"Let's eat first," Asgi said. "You all need some rest. After dinner, we'll head out tomorrow."
Though Shao Ming could tell Asgi was itching to leave immediately, he agreed that venturing out into the pitch-black night was not a good idea.
Shao Ming knew that every extra day spent in Paris increased their danger, even with the city's military presence. Still, he admired Asgi for his composure—certainly better than Wellington, who had vanished who-knows-where.
"Where are we going?" Yamada Ryo asked.
"We're going to take back what the zombies stole from us," Shao Ming replied.
Asgi returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner, but after gathering all the ingredients, he carried them outside.
"Why is he taking everything outside?" Lambert asked, confused.
"He's out of gas for the stove," Yamada Ryo explained in heavily accented English, "so he's lighting a fire outside to cook."
Shao Ming shook his head. He tried his best to catch every word Yamada Ryo said, but her accent was truly challenging.
Gordon finally woke up, bringing relief to everyone, especially Feng Yusheng, who was overjoyed. However, the dog seemed slightly dumber after being unconscious for so long.
It was furiously shaking an old pillow in its mouth, ignoring everyone's attempts to calm it down. The once-majestic German Shepherd was acting more like a hyperactive Husky.
Feng Yusheng eventually pried the pillow from Gordon's jaws, only for the dog to sink its teeth into the sofa instead. After a struggle, they managed to settle Gordon down, and Feng Yusheng approached Shao Ming, who was inspecting an assault rifle.
"Are you okay?" Feng Yusheng asked.
Shao Ming thought to himself, I almost suffocated in an underwater tunnel, got grabbed by zombies, hit my head on a machine gun, and my hand still isn't healed...
But he simply replied, "I'm fine."
"You're not feeling dizzy anymore, right?" Feng Yusheng asked, concerned.
"Nope," Shao Ming said. "How about you?"
"Much better. It was a close call back there."
"Yeah," Shao Ming agreed, recalling the events in the tunnel. "I thought I was seeing my life flash before my eyes."
Feng Yusheng gently took Shao Ming's hand and began unwrapping the bandages. "I just want to say… thank you."
Shao Ming couldn't resist patting Feng Yusheng's head. "Thank me for what? You still owe me spicy hot pot and rabbit heads when we get back home."
Asgi's cooking was indeed exceptional, earning endless praise from the group. Even if it hadn't been, it was the first proper meal they'd had in weeks, and it tasted heavenly.
"You were a chef in the army, weren't you?" Lambert teased.
"The cooks in the army wish they had my skills," Asgi replied with a grin.
"Your English is really good," Feng Yusheng commented.
"So is yours," Asgi said, pointing to his patch. "See this? Special Forces."
Shao Ming sliced off a rabbit leg and placed it on Feng Yusheng's plate.
"Whoa, rabbit leg delivery," Lambert quipped. "I drove the train all the way here—where's mine?"
"Get lost," Shao Ming said flatly.
The group burst into laughter. It had been a long time since they'd felt such lightheartedness.
Shao Ming eventually brought everyone back to focus. "Alright, let's talk business."
"What's your plan?" he asked, snapping a squirrel leg in half and reluctantly biting into it. It was as unappetizing as it looked.
"I'll activate the air raid siren in Calais," Asgi said. "It'll attract every zombie within tens of kilometers."
"But the power's out," Feng Yusheng pointed out.
"That's a secret." Asgi put a finger to his lips. "Let's just say I've got an ace up my sleeve. All you need to know is that I'll buy you enough time to adjust the tracks and connect another train car."
"Good," Shao Ming said. "We'll move as soon as we hear the siren."
"I know what you're thinking," Asgi said. "Crossing Europe is a long and dangerous journey. You'll need me and my gun."
Shao Ming nodded. "From what we know, things are better back in our country. Joining us won't be a loss for you."
Gordon poked his head up from beside the table, drooling over the roasted rabbit.
"I know," Asgi said. "That's why I've already agreed, haven't I?"
After dinner, the sun dipped below the horizon. Asgi lit candles inside the house and drew all the curtains.
"If you need to wash up, there's a bucket of water behind the house," Asgi said. "The bedrooms are upstairs—one for the girls, one for us three."
Gordon circled around with a pillow in its mouth, as if asking, "What about me?"
Asgi patted the dog's head. "You, little guy, can sleep on the living room couch."
After tidying up, Asgi locked the front door. Yamada Ryo sat cross-legged on the couch with a bass guitar in her lap, singing softly. The deep, resonant bass notes paired with her gentle voice created a soothing atmosphere. The night quietly settled in with her melody.
The next morning, Shao Ming and Asgi began preparing their gear.
Asgi glanced at Shao Ming's L85A1 and sneered, "What a crappy rifle."
"Sure is. Got anything better?" Shao Ming asked.
Asgi went upstairs and returned with a sniper rifle. Its distinct design immediately caught Shao Ming's eye—it was an FR-F2, chambered for 7.62 NATO rounds with an effective range of 800 meters.
"Know how to use it?" Asgi asked.
Shao Ming held the sniper rifle with admiration. As a firearms enthusiast, he realized this journey was turning into a dream for gun lovers.
He unfolded the bipod, set the rifle on the table, and began adjusting the scope.
"Impressive," Asgi remarked. "Were you in the military?"
Shao Ming shook his head. "Just a VIP member at the Manchester Shooting Range."
"Then I suggest sticking to targets within 200 meters," Asgi advised. "This rifle is precise, but don't waste ammo."
"You're giving it to me?" Shao Ming asked excitedly.
"Loaning it," Asgi clarified. "Until you find a better long-range weapon than that shotgun and assault rifle."
Half an hour later, Shao Ming, Asgi, and Lambert stood outside the house.
"You two stay here with Gordon," Shao Ming told the two girls. "We'll come back for you once the train is safely relocated."
Asgi handed Yamada Ryo a folded piece of paper. "If I don't make it back from Calais, make sure to get this to my daughter."
"You will," Yamada Ryo said firmly. "I believe in you."