Logistics

Luo Ping's retreating figure was bleak yet resolute. The ruined steel jungle ahead of him loomed immense in comparison; even the white flag fluttering in the wind could have housed countless figures like him.

Lu Xi'an watched Luo Ping walk further and further away, then asked, "Do you think what he said is true?"

Yao Wei was also watching Luo Ping go, and upon hearing Lu Xi'an's question, replied, "I don't know." Her voice seemed calm and undisturbed.

But Lu Xi'an could still discern that beneath the surface of her composure, she was subtly moved.

In a world like this, having someone like him was truly not easy. Even if they weren't traveling the same path, it was enough to stir one's heart.

"How about we help him out a little?"

Lu Xi'an suggested.

Yao Wei turned to look at Lu Xi'an. "How do we help?"

Lu Xi'an said, "He can revive, but we can't. It's not good to risk our lives with him. Let's find a place and be his logistics support, how about that?"

Yao Wei replied, "Okay."

Lu Xi'an smiled and honked the horn twice.

Luo Ping, who was ahead, heard the sound and turned his head.

Lu Xi'an waved at him. After a moment of hesitation, Luo Ping walked back, grumbling, "What's up, big brother, big sister? I finally built up my momentum, and you guys just ruined it."

Lu Xi'an asked, "Can you finish this mission and come out alive this time?"

Luo Ping grinned and said, "How would I know?" As he spoke, he patted his coat pocket, making the Instant Noodles bag inside rustle. "Don't I still have some provisions? Two more lives should make it a bit safer."

Lu Xi'an said, "Be careful not to crush them."

Luo Ping replied, "It's fine. When the fighting starts, things get crushed by accident anyway. They're all in the bag, and they're edible."

Lu Xi'an said, "I'll leave the drone you gave me here. Later, if you run out of provisions and still haven't finished, just run here. I'll control the drone to bring you to me and get you some more food."

Luo Ping's eyes lit up. "Big brother, you don't have to go to all this trouble. If you have any more dry rations, just give them to me directly."

Lu Xi'an replied, "You want to die! We don't have any dry rations left. Wouldn't it be better if I made a fire and cooked for you, instead of dry rations?

"But let me say this beforehand, it's best if you shake off the people from the county town when you come here, otherwise, my drone won't take off."

He did have some dry rations left, just no Instant Noodles. There were still some expired bread rolls.

But convenient food like that naturally had to be saved for crucial moments.

He and Yao Wei had plenty of white rice and dehydrated vegetables. They weren't far from the Shelter, so if they ran out, they could return to resupply.

Moreover, there was water and trees nearby, so firewood wasn't an issue.

That's why Lu Xi'an was willing to offer white rice and dehydrated vegetables, but not dry rations.

Luo Ping looked troubled. "What if I'm too badly injured to make it to the rendezvous point?"

Lu Xi'an asked, "Then will this spot work?"

Luo Ping replied, "This spot is about right. I'm a Type B New Human; I can still move for a while even if I'm barely holding on to life. Dragging a corpse here should be fine."

Lu Xi'an said, "Then try your best to drag the corpse here. If the situation is okay, I'll bring you food."

"Okay, okay, okay, no problem! I guarantee no problem!"

Luo Ping nodded repeatedly and added, "Big brother, big sister, don't worry. Since you're helping me so much, I definitely won't cause you any trouble. When I get out, I'll bring you back some good stuff."

Lu Xi'an smiled and said, "Alright."

With that, Luo Ping waved his hand, turned around again, and strode towards the county town of Fengcheng County.

Lu Xi'an drove to a slightly hidden spot, near a water source and with trees nearby. After letting Doggy scout the area, he got out of the car.

"Take the drone back to where we just parked and hide. Wait until you see Luo Ping. Once you confirm the danger isn't too great, have the drone take off, guide him here, and lead him to me."

Lu Xi'an gave the order to Doggy, and Doggy took the drone and left.

Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei also divided their tasks clearly. Lu Xi'an started a fire to cook, while Yao Wei stood guard with a gun.

Lu Xi'an didn't instruct Doggy to confirm that there was absolutely no one behind Luo Ping before bringing him over.

That's what he told Luo Ping, but if the enemies behind Luo Ping weren't too numerous and could be dealt with by Yao Wei, he wouldn't mind.

Besides, regardless of whether Luo Ping brought enemies with him, having Yao Wei on guard would always increase their safety.

Chopping wood, starting the fire, adding rice, fetching water, cooking rice.

Lu Xi'an went through each step methodically, not being too particular, and cooked the white rice with the dehydrated vegetables together.

He didn't use the newly brought white rice. The large bag from before hadn't been finished in the past few days, and a little was left, which he had managed to stuff into the car. It was perfect for using now.

Gunshots could be faintly heard in the distance. It seemed the big battle had begun.

The gunshots started sporadically, then stopped. After a while, they started again, then stopped again.

After another while, they resumed with a "crackling" sound.

Lu Xi'an guessed if that guy had eaten through the remaining two bags of Instant Noodles.

They really had a lot of ammunition; it was enviable.

The rice and vegetables were cooked. Lu Xi'an made a little extra and called Yao Wei over to eat some first. There was still quite a bit left.

The gunshots stopped again, and then there was no reaction for a long time. Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei weren't sure if Luo Ping had dragged the corpses over, so they decided to observe for a while longer.

After a while, the sound of a drone could be heard, and a person covered in blood staggered over. Who else could it be but Luo Ping?

It looked like he had dragged himself over. There was even a hole in his head, apparently from a bullet.

No one was following him, so Yao Wei no longer needed to be on guard and ready to shoot.

"It's fine, the bullet's been dug out. I'll be back to full health after I eat something."

Luo Ping grinned, his uneven teeth stained red with blood.

It seemed the battle had been intense.

"Then eat quickly."

Lu Xi'an was about to call Luo Ping over to eat.

But Luo Ping was quite particular. He pulled something out and said, "I'm covered in blood, so I don't want to dirty your pot. Just put the food in here for me."

Lu Xi'an looked closely and saw that Luo Ping was holding a folded Instant Noodles bag.

He took it and filled it with cooked rice and dehydrated vegetables. Luo Ping took it back and began scooping the food directly with his hands, eating large mouthfuls.

The bag of rice was finished by Luo Ping in a flash.

"Ah, that was great! I never expected you to have such good stuff. If I don't bring back some good things for you now, it'll be too rude of me."

As Luo Ping said this, he "thumped" onto the ground and closed his eyes.

After a moment, he was indeed back to full health.

He pulled out two more empty bags, the ones that were left over from before, and said, "Can you fill up all three of these bags for me? I'm going to go fight them again! This time I'll definitely bring back good stuff for you!"