In the photo, there are several people covered in black fish scales.

They are called humans because they still retain human features.

Their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears all still function normally.

But other than that, their skin has been completely covered by fish scales.

Lin Chu flipped through the photo and found a few more photos where some people had not yet been fully covered in scales.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed that the locations where they started to grow the scales were different from one person to another.

There was no regular pattern, such as from top to bottom or left to right, but rather…

“Were they all bitten by the big black fish?”

Lin Chu carefully examined the photos and finally noticed that the people whose scales had just begun to grow had irregular scars where the scales had covered.

The bite marks were strikingly similar to the ones on Assistant Wu from last night.

Wang Rui nodded gravely in agreement.

Lin Chu finished looking through the photos and then continued to read the documents.

The documents noted the bite times and the times when each person started growing fish scales.

In general, about 24 hours after being bitten, scales began to grow from the center of the wound outward.

Before the scales grew, the person would have symptoms of high fever, and the wound would fester and become infected.

The skin around the wound would turn a bluish-gray, sometimes itchy, and the person’s emotions would become irritable…

Lin Chu carefully read through the documents, ignoring the prompt sound that appeared in her mind. She pursed her lips, then looked up at Wang Rui.

“How is Assistant Wu recovering today?”

“After Dr. Liu returned today, he did a detailed physical examination. His wounds are healing, and there are no signs of him growing fish scales.”

In other words, her decision last night to dig out the discolored skin from Assistant Wu seemed to have been the right one.

“Dr. Liu said that at Base 1, so many people were bitten, and none of them survived. Assistant Wu is an exception. He must report to Base 1 so that more people can be saved.”

Lin Chu nodded.

“If this method is truly effective, it should be reported to the higher-ups sooner.”

Seeing that Lin Chu didn’t oppose Dr. Liu’s decision to report, Wang Rui let out a sigh of relief.

Before coming here, he had worried that Lin Chu, who didn’t seem to want to get involved, might be displeased with Dr. Liu’s decision.

He didn’t expect her to agree so readily.

Lin Chu was not aware of Wang Rui’s thoughts. She was still pondering the issue of the fish scales.

“Did the people with fish scales at Base 1 seek medical help when the symptoms first appeared?”

Upon hearing Lin Chu’s question, Wang Rui shook his head and sighed.

“Doctor Lin, you don’t know. Base 1 is the largest base in China, with 300,000 survivors.”

“Although Base 1 has the most complete facilities, the apocalypse has come, and everyone is struggling just to survive.”

At this point, Lin Chu understood.

Those who grew fish scales had no access to medical care.

If they felt unwell, they had to tough it out themselves.

By the time they realized they were growing fish scales, it was too late.

Thinking about Assistant Wu’s condition last night, Lin Chu furrowed her brows.

“What’s the situation with these people in the photos now?”

“They… are extremely thirsty. Many of them can’t control themselves and just want to jump into the water.”

Does this mean… they are turning into fish?

“Does Base 1 just let them jump into the water?”

Upon hearing Lin Chu’s question, Wang Rui quickly shook his head.

“At first, the base didn’t have any precautions. After the security team reported it, the base sent people to pull them out and arranged for them to be placed in special rooms for monitoring.”

Lin Chu knew that while they said “monitoring,” it was highly likely they were being confined for research.

“Do they show any tendencies to attack people?”

“Not really. The further along they get, the more they can’t leave the water.”

“Their need for water can be said to reach a fanatic level…”

Lin Chu continued to ask Wang Rui about the characteristics of the fish-scaled people, and he answered each question.

“Thank you for telling me all this.”

Wang Rui, hearing her gratitude, hurriedly waved his hand.

“Doctor Lin, it’s the base and the government who should thank you.”

“After Assistant Wu’s case is reported to Base 1, people will likely come to ask you about the treatment method. Dr. Liu asked me to tell you to be prepared.”

Lin Chu had once worked in the system and was familiar with how things were done.

“I understand. Don’t worry. If someone from Base 1 comes, feel free to come to me at any time.”

With Lin Chu’s assurance, Wang Rui felt much more at ease.

He glanced at the setting sun outside the window, stood up, and excused himself.

“It’s getting late, and there’s a heavy rain tonight. I’ll head back now.”

In the apocalypse, there was no custom of inviting people to stay for a meal. Lin Chu quickly stood up and sent him off.

Watching Wang Rui wade through the water as he left the corridor, Lin Chu was about to close the door when she heard him slap his head and call out:

“Ah, I’m such a fool, how did I forget about this?”

“Doctor Lin, don’t close the door yet!”

Lin Chu stopped closing the door and looked at Wang Rui, who was carrying two large black barrels as he walked up the stairs.

“You said you wanted 9 barrels of mud, but I couldn’t carry that many, so I only brought 4. Two of these barrels I borrowed from Mayor Li.”

Wang Rui’s dark face was filled with a silly grin.

Lin Chu didn’t expect that he had really remembered her casual comment.

“Thank you, Captain Wang.”

Her thanks were heartfelt.

She asked Wang Rui to wait outside for a moment, then took the 4 barrels of mud into the house, handed them over to the system, and then pulled out a bag of bread sealed without any label from her space.

After a brief pause, Lin Chu grabbed the four empty barrels, opened the door, and returned them to Wang Rui, who was waiting outside.

After he took the barrels, Lin Chu stuffed the bread she had in her hand into his pocket.

“This…”

Although Lin Chu was quick, Wang Rui could tell that she had given him food.

In these times, food was precious, and Wang Rui instinctively wanted to refuse, but he heard Lin Chu say:

“This is a labor exchange.”

Without waiting for Wang Rui to respond, she closed the door.

Outside, Wang Rui, carrying the 4 empty barrels, returned to the speedboat. He took the bread Lin Chu had given him from his pocket.

It was a small package of milk toast, and he counted five slices inside.

It looked soft and fluffy, and he could tell without even tasting it that it was much better than the dry bread given out at the base.

He could give it to his daughter as a snack when he got back.

Thinking of his daughter’s smile, Wang Rui felt deeply grateful to Lin Chu.

Thinking about Lin Chu’s large terrace, Wang Rui decided that next time he came, he would bring more barrels of mud for her.