RHWHEG – Chapter 40 A New Face

In the end, Yu Qunqing chose to admit to his two teammates that the snake was created by him, and that its massive growth was just an accident—but at least it was under control.

Sun Min, who trusted Yu Qunqing a hundred percent, declared, “Big Brother Yu is so cool!”

Lin Luyi, for once, finally pieced things together: “You controlled the snake and destroyed the barriers around the university town… actually so more people could join the community?”

Yu Qunqing neither confirmed nor denied “More people means better development for the community.”

Lin Luyi bristled with resentment: “Next time you’d better discuss it with us!”

Sun Min agreed: “Maybe we can help Big Brother Yu too. Isn’t that what Brother She Lulang also thinks?”

She Lulang was slightly taken aback.

“I did discuss it with him,” Yu Qunqing said. “Of course I’d tell She Lulang.”

“Why the double standards then!” Lin Luyi protested even louder. “Just because he’s LV2? We participated in the action too, you know!”

Double standards?

She Lulang’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles.

The matter was dropped.

At four or five the next morning, while the temperature was still low, was the best time for everyone to move quickly. With each step, the students were growing—once they only huddled together and screamed at the sight of calamities, but now they had already built simple distillers to replenish water.

The team now numbered more than eight hundred people. They were not entirely harmonious. Yao Linlin and Gu Tian each had their own sub-groups, other university students clung together based on relationships, and there were also pragmatic survivors from other parts of the city. Yu Qunqing’s group was hidden among them.

The column stretched nearly a hundred meters long, very eye-catching. Stragglers on the road, ragged and wary, were drawn in. Herd mentality was strong in the apocalypse—seeing such a conspicuous group, people couldn’t help but follow. The eight hundred soon swelled close to a thousand. Yao Linlin and Gu Tian, as leaders, suddenly felt the crushing weight of responsibility.

Around eight o’clock, the students encountered Klein-bottle victims at a school shelter. Yao Linlin, seeing her friend’s mind broken, collapsed in despair. But with Yu Qunqing’s deliberate hints and the group’s brainstorming, they discovered that the Klein-bottle’s effects could actually be reversed—through the sound of teaching knowledge.

Immediately, the fifty-odd victims were integrated into the team. They only needed to find a new shelter to start lessons. Many of them happened to be education majors, perfectly suited for the task.

As the temperature rose, complaints grew louder, and internal conflicts flared. It was human nature. But Yao Linlin, hardened by repeated highs and lows, forcefully suppressed dissent. Gu Tian played the good guy, soothing those left unsettled.

By ten, the heat made further marching unbearable. In the distance, they finally saw the silhouette of a residential community—hope mixed with trepidation.

At the same time, residents inside the community also spotted the approaching column. The mission board had updated:

“Guide this group to register. Each person brings a reward of 400 building materials.”

The lure of building materials was immense. Those who had been preparing to scavenge trash rolled up their sleeves to welcome the newcomers. Residents resting upstairs rushed down, lining up at the gates as if about to wave banners:

Welcome New Residents!

Seeing the endless stream of people outside, the smiles on their faces nearly split to their ears.

This time—they were going to strike it rich!

Of course, the building materials came from Yu Qunqing’s own pocket. But for every new resident registered, he received 500 materials, meaning even after paying out rewards, he still profited 100. No matter how you calculated, it was a win.

“Let them handle things themselves now. Let’s go home,” Yu Qunqing told his teammates.

His team quietly slipped away. They had expended enormous effort shielding the caravan—why else had they only faced minor calamities along the way? The truly lethal ones had been eliminated by Yu Qunqing’s team. Though they gained many disaster-stones and promises of supplies, what they needed most now was rest.

Yu Qunqing habitually dragged She Lulang home with him. As soon as they walked through the door, the system bombarded him with reminders to download a game. Annoyed, he confirmed the download of Traveling Meow Meow and collapsed into deep sleep.

Meanwhile, in the community below, fifty original residents were busy absorbing nearly a thousand newcomers.

“Perform a crocodile-offering ritual, just one disaster-stone will do. What? None? Gold and jewelry are fine too.”

Fang Shanyu, questioned, was embarrassed to admit she had neither. She took a deep breath—the humid air filled her lungs, making her feel as if she could float away. Surrounded by friendly people, she felt as though she’d stepped into paradise. Tears choked her voice.

“No disaster-stones? No problem. Rest on the first or second floor for now. There’s a maze in the garden, shaded and cool. This evening we’ll have a gold-mining squad—join if you want materials…” The receptionist kindly explained the community.

Fang Shanyu’s legs gave out after a few steps. She collapsed into the garden’s shade, crying as guilt crushed her—her contempt for Klein victims, her vicious wish to abandon classmates. Though her friends were safe, her conscience weighed heavily. She sobbed louder and louder, pouring out all her pain.

Tears washed away, a new self was born. In the apocalypse, those with too much morality rarely survived—but this community seemed to point to a new path.

Elsewhere, receptionists stopped vagrants from drinking fountain water or bathing in it. The place bustled like a marketplace, yet thanks to the large student majority, order held firm. Even with the influx, no chaos erupted.

060, wearing an apron, sat outside the café, hoping for customers. But everyone was broke. She slumped in frustration.

The biggest challenge was the lack of disaster-stones—without them, no building materials, no housing. Many were forced to crowd in public areas, some even tempted to bathe in the canal.

Then came the announcement:

“New way to get building materials—accept missions from the task board!”

Everyone swarmed the office.

Inside, it was calmer. People scanned the new missions.

“Crocodile Task 09: Join the Community Science & Technology Research Center. Register at Building One. Reward: 1000 materials.”

“Building One’s open?!”

“Of course. As the community evolves and grows, more buildings unlock!” someone said excitedly, running ahead.

Meanwhile, Yu Qunqing, after half an hour’s rest, was already grinding away at Game.

Building One was luxury itself—each floor a single residence with three elevators. Yu Qunqing did minimal fixes and used his earnings to open unit 501, knowing that for a shelter to thrive long-term, science and talent were key.

The apartment was minimalist—no bed, no kitchenware. Instead, he stocked it with a beginner’s workbench, computer, soldering tools—waiting for talent to bite. Soon, he also bought 601 and 701 for more labs.

Crocodile Task 09-1: Electronics Department, Building 601.

Crocodile Task 09-2: Light Manufacturing, Building 701.

Crocodile Task 09-3: Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Building 501.

Enthusiastic students and survivors signed up. Some brought rabbits from the med school, others seedlings from the agricultural university. They dreamed of reviving crops and livestock.

Knowledge flowed. Reading voices filled the halls. Technology and education finally glimmered in this apocalyptic haven.

The community expanded to three residential towers:

Building Four: family living.

Building Two: Yu Qunqing’s home.

Building One: professional spaces.

The clinic, with its medieval red-brick style, attracted medical students. Food demand soared, nearly draining Yu Qunqing’s stores. He restocked at Penguin Farm, bringing in waves of fresh produce. Relief washed over everyone—no famine here.

He also upgraded the Flame Farm, producing new crops like Fire Mulberry Tea—fruit that melted into oolong-like tea when heated, a handy water substitute.

Though the farm couldn’t expand due to growth limits, the south plaza still held only two plots.

By afternoon, the influx of people ignited dreams of a better life. Groups formed gold-mining squads, eager to earn.

Yu Qunqing looked forward to it.