"You know so much, why don't you join the Awakened in your neighborhood?" Han Ning casually remarked.
"Because... because they're not human, they're beasts! They take advantage of their powers to bully the weak and violate women. I'd rather die than stay with them," Lao Xu quickly replied.
"Benefactor, Lao Xu isn't just good at cooking. He was a second mate—he knows how to sail. With this city about to be flooded, you must understand how valuable someone who can operate a boat is!"
The tall, thin man beside Lao Xu added another point.
"Oh?"
Han Ning paused mid-step and turned around.
"You can really sail?"
He was completely ignorant about maritime matters and didn't know whether a second mate could actually sail a ship. Shouldn't that be the captain's job?
Under Han Ning's scrutinizing gaze, Lao Xu lowered his head and explained:
"I used to work on large cargo ships. Strictly speaking, modern cargo ships mostly use autopilots. The second mate's job is to monitor instruments, plan routes, and correct deviations—manual steering isn't necessary."
"But... in this energy-scarce environment, large cargo ships definitely can't operate. Plus, sailing them requires multiple crew members. If you want to travel by sea, you'd have to use a sailboat."
Lao Xu gritted his teeth:
"As for sailboats... I can handle those."
Someone who could sail...
Han Ning felt a flicker of interest. After a moment's thought, he said, "Wait here for me."
...
A short while later, with Snowflake's help, Han Ning moved all usable supplies from the first and second floors of the convenience store to the rooftop.
The store wasn't large, and its supplies were limited.
Most of the food had been soaked in floodwater for too long and was no longer edible.
What remained were:
A dozen or so bags of relatively intact potato chips and shrimp crackers.
Several large boxes of individually wrapped chocolates and milk candies in foil or plastic.
Dozens of bottles of various brands of mineral water, carbonated drinks, and sports drinks.
And over twenty cans of fish and fruit.
Finally, the classic convenience store fare:
Three boxes of cup noodles, four boxes of bagged instant noodles.
Five vacuum-sealed bags of starch sausages, four bags of volcanic stone grilled sausages, and two large bags of assorted oden balls.
Han Ning's gaze returned to Lao Xu.
In this world about to be swallowed by floods, someone who knew how to sail a boat was far more valuable than all these snacks and drinks combined.
Earlier, in that life-or-death moment, this man had risked his life to save his companions and knelt without pride for his daughter's sake. Such responsibility was especially precious in the apocalypse.
Though he couldn't fully trust him yet, Han Ning's first impression of the man wasn't bad.
"Lao Xu, come with me. As for these supplies..." He pointed to a small pile separated from the rest—mainly some compressed biscuits, ten bottles of water, well-sealed candies, a box of cup noodles, a box of bagged instant noodles, and a bag of starch sausages.
"Split these among yourselves. Use them sparingly—they should last you a few days."
Lao Xu and the other three stared at the life-saving food, their eyes burning with desperate hope.
"Thank you! Thank you, benefactor!"
Lao Xu and his companions were so excited their voices trembled as they repeatedly bowed, but the former soon showed a troubled expression again.
"But... my daughter is still at home. I have to go back and get her. I can't leave her alone there!"
"Fine." Han Ning nodded. He had already considered this. "Take your share and head back to Sunshine Gardens first."
"Then, Lao Xu, wait for me at the main entrance of your neighborhood."
"I'll deliver the supplies here to my place first, then meet you at the entrance of Sunshine Gardens."
He was also testing Lao Xu's character. If Lao Xu ran off with the supplies, it would mean he couldn't be trusted.
"Don't worry, benefactor. I, Lao Xu, may not have much skill, but I keep my word! Once I pick up my daughter, I'll wait for you at the entrance—no matter how long it takes!"
"Good." Han Ning said no more and motioned for them to take their allocated supplies.
The group distributed some supplies among themselves and, supporting each other, trudged through the murky floodwaters toward Sunshine Gardens with great difficulty.
Han Ning watched them disappear into the curtain of rain until their figures were completely out of sight. Then, he began packing the remaining supplies on the rooftop.
Using sturdy vines, he tightly bundled sealed bottled water, drinks, canned goods, compressed biscuits, and dried snacks into several large packages, securing them to Snowflake's back with the vines.
Looking at the turbid water, Han Ning channeled his Spiritual Power and silently recited, "Gills Technique."
Instantly, a faint blue aura shimmered over his body, and the skin on his cheeks began to distort.
A pair of peculiar gills appeared on either side of his face.
A transparent film grew over his pupils to filter out impurities.
Not only that, but his skin also sprouted dense blue fish scales, energy-formed Fish Fins extended from his elbows, and Webbed Feet of energy took shape on his feet.
[You are under the effects of the Gills Technique, consuming 0.5 Spiritual Power per minute.]
"So this is the Gills Technique? Interesting."
Han Ning looked down at the changes in his hands and feet.
"Snowflake, let's go."
He leaped into the water.
With a slight flick of his body, he glided several meters effortlessly, moving even faster than he could on land.
...
Back at Apartment 803, Han Ning unloaded the heavy supplies and immediately began organizing them without resting, sorting everything into categories.
After finishing, he instinctively glanced at the long-stopped wall clock and estimated the time.
"Time to go."
He gulped down some water and ate a few pieces of chocolate to replenish his energy before putting on his raincoat again.
The rain seemed heavier than in the morning, and the sky had grown even darker.
The murky floodwaters surged through the urban ruins, carrying more floating debris. Some low-lying buildings were already completely submerged.
Sunshine Gardens wasn't too far from their residential area. With the Gills Technique at full speed, it took less than ten minutes before a relatively dense residential area came into view.
The neighborhood's gate had long been destroyed by the flood, leaving only a twisted metal frame half-submerged in the water.
The original guard booth at the entrance was now just a tilted, mostly submerged concrete roof barely above the water's surface.
Han Ning looked ahead.
On the slippery, cold roof of the guard booth, two figures—one large, one small—were huddled together.
It was Lao Xu and a little girl wrapped tightly in layers of clothing.
He held an umbrella in one hand and tightly embraced the little girl with the other, a hiking backpack strapped to his shoulders. Beside him lay a small bundle wrapped in waterproof cloth, clearly containing the meager supplies he had managed to secure.
The wind and rain were relentless, the umbrella unable to fully shield him from the driving downpour.
The cold rain battered his body, turning his face pale and his lips purple with chill. His frame trembled uncontrollably from the cold.
When Han Ning and Snowflake broke through the water's surface near the security booth, Lao Xu abruptly lifted his head.
A bright spark ignited in his weary eyes, as if he had finally spotted a lighthouse amid the depths of despair.
He shielded his daughter with his own body, doing his utmost to keep her from the rain.
At the same time, he waved frantically at Han Ning, who was swiftly swimming toward them.