Chapter 53 Looking Back

"Those words she said felt as though they were purposely meant for me."

Reviewing their previous conversation, Lin Qingqing realized that those seemingly idle remarks were actually the messages Yu Man wanted to convey before leaving.

"She wanted to tell me that the four men led by Old Jiu are not simple, that Chen Gang's team cannot be relied upon, and she also advised me to team up with others, while even giving me a hint on the criteria for choosing teammates."

For some reason, after hearing Yu Man's words, it was the first time Lin Qingqing didn't feel repulsed by the idea of partnering with someone, and she even seriously considered the possibility of forming a team.

"Perhaps I really was being a bit self-righteous before?"

Having met so many people after the apocalypse, it seemed everyone else had a team except her.

Then, trying to put herself in Yu Man's shoes, she realized that even as a Tier 2 Ice-attribute esper, she wouldn't necessarily be able to guarantee she could walk away unscathed from that bar.

"As for the smart yet naive teammates Yu Man mentioned, aren't Lei Min and Wen Ling ready-made candidates?"

Goodness, what on earth was she hesitating about back then? Lin Qingqing let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

Perhaps the phone call with her father had made her subconsciously full of defense and repulsion toward her own kind, or perhaps the Tier 2 abilities had given her too much confidence, making her think that being a lone wolf was the best choice.

Yet, was being alone really that good?

At this moment, she couldn't help but recall what Lei Min had said before: We can take turns keeping watch, take turns driving, go together to challenge higher-level zombies, cook and eat hotpot together, and go to the base to take on missions.

"Moreover, we can help each other out when in need, provide support in danger, and even if one day you die, there will still be someone to give you a final blow, collect your remains, and avenge you," she silently added to herself at the last moment.

"I never imagined teaming up had so many benefits!"

Lin Qingqing chuckled softly. It was only at this moment that she finally made up her mind to turn back and look for Lei Min and the others.

After eating something in a hurry, she found Chen Gang and stated her purpose.

Learning that she was going to pick up two friends, Chen Gang was somewhat surprised, but after a moment of thought, he came to understand. Young people having three or five close friends was completely normal, after all.

"Are Miss Lin's friends living far away? Do you need our help?"

"No need, there's no danger there, I can go by myself," Lin Qingqing decisively refused.

"If you guys are leaving, don't worry about me. Just leave a rendezvous address for me."

"That works too. We'll wait for you here today. If you haven't come back by tomorrow morning, I'll leave the address at the gas station."

Chen Gang didn't force the matter. Through the previous battles, he had already witnessed Lin Qingqing's strength.

"You guys must be careful of that group of people!"

Before leaving, Lin Qingqing still couldn't help but suggest to Chen Gang.

Although she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, she always felt that group's behavior was a bit strange. Coupled with what Yu Man had said earlier, Lin Qingqing decided to give Chen Gang a warning.

Hearing this, Chen Gang readily agreed, saying they would part ways after getting the cars fixed.

Lin Qingqing nodded and left with a reassured mind. At this moment, her thoughts were entirely consumed by Lei Min and Wen Ling.

She had witnessed how troublesome Director Liu and his group were, and she worried they might have given them a hard time again.

---

The old residential compound.

"Didn't we agree to wait until Sister Lin came back? Why are you guys here again?"

Seeing Director Liu and the others at the door, Lei Min wore her anxiety and impatience openly on her face.

They had just come yesterday morning, and now, barely a day later, had they discovered something?

A jolt went through Lei Min's heart. She had already prepared to take Wen Ling and run away tonight, but who would have thought she was still a step too late.

In truth, Director Liu couldn't be certain whether Lin Qingqing would actually return; yesterday's visit had merely aroused some suspicion in him.

However, this didn't affect his primary objective. The most crucial thing was that the young people in the residential area were completely useless. Seeing the gathering zombies multiplying at the entrance, Director Liu intended to push Lei Min out ahead of time.

