More often, they stayed in the cave with nothing to do. After reading all the books here, An Zhe read him a love story and an entire weapons illustration book at the colonel’s request, who was too lazy to ready it himself.

Finally, they started playing chess with small stones. They were very simple games such as five-in-a-row, flying chess, etc. Lu Feng taught him first and then they played together. An Zhe lost more and won less. He secretly suspected that the colonel had thrown the game the few times he won because every time he won, the colonel would smile slightly.

At dinner, Xi Bei told them, “You have a great relationship.”

“There were some people in the cave who had been in love and Grandpa gave them a marriage certificate.” Xi Bei sighed softly and set aside his chopsticks. He said, “I want to fall in love but there are no other people here.

Lu Feng was silent while An Zhe comforted Xi Bei, “There are people at the base.”

—Even though there were only 8,000.

Xi Bei seemed to be comforted and picked up his chopsticks in an energetic manner.

After seven days, communication still wasn’t restored. Xi Bei told them the unfortunate news that there wasn’t enough food for two days. They had to go to the city ruins several kilometres away to search for supplies.

Thus, they left some dry food for the grandfather and placed the remaining mushrooms and jerky in their backpacks as well as several bottles of water. Xi Bei took a small alcohol stove from the kitchen. Before all the people in the mine died, they used to go to the city to find supplies so they were well-equipped.

“In the past, this used to be a dirt road that we could travel by bike.” Xi Bei’s tone was slightly chagrined as he spoke. “Now it is so sandy that it is impossible to ride.”

An Zhe reluctantly looked at the bicycles stacked in the corner before leaving. He had never seen such a thing before. Lu Feng placed his elbows on An Zhe’s shoulders and spoke lazily, “Once we come back, I’ll take you for a ride.”

As they prepared everything and were ready to open the lid at the top of the cave, there was the sound of heavy, slow footsteps from the depths of the cave.

An Zhe turned back. Under the dim light, a skinny old man held the wall and moved around the corner. His hair was grey and scattered while the corners of his mouth trembled like a candle shaking in the wind.

Xi Bei stepped forward. “…Grandpa?”

The old man’s blurry eyes stared at him with no expression or recognition. The old man just opened his mouth and declared, “I’ll go too.”

Xi Bei held his shoulder. “You stay here. We’ll be back in a day or two and we’ll bring food.”