Chapter 26 Insect Plague Response
The torrential rain that had lasted for five days and four nights finally subsided before dawn on the sixth day, like an exhausted madman, panting and convulsing.
The last few raindrops pounded weakly on the outer wall of the fortress, the sound fading from a deafening roar to a soft drizzle, and finally settling into a damp, chilling silence.
Sunlight, filtering through thick, faded, leaden clouds, sparsely pierced the sky, illuminating a terrifying, unrecognizable world, as if it were in the primordial chaos.
Beyond the fortress, as far as the eye could see, lay a vast, murky, brownish-yellow ocean. Flash floods had gathered in the low-lying areas, forming turbulent temporary lakes that had submerged the lower half of the forest, leaving only the canopies resembling despairing, waterlogged weeds.
The mudslides have left large, jagged, fresh scars on the hillsides, as if the earth has been stripped of its skin. Familiar paths, streams, and rocks have all been repositioned and submerged in waist-deep or deeper waters that are covered with foam and oil.
The air was thick with a nauseating stench, a mixture of silt, rotting plants, animal carcasses, and some indescribable chemical substance. The flood brought not only water, but also all the filth and death that had accumulated in the ruins of the city below.
The fortress, like an isolated island, stood on a relatively high hillside in the center of this recently ravaged, muddy waters. Its sturdy main structure withstood the impact and soaking of the floodwaters, but its exterior bore the marks of the flood: the lower parts of the outer walls were splattered with mud, and near some drainage outlets lay piles of dead branches, leaves, and unidentifiable debris left behind by the receding flood. The once meticulously maintained drainage system and intercepting ditches around the fortress were now filled with mud and water, requiring time to clean.
But the real test has only just begun.
As the torrential rains subsided, temperatures began to rise at an abnormally unsettling pace. Humid, almost stagnant air replaced the brief chill brought by the floods.
Occasionally, the sun stubbornly pierces through the clouds, casting its scorching and scorching rays upon the puddles and damp earth. Steam rises, turning the world into a giant, stifling steamer.
High temperature, high humidity, stagnant water, and decaying organic matter—this is the perfect breeding ground for insects.
The insect plague arrived at an almost visible, explosive speed.
At first, it was just a buzzing sound. A faint, annoying, ubiquitous buzzing sound, rising from the puddles, rotting trees, and piles of garbage around the fortress. It was mosquitoes and flies breeding. Soon, the buzzing turned into a dense, chilling roar of flapping wings.
Swarms of mosquitoes, like ominous dark clouds, hovered over the puddles, searching for any warm-blooded creature they could bite. Flies, even more brazen, densely covered any surface that even slightly smelled of decay.
Following closely behind were various beetles, midges, gnats... many strangely shaped and varying-sized insects that Wenyu couldn't even name, seemingly gaining a frenzied vitality overnight from the hot, humid soil and stagnant water, emerging in swarms.
They pounded against the fortress's outer walls and windows, making a fine, continuous "pattering" sound, like an endless, malicious rain. Some of the larger, hard-shelled beetles even managed to sneak into the fortress through drainpipes or tiny cracks.
The stench of decay in the air, now mixed with the distinctive, fishy smell of insects, made it difficult to breathe and caused irritability and nausea.
Inside the fortress, although the sealing and filtration systems were operating at full capacity, isolating most insects and polluted air, the psychological oppression and vague unease of being surrounded by millions of insects still permeated the air. Even with the highly efficient filtration system, the air brought in seemed to carry a lingering stickiness and restlessness from the outside world.
Wen Yu stood in front of the control console, the screen displaying a hellish scene outside the fortress. Swarms of insects crawled across the lenses, leaving sticky trails, and some thermal images even showed large, abnormal, moving "heat sources" due to the density of the insects. His brows were furrowed, and his thin lips were pressed into a cold, hard line.
He was wearing simple black cargo trousers and a dark gray, tight-fitting short-sleeved T-shirt, slightly damp with sweat from the stuffy indoor air. The T-shirt fabric clung to his broad, straight shoulders and muscular chest, outlining smooth, powerful muscle lines. Sweat streaks ran down his long neck, disappearing into the hollows of his collarbone.
Under the cold light of the screen, his profile revealed a taut jawline, a high nose bridge, and sharp, piercing eyes that stared intently at the insect shadows trying to squeeze through any cracks. He exuded a cold and tense aura, as if he were ready to crush any creature that dared to invade his territory at any moment.
