Having acquired two vehicles simultaneously, Ye Fan felt an eagerness to return home. While he possessed the ability to drive, the absence of a license and limited road experience, coupled with the current intricate city environment, dissuaded him from personally taking the wheel.
"Can you all drive?" Ye Fan inquired.
"Sir, every soldier can drive ordinary vehicles, but their driving skills are average. Your warriors are slightly better at driving them, but not mining trucks," Xu Haoran, the platoon's sole scout with exemplary driving skills, clarified.
Ye Fan scrutinized Xu Haoran and questioned, "Can you drive this mining truck?"
"It's okay, sir. Not to mention driving a mining truck, I have no problem even flying a plane," the red police soldier replied confidently.
"It's okay for me to hit you," Ye Fan retorted with a smirk.
Xu Haoran, seemingly in awe, commented, "Sir, you are too strong." The unwavering trust Red Police soldiers placed in Ye Fan made such expressions more genuine than complimentary.
After a brief survey of his subordinates, Ye Fan appointed Wang Hu as his driver, considering his superior intelligence and skills as a corporal. Xu Haoran, possessing the requisite skills, naturally assumed the role of the mining truck driver.
Since the mining vehicle required a dedicated machine gunner, Ye Fan designated Army soldier Luo Fei for the task. Acknowledging Luo Fei's shooting prowess, Ye Fan instructed him to use the Bayi gun initially, focusing on raising his star. Once out of bullets, he could seamlessly transition to the mining truck's machine gun.
The mining truck's cab accommodated only two individuals, prompting Ye Fan to decide against having soldiers in the back compartment due to safety concerns. The hazardous environment and potential threats from zombies and mutant beasts rendered this arrangement impractical.
As the soldiers boarded their designated vehicles, Ye Fan, situated in the second row, had Qian Xiaobing by his side for added protection. The remaining soldiers occupied the erected benches at the back, with Xiaotian, the mutated dog, accompanying the Dongfeng Warrior.
With the seating arrangement finalized, Ye Fan revisited his rental house, collecting the accumulated items—mainly non-perishable food, which he stowed in the mining truck's compartment. Contemplating the vast storage space, Ye Fan proposed revisiting the supermarket once more before departing.
Given the abundance of food in the supermarket and the limited consumption by survivors, Ye Fan recognized the imminent spoilage of provisions. Xu Haoran initiated the mining truck, accompanied by Wang Hu in the Dongfeng Warrior, as they ventured toward the supermarket.
A fleeting glance at his rental house stirred a sense of nostalgia in Ye Fan. The abrupt conclusion of his college life marked the end of an era. Despite harboring a desire to establish a base in the provincial capital, H City, he prioritized the search for his family.
"Let's go, get out of here," Ye Fan declared as the convoy embarked on its journey.
In the supermarket, a group of survivors voiced their discontent, particularly Lili's boyfriend, who confidently asserted that the military would eventually come to their rescue. Dismissing claims that the soldiers weren't from the army, he anticipated a counterattack against zombies in the coming days.
Outside, a distinctive noise stirred anticipation. The grinding of metal tracks and subsequent footsteps marked the arrival of a substantial force. Lili's boyfriend, fueled by excitement, believed it to be a tank, envisaging a rescue operation.
However, their expectations were shattered upon witnessing a massive unfamiliar vehicle and a military green SUV. Ye Fan's team disembarked, and he swiftly directed them to collect materials from the supermarket. Despite Lili's boyfriend labeling them as bandits, Ye Fan ignored the accusation.
Addressing the survivors, Ye Fan assured them of a month's worth of food and urged self-reliance in the face of the impending apocalypse. Unfazed by Lili's boyfriend's anger, Ye Fan focused on the task at hand.
Having efficiently loaded the mining truck with essentials, Ye Fan signaled for his team to leave. As they exited, Lili's boyfriend, still fuming, attempted to assert his position but found himself powerless.
Ye Fan, savoring a box of Cordyceps sinensis cigarettes, contemplated the smell of high-quality tobacco, pondering the implications of this new reality. Finishing half a cigarette, he discarded the remainder and boarded the mining truck.
"Let's go, get out of the city!" Ye Fan commanded, prompting Xu Haoran to start the mining truck, which roared to life and navigated the congested streets ahead.