While the next logical step should have been to discuss rules and regulations, Doctor Gu’s urgent arrival pressed them to immediately transport Zhao Long to the hospital.
Despite having already received a blood transfusion and benefiting somewhat from the folk medicine powder, with Zhao Long even regaining a degree of consciousness, his internal bleeding remained unchecked.
For him to fully recover, hospital care was imperative.
The group promptly headed to the derelict building materials shed, seeking wood to construct a makeshift stretcher.
As they busied themselves, Keke approached Jing Lan, her voice dropping to a low murmur.
“Brother, are you truly so set on saving this person?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
The girl glanced around, ensuring no one was paying attention before continuing.
“What I mean is, we’ve already lost one person trying to save him, and an innocent bystander died too.
The situation in the city outside might need reassessment.
Even in broad daylight, venturing out with a stretcher like this, should we encounter those Nightmares or whatever monsters you mentioned again, our survival would be truly uncertain.
“We’ve merely acquired a few useful skills; we are not superheroes.
Moreover, our ammunition is practically depleted.
You retrieved our crossbows, and Xiao Bai now has my knife, but frankly, these items can hardly compensate for the lack of bullets.”
Jing Lan gazed at the wooden planks he had just selected, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features as he considered putting them down somewhere.
“Then what do you propose we do? Leave him to die?”
Though he spoke those words, Jing Lan was, in truth, seriously contemplating that very option.
‘One couldn’t possibly save everyone.’
The short-haired girl sighed softly, taking the items from Jing Lan’s hands.
“You’re already too exhausted.
I don’t understand why you’re pushing yourself so hard.
This isn’t like you.
Could it be that you actually quite enjoy this mutated world?
That by constantly doing good deeds, you’ll earn people’s affection?”
“…”
As if sensing his unwillingness to compromise, Keke swiftly changed tack.
“Very well then, you stay in the parking lot and rest.
I’ll handle transporting the injured.”
“But what if you encounter Nightmares—they might even appear during the day—it could be difficult to deal with them without my compound bow.”
Keke suddenly bristled with a hint of indignation.
“Do you dare arm wrestle me?”
“What do you mean?”
“My recurve bow can be more powerful than your compound bow.”
Evidently, this was impossible.
Keke was merely being stubborn.
Knowing there was no winning the argument, Jing Lan wisely conceded a step.
“Then take my compound bow with you.”
“You keep it.
That thing is expensive.”
“At a time like this, what does ‘expensive’ even mean—?”
The words had barely left his lips when Jing Lan finally understood.
‘This wasn’t a matter of money, but of the equipment’s inherent value.’
‘If the team transporting the injured were to be annihilated, at the very least, the crucial equipment should not be lost.’
‘Why, then, weren’t all combat-capable personnel dispatched?’
“Perhaps I should still go with them—”
Keke suddenly grabbed her cousin’s collar, her strength surprisingly formidable.
“If you argue with me again, I’ll—”
Her fury flared abruptly, yet—
Just like their usual sibling squabbles, her anger always dissipated suddenly at its peak.
“I’ll kick you so hard you turn into a girl.”
“…”
With that, the matter was settled.
Keke and Xiao Ye would be responsible for escort, Li Weiguo, the weapons quartermaster, and a young man named Cai Jikun would carry the stretcher.
Doctor Gu Wenqiang would accompany them, claiming he had just received a divine revelation, foreseeing someone at the hospital in need of his help.
Jing Lan genuinely had no desire to see this charlatan again.
Though Doctor Gu’s medical skills were superb and invaluable to the survivor team, sending him back to the hospital wouldn’t be a waste of talent; perhaps he could save others there.
Keke had initially intended for Xiao Ye to stay and rest as well, asking, “Will you handle all the fighting alone?”
The others immediately rejected the notion.
“We have very few bullets left now, so we must bring melee combatants.”
Indeed, this was true.
They were left with only 20 rounds of .22 rimfire ammunition, and the MP9 submachine gun had just 10 Parabellum rounds remaining in its magazine.
They could only count each shot carefully, and even if every bullet found its mark, it likely wouldn’t be enough to last until they reached the hospital.
Though the issue of drinking water remained unresolved, everyone still managed to give two bottles of water to the departing team.
“Don’t take so much water,” Li Weiguo demurred.
“Little Jing, don’t you still have that cut on your foot, the one you made with a knife to prevent infection?
You should keep some water for yourself, in case you need to rinse it if it festers.”
Jing Lan paused, taken aback.
“It’s fine,
we’ll look for new water sources nearby.”
Keke immediately protested loudly.
“Others can go, but today, you absolutely must get some proper sleep!”
As the group began constructing the stretcher, the sky had fully brightened.
It was a beautiful day, signaling the imminent end of winter—or perhaps, winter never truly arrived here, the crisp morning breeze merely hinting at a spring chill.
****
Beside the restroom, Xiao Ye awkwardly wiped her face with a dry towel before turning around and stretching.
‘Keke wouldn’t let Jing Lan come along?’
‘What a perfect opportunity.’
‘I’ll find a chance to escape directly later.’
‘This is truly unbearable.
I knew there was no such thing as a good deal in this world.
Turning into a girl, and then… good heavens, what if Senior likes me?
I wouldn’t want to refuse him, but if I accepted, would I… succumb to feminization…?’
‘The mere thought made him blush uncontrollably.’