Chapter 60: Uncle Isn

“What?”

“Leave now?”

“Hey, buddy, there are zombies downstairs!”

Zhang Su’s actions startled everyone in the room.

Qin Ya frowned and stood up, placing a hand on Zhang Su’s arm. “Little Zhang, Yu Nuo speaks bluntly—don’t take it personally. I still want to partner with you. Why are you leaving all of a sudden?”

Zhang Su shook his head. “People do desperate things when starving. I was already planning to leave—it has nothing to do with her!”

“From your gear, I can tell you’re not reckless. But are you truly sure this is the right time to leave?”

Qin Ya tried again to persuade Zhang Su and the others to stay.

Zhang Su had no intention of joining anyone in the room. He didn’t doubt Qin Ya or the PE teacher Duan Wu’s combat ability, but both would never abandon those beside them.

Everyone had someone they couldn’t leave behind. Zhang Su understood their situation, but he didn’t want to team up with a cowardly, loudmouthed woman, a brat, and a shut-in.

“That’s right.” Zhang Su said firmly. “The zombies chasing Duan Teacher came from the underground parking lot. Since those zombies were lured out, the parking lot must be much clearer now.”

“This…”

Everyone froze.

“Even so…” Duan Wu frowned. “Xiao Hai and I did draw many zombies from the underground lot, but those were from Building Three. This is Building Four!”

Zhang Su tightened the straps of his backpack and nodded. “You’re right. But I’m still going to push through.”

Qin Ya’s brow furrowed. He realized Zhang Su had no intention of joining them, yet he pressed on. “Young Zhang, more people mean better backup!”

“Big Brother Zhang, come with us! We’re over ten people—much safer together!”

Tian Fan couldn’t help but speak up.

“At a time like this, we should think of the group and teamwork—not individual heroism?”

“Yu Auntie’s right. Our teacher always said individual heroism is dangerous. Collective honor matters most. Uncle Zhang, you should think of collective honor.”

Liu Xuanyu wholeheartedly agreed with Yu Nuo, speaking earnestly.

The tense atmosphere suddenly turned absurd under the brat’s interference.

Zhang Su was about to snap—but then he laughed after hearing Liu Xuanyu’s words.

“Kid, you’re right. But I’m not part of your group.”

He turned to Yu Nuo, eyes flashing with danger. “Yu Nuo, I know you’ve disliked me since yesterday. I’m giving Officer Qin a face—I won’t hold a grudge. Good luck with your teamwork!”

After speaking, Zhang Su walked toward the door.

“We were fine in Building Four until you brought a horde of zombies here. You just walk away? You’re not even human!”

Yu Nuo’s secret thoughts exposed, she burned with shame and rage.

“Yu Nuo, stop talking!”

Qin Ya felt awkward. Strictly speaking, it was the Duan brothers who lured the zombies—not Zhang Su. He didn’t want Zhang Su’s group to leave, then lose the Duan brothers too.

“Um… the zombies weren’t brought by Brother Zhang. This is our fault.”

Duan Wu was straightforward, admitting his mistake without hesitation.

Zhang Su stopped and glanced at Duan Wu, then swept his gaze over Yu Nuo, finally saying to Qin Ya: “Officer Qin, I’m warning you—bad teammates are more dangerous than skilled enemies.”

“What do you mean, who’s the pig—”

Yu Nuo flew into a rage, but Qin Ya grabbed her arm and shoved her aside.

“Little Zhang, I’m different from you. I owe it to my former profession. No matter what, thank you. Good luck!”

Qin Ya knew he couldn’t stop Zhang Su. He smiled lightly, offering sincere wishes.

“Thank you. You too. And Duan Teacher—good luck to you both!”

Zhang Su held a good impression of Qin Ya, but couldn’t bring him into his group. A special police officer would’ve made things far safer.

Both wanted to join each other—but each had their own burdens.

“Brother Zhang, I—”

As Zhang Su pressed his eye to the peephole to check outside, the milkman called out: “I’m coming with you!”

The milkman flinched under Zhang Su’s piercing gaze but forced himself to meet his eyes.

Zhang Su never expected the milkman—who’d had a feud with him—to volunteer to join.

