Many of the pipes inside were left behind by previous aircraft, dating back a long time.
Due to construction schedules, many pipes were abandoned without ever being used.
And what kind of people would be best suited to survive in those abandoned pipes?
It would be "rats."
Xu An knew about the secret passages here because the rats told her.
It was also because of the rats that Xu An learned there were so many abandoned pipes in the lighthouse.
Those who had smuggled themselves onto the lighthouse, those without household registration, those who couldn't afford the work and expensive living expenses above, and even those who had made mistakes.
All lived in these lightless sewage pipes.
However, these pipes also posed significant safety hazards, with countless people perishing in sudden accidents every day.
Liu Liu, after listening, did not get angry.
She simply said calmly, "Don't worry, I won't say anything. I want to get out of here alive more than any of you."
Liu Liu added in her heart, my sister is still waiting for me at home.
"Wait a moment." Just as Xu An and Zhou Haimei were about to turn and leave.
Liu Liu suddenly called out to the two of them.
"You should be careful of a man inside who carries a dagger and has a scar on his left eye. It's best not to let him know you came from outside."
Xu An was surprised that Liu Liu would offer this reminder, and at the same time, she worried about her mother's safety because of the man Liu Liu mentioned.
"Will my mother be in danger then?"
"Not for now. When I left, that man was constantly testing me. Judging by the way he held his knife, he should be a trained fighter, likely someone who makes a living this way."
"And..."
Seeing Liu Liu's hesitant expression, Xu An became anxious.
"And what?"
"And that man carries a faint scent of blood. It's a very subtle smell, but I'm naturally sensitive to smells, especially the scent of blood. I can distinguish it quickly."
Seeing Xu An's suspicious gaze, Liu Liu didn't rush to explain. Instead, she said slowly, "I know you might find it strange. There are zombies everywhere now, so isn't it normal to have a scent of blood on you?"
"The point is, I spoke face-to-face with that man, and that scent of blood came from his mouth."
Upon hearing this, Xu An and Zhou Haimei's mouths fell open in astonishment.
"You mean that man eats people?"
This was a result that shocked everyone.
Liu Liu did not deny it, but analyzed it objectively and rationally.
"I'm only guessing, I can't be sure. I just want to warn you to be careful, and especially not to reveal that this place has been sealed off."
Xu An found it surreal. Although it was the apocalypse, the food on the lighthouse, with diligent work, shouldn't lead to starvation.
In her previous life, when she lived on the surface, it was only after several years, when the environment deteriorated and crops could no longer be grown, that humanity was driven to cannibalism.
But now, with no prior coercion, it could only mean that the man Liu Liu mentioned was actively doing this.
Xu An's heart was instantly clenched. She wished she could rush to her mother's side immediately to ensure her safety.
"Don't worry too much. Just remember to be careful of that man, and don't let yourselves be targeted."
After speaking, Liu Liu remembered the girl in the white dress.
Their meeting was brief. The other party had told her her name, and out of politeness, she had reciprocated.
However, her timidity held her back. But this couldn't be blamed on the other person.
After all, humans are creatures that tend to avoid harm.
She hoped her warning to the other party when she left would have some effect.
After bidding farewell, the group
departed in different directions.
Time rewound to the present.
Xu An followed the address Liu Liu had given and finally found the convenience store.
Looking at the thick door before her, she felt a sense of homecoming mingled with apprehension.
"Is anyone there? Is anyone home?"
Following Liu Liu's instructions, Xu An and Zhou Haimei decided to pretend they were refugees seeking shelter here.
One must guard against others.
Although they didn't quite believe that there were still cannibals around, they couldn't completely let down their guard.
He planned to pretend not to recognize his mother upon entering and deliberately smeared his face black with soot.
Until someone replied.
"Who are you?"
Hearing movement from inside, Xu An spoke, using the pre-prepared lines.
"Can you please open the door and take us in? We met a sister on the road, and she saved us from zombies, but she died protecting us. We are very scared. That sister said this was a place she used to stay, so she told us to come here."
Upon hearing that Liu Liu had already died outside, everyone inside felt an indescribable emotion.
Those who had clamored to go out with Liu Liu now felt a sense of relief at having survived.
However, the people inside the door still did not lower their guard against Xu An and the other.
"How do we know if you two have been bitten by zombies? Go somewhere else. We can't help you here."
Xu Yan, listening to the voice outside, was on the verge of losing control several times. In a place no one could see, she was weeping profusely.
It was Yueyue who sensibly wiped Xu Yan's tears.
"Auntie, don't cry."
Xu Yan quickly wiped away the tears from her face before anyone noticed.
She knew her daughter must have had a problem that required her to disguise herself.
And she couldn't be a burden to her daughter.
The police officer was extremely anxious, fearing that Xu An would be locked outside indefinitely.
But she still endured with great effort, not coming forward easily.
Seeing that the people inside were still unwilling to budge, Xu An realized that those inside were probably not good people.
Xu An was about to try another method.
Suddenly, a sharp kicking sound came from inside.
"You little *****, get out of here quickly!"
"I already told you not to come in, why are you lingering? Do you want to freeload? I'm telling you, no way. What if you bring in some virus!"
Xu An had also heard from Liu Liu about this peculiar mother and son, separated by only a wall.
In the apocalypse, Xu An had encountered plenty of unreasonable and malicious old women like this.
Perhaps it was because Xu An had been on missions for the past few years and rarely socialized outside.
She hadn't encountered such an extreme old lady for a long time.
But she didn't expect to encounter one here today.
Strike the snake at its vital point.
Xu An knew too well the weaknesses of people who were both malicious and greedy.
She winked at Zhou Haimei and took out the prepared items.
"Sister, since no one is willing to accept us, we'll just eat our last meal here and then leave."
Zhou Haimei looked at Xu An with a sly smile and, in a feigned weak voice, chimed in.
"Yes, it would be such a waste if we couldn't finish all this food."
"It can't be helped, who asked no one to welcome us."