Hearing this, Yu Ke also came over to help cover. "Oh, what good bird's nest could be here? Let me see too." As he said this, he blocked the doorway, cutting off any intention Lin Xuan and the other two might have had to come in.
Seeing this, Shen Hegui quickly pointed out the medicines he had already selected to Jiang Yuntan, who cooperatively stored them away. Besides common medicines like anti-inflammatories, antipyretics, cold medicine, and painkillers, they also picked out some for treating bruises and sprains, and took plenty of gauze. They didn't miss small items like cotton swabs, band-aids, and thermometers, either.
Afterward, Jiang Yuntan carried out a box of instant bird's nest and two cans of rose tea. Even Yu Ke and Shen Hegui each brought two boxes of bird's nest to the car.
Seeing this, Lin Tingxue's gloom dispersed slightly. Why were they all spoiling Jiang Yuntan more and more? Was it just to keep her obedient and out of trouble? But it seemed Jiang Yuntan hadn't been causing much trouble these past two days.
However, given how Shen Hegui and the others indulged Jiang Yuntan, she probably wouldn't survive long in the apocalypse. She might provoke some powerful enemy sooner or later. But Lin Tingxue couldn't let Jiang Yuntan bond with that bracelet. Otherwise, Jiang Yuntan wouldn't be so easy to deal with. Besides, if Shen Hegui's father knew she had a space bracelet, he would treasure her like the apple of his eye. Shen Hegui always listened to his father, which was why he kept Jiang Yuntan by his side despite not liking her.
Lin Tingxue needed to find a chance to get that Blood Jade Bracelet into her own hands, lest it be wasted on a spoiled, brainless fool like Jiang Yuntan.
Jiang Yuntan, however, didn't care about her thoughts. After loading the stuff into the car with the others, they went back to the pharmacy for another round of medicine.
The car was stuffed full; the trunk had no space left. The back seat, originally enough for three, could now only accommodate Jiang Yuntan, and even her feet were surrounded by a case of bottled water. The front passenger seat was also piled high with items.
For the first time, Jiang Yuntan felt that the luxurious Cullinan was so down-to-earth.
After finishing with the medicine, it was getting late. They also noticed that the closer it got to dusk, the more active the zombies became, and their senses were sharper than during the day.
The group drove toward the hotel, not stopping for either zombies or people on the way. If they encountered zombies, they drove straight over them; if people, they detoured slightly. Some people saw their car and tried to flag them down, but when they saw the car wasn't slowing, they chickened out.
As they passed a residential area near the hotel, Jiang Yuntan noticed military vehicles outside the complex. Shen Hegui lowered his window a crack, and a loudspeaker reached her ears:
"Attention residents: The official Haicheng Base has been established. Residents who wish to go to Haicheng Base with us, please pack your belongings and come down within half an hour."
"Ten minutes have passed; you have twenty minutes left."
So the city government had already set up Haicheng Base. It seemed the base wasn't abandoning its people; they were already sending people to rescue survivors.
As their car passed, they could hear people shouting from upstairs, saying they were afraid of zombies in the stairwells and asking the base personnel to come up and get them. Not sure if the base personnel heard, but they didn't answer any such questions, only repeating the same announcement over and over. Apparently, they came to rescue, but not to babysit or escort people door-to-door.
Seeing that she was interested, Shen Hegui said, "A few days ago when we went out to gather supplies, we also ran into official personnel. But at that time, they were also out gathering supplies."
Jiang Yuntan asked curiously, "Didn't you think about checking out Haicheng Base?"
Shen Hegui countered, "Do you want to go?"
Jiang Yuntan shook her head. "We're heading back anyway. Why go to Haicheng Base? When we get to Jing City, we'll see the base there too."
"Mm, good that you don't want to go," Shen Hegui said. "Although Haicheng Base is officially established now, it's filled with many pre-apocalypse businessmen."
"It seems safe for now, but the early apocalypse is a time of power transition. No one knows which side will come out ahead. So, infighting is inevitable in the base."
"That's also why I told you to avoid conflicts with Lin Tingxue. When we get back, if the old man ends up at a disadvantage against the Lin family's political faction, you'll have a hard time."
Shen Hegui spoke earnestly. After he finished, he suddenly felt that these were words his father should be saying.
Jiang Yuntan understood his concern—she shouldn't burn bridges. She thought for a moment and said, "But given my current relationship with Lin Tingxue, even if I avoid conflicts with her from now on, will she forget the grudges between us?"
"Since she won't forget, when we return to Jing City and find that the Lin family is stronger, she will still make things difficult for me. The result is that I tolerate her all the way, and when I get back to Jing City, I still have to face her harassment."
"If that's the case, why should I make myself miserable? If I followed your advice, I'd be losing out too much."
Shen Hegui was silent for a moment before saying, "You have a point."
Then he added in a low voice, "Do whatever you want, just don't get yourself killed."
As long as she didn't cause trouble for him.
Xue Zhao, overhearing their conversation, couldn't help but smile. See, President Shen couldn't manage Miss Jiang either. He murmured, "I think Miss Jiang is quite right."
Shen Hegui shot him a glance and, sure enough, saw Jiang Yuntan's raised lips in the rearview mirror. She sure was proud of herself.
About forty-five minutes later, the group finally drove the car near the hotel. But instead of parking in the garage, they hid it in a secluded corner. They could keep an eye on the car from their hotel suite window.
Before Shen Hegui could speak, Xue Zhao volunteered, "President Shen, I'll stay and watch the car. If anything happens, I'll flash the hazard lights."
Jiang Yufeng also offered to stay to keep Xue Zhao company.
Shen Hegui nodded, handed his pistol to Jiang Yufeng, and took a gun from Jiang Yuntan to give to Xue Zhao.
"You two work hard."
Jiang Yufeng's refined face held a calm smile. "No problem. I can't cook anyway. Make sure to turn the supplies we have upstairs into rice balls and such."