The Poly Villa district is located on a small island in City B, a villa island surrounded by the sea, picturesque, if not for the zombies littering everywhere.
There was only one way in, a long bridge, its surface piled high with zombie corpses. The RV had to crush these bodies to enter the villa district.
Gu Qing endured the nausea and drove on, tires crushing the dead as the RV swayed unsteadily across the bridge.
Upon entering the villa district, the ground was clean and tidy, with not a single zombie in sight on the roads. Despite it being broad daylight, the silence was unnervingly profound.
Xu Qian opened a map. The map indicated that the inhabitants of these villas were all alive. Though not many, there were no zombies. A hint of surprise flickered in her eyes. Were the zombies outside meant to protect this cluster of villas?
Number 201 was a two-story detached villa. From outside the door, one could see many small pink flowers growing in the garden.
Xu Qian politely rang the doorbell.
Soon, a man rushed out, his face beaming with joy.
"Xiao Ya..." Cheng Liangze opened the door and, seeing the four attractive individuals outside, was briefly startled before quickly regaining his composure.
"May I ask what brings you here?"
The man before them was young, perhaps around twenty. He possessed handsome features and a striking appearance, and was tall, slightly taller than Gu Qing. Dark circles underscored his eyes, and the stubble on his chin made him look disheveled.
Li Lili's eyes were slightly red. She dared not call out his name directly. They hadn't seen each other in a long time, and she wondered if "Brother Liangze" still recognized her.
Xu Qian's expression remained unchanged, her tone level, "Are you Cheng Yaqiu's brother?"
"Yes." A spark ignited in Cheng Liangze's eyes, and he asked cautiously, "Do you have any news?"
Xu Qian's eyebrows flickered. The light in his eyes made it difficult for her to speak.
"Cheng Yaqiu is dead. She asked me to tell you not to look for her at school."
Her voice was cool, but her words were chilling.
Cheng Liangze's eyes turned red, and he shoved Xu Qian hard. "What nonsense are you spouting? My sister isn't dead!" His eyes were bloodshot, and a thin layer of sorrow spread across them. He refused to believe this woman was talking nonsense; it simply couldn't be true. His sister must be alive.
Xu Qian stumbled back a step from the shove.
Mei Yuebai's thin lips pressed together, a flicker of gloom crossing his long eyes. He put an arm around Xu Qian's waist, shielding her.
Xu Qian didn't mind his push. When a loved one dies, it's natural to be unable to accept it immediately.
Her face remained indifferent, like a snow lotus on a mountaintop. "Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. I have delivered her message. Please relay it to others."
As Xu Qian was about to get back into the car, a clear male voice called out to her.
"How did Xiao Ya die?"
She turned, a glint in her eyes. The man wore a black police uniform and black boots. He was tall and robust, with a buzz cut. His eyebrows were like ink, and he had a pair of peach blossom eyes that didn't match his appearance.
"She was bitten by a zombie on the neck and infected. Before she turned, I put her down."
Cheng Liangze's eyes turned cold, and he gritted his teeth. "You killed my sister. I'm going to kill you and avenge Xiao Ya." He swiftly drew a gun from his waist and pointed it at Xu Qian's forehead.
The moment Cheng Liangze drew his gun, Mei Yuebai had already produced his own and was aiming it at Cheng Liangze. Gu Qing, not to be outdone, trembled slightly as he raised his handgun. He had never used a gun before, but for his angel, he was willing to try!
Cheng Liangqing's eyes were cold as he shouted, "Cheng Liangze, put the gun down!"
"Brother..." Cheng Liangze's tears streamed down his face in despair. He yelled, "Xiao Ya is dead."
Even with a gun pressed to her forehead, Xu Qian's expression remained unchanged.
Her dark eyes narrowed. Seizing the moment of his emotional turmoil, she swiftly moved, grabbing his gun and twisting it with precise force. The gun was now in her hand.
Cheng Liangze stared, stunned. He had served for three years and couldn't even contend with a young girl?
Cheng Liangqing let out a sigh of relief and explained, "I apologize. My brother was impulsive. May I ask where Xiao Ya's body is?"
"Your sister asked me to inform you that she didn't want you to look for her. That's all I have to say. We'll meet again if fate allows."
Xu Qian returned the gun to him, nodded at them, and said, "Put your guns away. Let's go."
