Chapter 598: No Time to Rest

"Xiao Shuai, Da Kun!"

After the banquet ended, the Yanluo Corps gathered to return to Tianma Yu; Zhang Su called out to the crowd.

Qi Xiao Shuai and Pang Da Kun heard the call and immediately came before Zhang Su.

"Uncle, what's up?"

"Brother Su, is there a mission?"

Perhaps because they were young enough, their energy remained high even past midnight.

"That's right, there is indeed a task for you two."

Zhang Su put an arm around each of their shoulders and stepped aside. "I'm still uneasy about the city's situation. I originally planned to send someone to Xida Ying Village tomorrow, but I've decided to send you tonight."

No one knows if the horde will move north, when it will, or how fast—it must be watched at all times.

"Got it!" Qi Xiao Shuai nodded immediately upon hearing the mission.

Pang Da Kun was equally eager: "Shall we go now?"

"Go. Find any vehicle, bring weapons, prepare thoroughly. Don't engage zombies head-on; if you encounter troublemakers, kill them without hesitation!"

Zhang Su clapped their shoulders.

"Big Brother, where are those two going?"

Zhao Dezhu noticed Zhang Su returning to the group while Pang Da Kun and Qi Xiao Shuai hurried off, and asked curiously.

"I'm sending them to Xida Ying Village to stand guard. Hey, old Wang, old Hu!"

Zhang Su was about to organize everyone to return to the mountain when he spotted the Niuya Zi group standing by a large bonfire—he remembered he hadn't arranged lodging for them and hurried over.

"Brother Zhang, tonight's meal was incredibly generous. Since the disaster, I haven't eaten so well—everyone is deeply grateful!"

Wang Guangjun, seeing Zhang Su approach by the firelight, quickly thanked him.

Hu Yong'an also bowed hastily: "Thank you, Brother Zhang, for your hospitality—we're overwhelmed and humbled."

"We're brothers—no need for formalities. I got so caught up I forgot to arrange your lodging. There are still many empty courtyards in Village One—find yourselves a place to stay. Tomorrow we'll assign someone to register you. Old Wang, come on, let's head up the mountain."

Zhang Su waved his hand and called Wang Guangjun to join him on Tianma Yu.

Wang Guangjun hesitated, shaking his head: "Brother Zhang, that wouldn't be right—I and my men…"

"Old Wang, just accept Brother Zhang's kindness. Why squeeze in with us? Oh, and that pretty lady's still waiting for you!"

Hu Yong'an, seeing Wang Guangjun refuse, quickly chimed in.

Tan Hua Jun, listening nearby, blushed and turned her face away.

"Yes, Dad, we can't waste Brother Zhang's goodwill. I think you should just follow the arrangement."

Wang Zhetao also urged him.

Wang Guangjun realized he shouldn't be stubborn. He turned to Zhang Su: "Brother Zhang, then I'll accept your kindness."

"That's more like it. Come on, brothers—home, rest!"

With that order, the remaining members of the Yanluo Corps returned to Tianma Yu; the fire-spewing zombie vehicle was not left in Village One but driven back as well.

Wang and his son moved into the last vacant room at Wangshan Guesthouse, becoming neighbors with Ding Yongguo and Zheng Ziwen.

The talk of catching up with Wang Guangjun could wait—everyone was exhausted. After returning to Tianma Yu, each went to their own quarters to rest.

"Ahh… finally over!"

Back at Xiao Xingyun, Zhang Su lay flat on his bed, sprawled out, too tired to move. He glanced at the energy gauge in his mind—it showed seventy-five percent remaining—but his mental exhaustion far exceeded that number!

"Being the boss is like this. Here, I specially prepared something delicious for you—eat up, it's delicious…"

Zheng Xinyu had returned home early while Zhang Su was arranging lodging for Wang Guangjun and prepared a lavish self-heating hotpot on the table. The heating pack hissed and steamed. Zhong Xiaoshan was, as always, on duty in the surveillance room—this task was unshakable, irreplaceable by anyone.

"Ha, my wife is the most thoughtful!"

Zhang Su sat up quickly, walked to the table, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating—he hadn't eaten much all day, burning more energy than he consumed.

"With so many hungry eyes watching you, I have to act like a good wife, hehe…"

Zheng Xinyu pulled over a chair and sat beside Zhang Su, leaning on the table watching him eat.

"Crazy." Zhang Su rolled his eyes at her. "Do you only think about this kind of stuff?"

"Hey, you're wrong! I don't think about that stuff at all—it's the women trying to get close to you who do!"

Zheng Xinyu sat up straight. "You think I was just scarfing down food and didn't notice? At least ten women were sending you flirtatious glances."

"Right, they flirted. And then?"

Zhang Su slurped up a strand of konjac noodles and asked.

"And then… there's no 'and then.' You're eating, just eat—why talk so much?"

Zheng Xinyu realized she couldn't win the argument and fell silent.

After a moment of quiet, she sighed. "So many new people all at once—I don't even know where to start. You must've burned through a lot of brain cells."

"Ha, not too bad. There's a lot to consider, but now with Teacher Yu and Old Li helping with advice, it's much easier."

"So many people came over tonight to greet you—do you remember who they were?"

Zheng Xinyu changed the subject.

"I remember some. Why?" Zhang Su picked up a slice of tripe, blew on it, and popped it in his mouth.

"I thought of those two kids."

Zheng Xinyu raised her eyebrows, her expression melancholy.

Zhang Su chewed, muffled: "Yu Ziyan and Zhang Hanshuo?"

There were now many children on Tianma Yu—from four to eighteen years old, ten total. Two of them were here: Mo Qianlan and Pang Da Kun.

"Mm." Zheng Xinyu nodded her head against her arm, displeased. "That woman—what's-her-name—clearly used the kids to win sympathy. And she's male-biased. Yu Ziyan's face is ruined, and yet the girl's treated so poorly? I don't like her!"

Zhang Su knew she meant Peng Xiuping. He shrugged. "Zhang Hanshuo's a half-grown boy, eyes determined, body strong. With hard training, he's clearly promising. The girl's different—not that all women are weak, but look at Yu Ziyan's condition… she can only handle light chores. If you were in charge of both, who would you prefer?"

"But…" Zheng Xinyu pouted. "Fine, you're right—but what if she gives Yu Ziyan's rations to Zhang Hanshuo?"

"Tough luck!" Zhang Su gave her a strange look. "Do you think our camp's grown so big now that we can afford humanitarian concerns? We're not that idle!"

"I didn't mean it like that… I was just complaining. I know we're busy." Zheng Xinyu grinned weakly.

"Honestly—we have zero time to rest. Who knows if the zombies in Qincheng will move north? Tomorrow we're sending people to clear land at Xida Ying Village. Once the newcomers are settled, we immediately start building a defensive line along Haihe River!"

A simple sentence, but it touched every aspect.

Zheng Xinyu took a deep breath and forced a weak smile. "Maybe seeing Yu Ziyan reminded me of my own childhood—that's why I felt it so deeply."

"Peng Xiuping brought two kids—she's already formed a family. Their internal problems aren't anyone else's business. What, are you going to start a Women and Children's Protection Association to fix male bias in households?"

Zhang Su teased.

"I didn't mean it that dramatically—I just feel bad for the kids… okay, fine, let's drop it. Tomorrow's going to be busy? Give me an interesting mission—I don't want to sit here watching monitors!"

Zheng Xinyu volunteered for an external task.

(End of Chapter)