“I haven’t settled accounts with you yet. Come with me, Uncle. Don’t think I won’t kill you the moment you step out.”

The milkman awkwardly waved his hands. “What I did before was truly despicable. Anyone would’ve been furious. But I can tell—you wouldn’t really kill me…”

Would he really not?

Zhang Su thought it over. No—he wouldn’t. Too many people present. A gun-wielding special officer. He’d just been venting.

“Uncle, I don’t take useless people. Consider joining Officer Qin’s group.”

A woman, a child, and now this middle-aged milkman—basically every weakling was gathered.

“No, no!” The milkman waved his bony hands frantically, forcing a grim smile. “I run fast, and I’m strong. Look!”

He glanced around, strode to the center of the living room, and with a grunt, lifted the coffee table onto his shoulders.

The coffee table was large—not solid wood, but thick and heavy, at least sixty to seventy jin. The thin, frail man hoisted it onto his shoulders!

People on the sofas scrambled back, afraid he’d drop it and crush someone.

“Alright, alright, Uncle, be careful! Don’t hurt anyone! Come on, easy, easy—put it down gently!”

Qin Ya was startled by the milkman’s display and rushed to help lower the table.

Zhang Su grimaced inwardly. He’d considered using a [Discern Label] on the milkman—but decided against it. He shook his head. “Uncle, I still think you’re better suited for Officer Qin’s group.”

The milkman’s lips twitched. He stepped forward, resolute. “Young man, I’m leaving this place today no matter what. Even if you won’t take me, I’m going. You drive—I’ll run after you!”

Zhang Su stared, dumbfounded. This guy was like a stubborn bandage stuck to his skin…

“It’s so dangerous outside. Why must you leave?” Zhang Su asked, forcing patience.

“I’m going to Environmental University to find my son!”

The man’s face was firm, his lips trembling slightly.

“Hah…” Zhang Su laughed coldly. “You should’ve gone looking for your son long ago. Why wait until now?”

The milkman’s face darkened. “If I go alone, I’m dead. But with you—I might make it out.”

A brutally honest statement, full of sincerity and helplessness.

“Don’t blame me for dousing you with cold water. The university’s situation is worse than this compound. Your son—”

“The man just wants you to take him out! If you will, take him. If not, refuse. Why talk so much? Men who drag things out are the most disgusting!”

Before Zhang Su could finish, Yu Nuo sneered again.

The room fell silent.

“You bitch, why do you talk so much? I’ll tear your mouth open if you keep whining!”

Zheng Xinyu’s eyebrows shot up, her baseball bat pointed straight at Yu Nuo.

She knew Zhang Su wouldn’t waste time arguing with a woman—this was her cue.

Zhong Xiaoshanyi didn’t hold back either. She rolled her eyes at Yu Nuo and drawled: “Oh my god, a little trash clinging to someone’s leg dares to talk? Can’t help, just stirs up hatred. This team’s a mess. Officer Qin, wanna join us instead?”

Zheng Xinyu’s tongue was already sharp—she’d received mouthwash from fans for a reason. Zhong Xiaoshanyi had spent years in female circles and knew how to twist words. The two women struck at once, leaving Yu Nuo stunned.

“You—you—” Yu Nuo, used to office scheming, was no match for them. Furious, she spat: “Disgusting! What kind of people are these? Trash!”

“Shut up! Enough!”

Qin Ya snapped at Yu Nuo, then studied Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshanyi with deep eyes. Finally, he gave Zhang Su a helpless, bitter smile.

Zhang Su shrugged at Qin Ya, then turned back to the milkman, serious. “Since you insist on coming with us, I won’t bind you. But I’ll say this upfront…”

“This journey won’t be smooth. If you make noise and attract zombies, I won’t waste time saving you!”

The cold words sent a chill through everyone. Most thought Zhang Su was heartless.

“Uncle Zhang, that’s wrong!” Liu Xuanyu peeked from behind Qin Ya, bravely saying: “Our teacher taught us to help each other—that’s what good people do!”

“Mm, right.” Zhang Su nodded, smiling at Liu Xuanyu. “So don’t ever learn from Uncle. Uncle isn’t a good person.”