The two men complied and holstered their weapons.
Cheng Liangqing strode forward and blocked Xu Qian's path. "May I speak with you privately?" His tall figure almost completely enveloped Xu Qian.
Mei Yuebai immediately stepped to the side, blocking Xu Qian, and looked directly at Cheng Liangqing.
Xu Qian frowned and instructed, "You guys wait for me in the car."
Mei Yuebai turned, leaned down slightly, his eyes darkening. His usual languid gaze held a hint of aggression.
Xu Qian frowned and quietly squeezed his arm.
"Alright, let's get in the car!"
A pair of somber eyes stared intently at the two through the car window.
"Speak."
He was tall, and the significant height difference made Cheng Liangqing feel it was disrespectful to look down at her. He slightly bent his back, his attitude very sincere, his beautiful peach blossom eyes fixed on her.
"I am Cheng Liangqing. My brother was a bit impulsive, and I apologize on his behalf. I'm truly sorry, but I desperately want to know where Xiao Ya's body is so we can give her a proper burial. I hope you can understand our feelings."
Xu Qian lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes. Although she had no interest in men now, in her past life, she had a weakness for men with this kind of looks, and it was a bit overwhelming.
"Cheng Yaqiu is at the main entrance downstairs the male dormitory building, covered with a white cloth."
"Okay, thank you."
Cheng Liangqing straightened up, his peach blossom eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Xu Qian felt a pang of sympathy. With thousands of zombies in the university and tens of thousands in the university town, retrieving the body would be no easy feat.
[Ding, Reward Mission Activated: Assist Cheng Liangqing in collecting Cheng Yaqiu's body from F University. Reward: 300 points. This is an optional mission. Please choose.]
[300 points? Did I hear that right?]
The main storyline missions rewarded 5 points, and a reward mission offered 300 points?
[Ding, you heard correctly. Reward missions are explosive rewards.]
F University had far too many zombies; she couldn't even guarantee her own safety. However, 300 points was too tempting. She still owed 150 points.
[Accept.]
"How about this, we'll set off at midnight tonight, and I'll go with you."
Cheng Liangqing's brows furrowed. He scanned Xu Qian's small frame from head to toe. Her ability to reach City B from City F unharmed indicated she was capable, but he decided to go alone. If he died, he would die with Xiao Ya; if he lived, he would bring Xiao Ya back.
He opened his lips to refuse but was interrupted.
Xu Qian's expression remained indifferent, but her tone was resolute. "I promised her I wouldn't let you go adventuring alone."
A hint of surprise flickered in Cheng Liangqing's peach blossom eyes, and his handsome, rugged face flushed slightly.
"Alright. Don't tell my brother; I don't want him to know."
"And you don't tell my teammates; I don't want my personal matters involving them."
"What... is your name?"
"Xu Qian."
After reaching an agreement, Xu Qian returned to the car. Gu Qing was about to start the engine.
"Let's find a villa here to rest for the night and set off tomorrow."
A flicker of doubt crossed Mei Yuebai's eyes. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat, staring intently at Xu Qian.
Gu Qing grinned and stretched. "Finally, a real bed!"
Hearing their conversation, Cheng Liangqing's peach blossom eyes lit up. He pointed to the small villa next door. "Xu Qian, this villa is unoccupied. You can stay here tonight."
"Alright, thank you."
The four entered the villa and parked the car. This villa was also a two-story small villa, not very large, with four rooms. Each person casually chose one to stay in.
A hint of cunning flashed in Xu Qian's eyes. "Let's rest for a while, and have a barbecue tonight."
"Yay!" Gu Qing jumped up excitedly. While the self-heating hot pot was delicious, they were all tired of it after two days.
A shrewd glint appeared in Li Lili's eyes. She smiled and asked, "Should we invite them over to join us?" She gestured to the villa next door.
"If they're willing."
Li Lili's phoenix eyes narrowed into slits. "Okay, I'll go invite them later!" Finally, an opportunity to get close to "Brother Liangze"...
Mei Yuebai put his hands in his pockets and leaned close to Xu Qian's ear, asking softly, "What were you talking about just now?"
"About his sister's situation."
"Really?"
"Do you think I would discuss anything else with a man I just met? Go upstairs and sleep!"
"Yes, Mistress Xi."