Chapter 28、The Bait of Shadows: Death in the Dark

8:00 PM.

Jiang Xiaoci led the women through the darkened streets.

A few flashlights flickered in the group, along with makeshift torches crafted by Li Ya. The illumination wasn't a concern, but the oppressive heat still made the air unbearable. The women were bundled up in multiple layers of clothing, even wearing face masks, their appearances more akin to people preparing for a harsh winter than a scorching apocalypse. Some had even donned down jackets.

This was Li Ya's method for coping with the intense heat—dressing in layers to trap air between fabrics, creating a makeshift insulative barrier. The inner layers were moisture-wicking, like cotton or synthetic fibers, to keep their skin dry, while the outer layers were thicker to block out the heat.

It proved effective; though drenched in sweat, it was better than exposing bare skin to 70°C (158°F) heat. Still, dizziness was rampant, and adapting to the high temperatures was far from easy.

"Just a little longer," Jiang Xiaoci encouraged, passing out small sips of ice water to help lower their body temperatures. "Sisters, we're no longer in peacetime. We can't rely on men anymore; we must unite and do this ourselves!"

"Once we finish transporting these supplies, I'll suggest to Mr. Su that we get everyone some basic necessities."

"And not just food," she added. "Things like sanitary pads and insulation materials are just as necessary."

The women perked up at the mention of non-food supplies. Life for women was already more complicated than for men, and anything that could make survival in the apocalypse easier felt like a blessing. Jiang Xiaoci had no intention of lying; she truly meant to gather more non-food essentials. After all, the heat had lasted for days, and most food, especially canned goods, had spoiled. It was better to gather survival necessities than to scrounge through the wreckage for something edible. They needed to prepare for a prolonged struggle.

"We're... just gathering supplies, right?" one girl asked hesitantly, glancing at her steel spear and shield. "It feels more like we're going to war."

"We're only here for self-defense," Jiang Xiaoci reassured them, taking the lead as the group moved forward. "The real fighting won't involve us."

Soon, they arrived at the large shopping complex, six blocks away. The seven-story building was a city shopping mall with shattered doors and a chaotic, trash-strewn entrance. Blood stains had dried on the walls, remnants of a past struggle.

The place was deserted, and Jiang Xiaoci led the anxious women into the building, guiding them toward the underground supermarket to begin their work.

At first, the women were nervous, afraid that a band of marauders might spring an ambush. But as time passed, they became absorbed in the store's variety of goods, collecting supplies with determination. Everyone knew that the more they gathered, the easier it would be to survive. They couldn't afford to slack off.

Jiang Xiaoci directed the group, instructing them to place heavier items at the bottom of the shopping carts and link multiple carts together to make transportation easier. She also sent two women to retrieve transport carts from nearby delivery points.

"Looks like we're going to have to make several trips," Jiang Xiaoci muttered, observing the vast store. "This place has a lot of useful things, but we won't be able to finish in one night."

She sighed quietly, her sixth sense telling her that someone was watching them.

In the darkness, the women's torches and flashlights gleamed like fireflies, lighting up the black void. Somewhere, hidden in the shadows, there were eyes—eyes that seemed to be watching them with predatory hunger.

"Are the traps set?" Jiang Xiaoci muttered, her lips curling slightly. She had become the bait, ensuring that the environment would be perfect for Lin Yue's sniper attack. To optimize Lin Yue's position, she had placed the gathering point in front of the spacious entrance, lighting several makeshift torches around the area. The only light in the surrounding darkness would surely draw attention.

Meanwhile, a group of men hid at the end of the street, behind several abandoned cars.

"Boss, over there, look," one of the men whispered, pointing toward the glowing lights.

"Keep the flashlight low, don't let them see us."

"Has Xiao Lin come back yet? What's going on over there?"

"He's back, big brother. It's a group of women. I saw it—no men, just women!"

"Really?" Big Liu stroked his bald head thoughtfully, crouching behind the car. He grinned, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "A group of women alone? They're just lambs. Looks like we'll feast tonight."

"Boss, don't get too cocky," a young man with glasses warned, his voice cautious. "Anything can happen these days. We should wait a bit more."

"Xiao Liu is right. Let's wait a little longer," another man added.

"Fine, we wait," Big Liu agreed. For the next hour, they stayed hidden, watching the women haul cartloads of supplies from the store.

"I think it's almost time. They look like they're about to leave," one man murmured.

"Let's go now before the bird flies away," another man urged.

"Tonight, I'm getting me a woman," one of them whispered hoarsely. "My kid's starving at home."

The men's impatience was palpable, and they began to voice their eagerness.

"Big Brother, what's the plan?" someone asked.

Big Liu grinned, "Everyone, let's split into teams. We'll encircle them from both sides."

His younger brother, Xiao Liu, spoke up: "We should move fast. I suspect the nearby neighborhoods are already targeting this place. We don't want to be the last ones to strike."

Xiao Liu's analysis seemed to resonate with the group, and soon everyone was in agreement. They set a plan, preparing for a quick, decisive attack.

On the rooftop across from the shopping center, a woman in camouflage crouched with a sniper rifle.

Her gaze was locked on the group of men through a high-powered scope with night vision.

"Miss Jiang was right," Lin Yue muttered, her finger slowly squeezing the trigger. "The prey has taken the bait."