Chapter 344 - 242: Bao Zhen (One more)
When the snow above collapsed down, splattering all over Bao Zhen’s face, and even knocking two people down, he was completely bewildered.
However, when he shook off the snow from his body and stood up, he called the jackal that was barking fiercely at the two figures who were also sitting up, and cheerfully asked them: "Are you here to rescue me?"
Chen Xin patted the snow off himself, looking at the figure in front of him. Although he hadn’t yet recognized the person as Bao Zhen, he nodded and said: "Yes, we’re here to rescue you."
Honestly, Chen Xin hadn’t expected the collapse to happen, leaving both sides in a bit of a mess, but fortunately, there were no serious consequences, and they smoothly dug out the trapped people. This outcome was quite ideal.
Having successfully opened a passage upward, Bao Zhen was not in a hurry to go out, instead enthusiastically inviting Chen Xin and the two staff members into his shelter for a break.
Chen Xin and the two staff members didn’t decline the invitation, after all, several hours of digging, even with the assistance of the Exoskeleton, was indeed quite tiring and they needed rest.
The four returned to Bao Zhen’s shelter. Once he took off the helmet wrapped around his head, Chen Xin recognized him, and Bao Zhen also recognized Chen Xin without his helmet.
"Author? How come you’re in Lin City? Is that an Exoskeleton you’re wearing? Where did you get it? It’s really cool!" Bao Zhen was actually a few years younger than Chen Xin, and after recognizing Chen Xin, he greeted him simply, focusing his attention completely on the Exoskeleton Chen Xin was wearing.
"’Daren’ sent me a distress signal, saying that things in Lin City were getting really tough, almost impossible to hold on, and asked me to find a way to rescue people. Luckily, the city was sending a rescue team over, so I followed along." Chen Xin was surprised to meet Bao Zhen, and felt quite happy inside, explaining to him: "As for this, the Exoskeleton is part of national supplies recently distributed, and I got a set because I came along with the rescue team. But what about you, how are things?"
After hearing Chen Xin’s explanation, Bao Zhen’s face was full of envy, and after inviting the three to sit down and serving them a cup of hot water, he said: "My situation isn’t very good. Though food and water are quite adequate, fuel and living supplies are running low.
During the blizzard, the antenna I had outside got blown off, cutting off communication with the outside, and then it was simply buried in snow. Only after hearing from the ventilation that the wind outside had calmed did I start to dig out, trying to make a way outside, and then you guys ended up knocking me down."
"It sounds alright, at least you haven’t frozen or starved." Chen Xin listened as Bao Zhen explained his situation over the past period, offering a genuinely fair assessment.
Upon hearing this, Bao Zhen was immediately dissatisfied and said: "What are you talking about! How could I possibly freeze or starve to death? Are you cursing me?"
Although his tone was of dissatisfaction, Bao Zhen was evidently joking, not taking it seriously.
"No, you’re actually doing okay. At least you have food and drink, plus a dog to keep you company. Even being buried in snow for about a month didn’t bring any serious trouble; no sickness, no disasters. This is much better than most people." But Chen Xin earnestly explained again, clearly not treating it as a joke.
The two staff members beside them also nodded along, similarly feeling that Bao Zhen’s survival situation was quite good.
This surprised Bao Zhen, prompting him to ask Chen Xin: "If being buried in snow for over a month is considered good, just how badly off are other places?"
"Due to the blizzard earlier, Lin City had a shelter completely buried in snow, causing many deaths." Chen Xin’s expression turned somewhat somber, his tone inevitably carrying a hint of sigh: "Many people suffered frostbite and got ill, unable to receive timely treatment, resulting in necrosis and needing amputation. The rescue team came here for support in Lin City too."
Saying this, Chen Xin patted Bao Zhen’s shoulder, sighing deeply: "Brother, you’re really lucky!"
What Chen Xin described about Lin City’s situation shocked Bao Zhen, and after confirming with the two staff members, he had no choice but to believe it, realizing he truly was lucky and his survival conditions were indeed quite good.
Though now facing some difficulties due to the fuel shortage issue, Bao Zhen wasn’t lacking food and drink, and even used a planting machine to grow some vegetables, raised some chickens and ducks, and kept a dog and a fox as pets. His situation could be said to be much better compared to most people.
Having realized the situation, Bao Zhen felt increasingly worried about Lin City and asked Chen Xin: "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Currently, what we need are doctors to treat patients, hands otherwise are not scarce. You should first resolve your own issues." Chen Xin shook his head, declining Bao Zhen’s offer to help.
From Chen Xin’s perspective, since Bao Zhen hadn’t even solved his own problems, it wouldn’t be much help to have him come and aid them.
Bao Zhen thought about it and agreed, thus didn’t insist on trying to help, only asking Chen Xin: "Author, can you get me some diesel? My fuel reserves are about to run out. Without replenishment, the generator won’t run, and if I could get some toilet paper and similar household items that would be great too."
For Bao Zhen’s request, Chen Xin couldn’t provide at the moment, but he turned his gaze to the two staff members who came with him. They were workers from Lin City, and if he needed to acquire the supplies Bao Zhen wanted, asking them would be more appropriate than asking Chen Xin.
Under Chen Xin’s gaze, the two staff members didn’t decline, as getting these supplies was within their reach, though they clearly couldn’t provide them to Bao Zhen for free. Therefore, they asked him: "The things you want, we can get for you, but it’s not without charge."
Bao Zhen understood this, even before the disaster, during national relief efforts, at most some emergency supplies would be provided, and exchanging with personal belongings was entirely expected.
"Then I’ll trade you with my chickens or ducks! Do you want chicken or duck? How about 150 liters of gasoline per one?" Bao Zhen thought for a moment, taking out what he could trade.
"150 liters is too much! At most, we can get you 100 liters; 150 liters, we can’t manage that!" The staff member swallowed upon hearing Bao Zhen say he could trade chickens or ducks, and began bargaining with him.
Watching them negotiate, Chen Xin didn’t intervene, merely stepping aside to play with Bao Zhen’s pet fox and dog.
It was, after all, the first time since the disaster that Chen Xin had seen rather large living animals.