Lao Gao asked, "Do you think we can buy something like this?"
Lan Jin truly didn't know, but if it was possible to buy it, spending some extra supplies wasn't a big deal. Lao Gao and Ling Jiang were both skilled, and their powers had grown strong. The four of them had developed some teamwork. Even if they went to the base later, the four of them could form a small squad for missions, and trust each other more than strangers.
Honestly, just going to the base didn't mean they could rest easy. Nothing comes free. The base wouldn't support people doing nothing. So even there, they would have to work for survival. A team with pre-established teamwork was the best choice.
If these two wanted to go, Lan Jin would naturally support them. She asked, "Where would we buy it? Black market?"
Right now, the only place they could trade was the black market. What supplies appeared there couldn't be guessed easily.
Lao Gao said, "You're not leaving for now. When the blizzard stops, we'll ask around. If we can trade for it, Sister Lan, we'll owe you the supplies. We'll repay later. If we can't get it, we'll go with you first and figure it out after we arrive."
"Fine."
Using transparent plastic sheets instead of glass was definitely workable. Lao Gao had even glued four layers, making it strong enough to withstand anything.
The four plastic sheets were glued quickly. Once the doors no longer leaked wind, they got busy making charcoal.
They had thought the blizzard would last for days, but at first light, the wind and snow had eased significantly. After breakfast, the blizzard had completely stopped.
Huang Jinghe went to the balcony. The bright snow outside made him squint, and he muttered, "This blizzard stopped too casually. Just stops like that."
Ling Jiang said, "No kidding. I can't imagine how strong it was last night. But it's good it stopped. Now how do we get out?"
Lao Gao replied, "Why worry? Our community isn't empty. Those without food will try going out now that the blizzard is gone."
Not long after, the people Lao Gao had fought off earlier began leaving the corridors, just like he said.
But the snow, partially frozen, wasn't easy to walk on. It wasn't really snow anymore but crushed ice. Stepping on it, people sank into the snow and often fell, leaving human-shaped holes. From beneath, cries of pain echoed.
Seeing the first person fall, those still on the railing dared not jump.
Lao Gao didn't scold them. Instead, he asked, "If I fell, would you come save me?"
Ling Jiang said flatly, "Obviously not."
Lao Gao looked at Lan Jin and Huang Jinghe. They turned away, equally exasperated at such a silly question.
Lan Jin said, "If you fall, I'll pull you out with my electricity."
Huang Jinghe added with a grin, "I can add some water too."
Ling Jiang teased, "Or I can make it worse." In the freezing cold, she could add another layer of ice.
Seeing her three friends so merciless, Lao Gao realized he sounded dramatic, but he knew if danger really came, no one would leave him to die.
Lao Gao then asked, "Can I burn a path through?"
Lan Jin said, "Wait. Your power isn't infinite. It consumes energy. If you run out, how do you recharge it? We don't know. Better to use it sparingly. If you drain it and can't recover, your life could be at risk."
Huang Jinghe thought about novels he'd read. "In some stories, zombies have crystal cores that replenish powers."
Lan Jin said, "This is a natural disaster, no zombies. Those crazy people only have worms. They freeze instantly. No energy at all."
If there were energy, the worms would use it for themselves first. They would fight to survive.
"So, until we know more, we should use powers sparingly."
Ling Jiang asked, "What about the radio? The worm powder spread wide. People with powers can't be only one or two. Any messages on the radio?"
There were none.
Lao Gao said, "The radio was on 24 hours. I carry it. Except the few days I was unconscious, I haven't missed a single message."
Even if the radio didn't have news, at least the weather report would be helpful.
"Alright, forget it. Let's watch how these people move. We can wait a day or two."
Someone had fallen into the snow and couldn't climb back up. Naturally, the others tried to help. They had ropes, but the person had fallen badly. Even after a long time, they couldn't pull him up.
Lao Gao wondered, "The blizzard only added about a floor of snow. Even compressed, it shouldn't stop someone from standing. Are these bodies too weak?"
The answer was yes.
Without worm powder to eat, their remaining food would last only a few days. If supplies weren't depleted, they wouldn't have targeted the four of them. After falling, the person was in pain and too weak to rise.
The others didn't truly abandon their companion. They reluctantly jumped down too.
Even after everyone had jumped, Lao Gao watched the balcony for a long time. None of them climbed back up.
He asked urgently, "Why aren't they climbing up?"
Lan Jin thought for a moment. "The snow isn't frozen solid. Why climb back? You can go up from the 24th floor corridor. No need to climb. Watching them doesn't matter."