Damn it all.Why was this seemingly frail, white-haired loli so ruthless in her methods?While the girl’s spear thrusts and parries were standard techniques, using two hands, still handcuffed, to snap the neck of a primate—even Keke likely hadn’t practiced such a move.Moreover, without practical experience, such a technique would be incredibly difficult to master.Who exactly was this Ye Xuening?Why had Ling Yechen never mentioned a girl with such formidable skills in her class?
Jing Lan couldn’t possibly voice that question here.He merely managed a grateful smile at the girl, saying, “Thank you for your help. I’ll never forget it.”
In the girl’s watery, deep blue eyes, a flicker of smug satisfaction seemed to pass.
She said nothing more, simply following him.
“We finally meet.”
Before the word “meet,” the sound of “again” was almost imperceptibly suppressed by the girl.
****
On the first floor.
The sports field was still swarming with zombies.
Towards the school gate, Officer Niu and Zhao Long, wielding Type 92 pistols, covered the group’s breakout, their five guns laying down a crossfire with remarkable accuracy, taking down over a dozen zombies in mere seconds.
Just as Officer Niu and Zhao Long were running low on ammunition, Jing Lan hurled a “Crackling” bomb towards the far end of the field, away from the school gate; the “Crackling” fireworks on the bomb burst into a joyful song, drawing numerous zombies with its intense noise, who roared in protest against the sound pollution, waving their arms and pointing as they rushed towards the source.
Approximately seven or eight zombies were diverted, followed by a deafening explosion that erupted amidst the horde, sending black blood and severed limbs scattering.
Officer Niu, standing by the gate, had a grim expression. “Where did these little brats get explosives?”
Several people dashed out of the school gate; Officer Niu climbed into the passenger seat, Zhao Long took the back, Keke crammed the three students and the male teacher into the very last row, pushed Jing Lan and the white-haired girl into the second row, then, shouldering her AK, jumped onto the roof, where Gao Fei had also clambered.
The severely overloaded minivan, carrying eleven individuals, sped away.
****
Was this a reunion after being lost and found?
Leaning against Jing Lan’s shoulder, Ling Yechen felt herself growing drowsy.
Regardless, she had reunited with her closest friend.
‘But he is still him, and I…’
‘To him, I am Ye Xuening.’
‘Ling Yechen’s deceased classmate.’
It wasn’t impossible to reveal the truth.
Yet, Ling Yechen found herself resisting.
Why?
If Jing Lan knew Ling Yechen was alive, he wouldn’t have to live with the regret of failing to protect his friend.
Though some might consider Jing Lan heartless, Ling Yechen knew that wasn’t true.
But was it truly so?
Would Jing Lan truly find peace upon learning she was alive?
Or, more simply: would Jing Lan act as if nothing had ever happened?
Would he no longer dwell on having personally strangled Ling Yechen?
No. He wouldn’t.
He would cherish this second chance immensely.
For he understood deeply that everyone deserved a second chance, yet most were not so fortunate.
Even minor mistakes could lead to lifelong regret.
So, once Jing Lan knew that Ling Yechen was still alive—
and had transformed into an adorable white-haired girl—
What would Jing Lan do?
Perhaps he would become frantic, vowing to protect her fiercely?
A seventeen-year-old boy, literally turned into a loli…
Such an unnatural event, it was impossible to gauge the cognitive shock it might inflict upon anyone who learned of it.
Ling Yechen, in truth, couldn’t even be certain of her own judgment: perhaps she was overthinking it?
Had her past belief that Jing Lan suppressed many things deep within his heart actually been a misjudgment on her part?
Was that a possibility?
Was it because she held beautiful aspirations for her senior, and thus hoped he possessed a melancholic flaw that she needed to heal?
‘Ugh… was I truly such a self-important person?’
In any case, until the car returned to the parking lot camp, Ling Yechen still hadn’t decided whether to reveal her true identity.
When someone is indecisive about something, they often tend to opt for the conservative approach first.
After all, if she changed her mind later, it wouldn’t be too late to tell everyone her true identity.
Ling Yechen also considered another issue: her family.
Although she had mentally prepared herself for the possibility that her home in the north had fallen and all her relatives had met with misfortune, she wasn’t a particularly sentimental person about home; she hadn’t harbored much ardent affection for that family, filled as it was with snobbery, overzealousness, and instrumental rationality, any feelings she did possess were merely a moral inertia maintained under societal conditioning and influence.
Ling Yechen had also seen other types of families: where parents and children confided in each other like friends, their brief conversations brimming with warmth.
Yet, even though she was dissatisfied with her family, and even though she was mentally prepared for her family perhaps no longer being alive, Ling Yechen couldn’t help but ponder how to manage the relationship between her physical transformation and her family.
If she had to choose between her family’s demise and their survival, she would still unhesitatingly choose survival.
Many people were like this.
No matter how many other worries and dissatisfactions existed, once family was involved, one’s attitude towards thinking about it would invariably become serious.
****
The car stopped, and everyone disembarked.
Among the crowd gathered in the parking lot, a few young people sporadically shouted “awesome,” a vague form of cheering.
Meanwhile, the eyes of older onlookers gleamed with two distinct lights: some, as if perceiving a glimmer of hope for the world in the newcomers, curved their eyes slightly, their clumsy bodies eager to approach and assist the new survivors in some way.
Others subtly cast sidelong, suspicious glances at the new arrivals.
These were likely the ones who prided themselves on seeing through human nature, their only doubts revolving around what means others would use to seize resources and benefits, and whether they themselves would be harmed.
Aside from these, other young people, mostly robust, quickly gathered around.
Their gazes occasionally darted towards Officer Niu and Zhao Long.
‘These are the camp cadres,’ Keke thought.
Helping a dizzy Ling Yechen out of the car, Jing Lan nodded to Officer Niu, who had also just gotten out. “Thank you for your assistance.”
Officer Niu didn’t reply, slamming the car door shut. “Have you ever killed anyone?”
“A living person? Yes, I have.”
Officer Niu clasped his hands behind his back. “Do you know that murder is illegal?”
Jing Lan’s eyes flickered as he pointed to the minivan Little Sun had just driven away. “Then do you know that overloading is illegal?”
The officer frowned. “Do you enjoy arguing?”
“I do. After all, whether it’s a murderer or someone who committed dangerous driving, don’t they still rely on lawyers to argue their case in court?”
The officer watched Jing Lan, who wore a slightly contemptuous smile, with an impassive face.
He likely thought Jing Lan was gloating over his quick wit.
In reality, Jing Lan was simply curious as to why the officer’s mind seemed a little peculiar.
Officer Niu cleared his throat and addressed everyone who had disembarked from the car. “If you wish to stay with us, please hand over all your firearms and ammunition.”
“What kind of sense does that make?!” Keke grumbled.
“Listen to him, Keke. This request is quite reasonable,” Jing Lan said, only then realizing the white-haired girl had been sticking close to him the entire time.
“Oh, and please unlock this child’s handcuffs. Keeping them on is rather pitiful.”
Officer Niu patted his pocket. “I’ve lost the key.”