Chapter 58: A Morning of Chaos and Departures

After learning a great deal from Duan Yulan, Qiao Xia felt he needed some time to process everything.

These past two days had been incredibly stimulating, completely overturning his previously calm routine.

His abilities had been lost and regained, only to come with a perverse activation condition. The emotional rollercoaster left Qiao Xia feeling utterly exhausted, yearning for a moment of rest.

As for why Duan Yulan possessed so much information, Qiao Xia harbored little doubt.

Given Duan Yulan’s formidable background and access to special channels, it was perfectly normal for her to be so well-informed.

It was much like how Zhou Li’s family had known in advance about the impending chaos in U City; those with various connections naturally had access to far more hidden information than ordinary people.

Lost in thought, Qiao Xia instinctively glanced towards the other side of the rooftop. Several students sat there, still whimpering and crying, most of them having been scratched or bitten by zombies.

They were bound so tightly, like mummies, that they couldn’t even lift a hand to wipe away their tears.

According to Duan Yulan, these students would all turn into zombies by tomorrow.

Even a tiny wound, regardless of whether they retained their sanity, simply meant they were progressing towards becoming a zombie at a different pace.

‘Alas!’

‘How long will this chaotic situation last? Must U City truly be bombed to slow the spread of the zombies?’

As Qiao Xia fell silent, Duan Yulan observed his somewhat melancholic profile. She said nothing further, instead gently resting her head on his shoulder, trying to absorb some warmth.

Starlight cascaded over them, seemingly draping them in a soft, ethereal veil.

It slowly soothed the chill in their hearts.

****

Early the next morning, Qiao Xia awoke to an incessant chorus of screams. He rubbed his drowsy eyes, noting that dawn was just breaking.

While he found Duan Yulan strange and prone to harassing him, he had to admit her strength was undeniable. Having her seated beside him filled Qiao Xia with a profound sense of security.

Otherwise, Qiao Xia’s first instinct upon waking would have been to look towards the source of the screams, rather than having time for anything else.

Nevertheless, the events of the night had indirectly confirmed the truth of Duan Yulan’s words.

The students who had been scratched and bitten by zombies now stared with wide, bloodshot eyes. Unable to speak, they merely fixed their gazes on the screaming, terrified students around them, frantically attempting to lunge forward, only to be restrained by ropes.

They could only sit in place, growling lowly, their expressions grotesque and terrifying.

“What in the hell are you all screaming about? I just fell asleep and you woke me up! So what if they’ve turned into red-eyed lunatics? You all saw what happened on the streets yesterday. Anyone with a scratch gets infected, no exceptions!”

Just as the students were screaming with fervor, Li Lin Guan erupted in a furious outburst. His scolding immediately silenced their shrieks. They then looked at him with fearful eyes, like pitiful, oppressed little creatures.

Last night, after Duan Yulan’s sudden appearance and swift handling of the red-eyed madman, a considerable commotion had erupted on the rooftop. However, Li Lin Guan, leading his subordinates, had suppressed it, teaching some unruly students a lesson with his fists.

Seeing them all as docile as quails this morning, Li Lin Guan nodded in satisfaction.

‘It seems fists still rule supreme!’

“Qiao Xia, we’ve decided to reorganize and then leave the rooftop immediately. When do you plan to depart?”

After dealing with the screaming students, Li Lin Guan approached Qiao Xia, carrying a backpack full of food. As he handed the backpack over, he didn’t forget to ask about Qiao Xia’s plans.

His words were earnest, his concern evident.

However, Qiao Xia felt he would be far more moved if Li Lin Guan wasn’t constantly sneaking glances at Duan Yulan.

Those plaintive little glances made Qiao Xia’s skin crawl.

“We’ll leave soon. Are all the people on the rooftop leaving with you?”

Qiao Xia couldn’t be bothered with Li Lin Guan’s petty thoughts. But to prevent Duan Yulan from getting annoyed by the stares and unleashing her temper, he stood up, shielding Duan Yulan behind him as he spoke to Li Lin Guan.

Interrupted by Qiao Xia, Li Lin Guan realized his lapse in composure. He quickly regained his composure, immediately stopping himself from looking at Duan Yulan.

Although he had once been quite fond of Duan Yulan, Qiao Xia was his savior.

Snatching a woman from his savior?

Li Lin Guan would never commit such an ungrateful act!

‘So, goodbye, my once-crushed-on goddess. *Sob*.’

‘That was his youth, fading with the sunset.’

“No, only a small portion of people are coming with me. The rest are staying on the rooftop, waiting for rescue. I can’t be bothered to manage whether they leave or not. At a time like this, it’s enough to just look after myself.”

Qiao Xia paid no mind to Li Lin Guan, who was currently in a state of heartbreak. Hearing that some people were still foolishly waiting for rescue, he couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking how poor their adaptability was.

Even if they hadn’t believed it initially, it was already the third day.

If rescue was coming, it would have arrived by now. Since it hadn’t, smart people knew to make plans for themselves as soon as possible, rather than staying here to await death.

Qiao Xia didn’t want to waste his breath trying to convince these people.

Indeed, Li Lin Guan was quite right!

At a time like this, it was enough to just look after oneself.

Who had the leisure to care about the lives of others?

“Um, could you and Duan Yulan come down with us? If we encounter those red-eyed patients, you could help us resist. Otherwise, I’m genuinely afraid we’ll be wiped out before we even get out of the teaching building.”

After speaking, Li Lin Guan looked at Qiao Xia somewhat awkwardly, then made his request for them to leave together.

He couldn’t help it; leading this group of subordinates was mentally exhausting!

Encountering one or two red-eyed patients on the way was manageable, but if they met too many, it would mean everyone’s demise.

Having witnessed Qiao Xia and Duan Yulan’s formidable combat strength yesterday, Li Lin Guan felt that even a horde of red-eyed patients wouldn’t be an issue for them. He believed their chances of safe survival would be much higher if they went together.

Upon hearing Li Lin Guan’s words, Qiao Xia considered it and didn’t immediately refuse. As long as these people didn’t court death, leading them out of the teaching building wouldn’t be a problem.

However, the mention of leaving suddenly reminded Qiao Xia of the iron gate that had been destroyed yesterday.

“Do you know who destroyed the iron gate to the rooftop yesterday?”

“I already found out. It was that little scoundrel Wang Su. I heard they wanted to go to the cafeteria to join the teachers. Because they weren’t given any food before, they spitefully destroyed the iron gate on their way out.”

As Li Lin Guan spoke, Duan Yulan, who was shielded behind Qiao Xia, caught the words ‘cafeteria’ and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.