The crowd was in a panic, rushing to get out. In many tall buildings in Yanjing, modifications were underway. Anti-aircraft guns were being installed. With only one night to prepare for the next day's attack, every moment was crucial.
Many night ravens were still flying in the night sky, specifically targeting stragglers. The city was teeming with people, which for a time deterred the night ravens from attacking.
At this moment, everyone in Yanjing was in a state of panic. Some were busy fighting, some were fleeing for their lives, and others were waiting for reinforcements, which, of course, wouldn't arrive for at least a day or two.
Amidst the crowd, some began to complain, "Weren't they always boasting about how strong the ability users are? Weren't they the saviors of our world? Why can't the ability users stand up and protect us in this crisis? Why?"
Hearing these words, Sayaka couldn't help but retort internally, "The ability users who were willing to protect you have been terribly wronged by you all. Who would still be willing to protect you?"
Others also chimed in at this moment, "These scoundrels, they always show off how powerful they are, as if this world couldn't function without them. But now, they're all playing dead. I think in the future, we can't rely on ability users to survive."
"Stop talking. Ability users might not be able to kill the mutated birds, but they can kill you and me. So, shut up." Someone, unwilling to be implicated, advised as they walked away.
As the saying goes, in this day and age, it's not the blindfolded Bodhisattvas you should fear, but the wrathful Vajras.
With power at their command, ability users are formidable. Killing someone is as easy as playing around, so it's best not to offend them.
"Hmph, I don't care about any of this. I'm leaving Yanjing immediately. I'm going south to live in a small city. I think everything is fake. The idea that ability users can protect us is fake, and that they are saviors is also fake. It's all just hype. I'm done, I'm out!" the person who was complaining earlier continued.
Others, helpless, could only distance themselves from this fellow, lest they be implicated when the ability users retaliated.
In reality, the ability users had no time to concern themselves with such matters. The ability users within Yanjing had already gathered to discuss how to defeat the mutated birds. The public's curses were unlikely to reach their ears.
The city gates became very crowded; too many people wanted to leave Yanjing. Even with over twenty city gates, it was impossible to effectively evacuate the masses.
Sayaka, blending in with the crowd, looked at the diverse people around her and sighed, "As expected of China. Even in the apocalypse, it has such a large population. The strength is truly immense."
Japan also had a population of a hundred million. So many people living in such a small land was a miracle in itself, but their economy was better, which was understandable. However, in the apocalypse, the population had directly dropped to ten million, and the cities had suddenly become sparse. Seeing so many people still in Yanjing after the disaster, Sayaka couldn't help but marvel at the sheer numbers.
Mingling with the crowd, Sayaka left Yanjing. Upon reaching the city gates, she saw many tricycles, each with a robust man on it, constantly shouting, "Money for a ride! Twenty jin of grain and we'll go! I'll take you south to Luoyang, Kaifeng, Jinan, Xuzhou. Pay and go!"
There were never a shortage of genuine people in this world, and similarly, there were never a shortage of those who would take advantage of a crisis. These tricycle riders clearly had unkind expressions, most likely the kind of lonely old bachelors who couldn't even find a wife. The reason was simple: their personalities. And now, they saw an opportunity to extort people.
When men went to inquire about the price, these tricycle riders were clearly indifferent. But if women went to inquire, they immediately became enthusiastic. Such a stark difference in attitude already indicated many things.
Indeed, a few women fell for it. After paying the grain, they sat on the tricycles and were taken away by these men.
Sayaka didn't want to bother with these people. She was an ability user and could move without any issues with Yue Hengyi on her back. Moreover, she had already realized that these tricycles specifically catering to women were all operated by villains. Normally, they made a living by riding tricycles, unable to find wives because they had no other skills. Factories didn't need them, and even manual labor opportunities were scarce. Such people couldn't support a family.
And now, these ill-intentioned individuals had suddenly started a business catering to women, which clearly indicated their intention to abduct women.
However, while Sayaka didn't want to deal with them, someone approached Sayaka. It was a muscular, burly man with tattoos on his arm, who rode a human-powered tricycle to her side and said, "Beautiful lady, the person on your back is your husband, right? You're too slow. How far can you walk in the middle of the night? I'll take you, and I guarantee we'll be fast. Fifty kilometers in one night is no problem!"
Sayaka didn't want to deal with this fellow and continued walking straight ahead.
But this man wasn't going to give up. He was captivated by Sayaka's beauty. In his eyes, this woman looked to be in her thirties, the most mature stage of life, exuding an alluring aura. The moment he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Moreover, this woman looked exactly like Qin Kewei from the newspapers.
As the man rode his tricycle, he thought about how to trick her. The man on this beautiful woman was likely her husband, and he looked like a sickly person, someone not to be concerned about. And with so many people around, he couldn't make a move directly.
"Wait a minute. This woman isn't carrying any luggage or food, which means she has no money or food, and can't afford my ride," the man realized.
