Chapter 293

Still thinking about a girlfriend?0

You’ve been watching too many dramas.0

Yun Xiaoxiao handed the candied hawthorn back.0

Shen Yan looked puzzled, “What’s wrong?”0

Yun Xiaoxiao glanced at him, “At such a young age, focus on studying and practicing martial arts. Don’t waste time on trivial matters.”0

Shen Yan: …0

Aren’t you younger than me?0

Why does it sound like a senior scolding a junior?0

“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about this for now. There’s plenty of time in the future, no rush.”0

Shen Yan grinned carelessly.0

Then he shoved the candied hawthorn back into Yun Xiaoxiao’s hand.0

“Don’t worry, it’s on the house.”0

After saying that, he whistled and walked away.0

Yun Xiaoxiao looked down at the candied hawthorn in her hand, momentarily stunned.0

The next morning, everyone got up early one after another.0

After breakfast and getting ready, the group continued clearing the zombies on the road outside the highway toll station.0

This time, they didn’t need to clear every vehicle on the road.0

They only had to clear a small section and then move the convoy to another road leading into the city.0

Compared to the gridlock on the outbound side, the inbound road was completely clear.0

While the main group was busy, Lu Chen, along with Hua Bai and Liu Xiaohui, flew a helicopter over Rong City.0

On one hand, they were observing the current state of Rong City and mapping out the zombie distribution.0

This would help them better formulate their plan for taking the city.0

On the other hand, they were checking if Jiang Huai and Peng Shaowei’s teams had arrived.0

Yun Xiaoxiao’s group had arrived almost a day earlier than the planned meeting time.0

This meant the other party was likely to arrive within the next day or two.0

Sure enough, that evening, Peng Shaowei and his team arrived.0

They came from the northwest of Rong City, while Yun Xiaoxiao’s group was in the southeast.0

Completely opposite directions.0

Compared to Yun Xiaoxiao’s group, whose numbers had increased more than tenfold, Peng Shaowei’s situation wasn’t as good.0

Their numbers had decreased by at least a third since the start, even after recruiting people along the way.0

As a result, the overall atmosphere in their camp was rather somber and tense.0

That night, Yun Xiaoxiao, along with Shen Tianlei, his wife, and Zhang Piaopiao, went to meet Peng Shaowei and his team.0

It was a chance for everyone to get acquainted.0

At the same time, they were there to discuss the next steps in their plan to take the city.0

Many tents were set up on the snowy outskirts, with several bonfires lit.0

As soon as Yun Xiaoxiao’s group walked in, they could feel the heavy atmosphere.0

Many people were sighing, their spirits low.0

Nie Yizhou nudged Xiao Feng and whispered, “Just like Lu Chen said, their morale is really low.”0n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Xiao Feng nodded in agreement.0

Soon, they met Peng Shaowei.0

Compared to when they last parted, Peng Shaowei still had his commanding presence, but he looked more weathered, with stubble on his face.0

From what he said, Yun Xiaoxiao’s group learned that their numbers had dwindled because they had faced several life-threatening situations, even coming close to total annihilation.0

The first time was in Ta City.0

There, they encountered a highly aggressive mutated zombie.0

That single zombie cost them nearly thirty people.0

It was only after Peng Shaowei and Tang Jun teamed up that they managed to kill it.0

The second time was during their journey.0

While passing through a tunnel, they encountered a swarm of zombie bats hiding inside.0

Although Peng Shaowei ordered everyone to speed through without stopping, some of the bats managed to cling to the roofs of the vehicles. By the time they noticed, it was too late.0

Two bats had gotten inside one of the vehicles.0

The situation was too urgent, and the space was confined.0

Everyone panicked.0

That time, nearly two-thirds of the people in the vehicle were killed or injured, with only a few escaping.0

The third time was on their way to Rong City.0

This was also the time they suffered the most casualties.0

They were sleeping when it happened.0

Only a few people were on watch around the tents.0

Around one or two in the morning, a massive horde of zombies suddenly stormed their camp, catching them completely off guard.0

Although everyone reacted quickly, many lives were lost in that battle.0

Just hearing about it was enough to imagine how dire the situation had been.0

After such setbacks, it was no wonder their morale was so low.0

“Hey, why are you staring at Xiaoxiao so much?”0

Suddenly, Shen Yan raised an eyebrow at Tang Yanchi, who was sitting across from him.0

Tang Yanchi lifted his chin, denying it.0

“I wasn’t!”0

“Yes, you were! I saw you glancing over here several times.”0

“You’re mistaken!” Tang Yanchi snapped, clearly annoyed.0

Shen Yan laughed and waved his hand, “Come on, no need to be shy. It’s fine to look. I like looking at Xiaoxiao too…”0

“I said I wasn’t looking!”0

“Wow, getting defensive now, huh? Mmm… mmm!!!”0

“Enough, Shen Yan! Keep it down!”0

Jin Zhuyan covered Shen Yan’s mouth with her hand, effectively silencing him.0

Then she smiled apologetically at Tang Yanchi.0

“Sorry about that, young man. My son has no filter and says whatever comes to mind.”0

Tang Yanchi didn’t take it out on Jin Zhuyan, but he glared at Shen Yan and snorted.0

Just then, a commotion broke out not far away.0

Peng Shaowei frowned and looked in that direction.0

Hao Ren walked over.0

“What’s going on?” Peng Shaowei asked.0

Hao Ren’s expression was grim. “Someone’s stirring up the crowd, trying to convince them not to participate in the plan to take Rong City.”0

Hearing this, Peng Shaowei’s brow furrowed.0

“Let’s go check it out.”0

He stood up immediately.0

Yun Xiaoxiao and the others followed.0

They saw a large crowd gathered around two men in their thirties.0

The men were passionately expressing their opinions.0

“Everyone, we’ve been too naive. Look at how many of our brothers and sisters died last night!0

Their deaths have left us heartbroken.0

But they’ve also served as a wake-up call.0

I don’t need to remind you how many people live in Rong City.0

The number of zombies there will be terrifyingly high.0

And with so many zombies, the chances of encountering high-level mutated zombies are much greater.0

What does that mean?0

It means the risks we face will increase dramatically.0

After taking Rong City, our numbers might be halved, or even worse.0

Among the casualties could be your friends, your family, or even yourselves.0

So I have to ask, what’s the point of this war against the zombies?0

Is it just to send so many of us to our deaths for nothing?”