It had been a long time since any living person had come here. If they missed this opportunity, who knows if they would still be alive next time. The class monitor gritted his teeth and quickly spoke up, “I’ll tell you everything.”
Chen Wan and Qin Ke turned back. Chen Wan fixed her gaze on the man, waiting for him to continue.
“We are students from Nanhuan High School, currently in our second year. Originally, I and four other classmates signed up with a travel agency to go on a trip, but it turned out like this. We got trapped in the service area. After gathering some supplies, we found a room, blocked the doors and windows, and barely survived until now. Our food and water are almost gone, and one of my friends has been having a fever on and off for several days. When we saw you, we wanted to ask for help, even if it’s just to tell us where the nearest base or safe zone is. We’d be very grateful.” The class monitor hurriedly explained, his eyes slightly red, clearly worried that he wouldn’t get any answers.
Chen Wan nodded, “I do know of a safe zone. The government has set up a safe zone at the Binhe New District Sports Center. It’s not too far from here, about an hour’s drive if you go straight. Do any of you know how to drive?” Chen Wan suddenly asked. The class monitor quickly replied, “Yes, yes, both Li Yue and I can drive. Although we don’t have licenses because we’re not old enough, our families taught us at home.”
The class monitor roughly understood Chen Wan’s intention but still voiced his concern, “But we don’t have car keys, so we can’t start a car.”
“Who said you need car keys to drive? Get your classmates down here, take your supplies, and leave as soon as possible. While it’s still early, head to the base at the Binhe New District Sports Center. At least there’s military protection there, which is safer than staying on your own.” Chen Wan thought for a moment and spoke.
“Alright, thank you for telling us this information. I’ll get them to come down.” The class monitor also felt that there was nothing for them to gain, as they had nothing, and quickly waved at the window, signaling everyone to come down with their things.
Zhao Jingjing was still weak and could only rely on Li Yue and Qiao Shirui to support her. The chubby one took a wooden stick to lead the way. Soon, they reached the class monitor’s side without any obstacles, though they remained cautious of Chen Wan and Qin Ke.
Chen Wan saw them supporting their sick friend and was somewhat relieved that they didn’t abandon her despite her illness. She had only been in this world for a few days but had already seen too much indifference and betrayal. It was rare to see these kids supporting each other.
“I’ll help you find a car that works later. While it’s still morning, drive to the base. Do you know the way to the Binhe New District Sports Center?” Chen Wan asked.
Li Yue didn’t expect the two women to help and quickly responded, “I know the way there. I used to go running there with friends.”
Chen Wan nodded and then looked at the sick girl, asking, “What’s wrong with her?” “She’s had a fever for several days. Sister, do you have any medicine? I know medicine can save lives in this situation. We don’t need much, just a pill or two. If the fever continues, it could be really bad. We can trade food with you; we won’t take your things for free.” Seeing the older sister, Qiao Shirui, who had been holding back tears for a long time, finally couldn’t hold them back.
“Yes, yes, we still have two boxes of instant noodles, seven or eight packs of biscuits, and four bottles of water. We’ll keep two bottles of water and two packs of biscuits, and the rest is yours.” The chubby one quickly divided the supplies and was about to hand the bag to Chen Wan.
Chen Wan saw the sincerity in the kids’ words and nodded, “I think I have some. I’ll go get some medicine for you.”
“Thank you, sister.” Qiao Shirui quickly thanked her with joy, though her eyes were still red. She hadn’t expected her request to actually work.
Although they hadn’t said it, they all knew in their hearts that in such circumstances, their families might no longer be around. After three months together, they had already become like family, and they certainly didn’t want anything to happen to Zhao Jingjing.
Immediately, the kids all thanked Chen Wan and Qin Ke.
Chen Wan smiled and shook her head, “No need. Once you have the medicine, leave as soon as you can.”
Qin Ke followed Chen Wan to get the medicine. Qiao Shirui, with tears in her eyes, told the still-drowsy Zhao Jingjing, “Jingjing, hang in there. We’ve met kind sisters who have medicine. Don’t worry, once you take it, you’ll be fine. They’re also helping us find a car, and we’ll soon be in a safe place.”
Zhao Jingjing, in her drowsiness, heard her friend’s voice and reassured them, “You don’t have to worry about me. I never thought I’d survive three months in the apocalypse. I’m already happy to have made it this far, really.”
Hearing her friend’s words, Qiao Shirui sniffled, and even the class monitor and the chubby one secretly wiped their tears. They had supported each other for so long; how could they not be sad hearing this? “Don’t say that. The sisters are getting the medicine. You’ll be fine.” Qiao Shirui comforted her friend with teary eyes.
Meanwhile, Chen Wan opened the RV door and got in.
Jiang Yanxin, holding Yang Yang, stayed inside the RV. She had seen from afar that there were others outside. Seeing Chen Wan return, she quickly asked, “Did something happen? Who are those people over there?”
“They’re a group of high school students taking refuge in the service area. One of them has a fever, so I came back to get some medicine.” Chen Wan said, already holding a box of fever-reducing medicine. Inside were three blister packs.