Everyone fell silent, faces twisted with strange expressions.

“Don’t worry—if I’m in trouble, just leave. Don’t bother with me!”

The milkman spoke quickly, clearly ready to risk everything.

With that, Zhang Su saw no point in delaying. He glanced outside, then waved. “Let’s go!”

After Zhang Su’s group of four left, Yu Nuo immediately protested: “That guy’s evil! Yesterday, I and Tian Fan screamed until we lost our voices—he ignored us!”

“Yu Jie… in that situation, Zhang Su couldn’t have reached us. He saved Officer Qin, and Officer Qin saved us—he indirectly saved us. Don’t keep saying this.”

Tian Fan couldn’t take it anymore, muttering to Yu Nuo. If he didn’t trust Qin Ya, he’d have followed Zhang Su himself.

“Little Tian, how can you defend them? I’m right! He ignored our pleas, refused to trade food, and mocked us for having kids and women. What’s so great about him? He’s dragging two little sluts around!”

Yu Nuo, reeling from Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshanyi’s verbal assault, had no comeback. She seethed with frustration.

Qin Ya sighed irritably, frowning at Yu Nuo. “Yu Nuo, if you’ve got energy to whine, do more squats. Zhang Su’s two women aren’t amateurs!”

“Exactly.”

Duan Wu nodded. “Officer Qin’s right. I shook hands with those two girls earlier—calluses on their palms. They’ve trained hard these past days.”

Qin Ya frowned thoughtfully. “It’s not that simple. Did you notice their weapons? Heavy wear, stained with blood and grime—they’ve fought zombies.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Duan Wu nodded vigorously. “I fought beside them downstairs. Now that you mention it—they were terrifying!”

“That’s the right attitude for this situation!”

Qin Ya looked naturally at Yu Nuo—as if asking: Can you do that?

Yu Nuo, embarrassed by their words, forced a weak smile. “I’ll work harder… I will…”

Leaving 802, entering the stairwell, Zhang Su led the group downstairs—then raised a hand to stop them as they reached the seventh floor.

Zheng Xinyu and the others froze in surprise, but none spoke, standing silently in place.

Zhang Su stood behind the safety door, listening carefully, then opened it, and the group filed in one after another.

Zhang Su tugged at the door of 701, glanced back at 702, saw both doors were locked, and led everyone back to the stairwell to continue descending.

Sixth floor, fifth floor, fourth floor…

When they reached the third floor, Zhang Su spotted a crack beneath the door of 302 and felt a surge of hope; he listened intently to the sounds inside, then knocked. Hearing no reply, he opened the door and stepped in.

The others followed Zhang Su into 302, their faces filled with suspicion.

“Xiaoshan, close the door!”

Inside 302, Zhang Su tossed his bag onto the dining table and sat down casually in a chair.

“Brother Su, what’s the plan here?”

Zheng Xinyu asked curiously.

Zhang Su looked at the trio of bewildered faces and shook his head with a smile: “You want me to go ahead as Vanguard Commander for those guys? Dream on! If we’re moving, we wait for them to clear the way!”

“This…” The milk delivery man froze.

Zhang Su turned to the milk delivery man and spread his hands: “I’m truly sorry, sir. I’ve asked you repeatedly to join them, but you refused. If you’re in a hurry, you’ll have to go on ahead by yourself.”

“Or you could go back upstairs to find them—Officer Qin won’t mind.”

The milk delivery man shook his head, his face grim, and leaned against the wall as he sat on the floor. “Brother Zhang, I don’t regret following you. I don’t know if they’ll make it out, but I believe you’ll get this neighborhood behind you.”

Zhang Su had spoken so convincingly that even those beside him believed him—others would have no reason to doubt.

The milk delivery man was indeed desperate to find his son, but he knew better than anyone: only by sticking to Zhang Su’s side did he stand any chance of escaping the neighborhood. Otherwise, even stepping out of the building entrance meant being devoured—completely, without a trace!

Not sure if I’ll get promoted to the fourth round of recommendations, but I’m celebrating early—extra chapters coming!

(End of Chapter)