The entire Nameless City was immersed in a peaceful atmosphere on New Year's Eve. Throughout the day, many idle people flocked to the streets to wander.
When they had eaten their fill and had no other entertainment, they gathered in groups of three or five, chatting, occasionally sharing their experiences of killing zombies, or gossiping about events in other people's homes.
As night fell, those who should have returned to their residences were surprised to find that the lanterns hanging on the city streets had lit up.
It turned out that these red lanterns were all connected to electricity. That night, the entire Nameless City was bathed in a red glow. Even without the usual clamor of firecrackers, people once again felt the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
The red lanterns remained lit all night until the first ray of dawn fell upon the city walls. The night watch personnel then turned off all the lights in the city.
A considerable amount of electricity was consumed that night. The power stored in several large battery packs was almost completely depleted.
Fortunately, the sun rose high every day, and after a while, those batteries would be recharged.
Bang bang bang.
On the morning of the first day of the New Year, Lu Heng, who should have been sleeping in, once again heard the sound of knocking coming from the courtyard outside.
Today was still a day for the entire city to stay indoors and celebrate. If it weren't for a zombie attack, Lu Heng couldn't think of any other reason for people to come and disturb him.
Before Lu Heng could get up to check, Lin Yu had already rushed to the courtyard to see what was happening.
"What is it?" Lin Yu's voice was still calm, undisturbed by the sudden commotion.
He also knew that without something important, the guards on duty would not come to disturb them when the entire city was locked down and no one was going out.
"There's someone here who claims to be your father," the person who knocked reported in a low voice.
"What?" Lin Yu thought he had misheard. The last time he left without saying goodbye to his father, he had also left a letter.
Lin Yu felt that if he were his father, seeing the letter and his son leaving without a word, he would be so angry that he would disown him. He wondered what business his father had coming in person.
"I know, did he come alone?"
"No, five people came with him, but they arrived by helicopter. Both the people and the helicopter are parked in the barbican."
"Alright, have them wait there for a while. I'll be there soon." Lin Yu dismissed the messenger and looked up at the window on the fourth floor.
Then, with some helplessness, he returned to the fourth floor. He still had to inform Lu Heng about this matter.
Lu Heng had heard the conversation downstairs from his room, but he had no intention of interfering. If Lin Yu's father came to Nameless City, he wouldn't be able to take Lin Yu away silently like last time. He had confidence in Lin Yu, and even more confidence in his Nameless City.
Since the residential area demarcated by Lu Heng included several small buildings and an open space, only Lu Heng and Lin Yu lived there. Therefore, Lu Heng had used the power generated by the solar panels installed on several buildings for the building where he and Lin Yu resided.
At this moment, the building had been refitted with an air conditioning system, and the central air conditioning ran twenty-four hours a day throughout the building.
Thus, even in this cold winter, his building was the most comfortable place in the entire Nameless City.
Getting out of bed, Lu Heng, wearing only his pajamas, went to the living room. He had heard Lin Yu finish his conversation with the messenger and return. Based on his understanding of Lin Yu, he guessed that Lin Yu would come to report his father's arrival to him.
However, Lin Yu stood at his door for a long time without coming in, and his thoughts were transmitted to Lu Heng's mind.
"I wonder if Brother Lu is awake. What's the matter with my father coming? I clearly explained everything last time, so why is he looking for me again? How should I tell Brother Lu about this?"
Lu Heng sighed and said towards the door, "Come in, I'm already awake."
Hearing Lu Heng's words, Lin Yu put away his wandering thoughts, pushed open the door, and walked in.
"Brother Lu, the city guards said my father has arrived."
"Then go and see him. Fulfill your duties as a host. I won't accompany you. You still need to face some things and can't always evade them. Also, see under what guise your father is coming to see you, as a father, or as military personnel from their side."
Lin Yu nodded thoughtfully at Lu Heng's words, then turned and left quickly.
Seeing Lin Yu leave, Lu Heng got up and walked to the window, looking at the retreating figure below with a gentle sigh.
In this life, people cannot escape the ties of family affection. Although Lin Yu always said he didn't care about his father, there was no great hatred between him and his father, so Lu Heng didn't take Lin Yu's words about severing their father-son relationship too seriously. As long as Lin Yu didn't betray him, Lu Heng would just turn a blind eye to some things.
...
Meanwhile, Lin Yu drove quickly away from the inner city, heading towards the city gate. Fortunately, the entire city was still sealed off today, and the people in the city had not woken up early. Everyone was enjoying a rare lie-in to rest, so the journey to the city gate was smooth.
The guards at the outer city gate saluted Lin Yu as he approached. Lin Yu rolled down the car window and said, "Open the city gate, I'm going out to take a look."
Upon receiving the order, the guards quickly opened the city gate, allowing Lin Yu's car to pass, and then they closed the heavy city gate again.
With a sharp brake, Lin Yu stopped his car in the barbican. About five meters away, a military off-road vehicle was also parked.
There was a two-minute silence before someone in the car opposite could no longer hold back. A middle-aged man and two others got out of the car.
Lin Yu looked at the middle-aged man who had gotten out of the car opposite, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
"Lin Yu, is that you?" The middle-aged man walked a few steps towards Lin Yu's car and finally stopped at a certain distance.
This was because Lin Yu's car, like others, had tinted windows. This was to defend against zombies and to prevent others from peeking into the car. Therefore, vehicles in the post-apocalyptic world were generally fitted with black privacy film.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu released his grip on the steering wheel, opened the car door, and got out.
"Dad."
"Yes, it's good to see you doing well in Nameless City, Lin Yu. This father is relieved."
The stiff words dispelled the excitement in Lin Yu's heart. He looked at his father and asked, "Dad, what business do you have coming to see me today?"
"Are we going to talk here? Aren't you going to invite me in?" the middle-aged man asked with a wry smile, looking at Lin Yu.
Lin Yu hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Then come in with me. But I'd like to know, is your visit today for official business or personal matters?"
"Both."
Lin Yu nodded, turned to the guards on the city wall and made a gesture, then turned back to his car. "Then follow me inside."
With a bang, Lin Yu closed the car door and drove quickly towards the city.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man couldn't help but shake his head. Then, he quickly returned to his car with the others and followed Lin Yu's car.