Chapter 12: Du Xin

Finally came the assignment of crafting order for all the blueprints.

Chen Zhuo studied each blueprint carefully, weighing how to make the most of his limited materials and tools.
He decided to start with the hunting bow and the trap—what he needed most right now.
As soon as the acid rain stopped, he’d be out in the wild, hunting.
Right now, survival supplies could only come from loot boxes dropped by prey.

Next on the list: a rainwater collector. He needed a steady water source.
If possible, Chen Zhuo would’ve loved to find groundwater directly—no more collecting rainwater like some desperate scavenger.
Who knew what kind of poison was in that sky-water after the acid rain?

Then came the water tower. If he ever found a reliable source, he’d hook up a pipe straight into the shelter. That blueprint would finally come in handy.

Only then would he consider building a makeshift stove. The stone hut was already packed to the brim, and his dug-out shelter lacked proper ventilation.
For now, it was just fire pits and grilled meat—nothing fancy.

As for the fabric sofa and wooden ladder? Those would wait until the shelter’s infrastructure was solid enough to support them.

[Do you want to craft a hunting bow? Cost: Wood ×5, Rubber ×1]
“Yes.”

The button clicked. A brand-new hunting bow materialized in his hands.
Smooth, symmetrical, no cracks or flaws. The string was taut and evenly tensioned.

Chen Zhuo nodded approvingly, about to test the draw when a message popped up.

[Du Xin: Chen Zhuo, are you there?]

He paused. Then remembered—she was the woman who sold him corn seeds last time.
Speaking of seeds… he’d actually planned to dig a field, but the system had warned about shelter instability, so he’d given up.

Back to the chat window, he typed a single question mark.
[Chen Zhuo: ?]

He couldn’t recall having any sort of relationship with Du Xin—certainly nothing flirtatious. Why would she send such a vague, suggestive message?

[Du Xin: Can you trade me some fever medicine?]

[Chen Zhuo: How do you even know I have fever medicine?]

She explained briefly.
Last time, she’d seen someone trading fever pills—but the deal fell through.
She didn’t have enough stones at the time, so she asked the seller to hold the meds for her until she gathered more.
But when she finally had enough stones, the seller had already sold them to Chen Zhuo—offering a better price.

So she’d tracked down Chen Zhuo’s name and reached out.
Now, she was stunned to find he was already her friend—and worse, she’d once snapped at him over pricing.

Her message came out stiff, awkward.
[Du Xin: I apologize for my rudeness earlier. Please, if you could spare the medicine, I’d be forever grateful.]

It was clear she wasn’t used to apologizing. The words felt forced, unnatural—like nails scraping across glass.

[Chen Zhuo: You’re sick?]

He wasn’t in a rush. No mountains to dig, no urgent tasks. He took his time typing.

After a long pause, she finally admitted it.
[Du Xin: Not me. My best friend. She’s been burning up for a full day. Please help her. I’ll pay you the full cost—and give you extra stones as thanks.]

A touching scene of loyalty.
But what did it matter to him?

[Chen Zhuo: I don’t need stones. Bring something rare. Maybe I’ll think about it.]

[Du Xin: But I don’t have anything with a quality tier left. I’ve used up all my blueprints.]

[Chen Zhuo: Then there’s nothing to discuss.]

[Du Xin: Wait—just lend me the medicine. As soon as I find something valuable, I’ll return it immediately.]

[Chen Zhuo: No way. How do I know you’re not just trying to pull a fast one?]

She hesitated. Then, with a sigh, she reluctantly removed her necklace and placed it on the trade screen.

[Du Xin: This is my most important necklace. I’m putting it up as collateral. When I get what you want, I’ll redeem it from you, okay?]

[Chen Zhuo: I don’t accept junk.]

[Du Xin: It’s pure gold! It was my mom’s! You bastard!]

The screen seemed to tremble with her fury.
Her breathing grew heavy—her chest rising and falling with each sharp inhale.

On Blue Earth, Du Xin had grown up wealthy. Her mother had passed early, but her father had spoiled her rotten.
She’d never known hardship—never been treated poorly.
And now? Trapped in this wasteland, humiliated like this?

In just one week, she’d built a stone house ahead of most survivors—helped by her friend, yes, but still impressive.
She thought she’d left her old self behind—grown tougher, less childish.
But meeting Chen Zhuo? He brought her back to her raw, furious, spoiled roots in seconds.

[Chen Zhuo: Pure gold, huh? Well, that changes things. How did you know I love necklaces? Next time you need anything, just come find me.]

Du Xin scoffed, then sent the trade anyway.

[Trade: Du Xin → Item: Pure Gold Necklace | Required: Fever Medicine ×1]

Before the transaction completed, another message arrived.

[Chen Zhuo: Wait. One small request first.]

[Du Xin: What now?]

Her blood was boiling. She was ready to walk away if he tried to exploit her further.

A few seconds later, another message popped up.

[Chen Zhuo: Sis, check your outfit.]

...

[Du Xin: You damn *bastard*! I’ll *kill* you!]
[Du Xin: I’ll *ruin* you today!]

She couldn’t hold back anymore. The curse words flew like bullets.

Chen Zhuo read them without flinching. Just smiled, letting her rage spill out.

After a long silence…

[Chen Zhuo: Done screaming?]

[Du Xin: You idiot.]

[Chen Zhuo: …]

[Chen Zhuo: No problem. I’ve got all the time in the world. But your friend doesn’t. She’s been burning for a whole day. Brain damage’s a real risk.
You really think you can find another seller in time?
Lady, you wouldn’t want your best friend suffering in this world, would you?
Be good. Be quiet. And you’ll get a big dose of medicine. Sweet and easy.]

Du Xin wanted to shut the chat window and vanish.
But her friend—dizzy, weak, barely conscious—wasn’t giving her that luxury.

She lifted her pale left arm, tapped her tattooed wrist, snapped a photo, and sent it.

[Trade Complete]

Her face burned red. She closed the app, then mentally cursed Chen Zhuo’s entire family—ten thousand times over.

She pulled out a fever pill, blew on the hot water to cool it slightly.
Gently lifted her friend, guided the pill into her mouth.

Ten minutes later, her friend’s color began to return.
Du Xin exhaled—finally, relief.

But beneath the relief? A quiet ache.
She’d sacrificed so much—for her friend.
And for what? A man who played games with lives.