Chapter 8: Whom to Follow?
Daryl cradled his crossbow, sizing up Li Changsheng. He didn’t look particularly strong—was he really as formidable as they said? Surely Merle and I were exaggerating. Still, he’d saved Merle; that made him a benefactor. Although Li Changsheng had forced Merle to work for him, which Daryl found off-putting, he still spoke up: “Thanks. Thanks for saving that bastard Merle! But I hope you won’t regret it in the future!”
No one knew Merle better than Daryl; naturally, he understood his brother was no saint.
“Hey, Daryl, you bastard! Your brother’s a good man, one favored by God!” Merle protested immediately.
Typical Daryl—even his gratitude came out so cool...
Li Changsheng looked at Daryl and waved it off. “No need for thanks. It’s an equal exchange between Merle and me.”
Daryl said nothing.
Li Changsheng turned to Merle. “Merle, tomorrow we set out for the CDC.” He shot Merle a glance, then nodded toward Daryl.
Merle paused.
A seasoned schemer, he instantly grasped Li Changsheng’s intent.
Damn, does this bastard have his eye on Daryl!?
Son of a bitch!
He wants to kill two birds with one stone!
...
All the walkers had been eliminated.
After keeping watch for a long while and seeing no new threats, the group finally relaxed. A few stood guard while the rest retired to their tents.
Amy saw Andrea sleeping soundly and quietly rose, slipping out of the tent.
Li Changsheng, wary of the corpses in camp possibly reanimating, remained awake, alert. Suddenly, footsteps sounded, followed by a knock.
Who could it be at this hour? he wondered.
He opened the door of the RV to find Amy waiting outside.
Amy wore hot pants that revealed long, toned legs, glowing pale under the lights. She had a denim shawl draped over her shoulders, beneath it a white tank top exposing her navel.
Li Changsheng looked her over with a hint of surprise. “Amy, what brings you here so late?”
“Li, could I borrow the bathroom?” Amy asked, her gaze hopeful yet tinged with lingering fear.
Li Changsheng considered, then replied, “Of course. Come in.”
He could see in her eyes that Amy hadn’t yet shaken off her terror of the walkers.
After all, the outbreak had been raging for just over two months, and she’d only ever handled cooking and laundry, never been so close to the undead.
...
“Thank you,” Amy said, giving Li Changsheng a big hug.
He held her, feeling her heartbeat slow and her trembling body relax. He spoke softly, “Go take a hot shower. It’ll help you unwind.”
Amy had calmed considerably. Hearing his suggestion, she blushed lightly. “Okay.”
Soon, the sound of running water filled the bathroom.
It was chilly at night in the mountains, but the RV was warm and cozy.
Li Changsheng sat on the sofa in the living room, poured himself a glass of red wine, and swirled it gently.
The bathroom door opened, steam billowing out. Amy emerged dressed in pajamas, drying her hair with a towel.
“Is the hair dryer in the bathroom working?”
“Yes, but the power’s over here.”
“Could I use it, then...?”
She walked over to stand beside Li Changsheng, feeling much better after her shower.
He plugged in the dryer; Amy bent over to dry her hair, the warm air carrying a hint of fragrance.
Li Changsheng couldn’t help but glance over.
Amy was bent low, her thin pajama top barely concealing her fair skin, the gentle curves just beginning to show.
They were close enough to feel each other's warmth.
After a moment, Amy seemed tired of standing and sat down beside Li Changsheng.
Just then—
“Amy, are you in there?” Andrea’s voice called from outside the RV.
Li Changsheng looked at Amy, chuckling softly. “Amy, your sister’s come to catch us.”
Amy blushed, reluctantly standing. Suddenly, she paused, turned to Li Changsheng, and asked, “Can I come with you to the CDC?”
Last night, during the rest, she’d heard Merle boasting about heading to the CDC with Li Changsheng in the morning, maybe even establishing a camp.
Li Changsheng was taken aback, unsure of her intentions, but nodded.
Amy walked a few steps, then stopped, darted ahead of Li Changsheng, and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Thank you.”
She ran off the RV, face flushed.
...
Under Andrea’s watchful, almost suspicious gaze, Li Changsheng escorted the two women back to their tent.
After all, some bodies hadn’t been dealt with yet, and there was still a risk of reanimation.
...
Amy's face was tinged with something unusual as she entered the tent.
Once Li Changsheng had walked away, Andrea glanced at Amy, then at his retreating figure, curiosity stirring within her.
Amy had been out so long, yet her clothes were still neat...
Nothing had happened between them...
That Chinese man was actually pretty reliable!
Far more restrained than those big shots back home...
...
‘Li Changsheng will lead Merle to the CDC tomorrow and establish a survivor camp there.’
This news had already spread overnight, courtesy of Merle’s loose tongue.
Before last night, no one would have cared, some might even have applauded.
But after what happened, the topic was widely discussed.
The walkers’ corpses hadn’t been dealt with, and in such hot weather, if they weren’t removed, they’d rot and stink within days.
Rick rose early to organize the handling of bodies.
Lori looked at her husband helplessly.
He was good at everything, but his concern for others often frustrated Lori.
She wished Rick would spend more time with her and Carl.
“Rick, do you know that Chinese guy?”
Rick glanced at Lori, puzzled. “I heard about him yesterday. Why?”
“Just be wary of him. I don’t like him.” With that, Lori repeated what Li Changsheng had said during Merle and Shawn’s conflict yesterday: “He’s encouraging Merle to cause you trouble. Anyone who associates with Merle isn’t someone I like.”
Rick pondered for a moment, then reassured her, “What he said was true. I don’t think he meant any harm.”
“After all, I was the one who locked Merle up. Though Merle deserved it, I don’t want him to die because of me. I should thank him for that.”
“And besides, last night he protected everyone.”
It was Shawn who protected me last night.
Lori wanted to argue, but recalling her situation with Shawn, she fell silent, changing the subject: “Rick, that guy’s heading to the CDC. Where should we go?”
Rick thought it over. “I think we should check out the CDC too...”
“No! With Merle and that guy there, I won’t go! Anywhere else is fine, just not the CDC!” Lori protested.
Seeing her reaction, Rick was helpless, but she was his wife, after all. He relented, “Alright. I’ll think it over carefully.”