Chapter 115 - 115: 115 Tai Lake Service Area

Translator: 549690339

The group bid each other farewell before parting.

As a token of gratitude for leading them out of the maze, Chen Hui offered Bai Youwei a plump mushroom before he left.

Zhang Tianyang, concerned about the dangers Chen Hui might face on his journey alone, gave him a block of frog mud as well.

Afterward, Chen Hui set off north.

Zhang Tianyang took his classmates and began heading south.

Shen MO, Bai Youwei, Tan Xiao, and Chang Weicai formed a group and traveled by car to Hangzhou—

From Yangzhou to Hangzhou, the entire distance was about 297 km, approximately 3 hours and 39 minutes by car.

This was the travel time before the Apocalypse.

As for now, the congested highways and the neverending dolls were enough to

drive them mad.

The only convenience was that their enhanced physical abilities allowed Shen

MO and Tan Xiao to manually move cars and clear the road when the congestion wasn’t too severe.

Chang Weicai also gained a substantial amount of strength. Although he couldn’t compare to the younger men, his stamina had rejuvenated as if he were twenty years younger. He truly didn’t feel tired, dizzy, or short of breath.

The direct effect of this change was an improved morale within the group. They seemed to resent the doll game less too.

Bai Youwei was unsure if this change was for the better.

If it was a positive change, it could mean that everyone’s ability to adapt to the end of the world had increased.

If it was a negative change, this could be the game’s first step to domesticate them…

It was as if they were smacked across their faces and then given a sweet date.

Once they entered the Changshen Expressway, their journey became smoother.

There were no congested cars nor dolls in sight.

That night, they passed by Tai Lake and decided to rest in the Tai Lake service area.

Under the bright moonlight, with the night sky hanging high, they lit a fire in an open section of the service area to heat water and make dinner.

“Maze life was better. We had watermelons, roast meat, even a microwave. Now we’ve returned to primitive living. Who knows what the Hangzhou maze will be like…” Tan Xiao lamented as he threw branches into the fire.

Chang Weicai, who was preparing mung bean soup at the side, asked Tan Xiao with a smile, “Aren’t you scared, Xiaotan?”

“I am.” Tan Xiao responded off-handedly.

After pausing for a moment, he added with a grin, “But now that we’re out, it doesn’t seem so scary… Ah, forget it! As adventurers, we’ve got to brave the wind and rain. What’s there to fear in this? Just a drizzle! Like MO here, his face never changes no matter what happens. What’s that phrase again? Described as steady as a mountain in the face of chaos!”

Chang Weicai explained with a chuckle, “The complete version is ‘As firm as a rock in face of danger, as composed as a deer in a rut.’ It means that even when Mount Tai collapses, his facial expression remains unchanged, or when a deer crosses his path, he doesn’t even blink.”

For once, Tan Xiao didn’t tease Chang Weicai’s scholarly manners but praised him, “Being a teacher really shows, very refined.”

Upon hearing this, Chang Weicai’s expression darkened slightly, “Nowadays, having skills is more valuable than being cultured. Besides teaching, there’s nothing much else I can do…”

As they chatted, Bai Youwei emerged from her tent, asking, “Who touched my rabbit?”

Tan Xiao and Chang Weicai stared back at her, shocked.

Shen MO, who was studying the map, turned to ask, “Has your rabbit gone missing, Youwei?”

Bai Youwei, furrowing her brows, responded, “No, it’s in the tent.”

Everyone was left puzzled.

If the rabbit hadn’t gone missing, why was she asking?

“Never mind.” Bai Youwei, appearing slightly annoyed, grabbed her walking stick and strolled closer to the fire, prodding at it. “Are the sweet potatoes ready?”

“Not yet. They need to roast for a while longer before they’re fully cooked,” replied Chang Weicai, quickly pulling her away from the fire. “Be careful not to burn yourself or get sparks on your clothes.”

Bai Youwei, leaning on her walking stick, moved aimlessly around, expressing her hunger.

Tan Xiao offered her a roasted sausage, “Have this one first to soothe your hunger.”

Disliking the greasiness, Bai Youwei didn’t accept the sausage. Instead, she continued to wander around with her walking stick. Spotting Tai Lake not far

away—

Under the moonlight, the mountain scenery was captivating. The water reflected the glimmers of light, large patches of lotus leaves spread on the water’s surface. The breeze stirred the lotus leaves, making them sway and ripple like waves.

Bai Youwei suddenly felt an urge and glanced at Shen MO, “I want lotus seeds.”

Shen MO,