Ice Apocalypse (Season 1)

Chapter 168: Fisherman

Zhang Yi brought some food for Zhou Haimei. When she saw the food, her eyes lit up. After expressing her gratitude with a hint of restraint, she sat on the sofa and devoured the food.
Zhang Yi waited until she finished eating before asking, "Do you understand everything now?"Zhou Haimei nodded, "I know. You found me a home, right?"Being in her forties, Zhou Haimei viewed things more impartially. Perhaps people of their age didn't place as much importance on love. Marriage and life were more about finding a suitable match. As long as the conditions were met, they could be together. So when Yang Mi told her she could secure a stable future, she readily agreed. The only regret was that she initially thought the man was Zhang Yi.With Yang Mi's introduction, Zhang Yi saved a lot of trouble. Before departure, he solemnly reminded both women that the matter about the safe house and shelter must be kept confidential. Under no circumstances should they disclose it to outsiders. Otherwise, it might attract greedy individuals."If I find out anyone has leaked information about this place, they won't have a reason to live," Zhang Yi said with a calm and indifferent tone, but his eyes carried a pure killing intent.Both women were terrified and quickly assured him that they wouldn't do anything foolish. Zhang Yi nodded and didn't say much more. These two women were not naïve; they had been navigating the entertainment industry for a long time.His instructions were just a precaution. After briefing them, he asked Yang Mi to return to her room and prepared to take Zhou Haimei back to Yue Lu Residential Area....The cold wind whistled, the icy north wind sweeping over the surface of the Lujiang River. Compared to when the snow disaster first arrived, the falling snow had reduced significantly. Under the extremely cold temperatures, there wasn't as much moisture in the air to form ice.However, the persistent low temperatures and the biting cold wind remained unchanged. Adjacent to the Yunque Manor across the river was a small town called Xujia. On one side of the river lived the wealthiest residents of Tianhai City, in their villa area, while on the other side was a suburban village.In the past, the people of Xujia made a living by growing grains and vegetables. Every household built greenhouses, cultivated crops, and sold them to the urban area of Tianhai City. Over the years, although they were not as affluent as the city dwellers, their lives were relatively comfortable.After the extreme cold wave, their lives became even more comfortable than those in the city. Despite facing the bitter cold, they didn't lack food, and their physical fitness surpassed that of city dwellers.At noon, the temperature was at its highest for the day. The external temperature had risen to minus sixty degrees, and the snowfall had lessened. A group of well-wrapped villagers from Xudong Village appeared on the surface of the frozen Lujiang River. They carried various tools and led five or six sled dogs, including Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies. However, the dogs were also bundled up in cotton jackets due to the low temperature.The villagers cherished these dogs, treating them even better than themselves. In the current southern region, these dogs were the only usable draft animals.However, at this moment, these sled dogs looked different from their usual silly and cute appearance. Their eyes were filled with fierceness, sharp teeth showing, and their fur stained with blood.Led by a man in his fifties with a dark complexion, the group reached the frozen river. The leader walked around the ice, sometimes bending down to look into the depth of the ice. After a while, he used a stick in his hand to tap a certain area."Here, start digging!"As soon as he spoke, a dozen people behind him immediately approached. There were several large ice-breaking devices on a sled behind them. They unloaded the equipment, placed it in the designated location, and tied it to the dogs with ropes."Run, run!"The dog owners firmly held the dogs with ropes, shouted twice, and the dogs began to move forward, pulling the icebreaker to break open the ice layer. With the help of the dog's power, the ice-breaking efficiency was very fast. In no time, a huge hole was dug in the ice."Alright, we've hit the fish!" The leader shouted, and the dog owners quickly restrained the dogs. The group worked together to lift the ice-breaking device out, revealing a dozen frozen fish inside, maintaining the state when they died frozen in the ice.After the ice sealed the river, the oxygen concentration in the river decreased, causing the fish to swim upwards in search of oxygen. Although they didn't find a breathing hole and eventually died, they were preserved near the ice surface.This provided the current generation of fishermen in Xudong Village with excellent food. As long as they broke the ice, they could dig out frozen fish, becoming their main source of protein.As usual, the group of people was busy. Leading them was Xu Dahai from Xudong Village, the influential figure since the apocalypse. In the past, he was just a fisherman with an ordinary status in the village. However, after the apocalypse, he became the key figure in Xudong Village, thanks to his fishing skills.For example, when going out to fish now, he only needed to designate a location. As for physical labor, others were responsible for that.A villager who raised dogs, Xu Manjin, walked over and chatted with Xu Dahai."Uncle, do you think it's so cold that people in the city have frozen to death?"Xu Dahai, hands in his pockets, chuckled disdainfully at the remark. "These city people, who can't even grow crops, rely on those of us who cultivate the land.""Now, I'm afraid they can't even have a decent meal. I guess most of them have died by now."Xu Manjin nodded, expressing relief. "Fortunately, we are rural people. In this weather, even if it's severe, we have food at home and enough strength to survive!""But the weather is too harsh. When will it end?" Xu Manjin looked at the luxurious villa area across the river, a hint of disdain and confusion in his eyes.They could survive, but this kind of life was obviously not what they wanted.Xu Dahai frowned slightly, squinting in the snowy wind. "It's hard to say! But in this weather, we can survive. As long as we're willing to work, we won't starve!""When I was in Mohe, the temperature wasn't much higher than here. At that time, we even swam without clothes!"A few people chatted casually. In the past, they liked to gather and discuss international affairs. They would inevitably talk about Europe and the United States, belittling other countries. But now, with no news sources and no interest in foreign affairs, they could only discuss how difficult the city people had it.Suddenly, the sound of an engine came from a distance, transmitted from the other side of the river.Although the sound was not very loud, in this silent snow world, it seemed particularly distinct.Xu Manjin was stunned. "Why do I seem to hear the sound of a motorcycle?"Xu Dahai pricked up his ears and listened carefully, his face suddenly filled with astonishment.No mistake!This sound was very similar to the motorboat he used when fishing."At what point did this happen? How could there still be cars? Didn't the city people freeze to death?" The group of people put down their work and looked towards the direction from which the engine sound came.