Back at the apartment complex.
The two old men were busy too. Somehow, they had found some discarded wooden boards and turned them into barricades, intending to seal off the space beneath the iron gate.
When they saw Lin Fan return, they hurriedly opened the gate to check on him. Seeing all the goods, they were astonished. He had bought everything in abundance, from rice and cooking oil to salt and other necessities.
He pushed the shopping cart into the elevator and rode it upstairs.
"Old Master, I bought these for you. Take a look at the receipt." Lin Fan carried everything inside and arranged it neatly in the kitchen. Since the power was still on, he put some vegetables and frozen food in the refrigerator.
Old Man Wang had served in the military and was broad-minded enough to understand Lin Fan's way of thinking. This was what made him such a promising young man: he took everything seriously. The apocalypse or no apocalypse, it made no difference.
Did the apocalypse mean you could take things without paying?
Of course not.
Back when those martyrs had defended the country and driven out the invaders, conditions had been just as dire. They had gone hungry while fighting for their lives, struggling to find enough to eat. Even so, they hadn't plundered everywhere. They had still paid for what they bought. When they truly had no money, they bought on credit and left IOUs.
They hadn't used the excuse that the country had fallen and the land was in ruins, that they'd risked their lives driving out the invaders, and that they were now entitled to take a little food—or dared anyone to refuse them.
Rules weren't there to restrain just one person. They were more like a seal, constantly suppressing the negative desires lurking in everyone's heart.
A person without desires wasn't really human.
A person who had desires but could restrain them was truly human.
"Thank you. Really, thank you," Old Man Wang said.
Beside him, Old Man Zhou looked at the supplies, then at the receipt in his hand. He seemed to understand something. A voice inside him told him that these things had been bought with his own money, so he could accept them with a clear conscience.
A voice came from inside the apartment.
"Feifei, look at this problem."
"The big clock in the square strikes five times at five o'clock, taking eight seconds to finish. How long will it take to strike twelve times at twelve o'clock?"
"Take your time. Don't rush. Use that clever little head of yours—you can definitely work it out."
Grandma Liang's voice was gentle and had a special charm, as if she could draw children into the ocean of learning without them even realizing it.
She had worked as a teacher for decades, teaching in big cities and volunteering in remote mountain villages. The children there had different levels of ability, so they had to take things slowly. She couldn't rush or pressure them. She had to help them approach their studies with a love of learning.
As Grandma Liang continually reflected on her teaching methods and summed up their shortcomings, she gradually made improvements. In the end, she developed a teaching style of her own.
Feifei lowered her head and chewed on her finger as she stared at the problem, racking her brain. It seemed so hard.
She was in fifth grade, but this math problem left her completely at a loss.
Hearing the commotion, Grandma Liang turned around and saw Lin Fan standing in the doorway. She smiled. "Xiao Fan, would you like to take a look too?"
"Grandma Liang, I'll pass. Elementary school problems are so hard these days. I'm afraid I couldn't solve it either." Lin Fan didn't underestimate elementary school problems. He'd seen parents online complaining: Why were the problems so difficult? Even a graduate student like me gets completely confused—I'm about to explode.
Feifei was a sensible child. When she saw Uncle Lin, she seemed to spot a lifeline and called sweetly, "Hello, Uncle."
She figured that Uncle Lin must have something to discuss with Grandma Liang. That meant she could take a breather. She might still have to solve the problem afterward, but she could at least slack off for a little while. Every minute counted.
Lin Fan walked in and acknowledged her, then patted Feifei on the head. As if he were about to surprise her, he pulled a bag of books from behind his back. "Feifei, I bought you a present. See if you like it."
The bag was black, so she couldn't see what was inside.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Feifei happily took the bag. The moment she touched it, she had a bad feeling. With a sinking heart, she opened it and saw what was inside.
Fifth Grade Math Workbook
Essential 300 Ancient Poems for Fifth Grade
Fun History and Geography Culture
Selected Works of Mao
In an instant, the world went dark for Feifei. How treacherous people could be!
"Feifei, are you happy?" Lin Fan asked with a smile.
Feifei forced a smile that looked even worse than crying. "Uncle, I like them."
"Good. I'm glad you like them. Study hard, and when you've finished, I'll buy you more." Lin Fan was delighted. It looked like he'd picked the right gifts. Just look at Feifei's expression—she was so happy she was practically twisted up.
She really was a good child who loved studying.
Feifei: ┭┮﹏┭┮.
Liang Yan smiled. "That's great. We were just short on practice problems. Once she's learned new material, she can use these questions to review it."
"Grandma Liang, Feifei, carry on. I'll head out." Lin Fan left and quietly closed the door behind him. Studying required peace and quiet. It was fine to interrupt them for a moment, but staying too long could spoil the atmosphere.
If that happened, I, Lin Fan, would be a sinner.
He left the apartment.
He needed to return the shopping cart and the books he'd borrowed. Sister Li was an expert at farming, far more knowledgeable than someone like him who only read books. Even if he finished every book, he might not become a tenth as good as Sister Li at farming.
The two old men followed him to the door. Old Man Wang suggested driving if necessary, but Lin Fan thought the car would make too much noise and might attract zombies.
It was better to push the cart.
He could also see how things were outside. Maybe he'd come across someone who needed help.
Pushing the shopping cart along the quiet street, he looked left and right, but there wasn't a single person in sight.
Lin Fan hummed a tune with improvised lyrics inspired by the scene around him. Somehow, it fit the mood just a little.
He returned the cart to the supermarket, then went back to the Library to return the books. The deposit he'd paid was still on the table, exactly where he'd left it. No one had stolen it.
That was the key reason he still had hope for the world.
The money had been right there, yet no one had taken it. Decent people still existed.
That was something to be grateful for.
He pocketed his deposit and walked home, feeling lighthearted.
What should he have for lunch?
It was something everyone looked forward to.
As he walked home,
suddenly—
Bang!
Bang!
The sound was like a cannon going off. He looked up in the direction it came from and saw white smoke in the sky. A moment later, he smelled gunpowder.
Fireworks?
It was strange that someone was setting off fireworks.
This was the apocalypse. Noise could easily attract zombies, especially noise that loud. To Lin Fan, it seemed like a sure way to draw every zombie nearby.
Could the person be trapped in danger, with no way to call for help, and setting off fireworks to attract someone's attention?
Hoping someone would come rescue them?
At that thought,
Lin Fan hurried toward the building.
He could already faintly hear zombies growling from the dark corners all around him.
Thank you: Er Jiang 1, Book Friend 160325174110781, Book Friend 20200308133803416, Feng Ye, Midnight Elementary School Apprentice, and other book friends for your rewards. Thank you, thank you.
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