Su Ran walked over from the kitchen, carrying a glass of chilled mint water. He had also changed into light summer clothes, a light blue linen short-sleeved shirt, the top two buttons undone, revealing a small patch of fair collarbone and slender neck. The soft fabric of the shirt subtly outlined his thin yet supple waistline as he moved.
His black hair seemed softer than usual because of the heat, with a few strands sticking unruly to his sweaty forehead and smooth temples. His fingers, holding the water glass, were slender and white, with neatly trimmed nails.
"Mr. Wen, have some water." Su Ran gently placed the water glass beside Wen Yu, her gaze also fixed worriedly on the suffocating swarms of insects on the screen. "The insects... there are more and more of them. I was in the sunroom just now, and I saw a few very small flying insects crawl in through the gaps in the ventilation mesh. Although they were quickly caught by the sticky traps inside, but..."
"The ventilation system's filters are top-of-the-line and can block the vast majority. But some insect eggs or tiny individuals may still get in with the airflow." Wen Yu picked up his water glass, the cold liquid sliding down his throat, bringing a brief moment of clarity, but his brow remained furrowed. "That's not the most troublesome thing. The troublesome thing is that the insect infestation will continue, which may attract insect-eating animals, such as bats, birds, and even… rats. Moreover, with so much decaying matter and insects gathering, the risk of disease will increase dramatically."
He had to find a solution. The fortress's defenses were primarily designed for humans and large-scale disasters; against this ubiquitous, billion-strong swarm of insects, conventional methods were ineffective. Spraying chemicals? Firstly, reserves were limited, and secondly, it could pollute its own environment and potential food and water sources. High-temperature flamethrowers? The range was limited, and it could cause fires. Physical barriers? Insects could always find a gap.
Just as Wen Yu was quickly thinking of a solution, Su Ran let out a soft "Ah," as if she had remembered something, her eyes brightening slightly: "A lot of bugs... does that also mean there's food?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Yu turned to look at him, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion and... disbelief. Eating insects?
Su Ran felt a little embarrassed by his gaze, her cheeks flushing even more. She explained softly, "I... I've read in books before, and I've heard older people say that many insects are actually high in protein and edible, especially those that breed after a major disaster... Of course, you can't just catch and eat them; you have to know how to identify and process them." He paused, looking at the dark swarm of insects on the screen. His eyes didn't show the usual disgust, but rather an almost professional scrutiny. "For example, those large water mosquitoes—their larvae and pupae are traditional food in some places. And the larvae of certain beetles, plump and white, are very fragrant when deep-fried... But those outside are too dirty; you definitely can't eat them."
Wen Yu looked at him silently. Su Ran's thinking was always like this, exceptionally pragmatic in some aspects, even to the point of being "frightening." But he had to admit that in a post-apocalyptic world where resources might become increasingly scarce, developing all edible protein sources was essential for survival. It's just... the psychological hurdle...
"The most urgent task is to control the insects and prevent them from invading and breeding." Wen Yu brought the topic back to the core, "What are your thoughts, besides chemical agents?"
Su Ran nodded immediately, clearly having considered this issue beforehand: "It's best to avoid using chemical agents if possible, as they leave residues. We can use some physical and plant-based methods." He spoke slightly faster, with focused concentration, "The interior of the fortress is relatively easy to manage. We can increase the frequency of cleaning the existing filters, install finer mesh at key ventilation openings, and place more sticky insect traps and insect-attracting lamps indoors. The key is the exterior; we need to reduce the source of insects and establish an insect-repelling barrier."
"Be specific." Wen Yu gestured for him to continue, turning slightly towards Su Ran to show he was listening attentively. This posture made the lines of his shoulders and back even more pronounced, and the muscles under his T-shirt rose and fell slightly with his breathing.
Encouraged, Su Ran's eyes brightened, and she unconsciously gestured with her fingers: "We can make some herbal sachets to repel insects and hang them in well-ventilated areas around the fortress, especially upwind. I remember there's some dried mugwort, mint, pyrethrum, and lemongrass in the warehouse. Some of it I grew and dried before, and some of it is spices and herbs you've stockpiled. Grind and mix these in a certain ratio, put them in breathable gauze bags, and the aroma will repel many mosquitoes. We can also collect some quicklime and sprinkle it around the base of the fortress walls and around the drainage outlets, which will both prevent moisture and kill some insect eggs and larvae."
