Chapter 102: Whether It Is Good News or Bad News Remains Uncertain

Even those whose edges had not been completely worn down by life could only swallow their grievances in silence. When others cast a sharp remark, it was always for the greater good, often accompanied by an apology. Any sense of injustice had to be endured, for this was the end of the world.

Some even secretly wished that Jiang Huan were a ruthless, power-hungry type—then these people who dared to follow them could be dealt with swiftly. But if Jiang Huan truly were that kind, they likely wouldn’t be granted such relatively fair treatment. Who seeking power and profit would allow themselves and other survivors equal footing—living together in the air-raid shelter, sharing the same meager meals?

The irritation from this incident slowly faded with time, until it vanished altogether.

Jiang Huan led everyone in fishing and preserving food, while scavenging for supplies in the ruined city. When the sound of flowing water filled the air and the sky, after a long drought, finally brought rain instead of snow, everyone emerged from their rooms.

“It’s raining.”

The fields had just been harvested and now were planted with leafy greens. With temperatures steadily rising, even regular seeds could thrive without needing frost-resistant varieties. This rain was just what was needed to awaken life.

“Today, try to keep activities within five hundred meters. Don’t wander around unnecessarily. Hot water will be provided promptly. Since it’s raining, collect some water to boil, and everyone should take advantage of the easy water supply to wash up properly.”

They gathered water, dropped in purification tablets, boiled it, and diluted it. Everyone in the air-raid shelter enjoyed a refreshing bath. There was no worry about water damaging the shelter since dedicated bathing and toilet facilities had been constructed.

The rain poured for two days and two nights, leaving a damp, earthy scent in the air. Jiang Huan had already replaced several dehumidifier bags in her room.

Returning from patrol, someone reported that the mountain below was flooded, waterlogged to the point of what looked like a flood. Jiang Huan led a group down to investigate—the water reached just to their knees. At this spot, it was not yet a crisis. But if it continued to rise, they would need to prepare for the worst. The already collapsed drainage system was of little use.

As the water rose, moving to higher ground would become the only option.

While eating, Bai Weishuang worried about the people down the mountain, but none of them seemed to share her concern. They all advised her to focus on her own current situation.

Liu Ling glanced at Bai Weishuang, who was still sighing. Since appearing in the community, Bai Weishuang had been the model of kindness—offering her own supplies in exchange for milk powder for an unfamiliar infant, volunteering to reduce consultation fees for those unable to afford treatment, and always diligent in her duties. She was undeniably a positive and benevolent presence.

Yet Liu Ling felt Bai Weishuang had been mentioning the mountain people more frequently lately.

“Sis, is there something on my face?” Bai Weishuang noticed Liu Ling’s gaze and turned around, puzzled.

Liu Ling kept a straight face. “You’re eating slowly today; I’m waiting to clear your plate.”

Bai Weishuang looked down; engrossed in thoughts about the mountain people, she had barely touched her food.

“Oh, I don’t have much appetite today. I’ll hurry up and eat, so I don’t trouble you,” she said, quickly finishing her meal and helping Liu Ling clean up.

That afternoon, Bai Weishuang appeared beside Liu Ling repeatedly—more than ten encounters in total. Liu Ling thought if Bai Weishuang hadn’t been so persistent, she might have assumed her concern was genuine. But her frequent presence felt more like surveillance, or testing, or perhaps wariness.

After much thought, Liu Ling took the opportunity when Bai Weishuang was tending to a patient to seek out Jiang Huan privately.

Coincidentally, Jiang Huan had something to discuss with Liu Ling. “There’s a woman at the Xie family’s place who looks pregnant. I’ve seen her retching several times. I asked, but she didn’t say anything. Take her to Bai Weishuang for a checkup.”

For some reason, when asked if she was expecting, the woman practically fell to her knees, begging Jiang Huan to believe she wasn’t. It was better to have the doctor make a diagnosis.

Liu Ling’s original task was delayed by this urgent matter. Life was paramount—after all, a child in the womb was already a living being. She hurried to the Xie family’s house to handle it.

The news was both joyous and worrisome. The woman, named Xie Li, was indeed pregnant—less than two months along—and likely carrying more than one child.

The others nearby immediately exploded in disbelief: “At this time? You still want children???”

Xie Li was humiliated to tears, repeatedly striking her husband. It was he who insisted on having a child despite the relative safety and independence everyone had recently gained. Now she carried not one but multiple fetuses. Aborting was risky; giving birth would be even riskier.

Bai Weishuang was torn. The medication to induce abortion was available in their supplies, but the couple hadn’t asked for it, suggesting other intentions.

If they were ordinary people, they would have requested an abortion outright, rested for a few days, and continued with life. But this couple had been married nearly eight years without children and seemed unwilling to part with this pregnancy. Otherwise, Xie Li wouldn’t have denied it so vehemently when Jiang Huan asked.

They feared Jiang Huan would refuse to allow the child to be born.

Jiang Huan had accepted them partly out of friendship with Xie Congzhou. She was no soft, delicate girl—kind, yes, but with clear boundaries. She had long insisted on collective responsibility and thoughtful actions. She had also made it clear that no new people would be admitted to the air-raid shelter.

While that referred mainly to other survivors, a newborn would be an independent person, requiring food, care, and attention.

This matter defied simple solutions, and so Jiang Huan and Xie Congzhou were summoned again to decide.

Jiang Huan thought: These two lived next door. She had noticed some activity before but was relieved it wasn’t from her brother’s side. She never expected such a development, much less that she would have to deal with it.

Upon hearing the situation, Xie Congzhou’s only thought was to support them having the child.

“Our family’s supplies can spare a portion for the child. Rest assured, we won’t take from others’ survival resources,” he said unexpectedly, like an elder statesman of the family.

He had no other thoughts.

Jiang Huan asked the others in Building Six for their opinions.

Some said that if it could be done, they had no objections.

Others remarked, “Though we entered the shelter at different times, we’ve long become close partners. We are all intertwined now. To separate resources and meals again over one baby would be awkward.”

Moreover, Xie Congzhou worked tirelessly like an ox, never sparing effort or time. He spent ten hours a day tending the crops, steady and knowledgeable. To the people of Building Six, his standing was second only to Jiang Huan’s.

With his endorsement, the others softened their stance. None were freeloaders; they were one community. Dividing meals over an infant would cause more harm than good.