This used to be an urban area, yet there were such fierce beasts here.

Yu Xifeng shivered, unsure whether it was from cold or fear.

Even if she had a gun, it was hard to guarantee it would be effective against creatures that size.

Better to keep moving faster.

By the time Yu Xifeng got home, the day had completely passed, and she felt like she was freezing to death.

After struggling to make it home, she chose without hesitation to enter her space and rest.

Yu Xifeng took a hot shower.

From inside the space, she could see the barren mountains outside the house, with small ice heaps piled atop them.

She thought about setting up a hot spring in her little cabin to soak in.

That half of a dead mountain goat was left on the front yard, roughly weighing fifty or sixty jin (about 25-30 kg).

In a good mood, Yu Xifeng ate a large bowl of lamb and vermicelli soup using that dead goat.

She also drank a cup of hot milk tea.

After feeding the chickens and ducks in the space, she was pleasantly surprised to find the incubator she’d left nearby showing signs of activity.

Inside were goose eggs.

The eggshells had appeared with crack-like patterns resembling bricks.

Yu Xifeng walked around a few times but didn’t dare touch them.

Before leaving the space, she added cat food to the orange cat’s bowl.

She returned home in the dark.

Yun Jie’s share, Yun Jie hadn’t taken it yet and said to leave it with Yu Xifeng for the time being.

Yu Xifeng delivered Hu Qiangyong’s family fuel the next day.

Hu’s mother had been ill, and given her age, she was now bedridden, surrounded by a faint aura of death.

Yu Xifeng was stunned when she saw her, then sighed deeply.

Hu’s mother struggled to sit up and pressed a pack of compressed biscuits into Yu Xifeng’s hand.

Zhao Yao, seeing this from outside, yelled, “Mom, are you out of your mind? We don’t have enough food to eat, and you’re giving things away? Don’t you feel sorry for your son and grandson?”

Hu’s mother’s lips moved, casting a pleading look at Yu Xifeng.

She was old and near the end.

But her grandson was still so young. She understood her son well — he was soft-hearted, easily swayed by others, indecisive, and unable to support the family.

The world was so harsh now.

If her son didn’t stick close to capable people, how could he survive?

She wanted to curry favor with Yu Xifeng for Hu Qiangyong, hoping that, for the sake of her old face and in this critical moment, Yu Xifeng could help her son a bit.

The palm of Hu’s mother was wrinkled, covered with goosebumps like chicken skin.

Yu Xifeng had seen too many scenes like this.

In the days to come, in shelters, on the roadside, and at bases, these moments repeated every day.

Lowering her eyes slightly under Zhao Yao’s fierce glare, Yu Xifeng placed the pack of compressed biscuits back on the table.

Before leaving, Yu Xifeng had wanted to give Hu’s mother a hot water bag — a neighborly gesture.

But judging by Zhao Yao’s attitude, that hot water bag would never stay in Hu’s mother’s hands.

In the end, Yu Xifeng blocked Zhao Yao’s view with her body, stuck a warming patch on the back of Hu’s mother’s neck, and placed one each in her blanket and palm.

Hu’s mother understood Yu Xifeng’s meaning, turned her head slowly, closed her eyes gently, and tears trickled down the corners.

That night, Zhao Yao did not bring her food. Standing in the living room, she shouted, “How long are we going to keep dragging this illness? How can we afford it with our family’s situation? Old but not dead is a thief — don’t you know that?”

Hu Qiangyong said, “That’s my mother, you’re speaking too harshly.”

Zhao Yao got even more agitated after being contradicted.

“What do you mean? Do you know how expensive the medicine she takes is? The prices of food, the prices of medicine — every day your mother lives, she’s costing our whole family’s lives.”

Zhao Yao glared fiercely at Hu Qiangyong. “I married into your family and gave you two kids. When have you ever let me live well? We can’t even eat enough, or wear warmly. Take care of your own mother and father, don’t drag our whole family down.”

Hu Qiangyong held his head painfully. “Stop it, she’s my own mother.”

In the bedroom, Hu’s mother clearly heard the commotion outside.

Her blanket was warmer now; the heat at her neck revived some vitality. Her withered, claw-like hands clenched the quilt.

“Qiangyong,” she called her son.

Hu Qiangyong, just scolded by Zhao Yao, didn’t want to face her contempt again.

Out of sight, out of mind, he preferred to stay outside in the cold rather than go back in.

Unfortunately, he had no cigarettes left and could only squat there silently.

“Qiangyong.”

Hu’s mother called twice more.

Zhao Yao slammed the spatula loudly. Hu’s mother tightly gripped the warming patch, murmuring, “Old man, I’m sorry.”

That night, Hu’s mother passed away.

The warming patch in her hand was as cold as her body.

When Zhao Yao came in and saw the patch, her face changed drastically.

“That damn old woman, hiding these things just for herself,” she said.

Then she realized Hu’s mother was already gone.

Hu Qiangyong and Zhao Yao had a huge argument, blaming each other, from before their marriage to the time Zhao Yao was in confinement after childbirth.

Hu Qiangyong cursed Zhao Yao for causing his mother’s death.

Zhao Yao called him a mama’s boy and a useless man who teamed up with Hu’s mother to bully her.

Their children stood nearby, faces pale from the cold, afraid to speak.

The younger son, born premature, was always weak and fainted on the ground. Only then did they stop arguing.

Zhao Yao ordered Hu Qiangyong to cover their youngest son with the blanket from Hu’s mother.

With her mother gone, there was no energy to fuss over taboos now.

Zhao Yao lit a fire inside the house to boil water.

Staring at the rising steam, Zhao Yao said, “Bring me a packet of that medicine your mother took. I’ll dissolve it; everyone should take some.”

Hu Qiangyong lowered his head. “There’s none left.”

No medicine, and no mother.

Eventually, Hu Qiangyong went to knock on Yu Xifeng’s door.

Hearing of Hu’s mother’s death, Yu Xifeng was not surprised, but felt a faint sadness.

She recalled the pleading look on Hu’s mother’s face.

Back when they went out scavenging together, Hu Qiangyong had been somewhat reliable.

For the sake of those few cooperations.

Anyway, she was about to leave soon.

Yu Xifeng went inside, took out a box of cold medicine, about a dozen packs. Hu Qiangyong was full of gratitude, bowed several times, took the medicine, and went home.

Zhao Yao was startled when she saw the medicine. “Where did you get this?”

“Yu Xifeng gave it to me,” Hu Qiangyong said.

Zhao Yao’s eyes moved cunningly. “Yu Xifeng has so many good things. Mom used to give her a lot too. Those warming patches were probably from her. Can we ask her for more?”

Hu Qiangyong thought for a moment, somewhat tempted. “She just gave us medicine. Asking for more now would be greedy.”

Zhao Yao patted Hu Qiangyong’s head. “Who do you think I’m doing this for?”

Hu Qiangyong said, “Maybe in a few days…”