Xu Yan only learned about natural disasters such as heavy rain, fog, and others, in addition to extreme heat, after her daughter was reborn.
However, the structure of this lighthouse seemed to have been built specifically to withstand natural disasters.
Xu An did not answer her mother, but shook her head, signaling her not to say any more.
This was a public place, and there were countless cameras in a small passageway alone. Xu An could not guarantee that there were no "monitoring" devices watching their every move.
Xu Yan naturally understood the seriousness of the situation and stopped talking. The two of them, recovering from their initial shock, followed the crowd towards the relief warehouse.
When Xu An heard the guide say that the lighthouse could use special sound waves and a certain technology to achieve the effect of "invisibility" in the air,
her heart gradually sank.
She remembered the giant unknown monsters in the fog. The lighthouse's "invisibility" effect was tailor-made to evade such monsters.
Yet, the lighthouse was indeed a product of the previous life.
"Could it be that besides me, there are really other reborn individuals?"
And this reborn individual not only participated in the construction of the lighthouse but also modified the original lighthouse?
The more she thought about it, the more alarmed she became.
So, did the country know about the impending apocalypse long ago?
Xu An dared not think further. She just wanted to be a slacker who could lie flat in the apocalypse.
She wanted to avoid things that sounded like conspiracy theories as much as possible.
The guide led the group to an elevator and instructed, "This is the elevator to the negative first floor. I will only take you through it once. Within Dawn, whether you take the elevator or a hovercar, you need to swipe your ID card. The first three days are free; subsequent usage will be charged, one transaction coin at a time."
As the guide spoke, he let everyone follow him in and pressed the floor button.
The elevator was very large, capable of holding about 500 people at a time.
"Little Liu, why does everything in this shelter cost money?"
Xu An looked at the nameplate on the guide's body—Liu Can.
A beautiful name.
Liu Can merely glanced at the man and said nothing.
The man, feeling awkward, saw that no one was paying attention to him and also stopped talking.
One could imagine that such a massive structure would consume an unknown amount of resources just to maintain its operation.
Resources needed to be mined. If it weren't for the lack of money, who wouldn't want to be a slacker? Who would want to do the bitter, dirty, and tiring work?
It was precisely because maintaining life in the lighthouse consumed a large number of transaction coins that these people were forced to brave the dangers, leave the lighthouse to search for supplies, and undertake mining and excavation work.
This way, people could return to a life of labor for production.
Re-establish normal social order.
The relief warehouse was located at the northernmost end of the negative first floor.
What appeared before them were rows of silver-white warehouses, marked with numbers 12345... These warehouses occupied a vast area.
They followed Liu Can to the entrance of Warehouse No. 3.
"Alright, I'll take you here. I wish you a pleasant stay."
After speaking, Liu Can turned and left.
There was a card slot-like device at the door. Someone swiped their ID card, and the next moment, the large white door opened.
Inside the silver-white building were densely packed bunk beds, four layers high, equipped with handrails. The aisle between the beds was only wide enough for one person to pass.
Overall, it was very cramped and small.
It could only satisfy the basic need for sleeping.
There were already quite a few "original residents" in the relief warehouse, but no one主动 greeted each other, and the atmosphere was so awkward it felt frozen.
Xu An did not join their awkward staring contest. She pulled her mother to a secluded corner, found two connected lower bunks, and sat down.
She took out half a bottle of mineral water and two packs of compressed biscuits from her backpack. With so many people around, they could only make do with these.
"No wonder pets aren't allowed here," Xu Yan muttered as she bit into a compressed biscuit.
"Probably for easier management."
Disputes caused by pets were common, and with such a dense population, it was hard to avoid encountering people who were timid or afraid of cats and dogs.
So, to avoid trouble, pets were simply prohibited.
Although this one-size-fits-all policy was crude, it was indeed efficient.
Besides, there wasn't even standing room for people here, let alone small animals.
After sitting on the bunks, everyone looked a bit dejected.
After all, having witnessed the prosperity and tranquility of the first floor of the lighthouse, no one would have a smile on their face coming here.
They were now living in Warehouse No. 3. The people still in the warehouse, apart from the newcomers, were only the elderly and children who had stayed behind.
Xu Yan was curious and found out after inquiring that everyone else had gone to the construction team for mining or out to search for supplies.
The construction team's working hours were from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
There was no strict requirement; participation was by sign-up, but payment was calculated by the hour, and meals were provided based on hours worked.
Some who wanted to earn more would work the full 12 hours, while others would slack off, working for a while before giving up.
After all, after three days, they would all have to move out.
If they didn't want to be homeless, they had to work hard. Perhaps they could even afford better housing for their families and allow their children to continue their education.
Once life had prospects and hope, everyone was willing to fight for it.
"Mom, eat quickly. Rest early after eating, and we'll go out to see tomorrow."
"Okay."
Xu Yan nodded, she was truly tired.
From queuing to entering the lighthouse, it had taken the entire day.
Xu An looked at the clock on the wall; it was already eight o'clock in the evening, but people were still coming and going.
At any time, diligent people were never few.
Xu An opened her backpack, took out the bed sheets and pillowcases they had brought, and quickly changed them, trying not to disturb anyone.
After finishing, they went to the public restroom, intending to wash their faces. Upon entering the restroom, they saw a sight: hundreds of people were lined up.
Due to the extreme heat, everyone had not washed for several months. Now that there was free water, why not take the opportunity to clean themselves up?
After all, according to the lighthouse's "attitude," the water fees would likely not be cheap after three days.
Seeing the scene, Xu Yan decisively gave up. They had showered daily in the RV on the way, so they weren't that dirty.
After a brief discussion, the mother and daughter decided to make do for the night and returned.
The open dormitory offered no privacy at all. The mother and daughter dared not make any movements, afraid of being noticed by ill-intentioned people.
The apocalypse had been ongoing for about half a year, and Xu An felt that today was the hardest day she had experienced.
Xu An placed her backpack under her pillow, took out her dagger, and placed it under her pillow as well. After finishing, she finally lay down on the bed, looking at the iron frame above her head. She thought that she should find a house as soon as possible.
Xu Yan clearly shared the same thought.
Time flowed by.
Although they were very tired, it was the first time for both of them to sleep in a dormitory-style bunk bed. Moreover, there were thousands of people in the dormitory. The intermittent snores and conversations, as well as the "creaking...creaking..." sounds of chewing food, were maddening.
But no one came out to maintain order.
No one wanted to meddle and get into trouble.
Xu An closed her eyes, but her mind was wide awake. She missed Gou Dan a little. It had been half a year, and this was the first time Gou Dan had left her.
Thinking of Gou Dan leaving with Xiang Qin, Xu An felt so angry that she gritted her teeth, wishing she could pluck out its remaining few tufts of dog fur.
"Unใจ little stupid dog!"