He paused, glanced at Wen Yu's expression, and seeing that he didn't object, continued, "Also, if we can find a way to clean up those stagnant, smelly puddles and obvious rotting matter near the fortress without exposing ourselves, it will greatly reduce the breeding grounds for insects. Could we try using drones to drop some safe, biodegradable larvicides at night? Or, could we simply muddy the water and disrupt the surface to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs?"
Wen Yu listened attentively, his mind racing as he assessed the feasibility and risks of Su Ran's plan. Herbal packets and quicklime were feasible, low-cost, and relatively safe. Cleaning the surrounding water source was riskier and more likely to expose them, but limited operations using drones at night could be attempted.
"You're in charge of the herbal medicine packets. Get whatever materials you need from the warehouse. Pay attention to the proportions and safety; some herbs may be toxic." Wen Yu made the decision. "There's also quicklime in the warehouse. Wear masks and gloves when handling and spreading it to avoid dust inhalation and burns. Clean up the surrounding water sources... For now, focus on observation and limited interference to avoid unnecessary risks."
"Okay!" Su Ran nodded vigorously, her face showing eagerness. "I'll go prepare this afternoon!"
Over the next few days, Su Ran became exceptionally busy. After receiving full authorization from Wen Yu, he practically lived between the warehouse and the sunroom. He carefully sorted through dried mugwort, mint, pyrethrum, lemongrass, and even found some scraps of lavender and rosemary.
He carefully ground the materials into powders of varying coarseness in a small grinder, then mixed them together according to a vague ratio he remembered and after numerous trials. The mixed powder emitted a strong, complex odor—a mixture of pungent, bitter, and strangely fragrant notes—not exactly pleasant, but it did make mosquitoes seem less inclined to approach.
He divided the powder into small bags sewn from clean gauze and sealed them. Then he found some sturdier mesh bags, put a few of the small bags inside, and made them into hanging insect repellent sachets.
Sometimes, Wen Yu would pass by the warehouse entrance and see Su Ran squatting among a pile of herbs, her nose and forehead specks of medicinal powder, her fair fingers deftly sewing a cloth bag, her long eyelashes drooping, her expression focused.
The sweltering air dampened his black hair with sweat, strands clinging to his smooth skin. A small patch of his light blue linen shirt was also wet, clinging to his slender back and outlining the clear, graceful shape of his shoulder blades. He occasionally raised his hand to wipe the sweat, his sleeves slipping down to his elbows, revealing two slender, fair forearms that were steadily working with the needle and thread.
Su Ran prepared the first batch of insect repellent packs. Accompanied by Wen Yu, she took advantage of the calm evening wind and used a long pole to hang the packs at several upwind vents on the outer wall of the fortress, as well as near the main entrance and ventilation openings.
A gentle evening breeze carried the pungent scent of herbs, which, while not completely repelling the massive swarm of insects, did seem to have reduced the density of mosquitoes near the fortress. At least, the slapping sounds of them hitting the windows were no longer so incessant.
Quicklime was also carefully spread around the base of the wall and the drain, forming a white barrier that sizzled on the damp ground and emitted heat and a slightly alkaline smell.
At the same time, Su Ran hadn't forgotten his earlier "insect protein" plan. He didn't rashly touch the contaminated insect swarm outside. Instead, he turned his attention to the interior of the fortress—the sunroom.
The enclosed, warm, and humid sunroom is a paradise for plants, but it inevitably attracts some small, harmless insects, such as the occasional fruit fly that flies in, or small insects that naturally exist in the soil and decompose organic matter. Su Ran noticed that near the compost bins and on the undersides of some overly dense plant leaves, small, milky-white aphids began to appear, as well as some small, woodlice-like crustaceans crawling on the soil surface.
He stared at the aphids slowly crawling on the leaves, then glanced at the thriving cherry tomatoes next to him, which were about to be harvested for the first time. His delicate brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.
He found several shallow plastic boxes, lined them with damp gauze, and then carefully placed some clean-looking, plump aphids and some relatively "clean"-looking small beetle larvae that he had caught on the soil surface into the boxes. He didn't process them immediately, but instead placed them in a well-ventilated but dark corner, with a few fresh vegetable leaves or fruit peels next to them.
"What are you doing?" Wen Yu frowned immediately when he saw these boxes while inspecting the sunroom one day.
He approached and looked at the slow-moving, unsettling little creatures in the box, his eyes filled with undisguised repulsion and doubt.
