Chapter 320: Letting Go of the Past (Humbly Requesting Monthly Votes at Month

Zhang Su smiled and said, "Alright, Old Ma, today you take all the villagers from Xidaying Village and the folks from United Village to Madianzhuang—three streets there have already been cleared out for you by people sent ahead from United Village, and there are enough empty houses for everyone. But you must compensate the people from United Village; I'll work out a specific plan once you're settled."

"Good, good, good! We'll follow Boss Zhang's arrangements!"

Ma Changshou agreed without hesitation.

Only after facing death do you truly value life; last night, the people of Xidaying Village held a meeting and agreed on one principle: as long as they weren't asked to die, they'd do anything…

Wang Longzhong, eating breakfast, felt deep gratitude—he hadn't expected such details to be remembered; the feeling that every effort was rewarded was simply wonderful.

"Also, the five brothers from the Green Dragon Corps."

Zhang Su looked at Xin Qi and the others and said, "Besides Xie Yanshan, all four of you should go to Madianzhuang first. I'll form a reserve unit, and you'll join it as the defensive force for the satellite villages."

As survivor camps across the vast region were wiped out one by one, Zhang Su no longer doubted people's loyalty; in this freezing cold, with zombies threatening survival, who would abandon a safe, comfortable environment for reckless chaos?

When survival is at stake, even dignity can be discarded—let alone anything else!

Those who've survived until now are all people who cherish life and have strong wills to live; their goal is unified: to survive!

Xin Qi and the other three stood up and nodded; even Pan Guoliang, usually sarcastic and lighthearted, was serious—he knew this wasn't the time for jokes.

Xie Yanshan stood up, his frame thin and frail: "Uh… Mr. Zhang, why… why am I not going?"

"Because you must stay on Tianma Island to conduct research. Not just the Green Dragon Corps—we need people like you too!"

Zhang Su didn't hide anything; after speaking, he slammed the table and stood up.

"That's all for today. Eat well, then get to work. If you have any problems, talk to Old Yu—he'll handle things while I'm away. It's freezing cold; stay warm and don't get frostbite. By the way… although the satellite villages aren't on Tianma Island, the rules are the same: forbidden acts remain forbidden. That's it!"

"Please take care on your way."

"Boss Zhang, take care."

Zhang Su left the dining hall amid a chorus of farewells.

"Big brother, your decision is brilliant! Damn, I haven't seen so many people in ages—I'm nervous as hell, don't let this turn into another Green Dragon Corps situation."

Zhao Dezhu rushed over as soon as Zhang Su stepped out of the dining hall; many of the first diners had gathered by the door, listening.

"Yeah, I'm nervous too."

Zhang Su shook his head; the scene of the Green Dragon Corps fighting the horde was still vivid in his mind.

Population is a double-edged sword—development and defense both depend on it, but once it crosses some unknown red line, it draws massive zombie hordes. When? Unpredictable. How big? Uncontrollable. It hangs like the Sword of Damocles over everyone's heads, leaving them in constant dread.

Tianma Island's solution was to establish satellite villages: to maintain close ties while dispersing the population. Whether it works? We'll see as we go.

"Boss, shall we head out?"

Qi Xiaoshuai was eager, wearing a cotton hat with ear flaps and a mask, leaving only his eyes visible.

"No rush—we're still missing one person."

Zhang Su smiled faintly.

"Who?"

"Su Xiaoya." Zhang Su pointed to the room where Su Xiaoya was held.

"Her?"

"Why take her with us…?"

"You're dumb! She's a hostage. What if people from Kuangzhuang cause trouble? If Boss Zhang takes Su Xiaoya along, they'll hesitate to act—get it?"

The latecomer lectured the unaware.

Zhang Su told everyone to take their positions and walked toward the room where Su Xiaoya was confined. After breakfast was ready, food had been delivered to her—even prisoners deserved basic human rights.

He unlocked the door with the key and stepped inside. Su Xiaoya sat on the edge of the bed, tear tracks clearly visible on her face. A bowl of corn porridge, a steamed bun, and pickled vegetables sat nearby; she'd taken only one bite of the bun.

"A night has passed. Have you thought it through? Stay or leave?"

Su Xiaoya looked up at Zhang Su. Her bloodshot eyes were dull; she'd only fallen into a drowsy sleep around two or three in the morning, then woke from nightmares, tossing and turning—total sleep under three hours, utterly worn out.

Hearing his question, she pressed her lips together and said, "I understand some of what you said—I admit Lei Youliang is the true cause of this war. I don't blame you—you had to consider so many lives. But still… my sister is dead. It hurts so much inside."

Su Xiaoya clutched her head and shook it violently.

"I'm not comfortable either."

Zhang Su replied calmly after listening.

"You?"

Su Xiaoya didn't believe him for a second…

"Some things you'll find out eventually. Why not tell you now? Your sister was my girlfriend—for a while. Ex-girlfriend. Got it?"

Zhang Su chose to reveal his past relationship with Su Lei to Su Xiaoya.

Hearing this, Su Xiaoya was stunned—as if struck by lightning. She stared at Zhang Su, mouth opening and closing, as if wanting to ask something, but the words died on her lips. Finally, her mouth trembled, tears spilled again, and she gazed at him with profound sorrow.

"So I didn't want things to reach this point. Otherwise, why would I explain so much to a little girl like you?"

Zhang Su spread his hands, his face filled with helplessness.

"Ah… so that's why Lei Youliang took my sister to the camp—he must've known you two were together. He brought her along to… to…"

"To blackmail you, to make you hesitate and hold back—is that what you mean?"

Zhang Su hadn't expected Su Xiaoya to grasp the key point so quickly—she just lacked the words to express it. The girl wasn't stupid.

"Exactly!" Su Xiaoya nodded solemnly, her eyes heavy with grief. "Too bad Lei Youliang didn't realize how cold-hearted you'd be—no trace of old feelings left… But I know you're right. You have to protect so many lives."

"Let's not talk about yesterday anymore. I've told you everything you need to know. Let go of the past—focusing on the future matters more. Are you eating or not? If not, come with me."

"Where?" Su Xiaoya tensed up at the thought of leaving.

"Whether you decide to leave or stay, don't you want to pay your respects to your sister?"

Zhang Su asked.

"Pay respects? I have to go!"

Su Xiaoya nodded vigorously, picked up the bowl, and gulped down the half-cold porridge, broke the bun, stuffed in some pickled vegetables, then walked over to Zhang Su's side.

(End of Chapter)