Chapter 46 Rejected

Hearing Saber's final remark, everyone was momentarily stunned. In the past, every rescue operation would conclude with the rescued party choosing whether to relocate to the Survivors' Alliance or remain where they were, and the Tiger Squad had never interfered or guided that choice.

Perhaps noticing everyone's confusion, Saber added, "I observed during the previous battle. The cargo ship is indeed an ideal sanctuary—far away from the perilous mainland, with no need to ever fear the threat of zombies. However, that premise only holds true if it is navigating vast open waters. The zombies have already discovered this place; the moment we leave, they will quickly mount a new offensive. By then, once they breach the defense perimeter on the dock, those hiding on the ship will be doomed. Since staying means certain death, I don't want to leave the choice up to them."

Saber was right. With sufficient fuel and someone who knew how to drive this giant, a mobile fortress that could travel on water would indeed surpass most land-based shelters. But clearly, none of those conditions were met here. Once a land shelter was breached, people still had a chance to flee; on the freighter, the survivors had no way out.

Furthermore, aside from Qianxun, everyone else on the ship was a frail patient. Nearly all the pressure rested on the shoulders of an underage girl, and the ultimate outcome could only be tragedy.

After a long while, Qianxun walked out of the inner cabin, looking dejected. Her eyes were red and swollen, and tear tracks still stained her cheeks. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we can only appreciate your good intentions in our hearts."

Qianxun's response was somewhat unexpected yet entirely reasonable. In the eyes of many, young women could be seen as a favorable asset, while frail patients were completely useless burdens. Especially with a group of patients, most people would choose to abandon them decisively and ruthlessly.

Patients were people too. In extreme environments, patients generated more complex and severe negative emotions than normal people, making them irritable, quick-tempered, frantic, and unreasonable. They did not believe anyone would expend even the slightest effort for a bunch of good-for-nothings. The most likely scenario, in their minds, was that these people had taken a fancy to the young and beautiful Qianxun, and taking them along was merely a facade to avoid looking too callous.

"Can you tell me why?" Zhao Qiang asked. He strongly agreed with Saber's analysis. Leaving these people here meant that probably not even a day would pass before everyone died of disease or to the zombies, making his own actions indistinguishable from murder.

"Because, because..." Qianxun lowered her head, hesitating. "Because they don't want to be a burden to you, so, so..."

"Then what about you?" Guo Zijiang interjected. "The moment we leave, the zombies will counterattack. Are you just going to stay here and wait to die? Come with us. We can provide adequate protection, food, water, and many, many people who are homeless just like you. You won't have to live in fear ever again, you won't have to—"

"Enough!" Qianxun could no longer hold back her tears. She cried out with almost all her might, "Enough! If I leave, what will happen to them? They risked their lives to save me, gave me food, took care of me, protected me, and taught me how to survive in this world. Now that they are sick and need someone to take care of them, what kind of person would I be if I went with you? They are my friends, my family. Even if I die, I will die with them!" Qianxun displayed a resilience completely inconsistent with her youth, proudly straightening her sturdy chest, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

Zhao Qiang reached out and stopped Guo Zijiang, who was about to say more. He was growing increasingly fond of the little girl before him. Between the previous chase and the toughness she displayed now, such a girl brought Zhao Qiang too many surprises. He said calmly, "You saw it yourself. If not for us this time, you might no longer be in this world. Next time, you won't be so lucky. The moment we leave, zombies and disease will destroy your little family at any moment. Don't you want to live a good life?"

Qianxun met Zhao Qiang's gaze directly, without the slightest intention of backing down. "If living means being a traitor, I'd rather die with my friends! Let's leave it at that. I appreciate your kindness, but now, I must ask you to leave."

The petite Qianxun stood unyieldingly, without ever considering the consequences of refusing these heavily armed men. Fortunately, the people she had encountered were the Tiger Squad.

Zhao Qiang smiled faintly as he locked eyes with Qianxun. In her clear, large eyes, he could find no trace of pretense. A group of patients, a docked freighter, a dozen people with over a dozen mouths to feed—it was hard to imagine how much willpower a young girl needed to shoulder such a heavy task, even knowing that the result of persistence was death.

"If I can persuade them to come with us, would you object?" Zhao Qiang asked. He had never intended to abandon any survivors; the Tiger Squad had no such precedent.

"Why won't you just let me go?" Qianxun took a step back, looking at each member of the Tiger Squad with vigilance.

"Let you go?" Zhao Qiang chuckled, an utterly harmless smile appearing on his chubby face. "There are thousands of survivors in our camp. We have the finest soldiers, countless firearms and ammunition. Do you think we harbor any improper motives toward you?"

"Then what do you want?" Qianxun asked, somewhat bewildered. According to Zhao Qiang's words, these people truly had no reason to make such a fuss over her alone.

"Remember where we came from? The Survivors' Alliance! Our alliance exists to rescue survivors trapped in the depths of misery." Guo Zijiang finally found an opportunity to chime in.

"It's not that dramatic." Zhao Qiang glared at Guo Zijiang and said, "We simply help the survivors we can help, to the best of our ability. If possible, we fully respect their own wishes, but your situation is too special. We can't just sit back and do nothing."

"Really?" Qianxun remained half-skeptical.

"If we really wanted to do something to you, do you think you'd have a chance?" Zhao Qiang maintained his signature smile, an expression that easily fostered a sense of approachability.

Qianxun glanced around. Everyone here looked much tougher than Zhao Qiang—solid muscles, sharp gazes, and a faint, lingering scent of blood emanating from them. Moreover, their seemingly casual stances had completely blocked off all her escape routes. Qianxun sighed. "They won't agree."

"How would you know if you don't try?" Zhao Qiang smiled.