She took one out and put the rest back, not because she was stingy, but because it was uncertain if they could find a pharmacy with medicine along the way. These precious items should be saved if possible. One blister pack was enough to help the child.
“Upgrading the RV with outsiders around is inconvenient. I’ll get a car for them later and send them to the Binhe New District Sports Center.” Chen Wan continued to explain.
“Alright, you and Qin Ke be careful.” Jiang Yanxin nodded in agreement.
Yang Yang also wiggled his little legs in Jiang Yanxin’s arms, “Mommy, be safe~” “Mommy knows. I’ll hug you after I take a shower when I get back. I still got some on my clothes.”
Waving to Yang Yang, Chen Wan took the blister pack and got off the RV, walking with Qin Ke towards the high school students.
Qin Ke thought for a moment and said to Chen Wan, “I’ll go get a car. There are five of them, so any SUV should fit them.”
“Is your hand okay?” Chen Wan was still worried about Qin Ke’s wrist.
“My hand’s fine. It’s not a truck, so my wrist won’t need too much strength.”
“Alright, let’s get them a car first.” Chen Wan nodded in agreement.
Chen Wan walked over to the group of high school students, while Qin Ke found an SUV near the RV that could be driven back. She used the back of a knife to break the driver’s side window and started trying to connect the wires.
Chen Wan handed over a pack of medicine, “This is fever medicine. Give her some for now. There should be doctors at the base, and it’ll be easier then.”
Li Yue quickly accepted the fever medicine and, imitating Qiao Shirui, thanked her, “Thank you, sister.”
After thanking her, she quickly took two pills from the pack according to the instructions and carefully brought them to Zhao Jingjing’s mouth, “Jingjing, take the medicine. The sister brought us medicine, you’ll be fine soon.”
Zhao Jingjing was feeling very dizzy and couldn’t manage to say thank you herself. She just dazedly held the bitter pill in her mouth and, with Qiao Shirui’s help, drank a few sips of water from a bottle to swallow the bitter pill.
“By the way, sister, you haven’t accepted our things yet. How can we let you help us for free?” The chubby one, seeing Zhao Jingjing had taken the medicine, quickly handed the plastic bag of food to Chen Wan.
There was no way Chen Wan would take things from a few students. Besides, she had observed earlier that, apart from the sick one, the others had small cuts on their lips, likely from saving water for the sick one.
Chen Wan waved her hand, looking at them, “Keep the food for your journey. Besides, you have a sick person. I’m not helping you for your things. Come on, follow me. My friend is helping you with the car. Once it’s started, you should head to the base at the Binhe New District Sports Center as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, sister.” The high school students all thanked Chen Wan. Being called “sister” so many times by these older high schoolers put Chen Wan in a good mood.
At least these students were reasonable and knew to be grateful to those who helped them, which was rare in the apocalypse.
Chen Wan led the five of them to find Qin Ke, who had already started the car. She looked at the students and asked, “Who will drive? I’ll teach whoever is driving what to do if the car stalls on the road.”
“Li Yue and I will both listen, just to be safe.”
The class monitor and Li Yue quickly gathered around, listening carefully to Qin Ke’s explanation.
Chen Wan waited on the side for Qin Ke, watching her explain to Li Yue and the others.
Qiao Shirui, supporting her friend who had just taken the fever medicine, looked at Chen Wan with a mix of admiration and an indescribable feeling. Finally, she asked, “Sister, are you also going to the Binhe New District Sports Center?”
Chen Wan turned back, seeing the girl with the ponytail asking her, she shook her head and replied, “We have to go somewhere else to find friends, so we’re not going the same way. Don’t worry, we just came from the Binhe New District Sports Center. There aren’t many zombies on the way. As long as you drive fast enough, the zombies won’t catch up.”
Qiao Shirui felt a bit disappointed after hearing this. On one hand, because they weren’t going the same way, and on the other, because she might not see this sister again. Even though they had just met, she felt reassured with this sister around.
On the other side, Qin Ke finished teaching the class monitor and Li Yue, letting them try it themselves. Once they were sure there were no issues, she let them get in the car.
“Get in the car, and remember, it’s best not to stop along the way. If you encounter people asking for help, don’t stop either. You can’t tell if they’re really asking for help or if they want your supplies, or even your lives. Alright, go quickly.” Chen Wan, seeing they were just kids, couldn’t help but remind them again.
“Sister, thank you and the sister who taught us about the car.” The class monitor smiled at Chen Wan, his eyes red. He had come down with a mindset of facing death, not expecting to meet two kind sisters who not only gave them medicine but also showed them a way to survive.
“Sister, can we know your name and the other sister’s name?” Qiao Shirui asked a bit shyly.
Chen Wan didn’t mind. She was just helping a few kids she met by chance, and she had her own reasons, worried they might interfere with the RV upgrade. So she replied, “I’m Chen Wan, and this is my friend, Qin Ke. Go on, the sooner you leave, the safer you’ll be.”
“Sister, you take care too.” The kids in the car, sixteen or seventeen years old, waved and thanked Chen Wan and Qin Ke as they drove off.
Chen Wan and Qin Ke watched the car drive away before returning to the RV.
