#30 - Chapter 30 Yan Fangfang's Regret and Compromise
In just ten-odd seconds, the situation took a sharp turn.
Of the five-person team, three were seriously injured.
At this moment, Yan Fangfang felt some regret.
But she couldn't afford to dwell on it.
She quickly sought cover, observing calmly.
A large, hulking zombie was heading towards them, pushing aside any obstacles in its path.
The cars it shoved aside crashed with loud, echoing thuds.
“Pew~.”
Yan Fangfang quickly fired, aiming for the behemoth's head.
Unfortunately, the laser struck the large zombie's forehead, emitting a puff of smoke, but not causing much damage.
The behemoth was getting closer and closer.
Only two people were still capable of fighting. There was no way the two of them could carry three seriously injured teammates to safety.
Yan Fangfang felt a bit desperate, at a loss.
Just then, the sound of gunfire, “Pew pew pew,” came from a distance, all aimed at the large zombie.
It was Zhang Ge's three teams arriving.
The continuous lasers fired from the laser guns converged, creating instantaneous high heat. In less than three seconds, they pierced through the large zombie's head.
After the behemoth fell, the team members quickly divided tasks, helping the three seriously injured individuals retreat. The others guarded the flanks, eliminating any stray zombies that approached.
… …
Underground base, medical area.
The three injured were undergoing treatment in the treatment room.
Yan Fangfang leaned against the wall outside the treatment room, head drooping, tears streaming down her face.
Dongfang Chen quickly walked over, looking at Zhang Yuankui beside him, and anxiously asked:
“How are they?”
Zhang Yuankui replied:
“They seem to have fractures. The impact was quite severe, but they're alive.”
Dongfang Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
However, such an incident occurring during the guard team's first mission would greatly affect morale.
Dongfang Chen looked down at Yan Fangfang, disheveled and tearful. He wanted to get angry, but inexplicably couldn't. He calmly said:
“Yan Fangfang, stand up!”
Yan Fangfang ignored him, still drooping her head, silently sobbing.
“Yan Fangfang, are you testing my patience?”
Seeing Yan Fangfang ignoring him, Dongfang Chen's temper flared up.
“If you want to die, go die far away. Don't die here!”
“What are you shouting for? What does it matter to you whether I live or die?” Yan Fangfang retorted angrily, standing up. She then wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand.
“I'm telling you! If it weren't for your special status, I wouldn't have sent people to save you! It's fine if you die, but please don't implicate others when you do!” Dongfang Chen pointed at her, gritting his teeth as he spoke.
“You! Fine, fine, fine! You all bring up my status. What's wrong with my status? Do you think I want this? If I had a choice, I'd rather be born into an ordinary family! Waaah ~” Yan Fangfang's emotions collapsed, and she squatted down, crying again.
With her personality, under normal circumstances, she would have already exploded with rage and stormed off. But this time was different. This time, it was indeed her fault that three teammates were seriously injured. Moreover, Dongfang Chen had a special status. If she just left, it would mean the potential cooperation between them would be completely ruined.
Therefore, both publicly and privately, she couldn't leave.
Dongfang Chen was probably the first person in a long time to raise his voice at her, not even her father had done that. What was even more frustrating was that she had to endure being scolded.
These factors combined led to her acting uncharacteristically and squatting down to cry after being wronged in this way.
“You!”
Seeing this scene, Dongfang Chen was a little flustered.
Even a god of slaughter would retreat in the face of a woman's tears.
After a minute of silence, Dongfang Chen sighed and said in a gentler tone:
“Yan Fangfang! From now on, you are no longer a member of the base's guard team, and you are also prohibited from going outside. After your three subordinates recover, leave together. My place is too small to accommodate a great Buddha like you!”
With that, Dongfang Chen turned and left.
“Dongfang Chen! Dongfang Chen, stop!”
Seeing Dongfang Chen leave, Yan Fangfang hurriedly stood up and shouted loudly.
But Dongfang Chen ignored her. He didn't even turn his head, and his pace didn't falter.
… …
At this time, many zombies had gathered outside the base, fiercely attacking the walls and gates.
This was the first time the base had been attacked.
To prevent the gates from being breached, the guard team members were divided into four groups, guarding the east, south, west, and north gates respectively.
Seeing Dongfang Chen walking over, Ling Zhenhai, who was guarding the east gate, walked over and shouted loudly:
“Boss, why are you here?”
He had to shout, as the massive gate was being slammed and rattled. Combined with the roars of the massive number of zombies, the mixed sound was deafening.
“Just came to take a look. Let's go, up to the wall.” Dongfang Chen also shouted loudly.
Ling Zhenhai nodded and followed Dongfang Chen up the wall via the side staircase that had been set aside.
The wind on the wall was very cold and strong.
The people standing on the wall seemed very small.
Looking down from above, dozens of zombies had gathered at the gate. They kept pushing forward, baring their fangs and claws. They looked like a group of starving people scrambling for food. There were also a few scattered zombies trying to climb up the wall, but none of them succeeded.
Dongfang Chen wasn't flustered, just quietly watching. He also occasionally glanced into the distance.
Ling Zhenhai and the others followed beside him, also not saying much, just standing there.
“Hoo~”
Ten minutes later, Dongfang Chen took a deep breath. He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed:
“Xiao Lin, start.”
Then, he hung up the phone.
“Boss, what is this… …?” Ling Zhenhai asked doubtfully.
“It's nothing, just watch.” Dongfang Chen replied simply, not explaining.
Ling Zhenhai didn't say anything more, quietly waiting.
In about a minute or two, the situation outside the wall changed.
The zombies stopped attacking the gate and instead scattered in all directions, creating a chaotic scene. But because the wall was high and the light was dim, it was difficult to see clearly.
Soon, the zombies began to lie down, unmoving. In about five minutes, the scene became completely quiet.
“Alright, let's go back.” Dongfang Chen said.
Ling Zhenhai looked shocked and puzzled.
What was going on?
What happened?
Why were all the zombies dead?
“Boss, can I go out and take a look?” Ling Zhenhai hesitated for a moment, then asked.
“Oh? Sure, go ahead.” Dongfang Chen replied, then returned to the underground base on his own.
Ling Zhenhai and his group opened the gate and walked out.
Nothing! There was nothing!
Besides some faint scratches and secretions visible on the ground and walls, and the lingering stench of decay in the air, there was nothing else. It was as if the zombies had never been there at all.
“Where are the zombies?”
Everyone wondered.
The guard team members in the other three directions were in the same situation.
What happened?
Why did the zombies disappear for no reason?
Everyone looked at each other, all with confused expressions.
Dongfang Chen returned to his office, where Yan Fangfang was waiting at the door.
No one could enter the office except Dongfang Chen.
“Where did you go?” Yan Fangfang asked.
“What? Miss Yan, do I need to report my whereabouts to you?” Dongfang Chen retorted.
“Ah? No, no, no!” Yan Fangfang cowered, waving her hands hastily.
She had to cower! Dongfang Chen had the antigen, the life-saving medicine that could save countless lives. Moreover, if they could cooperate, it could bring significant political capital to her family. Therefore, Dongfang Chen must not be offended. For this reason, after a complex internal struggle, Yan Fangfang chose to lower her head.
Although she was somewhat arrogant and had the temper of a young mistress, it was undeniable that she had an innocent, life-saving heart. If it were only for the benefit of her family, she might have chosen not to compromise and then leave. But in order to allow more people to survive, she had to make sacrifices.
Perhaps, a person's growth begins with the first time they lower their head.
