Snowstorm: I’m Super Rich in the Apocalypse
Chapter 250 On the Road

Chapter 250: Chapter 250 On the Road

The little soldiers really got to satisfy their cravings today because Gu Pan was worried that the meat back at home would go bad. So she brought along the salted meat and the wild boar meat that hadn’t been fully dried. The bumpy road was unsuitable for storage, so they planned to eat it all along the way to prevent waste.

Upon hearing Gu Pan say that not only could they have so much meat today, but also throughout the journey, the little soldiers were so happy they could practically jump for joy.

Rice was also provided in sufficient quantity. Although it was mixed with brown rice, the majority was still white rice, so everyone was really full and very satisfied after the meal.

After eating, everyone complained of being too full, so apart from those who were standing guard and keeping watch, the rest exercised to aid their digestion.

With full stomachs, everyone’s mood improved. The little soldiers, usually quite silent, now seemed to have found new vitality, chatting endlessly about everything under the sun. After all, the people from the base were from all corners of the world.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng also really enjoyed listening to them, joining in, handing out candy and sunflower seeds, and chatting together.

With many young people around, they talked about some online games before the apocalypse, some videos, and some pop culture. The topics were endless.

They talked late into the night before going to sleep.

At night, the tents were covered with blackout fabric so that they could sleep more soundly.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng slept in the small tent they brought themselves, which meant that while they were ostensibly in the tent, they could actually enter the "Space" to sleep more peacefully.

Lu Jianshe took Lu Ruiming to sleep in the marching tent with the soldiers.

Lu Ruiming was obedient because he had not yet reached the main base and had not seen the old lady. He did not dare to act rashly, afraid of being beaten by Gu Pan and the others.

The next morning, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng were awoken by noise and hurriedly left the tent.

Outside, there were ten ragged, thin, and dirty middle-aged people arguing with the convoy leader.

The leading man said to the convoy leader, "We’re not trying to rob anyone; we just want some food. Aren’t we all human? Can you really bear to watch us starve to death?"

The convoy leader had seen this situation many times before: "We’re just a transport convoy, carrying the experimental data for a supplement medicine that could sustain humanity. If the research succeeds and mass production begins, people won’t need to eat food anymore; just one pill would suffice for a day’s nutrition. You should know the importance of our mission. We’re not carrying goods, so we naturally have nothing to offer you."

The leading man laughed, but it was a laugh of despair: "When will the supplement medicine be researched successfully? Will I still be alive to see that day? Will ordinary people like us ever have access to it after it is produced? You speak nice words. You promised that after building the base, everyone would be able to live there. And then what? The first group went in, with promises to expand and welcome a second group who would continue building the base to accommodate more people. What happened in the end? The requirements became increasingly strict, the threshold higher; isn’t it just to keep us out? Have you ever considered us as part of your own?"

Lu Jianshe walked over and replied to the man: "No one could have anticipated the sudden apocalypse. The base has always been striving to its utmost to save more people, but sadly, it’s just not possible to satisfy everyone."

The leading man asked, "Then why can the family members of base staff live there? What contributions have they made?"

Hearing this, Gu Pan also felt that the man’s question was not without reason. For instance, Lu Ruiming was someone who had entered the base undeservedly. However, there were also reasons to stabilize the researchers’ morale, allowing them to focus on their work. In the times of the apocalypse, many things could not be judged by conventional standards, and these were not for them to comment on rashly.

Lu Jianshe gave an official response: "Only if the families of base workers are safe can they focus on serving the people with peace of mind."

The leading man sneered: "Their families are human, and we’re not?"

Hearing this, Gu Pan could only sigh. Some things just could not be addressed at this time.

Lu Jianshe’s expression was grave. He felt guilty toward these people, but the current situation was unavoidable. It was the apocalypse; they could only save what was most important. Of course, there were some things that simply couldn’t be spoken aloud; those who understood, understood.

He said, "These are decisions made by the higher-ups. We are responsible for transporting and truly can’t help you otherwise."

The leading man said, "We’re not trying to be unreasonable; we just want a meal. We truly can’t go on any longer. Only when we reach the town ahead can we search for supplies."

Lu Jianshe thought for a moment and said, "I can give you some of my own supplies as a gesture of goodwill, but I can’t break military rules."

He was a man of principle, but that didn’t mean he was heartless. He couldn’t breach regulations, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t help others within his abilities.

Gu Pan understood her Second Uncle’s intentions. She carried her backpack over and handed it to Lu Jianshe. It contained plenty of food, which Second Uncle would distribute judiciously, so Gu Pan didn’t need to instruct him.

Lu Ruisheng also understood his wife’s intentions. He said nothing, simply standing by her side in case the conversation took a turn, to ensure Gu Pan wouldn’t get hurt.

Lu Jianshe also understood Gu Pan’s actions and did not reject them. He took a few packs of compressed biscuits out of the backpack and handed them to the man: "We really don’t have much spare, and if there’s a change in weather on the road, we might be delayed and need some supplies. This is all we can offer right now."

The leading man didn’t actually want to confront the military. Having received some food, he was content: "Good, I hope the people at your base will develop a conscience."

After saying this, he led his people away. Some arguments couldn’t culminate in a clear right or wrong. That this man could offer food proved he wasn’t heartless, and they didn’t want to be troublesome either. After all, he was carrying out orders from above and couldn’t change anything.

Lu Jianshe hurriedly organized the convoy to set off again to avoid encountering more people.

To be truthful, had someone pressed them forcefully, or had they merely begged, the convoy would not have provided food. But the words of the man just now truly touched Lu Jianshe and the others; every word cut deep.

Sometimes, it is better for people to be a bit oblivious, but that man was too discerning, and his words indeed caused some guilt in Lu Jianshe and the others.

As they set off again, their mood was somewhat subdued. Everyone was entangled in their thoughts, yet they could not voice them. They were the beneficiaries within the base, so they were not in a position to comment.

They also had heard some rumors, that if the time came to evacuate, not everyone would have the opportunity. So one day, they too might be discarded, perhaps even worse off than these men.

Tonight, they set up camp near a desolate stretch of land, a place with no villages in sight nor stores behind, not likely to encounter refugees. Honestly, they didn’t want to face those people because it was always heart-wrenching. Unable to offer help, they were wracked with a sense of guilt.

Dinner was still prepared by Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng, and everyone was very satisfied.

Perhaps it was the most joyful part of their day. Without the delicious meal, their mood would’ve been even worse. This meal revitalized everyone’s spirits.