RIACMET chapter 254 [End]

 

After enduring the polar night, zombie hordes, and countless changes, the apocalyptic disaster finally entered a new period of stability.

Over the past year, most of the exposed clothing and food supplies had already been gathered.

Consequently, the authorities announced the opening of the final emergency supply warehouses.

These warehouses were unknown to the general public. Built underground or in remote, restricted areas, they were guarded by military and special forces.

The conditions for opening these stockpiles were strict—too strict, according to some—and many people who died during the apocalypse due to a lack of supplies never lived to benefit from them.

Thus, when the news broke, many righteous and outraged people condemned the government for being cold-blooded and inhumane for not releasing the aid sooner.

There was no official response. Once evaluations were complete, the military and authorized organizations distributed the remaining supplies proportionally, based on the size of each base and the number of survivors.

The new direction was clear:

All bases and shelters nationwide must restore basic production cycles before consuming these reserve materials. Then, the expansion of each base would begin, and eventually, they would connect to reclaim the land lost to apocalyptic pollution.

The official goal remained that the apocalypse would end within five years.

Progress had reportedly been made in experiments involving energy conversion using extracted and purified media.

If purification energy could be extracted from Jiang Nian and utilized, full-scale purification would be within reach.

Professors with advanced brain evolution abilities speculate that, once large-scale land purification and repair begin, the climate will gradually return to normal. Droughts would end, and the country could unlock its national seed reserves.

With more artificial superpowers emerging, humanity’s overall combat power increased. Most zombie-clearing missions were assigned to these troops with superpowers, which allowed ordinary people to safely remain in bases and resume production activities.

It would be a long process.

“…”

The final national reserves had been distributed, and officially recognized space-ability users became the main force in transporting supplies.

Chu Yi began going out on missions more frequently, often bringing Xiaoya and Tang Ji with him. In special circumstances, Team 017 and Gao Xuyang accompanied them as well.

Humans were adapting and growing stronger—and so were the zombies.

Experts and professors from all bases reminded everyone venturing out that zombies could still mutate. Therefore, even as their numbers decreased, field teams had to remain alert and cautious.

At the same time, the final expansion plan for the South City Base was released.

First, a new outer defense wall would be built, doubling the base’s current size.

Once completed, the wall would enclose an area twice the size of the current base, surpassing the size of Base S and making South City Base the largest human refuge in the country.

The new defense wall would enclose designated areas, including industrial zones, farmland, residential areas, hospitals for zombie virus cases, and schools with normal academic programs.

Among these areas, the industrial zone was divided into general and military sectors.

Although it was still just a plan, building the wall alone would take a long time, and completing the entire project wouldn’t happen overnight.

However, Minister Wang officially informed Cheng Jing and the others that, if they were interested in the military industry, they could begin preparations now and would be given priority access.

Rebuilding human civilization would be a long-term plan spanning hundreds of years. After discussing the plan with his teammates, Cheng Jing decided to participate.

On September 1, 2038—exactly two years after the apocalypse began—Jiang Nian and the others moved into their new home.

Minister Wang had promised to build and furnish their spacious residence in the courtyard, officially named Courtyard 17.

Due to constant adjustments throughout the construction process, the final structure differed slightly from the original design.

The entire complex was far larger than anyone had imagined and was divided into twelve small courtyards arranged in a circle.

The layout resembled traditional Chinese compounds, with outer and inner walls around the courtyards for privacy.

At the center was a large, open communal space that the team turned into a recreation and vegetable garden. The garden included a swimming pool, a small storage house for supplies, and a pet room specially made for Xiaoqi.

The setup was modest and rough around the edges, but solid and grounded—perfect for the post-apocalyptic world.

Seven of the courtyards were occupied by members of Team 017, one by Cheng Jing’s parents and younger brother, and one by Uncle Li’s family.

Li Sheng, Tang Ji, Chu Yi, and Liang Yunhao arranged the final distribution of the remaining three through a bit of phone “cheating.”

