Apocalyptic Reincarnation: Start with a 30-million Bonus

New Year’s Eve.

Safe City.

A desolate scene prevails after the recent conflicts, leaving relations between various factions somewhat ominous.

Many people stay in their rooms, locking their doors and keeping inside, unwilling to let anyone in.

This winter is a test of endurance.

Building 19, second floor.

Mr. Wang listens to the cursing from downstairs and finds it strange.

After that woman’s last outing, to everyone’s amazement, she returned not only with some fuel but also a small bag of bread.

In times like these, her ability to secure such items was worthy of Mr. Wang’s admiration.

But what he couldn’t understand was why the woman would stick with that man despite being cursed at and beaten daily.

Maybe this is what love is... Bullshit!

With this thought, Mr. Wang recalls his years in business and founding the amusement park, yet he remains a loner.

His heart can’t help but feel a pang of desolation.

Especially since today is New Year’s Eve.

It reminds him of last year’s celebration, the zenith of his success, when Harmony Garden was strong, and supplies were plentiful.

He had just rescued a group of people, and everyone in Harmony Garden respected him, addressing him as Mr. Wang with reverence.

Back then, he was not lacking company - several young, unmarried girls within Harmony Garden admired him.

Mr. Wang reminisces about the good old times.

On last year’s New Year’s Eve, he generously handed out a pack of toffee to everyone and arranged a communal meal.

He sat in the warmth of his room, sipping on white spirits, munching on fried peanuts, while some team leaders showered him with flattery.

Gurgle~

A rumble from his stomach startles him back to reality.

It’s too cold, so cold that he’d rather stay still under his blankets to keep the warmth from escaping with any movement.

Gurgle~

Another rumble from his stomach.

As Mr. Wang gets up, he bitterly says, ”Those people at the base, they’ve brought me down to such a low point, I will not rest until I’ve had my revenge. If not avenged, I refuse to be human!”

His voice is low, filled with profound resentment.

However, glancing around the room, he sees mostly empty bags. Food is running out, and fuel is down to less than a third.

Just like last time, he prepares some bread and collects snowflakes from the opened window.

Repeating the process from before, half an hour later.

Mr. Wang lies back in bed, embarking on his mental journey of vengeance.

Not everyone in Safe City has the luxury of some fuel and food like Mr. Wang.

For those without, they start to violently scavenge and steal for survival. Even the military forces led by Old Wu have stopped intervening; amidst the chaos, they are struggling to save themselves.

For a time, Safe City is plunged into disorder!

Big Camphor Tree Base.

Li Yu is up early in the morning, still sticking to his routine of running 10 kilometers in the gym.

Then, he goes to find Grandpa to write couplets for the Spring Festival.

Grandpa’s calligraphy is renowned, his brushwork is famous far and wide.

In the recreation hall.

Li Yu hands over some red paper for Grandpa to write on.

Dipping his brush in ink, Grandpa asks, ”What content do you want to write?”

Li Yu ponders for a moment and says, ”Anything, as long as it brings festive cheer.”

Grandpa’s hair is already silvery white, but he remains spirited, usually taciturn, yet each time Li Yu sees Grandpa, there’s an indescribable sense of warmth.

Though Grandpa rarely speaks words of concern to him, a look into Grandpa’s eyes always conveys his caring thoughts.

Hearing what Li Yu said, Grandpa grandly brandished his brush.

One character after another was written onto the red paper:

Flower scents fill the garden with delight, birdsong drifts through the woods announcing spring.

Horizontal scroll: Wishing auspiciousness and as one desires.

The temperature is still so low right now, that when you’re outside, you can barely hear any animal sounds, and many plants in the garden have already frozen to death.

Having dwelled in this desolate environment for so long, everyone longs for that warm spring.

Following that, Grandpa continued to write several couplets appropriate for the season.

With the flourish of the dragon and the agility of the snake, Grandpa, with his unique calligraphic style atop the foundation of slender vigour and willowy strength, penned each character to be a feast for the eyes.

Once written, Li Yu then had Li Hang take Li Zhengping to affix the couplets in place.

These couplets were primarily positioned in places where everyone often gathered, with a set pasted at the entrance of the residential area.

....

Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was evening.

Ten people per table, everyone was seated in the dining room.

This evening’s banquet featured a hotpot meal.

Thanks to the underground farming base, they were not short on vegetables.

As for beef and mutton, Li Yu had stockpiled several hundred heads, butchered and stored in the freezer before the apocalypse.

Li Yu stood in the middle; at gatherings like these, it was always necessary for him to say a few words, and his role now was somewhat like that of the head of this large family.

”Compared to last year, you can see that many new people have joined us, new faces. I am very grateful to all of you for guarding this base together, and I also thank everyone for their efforts over the past year.”

”Additionally, I have two more things to say: first, I hope we will continue to protect this base together, and second, this base is also your home.”

”Nothing more to say now, let’s eat! Today is about eating to our heart’s content!”

This call to start eating ignited the atmosphere on spot.

You should know, today’s hotpot at each table included 5 pounds of beef and mutton, as well as 5 pounds of vegetables.

These were all solid provisions.

Amidst the aroma of the hotpot, everyone’s mouths were already watering.

At Li Yu’s table, he raised his glass and clinked it with his family, uttering some pleasing words.

The ambiance was very lively.

Grandpa at the most honored seat, watching Li Yu, his face filled with contentment.

Seeing Grandpa wearing such an expression, Li Yu’s nose felt a bit tingly.

In a lifetime, most people live 70 years, with 10 years in youth, 10 years in infirmity, leaving fifty years, half of which is spent in sleep—that would be twenty-five years.

Then subtract disasters and illness, windy rains, thunderstorms, and snowstorms.

What good days does one have left in life?

Thus, one should promptly do the things they want to do, be with those they wish to accompany, and not wait for regret after a loss.

No matter if it’s kinship, love, or friendship, it’s essential to take the initiative. If you don’t take the initiative, you’ll feel there is no affection, but if you are willing to make the effort, you’ll reap a lot.

Accompanying his family, Li Yu suddenly understood the true meaning of companionship.

”Grandpa, Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma, I wish you health and a Happy New Year,” Li Yu stood up and toasted the four elders.

Then, he took out some small gifts from the warehouse.

These gifts were none too precious, many of which were scrounged from outside after the apocalypse.

He presented a set of homewear to each person at the base.

For kids like Li Suxin and Xuanxuan, he gave them some books of ancient poetry.

Originally, Li Yu wanted to give out elementary school test questions, but because the base’s education system had been reformed, many impractical elements were eliminated, such as not doing reading comprehension in Chinese class anymore.

On the other hand, Li Yu had not prepared any test questions.

But when they received books of ancient poetry, they were actually quite happy.

After distributing the gifts, Li Yu toasted everyone.

Together they declared: Happy New Year’s Eve!