the convoy’s departure date at the base.

The day before they left, Xue Ling packed things she couldn’t take with her into a cabinet, locked it, and covered any furniture that could collect dust with protective film.

Wen Jiuze felt it was unnecessary since they were unlikely to return, but he didn’t say anything to spoil her mood. Instead, he helped her pull the dust film over the furniture.

When the weeds along the roadside began to turn green, Xue Ling and Wen Jiuze got into the car and set off for the northern base.

The convoy for the New Fourth Base was long, consisting of several wealthy local families who were relocating, along with two other cars of ordinary people heading to the northern base to look for relatives or seek medical treatment.

In these times, everyone had their struggles, but they were all just trying to survive.

Wen Jiuze drove behind the convoy, keeping his distance. From the start of their journey, the convoy was moving slowly, as they were not an experienced scavenging team, so Wen Jiuze could easily follow along.

Xue Ling felt more relaxed, as the pace was slower than when they had driven themselves last winter.

She leaned against the window, enjoying the spring breeze, watching the new leaves growing on the treetops, and seeing swallows returning to the sky.

Although they hadn’t yet reached the northern base and there was still no sign of the zombie virus vaccine, Xue Ling had started thinking ahead. She asked Wen Jiuze, “If you get the vaccine and aren’t afraid of being caught by zombies, what will you do?”

Wen Jiuze replied, “I’ll let you catch me and give me a good beating, so you can vent the anger you’ve been holding in all winter.”

Xue Ling: “…”

“I’m serious!” Xue Ling banged the writing board.

She had used it so often that the plastic cover of the writing board had cracked.

“Then let me go to the supermarket with you,” Wen Jiuze said.

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