Lin Qingqing's sudden disappearance yesterday gave him a hint: if the first person could sneak away unnoticed, the second one might be able to as well.

If everyone really managed to escape, wouldn't all their efforts be in vain? They had provided free food and drink for several days, after all—how could Director Liu ever engage in a losing business?

Therefore, the moment he returned yesterday, he had already assigned people to keep an eye on Lei Min and Wen Ling. Yet, Lei Min herself had no idea that they were already trapped beyond escape.

Director Liu and his cohorts certainly didn't care about Lei Min's expression. Their original plan was to first coax Lin Qingqing and Lei Min into helping clear out the zombies, and once the zombies were mostly cleared, find a way to lure in another wave.

By repeating this cycle and using a war of attrition, they would continuously force the two girls to keep fighting until every single zombie in the area was wiped out. Only then would it justify the resources they had spent supplying them with good food and drink for so many days.

And if the two of them resisted, they would simply close the gates and lock them outside, leaving them trapped with no way forward or back. Either way, those zombies were getting cleared by them.

It was just a pity that Lin Qingqing was no longer around. Facing Lei Min alone, Director Liu completely lacked his previous cautiousness.

"Miss Lei, look, you've both been living here for so many days now. It's about time you contributed something for the neighborhood!"

"Exactly! Freeloading for so many days without doing a single thing!"
"Even a dog knows how to keep watch and guard the house!"
"Running away after taking advantage of everyone—little demon girl has no upbringing whatsoever!"

...

Watching the crowd grow increasingly harsh in their words, even dragging Lin Qingqing into it, Lei Min grew furious: "Sister Lin helped you all fend off so many zombies before! She only stayed here to recover from her injuries for two days. Now that she's gone, you start slandering her. Have you no shame at all? Did those lifesaving graces get eaten by dogs?"

"Hey, what kind of attitude is that, young lady?" Auntie Liu became displeased upon hearing this. She placed her hands on her hips, just about to lecture Lei Min, when Director Liu pushed her back down.

"So Miss Lin really has left?" Once those words left his mouth, he was already five-parts certain.

"I told you before, Sister Lin just went out to take care of some business," Lei Min naturally refused to admit it.

"Going out on business without even saying goodbye?" Auntie Liu didn't believe it either.

"Why should she say goodbye to you? Would you be able to help even if you knew?" Anxious as she was, Lei Min didn't back down a single bit in her words.

"How do you know we couldn't help?"

"She went to kill Level 2 zombies. What could you guys do? Act as feed?" Lei Min retorted without a second thought.

"Level 2? Those monsters have levels?"

Hearing this, the crowd immediately broke into a flurry of discussion.

Seeing how easily the topic had been derailed, Director Liu glared fiercely at Auntie Liu for interrupting.

"Stop trying to alarm people with scary talk. To tell you the truth, there isn't much food left in the compound. If you don't get rid of those monsters at the entrance today, everyone is going to starve to death here!"

Director Liu's expression turned fierce, a cannibalistic glint flashing in his triangular eyes.

"I can't kill that many zombies all by myself. If you want me to help kill zombies, fine, but you have to come with me!"

Lei Min knew she couldn't escape this time, but these people shouldn't even dream of pushing her out alone.

Her attitude was firm, and no matter how much Director Liu and the others argued, they couldn't make Lei Min compromise.

After a stalemate that lasted for quite a while, Director Liu finally caught sight of Wen Ling standing behind Lei Min, and an idea instantly formed in his mind.

"Since this is Miss Lei's request, we are duty-bound to oblige." Director Liu reluctantly agreed to Lei Min's demand.

By this time, he had already figured out how to make Lei Min slave away for him indefinitely—just like how he had controlled Da Zhuang, Chuan Zi, and the other young men initially: first target their weaknesses, then use coercion and enticement. He was determined to hold them firmly in the palm of his hand.