Chapter 29: Arrangements

Although no leader was elected, it was almost clear that Dong Junwei, Tang Jing, and Chen Mu would make the major decisions for the nine-person team of Class 4, Senior Year 3.

Since Zhao Xiao Yan's life was at stake, Chen Mu remained silent, so the decision naturally fell to Dong Junwei and Tang Jing.

But it was clear that Dong Junwei and Tang Jing, who knew Wei Dalei's relationship with Zhao Xiao Yan, also didn't want to make such a decision, just like Chen Mu.

Thus, the final decision still fell to Wei Dalei.

Wei Dalei's role in the team was somewhat special; with his impulsive nature, he naturally wouldn't be involved in major decision‑making, but as the team's strongest fighter, nobody wanted to offend him.

Old Wei clearly hadn't expected that, after going around, he'd still have to make the call himself.

Seeing Zhao Xiao Yan's pitiful appearance, Wei Dalei could only agree.

After nodding, he actually felt relieved, just as Zhao Xiao Yan said: 90% of the team's combat power lay with Chen Mu and himself, so following them might be safer.

Since they were departing the day after tomorrow, during these two days Chen Mu didn't participate in base construction; he hid away to practice his ability.

But the others had plenty to do.

For example, they pasted paper on the walls of the plastic hut.

After all, men and women must be separate; before there was no choice, but over time it became unpleasant.

On the boys' side, they used a long blade made by Chen Mu to cut the towel into two small pieces, laid them in the room, and once everything was ready it felt a bit like a tatami mat.

Dong Junwei spent these two days focusing on making explosives.

Following Chen Mu's suggestion, they gathered a pile of stones the size of ping‑pong balls (relative to current human stature).

Because the stones are much smaller now, plus her skill and mental power have improved, Dong Junwei can now make about ten such explosives a day.

……

Time flew by.

Now, five full days have passed since the apocalypse began, and everyone seems to have gradually accepted and adapted to their current life.

But they still know almost nothing about the outside world.

After the previous attack, Chen Mu redoubled his caution, taking turns with Wei Dalei to patrol outside for a moment after each incident, of course not venturing far, since Gu Ping's fate was still fresh in mind.

But since then, no one has come here at all—whether friendly or hostile.

Chen Mu didn't believe that only the three of them remained in the whole school; surely others were hiding somewhere, barely surviving or developing in a twisted way.

Would those people pose a threat to them in the future?

Or perhaps everyone could unite and cooperate to overcome the crisis.

Chen Mu dared not speculate wildly about others, but strengthening himself was always the right choice.

He wanted to go out to find food; besides the fact that his mouth was literally tasteless, his main goal was to train himself—not just his Special Ability, but his mind and body too, which must quickly adapt to this world.

Before leaving, Chen Mu did two things.

First, he remodeled the flatbed cart.

With his current ability, anything he casually makes far surpasses the original; this flatbed cart, used only once, is almost completely renewed, much sturdier and smoother, and its noise is greatly reduced.

Second, he gave everyone, especially the remaining three boys, training on how to defend against enemies.

If the attack came from animals, simply hiding inside the house would basically keep them safe.

But if the attackers were human, trouble could be greater; according to Chen Mu, they should try to negotiate with words, even if it means swallowing pride and begging for mercy—if it works, they should survive first—this he didn't worry about because Tang Jing was there.

What they feared was someone like last time who wouldn't speak at all and would just attack.

In that case, they could only respond with violence.

Dong Junwei worked overtime these two days, several times feeling dizzy, and finally produced 35 hand grenades.

The power of these grenades against large animals like rats might be limited, but for the centipede that ate Gu Ping last time, Chen Mu estimated that even if it couldn't kill the creature, it would probably scare it away.

But against humans of similar size, the grenades' effect would be clear.

After her growth, Dong Junwei's explosives were no longer mere firecrackers; Chen Mu had watched that small grenade blast a pit in the wall, and if detonated on a person it would kill or maim them.

During this time, Chen Mu had also told everyone, including the girls, to put physical training first, since in this environment extra stamina meant extra survival odds.

In particular, he urged them to practice throwing ability.

The purpose was obvious: with Dong Junwei as a constant arms supplier, everyone only needed to act as a gunner.

In the end, Chen Mu and Wei Dalei each carried only two grenades.

It wasn't that they didn't want to bring more; they feared that too many would collide and blow themselves up first.

Thirty‑one grenades remained at the base, which gave Chen Mu some peace of mind.

Besides that, he made a sharp weapon for each person as self‑defense.

Before departure, everyone wished each other safety.

After all, this time was not like the previous water run; the cafeteria was huge, so if they couldn't find what they needed, they might have to spend the night outdoors.

……

Three people in one vehicle, they set off officially.

Chen Mu's knowledge of the cafeteria was limited to the front dining area, but food was surely concentrated in the back kitchen, a place clearly inaccessible to an ordinary student like him.

Fortunately, Tang Jing had an uncle who worked in the cafeteria.

Tang Jing had given him a detailed rundown of the back kitchen's layout, even drawing a floor plan on the ground and guessing where food might be stored.

Their first target was the kitchen's steam‑rice room; they wanted not rice but flour.

Since they couldn't cook it directly, using flour to make pancakes was clearly better than rice.

According to Tang Jing, the steam‑rice room stored all the seasonings the cafeteria needed.

Having gone several days without salt, his mouth was literally tasteless.

Moreover, humans still need to replenish salt, especially in this summer when they sweat a lot; drinking only water will eventually cause problems.

Since the goal was clear, Chen Mu proceeded along the predetermined route.

After walking a stretch of road.

Wei Dalei began to ask Zhao Xiao Yan about her comfort, sometimes asking if she was hot, sometimes if she was tired; not long after, he simply had Zhao Xiao Yan sit on the flatbed cart and pushed her along.

Sitting on the cart was his secret crush, Wei Dalei was spirited, doing his best to keep the cart steady while humming an off‑key pop song.

It was rather like Zhu Bajie carrying his wife.

Chen Mu walked behind, watching the two, and couldn't help but smile.