Chapter 57: Chapter Fifty-Six: Quite Problematic

"Song Yu, Feng Xiao Yu and the others want to join Qingbei; there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

After He Ying explained clearly to Feng Xiao Yu and the others, she again confirmed with Song Yu.

Song Yu gave a generous smile and said: "Of course, this kind of thing is entirely voluntary; even if you join Qingbei and later want to leave, no one will stop you. However…… up to now, no one has thought Qingbei is bad, and there has never been a precedent of leaving……"

He still wanted to make one last effort, after all, He Ying's combat-type ability is top-tier even within Qingbei.

But seeing the other side unmoved, he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.

He Ying actually wasn't worried that her refusal to join Qingbei would cause her companions to be despised by Qingbei.

Before meeting them, Song Yu didn't even know He Ying existed, yet they got along well; this shows that the other side's effort to seek out and accept survivors is sincere.

The other side seems to have expansion intentions.

If that's the case.

Then they wouldn't easily abandon a person.

……

Feng Xiao Yu and the two others gathered together.

After discussing for a moment.

The two male students, a bit hesitant, said to He Ying: "Senior sister, we still want to go…… to Qingbei……"

He Ying nodded: "That's a wise choice; I don't blame you. When you've gotten better later, if we meet again by fate, I might even have to rely on you."

Having said that, she turned her head and asked Feng Xiao Yu: "Xiao Yu……"

Feng Xiao Yu hurriedly said: "Of course I'm following the senior sister."

He Ying nodded, not surprised; Feng Xiao Yu was someone she knew before the disaster. They met at the sports meet; although not in the same grade, they had sparred in some events, so they had a mutual admiration.

After the apocalypse, the two met again, and their relationship naturally became closer.

As for those two male students, just as He Ying herself said, she indeed holds no grudge against them and even somewhat understands them.

Unlike Feng Xiao Yu, the boys' pride may be stronger; always completely relying on He Ying, a girl, is not ideal, so for them, switching to Qingbei isn't about loyalty—perhaps they simply don't want to keep burdening He Ying.

The matter is settled.

Both sides were about to part.

Chen Mu, however, suddenly asked Song Yu:

"If we ever reach a dead end in the future, could we proactively come find you?"

As soon as he said that, everyone was a bit taken aback.

At this moment, Feng Xiao Yu also felt a bit regretful about her decision; she could clearly see that He Ying's reluctance to join Qingbei was likely because of this senior named Chen Mu before her, and her steadfastness also stemmed from trusting He Ying's judgment.

Moreover, after Chen Mu appeared, his silent and reserved demeanor gave an impression of being unfathomable.

But looking at it now.

This guy seems not so reliable.

Just after refusing them, he asks such a question—losing face, right? Pretending to be cool then regretting it?

Song Yu's group also felt a bit uneasy, thinking: "Since you already refused, how can you still have the nerve to ask such a thing?"

But Song Yu, ultimately more scheming than others, still smiled and replied: "Our camp's location is relatively concealed; the exact spot really isn't convenient to disclose."

Chen Mu then asked: "Is there any contact point or signal, so if someone wants to join but can't find you, what should they do?"

"This…… sorry, because we're pressed for time, we haven't considered that yet."

"Then where does your External Duty Team usually operate most often? Perhaps we'll meet again by fate later."

"This…… also isn't convenient to reveal."

"What a pity." Chen Mu showed his disappointment without hiding it.

Song Yu, after being asked several unanswerable questions in a row, felt a bit embarrassed, but then thought: "Wait, why should I be embarrassed? I don't owe him anything—this guy is just thick-skinned, right?"

……

……

The scene of their parting was quite harmonious.

He Ying and the others bade farewell to the two companions who were gradually following Song Yu away, while the continually overlooked Sun Yuan also waved his shield together, seemingly never having considered whether he too should think about his future.

Chen Mu had previously never dared to let his guard down, fearing that Song Yu's group might suddenly attack because of their side's refusal; only after those few disappeared from sight did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Let's head back too."

"Mm." He Ying nodded, then asked Feng Xiao Yu: "Have we finished the previous food?"

"There's a little left; we don't know when you and Sun Yuan will return, so we didn't dare eat too fast."

"From now on it's fine; I've found you a backer."

"A backer? You mean…… Senior Chen Mu?"

Feng Xiao Yu once again gave Chen Mu a few curious glances; because of what just happened, she always felt a bit odd.

"I guess so."

"Then…… please take care of us, Senior Chen Mu." Feng Xiao Yu also gave a proper bow.

Sun Yuan, who had been silent all along, interjected: "Senior Chen Mu is impressive…… as impressive as the senior sister."

Chen Mu laughed: "We're all classmates, and will be companions from now on; since we've gathered together, let's help each other out."

"Mm-hmm."

……

……

After Song Yu led his group of six far away, he then said to a nearby male: "Xiao Lin, give the two new members a rough introduction to our Qingbei's actual situation."

"Sure."

The male called Xiao Lin happily nodded his head.

The two boys who had been following He Ying were still a bit restrained; they hurriedly said politely, "Sorry to trouble you, senior."

Song Yu let the three of them talk as they pleased, while he himself took the remaining two and quickened his pace, creating some distance before saying to the girl beside him: "Immediately pass on what just happened to your older sister, then ask the people in Class 4 of the camp; I want all information about that person named Chen Mu, the clearer the better."

The girl acknowledged, then slightly narrowed her eyes as if resting, but her steps kept pace with the group.

About a minute later.

"My sister got it and said to send someone to ask."

"Mm, thanks for your effort."

"It's fine." The girl who looked a bit frail seemed to be in slightly poorer spirits; she replied softly and then fell silent.

Another boy stepped closer, first glanced at the three talking behind him, then lowered his voice and asked: "Senior Song, should we secretly follow He Ying's group to check on their situation?"

Song Yu shook his head: "Sun Yuan's ability is enhanced hearing; none of us have a counter for it, so rashly following would only be counterproductive."

"But I'm really unwilling."

"Not being able to recruit He Ying is indeed a pity, but for now we're not enemies, so there's no need to strain relations; we might still have a chance later." Song Yu said that, yet he still sighed, feeling rather helpless.

"What's there to investigate about that Chen Mu?"

"Can't you see how much He Ying trusts him?"

"Really?"

"If I'm not mistaken, He Ying rejected us because of him."

"I don't see anything special about this guy; he even seems a bit foolish."

"That's exactly why it's problematic." Song Yu sighed.