Traversing the entire neighborhood: Surviving in the wasteland with a strange auntie

Immediately after

Su Nian subconsciously focused his mind and opened his attribute panel.

Sure enough, a brand new [Admiration List] appeared below the original attribute panel.

He clicked on it and saw a list of more than a dozen names, all of whom were the aunties present, with a corresponding number following each name.

Wen Yifan, Admiration level 10%.

Liu Man, Admiration level 8%.

Jiang Ruotong, Admiration level 11%.

Most of the other aunties' admiration levels fluctuated between 5% and 10%, which wasn't high. Only Qin Lan's name had a clearly visible and conspicuous number: 30%.

At the very bottom of the list, there is a line of light gray text:

[Affection System Description: When the affinity between the host and survivors reaches 30%, 50%, 80%, and 100%, the host will receive one basic, intermediate, advanced, and ultimate upgrade opportunity respectively. This upgrade can be applied to any item, talent, skill, or shelter, regardless of level or material restrictions.]

Su Nian looked at the prompt and instantly understood. So this was the core trigger mechanism of the SSS-level talent [Divine Favor].

The genuine trust and recognition from others will become his capital for advancement.

This was much more reasonable than he had imagined, and it was more in line with the logic of the team's survival.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and looked up at the increasingly dark sky.

The sun was already setting behind the ruins, with only a last glimmer of red remaining on the horizon.

The wind grew stronger, carrying a strong smell of rust and dust, making it impossible to open one's eyes.

"We can't stay here any longer."

Su Nian cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"The fight just now was too loud and may have attracted other mutated creatures nearby. Our priority now is not to gather materials, but to find a safe place to settle down."

The aunties present all nodded in agreement.

The spider monster had terrified them, and now they were completely focused on Su Nian, listening to whatever he said.

Liu Man gripped the steel pipe in her hand and took half a step forward: "Okay, Su Nian, you tell us where to go, and we'll follow you."

Su Nian turned to look at Qin Lan, who was sitting on a cement block not far away, and walked over.

She was looking down, carefully rubbing her swollen ankle, her brows slightly furrowed.

Her black suit skirt was stained when she fell, the hem was torn, and her fishnet stockings had several holes snagged on them.

"Aunt Qin, how's your foot? Can you still walk?" Su Nian squatted down in front of her and asked softly.

Qin Lan looked up, a slightly embarrassed expression on her face, and gently shook her head:

"It hurts terribly. It's excruciatingly painful as soon as I touch the ground. I'm afraid I won't be able to walk."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head again, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic, "I'm sorry, I've let everyone down..."

She knew very well that in such a life-or-death moment, someone who couldn't walk was a burden to the entire team.

She was even prepared to be abandoned.

"Don't say that,"

Su Nian interrupted her, his tone very gentle.

"We're a team, and we won't abandon anyone. It's okay if you can't walk, I'll carry you."

Qin Lan suddenly looked up, her eyes wide, staring at him in disbelief: "Ah? How could I possibly do this to you? You've gone to so much trouble..."

"No trouble at all, this weight is nothing to me."

Su Nian turned around, squatted down, and patted his back. "Come on up, Aunt Qin. We need to hurry up and get going, or it will be troublesome when it gets dark."

Qin Lan hesitated for a few seconds, looked at her ankle, which was swollen like a steamed bun, and then looked at the increasingly dark surroundings. Finally, she gritted her teeth and carefully climbed onto Su Nian's back.

She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, trying not to put all her weight on him.

Su Nian stood up steadily, adjusted his posture to make sure Qin Lan wouldn't fall. "Hold on tight, let's go."

The group set off. Su Nian carried Qin Lan on his back at the head of the group, gripping an entrenching tool tightly in his hand, responsible for clearing the way and keeping watch.

Wen Yifan carried the steel pipe and walked on the left side of the group, Liu Man brought up the rear, and Jiang Ruotong walked in the middle.

They would occasionally observe the surrounding environment and point out potentially useful supplies.

These women used to be pampered and lived a life of luxury, always traveling in luxury cars or private cars. They had never traveled such a long distance before.

The road was full of potholes, gravel, and broken steel bars. Before long, many people had blisters on their feet, which were excruciatingly painful.

But no one complained of being tired. They all knew that every step they took brought them one step closer to safety.

Along the way, they witnessed too many shocking sights.

The collapsed high-rise building was reduced to half of a reinforced concrete skeleton, with twisted steel bars resembling withered hands reaching towards the sky.

Abandoned cars can be seen everywhere on the roadside; some have been burned down to their frames, while others have been flattened into pieces of sheet metal.

The wind howled through the empty streets, sounding like the weeping of countless wronged souls.

Qin Lan lay on Su Nian's back, watching the sweat constantly seeping from his forehead and dripping down his jawline, and felt extremely guilty.

