SWNOVELXO Chapter 178: Sense of Belonging
The meaning of rules is not just for a part of the people.
If it's only a part of the rules, then the worldly rules might as well be discarded.
Along the way, although Li Yu was lost in thoughts, he occasionally turned back to observe the situation around him.
The sun was setting in the west, hanging on the edge of the sky, its afterglow painted the horizon a brilliant red.
As the sun was about to set, the zombies on the national highway were fewer, making their return journey smoother. The days have been too hot. Even the zombies rarely came out to move.
In the past, even under the sun, there were zombies everywhere when a storm was coming.
Li Tie was at the forefront, accelerating to the highest speed; driving in the night was undoubtedly very dangerous.
The speed was very fast, and the people behind closely followed the vehicle.
The sun set faster and faster, every second was critical.
In such a state of urgency, everyone focused their attention on the road ahead, and on the steering in their hands, daring not to be distracted.
Even so, the setting of the sun did not delay.
Looking at the horizon, the sun was no longer visible, hidden behind the mountains ahead, but the sky still had light.
This light wouldn't last long; sometimes it only takes about ten minutes for it to turn dark once the sun sets.
After the sunset, the sky darkened rapidly, and they had to turn on the vehicle lights.
By now, they had finally arrived in Xin City, not far from the gas station in the town.
On the national highway, zombies gradually increased, but there were not many; they encountered a zombie about every minute. Perhaps today's weather was too hot, and the sun had just set; the temperature on the asphalt road of the national highway was also relatively high.
Zombies dislike high temperatures, dislike light, prefer humidity and cold.
Li Tie, leading at the front, drove the Unimog, crushing and sweeping any zombie in the way, almost flattening them under the vehicle.
The vehicles behind tightly followed, with ten pairs of headlights lit, illuminating the road ahead.
After reaching the gas station, Li Yu took out the walkie-talkie and shouted to the base, "Second Uncle, Second Uncle."
Second Uncle seemed to have been waiting all along for Li Yu's return, instantly replying, "Xiao Yu, why so late, it's already dark. Have you arrived at the gas station now? Was it smooth?"
Listening to the caring words from Second Uncle through the walkie-talkie, Li Yu continued, "We were held up for a bit. This time it went smoothly, we dealt with the Salvation Army, and even collected some supplies from them. Unexpectedly, they still had so much."
"It's been raining so long, how do they still have so much supplies, hmm... hurry back. I'll open the gate soon," said Second Uncle.
Li Yu replied with an okay, then set aside the walkie-talkie.
The convoy moved quickly. Despite the increasing number of zombies around, they finally reached the gates of the base.
Second Uncle from Weng City, seeing the convoy, was a bit stunned at first, but after taking a glance with a telescope confirmed all the people in the cars were Li Yu and his team, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he opened the gate of Weng City, which is around four or five hundred square meters, enough to accommodate the ten vehicles.
Heading straight for them was the Unimog RV, its huge body directly passed through the gate of Weng City. From afar, it looked as if it was about to stuff the gate full.
Fortunately, when it was built, they considered large vehicles, so the gate of Weng City and the gate at the back were built high and wide.
Keeping the convoy formation, vehicle by vehicle entered Weng City.
Then stopped.
Li Tie jumped down directly from the Unimog, which is quite high; ordinary people have to use steps to get in.
Second Uncle and others, seeing Li Yu and his team returning with so many vehicles, were temporarily at a loss for words.
It wasn't until Li Yu got out of the vehicle and opened the trunk that Second Uncle, seeing it full of supplies, exclaimed in surprise, "Did you bring back all their supplies?"
Li Yu replied indifferently, "These are all from the boss of the Salvation Army; you don't know, the people under him have started cannibalism, and he's still enjoying fine food and drinks."
Song Min and others, who had also witnessed the scene in the cafeteria, felt uncomfortable hearing what Li Yu said.
Second Uncle didn't come down from the wall, as per the rules on their side, after returning from outside, they must wait 10 minutes before entering the base.
Those on the wall must also wait ten minutes before coming down.
After waiting for ten minutes, Second Uncle and Li Hongyuan opened the gate allowing Li Yu and others to enter the base.
At this moment, the main lights of the base were turned on, very bright; Li Yu drove the truck directly towards the warehouse and then turned back to the people driving the other trucks following him and said, "Follow me, let's unload the goods first."
Li Gang and others responded, "Okay."
Li Yu and his team began unloading the goods, and a messy-haired young man, after parking his vehicle, voluntarily walked over to Li Yu to help with unloading.
Other workers and family members from the base also came out to help bring the items inside.
Many hands make light work; essentially, after everyone made three trips, almost all the goods were moved.
In the base, dinner was just prepared.
Li Yu and his team returned just in time for dinner.
During this period, due to the torrential rains destroying many vegetables, though they were rescued, many vegetables were turned into pickles or brined.
There were only some mushrooms and bean sprouts as fresh vegetables, and some hydroponic ones were set up in the living quarters of the base, but those grown in soil always tasted better.
This meal was quite good, especially since Li Yu incorporated some ham seized from the Salvation Army into tonight's dinner, making it a very satisfying meal for everyone.
Dapao, Song Min, and others, mainly those who went out with them today, saw everyone enjoying their meal harmoniously at the table, everyone eating the same thing, and the main food was filling.
They deeply felt a sense of solid existence, community spirit, and a sense of belonging.
Such a place truly felt like a community.
And all this, Li Yu was unaware of.
Beside him, the messy-haired An'an sat quietly, eating gracefully.
During this time, An'an often deliberately or unintentionally stayed close to him, helping him out on many occasions.
Quiet, yet considerately not disturbing.
An'an, oh no, Yu Tong.
Yu Tong was originally a very pretty girl, and with her tall figure, she hid a stunning physique under loose clothing.
In this somewhat ambiguous yet not entirely ambiguous atmosphere, Li Yu could somewhat understand some of Yu Tong's thoughts.