Chapter 2: The Meaning of Travel

The young beauty who had temporarily become his companion was strikingly dressed, her style fresh, unique, and radiantly lively. She repeatedly sparked the conversation with her vibrant personality.

Clearly, she was fond of Cao Bin.

Cao Bin’s appearance was undeniably captivating to the female gaze. He stood at one meter eighty-seven, his figure long and smoothly contoured; especially when he wore a vest, the broad, inverted triangle of his back muscles left a memorable impression. His looks were not of the sort that stunned at first sight, but he exuded a rugged masculinity. His skin was the color of malt, the very image of a hardened, iron-blooded man.

When the young woman noticed that Cao Bin’s eyes lingered on her, his gaze carrying deep and subtle emotions, she evidently understood his intentions.

She bit her lower lip gently, rose, and walked toward Cao Bin’s tent. With a coquettish grace, she rested one hand on the left side of the mattress and the other slid softly along her slender waist.

“Handsome, I have a deal to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead,” Cao Bin replied calmly.

She played with her hair, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I just had a fight with my boyfriend, which is why I started this impromptu journey.”

“I don’t want to give my first time to him.”

“I’d rather have a unique romantic adventure.”

“So, what do you think? Will you accept?”

Cao Bin gazed at her quietly, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips. “Are you sure?”

“Of course,” she nodded firmly.

“Alright, I have no objections.” The corners of Cao Bin’s mouth lifted in a slight smile. He accepted the invitation without emotional entanglement; facing the impending apocalypse, his internal pressure needed release, and with someone willingly offering herself, why would he refuse?

A joyful light sparkled in the young woman’s eyes. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes shimmering like water, her white teeth biting softly on her lips as she summoned the courage to sit beside Cao Bin.

He looked at her, maintaining that enigmatic smile. “Are you really sure about this?”

“Yes, I've thought it through,” she replied with conviction.

“Aren’t you afraid your boyfriend will find out and it’ll affect your relationship or your future together?” Cao Bin pressed.

“I’m not afraid. It doesn’t matter anymore,” she answered resolutely.

Cao Bin nodded in approval. “You really are a mischievous child.”

She raised her brows and smiled shyly. “If the end of the world is truly coming, why should I still be shackled by convention?”

“That’s just your excuse, isn’t it?”

She leaned close to Cao Bin’s ear and whispered, “Do you want to hear the truth?”

“I’m listening.”

“The truth is, I find you incredibly attractive. I just can’t hold myself back. Is that direct enough?”

“Tsk tsk.” Cao Bin shook his head, chuckling. “Though you’re a bit superficial, at least your taste isn’t bad. In forty days, you’ll understand what I mean.”

“What will happen in forty days?” she asked curiously.

“Does it matter? Ask again and dawn will break, everyone will wake up, and you’ll lose your chance.”

She looked at Cao Bin, laughing as she moved closer...

Night fell. She nestled against Cao Bin, and the two shared a single-person tent.

Suddenly, Cao Bin asked quietly, “Where do you plan to travel?”

“I want to go to Qingdao.”

“How long do you plan to stay?”

“Three to five days, maybe.”

“What about afterwards?”

She looked up at him, her smile blossoming. “I haven’t decided yet. Why, do you want to come with me?”

“I don’t have enough time,” Cao Bin replied, his gaze deep and calm. “Afterwards, I suggest you visit Budala. The sky there is azure, the clouds drift by, it’s a place where hearts yearn to go.”

“Oh, you’re right!” she exclaimed, sitting up in excitement—but a sudden pain made her wince.

After a while, her face still flushed, she said, “I’ve decided, I’ll go to Budala…”

“Yes, you won’t regret it,” Cao Bin assured her.

She nestled against his chest once more, launching into an endless monologue about her longing for that place.

Yet, Cao Bin was not truly listening; even if he were, his mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the terrifying vision of the world’s end.

A month from now, the apocalypse would bring a cascade of natural disasters.

First among them was extreme heat.

The sun would undergo some unknown transformation, and within a single week temperatures would soar to eighty degrees.

When the global average temperature rose to eighty degrees, glaciers, plateaus, and even the polar ice caps would melt completely.

This would lead to a dramatic rise in sea levels, unleashing catastrophic floods.

All coastal cities across the globe would face annihilation.

The world’s land area would shrink by thirty percent.

The nation of Yan would not be spared.

This was the second disaster—the eruption of tsunamis, the encroachment of seawater.

At that time, the Budala region in Yan might be the safest option.

That was why Cao Bin recommended the young beauty go there.

Perhaps, if she were lucky, she might survive the cataclysm.

Two hours later.

Cao Bin rose.

Dawn was approaching; he needed to continue his journey.

Like a ghost, he sought out national highways without cameras, places where no ID was required, using his motorcycle to collect supplies according to his plan.

Before leaving, he glanced back at the tent, at the sleeping beauty within.

That night, her sweat-soaked passion had allowed Cao Bin to relax immensely.

He had been hungry for a long time.

A faint smile played at his lips as he quietly got up and turned away.

Without hesitation, he started his motorcycle and left.

The next destination:

Hangsu.

A prosperous and wealthy city, one of Yan’s foremost economic powerhouses with endless supplies.

Most importantly, this city would be the first to face destruction.