"Su Nian, if you're tired, just let me know, and we can take a break."

"It's okay, I'm in good shape, I can walk a little further without any problem."

Su Nian's voice was steady, and his pace did not slow down at all.

His physical attributes far exceed those of an average adult, so carrying someone this far on his back is indeed not too tiring.

After walking for about three or four kilometers, Su Nian's eyes suddenly lit up.

He pointed to a spot not far ahead and shouted to the crowd behind him, "Look ahead! There's a park there! It has fences and trees; it should be a good shelter!"

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and sure enough, there was a place surrounded by a wooden fence not far ahead.

Although many of the wooden fences had collapsed and were covered with withered vines, it was clear that this used to be a park. There were quite a few trees inside, although most of them were dead, but a few were still alive, providing shelter from the wind and sand and blocking the view.

Compared to the open and exposed ruins, this place is obviously much safer and more suitable for setting up temporary shelters.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and long-lost joy appeared on their faces. After walking all afternoon, there was finally something to look forward to.

"You all wait here and don't wander off."

Su Nian addressed the crowd,

"I'll go in first to scout ahead and make sure there's no danger inside before you come in. Don't act on your own."

Everyone nodded, stopped, and stood still to wait.

Su Nian put Qin Lan down from his back and had the two aunties help her to rest on a flat rock nearby.

Then, he gripped the entrenching tool in his hand, tiptoed, and carefully walked toward the park entrance.

The park gate was rusty and half-open, with a worn-out sign hanging on it, from which the words "Riverside Park" could still be vaguely made out.

Su Nian gently pushed open the door and slipped inside.

It was quiet inside, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

He walked slowly along the path, carefully examining every corner.

The park is small, containing an abandoned pavilion, a dried-up fountain, and a few crooked, large trees.

The roof of the pavilion was half broken, but the four pillars were still sturdy. The fountain was filled with murky rainwater that looked like it hadn't flowed in a long time and was not drinkable.

Behind the pavilion is a small management office. The door has fallen off, and the room is empty except for some old tables and chairs.

Su Nian walked around the park, making sure there were no signs of monsters or other dangerous things, before calling out to the outside:

"It's safe inside! Come on in!"

Hearing his shout, the women outside breathed a sigh of relief and helped each other into the park.

Qin Lan was also supported by two aunties, limping behind them.

Su Nian led them into the park and soon found a flat open space.

This open space is located in the center of the park, right next to the pavilion, and surrounded by several sturdy trees that block the view from outside.

It's some distance from the park entrance, so even if something breaks in, it can be detected in advance.

The dried-up fountain next to it can also be used as a temporary shelter.

"This is it," Su Nian nodded and said to everyone.

"We'll stay here tonight."

"Set up the shelter first, otherwise it will be too late to deal with nighttime attacks."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, put down the odds and ends they were holding, and collapsed to the ground, panting.

After walking all afternoon, they were exhausted and could finally take a break.

Su Nian walked into the pavilion and looked at Qin Lan sitting on the stone bench.

Her ankle was still very swollen, and the skin was an unnatural red.

"Aunt Qin, please rest here and don't move around too much, so as not to aggravate your injuries. After the shelter is set up, I'll find something to stabilize you."

Qin Lan nodded, looking at him gratefully:

"Thank you, Su Nian. I really don't know what I would have done today without you."

"You're welcome," Su Nian smiled. "As I said, we're a team, and helping each other is only natural."

Just then, that cold, mechanical voice rang in Su Nian's mind once again:

[Ding! Detected that Qin Lan's trust in the host has deepened further, increasing her affection level by 5%, currently at 35%!]

Su Nian's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected to reach the first favorability node so quickly.

He glanced at his list of admirers; the other aunties' scores had also slightly increased.

Although these numbers are not high, they represent that they have begun to truly trust him as their young leader.

Su Nian knew in his heart that this trust was more precious than any material gift.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and was about to turn around to plan the location for the shelter when something suddenly flashed through his mind.

He still had a level 1 hidden treasure chest he hadn't opened yet. It was the initial reward given by the system when he awakened his SSS-level talent [Divine Favor].

I was so busy getting there and dealing with emergencies that I didn't have time to check what was inside.

Since everyone is resting now, why not take a look at the treasure chest given by this SSS-level talent and see what good stuff it contains?

Su Nian found a secluded corner, concentrated his mind, and opened his storage space.

The level 1 hidden treasure chest, shimmering with a faint golden light, lay quietly in the storage space.

He took a deep breath, filled with curiosity and anticipation, and chose to [Open the treasure chest].

The next second, the lid of the treasure chest slowly opened, and a soft golden light emanated from it.

Su Nian's eyes widened instantly when she saw what was inside the treasure chest...

I can hardly believe it.