In the morning, after a bitterly cold night in which it had snowed almost continuously again and in which Zhan and Yibo clung tightly to each other to keep warm, Yibo woke up as the first and went to one of the two large windows in the classroom to see if anything had happened outside in front of the school grounds.

Although there was a guard post that changed several times during the night, no matter who was on watch, no one could see anything. It was just too dark and the heavy snowfall didn't make it any easier to see more than a meter.

When Yibo pushed aside one of the makeshift curtains, he took a deep breath and could hardly believe what he saw. He hurriedly ran back to the cot where Zhan was still sleeping, woke him carefully and asked him to come with him to the window. Zhan was afraid that he would not like what Yibo wanted to show him so badly.

But when Yibo again pushed the curtain aside, Zhan couldn't help but grin. After the previous night and all the fresh snow, they had assumed that the day would also be so snowy and cold. But the picture that presented itself to them now was completely different. The sun shone high in the bright blue sky!

That meant for the two and also for all the other survivors who were there with them, that the weather was for the first time since their departure, on their side. Because sunshine meant that the vampires couldn't run around outside during the day. And at the same time, that meant that they could get through the city and to District 2 without any disturbances or attacks on them.

Zhan and Yibo immediately went to look for the commander, who was somehow between all these survivors, sleeping. When they finally found him, they woke him up and told him what they saw looking out the window. The commander immediately got up and also convinced himself that the sun was shining.

And then everything happened quickly. With a loud whistle he woke up all the others and ordered them to get up, dress, pack and gather in the bus. No time for breakfast and a briefing. Now things had to move quickly, because no one knew how long the sun would continue to shine high in the sky.

In less than 15 minutes everything was packed and everyone was in their vehicle. Zhan and Yibo in their car, everyone else in the bus.

Since Zhan and Yibo's car is more maneuverable and faster than the bus, the two of them drove ahead. They kept in contact with the bus via a radio and had orders to report anything unusual so that those on the bus had time to respond. The night before, the commander had already said that the bus was giving them a lot of problems. Which was probably due to the weather conditions. Or because it was old and often pushed to its limits. Either way, they had to drive carefully.

When they finally reached the, partly destroyed small town, there was nothing to be seen of vampires far and wide. But that didn't mean they weren't there. Because behind a few windows that had not been destroyed, Zhan and Yibo saw movement as they drove by. They realized that without the sun, they might not have made it through the city unmolested. But this way, apart from a few wrecked cars that they had to drive around, they could pass the streets easily, and even the clumsy bus made it through without any problems.

After less than 20 minutes they had reached the outskirts of the city and came back to the main road, where all around there was nothing but open spaces and nature.

The sun that brought them the advantage of not being able to be attacked by vampires, also brought them a handicap. Because thanks to the warm rays of the sun, the snow began to thaw and made the roads very skiddy and partly even slippery. They had to drive much slower because of this. Because unlike the car of Zhan and Yibo, the bus was not designed for such weather conditions.

Another two hours and two villages later, they finally reached the turnoff that would lead them directly to District 2. It was about time, because slowly the weather started to change again. More and more dark clouds were gathering and gradually began to cover the sun. Soon the sky would be covered with a gray blanket of clouds and that meant the vampires could move freely again.

They had been driving on the rough road for half an hour when finally the first sign indicated that the prison was nearby. Another sign said that this place is under surveillance and everyone who comes along there must have their identification papers ready for a possible random check. Yibo laughed and put his badge on the dashboard of the car. Zhan also chuckled and put his hospital ID next to it.

When finally, after more than another half hour, a High Wall with barbed wire attached and several sturdy fences in sight, Zhan and Yibo cheered. They also heard relieved cheers from the radio.

Finally they had reached District 2 and they were already met by two armed men at the gate leading into the prison yard. Immediately Zhan and Yibo remembered what it was like for them when they arrived at the hotel and were greeted like this. But when the two men saw who was in the car, they immediately opened the gate and greeted the two with a smiling nod of their heads.

No sooner had the car and bus reached the courtyard and the engines switched off, than the large gate was closed again and from the former prison, several people immediately came running, who then greeted all the newcomers. Among them were Yibo's parents.

When Yibo saw his mom and dad, he had just wanted to see them and hug them. At that moment, he no longer thought about them fighting before he left with Zhan. All of that was behind him and he was just happy to see that they were okay.

