Yu Xifeng hadn’t finished picking up the baby cabbage yet when the big white goose suddenly snapped its neck, biting right into Zheng Weiyang’s tiger mouth.

Yu Xifeng’s eyes were sharp and hands quick—she grabbed the goose’s neck and dragged it back.

“Sorry, sorry, the house is a bit messy,” Yu Xifeng said as she stepped out, closing the door behind her.

“Little Yu, you’re quite capable. I heard it’s tough for the institute to even raise anything, but you’ve raised this goose really well—looks spirited.”

Yu Xifeng looked up, her smile both shy and proud: “I’m counting on it for a living.”

“You have this skill. How about coming to the institute? I have a researcher position open. Since you’re good at raising animals, you wouldn’t have to start as an assistant.”

Yu Xifeng politely declined, “Thank you for thinking of me, but I think things are fine the way they are.”

Zheng Weiyang changed the subject: “In the old days, a young and beautiful girl like you would be sought after by many families.

I’ve met He Yuan—he’s an ambitious kid. You all had a higher education; you’d have common topics.

I have no children of my own, so I just hope the young people can get along peacefully and live smooth lives.”

At Zheng Weiyang’s age and position…

If she were to hit him, would the patrol squad detain her?

Yu Xifeng let impatience show on her face.

Zheng Weiyang already said she was a young girl.

He tactfully shut up.

But after Zheng Weiyang’s greetings, He Yuan started trying to show his presence around Yu Xifeng again.

He was subtly and elaborately acting like a little troublemaker every day.

Yu Xifeng was speechless about this guy.

Just as she was thinking of finding an excuse to deal with He Yuan and lighten her mood,

Sister Yun invited Yu Xifeng to have barbecue as a make-up for the missed Dragon Boat Festival meal.

On Dragon Boat Festival, the Solar God Cult had caused a commotion, and they’d been nervous for half a month.

Sister Yun said Fatty got hold of some chili powder and pepper.

Yu Xifeng brought a bag of small steamed buns and even dug out a spoonful of lard.

Fatty’s nose was sharp—when he saw the lard, he smiled so wide it almost disappeared.

Sister Yun prepared various mushrooms, with oyster and enoki mushrooms especially tender, almost dripping water.

Together with Yu Xifeng’s steamed buns, they skewered everything into sticks.

Fatty carefully melted the lard and brushed it evenly.

He brushed sparingly and cautiously, trying not to waste a drop.

He caught the dripping oil with greaseproof paper.

After the first batch came off the grill, Fatty mysteriously took out a jar from the cupboard.

He poured out a black liquid.

Yu Xifeng sniffed and laughed.

It was cola.

“This jar has been in line for two months before it reached me,” Fatty said. “Just opened it today, still fizzy.”

Besides grilled mushrooms, there were grilled green peppers.

The green peppers were traded for; the underground shelter was full of hidden talents—someone always managed to get something.

Fatty lowered his voice: “This green pepper, it’s the first time I bought it. Turns out it’s grown by those church folks.

Some in my unit secretly believe in it, but to think people still believe this stuff is just weird.”

Sister Yun handed the cola to Yu Xifeng: “As long as there are people who can’t survive, those Solar God Cult folks won’t be wiped out. We shouldn’t get involved. Now that we’ve bought this batch, that’s enough—don’t go near them in the future.”

Fatty agreed: “That’s right. If crazy people lose it, even passing by is unlucky.”

Fatty also made a bowl of green pepper smashed preserved egg.

This was another one of his specialties.

He took out the pepper seeds and added flavored garlic paste.

It tasted really good.

Even before the apocalypse, this was good enough for a restaurant.

Now, this flavor would only become rarer.

Sister Yun sealed the cloth curtain tight, but the heavy barbecue smell with cumin still drifted in.

Occasionally, someone would try to come in and chat with Sister Yun and Fatty.

They might get lucky by opening their mouths.

“Go, go, go, don’t ruin my mood,” Fatty grabbed a broom and chased them away before peace returned.

Both Sister Yun and Zhang Qiu knew Yu Xifeng didn’t like people entering her room.

Yu Xifeng never invited anyone into her room for a meal.

She always brought food to others.

The official reason was her cooking wasn’t good enough; actually, she worried about things appearing in her room that shouldn’t be exposed.

After eating and drinking well, on the way back, she ran into He Yuan again.

He Yuan’s outfit wasn’t as flashy this time. He sat on the steps, looking defeated, holding his glasses in his hand.

His expression was a mix of about-to-cry and about-to-smile.

He looked up at the backlit Yu Xifeng: “Do I look ridiculous?”

Yu Xifeng wanted to say, “You’re blocking my way.”

He Yuan covered his face with both hands: “My dad used to beat my mom every day. Since I was young, I tried my best at everything. I wanted to have some say in the family. Did I do wrong?

My grandpa passed away. If I don’t achieve results soon, will the next one sacrificed be my mom?”

Did she look like a caring older sister?

No way.

Yu Xifeng cleared her throat and tried to soften her voice.

“You’re grown up now. Can’t you fight back?”

“Ah?” He Yuan froze.

Yu Xifeng pushed him aside and went home.

---

Underground shelter, District 8.

Yang Rong was basically ruined.

He could no longer contribute to the family.

Only Xu Qingrou and Yang Sizhu remained—mother and daughter struggling to survive together.

The mixed smells, once got used to, were not so bad anymore.

Men often made dirty jokes around them, asking if they wanted to warm up in their beds.

Yang Sizhu was terrified. Eventually, Xu Qingrou held the last fruit knife and drove those men away.

Those filthy men feared the knife but coveted it even more.

A knife could be traded for quite a few compressed biscuits.

When Yang Sizhu slept, whether from cold or fear, her body trembled constantly.

She dreamed again.

Her whole family was still in District 2.

Seeing Yang Silong, her heart ached.

Her little brother.

They were twins. When they were young, she wanted to be the older sister; Yang Silong wanted to be the older brother.

Although sometimes resentful due to their parents’ favoritism, she and Yang Silong grew up together.

They had shared the same womb from birth.

But he died.

Poisoned by that madman Yi Jiancong.

Yang Sizhu finally remembered what the mysterious thing that appeared in her hands was.

A space—an incredible magical space.

Everything had an explanation now.

Yu Xifeng changed drastically, snatched the jewelry,

and took over the apartments in the neighborhood.

Yu Xifeng got the news and went ahead to the underground shelter.

The completely emptied-out house—

It was Yu Xifeng who took over her space.