After the boy finished speaking, he hoisted up his bag of rice again and continued forward with his companion, no longer acknowledging Shen Mo’s group.

“No wonder there isn’t a single person on the streets—they all went to Yangzhou Port.” Tan Xiao stated matter-of-factly. “Then let’s go too, have a look.”

Teacher Cheng said: “If we’re going to Yangzhou Port, we’ll need to turn around and drive back.”

Bai Youwei closed her eyes and immediately objected: “I’m not going. Anyone with half a brain knows the environment on the ship will definitely be terrible—people packed together like livestock, dizzy and vomiting. Unless it’s a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, I’d rather jump in the river.”

Tan Xiao looked bewildered: “Royal Caribbean, what’s that?… A pirate ship?”

“It’s a cruise liner,” Shen Mo glanced at Bai Youwei. “And the most luxurious kind at that.”

Tan Xiao understood: “Oh…”

Teacher Cheng hesitated at the side: “But those two students just said that only the water surface is safe now…”

“They used to say places without dolls were safe too, but now there’s danger just the same, with this strange fog appearing,” Bai Youwei said carelessly. “Information keeps changing—who can say for sure? Anyway, I’m not going. If you want to go, go ahead.”

Tan Xiao looked at Teacher Cheng, then at Bai Youwei, asking hesitantly: “We’re really not going?”

Bai Youwei snorted lightly. “I’m not stopping you. Just take pity on me, this cripple. You all go ahead, just don’t drag me along.”

Shen Mo was silent for a few seconds, then gently placed his hand on her head. “…Is your wake-up grumpiness still not gone?”

“Don’t touch me!” Bai Youwei slapped his hand away with one smack, looking fierce.

Tan Xiao: “……”

Teacher Cheng: “……”

Apparently, yes.

Shen Mo shook his head helplessly, gripped the steering wheel, and resumed driving.

He didn’t turn around, but instead drove straight after the two boys who hadn’t gone far.

Hearing the commotion behind them, the students turned around. Seeing the car approaching again, their brows furrowed and their expressions showed some tension.

“What else do you want?”

Shen Mo braked, asking: “If everyone has to take ships to seek refuge, why aren’t you going to Yangzhou Port?”

The students glanced at each other.

The tall boy spoke first: “We have more people. We’re waiting for everyone to gather before leaving together.”

“I see.” Shen Mo’s tone was unhurried, emotionless, as flat as a glass of plain water. “So when are you planning to leave?”

The other boy became somewhat annoyed: “When we leave is none of your business!”

“You’re right.” Shen Mo smiled faintly. “I just want to follow you and see where you’re staying.”

Hearing this, the boys’ faces darkened. He pulled his companion and, ignoring Shen Mo’s group, hurriedly quickened his pace.

But how could they possibly be faster than a car?

Moreover, with one carrying a bag and the other shouldering rice, they were soon gasping for breath and drenched in sweat.

“What should we do?” The boy glanced back at the SUV that kept following at a steady distance, his eyes full of anxiety. “Should we take a detour to shake them off?”

“No.” The tall boy shook his head, panting. “A detour would waste too much time. Teacher Tu is still waiting for us to bring medicine back. Don’t worry about them. Everyone has tools anyway—we’re not afraid of them.”

“Alright, let’s go faster then!”

The two encouraged each other and continued hastening forward without stopping.

……

“What’s with these two kids? They’re guarding against us like we’re thieves.” Tan Xiao craned his neck looking ahead, puzzled. “Just asking a few more questions and they explode. Their tempers are worse than mine.”

“In extraordinary times, it’s normal to be emotionally sensitive.” Teacher Cheng sat in the car, sighing deeply. “How did things turn out like this, sigh…”

“So what do we do now? Just keep following them?” Tan Xiao asked.

Shen Mo, who was driving, said flatly: “They arrived in Yangzhou before us and understand the situation here better. If they’re delaying their departure, there must be another reason… And their shelter should be safer than other places.”