Su Ran was hand-pollinating tomatoes when he heard this. He looked up, his face still speckled with pollen, standing out against his fair skin. Seeing Wen Yu's disapproving look, he nervously put down the small brush, his fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of his clothes. He explained softly, "I...I want to try. These insects grew naturally in the sunroom, so they're relatively clean. Aphids eat plant sap and don't have many pathogens. These woodlice larvae also eat humus...I want to see if I can...process them a bit."
"Process?" Wen Yu frowned even more, looking at Su Ran as if she were a whimsical child. "How do you process them? Eat them?" His tone was clearly disapproving.
Even in the apocalypse, eating insects remains a psychological hurdle that is difficult to overcome for someone like Wen Yu, who has experienced a time of abundance and has high standards for hygiene and taste.
Su Ran blushed, but still insisted, "Not raw! Processed! High temperatures can kill most parasites and germs. For example... deep-frying, or drying and grinding into powder. I've read that some insects have a higher protein content than beef and a lower fat content, making them a very good source of nutrition..." He looked at Wen Yu's unyielding expression, his voice growing softer, but he still finished speaking, "Just consider it... just consider it a backup plan. In case... in case things get worse, it's always good to have another food option."
Wen Yu watched him silently. Su Ran tilted her small face upturned, her nose and cheeks flushed an alluring pink from nervousness and the stuffiness, her long eyelashes trembling nervously, but in her clear eyes was a stubborn seriousness about "expanding food sources." He was right; from a purely survival perspective, it was beyond reproach. It was just that Wen Yu himself had to overcome that psychological hurdle…
"Whatever." In the end, Wen Yu only uttered these two words, without giving the insects another glance, and turned to check the growth of the tomato seedlings. His back still looked somewhat stiff.
Su Ran secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Wen Yu had tacitly approved, though he still wasn't convinced. He turned around and took even more careful care of the "insect boxes," regularly changing the vegetable leaves, keeping them moist, and observing the condition of the small creatures inside.
A few days later, Su Ran felt that the "raw materials" were almost ready. He selected some of the plumpest and most active aphids and a few fat beetle larvae, carefully rinsed them countless times with clean water, then quickly blanched them in boiling water, and drained them.
In a small food processor, he carefully blended the blanched insects, roasted and crushed oatmeal, a little milk powder, honey, and a pinch of salt into a smooth, slightly brownish paste. He then poured the paste into a small, flat-bottomed mold and pressed it down firmly.
Next came the crucial step. Instead of frying, he opted for drying. He placed the mold in that small, multi-functional oven, set it to an extremely low temperature, and baked it slowly for a long time. Throughout the process, he was extremely focused, occasionally opening the oven door to check on the progress, adjusting its position to ensure even heating and prevent burning.
After baking for nearly two hours, an indescribable aroma, a blend of caramelized grains, milky notes, honey sweetness, and a faint, elusive scent reminiscent of roasted nuts or dried shrimp, slowly wafted from the oven. It wasn't fishy, it didn't smell bad, and it was even… somewhat appetizing?
Su Ran carefully removed the mold; the brown "protein bar" inside had already taken shape, with a dense texture and slightly brittle edges. He poured it out, placed it on a cutting board, and cut it into neat small pieces. Each piece was about the size of a thumb, dark brown, with a smooth surface, and looked... somewhat like some kind of high-end energy bar or dark chocolate snack.
He picked up a small piece, carefully took a small bite, and closed his eyes to chew it thoroughly. The texture... was a bit hard, but very crunchy, and the more he chewed, the more fragrant it became. The mixed aroma spread in his mouth, completely without any of the strange or fishy taste he had imagined. He even thought it tasted pretty good? The saltiness and sweetness were well-balanced, with the aroma of grains and milk dominating, followed by a very faint, indescribable umami flavor.
Success? Su Ran felt a surge of excitement. He glanced at the remaining protein bars, then at the kitchen doorway. After hesitating for a while, he finally mustered his courage, picked up a small plate, filled it with the two neatest-cut pieces, and headed towards the control room.
Wen Yu was analyzing the insect swarm's activity patterns over the past few days, trying to find its weak points or periods of inactivity. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Su Ran standing hesitantly at the door, holding a small plate, her face showing a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, and cautious attempts to please.
"Mr. Wen…" Su Ran's voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Wen Yu's gaze fell on the plate in his hand, which contained two small, dark brown cubes that looked surprisingly appealing. He immediately understood what they were, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.
