Guo Yuan stared at Shen Chen in bewilderment. He couldn't understand why Shen Chen had decided to leave with people they barely knew.
Ye Xiaoyu, on the other hand, was somewhat puzzled. Standing behind Shen Chen, it seemed to her as if he were trying to suppress something. She could see his hand quiver as he wielded the blade. Ye Xiaoyu couldn't help but wonder if Shen Chen was still feeling some kind of bodily discomfort.
As for Ye Tianlong, he had a joyous expression on his face! He quickly nodded in response, saying, "Wonderful! It's great that Master is coming along with us. I own a mini-mart, so I still have a lot of food supplies. You're welcome to join us…" He was so happy that he was babbling incoherently. Coupled with his honest-looking face, one couldn't help but take a shine to him.
Shen Chen's response was a stark contrast. He simply said flatly, "Let's go."
Thanks to Shen Chen, the way back to their place was pretty uneventful. Ye Tianlong mentioned having assembled a team; in actual fact, he had already gathered forty to fifty people. Despite the fact that he owned a mini-mart, it still came as a surprise to Shen Chen that he was feeding that many people.
They resided in a six-story building. The first floor was full of abandoned furniture that was arranged to serve as a barricade. The second and third floors were divided into male and female dormitories, and the fourth, five, and sixth floors were secured with a metal fence, since they had no use for it at the moment.
When the forty-odd people saw that Ye Tianlong had returned, they all swarmed up to him happily. "Boss Ye, you're back!"
"Did you guys manage to get the medicine?"
"You guys have worked hard!"
It was noisy, but pleasantly so, just the way a family would be. There were no traces of tension in the air. The only exception was a young lady running toward them, asking, "Boss, why isn't my brother back yet?"
Ye Tianlong, Wu Fan, and Zhou Xiaobo's faces crumpled. Nobody said anything. Realizing that something was wrong, tears welled up in the girl's beautiful eyes. She covered her face and ran away.
Ye Tianlong said apologetically with a tinge of sadness, "Fatty…"
Before he could finish speaking, someone promptly consoled him, saying, "Boss Ye, don't be too sad…"
"Given how things are, it's hard to tell when someone will die…"
"Exactly. I was in the first batch of survivors. People have been dying everyday for the past ten days. This is the apocalypse, boss. Everything is up to fate. Don't be too upset!"
Ye Tianlong smiled wryly as he shook his head. He mustered as much cheer as he could and beckoned Shen Chen and the rest to come over. "By the way, let me introduce you guys. These are the people I met today!"
Everyone cheered, "Ooh, there are new additions!"
"Boss Sun has been pining for new members. To think we got three in one fell swoop. Our family is becoming bigger and stronger!"
Ye Tianlong gestured, "Guys, don't talk nonsense. This guy is an expert. Had it not been for this Master, the three of us wouldn't have made it back. Oh, yeah, even the fever medicine was a gift from him!"
The crowd looked curiously at Shen Chen and the other two. They had thought that these three people, who looked like college kids, were from the first batch of survivors just like themselves, people who had been rescued by Boss Ye. To their surprise, these people were his saviors instead? How could that be possible?
They looked at each other in dismay, but seeing that Ye Tianlong had introduced them with so much respect, they quickly greeted them with enthusiasm. "Hi, Master!"
"How old are you, Sir? This blade looks so sharp!"
Shen Chen observed these friendly people. They seemed genuine, and instead of an expression of fear on their faces, they appeared to have one of hope and optimism. With huge smiles, they welcomed the three of them with food and water. Someone even drew a bath for them.
Their actions warmed Ye Xiaoyu and Guo Yuan's hearts, especially Ye Xiaoyu's. Her memory of rescuing Zhao Zhen remained fresh in her mind. The survivors from the cardroom owned by the fatty were definitely not as optimistic as the ones under Ye Tianlong. This Ye Tianlong must be a good man!
The jovial atmosphere was contagious. Before long, Ye Xiaoyu starting chatting merrily with a few girls, who told her things like "You're so brave!" and "It's so scary out there! How do you do it?!"
Even Guo Yuan, who was usually reserved around strangers, was smiling sheepishly at the uncles patting his shoulder.
Only Shen Chen remained silent, deep in contemplation. How many years had it been since he had seen a group of survivors like this? If his memory served him well, such a harmonious sight had never appeared during the apocalypse in his past life.
Shen Chen gazed at Ye Tianlong with an unfathomable expression on his face. Ye Tianlong got someone to pass the medication to the sick person, then comforted the girl, Xiao Li, who had just lost her brother.
The look in Shen Chen's eyes was indescribable. Ye Tianlong could sense someone watching him, but when he looked up, all he saw was everyone crowding around Shen Chen, asking him questions. There were even grandmas asking him whether he was seeing anyone. Ye Tianlong smiled and shook his head, figuring that maybe he was being too sensitive. He lowered his head just as Shen Chen looked over, so he didn't pick up on it. Shen Chen had a murderous look in his eyes!
Ye Xiaoyu saw it, but the look quickly softened as soon as they made eye contact. Shen Chen smiled at Ye Xiaoyu and joined the rest in conversation, but Ye Xiaoyu looked at Shen Chen doubtfully, then at Ye Tianlong.
Shen Chen seemed to distrust Ye Tianlong. Had something happened between the two of them? Ye Xiaoyu furrowed her brows. She suddenly came to the realization that Shen Chen might have an ulterior motive for coming back with Ye Tianlong.
Night had fallen, and everyone was having hotpot. Ye Tianlong even opened a few cans of beer. The first glass of beer was poured onto the floor in remembrance of Fatty Li. Xiao Li's eyes reddened at the mention of her deceased brother.
The atmosphere soon livened up, and everyone ate and drank with abandon. Someone even made a dirty joke or two, causing the girls to giggle.
Shen Chen furrowed his brows. How long would a group like this survive? They had no sense of danger; even if there were security doors installed, such rowdiness and merry-making would surely attract the zombies.
Ye Xiaoyu came over with a beer and sat next to Shen Chen. With her face red from the alcohol and a white sweater on her, she looked somewhat like a bunny.
As she sat down slowly, there was a whiff of fragrance in the air. Shen Chen couldn't help but take a second glance at her. He then put some distance between them and picked up a can of beer nonchalantly.
There was a blush on Ye Xiaoyu's cheeks. Clearing her throat, she said to him, "This… feels pretty good."
Shen Chen mumbled in response, "You like it here?"