NOVEL NEXT Chapter 841: Conflict
The crew member saw Zhu Yunque's resolute expression and had no choice but to open the cabin door. The lower deck wasn't small in terms of space, but as it served as storage, each room was relatively large, typically housing dozens of people together. The lighting wasn't great - lights were turned on at night, while during the day only faint light came through the high windows.
As soon as the cabin door opened, the noise immediately drew everyone's attention. Since the last disturbance on the lower deck, Old Tian had strengthened management here. Normally the door wouldn't open except during meal times, so its opening immediately made people peek out from all rooms.
Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi walked down the stairs, calling out as they went: "Don't be afraid, we're here to bring you food. Anyone who hasn't eaten today, come quickly!" Their faces wore gentle smiles, looking like the Virgin Mary herself.
But the moment they finished speaking, a crowd rushed out from various rooms, desperately grabbing at the food in their hands. There were too many people. Even if they didn't mean to push, the limited portions made the lower deck residents fight fiercely over the mere two servings, causing Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi to be knocked to the ground.
Others ignored the two women because any delay meant possibly getting no food at all! More people crowded in, trampling over Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi who screamed in pain under numerous feet. Fortunately, the crew member who opened the door hadn't left yet.
Seeing this scene, he roared: "Stop right the fuck now or I'll shoot you all!" The familiar sound of him cocking his rifle worked like winding everyone up, making them freeze immediately with hands raised. However, several children took advantage of their small size to squeeze through the crowd, scrambling on the floor to scoop fallen rice grains into their mouths.
"You damn bastards trying to rebel? Get the hell back!" The fierce crew member came down with his gun and quickly helped Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi up. "I told you it's dangerous here! They're so hungry they'd eat people alive! You ladies are important people - better not come to places like this often!" He wore a mocking grin.
Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi were pale from shock. In just those brief seconds, countless feet had trampled them. A little longer and they might have been crushed to death. Without any more polite words, they fled the lower deck in panic.
Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi made an undignified retreat, not daring to look around for fear of being seen in their disheveled state. They hurried back to Zhu Yunque's room. Once inside, Su Nuanxi burst into tears uncontrollably. Only when the room's warmth reactivated her skin's sensitivity did Zhu Yunque realize how badly she hurt - bruises everywhere and shoe prints all over her clothes.
"How could they do this?" Zhu Yunque gasped in pain, her voice full of grief and indignation.
Su Nuanxi wept profusely: "They're so pitiful. Back on the island they were decent people. Now for just a little food they've become like wild animals. If there were enough supplies, they wouldn't act this way."
Zhu Yunque shot her an angry look, annoyed that after nearly being trampled to death, Su Nuanxi still cared about them. But upon reflection, Su Nuanxi's logic made some sense. "What, was food plentiful on the island?" Zhu Yunque asked breathlessly.
Su Nuanxi nodded slowly: "Usually the men would find food. We women didn't go out. And there was also..." Her voice suddenly cut off, her face turning extremely pale. Clearly she'd thought of Yamada Masami.
"But what should we do now? That's the real problem," Zhu Yunque said as she sat on the bed, finding painkillers and bandages in the medical kit. While tending to her wounds, she worried about solving the lower deck's food problem. Su Nuanxi hemmed and hawed without offering any solution - she had none.
Just then, Tommy woke up crying loudly from their noise. The two women sighed in frustration as Su Nuanxi hurried to comfort the baby. "Recently Tommy keeps crying for no reason and wakes up constantly. Maybe all babies are like this?" Their attention shifted fully to caring for Tommy, consuming nearly all their energy. The lower deck passengers' food problem was temporarily forgotten.
In Zhu Yunque's subconscious, she felt nothing too bad would happen if they ignored it temporarily - people wouldn't actually starve from missing a few meals...
Meanwhile, back on the lower deck, those two food boxes had sparked intense fighting. What began as accidental bumps during grabbing escalated into full-blown brawls. Many were left bruised and bleeding, but when they asked the crew for help, they were ignored. Why should Doctor Zhou treat self-inflicted injuries? Let them suffer the consequences.
Dejected, everyone returned to their rooms to lick their wounds. But many eyes unconsciously turned toward the innermost room - where the last group to board, the stowaways, lived. Initially unaware of stowaways, they'd blamed their hunger on Zhang Yi and the crew's stinginess. Now knowing the truth - that their food had been stolen by parasites in their midst - their resentment burned fiercely, especially at mealtimes. This wasn't their first fight today - they'd brawled at both breakfast and lunch already.
Author's Note