Su Ran spoke quickly and softly, "I...I used dried oats, added a lot of oats and milk powder, and honey, and baked it at a high temperature for a very long time...I tasted it, and it really doesn't taste weird. You...you should just try a small bite. If you really don't like it, I'll never make it again." As he spoke, he pushed the plate forward, his fingertips turning slightly white from the force. His beautiful, moist eyes looked at Wen Yu with hope and unease, his long eyelashes fluttering as if he were making a silent plea.
Looking at him like this, Wen Yu suddenly found himself unable to utter the refusal that was already on the tip of his tongue. He remembered the filtration device Su Ran had built during the flood, the way he carefully sewed the medicine packets, and the earnest look in his eyes when he mentioned, "It's always good to have more food to eat." This young man had been trying his best, in his own way, to increase the chances of survival and room for maneuver for their small group of two. Even if it was a way that he himself found somewhat...unacceptable.
Silence filled the control room. Only the faint hum of the instruments could be heard. Su Ran's hand, holding the dish, trembled slightly.
Finally, Wen Yu sighed almost inaudibly. He reached out, not to take the plate, but to pick up one of the "protein bars" directly from it. The action carried an almost tragic, desperate resolve, like trying poison.
Su Ran's heart jumped into her throat, and she stared at him without blinking.
Wen Yu brought the small, dark brown object to his lips, paused for about a second, and then opened his mouth and bit down.
"Crack." A very slight, crisp sound.
He chewed. His movements were slow, his brows initially furrowed, filled with utter wariness and repulsion. But soon, those furrowed brows relaxed, very slightly.
There was none of the fishy, strange, or gritty taste I had expected. The first bite was crisp and crunchy, followed by the rich, caramelized aroma of roasted grains and milk powder, mixed with just the right amount of sweet honey.
The salty touch balances the sweetness. As you continue chewing, a subtle umami flavor, reminiscent of dried shrimp or some kind of nut, subtly emerges. It's not unpleasant; instead, it adds a complex layer of flavor.
The texture was firm, and the taste... surprisingly, it wasn't bad. In fact, you could say that being able to eat something like this in the apocalypse was already considered "gourmet food." If he hadn't known the ingredients beforehand, he might have just thought it was a portable food with unusual ingredients but an acceptable taste.
Wen Yu fell silent. He continued chewing until he had swallowed the small piece completely. Then, he looked up at Su Ran, who was so tense she was almost suffocating.
Su Ran held her breath, awaiting the verdict.
Wen Yu's gaze lingered for a moment on his slightly reddened eyes and tightly pursed, bloodless lips, caused by tension. Then, he looked away, gazing at the gray world outside the window still faintly shrouded in the swarm of insects. His voice was calm and unreadable:
"The taste is good."
"Pay attention to raw material selection and processing hygiene."
"Do not take too much; observe for any adverse reactions first."
After saying that, he stopped looking at Su Ran and the plate, turning his attention back to the data stream on the screen. It was as if he had only tasted an ordinary cookie.
But Su Ran understood. There was no rebuke, no opposition, not even obvious disgust. It was tacit approval, a tacit endorsement! A surge of joy instantly overwhelmed his tension, and a dazzling smile bloomed on Su Ran's face, his eyes curving into crescents, as if stars were twinkling within them. He nodded vigorously, his voice trembling slightly with happiness: "Yes! I know! I'll be very careful! Thank you, Mr. Wen!"
Carrying the plate, he walked briskly out of the control room like a happy little bird. At the door, he couldn't help but turn back and smile at Wen Yu one last time before leaving.
Wen Yu listened to the receding, light footsteps, his gaze fixed on the screen, unmoving for a long time. The lingering, peculiar taste seemed to still be in his mouth. He raised his hand and rubbed his temples, where a trace of helplessness still seemed to remain, but the corners of his mouth curved upwards in an almost imperceptible, extremely subtle arc, one that even he himself didn't notice.
This Su Ran... always manages to challenge his bottom line in such unexpected ways, and then leaves him speechless with tangible results.
The insect plague continues to rage, and the outside world remains a perilous apocalypse. But within the fortress, thanks to this young man who always brings "unexpected surprises" and "life," even the most unpalatable reality seems to have gained a flavor that can be chewed over, or even accepted.
The bottom line for survival has been quietly widened by an inch through silent attempts and tacit approval.
Trust and reliance grow silently through repeated joint responses and unexpected "compromises," forging an even stronger bond.