Yibo's parents greeted Yibo crying. They hugged him tightly. And when Zhan approached them and kept at least two meters distance to them, because he had not forgotten their dislike and rejection at all, they waved Zhan to them and even hugged him. And not only that. They apologized to him for everything they said about and against him.

"We are so sorry for the way we acted. We had enough time in your absence to think about all this and reflect on our behavior. And we are ashamed of ourselves for being so vicious." Said Yibo's father.

Zhan wasn't sure if the two of them really changed their minds and if the apology was sincere. Because he still remembered very well how they had tried for months in the hotel to get him and Yibo to break up. Still, Zhan is not a person who holds grudges and is willing to give second chances. So he reached out to both of them and finally said, "Well then, let's have a fresh start."

However, Zhan had not expected Yibo's mother's reaction. She wrapped her arms around him, hugged him tightly and said, "Thank you. Thank you for loving our son so much and making him happy. And thank you for not letting us chase you away. Please continue to be by my son's side and continue to love him so much and so sincerely."

Yibo was so touched when he heard this that he almost started to cry. He hugged his mother and Zhan, before he took Zhan's hand and said, "Zhan and I, we will stick together. No one can separate us. And, we even want to get married." Actually, he didn't want to say the latter just like that, he wanted to find a private moment to say it. But, he couldn't wait to tell his parents about it.

"Wow, that's news. I think we should talk to Zhan's parents soon then. About the wedding and how we want to plan it." Replied Yibo's father.

Zhan was still perplexed about this new side of Yibo's parents and just didn't know how to react or what to say. Therefore, he just smiled and nodded.

After the heartfelt greeting, everyone went inside, where it was bright and pleasantly warm. Two older doctors immediately took care of the survivors. While Zhan and Yibo followed Yibo's parents into the dining room, where the others all were. And with a quick look around, Zhan, Yibo and the soldiers noticed that the residents of District 2, were largely elderly.

No sooner were Zhan, Yibo and the soldiers seated than the leader of District 2 turned to them. A 75-year-old man named Ren Chou. He sat down with them, looked at them thoughtfully one by one, and finally began to talk. "They didn't let you guys into the hotel did they? I can tell you, since the board took control, it has become unbearable there. Despite clear agreements with General Xiao, they made their own rules. And one of them was that all residents over the age of 50 had to move out. They only wanted young, strong people who could work hard. Of course, we all resisted that at first. But then they pointed the guns at us and said either we leave voluntarily and get escort until we reach District 2, or they would shoot us. A few didn't like that and fought with the board. They were shot icy cold. So all of us, to be able to stay alive, we volunteered to go a week and a half ago. They brought us here and left us some supplies. Then we were on our own."

The commander angrily pounded his fist on the table and looked as if he wanted to say something. But he said nothing. Apparently he was at a loss for words. Yibo's mother waited another two or three seconds before she took the word and spoke. "Two days ago, we finally managed to reach General Xiao by radio. We explained our situation to him and he promised to leave immediately with his men to join us. He should arrive here today or tomorrow."

"Exactly. When you guys drove up to the yard, we thought it was the general at first. He said he was coming and it would take 2-3 days. And he wants to discuss with us what we can do now to get control back at the hotel." Added Yibo's father.

Zhan was more than happy to hear that his parents will come to District 2. Because that way, he and Yibo wouldn't have to go on the dangerous journey looking for them. They would just have to wait here. And the thought that he would be able to see his parents again soon pleased him so much that he could only smile.

"When General Xiao gets here, we'll have to discuss with him how to get into the hotel. The wall goes around the entire compound. We can't climb over it. And then there are guards everywhere. They'll shoot us if we even try to get close to the wall or the gate." Mentioned another older man.

Yibo looked at Zhan and it was as if the two were talking telepathically. They both have a secret about the hotel, but they wouldn't share it with everyone until Zhan's parents got back.

After no one said anything for a while, apparently no one knew what else to say, the leader suggested that the new arrivals rest first.

They took Zhan and Yibo, as well as everyone else, to a couple of cells. Zhan and Yibo were given their own cell. They lay down on one of the beds and snuggled together. They were actually very tired. The new security and the comforting warmth, knowing that Yibo's parents were fine and Zhan's parents were on their way, tired them even more, so they both fell asleep without saying anything other than "I love you".