He Tianming meticulously briefed them on the situation at Aoyuan, and the two of them could also designate a plot of land near Building 5 for planting. 

Jiang Ning lifted a bag of potatoes from the trunk and exchanged it for 20 pounds as rent. 

The three of them and the dog drove to Building 5. The distance between the buildings was considerable, and with Building 4 in between, they wouldn’t be under anyone’s watchful eye in the future. 

It felt pretty good to think about. 

“Doudou, Coke, we’re getting a new home, are you happy?” 

“Happy.” 

“Woof!” 

The unit door of Building 5 was probably made of wood and had been taken off during extreme cold to be used as firewood. 

They parked the car downstairs and headed upstairs. 

Jiang Ning immediately took a liking to the fourth floor. Apartment 401 had a large terrace of over 100 square meters, perfect for planting. 

401 was the largest unit, with four bedrooms, two living rooms, two balconies, and two bathrooms, with an estimated internal area of about 150 square meters. 

Both lighting and ventilation were excellent, but it had been damaged by water which requires a significant renovation work. 

402 and 403 were both three-bedroom units which were suitable for keeping rabbits. 

Jiang Ning asked, “Shall we live on the fourth floor or continue living higher up?” 

Huo Yishen thought the fourth floor was good, “We don’t know when an earthquake might hit. It’s safer not to live too high.” 

Actually, the terrace wasn’t safe either, but there was no one living upstairs, so they could install sliding iron gates to separate it when necessary. 

After deciding to live on the fourth floor, the two of them toured all the floors and closed all the windows in the corridors and wrapping the fire doors on each floor with multiple layers of steel wire they had collected. 

There was some sand, cement, and lime piled up on the sixth floor for renovation. 

The sand could be used, but the cement and lime had hardened and it probably requires a lot of effort with a hammer to break it. Fortunately, they had saved quite a bit of space. 

They didn’t know how to renovate, but they could manage it somehow, though the work wouldn’t be as well done as by professionals. 

Back on the fourth floor, they discussed the renovation. 

Renovation was a big project—time-consuming and exhausting. Jiang Ning suggested, ‘How about we live in the rough for a while, make sure we get along well with the people from Aoyuan first, and then renovate?’

It would save them from putting in a lot of effort, only to find out they didn’t get along with their neighbors and have to move again. 

Unlike the fragmented Jinrong community where everyone did their own thing, Aoyuan sought survival in unity, obeying He Tianming’s commands. 

If they really couldn’t get along, it wouldn’t be just a matter of antagonizing one or two people, but over a hundred. 

Huo Yishen had no objection, “I’ll remove two fire doors and install them at the entrance of the building so the Hummer can drive in and park in the corridor.” 

By then, they could install electrified stainless-steel doors on the stairs between the fifth and third floors, which would be much safer. 

Jiang Ning agreed, but they had to be cautious when moving things. They need to wait until nightfall to put what they needed in the truck and bring it in. 

But for now, they needed to clean up the rough room. 

There were sand and cement blocks everywhere. Which requires a lot of effort to clean up. 

They entered the room, took out cleaning tools, tables, chairs, and stools, and brought out two buckets of water. 

The sunlight was glaring, and they quickly hung up the curtains together to avoid exposing themselves. 

On a scorching day of sixty degrees, even wearing temperature-regulating clothes wasn’t effective, feeling like they had been fished out of water within half an hour, with sweat smelling like snail noodles. 

After hanging the curtains, they quickly brought out the air cooler filled with ice cubes and continued with frozen watermelon juice to cool down. 

Doudou didn’t slack off at all. She finished drinking her watermelon juice right away and wiped her mouth before getting back to work.

They sprayed water with a hose to prevent dust from flying everywhere. 

It was not until the afternoon that they managed to clean up everything. Jiang Ning then gradually brought out the furniture. 

After taking a shower in the space, lying on the soft and comfortable bed, they felt incredibly content. 

After sleeping for an hour, they woke up to find it was almost sunset. The air outside was scorching, and the sunlight could blind people’s eyes.” 

Not wanting to leave the two at home, they took them when they went out. 

Leaving Aoyuan, they found a secluded place with no one around and left the two in the car. 

Jiang Ning took out a large truck they had obtained from the Qinggang Base and loaded the stainless steel doors, household furniture, pots, pans, and other items into it. 

Huo Yishen drove the truck back to Aoyuan. 

Jiang Ning drove the Hummer with the two and followed behind. 

The residents on duty at the gate quickly opened it, watching the truck enter and becoming even more convinced that the two of them were capable individuals. 

Ordinary people couldn’t even get gasoline, yet they could drive a large truck at any moment, indicating not only their skill but also their powerful background. 

With two more people joining Aoyuan, it would only be safer in the future. 

Listening to Captain He, Comrade Huo had also promised to teach them self-defense techniques. They must enroll their own children when the time comes. If they were not around one day, their children would have the ability to survive. 

Thinking about it, there was a glimmer of hope in their hearts. 

Turning around, reversing, they parked the truck directly at the entrance of the building, creating an atmosphere of moving furniture. 

The patrol team happened to pass by not far away, and they came over enthusiastically, “Do you need any help?” 

Jiang Ning declined, “No need, we can handle it ourselves.” 

“Alright, feel free to ask if you need anything.” 

Watching the patrol team leave, Doudou was a bit puzzled, “Sister, why are they different from people outside?” 

They were cleaner than people outside, not fierce, and even smiled at her. 

This was a good question, Jiang Ning thought for a moment before answering, “The reason they are different from people outside is, firstly, there is a water source here so they can grow things. But it’s barely enough to sustain themselves without starving; secondly, they are warm and smile at us because they think we are powerful enough to drive away the bad people. Not only now, but they will also need our help in the future to keep their belongings safe. 

Doudou, you must remember, just because they are friendly doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. If one day their situation becomes like that outside, not only will they go hungry, but they will also become just like the people outside. 

And, if we are not powerful enough, they will no longer respect us, and their attitude will slowly change. 

So, if we want to live well, we must make ourselves stronger, only then can we earn the respect and admiration of others, and thus live better, understand?” 

Doudou thought about it, understanding, yet not fully. 

Jiang Ning gave an example, “Think about Coke, why can he make Feng Kunpeng treat him differently and chase away those bald guys?” 

“Coke is super powerful!” Doudou understood immediately, “Sister, I want to be even more powerful than Coke in the future.” 

“Well, how about being even more powerful than your brother?” 

Doudou felt shy, scenes of being dominated by his brother flashed through his mind, “Sister, I…” 

Instantly losing confidence. 

“Don’t worry, when your brother was your age, he was far from as powerful as you. As long as you persist, one day you will surpass him.” 

Doudou was encouraged, clenching her fists tightly, “Sister, I will work hard, and when that time comes, I will protect you and brother.” 

Huo Yishen, on the side, felt amused, “Why do I feel like Doudou is your sister?” 

Jiang Ning retorted, “Your sister, isn’t she also my sister?” 

Doudou hugged her tightly, “Yeah, yeah, I love Sister.” 

Huo Yishen touched his nose, smiling, “I guess I was being narrow-minded.” 

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