Chapter Eighty-One

Soon, the airport was engulfed in a hail of gunfire that crackled like beans popping, only to subside swiftly into silence. Peng Sha knew all too well that these beasts disguised as men had engaged the soldiers guarding the perimeter. The defenders, scarce in ammunition and weakened by prolonged malnutrition, were no match for the well-armed, well-fed savages.

In no time, a shifty, rat-faced fellow hurried over, muttered a few words into Li Zixin’s ear, and Li Zixin nodded, his smile growing broader. The rat-faced man’s expression changed instantly; he shuffled forward, dropped to his knees before Li Zixin, and knocked his head against the floor repeatedly, begging for mercy.

“A bunch of useless trash, worthless fools. Well, I’m in a good mood today. Hurry up, tell the others to move fast and get the job done right,” Li Zixin waved dismissively. These fools, fully equipped yet sent to deal with barely a dozen starving, poorly armed soldiers, had lost seven or eight men themselves—and worse yet, let one escape. Still, with zombies everywhere outside, a lone survivor wouldn’t make much difference. It seemed he needed to train these dogs more thoroughly in the future.

The rat-faced man kept begging, but Li Zixin grew irritated watching him. Still, he needed these underlings, and reckless slaughter could drive them mad—a risk he couldn’t afford. “Before I change my mind, get out of here!” Li Zixin kicked him over, sending him sprawling. The rat-faced man scrambled away, paying no mind to his bruised head or his streaming tears and snot, retreating backward out the door.

Li Zixin didn’t spare a glance for his own men; he lifted his wine glass and sipped, enjoying the fine, unadulterated red wine. “Sister-in-law, forgive me for the spectacle. These people are hopelessly unreliable.”

Peng Sha sat at the other end of the dining table, flanked by two hulking guards. Escape was impossible; she could only sit quietly, refusing even to acknowledge the beast in fine clothing before her. The recent events had revealed Li Zixin’s true nature. The airport’s last hope had vanished. If I die, he will surely avenge me!

In the airport terminal, survivors were herded at gunpoint, bayonets gleaming, and forcibly divided into three groups: young women, able-bodied men, and the elderly with children. The children, terrified, stared with wide eyes; many wrenched from their mothers’ arms, wailed uncontrollably. The elderly held them close, murmuring comfort, faces etched with helplessness and despair, tears streaming from aged eyes. The men’s faces burned with rage and fear, while the women looked perpetually anxious, as if disaster might strike at any moment.

Bodies lay scattered on the floor—some soldiers, some ordinary survivors. These were the brave souls who had dared to resist in the initial chaos, standing against their cruel foes to protect loved ones or companions. Fueled by passion, they had charged with nothing but flesh and blood, but the wolves cared nothing for them. A storm of bullets felled every one.

The bodies were still warm; fresh blood pooled on the ground. The wolves’ brutality had shocked the others into submission. No one dared resist. The bandits strode through the crowd, boots stained with blood, eyes lingering shamelessly on the curves of young women, faces twisted in lecherous grins.

…

“Come on, brothers, just one more load and we’re home,” Zhao Qiang shouldered a massive bundle, grinning with ease.

Cai Jiashu and several soldiers bustled back and forth, chatting and laughing as they hauled goods. The zombies wandering outside the supermarket were of no concern. Hearing Zhao Qiang’s words, Cai Jiashu laughed, “Zhao, every time I go out with you, the haul is never small.” For convenience, they had parked the armored truck right at the supermarket entrance. The wide-open rear compartment was already packed with all kinds of food.

Cai Jiashu was the type who couldn’t go a day without a fight—if he wasn’t out on a mission, he grew restless. The prison’s two squads alternated operations; when it was his turn, he was delighted, but when it was the other’s, he grumbled incessantly. Each mission, Cai Jiashu served as commander, unable to charge into battle as he pleased, which frustrated him. Yet, despite his complaints, he always completed his tasks efficiently.

Outside, more and more zombies were gathering. The truck was nearly full, and the small supermarket had been stripped bare. The soldiers were in position, the signal to retreat had already been given. Zhao Qiang stood at the rear of the truck, waiting for the sniper on overwatch to return before heading home.

He stood at the tailgate, thoughts swirling. The squad had been active for some time now; as days passed, their teamwork had become flawless. Amid the zombie hordes, their six-man team moved as if unchallenged. Even the powerful Crushers could be dispatched in under a minute. Survival skills had improved dramatically. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he could finally set out to search for his wife.

All this time, he wondered how Peng Sha was faring. He’d been so busy, he hadn’t had a chance to look for her, and the longer it dragged on, the slimmer her chances of survival became. Then there was Zou Lin—except for missions and bathroom breaks, the girl was never far from his side, sitting at his bedside every night, reluctant to leave.

Zhao Qiang wasn’t oblivious; he knew Zou Lin’s feelings. But in this world, he had no hope for the future. Who knew when a mission might go wrong and he’d die in the streets? Besides, Peng Sha was still missing. If he gave in to Zou Lin, how could he face his wife if she ever returned? What would become of Zou Lin then?

He was not a cold man; in that regard, there was no issue. Since the family dispute erupted, he hadn’t been with a woman for months. Zou Lin was understanding; her background wasn’t the best, but since she’d joined him, every act had come from the heart. Zhao Qiang wasn’t made of stone—how could he not be moved? Yet reason told him not to ruin her future. Each time, he forced himself to send her away from his room.

He glanced at his watch. Something was off. It had been five minutes since the signal was sent, but the sniper on the roof was silent. Trouble! Zhao Qiang slapped the truck’s side, shouting, “Everyone out! Stay alert!”

Cai Jiashu sensed it too. In the distance, a horde of zombies was moving in the opposite direction from the supermarket—a strange anomaly he’d already noticed. On Zhao Qiang’s command, he grabbed his gun and led his team back inside.

“What’s happening?” Zhao Qiang had reached the sniper’s position, raising his binoculars to peer in the indicated direction.