C17 Looking for His Family

"You're welcome to enter the outer city, but be aware that there's no food distribution here. In the inner city, however, they dole out three servings of thin porridge daily – just enough to keep you from starving."

"To gain entry to the inner city, you'll need to provide either supplies or crystal cores, which are found inside the heads of zombies. But remember, getting in isn't a one-time deal. Each person must contribute either a crystal core or twenty kilograms of food every month, or something else of equivalent value.

There's also another option: you can offer intel on supplies. We'll assess the value of your information after the army has verified it and retrieved the supplies."

"Just make sure you don't cross any Evolvers here; they're a cut above the rest of us. Rub them the wrong way in the inner city, and it's game over for you," Tang Ming warned.

"Evolver?" Lang Zhe inquired, puzzled. "Can they move through the air?"

"I'm not certain, but they're far more formidable than ordinary people and enjoy special privileges here!" Tang Ming explained. "Here's your room, the three of you."

"This is it? Just one room?" Lang Zhe observed the room before him.

"Yes," Tang Ming confirmed. "Two bunk beds and four mattresses should suffice for the three of you. This setup is standard for all our rooms. Would you like me to find another one?"

"No, this will do. Thanks!" Yan Cheng expressed his gratitude.

"Rest up for now. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come and find me," Tang Ming offered before departing.

"There aren't even any blankets. Are we supposed to sleep on the bare mattresses?" Lang Zhe complained. "I really should have brought my own blanket."

"We'll make do for tonight," Yan Cheng suggested. "Tomorrow we can look for blankets to buy, or perhaps we can scrounge up some ourselves."

"It looks like that's our only option," Lang Zhe conceded before climbing to the top bunk to lie down.

"Yan Cheng, aren't you an Evolver? If you revealed your status, wouldn't you automatically have privileges?" Huang Qiu whispered.

"We're still getting our bearings here. Let's hold off on that for now," Yan Cheng advised.

"He's just playing it cool," Lang Zhe quipped, poking his head out.

"Get some sleep!" Yan Cheng said with a chuckle. Huang Qiu nodded and cushioned her back with her backpack. Leaning back, she began to rest.

Yan Cheng put on his headphones and fired up PUBG once more. He couldn't mute the game's sound because he relied on the sound of enemy footsteps and gunfire to pinpoint their locations.

Yan Cheng hadn't quite mastered this skill yet, but he was diligently practicing.

After three rounds, he had earned enough to exchange for two more pistols, a Mauser sniper rifle, a bulletproof vest, and various other small items.

Content with his loot, Yan Cheng finally drifted off into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Lang Zhe shook him awake.

"How can you sleep so well on such a hard bed?" Lang Zhe asked, incredulous.

Yan Cheng stood up and stretched. Noticing that the others had been up for a while, he inquired, "We've finally made it to a safe place. Why are you up so early?"

"We're hoping to find out if our families are here," Huang Qiu replied somberly.

"Okay, since I'm on my own, I'll help you look. You've got photos, right?" Yan Cheng asked.

Huang Qiu pulled a photo from her pocket, showing a family of three. "These are my parents," she said.

Yan Cheng glanced at Lang Zhe and asked, "What about yours?"

"Since when do guys carry around photos with them? Unless they're part of a couple," Lang Zhe retorted.

"Well, I'd like to have a photo, but unfortunately, I only have one of our orphanage director, and he passed away years ago," Yan Cheng sighed. "Let's not dwell on the past. Let's set out. Hopefully, we can find them and bring them in today."

"Okay, thank you!" Huang Qiu said earnestly.

"We've been through life and death together; no need for formalities!" Yan Cheng replied, leading the way out.

Upon entering the inner city, they received identity certificates with their photos and names, which they had to present to the guards whenever they came and went.

Reaching the outer city, Yan Cheng and company were overwhelmed by the crowds. "We should split up to cover more ground. Lang Zhe, describe your parents to me."

"I can't quite put it into words, but everyone says my family and I look very much alike. I even have a sister!" Lang Zhe responded.

"Okay, let's split up and look for them!" Yan Cheng suggested.

With that, the three of them went their separate ways. Yan Cheng began to scrutinize each person carefully.

Suddenly, a ruckus up ahead caught Yan Cheng's attention.

"I won't go," a girl's voice declared.

Yan Cheng pushed through the crowd and saw someone trying to drag the girl away. He shook his head and turned to leave.

"Stop resisting. You're coming with me to the inner city!" The commanding voice halted Yan Cheng's departure.