Even if one day Happiness City collapses and I must leave, I still have the ability to survive in the wilderness.

"Now, it's time to settle down and grow steadily."

"The Horned Starfish only gave me the ability to protect myself. To truly roam the wasteland, one must rely on real hard skills: manpower, ability, resources — none of which can be lacking."

Close the panel.

Cheng Ye got up, got dressed, and went to the adjacent water room to wash up.

As he pushed open the security door, to his surprise, the large hole in the corridor window that had been smashed the night, or rather, the night before last, had been repaired, with clean new glass installed, showing no signs of damage.

The bloodstains on the walls were also cleaned thoroughly, with a fresh layer of whitewash applied, making the entire corridor look brand new.

Even the cement floor beneath his feet had been obviously mopped many times, looking spotless.

"That's convenient, saves me the trouble of fixing it myself."

After taking two steps forward, he suddenly turned around and noticed a wooden sign hanging on the wall next to the security door.

[Resting, do not disturb]

Reaching out to flip it over to see the back.

[Out on business, for any matters contact 507 - Huang Sheng]

"Ha..."

Cheng Ye couldn't help but shake his head and chuckled silently.

Though just trivial details, seeing them made his mood inexplicably lighter.

Upon reaching the water room, it was also cleaned spotlessly.

He didn't know if Huang Sheng and the other two did it, or if all the residents on the fifth floor had organized a thorough cleanup.

Turning on the tap, after a day, the water supply had been restored.

Cheng Ye decided to fill a bucket full of water and took a refreshing cold shower in the bathroom.

Being able to take a hearty shower in the wasteland is definitely a luxury.

Yesterday, Wu Zhihong had introduced several Shelter Cities to him; although his mind was foggy at the time and he didn't listen carefully, he still remembered that many Shelter Cities were still stuck in a relatively primitive agricultural state.

Forget running water, they barely had any vehicles, and everyone had to rely on their two legs to get around.

After all, since S-1 started, the virus had repeatedly ravaged the foundations of human civilization. By S-4, the Extraordinary Era, humanity had completely abandoned technology and plunged headlong into pursuing Extraordinary Power.

After the New Era began, the Shelter Cities only started redeveloping technology from scratch. Unfortunately, with technology, a solid foundation must be built step-by-step to progress upward.

Infrastructure is one aspect.

Talent cultivation is another.

This includes various welfare benefits, and even the strength of inspection checkpoints is an influential factor that cannot be ignored.

However, the talent siphoning effect of industrial Shelter Cities is too evident; after the first round of development, few people are willing to go to a place with nothing and toil from scratch.

"I hope Happiness City's advantage can keep at least a few people left behind..."

After finishing the shower, Cheng Ye sighed.

Given his current position and abilities, there was no way for him to tackle the issue of residents fleeing.

The higher-ups in Happiness City seemingly didn't plan to intervene either; those who wanted to leave could leave, and those who wished to stay could stay.

But the problem is, if everyone runs away and the Buffer Zone becomes a no-man's land, the power of the Inspectors would be greatly weakened.

If no talent joins Happiness City and technological development comes to a standstill... This would lead to a spiral of death.

"I should first go find Sister Luo; I might be able to learn a lot of confidential information from her."

Upon returning to his room, Cheng Ye consumed six packets of nutrient paste in quick succession, changed into clean clothes, and then left the room.

A day had passed, and there was no trace of blood on the ground, only a faint metallic smell lingering in the air.

As he walked out of the community gate, the resource collection and sales stand remained closed, but the big meat canteen was open.

The owner was busy cooking new meat dishes, trying to enrich the flavors of the meats as much as possible.

But with Uncle Dong gone, only this one shop remained at the entrance of the community, which did seem quite deserted.

Moreover, as Cheng Ye walked down the street, he could distinctly feel that the entire Buffer Zone had become noticeably desolate, with passersby rushing down the road, heads down, with expressionless faces.

Clearly, it was still summer, and the heat lingered, yet the breeze carried a chill reminiscent of a bleak autumn wind.

Especially upon reaching the main road, the crowd was sparse, and the lively scene of the past was gone.

"In this wasteland, population is the most crucial resource. Without people, truly nothing remains."

After the fierce wave of infections subsided, the real great recession seemed to be just beginning.

Cheng Ye sighed for a moment, kept moving forward, and soon saw the bus station still in service.

It was just a bit of a pity that the bus waiting there for passengers was not the one always polished to a shine, and standing by the bus wasn't the smiling Master Tian.

It was only a little past six in the morning, yet the bus stop was packed with three-five hundred people, each carrying a large military backpack, openly carrying a handgun at their waist, with some even carrying rifles, evidently preparing to leave Happiness City on a migration.

Cheng Ye halted his steps, suddenly feeling everything was strangely unfamiliar, with an illusion of having just crossed over.

Three months had passed, and he had finally familiarized himself with Happiness City and the Buffer Zone.

Yet in one night, it had turned into an unfamiliar place.

This was how it looked in summer.

Then... what about winter?

...

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