Chapter Thirty-Six: Wugang Decides to Establish the Xingcheng Safe Zone

Jiang Xi felt quite embarrassed and ate less at dinner.

“You didn’t mean any harm, and we’ve taken responsibility. The doctor said his abrasions will heal in a few days—don’t dwell on it. Next time, let’s practice outside, so there won’t be any accidents like today.”

She thought the fitness center she had seen last time was pretty good.

“Alright,” Jiang Xi replied, patting her stomach and taking another bite of pineapple bread.

Her communicator vibrated. Jiang Huan picked it up and saw a message from Wu Gang: within an hour, all building managers were to gather at the property office. She had been tagged as well.

She arrived half an hour early. The other managers who had been chosen earlier looked equally confused—no one had heard any rumors beforehand, and nobody knew what Wu Gang was about to discuss.

Wu Gang entered just as the meeting time approached. As he passed Jiang Huan, a strong scent wafted by.

It was the smell of cigarettes—and alcohol.

Jiang Huan kept a calm face, following the others as Wu Gang invited them to sit.

“I’ve been to the official base and seen the survival conditions there. Today, I’ve called everyone together for two reasons: first, to share the reality over there, and second, I plan to establish an independent survivor zone—let’s call it Star City Safe Zone for now. I’d like to hear everyone’s opinions and suggestions.”

Wu Gang’s expression was unusually stiff, his gaze more serious than usual, creating a subtle sense of pressure among the others.

“What does that mean? Why do we need to be independent? Are we breaking with the authorities?”

“That’s right, Captain Wu, we’re not trying to stir up trouble… We know you’re capable and have worked hard since the disaster, but this doesn’t seem right.”

After everyone had spoken, only two of the six managers supported him.

For some reason, his eyes turned to Jiang Huan.

She had only intended to be a silent observer, but when his gaze landed on her, she spoke up earnestly: “I agree with Captain Wu. I’ve been out a few times myself. If you look outside and then back at our community, too many people are holding onto luck and dependency. Some people spend their days doing nothing, just watching others reap the rewards. After going out to chop wood, how many were willing to join the convoy to search for supplies later?

Those are just the smallest problems. Think about it—official supplies won’t be given to us for free anymore, so where will we get them? Throughout history, disasters related to food shortages and resource depletion have led to shocking developments in the mid-stage—it’s not hard to imagine.

The only reason I support Captain Wu is this: I hope our community can maintain a relatively normal order in daily life.”

Her words were blunt, laying bare the current reality without any sugarcoating. The opposing managers exchanged glances, unable to find a retort.

Having said her piece, Jiang Huan sat back down.

Today was Wu Gang’s stage—she had no intention of stealing the spotlight. All she wanted was a relatively safe environment for her and her brother.

Wu Gang picked up where she left off: “Miss Jiang is right. I’ve only come to these ideas after seeing how bleak things have gotten.

No, it’s more than bleak. Frankly, we’re about to see things that will shock you all. I’ve confirmed that the authorities won’t provide free supplies. You either become part of the base, work four to six hours a day for two meals of porridge, or you go out to find supplies and trade for contribution points.

I’ve gathered you here so you can pass this news to every household and every person. Anyone who leaves, the Star City Safe Zone won’t hold them back, and we won’t take a single thing they can carry. If you agree with my philosophy—self-sufficiency—then stay, and let’s try to piece together a life.”

“Do we really have to do this? Won’t it cause more panic?”

“How did it get to this point? Last time, we were told about the rollout of communicators so everyone could connect. How did things suddenly become so dire?”

Everyone here had grown up in peacetime. How could they not hope this was just a disaster that lasted a bit longer than usual?

Wu Gang stuck to his plan, asking everyone to report back after informing their residents: “You have three days to consider. In three days, gather everyone’s opinions. We’ll help however we can, but the rest depends on what you decide.”

The managers left with troubled faces, already pondering how to phrase the news for their residents.

Once the meeting ended, Jiang Huan got up to leave, but Wu Gang called her back.

“Miss Jiang, to be honest, I didn’t expect you to support me so firmly. Most people would think I’m trying to set myself up as a leader or form my own faction.”

Maybe he did have that ambition, but from the way he handled matters, Jiang Huan could tell he at least had a moral bottom line.

“I’ve seen everything you’ve done. Don’t let it burden you too much.” In her previous life, she had died during the freeze, taking a scoundrel and a viper down with her, but the world had shown no sign of turning back before her death.

Of course she supported Wu Gang as the leader, to escape the chaos fueled by wishful thinking.

“Thank you.” Wu Gang could only offer her those words.

Then something occurred to him. “Last time I went to the authorities, it wasn’t entirely fruitless. There are people selling weapons in the base, but the prices are steep: five hundred pounds of grain for an automatic rifle, one hundred pounds of grain for a magazine. Snow vehicles are available too, clearly priced for trade. If you have the resources, you can exchange for one—it’s certainly better than a delivery van.”

Jiang Huan thought to herself that the delivery van was fine, just prone to slipping—not ideal for combat or urgent situations.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll think about it.” After returning, Jiang Huan began weighing the feasibility of trading grain for guns.

A snow vehicle sounded like a good idea too.

Exercise, eating, drinking—another day passed.

The next day marked a full month since the freeze began. The snow that had fallen for two days finally stopped.

She went downstairs to exercise and ran into Xiao Yi and Deputy Director Xu.

They were here to ask if Jiang Huan had time to head to the museum right away.

She let out a surprised “ah”—yesterday’s events had distracted her, and she had almost forgotten. “Alright, let’s go today. I’ll go get the car.”

She wanted to go upstairs to let Liu Ling and her brother know, but seeing Chen Pei, the child, passing by, she waved him over. “Chen Pei, are you free right now?”

“I’m free, Sister Jiang. Do you need something?” Chen Pei set down his scavenged tree bark and branches at his feet. His red nose wrinkled, but he didn’t sneeze.

“Sister needs a favor—could you run up to the fifteenth floor and tell Aunt Liu Ling and the others I’m going out for a while and might not be back soon?”

“Sure, I’ll go right now.” The boy, likely remembering the medicine Jiang Huan had given him before, put aside his own tasks and hurried upstairs.

Xiao Yi took off his hat, smoothing his hair. “I know where that kid lives—I’ll help him carry his things home.”

“Alright.” Jiang Huan went to get the car.

Deputy Director Xu simply waited in the lobby, just in case the child came down and found his bag missing—it would surely bring tears.