Chapter 248: Hairpin, Device, and Green Powder

Su Xiaoya's expression tightened at Zhang Su's cold inquiry; she clutched the hem of her clothes, on the verge of tears: "Uncle, Uncle, what do you mean? I—I'm telling the truth."

"Truth?"

Zhang Su halted his steps, about to expose the girl, when suddenly he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey, honey, isn't this kid the one Wu Lue mentioned over the walkie-talkie?"

Zheng Xinyu walked over, carrying a bucket of fresh vegetables just picked from the greenhouse.

"Exactly. Xinyu, you're just in time—search her. There'll be a surprise."

Zhang Su pointed at the girl.

"I'm just a little girl! Why are you treating me like this? If you really don't want to give me food, I'll leave—wah…"

Hearing they'd search her, Su Xiaoya stumbled back several steps and sat down on the ground, bursting into tears.

Zhang Su crossed his arms and watched as Zheng Xinyu searched her.

Zheng Xinyu crouched and felt along Su Xiaoya's legs; her eyes sharpened, and she snapped harshly: "What's hidden here? Hand it over now!"

"Everyone, come look! This uncle's touching me, searching me—he's terrible! Kind people, please save me…"

Zhang Su's gaze turned icy; had the girl been any older, he'd have already beaten her senseless.

"Brother Su, what's really going on with this girl?"

Yang Wenjie edged closer to Zhang Su, puzzled. As a woman, she had slightly more sympathy than most men.

Had she not cried out, the crowd might've pitied her for her pitiful appearance, not knowing the full story—but now, after her outburst, everyone's expressions turned strange.

Seeing seven or eight people gather around her, Su Xiaoya cried louder, pleading with the crowd and accusing Zhang Su of cruelty.

"Raise your arms! Higher—good. Turn around. Now, spread your legs. No, wider—come on, if you don't cooperate, I'm losing patience! Quick!"

"I—I'll stand up, don't—don't hit me."

As her cries rose, everyone scattered around the camp turned their attention toward the parking lot.

"Stand still! We're searching you!"

Zhang Su showed no surprise, still watching with a cold smile.

Zhang Su's seemingly cruel actions weren't unusual—he always targeted those threatening the camp. No one felt pity just because she was a minor. In this world, a five-year-old with a gun could kill.

Seeing the crowd ignore her plight, Su Xiaoya cried even louder, mumbling incoherently—her whole act screamed "wronged by a cruel uncle."

Zheng Xinyu patted Su Xiaoya's body thoroughly. At first, the girl cooperated—but when it came to checking her legs, she grew visibly tense, clenching them shut. Only after Zheng Xinyu's firm insistence did she reluctantly part them.

Zheng Xinyu wouldn't soften because the girl looked pitiful. Her lips curled in a smile, but her eyes were cold as she stepped before Su Xiaoya and signaled her to stand.

The crowd's expressions changed at Zheng Xinyu's words—was there really something hidden?

"Stop crying. You're young, but you're a good actress."

"Sister, I—I…"

"Don't rush. You'll find out soon."

Su Xiaoya never imagined the only one in camp who pitied her was the gatekeeper—she stood up slowly, legs tightly pressed together, trembling as if still shaken.

Su Xiaoya's eyes were red, her hand pressed over her inner thigh, clearly refusing to surrender what was hidden.

"Fine. If you won't hand it over, no problem. See that big RV over there? The trunk's full of zombies. Go fight them. Win, and you can do whatever you want."

Zhang Su pointed to the Mercedes RV in the corner—actually, the zombies inside had long been moved to the temple in the scenic area, but scaring a child? Perfect.

True to form, Su Xiaoya's face twisted in terror. After staring wide-eyed for a moment, she burst into fresh sobs.

"You little brat, learning to be a spy, playing games with us? Your master must be insane!"

Zhang Su could tell this time, Su Xiaoya was truly crying—her earlier performance was all acting. But her fear didn't soften him. He wouldn't let her go.

"Brother Su, what now?"

