Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 180: Cool off right now

"I happen to be familiar with the terrain, this was my home town originally. Sad how the mighty can fall so easily. There’s no one here to save us, so we must be our own savior and save our selves."

"God will save us, I’ve prayed.." the man with the kid said firmly.

"Then let’s hope we survive this ordeal." She said lazily, but she couldn’t believe itself, she was a idealist and the situation wasn’t looking any less unlikely.

"We’ll walk along the pavement, we can still some shade as we go."

A murmur of reluctant agreement circled through the group. No one had a better idea, and the alternative standing still in the searing sun meant certain death.

Wei Jing shifted the little girl in her arms. The child’s skin was hot to the touch, almost too hot.

If they didn’t find shade soon, heatstroke would win. But Wei Jing didn’t let the panic show on her face.

She nodded toward a row of skeletal trees lining the road.

They were mostly stripped of leaves, branches brittle and cracked, but every few meters offered a shred of shade clinging desperately to existence.

"This way," she ordered. "Walk in the shadow where you can. Five-minute rests under each patch. We keep moving."

The man who had spoken of prayer lingered at her side, his mouth tight with worry. "What if we don’t find shelter before nightfall?"

Wei Jing didn’t answer at first. She just walked. Step by step, dragging her body tiredly though she couldn’t say it.

Sweat rolled from her forehead and stung her eyes, the salt burning as she blinked it away.

Her grip on the girl never faltered.

Then, finally, she spoke. "We survive today first..I can’t confirm a tomorrow, the future is already bleak as it is."

There was no comfort in her words, only the grim clarity of someone who had seen hope break too many times.

The man beside her exhaled slowly, a breath more wearied than defeated, and fell into step behind her without further argument.

They moved as a weary procession—shadows of themselves cast long on the broken pavement, heads bowed not in prayer but in resignation.

Every few meters, Wei Jing signaled a stop, and the group huddled beneath the shriveled shadows of trees, rationing out sips of water, catching whatever breeze the wind had to offer.

It wasn’t rest. It was survival bought in five-minute increments.

The sun was ruthless. By evening, it hovered high above them, like a silent predator with nowhere to hide from.

The smallest child had stopped crying, and her silence scared Wei Jing more than her tears ever did.

Children didn’t go quiet unless they were too far gone to protest anymore.

"Almost there," she lied softly, brushing sweat-matted hair from the child’s temple. "Just a bit more, sweetheart."

She could see the warehouse now, she prayed it had water at least.

She could see the warehouse now. She prayed it had water at least.

Her lips moved silently, not in a ritual of faith, but in desperation. Please let there be something.

Anything.

She adjusted the child in her arms, blinking against the burning sun as they approached the faded structure.

The building loomed ahead like a mirage, it’s dull metal walls shimmering in the heat.

It looked intact. More than that, it looked untouched. A miracle, really. Her steps quickened from excitement.

When they reached the door, Wei Jing handed the child to her father and tried the rusted handle. It gave way with a metallic creak.

The scent of cool air hit her first. Her breath caught.

It was cold inside.

She stepped in, eyes adjusting to the dimness.

There were rows and rows of stacked containers, some bearing the mark for purified water, others labeled in languages she barely remembered.

She scanned for danger, tension still high, but there was nothing. No sounds, no movement. Just silence and cold.

Relief flooded her. Real, shaking relief.

"It’s water," she called over her shoulder. "It’s cold. Get everyone inside. Now."

The others surged forward, too exhausted to question, too grateful to care. Parents ushered their children through the wide doors.

Some fell to their knees immediately, pressing palms to the concrete floor that radiated coolness into overheated skin.

"Strip the children down to their undershirts," Wei Jing commanded. "Fan them, wipe them with the cool water. Don’t let anyone fall unconscious. We’ve come too far for that."

She moved from group to group, checking foreheads, giving quick instructions. Someone opened one of the containers and confirmed it was full.

Crates of bottled water, stacked nearly on top each other.

She let out a breath she did not realize she was holding.

They had found sanctuary, at least to hold out until the challenge was over.

The man who had spoken of prayer earlier knelt beside his daughter and looked up at her. His eyes shimmered. "You see? God hears."

The man with the child she still didn’t know his name approached her, holding his now half-awake daughter in his arms.

Her eyes fluttered weakly, but color was slowly returning to her cheeks.

"You were right to keep us moving," he said quietly. "I prayed, but you acted. Thank you."

Wei Jing wiped sweat from her brow with the back of her hand and gave him a tired glance.

"Pray all you want. Just do it while walking next time" she muttered.

His laugh was weak but genuine. He settled beside her, cradling his daughter close.

One of the older women came up to Wei Jing with a cup full of water, held in both hands like an offering.

"You should drink first," she said. "You were carrying that child the whole way. And still gave the rest of us instructions."

Wei Jing accepted the water and sipped it slowly, allowing herself only a third before nodding.

"Share the rest. Everyone needs to rehydrate. Once the kids are stable, we’ll portion out what we need and decide what stays here for storage."

"Storage?" the woman asked.

Wei Jing’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"This place is gold. Shade, clean water, sealed entrance, the roof is enforced, that’s why the water are still cool, despite the unbearable heat. We may not find a better fallback shelter than this. Once we rest, we’ll take hold of everything here. Then decide if we return to the road or stay for a few days."