Chapter 380: Chapter 380: The Farm Becomes an Amusement Park
"There are more activities tonight." Quincy was extremely pleased with his results. He ran over to Evelyn to gloat, "Everyone is being very cooperative, and they love what I’ve planned."
Evelyn was curious. "What are the activities tonight?"
"There are five activities in total: fortune-telling, line dancing, tea and reading, physical fitness, and games."
Evelyn was stunned. "You’ve arranged so many activities for everyone. They’ll just get more tired. They have to work during the day and patrol at night."
Quincy waved his hand. "Hold your horses. Let me explain in detail."
"It’s not five activities in one night. Everyone can choose one activity they like, and I’ll schedule the time for them."
Evelyn frowned. "What do you mean by fortune-telling?"
"It’s a form of divination I invented myself. It’s all very mysterious and profound. Only I know how to do it, and it cannot be revealed."
Evelyn gave a cold laugh. "Fine, tell my fortune right now. I’ll ask you: when will the weather get warmer?"
Quincy smiled faintly. "That’s a secret that can’t be revealed."
Evelyn...
"Are you leading the line dancing too?"
"I’ve already taught Aunt Crane, so she’ll be leading from now on. I choreographed all the dances myself. What do you think? Impressive, right?"
Evelyn rubbed her temples. "Did you arrange the tea and reading session too?"
"That one is set up for the kids. We have quite a few young ones on our farm: Wendy, Ian Yates, Penelope Parker, Patrick Pence, and Raymond Shepherd. I’ve given this task to Mr. Vance. He’ll be the farm’s teacher from now on, holding classes for them. These kids are completely illiterate. Even though times are tough, we can’t let them grow up unable to read."
"What’s the physical fitness activity?"
"This one’s great. To protect the farm, I suggested that everyone should train their bodies—marksmanship, close-quarters combat, and physical conditioning. I’ve put Peter Owens in charge of this."
Evelyn nodded. "And the games?"
"This is the most fun. It’s a murder mystery party. Everyone can participate. I even wrote the scripts myself."
Evelyn fell silent in contemplation. Quincy grew anxious. "So, what do you think? I put a lot of thought into this for everyone’s mental health. Is there anything that needs improvement?"
Evelyn shook her head. "It’s good."
Quincy smiled. "Don’t worry, it won’t interfere with anyone’s work."
The cold was extreme now, so there wasn’t much to do. They had stockpiled five years’ worth of grain and firewood. Without any recreational activities, it would indeed be easy for people to become pessimistic.
"Then go ahead and implement it. Is there enough space?"
"Enough. I asked for everyone’s opinion, and they’re all for it. You have to stay active and use your brain in this cold, or you’ll get sluggish." When Quincy talked about these things, he was truly unstoppable.
Quincy’s plan was put into action. After the wind died down, he even made a few simple shuttlecocks from chicken feathers so people could play badminton in front of the wooden house. Evelyn went to play for a while later and found it really was a great way to de-stress.
Taylor Vance said Quincy had the makings of a school principal, a comment that kept Evelyn amused for days.
When Ethan Dawson came looking for her, Evelyn was at home sleeping in. Ian Yates came to wake her, saying that Ethan had something to discuss. By the time Evelyn and Ronan Kendrick reached the screening room, Ethan was sitting in front of the DVD player, watching TV.
"You guys actually have a DVD player? Do you have a spare?"
"No, just this one."
Ethan tore his gaze away from the DVD player with some regret. "Now that the wind and snow have stopped, we’re planning to go trade for some supplies. Are you coming?"
Evelyn shook her head. "No."
Ethan cleared his throat. "Actually, it’s not really about trading for supplies. There’s a bandit lair on Mount Lumin in Oakhaven, just over a hundred kilometers from here. I heard they’re ruthless—robbing, killing, committing all sorts of atrocities. We’re planning to pay them a visit."
Evelyn looked at Ethan, amused. "So, are you going to trade for supplies or to raid them?"
Ethan’s expression turned serious. "To raid them, of course. And while we’re at it, we’ll get rid of those bandits to stop them from preying on other survivors." He said it with such sanctimonious flair.
"I wish you a safe trip." Evelyn had no intention of getting involved in something like this. ’If I were to raid someone, I would never team up with others.’
"You’re really not joining?" Ethan pressed on. "It’s just over a hundred kilometers, not that far. We’ll split the spoils evenly."
Evelyn shook her head. "I’m a coward. I’m afraid it’ll be a one-way trip. You guys go ahead."
Ethan frowned. "Are you afraid I’m giving you false information? The intel is real. I swear it on my farm in Fairgate."
"I believe the information is real, but I’m not interested."
"Your farm has a lot of people. If you join us for this job, you won’t have to worry about food for two years."
He was stubborn, seemingly unwilling to give up until he persuaded Evelyn. But just then, Ronan Kendrick suddenly took Evelyn’s hand. "I’ll go with them."
Before Evelyn could say anything, Ethan walked over and clapped Ronan on the shoulder. "I’ve long heard that Mr. Kendrick’s skills are extraordinary. It’s great that you’re willing to join us."
Ronan knocked Ethan’s hand off. "I’ll go alone. Do we still split the spoils evenly?"
"Of course. But can we drive there?"
"Yes." Ronan’s agreement was swift.
"The bandits’ lair on Mount Lumin has vehicles. We’ll try to snag a couple of cars too. The wind and snow have stopped for the last two days, so let’s set out tonight. Mr. Kendrick, is that okay with you?"
Ronan nodded. "No problem."
After Ethan left, Evelyn looked at Ronan in confusion. Ronan squeezed her hand and smiled.
"I want to go confirm whether there are any other ’failures’ or ’successes’ like me in that bandit lair."
"I’ll go with you."
Ronan gently tucked a stray strand of Evelyn’s hair behind her ear. "No need. I’ll be back soon. Wait for me at home."
Evelyn knew Ronan was incredibly powerful. If she went with him, she wouldn’t be much help. Since he wanted her to stay at the farm, he must have his reasons. Evelyn wouldn’t be difficult about it.
"You have to be careful. If anything happens, send me a message through the pocket dimension." Once they were more than a few hundred meters apart, Ronan’s consciousness could no longer enter the dimension; he could only retrieve or store items.
Ronan smiled. "Okay."
Ronan would drive the truck, and Ethan would provide the gasoline, as he was bringing twenty of his men, all of whom would have to ride in the cargo bed.
Evelyn told Officer Graham and Quincy about Ronan’s trip to Mount Lumin. Quincy wanted to go along, but Ronan rejected him as a burden, which made Quincy furious. However, when it was time to leave that night, Quincy was still very worried.
"He’s all by himself. Will he be okay? Ethan is bringing so many people. What if they try to bully Ronan?"
Evelyn... ’Anyone who didn’t know better would think Quincy was Ronan’s wife.’
"Don’t worry, Ronan will be fine." Evelyn had one hundred percent confidence in him.
Meanwhile, the hundred-plus-kilometer road of snow was not easy to travel, especially at night. Yet Ronan had no intention of slowing down. The men in the cargo bed were miserable, screaming incessantly as they were tossed about.
Ethan sat in the passenger seat. He had originally intended to beat around the bush and probe for some information, but now he didn’t dare make a peep.