Though Chu Yi and Li Sheng already had individual housing rights at the base, they joined in the “unreasonable fun.”

The leadership was lenient, and Jiang Nian didn’t mind, so everyone lived together in harmony.

That very day, Jiang Wenwen and Liang Yunhao arrived at South City Base.

Liang Yunhao handed over all of the resources and contacts from Beicheng and Base S to Jiang Nian, Yang Kai’s family, and the official representatives sent by Minister Wang. He wanted to partner with Cheng Jing again to stir things up at Nancheng Base.

Outside of Courtyard 17, Jiang Nian and Cheng Jing smiled as they watched the pair step out of their vehicle.

“Jiang Nian!”

Jiang Wenwen, who had grown her hair long again and tied it into a high ponytail, ran over and hugged him. Meanwhile, Cheng Jing and Liang Yunhao greeted each other nearby.

“Jiang Nian, I’m back!”

Her nose stung with emotion as she said it. Since leaving South City Base, she had received many favors from Jiang Nian. During her time at Base S, he had encouraged her greatly.

Not to mention, he had saved her life. Even without any romantic feelings, Jiang Nian held a special place in her heart.

Hearing the slight catch in her voice, Jiang Nian patted her back comfortingly.

“Welcome home, Wenwen.”

As a girl, Jiang Wenwen remained impressively calm and rational when betrayed by someone she loved. He deeply admired her for it, but he also felt a twinge of sadness.

If she had hesitated or shown weakness, she might have met the same tragic fate as in his previous life.

After exchanging greetings, Jiang Wenwen openly announced that she and Liang Yunhao were now together.

Jiang Nian was a little surprised.

“Wow…your taste has changed!”

Jiang Wenwen gave him a cheeky wink.

“He doesn’t have any special powers, so no matter what, I can keep him in check. He can be in charge outside, but he listens to me personally.”

When the right person comes along, even our so-called “standards” can be broken. Love always finds a way to bend the rules.

Ever since Jiang Nian’s purification ability became public knowledge and she heard all the gossip from Liang Yunhao, Jiang Nian’s image as a pure, good boy had been shattered in her mind.

She had to admit that only Cheng Jing could rein him in — she clearly couldn’t.

“That’s fair. I get it.”

Jiang Nian nodded and gave her a thumbs-up.

Jiang Wenwen grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the entrance.

“Come on, Brother Nian, let’s check out the new place. Once we walk through this door, we’re family.”

Jiang Nian smiled.

“Okay.”

Cheng Jing and Liang Yunhao followed, also smiling. They no longer showed the wariness and disapproval they once had.

The gates closed behind them. Three long tables were set up in the recreation area of Courtyard 17 and covered with all kinds of food, dishes, and drinks.

Aside from the residents, Minister Wang and Zhou Li were also invited.

To Jiang Nian, those present today were the people he’d been closest to since the apocalypse began. Not too many, but not too few either.

From sunset into the night, everyone sat together in the brightly lit courtyard and chatted freely.

Even Xiaoqi was unusually lively today, trotting happily among the crowd.

Jiang Nian held a glass of wine and listened to the conversations, occasionally turning to smile at Cheng Jing beside him.

Reflecting on his past two lives and the present moment, he realized that this rebirth had truly changed everything.

All the tragedies of his previous life had been overturned in this one. The fog and restlessness in his heart had cleared, replaced by a deep sense of contentment.

There were still many days ahead and many trials and hardships to face. Once you stepped beyond the base walls, life was still a matter of life and death.

But his intentions and beliefs remained unchanged.

He would do his best while ensuring the safety of those around him. He would use his abilities to help humanity, but he would not be morally coerced into being a selfless “savior.”

[End of Main Story]

 

 

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Acargoreng: Main story’s done! Can’t get enough of Jiang Nian and Cheng Jing. q(≧▽≦q)