It was not just Lan Jin who did not believe it. No one on the ships really believed Captain Zhang.
Captain Zhang was genuinely at a loss. "No, really, this time I don't know."
"So that means you knew before, you just didn't say it," Lao Gao said, following the logic through. He did not push too far, though. Captain Zhang had kept plenty under wraps, and he had his own rules to follow.
"Alright, enough. Let's not make it hard on Captain Zhang," Lan Jin said, her tone turning serious. "But really, how long will the Extreme Heat last?"
Everyone's eyes slid to Captain Zhang.
Captain Zhang answered firmly. "I truly don't know. We'll talk when we get back. If something changes, I'll hear about it, and when I know, I'll tell you."
They joked around a bit as they reached the J City base. Truth be told, there was no reason to come. Before leaving on this mission, they had already searched it. "Ruined" did not begin to cover it. No one could be hiding there.
Since they were already here, Captain Zhang had them broadcast at the gate anyway. Two hours passed with no response. They reboarded and left.
The last time Lan Jin and the others came through here toward H City, they drove. Just the drive took days, and they stuck to side roads while scavenging. No one expected they would take the same route again. Memories flooded back in an instant.
After the two ships drifted for several more days, they finally entered the waters around H City.
Captain Zhang knew H City. He knew which districts had people and which did not. They had searched it right after leaving the base. From R City to J City to H City, three cities passed, and still not a single survivor.
They had reached H City. Before leaving, one thing remained. With everyone about to clear the city limits, Captain Zhang could not hold it in anymore and brought it up.
They had to bring Grandma Ling and Lan Qiaoqiao out of the space and put them in plain view. If they left H City without doing it, they would not have another chance in a place they had never visited.
Captain Zhang had the ship steered into a residential compound, then took Lan Jin and the other three straight up to the rooftop.
Since it was only the four of them, Captain Zhang did not bother pretending. "Let's do it here. Any farther will look fake. You don't want to expose the space, so use this spot."
"Okay."
All four agreed and went into an empty unit at the top.
They shut the door, then slipped into the space.
Earlier, when Lan Jin was alone, Lan Jin had already explained everything to Grandma Ling and Lan Qiaoqiao. Grandma Ling had no objections. The problem was Lan Qiaoqiao.
Lan Jin said, "Qiao Qiao, remember. No matter who asks, you say you and Grandma Ling lived here the whole time. Got it?"
Lan Qiaoqiao was so excited she could not sit still. She had been cooped up in the space forever. "Got it, Mama. Qiao Qiao not little. Qiao Qiao knows what to say. Knows what not to say."
Everyone laughed. The warnings had been given. If they slipped anyway, so be it.
"Alright. If you don't know how to answer, just don't answer. You're a child. No one will blame you."
They gathered the packed luggage and a bundle of half-eaten food they had prepared as props, then carried everything out of the space.
The moment they emerged, Lan Qiaoqiao blurted, "Wow, so hot, Mama."
Hearing Lan Qiaoqiao's voice, Captain Zhang knew they were back. "You're out? Quick, put on the heat-proof suit. Don't let the heat get you."
Huang Jinghe opened the door at once. He took the suits and brought Captain Zhang inside.
There were no child sizes. Captain Zhang rolled up his sleeves and altered one on the spot for Lan Qiaoqiao. It was surprisingly thoughtful.
"Thanks, Captain Zhang," Lan Jin said.
"Much appreciated, Captain Zhang," Ling Jiang said, taking the other suit.
However, it was not only Lan Qiaoqiao and Grandma Ling they were bringing out. The family dog was a life too. Captain Zhang had not prepared a suit for the dog. Nana panted and pressed himself against Captain Zhang, as if trying to share his body heat with Captain Zhang.
Captain Zhang sighed. "Once we're back on the ship, I'll make one for you. Stop rubbing, stop rubbing."
Nana seemed to understand and backed off.
Lan Jin dressed Lan Qiaoqiao quickly. The temperature around Lan Qiaoqiao dropped at once. But children were delicate. In weather like this, layering up suddenly felt awful. While Lan Jin pulled the suit on, Lan Qiaoqiao tugged it right back off.
"Mama, not comfy."
"No choice," Lan Jin said. "If you don't wear it and bugs come bite you, your skin will go bad. It'll rot."
"Rot then rot," Lan Qiaoqiao said, careless.
Lao Gao joked, "How can that be? Uncle Zhou is downstairs waiting for our Qiao Qiao. What if he sees your skin all ruined?"
At the mention of Zhou Zhiye downstairs, Lan Qiaoqiao lit up. "Ah? Brother Gao, Uncle Zhou here too?"
"Why bring him up? Look how excited she gets," Lan Jin grumbled. Then she looked straight at Lan Qiaoqiao. "Qiao Qiao, Mama knows you like Uncle Zhou. When we go down, you can't cling to Uncle Zhou. Uncle Zhou has work. He can't play."
Lan Qiaoqiao clearly did not hear a word. She bundled the suit up to her chin and said, "Mama hurry. Uncle Zhou wait long."
"Uncle Zhou is not waiting for you. What are you rushing for?" Lan Jin huffed, helpless.
Lan Qiaoqiao did not mind. She wheedled, "Hurry, Mama. Hurry."
Watching Lan Qiaoqiao, everyone could not help smiling.
Sometimes a child really did make life lighter.