Chapter 38: Rooftop Refuge and Unforeseen Followers

Listening to Damao, his ‘dog-headed strategist’, Qiao Xia suddenly understood the crucial point. He now knew the source of the danger hinted at in his recent premonition!

However, considering the distance between the teaching building’s side entrance and the main glass doors, Qiao Xia realized it was already too late to rush over.

There was even a high chance he would have a thrilling encounter with the red-eyed patients storming in.

The mere thought of the agonizing pain of being bitten to death by a horde of red-eyed patients made Qiao Xia’s body tremble involuntarily. He knew there was no rectifying the situation now; his only option was to quickly find a safe hiding spot and avoid a direct confrontation with them.

With only three minutes remaining, the teaching building’s exterior was fraught with peril, and his unreliable teammates had opened the door, letting danger in. Considering this, Qiao Xia’s options seemed severely limited.

Crucially, there was no truly safe place within the teaching building itself. The wooden classroom doors would offer no resistance to the onslaught of red-eyed patients, quickly shattering into splinters.

After all, if red-eyed patients could swiftly strip flesh from bone, a mere wooden door stood no chance.

It was at this precise moment that Qiao Xia suddenly recalled Duan Yulan’s earlier phone call.

‘Could it be, he really had to go to the rooftop?’

The heavy iron door leading to the rooftop was incredibly sturdy, impervious even to axes and blades. If securely locked, the red-eyed patients would absolutely not be able to pass through.

It wouldn’t be this agonizing situation, guarding the main entrance only to have the side door fall.

This raised a question: how had Duan Yulan known that ascending to the rooftop was his best option right now?

She didn’t possess a ‘golden finger’ ability for premonitions, yet regardless of the process, the final outcome still pointed to the rooftop…

Furthermore, if he stayed on the rooftop and secured the door, even if Duan Yulan came looking for him, how would she get up there?

‘Would she fly?’

For a moment, Qiao Xia’s mind was a whirlwind of complex, chaotic thoughts. But realizing the urgency of the situation, he quickly dismissed his wild musings and spoke to Li Lin Guan and his group.

“Get ready quickly and follow me to the rooftop. The red-eyed patients are about to enter the teaching building.”

Qiao Xia’s words were not an exaggeration. Based on the hints from his premonitions, he knew the side entrance had certainly fallen.

Those students desperate to go home had already opened the side door.

Even rushing over to stop them now would be too late. It was better to seize this moment and flee to safety, lest they be killed by the red-eyed patients.

As for saving others, if Qiao Xia possessed the ability, he would not hesitate to lend a helping hand.

However, if he couldn’t even save himself, worrying about others would be akin to inviting an early demise.

It was precisely because he understood the agony of death that Qiao Xia was so cautious, determined to prevent the premonition of his demise from coming true.

When Li Lin Guan heard Qiao Xia speak of going to the rooftop, he felt it was an overreaction.

“What? What are we doing on the rooftop? The glass here is incredibly sturdy; the red-eyed patients can’t get in! Don’t listen to Damao’s nonsense. Those students wouldn’t dare utter a peep, how could they possibly risk leaving the teaching building?”

The outside of the teaching building was so dangerous. Those students wanting to go home were scared witless, their legs trembling at the sight of the red-eyed patients. How could they possibly leave through the side door?

‘Go home, indeed!’

They’d be attacked by red-eyed patients halfway there.

Just as Li Lin Guan was about to persuade Qiao Xia not to be so nervous, Damao, his strategist, suddenly interjected, expressing his profound unease.

“Li Ge, I think Qiao Ge is right. We should leave quickly. I’m feeling really restless myself; my eyelid keeps twitching. It’s truly terrifying.”

Having understood the implications of Qiao Xia’s earlier words, Damao was no fool. He naturally grasped that Qiao Xia’s current worries weren’t unfounded; the situation had indeed become grave.

Glancing at the red-eyed patients still attacking outside the glass doors, Damao felt it was better to believe in the danger than to be complacent.

Qiao Xia, unlike Damao, didn’t bother with gentle persuasion. He asked bluntly, “Enough, stop wasting time. I’m just asking if you’re coming or not.”

If Li Lin Guan refused to go, Qiao Xia wouldn’t press him.

After all, Li Lin Guan’s disregard for his own life was his concern, and Qiao Xia saw no need to meddle in such affairs.

This was also out of consideration for Li Lin Guan having just helped him out. Otherwise, Qiao Xia would have long since departed.

Every minute spent lingering meant an increased risk.

“Let’s go.”

However, just as Qiao Xia spoke with visible impatience, Li Lin Guan, who had initially been reluctant to leave, now nodded eagerly, almost bouncing.

His submissive demeanor was truly a sight to behold, almost unbearable.

This prompted Damao, standing nearby, to raise a hand and cover his face, finding his boss a bit of a simpleton.

Although he had heard about Qiao Xia saving Li Ge, seeing Qiao Xia’s scrawny, ‘weak chicken’ appearance, Damao didn’t actually believe he possessed any particular ability. Perhaps it was merely a stroke of blind luck.

Yet, since his own boss held Qiao Xia in such high regard, Damao, as a subordinate, could only follow along.

Damao had assumed Li Ge merely wished to repay Qiao Xia for saving his life. However, Qiao Xia’s single command making Li Ge obediently comply baffled Damao.

‘Even for a debt of gratitude, there was no need to humble himself so much!’

‘Besides, there were still many subordinates around. Li Ge needed to maintain his ‘big brother’ image!’

While Damao’s heart was filled with exasperated sighs for his boss’s lack of backbone, Li Lin Guan also seized the moment to shout to his subordinates. However, not many responded, only about a dozen.

Due to Qiao Xia’s urgency to leave, Li Lin Guan had no time to lecture his disobedient youngsters. Instead, he led these dozen or so individuals, following Qiao Xia, as they quickly ascended the stairs towards the rooftop.

Along the way, they encountered some curious students. Seeing the hurried demeanor of the dozen or so people, these students immediately followed behind the group, wondering what was happening.

Thus, the group continuously grew. By the time Qiao Xia reached the rooftop door, he had just let out a sigh of relief when he turned around to see nearly thirty people behind him, startling him greatly.

However, Qiao Xia couldn’t concern himself with such things at the moment. He directly issued commands to the crowd.

“Everyone, get into the rooftop quickly. Don’t dawdle. Those who don’t want to enter, stay outside.”

He instructed Li Lin Guan to lead his subordinates in, one after another.

As for the students who had followed to watch the commotion, more than half entered the rooftop out of curiosity. The remaining few, being rather timid, ultimately chose to stay in front of the rooftop door.

Qiao Xia let out a helpless sigh, then cast a pitying glance at the students who had foregone the opportunity.

Qiao Xia was no Buddha, here to save the world. Thus, once he confirmed these individuals would not enter the rooftop, he immediately slammed the iron door shut.

To be extra safe, he used the iron chain hanging from the doorknob, wrapping it around several times.

Only after ensuring it was securely bound did Qiao Xia truly relax.

No premonition had appeared yet, which proved his actions were effective. At least, within the next ten minutes, he would not die.

A panicked voice suddenly echoed across the rooftop, drawing everyone’s attention downwards.

“Ah, look downstairs, everyone!”

As Qiao Xia’s gaze followed suit, a bitter feeling welled up in his heart. He wondered what fresh trouble had erupted now!

These past two days had truly been a heart-stopping ordeal for him!