Almost 100 soldiers were present and could hardly wait to finally get started. They were joined by the volunteers who had been accompanying the soldiers for months and through them learned to handle firearms and stabbing weapons or to defend themselves in hand-to-hand combat. They were all led by the general, Zhan's father.

In the lead walked Zhan and Yibo. Then the general, the soldiers and the helpers. Then the survivors who had recently been rescued from the bunker. After them came the soldiers, whom by now Zhan and Yibo were so familiar with because they made their last journey together. And finally, at the very end, were the residents of District 2, who received escorts from helpers like Hai Kuan and Cheng. In the end, it was decided that no one should be left behind in District 2 after all.

They reached the entrance to the maintenance and delivery tunnel half an hour later. Zhan wanted to enter the pin code immediately, but first had to change the batteries on the input device because they had already discharged in the past months and probably also due to the cold.

Finally, however, Zhan was able to open the door to the entrance of the one and a half kilometer long and dark tunnel. If they had enough time, they surely would have found a way to revive the old fluorescent tubes on the ceiling of the tunnel. But they didn't have that time. In fact, if they wanted to regain control of the hotel today, they had to hurry.

When finally the last one had arrived in the tunnel, the door was closed again and they could continue. Always four people side by side, row by row. Every second row had two flashlights with which they lit the way for the others. Thanks to the general, everything was orderly and no one stepped out of line. At intervals, they even managed to walk in sync. Zhan and Yibo had been endlessly impressed by this.

Zhan, who had always admired his father, looked at him and almost burst with pride. After all, he was now over 60 years old and yet fitter than many other young men. At a time when many military leaders were hiding in bunkers or running away, he came out of retirement to fight side by side with the brave young soldiers. He did not hesitate, but led his soldiers into the battle.

Even as a young boy, Zhan had always looked up to his brave, strong, assertive, yet loving father. Today, even more than then. Because Zhan simply couldn't ask for a better father than him.

But his mother had also always been a courageous woman who never backed down from a fight and even took up arms when necessary to protect what was dear to her.

In the meantime, Yibo had every reason to be proud of his parents. Not as in the case of Zhan's parents by their courage, the strength and the fight. But rather, because they finally, not only accepted Yibo's relationship with Zhan, but also because they learned not to put their own well-being above that of all others.

If someone had asked them for some sugar just a year ago, they would have said that they were not charity and had nothing to give away. If there was no benefit for them, they would not lift a finger for others. Because that's how they learned it from their parents. Yibo couldn't even count how many times he heard the phrase, "Rely on others and you are lost." Or else, "Before the we comes the me." Now, however, his parents are a part of the community, helping wherever they can. And when necessary, they even share their food.

The large group walked slowly but steadily through the tunnel. When they reached about halfway, they took a short break for the older ones and those survivors who were still very weak. Looking around on both sides of the tunnel, there was nothing but darkness and endlessness. As if the tunnel would never end.

Zhan and Yibo had to think at that moment of the tunnel maze they had been in twice now. Last time even for a few days. And then they thought of the two of them, Zhan and Yibo from another dimension. They wondered if they would see them again, because there were still so many questions they would like to ask them. But, they rather didn't think they would see them again.

When the group started moving again, there was an elderly man whose strength had faded and for whom the break was not enough to regain some strength. Hai Kuan went to him and took the man on his back further. And a soldier took only a few minutes later, an old woman on his back. And when the two of them could no longer, others took over. This had become a natural routine. 

Yibo and Zhan, seeing this, wondered if the apocalypse might have had something good? Did it make people, the good people, look out for each other again? To give help without expecting anything in return?

They were still about 20 meters from the door that led to a small staircase, which then ends at another door, which is a secret door located behind the biogas plant, when they all stopped.

The general ordered that from now on only whispering was allowed. He also told the soldiers to gather and follow him carefully. He told the others to keep quiet, try to move a little so they wouldn't get cold, and in any case wait until he or one of the soldiers came and got them.

Zhan hugged his father tightly once again before he then went to work with his soldiers to recapture the hotel.

While the fight against the board and its helpers raged in the hotel, everyone else in the tunnel wondered how things were going and how long they would have to stay down there. Although they tried to keep moving, even if it was only by jumping on the spot, the cold continued to eat through their layers of clothing. They began to freeze.

Zhan, Yibo, Zhan's mom and Yibo's parents, handed out blankets and sleeping bags they brought in their backpacks. There weren't many of those, and they were only enough for the weakest among them. Everything else was still in the buses and Humvee's after all.

The fight in the hotel had been going on for over two hours now, and every now and then the sound of a gunshot seemed to be heard.