Zheng Xinyu turned to Zhang Su. She only used this intimate term when few were around; in front of the camp, she used the same title as everyone else—strictly professional.

"She won't hand it over? Easy. You help her."

Zhang Su tilted his chin, signaling Zheng Xinyu to act.

"Tch…" Zheng Xinyu muttered, rolling her eyes. "Why not let someone else do it? Really…"

Though she complained, her hands moved fast. She shoved Su Xiaoya to the ground, pinned her neck with one hand, and in one swift motion yanked off her pants—revealing a shiny hairpin, a flat device resembling a walkie-talkie, and a packet of dark green powder, all taped to the insides of her thighs.

When the three items appeared, not a soul in the crowd felt the slightest pity for the girl. Clearly, Zhang Su's suspicion was correct—she was a spy sent by another faction.

And a ruthless one at that—the green powder looked deadly.

But the hairpin was strange…

"Brother Su, here you go."

Zheng Xinyu handed the items to Zhang Su, casting a cold glance at Su Xiaoya.

"Hmph…"

Zhang Su examined the objects, holding up the hairpin: "If I'm not mistaken, this is a wireless listening device?"

??

The crowd exchanged glances—the kid's gear was high-end.

Many didn't realize: the principle behind a listening device wasn't complex. For picking up sounds within thirty or fifty meters, just some electronic parts and basic knowledge could make one.

Seeing Su Xiaoya still silent on the ground, Zhang Su shook the walkie-talkie-like device. "This must be the receiver. Impressive. Think you're elite from Military Intelligence Unit Seven? Kid, you've got powerful backers. Who are you spying on?"

Zhang Su stepped to Su Xiaoya and yanked her up from the ground.

Su Xiaoya's face twisted in distress, mind racing—how to escape?

"I just asked a stupid question. If you came with a listening device, you're clearly here to steal our camp's secrets. Here, Luezi—take it, study it!"

Zhang Su handed the device and receiver to Wu Lue, then picked up the green powder—palm-sized, light, under half a catty—and shook it at Su Xiaoya. "What's this?"

Su Xiaoya remained in a daze, eyes vacant, motionless—as if her power had been cut.

"Still trying to fool us at this point?"

Zhang Su's temper flared—she was still acting. He opened the plastic bag and stepped toward her. "Jia Shiqin, Guo Dachao—hold her down. I want to see what this stuff does!"

Jia Shiqin and Guo Dachao looked grim. They hated hurting a defenseless child—but her actions were despicable, and someone had to play the villain.

They approached, pinching their noses—when suddenly, Su Xiaoya screamed.

"No! I won't eat that—it's…"

Su Xiaoya backed away, pressed against the wall of Wangshan Guesthouse, trapped.

"Let's not discuss its composition or effect yet. Tell us—how were you planning to use this powder?"

Zhang Su loomed over her, shaking the plastic bag.

"Eat… give it to you to eat…"

Su Xiaoya avoided his gaze, whispering faintly, uneasy.

Luckily, Zhang Su's hearing was sharp—the crowd farther away heard nothing.

"Give it to us to eat? Good. Honest. Now—what's in it? What does it do?"

"I don't know what it is… the person who gave it to me said it causes diarrhea."

Zhang Su saw she was cooperating slightly, and eased off.

"OK. Let me guess—where are you from? Xida Ying Village? Survivor Alliance? Qinglong Army? Hmm?"

As he spoke, Zhang Su watched Su Xiaoya's face closely—his sharp eyes caught every micro-expression. But the result surprised him: she didn't seem tied to any of those three places.

"Damn, it's definitely a little bitch from Qinglong Army! Brother Su, feed her to the zombies!"

Lu Yu burst out from somewhere, yelling to join the chaos.

"Right, big brother, no mercy! Our zombies haven't eaten in days—send her!"

Zhao Dezhu joined in, clearly hoping to scare her to death.

"Wah…"

Su Xiaoya cried again, her face streaked like a melon.

"I—I'm not from any of those places! I—I…"

Before she finished, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed unconscious.

(End of Chapter)