area51novel Chapter 11 Unexpected Gains
Chapter 11 Unexpected Gains
Back in his temporary "home" on the second floor, Xu Mo dumped everything he was carrying onto the sofa covered with sheets. The laptop was carefully placed in a relatively clean corner, while the thick velvet cushion was casually placed behind him, immediately providing a soft touch that was indeed much more comfortable than sitting directly on the sheets.
Only then did he have time to carefully examine the several cans of "tea" he had smuggled from the office.
He picked up the first heavy metal can, which was icy cold to the touch. Xu Mo unscrewed the tightly sealed lid, and a rich, slightly spicy tobacco aroma instantly wafted out and hit him.
"Huh?" Xu Mo was taken aback. He tilted the can, which was densely packed with yellowish-brown tobacco shreds and a number of already rolled cigarettes with snow-white filters.
Somewhat skeptical, he picked up a second, equally heavy can and opened it—sure enough, it was still filled with neatly stacked cigarettes!
It wasn't until the third jar was opened that a fresh and delicate tea aroma finally dispelled the slight spiciness of the tobacco. Inside were dark green, tightly rolled tea leaves, which looked to be of quite good quality.
"Heh..." Xu Mo couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "No wonder there's an ashtray on that coffee table, but not a single teacup in sight. The owner of this office must be a heavy smoker..."
Xu Mo roughly counted, and there were probably close to two hundred loose cigarettes in the two jars combined.
This thing is a consumable in civilized society, but in this apocalypse... Xu Mo picked one up and looked at it, his feelings were somewhat complicated.
He wasn't addicted to cigarettes, and since these things couldn't be eaten or drunk, they seemed to offer no benefit to his survival. But then he thought, what if... what if he encountered other survivors in the future? Perhaps these cigarettes could become a special kind of "hard currency," used to exchange for things he needed?
The thought flashed through his mind, but he made a note of it. He closed the two cigarette cans again and placed them together with the can of real green tea, classifying them as supplies that were "potentially useful."
Then, Xu Mo's gaze fell on the laptop.
He pressed the power button, and the computer screen lit up as expected. The brand logo flashed, and the password input interface appeared quickly. Xu Mo tried entering a few common, simple passwords, but unsurprisingly, they failed.
"It just didn't work." With a sigh, Xu Mo closed his laptop in frustration.
It has power and can be turned on, but it can't access the system. Until it encounters a computer expert, the most useful thing about this well-made electronic device is probably... a rather heavy brick, or a rather unsuitable self-defense tool? Xu Mo once again complained about his actions, classifying the computer as "temporarily useless".
Finally, his attention returned to the unassuming cushion beneath his buttocks.
The soft velvet fabric and thick, elastic filling perfectly alleviate the stiffness of the sofa springs. Compared to the "potential value" of cigarettes and the "future possibilities" of computers, the comfort this cushion provides is immediate and tangible. It allows him to rest better and recover his strength more quickly, which in itself is an aid to survival.
"After all this time, the most useful person in this verification operation is actually you." Xu Mo patted the cushion, his tone tinged with self-deprecation, yet also revealing a sense of relief after recognizing reality.
Although this "opening" did not yield much-needed food, medicine, or weapons, it was not without its benefits.
First and foremost, we successfully verified the "door type correspondence" pattern. This points the way to efficient utilization of capabilities in the future, and its strategic significance far exceeds that of one or two ordinary resource gatherings.
Secondly, he acquired some "non-standard" supplies. Cigarettes could be traded, tea could improve the quality of drinking water, and cushions could enhance his quality of life. These broadened his understanding of the boundaries of "useful supplies."
Finally, although the laptop is currently just for show, it's still a "seed." If conditions allow in the future, it might bring unexpected surprises.
After taking inventory, Xu Mo reorganized and put the supplies away. He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the still desolate town outside, but felt clearer and more confident than before.
The grasp of the patterns made Xu Mo feel that he was no longer completely passively going with the flow, but had begun to truly "use" this ability.
For the next two days, Xu Mo's life seemed to enter a stable and fulfilling cycle.
I greet the dawn with standing meditation, and in the morning and afternoon I practice standing meditation several times, gradually increasing in duration and intensity, interspersed with meals, rest, and vigilant observation of the town's environment. At night, I sleep more soundly and deeply each day on the sofa covered with sheets and cushions.
Xu Mo could clearly feel his body recovering rapidly. It wasn't just the disappearance of his illness, but a return of vitality. His limbs were no longer weak; instead, they were filled with a gradually increasing sense of strength. Each time he practiced standing meditation, the trembling in his muscles was no longer so intense, and he could hold the position for longer periods. Although he was still drenched in sweat when he finished, the fatigue was mixed with a thoroughly enjoyable feeling, rather than the previous exhaustion.
By the evening of the second day, when he finished his practice, Xu Mo stretched his muscles and bones. The soreness in his joints was gone, replaced by a sense of flexibility and suppleness. He clenched his fist tightly and could feel the solid power coming from the tension in his arm muscles.
"I've fully recovered...in fact, I'm even in better shape than before."
He made his judgment. It wasn't just a physical recovery; the stance training he had been doing for days seemed to be subtly tempering his physique. Although he was far from reaching the "invulnerable" state he had imagined, the real increase in strength and the feeling of being full of energy were undeniable.
Meanwhile, Xu Mo's almost uninterrupted observation over several days repeatedly confirmed one fact—this town was truly deserted. No wandering shadows were seen during the day, and no chilling growls could be heard at night. Apart from the wind and the occasional rustling of debris, it was as silent as a giant tomb. After the large-scale westward migration of zombies, they seemed to have completely abandoned this place.
His physical recovery gave him the foundation to cope with risks, while the temporary "safety" of the external environment provided a window for action.
His gaze involuntarily drifted down the stairs to the exit, completely blocked by heavy furniture. It was the gateway to the outside world, and also a gateway to unknown risks.
Previously, for absolute safety, Xu Mo personally sealed it off. But now, the situation is different.
"We can't stay stuck here forever," Xu Mo muttered to himself.
Resources will eventually run out, and the cooldown time of his abilities limits how often he can acquire them. Moreover, he needs to understand a broader situation, find a more stable and secure long-term base, and find a suitable "anchor point" for the next more targeted "opening"—for example, a glass door facing the street not far away.
Staying confined to one corner will only lead to the depletion of one's resources. Only by actively exploring can one seize greater opportunities for survival.
After a moment's thought, weighing his own condition against the external silence, Xu Mo made up his mind.
He walked to the stairwell and began to work, carefully moving the furniture blocking the door. The heavy wardrobes and tables were moved little by little, making dull creaking sounds. He didn't clear the area completely, but rather created a gap large enough for him to move in and out flexibly, yet one that could be quickly closed in case of danger.