Listening to their detailed accounts, the once straight-backed General Lin slowly bent over, his entire being radiating an indescribable sense of loneliness.

He never imagined that in the apocalypse, human nature would deteriorate so quickly, with even the WJ system producing scum like Lin Weicheng. He couldn’t believe that things like underground laboratories, devoid of humanity, could even exist.

“Old General.” Si Ye and the Eagle were both stunned.

They had a hard time accepting that the usually iron-willed General Lin was showing such an expression of despair and loneliness.

After a long pause, General Lin’s aging voice carried an emptiness as he spoke, “Do you think… that humanity still has a future in the long run?”

Upon hearing his words, both Si Ye and the Eagle fell into silence.

Since the end of the world, everyone had been living on the edge, facing constant crises, fighting for survival in life-or-death situations. This constant tension made them almost forget to consider how such a vast group of humans could live in this apocalypse.

Looking at the two of them who were clearly in a daze, General Lin showed a rare tenderness in his eyes. His gaze was both forgiving and calm. “I’m old. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after, I’ll die on the battlefield.”

“This is something you young people should think about.”

Hearing his words, Si Ye and the Eagle were at a loss for how to respond.

General Lin understood their personalities well and naturally knew that they were silent because they took his words to heart.

“Well, since you came to find me today and said so much, you must have other considerations.”

They continued to discuss matters concerning the Chen family.

After General Lin brought the troops to the Lan City base, he had become closer to the Zhou family father and son. Because of Chen Shuhan, he had always been on guard against the Chen family. Now, after hearing what they had said, his thoughts became even more resolute.

Si Ye felt a sense of relief. With General Lin as their backing, the Zhou family father and son could better manage the security of the Lan City base.

They needed to prevent the Chen family from collaborating with the underground laboratories to find a breakthrough and cause disaster.

“Those trees were your creation, right?” After their discussion, General Lin suddenly asked. As soon as Si Ye explained everything, he immediately understood.

If they hadn’t been keeping an eye on the underground laboratories, they wouldn’t have been able to stop the transport of mutated fruit trees in time. And clearly, the person who intervened that day was powerful, had no malice, but was determined. If it was someone with a wolf’s background, everything would make sense.

Si Ye smiled without answering, but it was clear that they all understood each other.

“Tell Chen Jianguo that he doesn’t need to worry about Lan City as long as I’m here. He just needs to focus on what he should do.” General Lin’s tone was firm, and his gaze was cold.

When he saw Si Ye about to speak, he waved his hand decisively. “I know you’re no longer a soldier, but you can at least pass on a message.”

Si Ye nodded and saluted General Lin. “I’ll make sure to deliver the message.”

“By the way, General, we’ve noticed that this winter will likely bring more trouble. It’s not just about the temperature we’re facing now. You all need to prepare early.”

“I’ll communicate with the Zhou family and make preparations as soon as possible.” Since the apocalypse began, natural disasters and man-made catastrophes had been relentless. The old ways of dealing with such things were no longer enough. Everything required thorough preparation.

After leaving General Lin’s office and returning to the Evernight Hotel, Si Ye and the Eagle couldn’t stop thinking about General Lin’s words regarding humanity’s future.

“That’s it? You two still don’t get it?” Nan Muran, hearing their puzzled tones, was somewhat confused.

Zhou Ling and Liu Mei also looked puzzled.

Indeed, when would humanity’s world ever return to its former glory? They longed for everything from before the apocalypse but were forced to confront the current reality.

“Sister Nan, isn’t this a serious problem?” The Eagle was surprised at Nan Muran’s nonchalance.

Liu Mei and Zhou Ling also felt the same surprise.

Nan Muran chuckled softly. “Since the beginning of the apocalypse, we’ve been focusing on the underground laboratories, doing everything we can to strengthen ourselves and the Western City military base. Isn’t that already an attitude?”

“What do you mean?” The Eagle was confused, but Si Ye seemed to understand.

“You, me, all of us… we are not saviors. We can’t become the saviors of this apocalypse, nor can we decide what the future of humanity should be.

What we can do is push things in the direction we believe is right, even if it’s just a small step. That, in itself, is a great accomplishment. We shouldn’t cling to a heart full of pity, torturing ourselves in vain.”

After hearing Nan Muran’s words, Si Ye laughed. “We almost fell into that trap.”

“My sister is so clear-headed,” Liu Mei immediately gave a thumbs up.

“Great, and I’ve been sulking over this all along,” the Eagle said, feeling relieved.

In the apocalypse, surviving with a clear conscience was already an achievement. Even before the apocalypse, the future of humanity wasn’t something one or two people could decide.

Nan Muran gently pursed her lips and spoke softly. “But in this cannibalistic world, people like your old General and Chen, the army commander, are the ones truly worthy of respect.”

“I understand what you mean,” Si Ye said, looking at Nan Muran with a gaze as gentle as a spring breeze.

“Alright, hurry up and go pack your things. After we have lunch, we need to leave as soon as possible,” Nan Muran said, looking at them.

Liu Mei then grabbed Nan Muran’s arm. “Let them pack first, you come with me.”

Nan Muran followed Liu Mei into her room.

Liu Mei’s room was quite mysterious. Apart from her, no one else had entered it in the entire hotel.

The layout was a three-bedroom apartment with an elegant European-style decor. As Nan Muran scanned the room, her eyes fell on a painting with a black background and blood-red lines intersecting. “This decoration is quite nice.”

“Of course, my sister has good taste,” Liu Mei said, looking at the painting and helplessly adding, “You have such sharp eyes. That’s ‘Evernight.'”

Nan Muran walked over and nodded. “I’ll make some changes for you. How about turning it into a piece of art?”

“Do as you wish.”

Nan Muran began to adjust the red silk threads. Ten minutes later, Liu Mei went from being indifferent to staring in awe. The painting in front of her was of herself.

Even the confidence and arrogance in her eyes were so similar.

Nan Muran crossed her arms and nodded with satisfaction. “Not bad. My skills haven’t rusted.”

“Sister, you’re amazing,” Liu Mei said, absolutely delighted by the painting.

Clearly, the ‘Evernight’ in the painting was also pleased.

“I’m an art student. It’s nothing,” Nan Muran said.

Liu Mei sighed. “I should’ve prepared more for you.”

Nan Muran, puzzled, followed Liu Mei to the back door of her room, leading to a corner room.

“My God!” Nan Muran stared at the packed food in front of her, slightly overwhelmed.