The man's name was Han Weide. He had been a bachelor for many years and could never find a wife. The reason was simple: he lacked ability. His education was poor, his emotional intelligence was insufficient, and he couldn't work honestly, changing jobs every few days. Naturally, no one would hire such a person.
Han Weide immediately rode his tricycle to catch up with Sayaka and said, "Beautiful lady, riding my tricycle is free! No money, no grain needed. I'm a good person! I'm willing to take you south for free. Let's go together."
Upon hearing what this fellow said, everyone couldn't help but scoff, "Who in the world calls themselves a good person? This guy looks like a scoundrel. Who would fall for such an obvious trap?"
The people of China were taught by their elders long ago that a pie doesn't fall from the sky, and there's no free lunch in the world. Unsolicited kindness often hides malicious intent.
Therefore, everyone knew that free things were the most expensive. When good luck favors you, you need to consider if it's a trap.
And Han Weide's thoughts were practically written on his face. Such a lecherous fellow was trying to trick someone. If anyone fell for it, they would be truly foolish.
Everyone thought Sayaka wouldn't fall for it. But at this moment, Sayaka looked up and hesitated for a moment. She placed Yue Hengyi on the tricycle to lie down, and then she herself sat on it, actually agreeing.
Han Weide was overjoyed, thinking, "She actually took the bait! It seems my good fortune has finally arrived."
The other refugees couldn't bear to watch. Such a beautiful woman was so easily deceived. It was truly a pity.
A kind person warned, "Young lady, get down quickly! While we are all still here, if you get down, he won't do anything to you. But once he takes you to a secluded place, you'll be in danger."
There were always many clear-headed people in the world. They had already seen through Han Weide's intentions, which were nothing more than abducting women.
Han Weide, his plan exposed, became enraged and directly threatened loudly, "You bastards, shut up if you don't understand anything! I'm taking this girl along because I see she's having a hard time. You're just typical people who can't stand seeing others do well and want everyone to walk like you. Stop being jealous!"
After speaking, Han Weide, fearing the beautiful woman behind him might change her mind, immediately set off. Although he was carrying two people in the tricycle's cargo bed, he felt full of strength as he rode. It seemed his claim of traveling fifty kilometers in one night was not an exaggeration.
Sayaka hugged Yue Hengyi and whispered, "Don't be angry. It's not that I don't understand. I just want this vehicle!"
At this time, China's oil shortage had not eased. Although oil had been discovered in Siberia, it still required time to transport it to the country. Therefore, cars couldn't be used normally. There were many vehicles, but not enough gasoline.
Sayaka also realized this. Walking on her own feet would clearly not be fast enough. But with a tricycle, it would be different. Although Sayaka's legs were slender and long, she was also strong enough to pedal a tricycle. With a tricycle, she could advance rapidly.
Yue Hengyi nodded vigorously, indicating that he had no doubts. At Sayaka's level, even if she were deceived, she could easily kill hundreds of people. Tricking her wouldn't be easy.
At this moment, Han Weide chose to take a smaller road, explaining as he went, "I know a shortcut. We can get away from Yanjing very quickly, and this road is absolutely safe."
Sayaka said nothing, but a cold glint gradually appeared in her eyes.
Finally, Han Weide led Sayaka and Yue Hengyi to a remote small mountain village. Upon arriving, there was no one around, and his true face was revealed. He jumped down from the tricycle's driver's seat, smiled, and said, "Wife, you'll stay with me from now on. Now, let me take care of my physiological needs."
As he spoke, Han Weide began to unbuckle his belt. As for his physiological needs, the answer was quite obvious.
Sayaka looked around, seemingly trying to observe the escape routes. But the surroundings were all open and empty. There wasn't even a stray dog in the small mountain village. Here, indeed, one could call out to heaven and earth, but no one would answer.
"Since there's no one here, then prepare to die," Sayaka said in Chinese. Although the words were in Chinese, they sounded rather strange to Han Weide's ears.
Han Weide finally noticed something was wrong and exclaimed in surprise, "You... you're a foreigner?"
Sayaka didn't answer. She slowly placed Yue Hengyi on the tricycle, leaped down from the vehicle, and a ball of flame appeared in her hand, which she slowly approached the man who had brought her to the small mountain village.
Han Weide was stunned by the flame that suddenly appeared out of thin air. Such a technique seemed to be something only ability users could perform. Had he provoked an ability user this time?
Thinking of this, Han Weide's lower body immediately wilted. Without a word, he turned and ran.
Sayaka didn't pursue him. She casually threw the fireball. When the fireball landed on Han Weide, it immediately ignited into raging flames that were impossible to extinguish.
Having dealt with the person with ill intentions, Sayaka smiled and turned to say, "Lord Yue Hengyi, now we have a vehicle..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her words got stuck in her throat because Sayaka saw the empty cargo bed. Yue Hengyi had actually disappeared. In Sayaka's mind, she and Yue Hengyi would be able to stay together forever, becoming an immortal couple.
But now, Yue Hengyi had disappeared, and Sayaka's heart sank to the bottom.