Chapter 147: Jin Yuan Mall

Gloop.

Tan Huajun knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she stared at everyone, speechless with sobs, unable to find words to thank them.

"Get up, get up, damn it, Old Tan, did you sneak eat something? You feel heavier than when we left the gas station…"

Zhang Su felt the atmosphere was too heavy and quickly cracked a joke.

"Pei Lan, Xiao Xue, hurry, take Old Tan to the car, help her calm down—we'll need to drive soon! Bozi, go notify Zhong Xiao and Pang Dankun. Everyone else, pack up—we're leaving immediately!"

Saying this, he handed the walkie-talkie to Lu Yu Bo, then headed toward the factory. Since they'd decided to rescue people, he needed to learn some things from Jia Shiqin.

Zheng Xinyu crept close to Zhang Su with a sly look and whispered, "Why'd you suddenly turn into a bleeding heart? Playing the good uncle now?"

Zhang Su sneered at Zheng Xinyu, raised his hand, and thwacked her on the head with a loud *thump*—close enough for others to hear and turn around, but seeing the two bantering, they quickly looked away again.

"Ow!" Zheng Xinyu clutched her head—it really hurt, even making her nose tingle.

"That's for pinching my thigh earlier! 'Good uncle' my ass, little brat, you don't know shit—go pack up!"

After speaking, Zhang Su gently pinched Zheng Xinyu's cheek.

"Hmph, next time I'll tie you up—won't untie you for less than half an hour!" She silently vowed, then dashed off with a *didi-didi*.

Zhang Su entered the factory and found Jia Shiqin and the other two squatting on the floor, staring blankly into space, lost in thought.

"Master Jia, come here—tell me about the Jin Yuan Mall."

Hearing someone speak, Jia Shiqin snapped back to reality, "Ah?" Then, after Zhang Su repeated the question, he exclaimed in shock, "Young brother, you're actually planning to go to the mall?"

"That's right. We're leaving now."

"Everyone?"

The food delivery guy asked, stunned.

Zhang Su nodded. "Sister Tan is kind and helpful—everyone wants to help her."

The three exchanged glances. Jia Shiqin sighed again. "Young brother, you're the kind of person who deserves to lead a team. I don't—I can't even manage relationships within my own group…"

"You're too wordy. Time's limited—stick to the point!"

Zhang Su was genuinely fed up. He thought: How can this guy never focus on the question? Always drifting off.

"Young brother, no more talk—I'm coming with you. I need to atone for my own mistakes. Let's talk on the way!"

Jia Shiqin stood up abruptly, his mind made up.

"I'm coming too!" The delivery guy gritted his teeth and stood up as well.

"Ah…" The hairstylist, voice thin and hesitant, rose slowly. "Then… I'll go too."

Zhang Su hadn't planned to take all three—certainly not force them. He knew forcing someone was like forcing a melon to ripen—it wouldn't work, and might cause trouble. But since they volunteered, that changed everything.

"Fine. Let's go—talk in the car."

Zhang Su wasted no time and led the three out of the factory.

At 3: 0 a. ., Nonghua Glass Factory had never been this lively since its closure.

After frantic packing, three vehicles rolled out the gate, heading toward the city center.

In Qincheng's urban area, after being drenched by a torrential downpour, the streets were far worse than the suburbs.

The severed limbs and corpses hadn't been fully washed away by the floodwaters; soaked and swollen, they looked even more grotesque than before. Even though the temperature had dropped to just six or seven degrees—refrigerator-cold—the air reeked of putrid stench everywhere.

The streets were littered with dead leaves, rotting limbs, and trash. A thin layer of sludge coated the asphalt. The zombies' footsteps squelched, a nauseating sound that clung to the mind.

Survivors hiding in the shadows were constantly tormented by the stench—a relentless chemical assault—combined with zombies wandering freely, ready to kill. Many broke down and ended their own lives, choosing eternal release.

Those who killed themselves were too weak. The truly strong survivors clung to the belief that they must survive—like the six people hiding in Building A of the Jin Yuan Mall!

Inside the pitch-black mall, little could be seen, but the constant thudding of footsteps and guttural gurgles rose and fell, occasionally punctuated by the sound of objects being knocked over, echoing throughout the entire building.

The mall had four levels arranged in a ring. If the lights were on, one would see the zombies weren't densely packed—perhaps because the mall was so vast, hundreds of them spread out didn't look numerous…

"Damn it, what the hell is wrong with these zombies? Why aren't they drawn away by the noise their own kind makes?"

A voice, tightly suppressed and furious, spoke—anyone could tell this person was on the verge of exploding; one more straw would break them.

Inside the Tianyao Grilled Fish Restaurant, five pairs of eyes showed fear or exhaustion; one pair glowed with malice and cruelty.

"Big Brother Xiang, do we… do we still have a chance to jump down?"

A woman's voice trembled, barely audible.

