Chapter 636: Reconstruction

"Evelyn, I can’t really help with all the work in the fields, and every day I’m just being waited on hand and foot. From now on, let me be in charge of cleaning, washing the dishes, and taking out the trash. I want to work with everyone, even if it’s just small things. They’re all so busy working, but I’m only thinking about myself."

Teenagers are sensitive and prone to overthinking. Evelyn understood her completely, as she had grown up the same way.

"Wendy, studying medicine is work, just like what everyone else is doing. We’re a family, and family doesn’t keep score like that. We’re nothing but happy to see you becoming so skilled and capable. That said, if you have the time and energy, you’re welcome to do those things. Just don’t feel pressured. It’s overthinking that creates unnecessary burdens."

After the apocalypse began, Wendy developed autism and only started to get better after they reached Wyrmrest Base. She gradually became more lively, but as she got older and entered her teenage years, her more fragile side began to show. For as long as she could remember, she had been on the run with everyone, constantly traveling. Even adults could become depressed and fragile under such circumstances, let alone a child.

Even though they were all as close as family, it was inevitable that she would still feel like a burden. At times like this, she needed immediate reassurance and support.

"Okay, I understand. I’ll leave a note on the wooden house’s message board later, asking everyone to leave the chores for me."

Seeing her happy again, Evelyn nodded. "Alright."

* * *

At ten o’clock the next morning, the convoy finally arrived in Eldoria and saw the freshwater lake formed by the shifting of tectonic plates on the grasslands.

Eldoria was situated between grasslands and a desert. The wind was rather strong, and the air was extremely dry. As soon as they entered its territory, their arms and lips began to chap. Before getting out of the truck, Evelyn Ford slathered moisturizer and sunscreen on her arms and face.

"This place is great! It’s so flat, like a plain in the middle of the grasslands. There are even some mountains in the distance, so we won’t have to worry about firewood. The location is perfect, they really know how to pick a spot. The only downside is the wind—my hair’s a total mess."

Quincy couldn’t help but comment as soon as he got out of the truck.

Evelyn and Ronan exchanged a look, and both of them couldn’t help but laugh.

"A lake this big should be able to support a power station, right? And with all this wind, generating power will be even easier," Evelyn said, taking out her binoculars to look at the freshwater lake in the distance.

Liam Sterling had already gone to meet up with Rhys Chase. Everyone was assigned to different zones based on which base they came from and began setting up tents. People with families were assigned to one area, while those without were separated by gender and age into others. Evelyn and her group, however, continued to live in their truck.

Since the other bases had not yet arrived, only The First Base and The Second Base were present in Eldoria. The merger was temporarily put on hold, and after marking out their respective territories, the two bases began to rebuild their homes.

With the exception of women more than six months pregnant, children under eight, and adults over sixty-five, everyone else who was able-bodied had to sign up for work.

Current jobs were mainly divided into diverting water, firing bricks, building houses, hauling sand from the desert, clearing wasteland to plant grain, raising livestock, growing vegetables, and mining for coal, among others.

Wendy joined the base’s medical team. Evelyn was considered an auxiliary member, currently only responsible for delivering babies.

Ronan Kendrick was about to get very busy. After all, with the base being rebuilt, all the equipment and supplies stored in her space had to be taken out.

The First Base also had a large population; they had driven three to four thousand trucks over. The First Base had a strict rule: everyone had to travel on foot, including pregnant women and the disabled.

In contrast, while The Second Base was more humane, it also looked much shabbier. They only had a little over a thousand vehicles and very few supplies. No wonder the Commander of The First Base was unwilling to merge.

Evelyn and Ronan took a walk around The Second Base’s main camp. Dozens of large, green tents had already been pitched. In the dining area, a structure the size of a soccer field had even been erected with steel bars and iron frames. Next to it were three warehouses, into which Ronan had already placed fifty tons of grain, machinery, medical equipment, electrical appliances and wiring, daily necessities, and grain seeds.

Liam Sterling kept a ledger of all the supplies collected from the base members, and the items themselves were marked, making them easy to identify.

Just as she returned from the camp, Evelyn saw Lily West and the other two waiting by the truck.

"Oh, Lily, Helen, Rosemary, what are you all doing here?"

Joy was written all over their faces. Evelyn instantly guessed their reason for coming—it seemed they had good news to share.

"Ms. Ford, we’ve been assigned to the base’s medical department! The group leader said we’ll be official base nurses from now on. We’ll even get a monthly allowance, plus clothes and shoes."

Evelyn was happy for them. Getting into the medical department was equivalent to landing a secure job. Not only would they be assigned their own small rooms, but they would also receive various allowances.

"Congratulations. I’m in the medical department too, although I’m not an official staff member. You can still come find me if you need anything in the future."

The three of them were very moved. In this day and age, they hadn’t expected to find a mentor as responsible as Evelyn.

"Ms. Ford, you’re our benefactor. We will never forget your kindness."

Evelyn smiled. "You are your own benefactors. Only people who work hard and strive to improve get noticed and appreciated. Keep up the good work. I’m sure you’ll build better and better lives for yourselves here."

"Yes, ma’am."

After they left, Evelyn excitedly shared her feelings with Ronan.

"It’s great to be young. Always full of hope, always full of passion."

Looking up at the deep blue sky, Evelyn pulled Ronan along as they continued walking. "Ronan, if we can get a small courtyard, we should plant some flowers in it. What do you think?"

Ronan nodded. "We can do that. What kind of flowers do you like?"

"Let’s plant sunflowers. We can enjoy the flowers, eat the seeds, and save some for planting later."

"Good idea. You’re a genius," Ronan said.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "I get the feeling you’re not being entirely sincere with your praise."

"Then let me think about how to praise you sincerely."

Evelyn smiled. "Take your time thinking, then. Oh, right, let’s give Rhys Chase some tree seeds. The grasslands are so bare, I think planting some trees could improve the environment. And give him five hundred pounds of Four Seasons Green seeds, too. The desert is right next to us. If we can turn that sand into soil, improving the land and the environment, the ecosystem will naturally recover."

"Okay, I’ll take them to him."

The two of them took another walk around the camp’s perimeter, eventually making their way to the edge of the freshwater lake. The water was very clean, with no weeds, fish, or frogs yet.

Nearby, quite a few people were about to dip their feet in but were stopped by patrolling soldiers.

"This is the base’s drinking water! No one is allowed near the lake, let alone swim or wash your feet in it! Anyone found damaging or contaminating the water source will be severely punished!"

Evelyn leaned close to Ronan and whispered, "It’s a shame not to raise fish in such a clean lake."

Ronan gave her a thumbs-up. "Great idea. I agree."