Ch44 Shen Que, There's Something Wrong with These Noodles
"Shen Que, look-these instant noodles don't even have a production date."
After taking the noodles, Meng Ci felt the portion seemed off and examined the basic information on the package.
The bag looked identical to the instant noodles he usually ate, but there was no production date printed on it.
"This can't be a counterfeit product, can it?"
Shen Que examined his own packet closely. "Indeed, there isn't."
"But the packaging looks brand new. It doesn't seem like expired goods."
"And the brand name is correct."
Shen Que opened his packet. Inside, there wasn't even a seasoning packet.
Only a transparent plastic bag containing about half a spoonful of salt.
"Could this be newly produced?"
Meng Ci opened a packet of instant noodles too, finding identical contents inside. The noodles weren't pure wheat either, with a slightly darkened color.
Shen Que broke off a piece to taste. "This seems to be a blend of wheat and buckwheat."
With this packet in hand, Meng Ci became even more certain that someone had reincarnated.
Knowing the apocalypse would last many years, they'd restricted food distribution from the start.
As for the instant noodle machine, it must have been assembled before the downpour. Otherwise, how could such a complex machine have been acquired so quickly?
He'd have to be more cautious from now on, ensuring no one discovered he was also unique.
The only thing Meng Ci felt fortunate about was that with no electricity or internet, news of his bulk purchases couldn't spread.
The moment the two reached the seventeenth floor, they spotted Zhang Mingtian waiting for them at the stairwell entrance.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
"Did you need something?" Meng Ci inquired.
Zhang Mingtian replied, "Nothing major, really."
"I just heard someone caused trouble for you last night. Want us to handle it?"
"No need. We can manage it ourselves," Meng Ci declined.
"Oh, and you didn't give the food you found to those two, did you?"
Zhang Mingtian shook his head. "No."
"And that man... he died this morning."
"I heard it was from a high fever that wouldn't break, with no medicine to treat it."
Meng Ci nodded. The man had been beaten so badly; lasting two more days was impressive.
Seeing them head downstairs to collect food, Zhang Mingtian asked, "Brothers, are you guys out of food?"
"We were just planning to go out for supplies today. We'll bring you some extra."
Meng Ci didn't refuse. "Thanks a lot."
After seeing Zhang Mingtian off, the two returned home.
Meng Ci was quite curious to see if Zhang Mingtian was two-faced or truly reliable.
He sent a bee down to monitor the place. Spotting an open bedroom window, Meng Ci guided the bee inside.
As a girl in a hoodie started to walk out, Meng Ci made the bee land unnoticed inside her hood.
"After we leave today, all of you stay in one room. No matter who comes, don't open the door," Zhang Mingtian instructed.
Zhang Mingtian's group totaled twelve people. Besides his mother in her sixties and his wife, the rest comprised three families.
One family consisted of a couple in their thirties and their ten-year-old son. The other was a newlywed couple in their twenties.
The third family comprised a couple with their father in his fifties and a six-year-old boy.
This outing meant only the young men from the four families would be leaving. Back home, they would be leaving behind two elderly people, women, and children. Naturally, they were uneasy.
"Don't worry, we'll definitely stay inside the house."
With their assurance, Zhang Mingtian felt relieved. As he packed, he added, "When we return, we can bring back more for 1705 and the others."
"Last time we didn't find much of value and only brought back a few packs of instant noodles. I still feel bad about that."
The man in his twenties wasn't happy about that.
"Why should we? We risk our lives going out to find things, and then we have to share them with others!"
"If they're so capable, they should go find some themselves. What kind of nonsense is it to ask others for things?"
Zhang Mingtian held up the rubber dinghy in front of him. "Because the equipment we used to go out and find food was given to you by others."
The man argued back, "Even if they gave it to him, it's in our hands now. We decide what to do with it."
"Besides, the instant noodles we gave them before were enough."
"He Xian!" Zhang Mingtian called out the young man's name.
"People should learn to repay kindness!"
"Without this rubber boat, you would've starved to death long ago."
"Even with this raft, if you had no skills, the flood would have..."
"Smack!"
"Shut up."
Suddenly, a woman's voice cut in, as if she'd slapped He Xian and sternly ordered him to be quiet.
This time, He Xian didn't speak.
Then came the sound of a door opening and closing.
Meng Ci heard the voices but couldn't see their expressions. Still, he figured giving things away for free would inevitably upset someone.
But if they offered, he'd take it.
If they didn't, Meng Ci wouldn't ask.
Seizing an opportunity, Meng Ci retrieved the bees.
Now that the outer walls had solidified, there was no fear of anyone toppling them.
The weather was growing colder by the day. If they didn't retrieve coal soon, they'd likely freeze to death.
After dinner, Meng Ci approached Shen Que to discuss securing coal.
Their opinions aligned, so preparations were swiftly finalized.
Descending the stairs, they encountered more residents.
"Young man, could you take me along? I only need a little food-I won't take more than my share."
"I can help too. Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it."
Some people saw Meng Ci and his group preparing to leave and hurriedly asked.
These individuals had been starving for far too long, their bodies emaciated and skeletal.
Even if Meng Ci was willing to take them along, they likely wouldn't be much help outside. Thus, neither of the two men responded.
The others didn't dare approach lightly either, especially with that long knife displayed prominently on the windowsill.