CHAPTER 256: CHAPTER 256: WATER’S UP

Ruihuang stepped through the portal first, tall and steady like always.

Fang Yuxi followed, arms crossed, her eyes flicking warily at the shimmer as she passed.

Qingran was last.

The portal closed behind her with a soft hum, and silence swallowed them whole.

She blinked once as her eyes adjusted.

The air was colder here, bone-dry and metallic.

Overhead, long-forgotten bunker lights flickered to life one by one, chasing shadows down a corridor that seemed to stretch forever.

The walls were old concrete reinforced with rusted steel.

The kind of place made to outlive disaster.

But not left untouched by it.

Water damage bloomed along the far ends, fungus like rot-black lace creeping up the corners.

Some doors hung broken, others swollen shut. Only a narrow path had been cleared through the grime and someone had carved that path with methodical precision.

She stepped forward and caught the sharp scent in the air, ozone and bleach layered over something older.

A glimmer of silver-blue swept past her boot.

She paused.

Then she saw him.

Meng Nian stood in the center of the corridor, sleeves rolled up.

One hand outstretched, glowing faintly with power.

A stream of purified mist poured from his fingers in tight, controlled arcs, weaving through vents, skimming walls, burning every microbe, every mold spore in its path.

Now she understood he was disinfecting the place.

"Hey Meng Nian. When did you guys get here?"

Meng Nian paused and turned to face the voice.

"Oh, not long ago. I think something’s with miss Bai, you should check on her. I’m sanitising the place so it’s a little breathable for us.."

Qingran raised a brow, she used walkikg 10 kilometres was a bit too much for a pregnant woman.

"I got it.."

Lili hugged her father tightly, the walls looked so cold and damp.

"Daddy is it safe here?"

Zhu Zhang patted her head. "Dont worry, daddy will protect you.."

Qingran took them to the main layout, the only floor they could stay in. It had alot of room to move around, but rooms to sleep in were few but at least they have a kitchen to cook with and access to bathroom.

Yu Song rushed to her side when he saw her.

"Youre back.." he said "And you brought company.."

Qingran nodded "This is Mr Zhu and his family, please help them get settled down somewhere while I get things settled here.."

She turned to face Zhu Zhang "This place is safe, you have nothing to worry about."

Zhu Zhang nodded as they followed Yu Song to the place where the others had gathered.

Qingran searched for Bai Shiyue, she should see her condition first before she did any other thing.

She found her resting against the wall and rushed to where she was.

"Shiyue, how are you feeling?"

Bai Shiyue smiled tiredly, her feet were all swollen and had this pain in her stomach.

"My stomach hurts, and my feet are swollen. Can you do anything to help?"

Qingran thought deeply, she could probably do something for her stomach ache but for her stomach pain.

"Lingquan can you please run an analysis on Shiyue. I’m not a gynecologist, can’t say I know what to do here and let’s call Yiran and the doctor, they should know better."

[Got it. Let me run the analysis first then.]

Qingran beaconed go Fang Yuxi, this was something only the doctor could understand.

"Yuxi can you call Yiran and the doctor? They should have checked on Shiyue from the get go.."

Yuxi nodded "Alright, I’ll go get them.."

Qingran patted Shiyue "Dont worry, you’ll be fine.."

Yuxi returned first, gesturing behind her. "They’re on their way."

Yiran came in a moment later, face already taut with concern, followed by Dr.Ren, had his sleeves rolled and expression calm, but focused.

They didn’t ask questions.

They didn’t need to.

The moment they saw Bai Shiyue propped weakly against the wall, they moved.

Yiran crouched beside her, gently touching her wrist. "How long’s the pain been coming and going?"

"Since halfway through the walk," Bai Shiyue muttered. "I didn’t want to say anything..."

Dr. Ren was already setting down his kit. "Shiyue, we’ve talked about this. Seven months means we’re not out of danger. You have to speak up when something feels off."

"I didn’t want to cause a fuss.." she said quietly. "Everyone else had bags or we’re equally tired. I thought I could hold out."

Qingran gave her a long look but said nothing.

She understood too well what it meant to try and carry your share, even when your body screamed not to.

Dr. Ren began palpating her lower abdomen gently. "You’re not contracting yet, which is good. But this swelling.." he nodded at her ankles, "...and the abdominal pain are warning signs. She needs complete rest. Lying down. Fluids. Warm compresses, if we can manage that."

"I’ve got water.." Qingran said, already reaching into her space. She handed a sealed bottle to Yiran, who twisted it open without hesitation.

"And a bed.." she added, summoning a soft folding bed and spreading a clean blanket across it.

Yiran helped Bai Shiyue onto the cot with practiced care. They’d done this before. Shiyue had been through checks with them during quieter days, when the group still had real rooms and floors above ground.

"Feet up.." Yiran instructed, tucking the blanket around her legs. "We’ll bring your things over once this floor’s cleared."

Dr. Ren stood, wiping his hands. "As long as she rests, the baby’s fine. But she doesn’t walk again until I say so. We clear?"

Qingran nodded. "Clear as glasd."

Bai Shiyue smiled faintly. "Thanks. Sorry for worrying everyone..."

"You’re family.." Qingran said. "You don’t need to apologize."

Ruihuang’s voice drifted from the corridor. "Hey....need help out here.."

Qingran exhaled and gave Shiyue’s hand a reassuring pat. "Get some rest. I’ll make sure your room has heat and quiet."

Yiran pulled up a stool beside the cot and nodded. "Go on. I’ve got her."

Qingran stood, rolled her shoulders, and turned toward the hallway.

Now it was time to actually take care of this place.

"Alright guys, let’s try to get this place into shape. It’s quite dusty but they usually keep places like this clean so we just got to a little more work. Meng Nian and I will go and try to find where the generators or power’s at and then turn on the water.."

As though he hard his name being called, Meng Nian appeared, he had taken care of all the germs and mosquito around, so they should at least be able to have a peaceful sleep.

"Meng Nian, let’s go find the power supply."

[I’ll the layout of the bunker in so you can get to it. You’re lucky the power supply is at an accessible place..]

"Thank you.."

Qingran nodded, and Meng Nian began to project the layout of the bunker onto the wall. The 3D map rotated, showing corridors, rooms, and sections that were blocked off. "The power supply is in sector C, near the old control room," Meng Nian said, highlighting the area. "It’s not too far from here, but we should be cautious. We don’t know what kind of condition the wiring is in."

Qingran studied the map, her eyes tracing the path they’d need to take. "Alright, let’s gear up and go. Yu Song, can you come with us? We might need some extra hands."

Yu Song nodded, falling into step beside Qingran and Meng Nian as they set off toward sector C. The corridors were just as Meng Nian had left them—sterile and quiet, with the faint scent of ozone lingering in the air. They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing off the walls.

As they approached the control room, the air grew thick with the smell of dust and aged machinery. Qingran pushed open the door, and a dim light flickered to life, casting shadows across the room. In the center of the space, a bank of generators hummed quietly, their lights blinking in sequence.

Meng Nian stepped forward, examining the control panel. "These look like they’re in decent shape. I think I can get the main power online."

Qingran watched as Meng Nian worked, his fingers moving with a practiced ease over the controls. After a few tense moments, the generators roared to life, and the lights in the room brightened. Water pipes groaned, and then a steady flow of water trickled through the system.

"It’s done," Meng Nian said, stepping back. "We should have power and water now. Let’s get back and let the others know."

Qingran smiled, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. "Good work, Meng Nian. Let’s head back."