Traversing the entire neighborhood: Surviving in the wasteland with a strange auntie

Chapter 12 Companions are meant to help each other.

The sound outside the door was very clear.

Su Nian immediately recognized the voice as Jiang Ruotong's.

He frowned slightly, but still slowly said, "Come in."

As soon as she finished speaking, the door to the cubicle was gently pushed open, and Jiang Ruotong walked in slowly.

Jiang Ruotong is always impeccably made up, with her hair meticulously styled, and her well-fitting suits accentuate her powerful aura.

She is a high-society female CEO in the eyes of many, seemingly unattainable, exuding an air of unapproachability.

But at this moment, she had completely lost her former sharpness; her long, black hair had fallen loose, cascading smoothly over her shoulders.

A few strands of hair, damp with sweat, clung to her cheeks, which were flushed with a faint blush, adding to her fragility and weariness.

The carefully applied makeup was mostly ruined by a night of running around and panic, losing some of its refinement but gaining a touch of unadorned gentleness.

Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and confusion; there was not a trace of the aura of a powerful businesswoman left.

Instead, she seemed like an ordinary woman with no one to rely on.

After Jiang Ruotong entered the cubicle, she didn't hesitate at all and gently closed the door behind her.

In the cramped cubicle, only the two of them remained, and the atmosphere in the air became strangely quiet and subtle.

She slowly turned around, her gaze falling directly on Su Nian, who was leaning against the headboard. Her eyes were glued to his face, never leaving him for a moment.

The young man before me was only in his early twenties.

Su Nian's heart inexplicably quickened as she was stared at so directly, and the drowsiness that had been sweeping over her body dissipated considerably.

He instinctively braced himself on the mattress, slowly sat up, and leaned against the wall at the head of the bed.

He deliberately cleared his throat, trying to hide the inexplicable unease in his heart, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Ahem, Aunt Jiang, it's so late, everyone should be resting. What brings you here?"

Jiang Ruotong didn't answer immediately, but slowly walked towards the bedside, her steps light and deliberate.

She stopped only when she reached the bedside, and bowed her head slightly.

Looking at Su Nian sitting on the bed, with clear and bright eyes,

Emotions welled up in his eyes, along with weariness.

There is dependence, and also a subtle, almost imperceptible tenderness.

"Nothing much, I just lay in the cubicle, tossing and turning for ages, unable to fall asleep. I felt so suffocated and depressed."

Her voice was soft, devoid of her usual cool and capable demeanor as a female CEO, carrying a hint of grievance and a trace of complete dependence on Su Nian.

"In this shelter, everyone is either still shaken or asleep from exhaustion. I want to talk to someone and pour out my grievances. After thinking it over, I realized that you are the only one I can talk to."

Su Nian was stunned for a moment. Looking at the genuine exhaustion and helplessness in her eyes, her heart softened a little.

Without thinking much, he quietly moved to the inside of the bed, making a small empty space, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Okay, Auntie, please sit down. Don't be shy. If you have anything to say or anything that's bothering you, feel free to tell me. I'm all ears."

Jiang Ruotong nodded slightly, without refusing, and gently turned to sit down in the bedside spot that Su Nian had vacated.

She sat very properly, but still unconsciously moved a little closer to Su Nian. In the small space, Su Nian could clearly smell the faint perfume emanating from Jiang Ruotong.

The fragrance wasn't strong; it was a very delicate woody scent.

Mixed with the faint scent of her body, warmed by her travels,

Su Nian turned his head, looked at her lowered eyes, and spoke softly:

"Aunt Jiang, we've been through thick and thin together, so there's no need to be so formal. If you're unhappy about anything or have something on your mind, just say it. I'll listen carefully."

Jiang Ruotong slowly raised her head, her eyes meeting his eyes, which were so close to hers.

The boy's eyes were clear and gentle.

Complete sincerity

The psychological defenses that had been forcibly maintained crumbled instantly under such pure gaze.

A sudden pang of sadness welled up in my eyes; it was the pent-up grievances and heartache that had been building up for over a decade, buried deep within my heart and never spoken to anyone.

Suddenly, an uncontrollable surge of emotion welled up inside me, and my eyes instantly reddened.

Her voice trembled, choked with sobs.

"When I was in my early twenties, about the same age as you, my parents passed away in an accident, leaving behind a huge company and a bunch of relatives who were eyeing the inheritance and waiting to divide it up."

"Back then, I didn't know anything. I had just graduated from school and was forced to shoulder the burden of the entire company. There was no one I could rely on, and I lived in a world of scheming and conflict every day."

"In order to protect the property left by my parents and to prevent those relatives from swallowing everything up, I forced myself to become stronger, to become cold-blooded and shrewd."

"I gave up all the youth and happiness that girls should have, spending every day at the company reviewing contracts, negotiating collaborations, and dealing with the open and covert attacks in the workplace. It was normal to sleep less than four hours a day."

As she spoke, tears welled up and streamed down her flushed cheeks like beads from a broken string.

One drop after another, they landed heavily on the back of Su Nian's hand, which was placed by the bedside.