The longer they were in the dark tunnel, the more some of them got scared. The batteries in the flashlights were draining much faster than they already were due to the cold, and they all knew that there were very few spare batteries left. In addition, the cold down there in the tunnel was causing them more and more problems.

After a total of 3 hours and 23 minutes, it suddenly became bright in the tunnel when the old fluorescent tubes came to life. Everyone stared at the door, spellbound and anxious. Zhan and Yibo held hands. Their hearts beat fast with nervousness and then the door opened and Zhan's father appeared with a smile. "We made it. Come up and warm yourselves." He said and disappeared again to make room for everyone in the tunnel to go up the small staircase.

Relieved, Zhan ran up the small staircase and to his father. He threw his arms around him and said, "I love you dad. Thank you for being such a great man and father. I love you."

Zhan's father laughed out loud, pressed Zhan to him and replied, "I love you too son, I love you so much. And I am very proud of you. Because you are the greatest son I could ever ask for." Such emotional moments were rare for the two. Therefore, they were always very special for the two of them. Especially today.

After the residents who had been kicked out of the hotel returned to their rooms, Zhan took the survivors to the infirmary. After that, Zhan took the blood samples to the scientists in their lab and they immediately started to examine the samples. Then Zhan went back to Yibo and their shared room.

The two held each other in their arms for a long and happy time. They were back home, back in the safety of the hotel. Then they both went to take a shower, and they took extra time to do so. Because a hot shower and hot sex, needed its time. In the meantime, the soldiers brought the buses and cars to the hotel grounds.

In the evening, all the residents of the hotel had to gather in the large common room. There, the general once again announced to everyone that the hotel was back under his control and that he would resume management of the hotel on behalf of his son until Zhan changed his mind or found another leader. Everyone clapped, whistled and cheered. 

"The board was elected to take care of all of you. But they used my absence to make their own rules. They threw out elderly residents, didn't let in those who needed help and protection, killed people, and didn't even let in my son and son-in-law, even though my son had inherited the hotel and let all of you in, including the board and the guards, so that you would all have a safe place to stay and be well. Whoever thinks this is right, feel free to pack your things and leave. I say to all those the same thing that was said to my son and son-in-law, "if you don't like it, go find a safe place somewhere else". For everyone else who wants to stay because they agree with how we run the hotel, from now on the old rules apply again. No one will be favored, everyone will be treated equally. Today we celebrate and from tomorrow it will be business as usual. Have fun."

Zhan's father stepped down from the podium and went to the back to talk to some people. Zhan and Yibo went to him, they had some news to share with him and Zhan's mother after all. Zhan pulled his father and mother to him and said he and Yibo still had something to tell them. The two nodded and looked at them with anticipation. Then Zhan said, "Yibo proposed to me and I said yes. Dad, we want you to marry us."

Zhan's parents looked at the two of them for a moment and suddenly Zhan's mom cheered and said, "I can't believe my son is getting married! Could there be any nicer news? Congratulations!"

Zhan's dad had tears in his eyes. He hugged Zhan and Yibo and said in a hushed voice, "Congratulations to both of you from the bottom of my heart. Of course I will marry you. You guys are so wonderful."

Yibo's parents, who had also joined them by now, immediately began to discuss the marriage of their two sons. This was the time when Zhan and Yibo quietly withdrew. Yibo took Zhan upstairs to the platform of the hotel.

Cold wind blew towards them as they opened the door to the roof. Yibo led Zhan up to the security barrier from which they had the best view. Then Yibo knelt in front of Zhan and held out a beautiful silver ring to him. "ZhanZhan, will you marry me?" He asked simply.

Zhan helped Yibo up and grinned, "Of course I will. Why another proposal?"

"Well, because I didn't have a ring before. Sorry for just asking you instead of saying anything else on the matter. I had the words all planned out, but when I was kneeling in front of you just now, I completely forgot them because I was suddenly so nervous."

"That's not a bad thing at all. I'm happy about your proposal this way, too. I know you love me and usually don't talk much, so I wasn't expecting a big speech. I don't need anything like that either. I love you Yibo and I will gladly marry you even without a ring."

"You have a ring now and I hope you will always wear it so that everyone will see that you are promised and that you belong to me. I love you ZhanZhan and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives with you."

"I will gladly wear the ring and with pride. Because I have an absolutely wonderful fiancé who will soon be my husband. I want everyone to see how happy you make me." Replied Zhan. Then they sealed it with a long and heartfelt kiss.

And while the two shared this romantic moment, it began to snow lightly. Until they saw lights in the sky in the distance. What was that?