Ye Xihe hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Go ahead. Big Brother will protect you.”
A gentle warm white glow lit up in Ye Xihe’s palm.
The few people who could still be saved were not seriously injured. The main issue was that they had been scratched by zombies and infected with the virus. Without Ye Xihe, there would have been only one outcome awaiting them: transforming into zombies.
For Ye Xihe, injuries like these were already considered minor. She finished treating them very quickly.
Meanwhile, Gu Zhuoye and the others cleared out all the surrounding zombies.
The two groups settled into the convenience store.
Calling it a convenience store was actually a stretch. Everything inside had already been looted clean. The only noteworthy thing was that someone had reinforced the entrance with threaded steel bars, making it look relatively secure.
“You look very much like your mother.”
Professor Niu spoke first.
“You… knew her?”
A look of nostalgia appeared in Professor Niu’s eyes.
“We once worked on the same project. She was a scientific genius. Back then, I could only serve as her assistant.”
Ye Huizhou listened quietly from the side.
Xihe’s ability, her mother, Professor Niu…
His sharp instincts picked up on something, and he voiced the suspicion immediately.
“That project… is related to the current situation, isn’t it?”
Approval flashed across Professor Niu’s eyes.
“You’re very clever.”
Ye Xihe remembered the bargaining chip Professor Niu had used earlier.
“My ability…?”
“Your ability is connected to our project.”
Professor Niu straightened his posture, his expression becoming solemn.
“As for the details, I’ll explain everything after you arrive at the energy station and see the documents.”
Ye Xihe: …
She knew it.
Seeing his sister fall silent, Ye Huizhou continued.
“My sister will not participate in any experiments.”
The words brought back memories of his previous life.
Back then, Xihe had also been taken away to a laboratory by force.
Could it have been connected to this project?
Professor Niu grew anxious at once.
“Why?”
Ye Huizhou’s expression hardened.
“Anything that could potentially threaten her safety is unacceptable.”
“I have another question, Professor Niu.”
Ye Xihe looked up. “Where is my mother?”
At those words, Professor Niu lowered his head, his voice becoming strained.
“She… sacrificed herself.”
Those words were always difficult to say in front of a fallen comrade’s child.
Silence settled over the room once again.
Gu Zhuoye glanced at Ye Xihe and pulled out a chocolate bar, handing it to her.
Ye Xihe accepted it without hesitation.
“Thank you, Brother Zhuoye.”
Her delicate fingertips brushed against his palm.
Gu Zhuoye unconsciously curled his fingers.
Meanwhile, Xu Wen had already struck up a conversation with Tao Zhaochuan.
“Brother, that sniper rifle of yours looks awesome.”
Truthfully, Tao Zhaochuan had noticed Xu Wen’s rifle long ago. He had always been interested in things like that.
“Pretty cool, right? It’s my ability!”
Xu Wen retracted his hand, causing the rifle to disappear. Then he spread his palm and made it reappear.
Raising an eyebrow, he looked unbearably pleased with himself.
Tao Zhaochuan’s eyes widened.
“Can your ability create other things too?”
Without another word, Xu Wen demonstrated pistols, daggers, and butterfly knives.
Then he casually hooked an arm around Tao Zhaochuan’s shoulders.
“Impressive, huh? Call me Brother Xu and I’ll watch your back.”
Tao Zhaochuan was already completely fascinated. His eyes sparkled as he obediently called out,
“Brother Xu.”
“…”
Xu Wen rubbed his nose.
This kid really knew how to play along. He actually called him that.
Tightening his arm around Tao Zhaochuan’s shoulders, he lowered his voice.
“Chuan’er, how long have you guys been in F City? What’s the situation like here?”
After some thought, Tao Zhaochuan replied,
“We came here with Professor Niu to work on a project at the energy station laboratory. We’ve been here since the Apocalypse began. There are still quite a lot of survivors in the eastern district. Many people have formed temporary groups to search for supplies and survive. In the past couple of days, we heard the government established protection zones, so a lot of people are planning to check them out.”
“As for the western district… as far as I know, there are no survivors left. The zombie horde we encountered today came flooding over from there.”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you stay safely at the energy station? You young people coming out to gather supplies is one thing, but why did Professor Niu come too? He’s already at that age.”
“A lot of our data was stored in hospital equipment. Only Professor Niu could retrieve it…”
Xu Wen stared at him in disbelief.
“Are data more important than your lives?”
“…”
Tao Zhaochuan did not know how to answer.
Instead, he asked,
“Brother Xu, you were in the military, right? Isn’t following orders the most important thing?”
Xu Wen choked.
Of course it was.
For him, obeying orders came above everything else.
Su Nian, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, suddenly spoke.
“Do you know if there’s a mother and son among the survivors? The mother is small and thin, surname Zhang. The son is tall and strongly built, surname Su.”
Tao Zhaochuan thought for a moment before shaking his head.
“I haven’t heard of them.”
Su Nian fell silent as well.
“Still, there are plenty of survivors in the eastern district. If you go out, you can probably ask around.”
Su Nian nodded.
Guessing that she was asking about her family, Xu Wen comforted her.
“Let’s see what Captain Ye decides later. If we head out, we’ll help you look for them.”
…
Ye Huizhou dragged Gu Zhuoye over and had him help make two grilled sausages for Ye Xihe.
The crispy sausages burst with juice when bitten into.
Ye Xihe immediately gave a thumbs-up.
“Big Brother’s sausages are amazing!”
Gu Zhuoye snorted.
Ye Xihe quickly added, “Brother Zhuoye’s fire control is absolutely masterful!”
The corners of the man’s lips secretly curved upward.
The aroma of grilled sausages spread through the convenience store.
The scent was pure torture for Professor Niu’s group.
It smelled too good!
They had not eaten a proper meal in days.
And this man was grilling sausages right in front of them!
Was he even human?
Was he even human?!
Meanwhile, Xu Wen and Su Nian had already followed the smell over. Ye Huizhou simply grilled the remaining sausages as well.
Tao Zhaochuan and the others watched enviously.
However, none of them tried to snatch any food.
First, they did not dare.
Second, these people had just saved their lives. As educated students, they still possessed a strong moral bottom line.
The students’ longing gazes were so intense that Ye Xihe felt embarrassed.
She tugged lightly on Ye Huizhou’s sleeve.
Ye Huizhou immediately understood what she meant.
“We’re planning to head out and look for more food and supplies. Does anyone want to come with us?”
Tao Zhaochuan’s eyes lit up.
Following Ye Huizhou’s group would be much safer than searching on their own.
He immediately stood up.
“I’ll go!”
The twin-tailed girl stood up second.
Several more people followed.
“We don’t need that many. Only those who are strong and capable of fighting.”
After observing them for a moment, Ye Huizhou selected three people.
“Zhuoye, Xihe, come with me. Xu Wen and Su Nian will stay here and guard the place.”
Su Nian seemed about to say something, but ultimately closed her mouth.
Ye Huizhou said,
“We’ll ask around for you.”
“Thank you.”
Su Nian nodded.
Xu Wen muttered, “Captain Ye, you might as well tie Little Sister Xihe to your belt.”
Ye Huizhou shot him a cold glance.
But the truth was that he genuinely could not relax unless Xihe remained within his sight.
After making preparations, the group gathered at the door.
Ye Huizhou observed the situation outside through the glass.
During the time they had been resting, a few wandering zombies had drifted over.
Fortunately, there were not many.
Picking an opening, Ye Huizhou pushed the door open and stepped outside. He swiftly dealt with the two nearest zombies.
With a wave of his hand, the five people quietly followed him out.