The scalding tears, warm to the touch, instantly penetrated the skin and reached the depths of the heart.

Su Nian's heart skipped a beat; it would be a lie to say he wasn't moved.

He had always assumed that Jiang Ruotong, a wealthy female CEO, was born into a life of luxury and ease.

But no one ever imagined that beneath her glamorous exterior lay so many untold grievances and sorrows.

She carried so much unspeakable pressure all by herself.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting, but didn't know how to begin.

All I could do was remain silent, quietly keeping her company in this way.

Listen to her pour out all her grievances.

Just at this time,

The system's mechanical voice, which only he could hear, suddenly rang out in his mind without warning.

[Ding! Jiang Ruotong has developed a strong empathy and dependence on the host, increasing her affection level by 3%. Current affection level progress: 24%]

Su Nian understood in his heart, but showed no sign of anything amiss on his face, maintaining a calm expression.

He knew in his heart that Jiang Ruotong's favorability was only 6% away from reaching the 30% system unlock threshold.

Only when his favorability reaches 30% will he be able to obtain system upgrade privileges again.

Upgrading the shelter's defenses or unlocking new skills and resources can greatly increase the team's chances of survival in the wasteland.

Otherwise, no matter what happens later,

They also won't receive any system rewards, and in the end, all their efforts will be in vain.

However, he wasn't in a hurry at all; Jiang Ruotong was currently very emotional.

He just needs to stay quietly by his side, and let everything take its natural course.

Jiang Ruotong looked down at the tears that had fallen onto Su Nian's hand, then at her tattered cheongsam.

A hint of helplessness and an undisguised embarrassment showed on his face.

"Sigh, this cheongsam is completely unwearable now. It's been torn to shreds by the monsters and is full of holes. In this wasteland world, there's hardly anywhere left to cover myself."

She slowly raised her head, her gaze returning to Su Nian, her eyes filled with a cautious probing and a hint of barely perceptible shyness, and softly asked.

"Su Nian, could you help Auntie sew this dress? I've been spoiled by my family since I was little, and I've always been busy with work. I've never done any needlework before. I'm very clumsy. Let alone mending clothes, I can't even thread a needle properly. Even if I manage to sew it, it will be full of knots and I won't be able to wear it at all."

As she spoke, she reached for the needle and thread and a small roll of plain-colored thread that she had prepared in advance from the bedside table next to her.

This is a simple sewing kit that was given to you by the system when the shelter was upgraded.

There were needles, thread, and small scissors inside; she had picked them up casually when she passed by the storage area earlier.

Jiang Ruotong gently raised her hand and slowly handed the needle and thread in her hand to Su Nian.

When she handed the item over, her fingertips inadvertently brushed against Su Nian's palm.

Her fingertips were cool and soft; she touched them lightly and quickly withdrew them.

Su Nian didn't think much of it, nor did she notice the subtle deliberate gestures in her fingertips. She only looked at the tattered cheongsam she was wearing, which was barely enough to cover her body.

Remembering the grievances she had just expressed, he immediately nodded and readily agreed.

"Okay, no problem, Aunt Jiang, it's just a small thing, I'll sew it for you."

"My parents passed away when I was young, and I lived alone. When my clothes were torn or my shoes were broken, no one ever helped me. I had to learn to do everything myself. I'm very good at sewing and mending, and I can sew neater than many girls. Don't worry."

He was telling the truth. After his parents passed away, he grew up on his own, struggling and bearing all the burdens of life alone.

For him, mending clothes was a simple matter of lifting a finger.

Jiang Ruotong's eyes lit up instantly when she saw how readily he agreed without the slightest hesitation.

The fatigue and grievances of the past few days have dissipated considerably.

"Thank you so much, Su Nian, you're such a good kid."

"No need to thank me, Aunt Jiang. We're all in this together now, so it's only right that we help and look after each other. This is what I should do."

Su Nian smiled, his tone sincere and without the slightest perfunctoriness.

Jiang Ruotong looked at the needle and thread in his hand, then looked down at the tattered cheongsam she was wearing, and felt a deep sense of gratitude.

She was about to say something more when Su Nian got up first and walked to the simple workbench in the corner of the cubicle.

In the upgraded shelter, each cubicle is equipped with a small workbench, as well as basic supplies provided by the system.

This includes instant coffee powder and heating devices.

Thinking that Jiang Ruotong was in low spirits and hadn't slept all night, Su Nian took out some coffee powder, added some clean water, turned on the heating device, and quickly brewed a steaming cup of coffee.

The rich aroma of coffee instantly filled the small cubicle, dispelling some of the oppressive atmosphere.

He carried the steaming coffee back to the bedside, gently handed the cup to Jiang Ruotong, and said in a gentle tone:

"Aunt Jiang, have a cup of hot coffee. It will warm you up and help you relax. Don't think about those unhappy things anymore."

Jiang Ruotong paused for a moment, looking at the warm coffee cup in her hand. The warmth from her fingertips traveled up to her heart.

Throughout her life, the people around her have either flattered her or schemed against her for their own gain.

I've never treated her like this before...

