How to Raise a Baby in an Apocalypse - Chapter 211

The Watsons store is closed, its entrance sealed by a rolling shutter. Unlike the usual metal ones, this shutter is made of interlocked plastic panels, giving it a sleek appearance.

Anran doesn’t hesitate. She uses her ex-husband’s saber to easily break through the plastic door and slips inside, scanning the shelves.

Watsons carries a variety of basic medical supplies—fancy Band-Aids, imported wound disinfectants, mouthwashes for swollen gums. But is there iodine? That would be more effective.

She grabs a basket and tosses in whatever useful items she can find before moving on to the food section, sweeping imported snacks and packaged goods off the shelves.

With her basket full, she makes her way back. Stepping over the white lilies, she climbs the escalator to the second floor and hands all the medicine to Liu Yuan and Yun Tao. Then, she goes straight to check on Doll.

Doll is still asleep on the small bed inside the maternity store.

Little Mint sits beside her, gripping a fire axe tightly. Her eyes are drooping with exhaustion, yet she stubbornly refuses to close them.

When she sees Anran approaching, she finally lowers the axe and smiles, as if waiting for praise.

“It’s okay now. I’ve secured the door,” Anran reassures her gently. “Are you tired? Get some sleep first.”

Little Mint nods and obediently sits at the edge of Doll’s bed, preparing to sleep on the floor.

Anran sighs at the sight, then reaches down, pulls Little Mint up, and leads her to the maternity store where quilts are stocked. She unwraps a few thick ones and spreads them out on the ground.

While arranging them, she speaks softly: “You can’t sleep on the floor. It’s too cold. No matter how bad things get, we should still take care of ourselves however we can.”

Little Mint doesn’t respond, just stands there, watching as Anran kneels to spread out the blankets. When Anran turns and sees her frozen in place, she reaches out, pulls her over, and sits her down on the quilt.

“Have you eaten? Had any water?” she asks.

Little Mint nods.

“Good,” Anran says. “Then sleep for a bit. We all need rest.”

“…Okay.” Little Mint lies down properly, her face relaxing as she settles in.

Anran kneels beside her, tucking in the corners of the blanket.

Just then, Doll stirs awake. Picking her up from the crib, Anran sits down to feed her.

As she cradles Doll, she suddenly feels a small hand tugging at the hem of her clothes.

“My mother… also gave birth to a little sister for me,” Little Mint murmurs.

Anran turns her head slightly, listening.

“But later… they all turned into monsters.”

Another tragic story.

Reaching out, Anran gently strokes Little Mint’s hair. She sighs, thinks for a moment, then whispers, “Forget them. They would want you to be well.”

Silent tears slide from Little Mint’s eyes, soaking into the quilt beneath her. Slowly, she inches closer to Anran, resting her cheek against her. “I’ve been good… Don’t leave me,” she whispers.

“…Alright. I won’t leave.”

Feeling a pang in her heart, Anran pulls Little Mint into a tight embrace. She gazes at the dimly lit store, waiting for night to fall.