Chapter 247: Uncle Zhang Is Very Kind

"Coming this way? Got it, I'm heading to the control room now!"

After responding into the walkie-talkie, Zhang Su said to Fu Wei: "I'll ask about the skinning thing later. Hey, Xiao Wang, could you take Dr. Fu back to the lab? I'm off!"

Saying that, Zhang Su returned the gun to Zhao Dezhù and walked toward the control room.

"You're here? Brother Su, look—she's glancing left and right, heading straight for us. Looks like she's planning to climb the mountain!"

Wu Lue had already zoomed in the surveillance screen facing the self-built road, revealing a figure in black-and-gray clothing wandering along the path, acting strangely—as if lost and disoriented.

"That's right. Judging by her build, she's a minor, a girl. What the hell is going on? You said she came from the south?"

Zhang Su frowned, staring at the screen.

"Yeah, I've replayed the footage several times. She definitely appeared from the left side of the road (the south). Could she be a survivor from the city?"

Wu Lue asked curiously.

Qi Xiaoshuai exaggeratedly exclaimed: "Dude, are you serious? You think this little sister's Superman? Don't even mention her—even we couldn't make it alone!"

Zhang Su frowned in thought for a moment, then picked up the walkie-talkie and called Wang Longzhong to the control room.

Zhang Su pointed at the screen.

Zhang Su turned, pulled over a chair, sat down, took out cigarettes, and passed them around, watching the surveillance footage while chatting with the others about the Qinglong Army coming to collect grain.

Wang Longzhong arrived quickly, within less than two minutes.

"I think," Qi Xiaoshuai rubbed his chin, "she's probably a kid from a nearby village who hid there until she ran out of food and water, then slipped out."

"It's clearer now. Come on, Lao Wang, take a look—do you recognize her?"

"Brother Su, what do you need?"

Zhang Su stood up and walked out of the control room.

Wu Lue had no reply—twenty kilometers from the city to Tianma Island? In today's world, traveling on foot alone would be a nightmare!

After months, zombies rarely appear alone anymore; when they do, they come in packs. Even if you spot one or two, they move fast. A little girl's combat ability? You can imagine.

Before his nephew Wang Xin became leader, Wang Longzhong had already wanted to take control of the United Village, secretly observing everyone, so he remembered every survivor in the village clearly.

"Sister, I'm from Guanzhuang. I got separated from my uncle and aunt when I escaped the other day. There are monsters chasing me—can I come in and hide?"

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Zhang Ya stood behind the wall, speaking to the girl through a window the size of a human head.

"Little sister, stop knocking. Where are you from? Aren't you with any adults?"

Wu Lue shrugged. "Alright, that's slightly more plausible than my guess—just slightly. So, Brother Su, what do we do? She clearly intends to climb up; she'll spot our camp."

The girl, who had been wandering on the self-built road, noticed the zombies, hesitated for a moment, then sprinted toward Tianma Island, as if fleeing blindly.

Zhang Su was strolling casually toward the mountain gate when he heard loud banging on the gate made of corrugated steel and steel pipes.

"I'll go check it out!"

About ten minutes later, Wu Lue's face tightened: "Bad news, Brother Su—two zombies from the north spotted her. She's running up the mountain…"

"If she's not a survivor from the United Village, ignore her for now. Maybe she'll just check the foot of the mountain and leave. If she actually comes up, we'll deal with it then!"

Wang Longzhong leaned in, took a look, and immediately shook his head: "Don't recognize her. Our village accepted many survivors from nearby villages, but no one matches this girl's build. I don't know her."

The girl's voice wasn't clear—it was hoarse, unpleasant, and trembling with sobs.

The voice made Zhang Ya feel especially sorry for her. Without thinking, she knew the girl had been terrified for days, screaming until her throat went raw. But the girl's plea left her torn.

In her own heart, she wanted to open the gate and let the girl in—but the camp had strict rules: no strangers allowed unless Zhang Su approved!

"Little sister, don't panic. Wait, sister… hey, Brother Su! You're just in time…"

Zhang Ya was about to take off her walkie-talkie to consult Zhang Su when she saw him walking over with her boyfriend, Wang Xin.

"Brother Su, there's a little girl outside begging for help—she's the one Wu Lue mentioned!"

Zhang Ya quickly reported the situation, hoping to bring the girl inside soon—the zombies would arrive soon. They wouldn't threaten the camp, but they'd kill the girl.

"I saw."

Zhang Su nodded, then walked to the gate and called out: "Where are you from? What's your name? How old are you?"

"Hello, Uncle. My name is Su Xiaoya. I'm from Guanzhuang. I'm fifteen. The day before yesterday, I got separated from my uncle and aunt!"

The girl spoke slowly, her tone filled with loneliness and sorrow.

"Brother Su, let her in first. She spotted zombies below—she probably…"

Zhang Ya was getting anxious.

Wang Xin gave her a look. Zhang Ya bit her lip and fell silent.

"Guanzhuang? Where exactly? Which township does it belong to? What villages are nearby?"

Zhang Su showed no intention of opening the gate. Instead, he asked more questions. Two zombies? Let them come—it's nothing.

Su Xiaoya seemed desperate, letting out a whimper: "Guanzhuang… Guanzhuang is… a bit south. A ten-minute drive. It belongs to… I don't know which township. Around it, I know there's Yangpo Village, and… and…"

Zhang Su and the others exchanged glances, all frowning. Just then, the girl screamed.

"Ah! Monsters! Help! Save me!"

Su Xiaoya pounded frantically on the gate.

"Brother Su, even if she's suspicious, we handle it—we can't just watch her get eaten!"

Zhang Ya looked at Zhang Su pleadingly.

"Let her in!"

Zhang Su also felt he couldn't just let her die. But Zhang Ya's logic struck him as odd—why prefer to kill her herself rather than let the zombies do it…

With a command, Wang Xin pulled the bolt and Zhang Ya opened the gate—their coordination was smooth.

The iron gate swung open, and a figure darted inside, stopping instantly. She turned, eyes wide with terror, staring at the heavy gate, slapping her chest repeatedly. Her already dirty face showed no color.

Growl. Howl.

The two zombies soon lunged at the gate—but before they could pound, steel rods shot through the holes. After months of training, nearly everyone in the camp could skillfully use the holes to stab zombies—except the new arrivals from the United Village.

Zhang Su stood aside, watching Su Xiaoya calmly. She stood no taller than one meter sixty—not tall, but not short either. Her messy hair stuck with straw; her torn down jacket leaked feathers and clung to weeds, covered in dust.

Zhang Su's gaze trailed down her clothes—and after a moment, his eyes flickered with subtle interest.

"Thank you, brother, sister, and uncle!"

After Zhang Ya and Wang Xin finished off the zombies, Su Xiaoya bowed respectfully to them, then hesitated, rubbing her hollow stomach, pleading: "C-can I have something to eat? I'm so hungry."

"I'll take her to get something to eat. You two stay here."

Zhang Su nodded to Zhang Ya and Wang Xin, then tilted his head toward the camp and said: "Come on, little beauty."

Su Xiaoya seemed afraid of Zhang Su. When he spoke to her, she clenched her lips, nodded stiffly, and kept glancing at Zhang Ya with pitiful eyes.

"Go ahead. Don't worry—Uncle Zhang is very kind."

Zhang Ya smiled to comfort Su Xiaoya.

She wasn't careless—but she saw no threat in the little girl.

"Speak up. Where are you really from? I saved your life—you owe me the truth. Otherwise, I'll take back the life I just gave you."

As they walked toward Xiaoxingyun, Zhang Su suddenly spoke coldly.

(End of Chapter)