March 23rd, 3:11 PM — Gu Tianhao's Compound, South Longwan
Jiang Roulan POV
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The sun cooked the earth beneath our feet.
Dirt clung to our ankles and knees, sticking in gritty layers as we shovelled compost into rows of withered plants. The field was boxed in by rusted fencing, each corner watched by men with guns and empty eyes. Survivors moved in tired lines, hauling crates, turning soil, or dragging water buckets heavier than their strength allowed. No one smiled.
Tang Wei stood next to me, sweat rolling down her neck as she jammed the rusted spade into the ground.
Liang Mei and Zhou Xue were on compost duty. Liang Qiu handled water, face pale but expression firm. None of us spoke unless we had to.
Every breath tasted like dust and rot.
"Faster," a voice barked from behind.
I didn't turn. I knew the tone. One of the guards, the younger one who'd been eyeing us since we arrived.
