CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: FEELS SO GOOD

"Does it bleed?"

"Yes."

"How do you handle it?"

"I can anticipate when it will bleed and deal with it quickly. If I can’t make it in time, I have spare pants that I can change into and wash when I get the chance."

"..."

Surviving in the post-apocalyptic world really is tough.

Lu Xi’an took a closer look at Yao Wei’s pants. They had weathered many hardships, and indeed, seemed to have some residual stains, but it wasn’t very clear.

He had always thought those marks were from encounters Yao Wei had with people or beasts, never imagining they were her own.

Yao Wei always appeared so strong and competent, with great strength and skill, that Lu Xi’an almost believed the Neo-Humans in this world were tireless warriors.

After all, from what he knew, the characteristics of Neo-Humans had evolved to help them survive in the apocalyptic environment.

Issues related to a woman’s body were indeed a significant hindrance in surviving such a harsh and resource-scarce world.

But he didn’t expect that, even now, Yao Wei would tell him that those inconvenient physiological features still existed within this Neo-Human woman.

Obviously, without guidance from others, Yao Wei didn’t fully understand her own condition. She had simply figured out some patterns and devised simple coping methods during her many solitary years.

—However, the fact that she can anticipate her unique situation is quite impressive.

This is probably a special ability of the Neo-Humans.

The air suddenly turned cold, and Lu Xi’an frowned, glancing toward the tunnel.

It seemed like another cold wave had arrived.

Or perhaps it had already been here, and they were just now feeling it. After all, the basement itself provided some insulation.

But the fierce cold outside, over time, would still affect this place.

The temperature outside could indeed influence this underground shelter.

The shelter was devoid of heating systems like air conditioning, and unfortunately, the car’s air conditioner couldn’t be moved in since there was no place for the outside unit.

Here, to stay warm, they could only wrap themselves in blankets.

Thankfully, the shelter had ten dorms with eighty beds, so there were plenty of blankets.

"The weather’s gotten colder again. Why don’t we stay here for a few more days until you’re better, and then we’ll leave?"

He suggested.

Yao Wei shook her head and calmly said, "I’m fine. I can endure it; it won’t be a problem."

Lu Xi’an replied, "But what if it snows?"

"Let’s wait and see."

Yao Wei said, unconsciously frowning as she spoke but quickly smoothing her brow, looking unfazed.

It seemed she was indeed accustomed to it; the pain was something she could withstand.

"Let’s go and have a look first. Put on the coat,"

said Lu Xi’an, also putting on thick clothes for himself.

"Okay."

Yao Wei agreed, putting on her red leather jacket.

Lu Xi’an glanced at her and suggested, "Why don’t you wrap yourself in a blanket as well?"

Yao Wei nodded and indeed wrapped herself in a blanket. After all, there were plenty of blankets here; it would be a waste not to use them.

They left the shelter, walked through the tunnel, feeling the air growing chillier. When they reached the entrance, which was sealed tightly with no gaps for the wind to enter, Lu Xi’an still faintly felt the cold draft pass by.

This time, they didn’t call Gou, as they were only checking if it had snowed outside, so there was no need to call Gou.

If they really needed to leave afterward, they would have Gou send the drone out to scout.

Lu Xi’an moved a stone, opening a small gap, and the blinding white light from outside streamed in, along with the damp wind that instantly hit them.

Large snowflakes were falling diagonally in the wind, quickly covering the stone at the entrance with a white layer.

"Alright, the heavy snow has blocked our way, and nature intends to keep us here. Let’s wait a bit longer."

Lu Xi’an chuckled, speaking as he exhaled a breath that became a white mist in the entrance’s light.

"Okay."

Yao Wei didn’t object. In this situation, driving was dangerous; the car couldn’t go fast and would consume a lot of fuel, so it wasn’t feasible to leave.

Lu Xi’an resealed the entrance and said, "Let’s go back and get warm under the blankets."

They returned the way they had come, and Lu Xi’an said, "This time, who knows how long the cold will last. Hopefully, it’ll be like last time and be shorter."

But who can predict nature’s intentions? It might freeze for ten days or even a month; Lu Xi’an had experienced it before.

Yao Wei said, "If it’s too long, we should disconnect the wires from the car’s battery."

Lu Xi’an understood Yao Wei’s point: "You mean the battery cables, right? Don’t worry, let’s check the situation in a few days. If it’s still like this, I’ll switch it. You just stay warm in bed; you’re not feeling well."

When a car is stationary for too long in such cold weather, the battery’s stored power could quickly drain.

If the cables aren’t disconnected before the battery runs out, the car won’t start when they need to drive.

"Alright."

Yao Wei didn’t hesitate and agreed.

After returning to the shelter, they collected several blankets and brought them to their dorm.

Lu Xi’an waited outside and said, "Quickly take off your coat and get under the blankets."

"Okay."

Yao Wei acknowledged, taking off her red leather jacket and burrowing into the blankets, wrapping herself in several layers until she finally felt comfortable.

"All set."

She informed Lu Xi’an and turned her head, seeing him standing at the door without any intention of getting into his own bed.

"Aren’t you going to lie down?"

She asked.

Lu Xi’an said, "I’ll wait a bit. You lie down; I’ll come over later."

"Oh."

Yao Wei was a bit puzzled, unsure of what Lu Xi’an planned to do.

After saying that, Lu Xi’an left the doorway, leaving her to quietly lie there and empty her mind.

There was a slight discomfort underneath her, but it wasn’t unbearable. She was already used to enduring it during such times.

Layer upon layer of blankets finally added some weight, which felt nice and warm. However, her feet seemed they would never get warm; they felt increasingly colder.

She curled her legs up, trying to tuck her feet under, feeling slightly better, but after a while, the cold returned.

Just as she thought about tucking her feet even more, suddenly, she saw Lu Xi’an had returned, holding a bowl and two water storage mineral water bottles.

The bowl was hers, steam rising from it, while the bottles seemed oddly dented.

What had Lu Xi’an done?

Just as Yao Wei was wondering, Lu Xi’an placed the bowl and one of the bottles on the table, then held up another bottle to her, saying, "Here’s a little treasure for you."

"What?"

Yao Wei was confused.

Lu Xi’an seemed to be referring to the bottle in his hand, but what kind of treasure could that be?

Then she saw Lu Xi’an walk to her bedside, grabbing a pillowcase from the top bunk, wrapping the bottle in it, slightly lifting the blankets at her feet, and slipping the bottle inside.

The slight searing sensation immediately dispelled the cold in her feet, and Yao Wei instantly felt much better.

"How is it?"

Lu Xi’an asked with a smile.

"Good."

Yao Wei nodded firmly.

It felt really nice.