Apocalypse: I'm the Landlady of the Refuge

Qi Hao still looked pale in the hibernation pod, and if not for the slow rise and fall of his chest and the stable readings on the monitors, Ji Wanwan might have mistaken him for a lifelike sculpture.

After thinking for a moment, she asked the System, "Can you still monitor Haozi’s vital signs through the hibernation pod?"

System: "This hibernation pod originates from the System Mall. Host, place your hand on the pod’s data display, and I can determine if Qi Hao’s vital signs are stable through the data transmitted by the pod."

Ji Wanwan slightly nodded and did as instructed, placing her hand on the display screen.

Soon, the System responded, "The subject’s spiritual power is at 15%, physical strength at 25%. Vital signs have improved since before entering the hibernation pod, but not enough for him to exit critical condition and awaken."

Based on previous experience, Haozi could emerge from life-threatening danger as long as his spiritual power and physical strength exceeded 30%.

Given Haozi’s current vital signs, if she tried hard enough, could she save him?

With that in mind, Ji Wanwan asked, "System, calculate for me, if I use all the resources obtained from the Baize Union for Equivalence Healing for Haozi, how much could he recover?"

The System stuttered with some difficulty, "Under normal circumstances, if all the resources were used for exchange, Qi Hao’s vital signs could at least improve by 20 points, but..."

"But what?" Ji Wanwan’s irritation flared at the System’s hesitance. "If you have something to say, say it. Don’t beat around the bush."

The System sounded a bit wronged, "As I’ve mentioned before, since Qi Hao’s spiritual power and physical strength are both below 30%, if it weren’t for the Host’s intervention, his body would already be deceased. Equivalence Healing is almost ineffective for someone so close to death, so whether your current resources can save Qi Hao is something I cannot guarantee."

Ji Wanwan had been meaning to ask, "Why is that? If it’s just about saving someone, why doesn’t it work for someone who’s dying?"

System: "Well... let me put it this way. Imagine the human body as a ball filled with water, where this water represents the person’s spiritual power and physical strength.

When the volume of water drops below 30% of the ball’s volume, it shrivels into a clump, losing all vitality.

A typical injury can be likened to the ball having a hole, with the water inside slowly leaking out. If we quickly patch up the hole, the ball’s water is preserved, preventing it from shriveling, and we can look for opportunities to refill the water later.

However, a near-death state is different.

Qi Hao is like a ball full of water that’s exploded, with the water being completely spilled in an instant. Even if the Host manages to patch up the ball with Equivalence Healing, the water inside is gone and cannot be brought back.

Perhaps the Host will argue that as long as the resources for exchange are sufficient, then the water can also be replenished.

But the cessation of bodily functions is like the ball shriveling; it’s something that happens in an instant. Host, how fast do you think your Equivalence Healing can possibly be?"

After a brief pause, the System tentatively asked, "Host, do you understand what I’m saying?"

Ji Wanwan wasn’t ignorant; she understood perfectly well.

But she wasn’t going to give up that easily.

After a moment of silence, she looked at Qi Hao in the hibernation pod, "Okay, I understand. The resources for exchange just aren’t plentiful enough!"

System: "..."

So, after all this long talk, it was as if nothing had been said.

It didn’t matter anymore. Persuasion was pointless as long as the Host was content!

Having made up her mind, Ji Wanwan decided that once the base had stabilized, she would start scouring for resources. Anything that could be utilized, she would gather into the System Space.

Looking at Qi Hao, she smiled tenderly, "Brother Qi Hao, I just met Grandma. She misses you a lot, so you have to get better! Once you’re up, we’ll join Grandma in basking in the sun, drinking milk tea, having hot pot!"

"Beep beep—"

The monitor’s sudden beeping startled Ji Wanwan slightly. Seeing a small spike on the electrocardiogram, she couldn’t help but tear up, "You’ve promised, so no backing out now! Brother Qi Hao, I’ll wait for you!"

After leaving Qi Hao’s room, Ji Wanwan returned to her own room.

Looking around at the comforting decor, her previously taut body suddenly relaxed.

A wave of fatigue, like a collapsing mountain, swept over her limbs and wearied her in an instant.

Ji Wanwan’s vision blurred as she collapsed onto the soft bed, "I’m so tired..."

As her words fell, Ji Wanwan fell into a deep sleep...

...

When she awoke again, the sky was dark, deep into the night.

After catching up on some sleep, Ji Wanwan felt energized.

An acrid stench wafted to her nostrils, prompting Ji Wanwan to quickly get up to shower, disdainfully tossing her clothes and bedding to 001 and asking it to throw them far away.

001: "..."

After her shower and a hearty meal, Ji Wanwan felt revived. She shook off her previous gloomy and sorrowful mood, facing the future with the most positive and lively attitude.

By then, daylight had broken. She grabbed her shoulder-length hair and tied it into a high ponytail, stepping out of the Inner City with a spring in her step to begin her inspection of the base.

As she walked along, the early risers who saw the spirited Ji Wanwan couldn’t help but be astonished.

But Ji Wanwan, oblivious to their curious gazes, still greeted them with a smile.

Perhaps it was her vibrant spirit that infected everyone; as the sun rose, its warm glow spreading across the land, they all collectively felt a sense of hope.

Perhaps this scarred world wasn’t so terrible after all.

Unconsciously, Ji Wanwan arrived at the deserted villa where the survivors from the Baize Union were housed.

The villa had three floors with many rooms.

By this time, most of the people were already up and about. Seeing the bustling scenes inside the villa, which was brimming with the lively air of everyday life, Ji Wanwan watched for a while longer.

She didn’t wish to disturb them, but before she could leave, someone noticed her.

"Is that the base lord?"

A middle-aged woman carrying a basin of laundry was walking to the balcony to hang her clothes when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure standing below.

She vaguely remembered that this girl was the leader of the group that saved them the day before.

What did they call the girl?

The lord?

Yes, the lord!

With that thought, the middle-aged woman couldn’t help but call out.

Ji Wanwan was taken aback for a moment and looked up.

Making eye contact with the woman, she smiled lightly, straightforward and natural, "That’s me."

The middle-aged woman didn’t expect the leader of a base to be so young, and she seemed so generous and approachable.

People inherently respect those in higher positions; the middle-aged woman gave an awkward smile, "Good morning, lord!"

With the woman’s voice, several other people in the room also came out to greet Ji Wanwan, each trying to make a good impression in front of the base lord.

The commotion drew out others from the villa.

Suddenly, the villa was bustling, and before long, many people were crowded at the entrance.

Ji Wanwan was somewhat helpless.

Alright, so she had indeed disturbed everyone.

But what’s done was done, and she had to take things as they came.

Ji Wanwan greeted everyone, said a few words to soothe and encourage them, and briefly introduced the situation of the base, making everyone look forward to their future life there with great anticipation.

Having said all that needed to be said, Ji Wanwan was ready to leave to continue her inspection when suddenly, in the crowd before her, she caught a glimpse of a pair of familiar eyes...