Her eyes reddened again, but she held back her tears, softly said thank you, and then slowly lowered her head to sip her coffee.

The warm liquid slid down my throat, carrying a slightly bitter taste, instantly dispelling the chill.

Neither of them spoke for a moment; the only sounds in the cubicle were the aroma of coffee and the quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

Su Nian turned to the side and looked at the bulletproof glass window in the partition wall; outside, it was still a thick darkness.

The night sky in the wasteland never has stars or a moon.

There was only a gray, hazy sky, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

But just then, a bright streak of light suddenly flashed across the dark window, disappearing in an instant, yet leaving a dazzling trail in the darkness.

It was a shooting star.

Su Nian's eyes lit up slightly, and he spoke softly:

"Aunt Jiang, look out the window, there's a shooting star."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruotong immediately put down her coffee cup and followed his gaze to the window.

Just then, I saw the second shooting star streak across the sky, its light dazzling, brief yet stunning.

Watching the shooting star streak across the sky outside the window, the two fell silent simultaneously, their thoughts drifting back to their ordinary days before they were transported to this wasteland world.

Su Nian recalled her life, which, though poor, was stable and peaceful; she remembered her school days and the lively atmosphere of the streets.

That ordinary world without monsters, without killing, and full of the warmth of everyday life.

Jiang Ruotong also recalled everything before the apocalypse, the life that, though difficult, still held hope.

"The old world was better. Although everyone had their own difficulties, at least it was stable. At least we didn't have to live in fear and anxiety. At least we could look up and see a sky full of stars."

Jiang Ruotong sighed softly, her tone filled with nostalgia and melancholy.

"Yes, we can never go back."

Su Nian also sighed softly, her eyes filled with longing for the past.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Ruotong turned her head, looked at Su Nian beside her with his clear eyes and brows, a gentle smile playing on her lips, and said softly:

"Su Nian, sometimes you really remind me of my deceased younger brother. If he were still alive, he would be about your age, just as sensible, just as gentle, and just as reassuring."

Su Nian was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said nothing, simply keeping her company as she watched the night outside the window.

Perhaps it's because I've completely relaxed emotionally, or perhaps it's because I have someone I can rely on.

Jiang Ruotong's body, which had been tense for more than a decade, finally relaxed completely.

She slowly turned to her side and gently lay down on the bed next to Su Nian, without overstepping any boundaries, simply lying quietly as if relying on a family member.

Su Nian could clearly smell the faint woody fragrance emanating from her, lingering around her nose.

He had no distracting thoughts.

There were no improper thoughts whatsoever.

He simply treated her as an elder who needed care and a companion in times of hardship, quietly staying by her side.

After lying down for a moment, Jiang Ruotong frowned slightly, turned her shoulders slightly, and spoke softly with a hint of weariness in her voice:

"Su Nian, my shoulders are so sore. I used to sit for long periods of time at the company, which gave me neck and shoulder problems. Today I've been running around all day, feeling anxious and worried. Now my whole body is stiff and sore."

She paused, a hint of cautious pleading in her eyes, and asked softly:

"Could you please give Auntie a little massage to relieve her discomfort? It would only be for a short while, would you mind?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Su Nian nodded immediately, his tone calm:

"No problem, Aunt Jiang, I'll massage you for a while, and you'll feel better afterward."

He slowly sat up, adjusted his posture, and helped Jiang Ruotong lie on her side. Then he reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, beginning a gentle massage.

His strength was just right, his technique was skillful, and he accurately pressed on the acupoints on the stiff shoulders and neck, kneading and pressing them little by little to relieve the tense muscles.

Jiang Ruotong closed her eyes, feeling the just-right pressure on her shoulder. The unbearable soreness and discomfort gradually dissipated, and her whole body felt relaxed.

The fatigue, tension, and frustration of the past few days gradually faded away during this gentle massage.

My heart is filled with an unprecedented sense of peace and relaxation.

A satisfied smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

"Yes, this is it, Su Nian. You massaged it so well, even better than the professional masseuse I had before. Auntie feels much better now, thank you so much."

Su Nian simply smiled faintly, her hands continuing their gentle massage without stopping, her voice soft and gentle:

"It's alright, as long as you feel comfortable, that's fine. Massaging for a while longer will help you sleep more soundly."

After a quiet massage for more than ten minutes, Jiang Ruotong's tense body completely relaxed, and her emotions were completely calmed down.

Su Nian slowly stopped what she was doing, sat back down on the edge of the bed, and picked up the needle and thread.

Jiang Ruotong slowly sat up, straightened her clothes, and looked at Su Nian with gratitude and tenderness in her eyes.

Su Nian looked up at her, waved the needle and thread in her hand, and said softly:

"Aunt Jiang, let me mend your clothes for you now. I'll finish it as soon as possible so you can change into something clean and avoid catching a cold."

Jiang Ruotong looked at the needle and thread in his hand, then looked down at the tattered cheongsam she was wearing.

The next second, she slowly reached out, gently pinched the collar of her cheongsam, and with a slight pull of her fingertips, gave it a gentle tug.