Chapter 217: 217, Reunion with Liu Yuan (Third update, requesting monthly votes)

This moment of Hu Shuo's words carried a touch of melancholy. There's an old saying that goes, "To lift a stone and strike one's own foot," and in Ren Xiaosu's case, that stone was particularly heavy...

Hu Shuo couldn't help but ask, "You see, you have no education yet live well enough. Why be so eager to learn? Do you plan to attend the university within the Wall?"

Ren Xiaosu pondered and replied, "I have no intention of going to university. I merely wish to know the truth of this world."

Hu Shuo savored these words, then fell silent, lost in thought. After a long while, he sighed, "If there is anything you do not understand, you may always come to me."

Hu Shuo's former routine was to rise at six, practice boxing until seven, eat, bask in the sun, chat, eat lunch, eat dinner, and sleep.

Now, he rises at six, practices boxing until seven, eats, lectures, eats lunch, lectures, and lies awake at night, unable to eat or sleep due to Ren Xiaosu's provocations.

Throughout this, Ren Xiaosu harbored a lingering doubt: what was this old man truly seeking by coming to their outpost?

During this time, a consortium force arrived at the outpost to investigate the wolf pack's attacks, intending to inquire if any clues had been found. They were promptly dismissed by Hu Shuo.

The officers seemed to recognize Hu Shuo, and without further question, they left, as though his presence there posed no issue.

This left Ren Xiaosu puzzled—what sort of man was this old fellow?

That night, he ventured into the mountains to inform the Wolf King that they must establish a new den deeper within the wilderness, for the Li Consortium might soon dispatch troops to encircle them.

During this period, Ren Xiaosu had wished to question Hu Shuo about the whereabouts of the 88th Wall, certain the old man knew. Yet, given the tense relations between the Li and Yang families, he feared his inquiry might be misconstrued as collusion.

Though relations among them were cordial, Ren Xiaosu felt trust between them and Hu Shuo had not yet reached such depths.

As the New Year approached, Li Qingzheng pulled Ren Xiaosu aside and muttered, "Our salt is nearly depleted. We must journey to the market town to procure some holiday supplies."

Other outposts were growing destitute, their rations dwindling, while Ren Xiaosu's outpost remained well-provisioned, each member plump and weary of daily meat, now craving vegetables.

A small plot behind the outpost could grow vegetables, but the weather demanded a plastic greenhouse, and they lacked the materials to construct one.

Thus, Li Qingzheng proposed a trip to the market town.

This aligned perfectly with Ren Xiaosu's long-held desire.

Before departing, Ren Xiaosu instructed Chen Wudi, "Ensure Hu Shuo does not leave the outpost. If he does, follow him and discover his purpose."

Upon hearing of their journey to the market town—and the possibility of staying overnight—Hu Shuo was nearly moved to tears.

Truthfully, at his age, such emotion was rare. Having weathered countless storms, what spectacle had he not witnessed?

Yet today, a genuine sentiment stirred within him. To Ren Xiaosu, Hu Shuo said, "Procure more holiday goods. There is no rush to return."

Suddenly, Ren Xiaosu wondered: had everyone grown accustomed to this peculiar old man's presence in the outpost? Even Hu Shuo himself seemed to have settled into the rhythm.

How had this transformation come to pass?

The drive to the market town took over three hours—a distance neither near nor far. Nearby factories buzzed with activity; the Li Consortium's massive, precision machinery was fully operational, though none knew where its war chariots would soon march.

Along the way, Ren Xiaosu and Li Qingzheng observed trucks shuttling goods between the Wall and various factories, a bustling scene.

Midway, their vehicle broke down, but Li Qingzheng proved adept at repairs. With a few deft adjustments under the hood, the rickety transport truck rumbled back to life.

It had been over a month since Ren Xiaosu parted ways with Yan Liuyuan and Wang Fugui. Now, he longed to find them in the market town and inquire about their circumstances, to see if they faced any hardships.

Li Qingzheng, meanwhile, was exhilarated, as though a exile had returned to a thriving metropolis. He chattered on about selling their meat and meeting old friends that night.

Upon arriving at the market town, Ren Xiaosu watched refugees returning from the slaughterhouse with pigskin and fat, children clutching cheap candies from adults. A festive spirit lingered in the air.

Upon this wasteland, even those who struggled daily to survive would strive to clothe their children in new garments, buy them sweets, and prepare fragrant dumplings for the holiday.

The world had once ended, yet this did not strip the people of this wasteland of their right to joy.

Humanity, after all, was a species adept at finding mirth amid suffering—resilient and tenacious.

Those who had prophesied that humanity would succumb to a cold, cruel world after the disaster had never truly understood humanity.

Of course, the market town's nights remained perilous, with those ever eager to reap without labor. Yet this did not negate the joy.

When they reached the town's entrance, Ren Xiaosu spotted Yan Liuyuan crouched by the roadside, gazing longingly. He called out, "Sixuan! Why linger here?"

Yan Liuyuan's eyes lit up. "Brother, you've finally returned! Haha, this morning, a magpie entered our courtyard, and I knew you'd come to the market town, so I waited here."

Yet Ren Xiaosu suspected the truth was otherwise. Magpies or no magpies, such coincidences were rare in this world.

Yan Liuyuan must have kept vigil here daily since his departure, leading to this serendipity.

Ren Xiaosu opened the car door and pulled Yan Liuyuan into the passenger seat—the truck's front bench was spacious enough for three.

"Where do you dwell now?" Ren Xiaosu asked.

Yan Liuyuan smiled broadly. "We purchased a row of stone houses near the Wall's gate. We reside there now. Uncle Wang's general store has reopened, and he claims to have found a path within the Wall, maintaining good relations with the town's administrators."

"Old Wang is truly a man of talent," Ren Xiaosu marveled, his praise sincere. Wang Fugui was indeed remarkable—wherever he went, he swiftly forged connections, securing immense advantages for their livelihood...

...Please vote for the monthly ticket!