Ji Haoyan hastily stood up and rushed downstairs. He saw corpses scattered everywhere, people kneeling before their loved ones, wailing and crying.
"It wasn't intentional…"
"I'm sorry!"
"We struggled so hard to survive, how could you die…"
Ji Haoyan froze in place. How could so many people have died?
"They were controlled by the mutated beings and killed each other. By the time I arrived, many had already died."
He trudged through the crowd with heavy steps, his face pale.
Xu Qian followed behind him, reminding him in a low voice, "If you stay here, there might be a second attack. Why not listen to me and move to Hope Base?"
Ji Haoyan paused, then continued walking.
"Ji Haoyan, if you don't agree, I won't waste any more time. There are other bases waiting for our rescue."
Ji Haoyan was startled and turned his head slightly. He asked hoarsely, "Are other bases also under attack?"
"Of course, most bases in G Province have been attacked. My purpose in coming here is to bring you back to Hope Base."
Ji Haoyan was silent for a moment, then quietly agreed.
"I agree, but we'll need some time to organize."
If staying in the base meant sacrificing others, he would rather merge bases.
"No problem."
Xu Qian picked up her walkie-talkie and instructed, "Groups 1 to 3 will stay at West Lake Base to assist. The rest will come with me to the next base."
"Understood."
Ji Haoyan looked down, not speaking. He still couldn't accept it.
She patted his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Boss Ji, a change of environment might yield unexpected results."
Ji Haoyan didn't pay much attention to Xu Qian's words.
As long as people could survive, that was enough.
Xu Qian, knowing what would happen in a few years, knew that Ji Haoyan was one of the Ten Great Powers. With the merging of bases, Hope Base would gain a significant asset. His position would be very high.
After giving instructions, Xu Qian led her team to the next base.
Hexin Base.
She had also delivered ice to Hexin Base before. Hexin Base was a medium-small sized base with about three to four hundred people at the time.
Hexin Base was located in a small factory, comprised of a small office building and ground-level workshops.
At that time, the person in charge, Li Hexin, had said he would come out to thank her specially. However, she was in a hurry and left without waiting for him.
As they approached Hexin Base, the main gate was tightly shut. There was no one outside, and no sound.
Xu Qian narrowed her eyes and opened her active map.
It shouldn't be like this.
They had confirmed that Hexin Base had been attacked before coming.
The map popped up in her mind. There wasn't a single green person, nor a single red person.
Xu Qian's heart skipped a beat. Had they come too late?
She zoomed out on the active map, trying to see if there were any survivors around.
But she found that apart from their group, there were no other living people in other locations.
Everyone was dead?
Xu Qian's expression darkened. She picked up her walkie-talkie and instructed, "Everyone, stay in the vehicle. I'll go down to scout."
"Understood."
He Yueyue also wanted to get out of the car but was stopped by Xu Qian.
"Don't get out. There's definitely something strange inside. You take the driver's seat. If anything happens, drive them away immediately."
He Yueyue was stunned and asked softly, "What about you?"
"Don't worry, I can escape."
Xu Qian had already anticipated that there would be something strange inside.
Song Xiaoping, though in E Province, had orchestrated this entire scene perfectly. He just wanted to force her to return obediently.
But how could she go back?