Rotting Land: Survive

Watching the woman’s distant figure, Tang Xiaoquan’s face showed a sense of happiness that was hard to describe.

Meeting Wei Yang in the apocalypse was undoubtedly the thing he was most grateful to the heavens for.

As Wei Yang left, Tang Xiaoquan turned around, his gaze fell on the bus. Familiar faces looked blankly outside the vehicle.

"Sigh!" Tang Xiaoquan sighed helplessly, thinking that compared to him, his brothers were much more unfortunate.

Putting away his feelings of happiness, Tang Xiaoquan sorted out his emotions and started walking toward the bus.

Upon boarding, Old Lin and Zhang Zhicai were comforting He Jing in the rear seat.

Tang Xiaoquan waved a greeting, then proceeded to Wang Qiang’s seat.

After sitting down, he reached out and petted the small coal ball curled in Wang Qiang’s arms.

Coal ball obediently licked Tang Xiaoquan’s wrist with its tongue; Tang Xiaoquan was one of the few people who could enjoy such an honor.

"Qiang, we’ve arrived."

"Oh." Wang Qiang responded instinctively, still as if a walking corpse.

"It’s time to get off the bus."

"Oh." Once again mechanically responding, Wang Qiang remained motionless.

Tang Xiaoquan chuckled wryly, scratched his head, glanced at coal ball, and coal ball also peered back at him with its big eyes.

Tang Xiaoquan knew that patience was needed with Wang Qiang.

Once again, he smiled and repeated, "Qiang, my meaning is, we’ve arrived home, it’s time to get off."

"Mm."

"Let’s get off together then."

Speaking, Tang Xiaoquan stood up, giving way.

Wang Qiang naturally didn’t move, leaving Tang Xiaoquan with no choice but to pat his brother’s shoulder.

Feeling the movement on his shoulder, Wang Qiang inexplicably turned his head and asked, "Do you need something?"

Speechless! Tang Xiaoquan was slightly stunned for two seconds, thinking, well, it seems everything I said earlier was for naught.

Helplessly, Tang Xiaoquan could only repeat, "Come on, let’s get off the bus."

This time Wang Qiang finally acted, first putting coal ball on the ground, then standing up, and walked toward the bus door by himself.

Tang Xiaoquan followed closely behind, as for coal ball, it undoubtedly immediately wagged its tail and cheerfully chased after the two.

After getting off the bus, everyone waited for a while, until Old Lin and Zhang Zhicai settled He Jing, then everyone gathered in a circle in the middle of the road.

Old Xu counted heads, confirmed everything was correct, and divided the group into three teams.

One team, led by Old Zhao, included Wei Yang, Fangfang, He Jing, and other ladies, to go back to their rooms to rest.

For safety, Tang Xiaoquan, Wen Quanxin, Wang Qiang, Li Zhong, and Li Guo were tasked with escorting them.

The second team, led by Old Lin, would wander around the village in two cars with Hu Xiaodong, Bi Dahu, and Yue Guishan.

The remaining people were all part of the third team, personally commanded by Old Xu, who would lead everyone to thoroughly check each household in the village.

After all, the road’s safety is only apparent, and no one can guarantee there are no zombies or malicious people lurking inside, waiting to make their move.

What Old Xu must do next is to eliminate any potential hazards.

Only then can Xu Renjie be at ease.

"Okay, everyone understands the teams, right?"

"Understood!"

"Then Old Zhao, take the ladies back to the house first."

"Alright!"

"Old Lin, Xiao Hu, get on the cars, and continue with us later."

"No problem!"

After arranging the first two teams, Xu Renjie focused his attention on the remaining brothers.

"We need to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the village below, which concerns our future safety. I hope everyone will conduct thorough and complete inspections without overlooking any details. It’s getting late, let’s save time and split the teams. Sharp Blade Company soldiers form the first squad. The Archery Team and other brothers form the second squad. They will alternate in searching. Any issue encountered must be promptly reported. Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Good! Let’s start the operation."

With a command from Xu Renjie, the inspection team, relying on two vehicles, began the operation in a grand manner.

Compared to the tense atmosphere outside the house, inside the small house was filled with laughter and chatter.

"Wow, is this the ink wash painting Strong told us about?"

After being led to the designated resting spot by Old Zhao, Wen Quanxin took the lead, impatiently exploring the house.

His only goal was to find the legendary "Epic Scroll."

Hearing Wen Quanxin’s bustle, Wei Yang, supporting He Jing and accompanied by Fangfang, also curiously walked in.

Upon entering, everyone was immediately attracted by the green tone of the room’s walls.

Especially Fangfang, the little girl clapped her hands in excitement, danced while saying, "Wow, this room is so beautiful, I love this color. Um... Auntie Wei Yang, can I sleep here tonight?"

Looking at Fangfang’s expectant eyes, Wei Yang smiled and affectionately rubbed the little one’s head: "Of course, this room was specially prepared for Fangfang by Uncle Wang Qiang."

"Yay, that’s great, mom, mom, we can sleep in this room tonight."

Children are always easily satisfied, and the realization of her wishes made Fangfang embrace He Jing joyfully.

Perhaps affected by her daughter’s mood, He Jing’s previously shrinking and pale face from the bus was unusually lit up with a smile.

As if recalling something, Fangfang let go of her arms, then quickly walked outside.

As everyone wondered what Fangfang was doing, the little one pulled Wang Qiang from outside back in.

"Uncle Wang Qiang, Fangfang likes the wall you painted. Thank you, Uncle Wang Qiang."

As far as the eye could see, the entire view was green, and Wang Qiang suddenly felt his heart being pierced by a knife, the familiar scenes flashed quickly in his mind.

"Haha, you’ll know then."

"I’ll surprise you."

"You’ll definitely like it."

Laugh at myself, I’ve done so much for you, but what do you take me as? A spare tire to be used and discarded? Haha, I’m afraid I don’t even qualify as a spare tire.

"Uncle Wang Qiang, what’s wrong?"

Plunged into memories, Wang Qiang’s expression became increasingly distorted, making Fangfang a bit scared.

Wei Yang hurriedly pulled Fangfang into her arms, simultaneously, Tang Xiaoquan quickly stepped forward to push Wang Qiang out of the bedroom.

Desperate from the scenery as Wang Qiang got lost at that moment, Tang Xiaoquan indicated to himself that he had been careless.

"Qiang, how are you?"

"Qiang, are you all right?"

Wang Qiang sat inertly, didn’t reply.

Helpless, Tang Xiaoquan assisted him to sit on a bench.

Wen Quanxin came out of the house and seeing Wang Qiang’s despondent appearance, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Such a cheerful person, just for a woman, turned so dejected. Sigh~

"I say, Qiang, is it worth it? It’s such a small matter! We men really need to be..."

"Xiao Wen! Shut up!" Tang Xiaoquan reached out to pull Wen Quanxin, signaling him with angry eyes not to speak further.

What a joke, Wang Qiang is extremely emotionally fragile now, and although Wen Quanxin’s scolding is meant well, if it causes Wang Qiang to completely collapse, it will backfire. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote your recommendations, monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)