Leaving the mall, the evening sky at half-past six was already steeped in twilight.

After the lively demolition ceremony ended, the stage built for the event was neatly dismantled, and the gathered residents scattered without a trace, leaving only an empty neighborhood, quietly reflected by the falling snow.

The snowflakes were as fine as cotton, drifting down from the lead-gray sky, soon covering the world with a thin layer of white.

"Sir, wear a hat, don’t catch a cold."

Long chased after with an old leather hat in hand, his tone full of concern.

"It’s fine, it’s just a short walk."

Cheng Ye shook his head. The snowflakes felt cool on his face, making him feel invigorated.

"Long."

"Yes, sir."

"Take a break for a while. This large community can’t rely on you alone, don’t work yourself to exhaustion."

Hmm?

Long was clearly taken aback, his mouth opened but he couldn’t say a word.

Perhaps everyone was used to working tirelessly, as if giving their all was just natural.

But the recognition he didn’t receive from Elder Qu was unexpectedly noticed by Cheng Ye, an "outsider".

Before Long could collect himself, Cheng Ye added, "Also, you don’t have to go to Dapo Town for now. I have another important task for you."

"I’m listening, sir!"

"No rush, we’ll talk when the situation outside stabilizes."

Cheng Ye exhaled, seeing Wang Kang approaching from a distance, he smiled and said, "Remember, take a few days off."

"Yes, sir!"

Rejoining Wang Kang, the two walked side by side towards the community, the snow beneath their feet making a slight crunching sound.

This wasn’t the first snowfall in Happiness City, but it was the first snowy day they spent together in the Buffer Zone.

During their cheerful conversation, Cheng Ye suddenly realized that he probably wouldn’t be sleeping in his room the next few days.

Sure enough, upon reaching the fifth floor, he found that the room’s walls were only freshly cleared and painted with anti-damp coating, but the floor tiles were yet to be laid.

The wall between the two rooms had already been knocked out, seamlessly, so it would be easy to hang a curtain or install a small door later.

"We’ll work through the night to lay the tiles, it should be done the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, arrange it as you see fit."

Cheng Ye nodded, and after looking around, he picked up his bedding and headed to the downstairs small shop.

He hadn’t thrown away the things Uncle Dong left behind, including a folding cot, which would come in handy now.

But as he stood downstairs, under the halo of the street lamps, the snow flew all around, the world was so quiet you could hear the snow falling.

Cheng Ye suddenly had a thought.

This is wonderful, my life should be spent in such a world!

How beautiful!

Especially after entering the small shop, he set up the folding cot, lay on the lounge chair, and gazed at the street outside.

Snowflakes rustled down, and occasionally a passerby would hurry by, bundled up against the cold, this sense of leisure was indescribable.

However, he was surprised that after opening, a few people still came to buy things.

Only upon approaching did they realize Uncle Dong wasn’t there, and the shelves were empty, leaving disappointed.

"The small shop could open again in the future, this could be a source of income..."

Cheng Ye pondered, and when it was completely dark, he pulled down the shutter door.

He retrieved a can of yellow peach from the basement, ate it while reclining on the lounge chair, and soon sleepiness set in.

The previous night in the Wilderness had been restless, and he was so busy during the day he forgot to rest, so by this time, not yet eight o’clock, he wrapped himself tight in the blanket and quickly fell into a deep sleep, dreaming only of the tranquility of falling snow.

However, his biological clock seemed to be set, as he woke up before the alarm.

The small window above the small shop’s entrance was so dark you couldn’t tell the time, so he turned on his Defense Communication to find it was just after four o’clock.

As he sat up, he suddenly felt a familiar wave of dizziness, and his throat was slightly dry.

Did he really catch a cold?

With the Wild Grass Physique, he thought these common ailments wouldn’t affect him anymore.

But touching his forehead, it felt a bit hot, clearly, he had a fever.

"Perhaps it’s because after being out in the Wilderness and coming back, the mental tension relaxed and caused this..."

Unexpectedly, the new start had the first step of a fever and cold.

Cheng Ye shook his head helplessly, took out a packet of medicine from his backpack, and swallowed a fever-reducing pill.

The medicine from the Wasteland was already strong.

Plus, the medicine he bought was extra strong with added crystal powder, so soon he felt a bit dizzy.

He simply lay back down, to make up for lost sleep.

When he woke up again, it was already seven-thirty, and the faint light seeped through the window.

Cheng Ye touched his forehead again, surprisingly, the fever was gone, leaving only a slight lingering grogginess, but it didn’t affect his normal activities.

"This medicine is really potent!"

He couldn’t help but admire as he got up and pulled open the shutter door.

Oh.

The snow had stopped.

The snow from last night had fallen all night long, leaving a thick layer on the streets, covering the ankles, with rooftops and trunks dressed in white snow, the world dazzled with cleanliness.

A few women in thick cotton-padded jackets and some children were struggling to sweep the snow at the neighborhood entrance, ice chips clinging to the brooms, each sweep requiring considerable effort, it seemed they were community-arranged cleaners.

"Let me do it."

Cheng Ye stepped forward, took the big broom from one of the women.

He was strong, with a sweeping motion, the broom close to the ground, the snow was gathered into neat piles, and in no time he cleared a path for people at the community entrance.

After going back and forth a few times, he worked up a sweat, the lingering effects of the cold dissipated completely, and his mind felt clear.

Helping pile the snow to the roadside, Cheng Ye returned to the small shop, and ate four packs of Yellow Bag Nutrient Paste.