The black cat inexplicably turned into a calico, and Xiaoyu vanished from the hospital as if by magic. Although Xiao Shu had been thoroughly repulsed by Xiaoyu’s hysterical frenzy after finding him by the Fountain of Youth, the fact remained that his very life had been saved by Xiaoyu time and again. His disappearance was therefore something he felt compelled to address with all his might. If Xiaoyu had gone down to the underworld, Xiao Shu swore he would haul him back out, one life repaid by another, provided the plan was feasible.

Thinking this, Xiao Shu arranged for Ali to stay at the hospital and look after Hua Gu. He hired a temporary caregiver to rotate shifts with Ali, ensured they had enough money for necessities, and then hailed a tricycle at the hospital entrance to rush into the city.

The city was indeed in chaos, just as the rumors suggested. Glass lay shattered everywhere on the streets, burnt-out billboards gaped uselessly, and every single shop had been completely looted and gutted. Occasionally, one could spot people with bandaged hands or feet scavenging among the rubble for anything the bandits might have dropped. With the exception of armed soldiers, no one dared walk down the main avenues with their heads held high. The once prosperous town presented a scene beyond description. Had Xiao Shu been driving a sedan or a truck instead of riding a tricycle, he would undoubtedly have attracted the malevolent gazes lurking on street corners, instantly marking him as the next target—a meal for the robbers.

The urban landscape unfolding before Xiao Shu utterly surpassed his imagination. Apart from large, indestructible architectural landmarks, there were virtually no reference points left; he asked several people, but none knew how to direct him to the residential compound where Xiaoyu lived. Finally, he found an informant who claimed he’d share information for a fee. Xiao Shu paid him a hundred Yuan and located the place where he had once eaten noodles.

Yellow police tape cordoned off the compound, guarded by a line of heavily armed officers pacing back and forth. When Xiao Shu tried to push past, someone stopped him, questioned his identity, and then thoroughly frisked him. His Swiss Army knife—the very tool that had once saved his life by the Sea of the Dead—was unceremoniously confiscated as contraband and tossed into a disposal bin before he was allowed entry. As for whether Xiaoyu was inside, or if Xiaoyu’s sister had appeared, the police claimed total ignorance. With so many people seeking refuge in the makeshift shelters, it seemed impossible for anyone to remember so many faces.

Given permission by the police, Xiao Shu ducked under the yellow tape, skirting the imposing stone monument at the main gate, before finally seeing the scene within the compound. Recalling its former prosperity and serenity, the sight of this makeshift refugee camp, strewn with tents and reeking of a strange odor mingled with flies, wrung his heart with sorrow. Residents who lived in the apartment blocks had, following official instructions, shared their homes with others; those not granted such favor were living with their entire families on the open ground of the complex.

Whenever a newcomer crossed the police line, the people sitting outside the tents would fix them with yearning, scrutinizing gazes. Those who still had empty space nearby watched the newcomer with open hostility; if the newcomer possessed any daily necessities, everyone would swarm forward, attempting to trade their meager personal belongings for those indispensable supplies. Someone spotted the water canteen hanging off the back of Xiao Shu’s backpack and offered two packs of compressed biscuits in exchange, an offer Xiao Shu politely declined. It was rumored the government had organized several airdrops, but the supply simply couldn't meet the demand—too many hungry mouths. Restoring normal order was the only fundamental way to solve the crisis.

“Xiao Shu!” Just as Xiao Shu was wandering aimlessly around the tents, a voice called out from behind him. The sound was so familiar that, upon hearing it, Xiao Shu felt an overwhelming urge to weep. After a moment, he forced a smile, slowly turned around, and met the gaze of the person who had called his name.