After hanging up the walkie-talkie, Jiang Ning continued to look for Lu Yu. 

Her heart couldn’t help but tighten, hoping they were all still there. 

When Lu Yu heard Jiang Ning’s voice, he didn’t speak for a long time. 

Jiang Ning was puzzled; she seemed to hear a sob. 

“Ning, where have you been?” 

After so many years of natural disasters, he had long forgotten how to cry, but now he couldn’t control it at all. “We thought… you and Brother Shen were gone.” 

Jiang Ning was silent for a long time. “We were both infected and deliberately went to Yuecheng. At that time, we didn’t know if we could find medicine. We were afraid you would worry, so we didn’t say.” 

She was able to enter the Research Institute not only because she understood some medical skills, but also because of Ma Guangnian’s special care. 

Ma Guangnian allowed Huo Yishen and the other two to enter, considering their past acts of saving lives. 

But outside, there were countless people waiting to be treated, and hundreds of them couldn’t get in at all. Even if they accepted patients, the Research Institute selectively chose them. 

She relied on other people’s faces, so how could she care about others? 

After thinking about it, she simply didn’t tell the truth and just said she had to leave for a few days for something. 

Fortunately, the four of them had better physical fitness than ordinary people, and they insisted on drinking herbal tea every day, so their symptoms were much lighter than others. 

Jiang Ning couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. After the catastrophe, the people she cared about were all still there, which felt pretty good. 

She didn’t look for Rong Sanshao. She believed that with the strength of the Rong family, they must have been busy finding connections to get medicine. 

With just dozens of people in the Rong family, it was a problem whether to give it to anyone or not. She simply stopped worrying about it. 

Bringing back the medicine was for treating the illness, but who to give it to was crucial. Jiang Ning handed the difficult task to Huo Yishen. 

How did Huo Yishen choose? He would definitely give it to Zhang Chao, Lu Yu, and the others. 

As for the rest… he would also give it to Qin Chuan and his son first, if they were willing to give it a try. 

Let these people try the efficacy first. 

And secrets cannot be kept forever. If it was given out all at once, what about those who didn’t get it? 

This matter had to be kept confidential. 

Aside from that, this medicine was not completely safe, and everyone’s tolerance was different. What if it didn’t work and caused unexpected harm? 

Jiang Ning fully agreed, so she gave the decision-making power to Qin Chuan. “The medicine was brought back from the Research Institute, but it’s not certain that it’s effective for everyone. If you want it, you can have it, but if there are any problems, we won’t take any responsibility. You should consider it carefully.” 

Even getting a vaccine, unlucky ones might still have allergic reactions. 

Instead of saving people, they might end up endangering themselves. 

Qin Chuan trusted the two of them. After a little consideration, he said, “I’ll take it first.” 

If he could survive, it wouldn’t be too late to give it to his son later. 

Across the tall walls of the courtyard, the medicine bottle was thrown over. 

Qin Chuan handed over all the keys to the villa to his son, including those to the hidden supply places and the food in the basement. “Xiao Mu, you’re already 13 years old and have grown into a little adult. If anything happens to me one day, you must live well—better than your father did—and persevere until the end!” 

After speaking, he swallowed the medicine. 

Jiang Ning said the same to Lu Yu. 

Lu Yu didn’t hesitate. “Ning, if anything happens, we’ll be responsible for our own lives. We won’t blame you and Brother Shen.” 

He came over to get the medicine. 

Through the smog, he looked very thin, as if he were a zombie. 

Afraid of infecting Jiang Ning, he covered his nose inside and out and didn’t dare to get too close. 

“After enduring the first course of treatment, remember to nourish yourself and prepare for the second course of treatment.” 

Jiang Ning was also seriously worn out and went back home to rest after distributing the medicine. 

In the morning, she received the news that Qin Chuan, Lu Yu, and Zhang Chao had all survived, but they were extremely exhausted. 

Qin Chuan was in extremely good spirits. “Thanks to you guys, my son is cooking preserved egg congee himself today.” 

