Chapter 0062: Inquire About the Situation and Understand the Background

"We are members of the food collection team from the nearby underground shopping mall gathering site!"

"You're from the Baohe Underground Base?"

Upon hearing the mention of the underground mall gathering site, Di Ping immediately interrupted Yue Lie's words with a start. The nearby underground gathering site might refer to the large Baohe Underground Mall gathering place, which had been described by the Fat Man and others as a site for thousands of people. He anxiously asked.

"Yes! Big Brother, do you know about that place?"

Yue Lie was startled by Di Ping's exclamation. Upon hearing that Di Ping also knew about the gathering site, he immediately became curious.

"Has something happened at the gathering site? Why are you here?"

With Yue Lie's confirmation, Di Ping's heart sank, and he grew anxious, thinking the underground base might have encountered trouble. Otherwise, how could these two have ended up here? Had he arrived too late? If he had come first, he wouldn't have wasted time.

"We don't know what's happening at the gathering site. We didn't run out from there! We didn't even make it inside!"

Yue Lie, somewhat surprised by Di Ping's intense reaction, thought to himself, "Could this person also be from our gathering site, or perhaps he has relatives there?" He wondered why Di Ping was so worked up.

"Not from inside? Then how did you end up here? Could you tell me what happened?"

When Di Ping heard that the two hadn't come from the gathering site and weren't aware of its current situation, he asked to know how they ended up in this situation.

"We're from the food search team of the gathering site. The day before yesterday, we went out to collect food, and when we returned to the square in the afternoon, we were chased by a group of mutant dogs. Fortunately, we ran fast, but the rest of our team didn't make it out. We didn't even make it inside the gathering site, so we don't know what happened there. We didn't dare return, so we had to hide in a nearby building. Unable to stand the hunger, we came out to find food."

Yue Lie, a student with a calm demeanor, quickly explained the situation in clear terms, while Liu Han, who had recovered by now, nodded in agreement with what Yue Lie was saying.

"Could you tell me about the underground gathering site? With so many people gathered together, how are food and shelter managed?"

Di Ping picked up three bottles of water from a shelf, handing one to each of the two men while taking a sip from his own. He had been walking for quite some time and was thirsty. After watching the two drink and their expressions settle, he continued his inquiry.

"There's no guarantee of anything! It's just a place to hide. We have nothing, not even proper shelter. As for food, don't even think about it. The search teams like ours are better off, getting a slice or two of bread a day, but the average person can't even get one. There are elderly and weak people who are starving to death." Yue Lie shrugged helplessly.

"Who is managing the gathering site? With such a shortage of food, haven't they come up with any solutions?"

Di Ping understood that feeding and sustaining over a thousand people would be a huge challenge, but surely there was someone in charge. Was there no effort to solve the problem?

"Nothing! The leaders have food and drink, but they don't care about the rest of us!" Liu Han, whose temper had flared again, began to rant. He had been terrified moments earlier but was now speaking in anger.

"Really? What's going on? Can you explain?"

Di Ping was suspicious, sensing that there were hidden issues behind Liu Han's words.

But then he recalled similar situations. The previous group with San Delin had caused internal strife. They locked him and others out, nearly costing him his life. Afterward, they even used food to manipulate and harm women. Given the context of such behavior, anything could happen in a small base with over a thousand people. The human psyche, under pressure, could turn dark and cruel.

"They just care about themselves. They take the food we find, give us a slice of bread at most. If someone can't go out to search, they give them half a slice or none at all. Meanwhile, the leaders live well with food, wine, and even women."

Liu Han's voice dripped with resentment as he spoke, his anger palpable.

"Who are these people?"

Di Ping asked, trying to understand the identity of those in power.

"Who else but those government officials!"

Liu Han said dismissively.

"Why didn't you try reasoning with them?"

Di Ping asked, puzzled.

"Reason with them? They have people, they have guns. What can we do with just our hands?"

Liu Han rolled his eyes, as if he thought Di Ping was being naïve.

"Old Liu!"

Yue Lie, noticing that Liu Han was becoming confrontational, warned him quietly. Liu Han, realizing his mistake, quickly quieted down.

Di Ping, feeling a bit awkward, scratched his nose. He realized his question might have been a little foolish, and smiled to signal that it was nothing serious.

"How many mutant dogs did you see around the base?"

Di Ping decided to steer the conversation back to more relevant matters, inquiring about the situation surrounding the base's possible siege.

Both men's faces turned pale as fear washed over them. Yue Lie spoke in a trembling voice, "We don't know. We didn't dare look. We just turned and ran!" His voice grew shaky as he recalled the scene, and he shivered involuntarily. "There were... many. I think... more than ten!"

"Don't worry, you're safe now."

Di Ping reassured them gently, understanding that the two had been deeply scared.