"How the hell should I know? Fuck it! All because of that idiot Jia Shiqin—he couldn't even block a footbridge! Shit!"

In the dark, Xiang Wei sat at a table, face twisted with venom, gripping a homemade spear.

"Xiang Wei, that's enough!" A deep male voice rang from the corner: "Jia Shiqin worked his ass off for the rescue team. What have you done? Pretended to be injured just to avoid going out for supplies, lounging all day with the old and kids like a lazy sack. You're a coward!"

The speaker was blunt.

"Ma Guoteng, you think I won't kill you, you coward?" Xiang Wei shot back instantly, refusing to back down.

"Hah! You think I'm scared because I lost a leg? Come on then—I can't promise to win, but I'll drag you down with me!"

Ma Guoteng gripped his makeshift crutches tightly, ready to fight at any moment.

Their long-simmering resentment within the rescue team had finally reached its breaking point.

"Hmph." Xiang Wei sneered. "I won't waste my time on a dying mad dog. Your life's worthless—don't compare yourself to me."

"Come on, both of you, quiet down. Let's think of a way out—we'll die if we stay here."

An older voice finally spoke up.

"Old man, what business is this of yours? You're useless, and you've got a useless granddaughter—both waste resources. You really should…"

Aow!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As Xiang Wei was berating the elder, three wandering zombies sensed living humans inside the restaurant, let out a low growl, and began pounding on the glass partition.

The zombies' commotion silenced everyone instantly. The six huddled, holding their breath for minutes until the pounding finally stopped.

After another seven or eight minutes, the zombies' footsteps faded away, and the group finally exhaled in relief.

"The old man's right—we'll die if we stay. I'm getting out. Who's coming with me?"

Xiang Wei's eyes glinted with malice as he whispered.

"I'll go! Big Brother Xiang!"

"Me too, Big Brother Xiang! Please take me with you!"

Two female voices chimed in—both young, deliberately softening their tones to sound sweeter.

"Fine if you want to come—but listen: once we're out, you're my women. I'll do whatever I want with you. Understood?"

Xiang Wei knew the two women were clinging to him. Without hesitation, he reached out and groped them.

"Yes, Big Brother Xiang. Whatever you say."

"Big Brother Xiang, if you save me, I'll do anything you want—I'll make sure you're happy every day!"

Neither cared about being touched—these small things meant nothing compared to life. They even felt lucky he was a lecher—otherwise, their advantage would vanish!

"Heh." Xiang Wei chuckled greedily, then turned to the elder. "Lanlan, Uncle loves you too. Come here—I'll take you out!"

"Xiang Wei, you go too far!"

The elder clutched the girl protectively.

"Old man, I suggest you be smart about this!"

Xiang Wei glared at the elder. He wasn't truly lewd—he didn't just crave women's bodies. Among the six, only three women and he still had decent mobility.

He thought the crutch-user and the decrepit elder weren't even fit to be cannon fodder.

A woman spoke up: "Big Brother Xiang wanting your granddaughter is her honor. If we don't escape, we'll die here anyway—what's the point of clinging to such things?"

"Exactly, little sister. Women must be practical—use your advantages to survive!"

Another woman quickly chimed in, terrified Xiang Wei might leave her behind.

"You're all so disgusting. I truly care for Lanlan—I'm nothing like you think. Heh, Lanlan, follow Uncle when we run—don't get lost. Old man, you'll get to ride on your granddaughter's luck!"

Xiang Wei turned to the corner. "You cripple, don't follow us—you'll just slow us down. Find a nice spot and die quietly."

"Don't worry—I'll escape on one leg. I won't follow a coward like you."

Ma Guoteng sneered.

"Little Ma, can Lanlan and I come with you?"

Tan Chengwu asked Ma Guoteng.

"Old man, you're crazy if you think of going with him? If you want to die, go alone—don't drag Lanlan! What crime has she committed? To die with two cowards?"

Xiang Wei was furious. Lanlan was young and full of life—taking her out would be a pleasure. Even if she couldn't be saved, she'd make perfect prey for the zombies!

"Alright, Uncle Tan—we'll leave together in a moment!"

Ma Guoteng ignored Xiang Wei's bluster.

"Cripple, old man—you're both sick of living!"

Xiang Wei muttered curses under his breath, but dared not attack Ma Guoteng—he knew the man's strength. Even with one leg, Ma Guoteng was dangerous; he might truly drag Xiang Wei down. This wasn't the time to act recklessly.

The six split into two groups, each discussing escape plans.

Soon, five or six minutes passed. Ma Guoteng was still quietly discussing with Tan Chengwu, but Xiang Wei stood up, sneered, and said: "Ten more seconds. After that, the zombies will surround you."

"Mad dog, what are you doing?!"

Ma Guoteng exploded.

"What am I doing?" Xiang Wei pulled out a lighter. "I'm going to kill and burn!"

Without waiting for the ten seconds, he flicked the lighter twice, then lit the tablecloth beside him.

(End of Chapter)