The lights outside suddenly went out. Yao Wei wanted to save electricity, so after filling the oil drum, she quickly went to the electrical box, took down the equipment, and put it back in her backpack.
Inside the station house, the mechanical dog's light suddenly became somewhat dazzling. But Lu Xi'an quickly got used to it and went over to pick up the tires.
There were three toy motorcycles on the ground, all of the same size and specifications, with six tires.
Lu Xi'an picked them up, checked them under the mechanical dog's eye light, they were intact and of good quality, they would do.
At the entrance of the station house, Yao Wei came in. Seeing the toy tires in Lu Xi'an's hand, her eyes showed some doubt, but she didn't ask.
Lu Xi'an, borrowing the light from the mechanical dog's eyes, noticed Yao Wei's expression and explained proactively: "Collecting some stuff to make a flatbed cart.
"In the future, if needed, we can attach the flatbed to the dog, let it help pull some things. What do you think?"
Yao Wei glanced at the tires in Lu Xi'an's hands, then at the mechanical dog whose eyes were shining, shook her head, and said, "No need, we have a car, we can carry things ourselves."
"I'm just messing around. Look at these small tires, any flatbed made would be very low, not easy for the dog to pull."
Said Lu Xi'an. Considering that he's currently riding in Yao Wei's car, even if the wheels were larger, the flatbed wouldn't be of much use.
Besides, the dog is Corgi-sized, very small, any cart attached to it wouldn't be much larger, not very useful.
But this was his obsession when traveling from north to south alone, always wanting to attach something to the dog. The current setup was still lacking.
So thinking about it, it was indeed an obsession, collecting things randomly.
Forget it, play around with it later, if it's no use, it can be a hidden weapon.
Hmm...
Wait!
Listening to Yao Wei, it seems like she's suggesting he can stay in the car indefinitely without needing to get out?
He glanced at Yao Wei, seeing she had no reaction, sighed and said, "Too bad I only have a blade, not a screwdriver or a wrench, so I can't try making a cart, just collecting parts for now, maybe later."
Yao Wei said, "I have them."
Lu Xi'an replied, "Thanks a lot."
Yao Wei added, "What if I end up needing to use the dog too?" She didn't waste more words, picked up the drum, and headed out.
Lu Xi'an watched her back with a slight smile, surprised that this woman would actually joke.
After leaving the gas station, Lu Xi'an had the mechanical dog turn off the light in its eyes.
In this apocalyptic world, both had long gotten used to walking in the dark, being careful, not afraid of falling into ditches.
Conversely, if they walked with lights on, they might become targets for something lurking in the darkness.
Lu Xi'an noticed that Yao Wei hadn't filled much gasoline, the metal drum was probably only half full.
But he could understand the reason—
Carrying it that way was slightly easier, and even if a full drum wouldn't be enough for a car's tank, it's better to bring some now to top off the tank, then drive back here to refill.
On the way back, they saw Jiang Yu Road, number 276, 275, 274, passing by villa 272, which was quiet inside and out, seemed the hyenas hadn't returned.
Even so, Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei didn't plan to linger.
Lu Xi'an followed Yao Wei, continuing down Jiang Yu Road, which turned into a downhill slope. Halfway down, he saw numbers 270, 269.
271 and 273 were gone.
At the bottom of the slope, after walking for over half an hour, trees lined both sides of the road, lush and green.
If it were in the past life, Lu Xi'an would have loved to walk and run in a place like this, to breathe fresh air. But in this world, this place only felt dangerous.
Who knows what might be lurking in there?
Looking over at Yao Wei, she had hidden her car inside.
Lu Xi'an followed Yao Wei into the woods, walking a short distance before seeing a car at the bottom of a small slope.
That car had large tires, a high chassis, covered in sheet metal, seeming to have many patches; even the windows were covered with iron meshes.
Lu Xi'an instantly liked the car, in this world, it looked much safer than any sports car.
But he was puzzled, looking at the ground repeatedly, why were there no tire tracks?
"I cleared them when leaving,"
Seeing Lu Xi'an's confusion, Yao Wei explained.
She didn't rush to get in the car, nor did she immediately fill up the tank. Instead, she first walked around the car to inspect it.
This step, once mandatory during her driving test, was now for checking the car's condition and observing for hidden dangers.
That's why Yao Wei examined the car carefully, with Lu Xi'an helping her check.
Once the inspection was done, Yao Wei opened the car door, put down her backpack, and threw it inside.
The tank opened, and Yao Wei took out a metal funnel from the car, using it to pour the gasoline from the metal drum.
After finishing all that, she put the drum and funnel away properly, telling Lu Xi'an, "Get in the car."
This car had a large internal space, two rows of seats, with items like a drum and funnel stored in the trunk. Although it was called a trunk, one could easily step into it from the second row of seats.
Several people could fit inside the trunk with no problem.
Lu Xi'an opened the rear door, took a look at the trunk, which was filled with various items, including a medical kit and a toolbox, he wondered where Yao Wei had acquired all this.
"Sit in the front."
Yao Wei said firmly, leaving no room for refusal.
Lu Xi'an smiled and said, "I'm just putting things away, wasn't planning to sit in the back."
Is she afraid he might launch a sneak attack from the back?
But it makes sense; if it were him, he would do the same.
In this world, who can fully trust anyone? Allowing someone to ride in the car, sharing the same row, is already a huge act of kindness.
After putting away his backpack and closing the door, then opening the front passenger door, Lu Xi'an retrieved the mechanical dog from the ground and sat in the car.
Yao Wei didn't trust Lu Xi'an, nor the mechanical dog.
Though the dog was mechanical, it was, after all, Lu Xi'an's dog.
So Lu Xi'an was very considerate, placing the dog on the front passenger seat, right at his feet.
This was the moment the dog's small size proved advantageous; the space under the front seat was more than enough for it.
"Where are your screwdriver and wrench?"
Lu Xi'an asked.
Yao Wei replied, "In the trunk. I'll get them for you after we rest and finish refueling."
Such a long reply, nearly twenty words.
Lu Xi'an suddenly felt a bit regretful; he'd run out of ink in his diary pen. Otherwise, he could note down how many words this woman said in a day.
Yao Wei started the car, the headlights turned on, and they drove back onto the road.
Lu Xi'an leaned back into the seat, feeling the hard, uncomfortable support.
He looked through the windshield at the yellowish halogen glow blending with darkness, opening up a field of view ahead.
The inside of the car was pitch black, with weak phosphorescence emanating from the gaps between the dashboard and control panel buttons, evoking a fleeting sense of nostalgia.
How long had it been since he last sat in a car?
Such nostalgia!
Lu Xi'an turned to look at Yao Wei, who was tensely driving, maintaining her vigilance against him.
He chuckled, saying, "Relax, I won't do anything. The car is under your control. If I tried something, and you crashed the car, would I end up any better off?"
The woman fell silent for a moment after Lu Xi'an said this, then slightly relaxed, replying, "Alright."
The car drove past Jiang Yu Road, once again seeing Villa 272, but this time it faded past as a roadside, insignificant landscape in their view.
Soon they arrived at the abandoned gas station; Yao Wei parked next to the pump they confirmed was still usable, but didn't turn off the engine.
She observed from inside the car for a while, and after making sure nobody was around, opened the door and stepped out with her gun.
Lu Xi'an followed her lead, taking his gun as he got out.
Although he had a handgun holstered at his waist, he held a submachine gun in his hand.