Chapter 26 – Extreme Heat, Rescue Team

The Longquan River had dried up. If any wild beast surviving in the forest discovered a water source, it wouldn’t be surprising for it to guard it with its life.

But what was odd was that every bamboo stalk had claw marks on them—regular and patterned—as if the beast had intentionally helped Qin Shen chop down the bamboo.

Jiang Si furrowed her brows. Something about this didn’t sit right.

Jiang Zhenwu was called over by Jiang Linhai. He picked up a bamboo tube, examined it carefully, and said based on experience, “These claw marks likely came from a tiger—and not just any tiger, but a large, mature male.”

Jiang Linhai’s face changed several times. He turned to Jiang Si and said, “Si Si, you’re still recovering. Don’t go tomorrow. Let me take the gun and go instead. I’ll shoot that tiger first, then you can collect water.”

Jiang Si shook her head. “It’s just a mild fever. I know my limits. If there really is a tiger that big, you’d be in even more danger. I can always hide in my space if something happens.”

But even if she could hide in her space at any moment, a lapse in vigilance could still get her ambushed.

Shen Baoying was worried. “It might not be just one tiger—there could be several. Si Si, maybe you shouldn’t go at all.”

“We’re not short on water yet. There’s no need to take that big a risk now,” Grandma added. “In a few days, maybe it’ll rain.”

The entire family was against her going.

Jiang Si gave a helpless smile. “We already agreed to go. We can’t just back out now. And if we suddenly stop looking for water, won’t that make them suspicious?”

Everyone exchanged looks, then tried a different approach.

“Then take us with you!” they said.

Zhang Qingfang chimed in, “Grandma’s still strong! I can carry hundreds of jin of grain—I won’t slow you down!”

“Mom’s been practicing self-defense too. I can climb trees! If a tiger comes, I’ll just hide up there!” Shen Baoying added.

Jiang Zhenwu and Jiang Linhai both wore stubborn expressions that basically said: If you’re going, we’re going too.

There was no telling when they’d be back from the water run. If something went wrong and Jiang Si couldn’t return for a while—and all the supplies were in her space—they wouldn’t be able to access them in time. She was worried too.

After some thought, Jiang Si compromised. “Alright, but let’s prepare thoroughly. Bring medicine for insects and snake bites, weapons, sleeping bags, water containers, sun umbrellas, food and water. Since there are outsiders with us, we can’t just pull things out of the space openly.”

Shen Baoying brightened up. “Great! I’ll get things ready now!” She looked toward Dahei and Xiaohei. “What about them?”

Jiang Si said, “Bring them along. If we don’t come back, they won’t survive here alone. Besides, most of our supplies are already in the space. Even if someone breaks in, there won’t be much to take.”

Jiang Zhenwu added, “Before we go, let’s set more traps around the house.”

“Good idea.”

Mom and Grandma packed lightly, even making a carrying pouch for Dahei and Xiaohei—so if things got dangerous, they could pick up the dogs and run, or strap them to their backs.

Traps were set mostly around the windows and front door. If anyone touched the outer door, a hidden crossbow would fire automatically.

If they forced their way in, they’d step in sulfuric acid and get a face full of chili powder.

And if they got past that, they’d be met with a giant net, animal traps scattered everywhere, and terrifying fake cockroach swarms.

That wasn’t all—Jiang Si also had Jiang Zhenwu and Jiang Linhai dig several pit traps in the yard.

Shen Baoying and Zhang Qingzhi held onto the dogs to keep them from running around. Shen Baoying worried aloud, “What if we forget all these traps when we come back?”

Jiang Si held up a diagram. “Don’t worry—we won’t.”

The next day, to avoid Dahei and Xiaohei picking up germs, Jiang Si used the treadle sewing machine from her space to make them stylish protective outfits, complete with little paw booties.

Xiaohei didn’t like the clothes and wobbled around uncomfortably. It was so small that Grandma just shoved it directly into a bag.

Dahei never resisted anything the family arranged. Even in his protective suit, he looked obedient and calm.

That night, Jiang Si double-checked all the supplies. Everything that needed to be packed was ready.

She carried a large backpack, just in case she needed to secretly pull something from the space without drawing attention.

As full darkness fell, the family stood outside the courtyard gate to wait, to avoid Qin Shen or Lu Zhifeng accidentally stepping on the traps inside.

Soon, Qin Shen arrived.

He held a torch and wore Jiang Linhai’s outdated old clothes—grimy as ever—but despite the rustic look, every move he made radiated sharp, wild energy.

Jiang Si glanced at him, but unexpectedly locked eyes with his dark, gleaming gaze.

Caught off guard, she quickly looked away, feeling inexplicably flustered.

Suddenly, distant torches began to flicker.

Lu Zhifeng came running, holding Niuniu’s hand, just as uniform footsteps echoed into the village. Someone called out loudly:

“Is anyone here? Are there any survivors? We are the Nancheng Rescue Team. If you’re alive, please respond!”

There was actually a rescue team!

The entire family turned to look at Jiang Si, silently asking—Was this in your previous life?

Jiang Si shook her head.

The torchlight grew closer to their home. The voice became clearer:
“We are Unit B of the Nancheng Rescue Team, sent here to bring survivors to the shelter! If you’re alive, please respond!”

Niuniu tugged on Lu Zhifeng’s sleeve. “Daddy, are we going to the shelter?”

Lu Zhifeng stared into the dark village and said seriously, “Let’s wait and see.”

What if these people were imposters…

And what kind of condition was the shelter actually in?

The rescue team’s calls soon echoed throughout the village.

Suddenly, Lin Zhenghua grabbed Lin Zu’s hand, panicked and rambling. “Did you hear that? Did you hear that?!”

Lin Zu frowned. “Grandpa, hear what?”

Lin Zhenghua listened again, then cried out in excitement, “The rescue team! The rescue team is really here!”

He leapt up from his steel-frame bed, rushed to open the heavy steel door with his underground shelter key—

And the sound of the rescue team’s voices became instantly clear.

Everyone inside beamed with joy, quickly lighting candles and running out the door.

“We’re here! We’re alive!”

The rescue team entered Lin Zhenghua’s yard. The sound of his family sobbing with joy echoed throughout Longquan Village.

Those who were still wary quickly began shouting as well.

After days of silence, torches lit up in every corner of Longquan Village.

It looked like… the rescue team was real.

Lu Zhifeng turned to Jiang Si. “What are you going to do?”

He wanted to take Niuniu to the shelter, but was afraid the shelter might not be as safe as staying put.

Once a choice was made, there would be no turning back.

Jiang Si didn’t hesitate at all. “We’re not going.”

“Why not?”

“The apocalypse has no end in sight. How could a shelter possibly protect everyone?”