Chapter 131: New Year's Eve Gala

How long has it been since I last tasted something flavorful, especially something spicy?

“After collecting, you must exit from this side.”

Due to the large crowd, the entrance and exit were separated; once you collected your ration, you left immediately.

The process had been going on for over twenty minutes when it was this person’s turn again.

“This person has already collected once.”

A middle-aged man sitting at the front by the door suddenly spoke.

Immediately, two guards stepped out and dragged him away.

No matter how much he begged, it was to no avail.

As for the outcome, many had already guessed what would happen.

No one knew exactly how Dawn City distinguished them, but everyone became more cautious.

No wonder Dawn City dared to take such measures—they clearly had the means to differentiate.

Speaking of Dawn City’s population, there were hundreds of thousands.

But in reality, the four major groups alone accounted for nearly a hundred thousand, and since they had already sealed off houses and tents beforehand, the number wasn’t as large as imagined.

Dawn City had mobilized thousands to distribute food, and once underway, the operation was impressively swift.

After about thirty minutes, entry was stopped.

The old fellow in Dawn City with the ability to smell had reached the limit of his power for the day.

Those who didn’t arrive in time couldn’t even get free food—well, they had only themselves to blame.

Another hour passed, and almost everyone in the square had received their food.

Besides two boxes of self-heating rice or instant hot pots, each person also got a bottle of mineral water. Men received two cigarettes as well.

This was already considered quite a good arrangement.

Those who came later found no self-heating rice or hot pots left, but could collect instant noodles and compressed biscuits instead.

It was enough for a person to barely fill their stomach—much better than many usual days.

Besides those in the square, people in houses and tents received their supplies delivered directly by the four major groups.

This ensured a certain level of efficiency and avoided duplication.

It wasn’t until noon that this warehouse-opening operation truly concluded.

The entire city then plunged into a genuine celebration.

From New Year’s Eve to the third day of the lunar new year, everyone could freely collect hot water within the territories of the four major groups, provided they brought their own containers and didn’t exceed limits.

Watching these people, excited over a bit of food and warmth, Fang Xia let out a sigh.

---

Chen Gang approached him the day before yesterday and told him about this event, which took him by great surprise.

He recalled that in his previous life, there hadn’t been such activities.

But he had forgotten—development hadn’t been this rapid back then, and many pre-apocalypse supplies were simply wasted.

This time, with the onslaught of zombies and supply drops, the space equipment yielded far more than before, and many pre-apocalypse reserves were brought back to Dawn City.

Hence, today’s event came into being.

In fact, Fang Xia didn’t have to participate—he was about to leave Dawn City.

But since Chen Gang had the intention, he decided to join in.

With great power comes great responsibility—a saying Fang Xia found no fault in.

When powerless, kindness only brings harm; but when capable, a little kindness allows one to live with greater peace of mind.

Within Fang Xia’s own territory, the festive atmosphere was even stronger.

No one knew exactly when they began preparing, but lanterns hung everywhere and spring couplets adorned every room.

Everywhere overflowed with the joy of the New Year.

Unfortunately, there were no fireworks.

But that was something everyone had grown used to; fireworks had been banned for many years, even in rural areas.

Even without their spectacle, the festive spirit was unmistakable.

“Brother Fang, we’ve prepared a show for tonight,” Liu Rui whispered mysteriously.

Tonight, the second floor won’t have any cooking; everyone will dine together for a reunion feast.

When night fell, Fang Xia was led to the large open space at the center of his territory.

This place had once been used to fend off zombie storms, but now a makeshift stage had been erected.

At seven o’clock, guards lit countless torches, leaving only the stage bathed in flickering electric lights.

Over a thousand young ladies gathered around the stage.

Besides his own group, even more people surrounded them, mostly men.

Chen Gang, White Clothes, and Lone Wolf were all invited to sit at the front table alongside Fang Xia.

On the table were fine pre-apocalypse Flying Maotai liquor and various platters of snacks.

Behind them were at least a hundred more tables—no one knew when they had been arranged.

Fang Xia hadn’t left his home for days, constantly attended to by several women in rotation.

Clearly, this had been planned well in advance.

Fang Xia was happy to relax; after all, he didn’t have to worry about anything.

---

“Commander Fang, you don’t mind us crashing your New Year’s Eve dinner, do you? We’d like to enjoy the party too,” said White Clothes first.

Among the three factions, Fang Xia had the least dealings with White Clothes, who was usually mysterious and kept to himself.

“Of course not. In these end times, as fellow survivors, we must help one another.”

There was an old saying: no matter the conflict, nothing surpasses the spirit of the New Year…

Even in the apocalypse, this sentiment remained deeply ingrained in everyone’s bones.

While they chatted casually, two young ladies in formal dresses appeared on stage.

Just a few words revealed they were professionals.

Fang Xia’s team had many university students of all majors; finding two from broadcasting and hosting was easy.

Due to equipment limitations, the performances on stage were somewhat rough.

No background music, no microphones—everyone sang along live.

Yet each act still received warm and enthusiastic applause.

Below the stage, tables were laden with delicacies; everyone ate and chatted, truly feeling the New Year’s atmosphere.

This feeling lasted until 11:59 p.m.

When the two hosts began the countdown, everyone, inside and outside the square, joined in.

As they shouted, some began to cry.

Once the first person broke down, the soft sobbing quickly spread throughout Dawn City.

A new year was coming, yet…

Those loved ones and friends would never return.

“A man’s tears are seldom shed lightly; it’s just that the time for sorrow hadn’t come before.”

“Brother Fang, everything has been taken care of. Chen Gang has bought back the surplus weapons and unused resources at near-market prices.”

Since Fang Xia was leaving Dawn City, he couldn’t take everything with him; he sold the excess and useless items to Chen Gang.

Chen Gang would eventually find use for them or sell them off.

It wasn’t about profit or loss, but he certainly wouldn’t lose out.

Exiting the villa, all the women on the second floor followed him.

Outside, 1,500 young ladies stood in neat rows, awaiting Fang Xia’s orders.