At Sister Yun’s place, they actually managed to find several bedding sets.

Even the wooden clothes-drying pole had been taken back to chop up for firewood.

The next day, both families set off together for the underground shelter.

Yang Rong had to be carried there by Yang Sizhu and Xu Qingrou.

Yi Jiancong’s crazed revenge had dealt Yang Rong a devastating blow, both physically and mentally.

His son was gone.

The laughable part was how he had once tried to console Yi Jiancong, telling him he could just find another woman to have a son with.

Just like he had done.

Wasn’t Xu Qingrou someone he found later?

Yu Xifeng’s mother had only wanted one child. She had made up her mind from the beginning that it didn’t matter if the child was a boy or girl.

Once Yu Xifeng was born, her mother immediately had her tubes tied.

One of Yang Rong’s kidneys was severely damaged.

He would never have a biological son in this lifetime.

He started treating Yang Sizhu much better, speaking to her with more politeness and respect.

Yang Sizhu was flattered and overwhelmed.

The two families arrived at the shelter.

But they had come far too late. In the end, they were settled in Zone 8.

After staying there for two days, Zhao Yao finally tracked down Sister Yun.

Sister Yun was inside, cooking with Fatty.

There was a pot of white rice simmering on the stove, with diced vegetables that Fatty had brought back.

Fatty had already eaten at work. The food he was cooking now was just enough for Sister Yun.

When Zhao Yao lifted the curtain, the rich aroma of rice hit her nose.

A flicker of envy flashed in Zhao Yao’s eyes.

Sister Yun wiped her hands and walked out. “You’re here. It’s been a while. Come, sit.”

Zhao Yao looked at Fatty first. “Who’s this? Your new boyfriend?”

Sister Yun smiled and handed her a cup of water. “My man. We’re living together.”

Fatty greeted her and continued cooking at the stove.

Zhao Yao watched him, feeling sour inside.

Her own man, Hu Qiangyong, had been spoiled rotten by his mother. At home, he wouldn’t even lift a finger to help.

Nothing like Sister Yun’s man, who clearly had a sharp eye for things.

Just by looking at his frame—and that belly—it was obvious he was still living comfortably, even after the disasters.

Zhao Yao forced a smile. “Looks like life’s been treating you well, Sister Yun. I’ve been looking all over for you, worrying about you for so long.”

“And you—why didn’t you let us old neighbors know when you found such a good place? We might’ve even celebrated with a wedding banquet.”

Sister Yun caught the hint of reproach in her tone but didn’t respond.

What a joke. Who could afford a wedding banquet in times like these?

What a fantasy.

“What about Xiao Yu?” Zhao Yao glanced around. “Why isn’t she here with you?”

Sister Yun didn’t quite understand her motive. Yu Xifeng had specifically told her not to talk about her.

No doubt for moments like this.

Sister Yun shook her head. “I’m not sure. Maybe she’s in the shelter too? Try asking around in the other zones—you might hear something.”

Along the way, Zhao Yao had seen that Zone 2 was by far the best.

And Sister Yun’s spot was one of the best in Zone 2.

Zhao Yao said, “What? Xiao Yu didn’t even contact you? Didn’t you two move out together?”

“What are you saying? I’m living with my man, not with Xiao Yu.”

Fatty chuckled from the kitchen.

Zhao Yao felt slighted. “Well, I just thought you two were close. If you ask me, that Yu Xifeng is heartless.”

Sister Yun was speechless, but Zhao Yao kept going.

“You don’t know how bad things got for her biological dad’s family. They were staying with someone named Yi Jiancong—turns out he’s crazy! Stabbed someone!”

“How could that happen?” Sister Yun was shocked.

“Well, Yi’s wife died early, left him with only a daughter. He didn’t have anyone else. When she died, of course he lost it.”

Sister Yun listened for a while. “I’d never heard his daughter was in poor health. And it’s not like she was the only one living there. There were five or six people. How could only she have frozen to death?”

“Yu Xifeng’s younger brother froze to death too. No—actually, not frozen. He was almost recovered, but Yi Jiancong poisoned the whole family. It’s a damn tragedy,” Zhao Yao said.

Sister Yun was horrified.

“Yang Rong was her biological father! And those siblings were real too. Now that whole family is a mess. And Yu Xifeng? She was still enjoying air conditioning at the time! Tsk tsk.”

“Sister Yun, if you hear anything about her, you have to tell me.”

Sister Yun rolled her eyes internally. “Mm, of course.”

“You’ve still got so much coal. Zone 2 is warm. Why would you need so many briquettes? My family just got here. Our Zone 8 place is right by the entrance—it’s freezing. We’ve been neighbors for so long, Sister Yun. Could you spare us a little?”

Zhao Yao added, “Don’t worry, I’m not asking for free. I’ll pay.”

She pulled out a fresh stack of paper money.

What?

Paper money?

What difference was that from asking for it free? Even toilet paper was more useful than that now.

Sister Yun didn’t want to make a scene. She gave Fatty a look.

Fatty trotted over.

“Um… Sister Zhao, here’s the thing. This coal—it’s not ours. It’s from work. You know how crowded the shelter is now. Way past capacity. Every spare space has been cleared out.”

“These briquettes? Just stored here temporarily. Public property. We’re not allowed to use them freely.”

Fatty still has a job?

What kind of man like him would end up with Sister Yun?

She was over thirty and plain-looking at best.

Such scheming—she’d better keep Hu Qiangyong far from her.

Zhao Yao thought to herself, “That stove of yours is burning hot. Where’d you get the coal for that?”

Sister Yun replied, “Didn’t we buy it together back then? What happened to yours?”

Zhao Yao looked embarrassed. “We traded it for food. Flipped it for something to eat.”

Sister Yun frowned. “Still not bad. You could always trade food for more coal.”

“I… I traded it for money.” Zhao Yao’s face flushed.

Sister Yun didn’t even know how to respond.

She had gone through great trouble to secure her source—Yu Xifeng handled the transportation.

Zhao Yao, meanwhile, was scalping on the side.

And thought she was the only smart one.

Sister Yun had no more patience. “We’re about to eat. Want to stay for a bite?”

If Zhao Yao really had the nerve to eat her food, Sister Yun was ready to throw her out with a broom.

There wasn’t even a spare set of bowls or chopsticks on the table.

Fatty wiped the table with a cloth and poured a glass of water. “Drink up, enjoy.”

“Yu Xifeng’s so rich, I bet she stocked up. If you see her, help me ask. I took care of her dad on the way here. My man even carried him for the last stretch.”

Zhao Yao didn’t believe for a second that Sister Yun couldn’t find Yu Xifeng—she just didn’t want to say.

At this point, Sister Yun didn’t hold back. “You’ve got eyes, don’t you? You really don’t know what kind of relationship Yu Xifeng and Yang Rong had? You’re just dreaming.”