Zhang Chao and Lu Yu were fine, and Zheng Weili and Ding Qi also both made it through. 

With medicine in hand, Jiang Ning contemplated giving Rong Sanshao a few pills when he excitedly called over to bother her, “Sis, you’re back?” 

Listening to his voice, he didn’t seem like someone who was ill. Jiang Ning was surprised, “You’re not showing symptoms?” 

Rong Sanshao’s fragile ego instantly shattered into pieces, “Sis, are you hoping for my death?” 

“No, I admire your strong physique. You truly are resilient against all odds.” 

“I’m impotent.” Rong Sanshao thought about it and felt bitter, “I’m actually impotent.” 

Jiang Ning was speechless, “And you’re happy about being impotent?” 

“But then I’m not impotent anymore.” Rong Sanshao, who had just returned from being treated in Yuecheng, grinned, “My illness is gone.” 

Indeed, it was the Rong family. They never lacked medicine no matter who needed it from their family. 

Rong Sanshao lay on his seven-digit mattress, “Sis, aren’t you impotent too?” 

Jiang Ning was drinking water and almost choked. She instinctively glanced at Huo Yishen and retorted, “You’re the one who’s impotent. Your whole family is impotent.” 

“Yeah, my whole family is impotent. Sis, how did you know?” 

Jiang Ning didn’t want to waste time with him, “If you’re fine, just hang up.” 

“Don’t!” Rong Sanshao was anxious, “Sis, have you seen my dog? Where’s my dog?!” 

“You still remember you have a dog?” Jiang Ning stood by the window and looked down. She vaguely saw shadows moving downstairs, “It’s probably been taken by someone to make dog meat hotpot.” 

With so many people in the Rong family that can’t guarantee their life or death, how could they care about a dog’s life? No wonder Ah Ben didn’t want to go back. 

Uh… it seems like she’s a bad woman too. 

Jiang Ning quickly prepared a plate of chicken breast and deliberately brought it to the backyard for Da Hui and Xiao Bai, “Here, this is compensation for you.” 

The rebellious rabbits happily came over when they saw the meat and eagerly gathered around. 

Seeing Qin Chuan and his son’s symptoms improve, Jiang Ning threw another bottle of medicine over, “This is medicine for sharp mouthed monkey and the others. Don’t say it’s from me, and make sure they keep it a secret.” 

Qin Chuan was puzzled, “Isn’t it good for them to owe you?” 

Jiang Ning smiled, “No need.” 

She also wanted to exchange goods, but they didn’t have what she wanted. Since there was still medicine left, it was fate that they met each other at that time. 

Besides gratitude, Qin Chuan held a deep sense of respect, “I owe you a great debt. If there’s ever anything you need from me, consider it done.” 

After finally overcoming the smog virus, Jiang Ning breathed a deep sigh of relief and joked, “Haha, if you guys ever come across something good, you can repay me then.” 

Under the orange light, she leaned gently against Huo Yishen’s shoulder, and he lightly wrapped his arm around her waist. 

Because they had each other, they could pass through this ordeal. 

“Anning, thank you for being by my side.” 

Jiang Ning’s lips curled up, “That should be my line.” 

Because of meeting him and his tolerance, she began to like herself as she was now. Whether reevaluating herself or reflecting on her past experiences, she developed a sense of tolerance and acceptance. 

Like a bamboo shoot shedding its sharp outer layer. 

… 

The smog persisted, and the temperature rose accordingly. 

Thinking about how corrosive volcanic ash could be, Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen retracted the electric fence erected on the fence. 

It wasn’t easy to find this thing now, and they might need it in the future. 

The Tibetan Mastiff, who mooched for food and drinks, wagged its tail and approached. It seemed afraid that Jiang Ning would dislike it, so it didn’t dare to get too close. Its silly and clumsy appearance was both amusing and touching. 

Jiang Ning opened the gate and let it decide whether to stay or leave…