Chapter 35: Chapter 35: A Strange Atmosphere (Part 2)
Regarding the matter between Du Huang, Tang Xiaoquan didn’t pursue it any further, nor did he even ask. The reason was simple:
He’s not someone who indulges in gossip;
Moreover, if Huang Yaru was indeed as he expected, having had something happen with Du Jian, the result would be something he was happy to see.
After all, compared to Wang Qiang, Tang Xiaoquan would rather see the vixen seduce Du Jian.
Because if that were the case, he would have the opportunity to be rid of this annoying woman, since they would eventually separate from Du Jian, and Huang Yaru following Du Jian would naturally go along with him.
So Tang Xiaoquan would not only not interfere in their relationship, but would actively try to facilitate it.
Unfortunately, things don’t always go as one wishes. Perhaps Du Jian’s jinxing words were coming true; Huang Yaru’s cough worsened over time, truly seeming like a cold.
So she simply went to bed to sleep later on.
And with Huang Yaru’s departure, the entire rented room seemed to fall into a strange atmosphere.
Wang Qiang was pondering why the woman was so cold to him today.
The big man leaned silently against the wall, savoring last night’s flirtation.
As for Acheng, he was idly zoning out due to boredom.
Instead, Tang Xiaoquan was diligently planning the imminent life-and-death escape.
Time quickly passed as everyone sat silently with their own thoughts, and in a flash, the sun hanging high above had lost its color.
Once again, night enveloped the land.
Dinner was still rice, the only difference being that Wang Qiang added a suitable amount of plain water.
Consequently, the rice became porridge.
The biggest advantage of porridge is that a small amount of rice can be cooked into a full pot.
For survivors lacking food and resources, this is undoubtedly a cost-effective cooking method.
Huang Yaru did not miss this dinner. Though she looked terrible, she likely understood the principle of seizing the opportunity, so despite the severe cold, she insisted on appearing before everyone.
The porridge was divided into three portions as usual, King Tang, the big man uncle-nephew, and Huang Yaru each received a share.
As everyone ate, Tang Xiaoquan elaborated on the escape plan he had considered for the whole day.
After all, the three-day deadline was nearing, and their rice supply was about to run out.
So it’s indeed time to put the escape plan on the agenda.
Tang Xiaoquan divided the entire escape plan into three steps:
Step one: Create noise to divert the zombies in the stairway as much as possible.
Step two: Block the zombies in the next room.
Finally: Use the big man’s van, normally used for electrical work, to escape the neighborhood.
These three steps complement each other; each is crucial, and any mistake could cost everyone their lives.
So everyone dared not slack off, expressing their views and engaging in intense discussion about potential doubts.
Finally, with the joint efforts of the five, a relatively detailed and reliable action plan was devised.
Naturally, the responsibility for the action fell unequivocally on Tang Xiaoquan.
Tang Xiaoquan could only smile helplessly at this.
People often say that capable ones do more work, but Tang Xiaoquan, who just stepped into society, didn’t think he had a high level of capability.
In terms of experience, he considered himself inferior to Du Jian;
In terms of means, he was not as good as Huang Yaru;
Physically, he similarly couldn’t compare to Wang Qiang.
So, from any perspective, he didn’t seem to be the suitable candidate for this heavy responsibility.
However, he didn’t realize that it was precisely his repeated planning, suggestions, and directing that gradually made everyone see him as the team’s core, soul, and even brain.
After the meal, everyone drank water to satiety, took a short rest, and then, like the previous night, returned early to their rooms.
Due to the lesson from the big man’s negligence last night, Tang Xiaoquan naturally adopted a shift system for the night watch tonight.
He was responsible for the first shift of the night, from 8 PM to midnight.
And Wang Qiang was responsible for the second shift, until dawn.
However, something puzzled Tang Xiaoquan greatly; the man seemed not to have any intention of sleeping.
Because a whole hour had passed since everyone left, yet Du Jian remained in the living room, chatting aimlessly, obviously with something on his mind.
But since the other party didn’t speak, Tang Xiaoquan couldn’t inquire, so he accompanied him in chatting about topics off the beaten path.
Initially, he hoped that as the conversation progressed, the other party would slowly reveal his mind.
But who would have thought, the man disappeared without a trace after going to the toilet.
So, where did the man go?
Undoubtedly, naturally to Huang Yaru’s fragrant abode.
After all, a 40-year-old man, in his prime, with his wife far away for so long, suddenly enjoying pleasure last night, naturally would crave such things.
In fact, since the morning he saw Huang Yaru’s charming figure, he had been wanting to rekindle their past relations.
Unfortunately, hindered by the presence of the people around, he couldn’t make a move.
And though he earnestly recommended himself for the night watch duty, he was politely refused by Tang Xiaoquan.
Therefore, he stalled until now, just to find a suitable chance to enter Huang Yaru’s room.
But after holding out for a while, he hadn’t found the opportunity, and the burning desire became even more intense.
Finally, desire triumphed over reason, and after finishing his urination, he sneakily slipped into Huang Yaru’s room.
Tang Xiaoquan frowned tightly, his dark eyes staring outside the living room door.
He was puzzled by the occasional creaking sound coming from Huang Yaru’s room.
Of course, he didn’t know that the big man was in the room with the other, reveling in passion; he only thought it was Huang Yaru’s discomfort from the cold causing her to toss and turn.
The creaking sound lasted for about half an hour, until the man left, the room finally returning to silence.
The nights in the apocalypse are always so hard to endure, the outside pitch black, the once bustling street now as stagnant as dead water.
No returning pedestrians on the streets anymore, only a pile of mindless zombies.
Reflecting on the changes and experiences of these short days, Tang Xiaoquan couldn’t help but feel countless emotions.
Humans were once such a powerful existence, yet a tiny virus pulled them down to the bottom of the food chain.
It’s undoubtedly a mockery and moreover a good lesson for the blindly arrogant humans.
It’s just the cost of this lesson is too immense, too unbearable.
Time slipped by amidst Tang Xiaoquan’s idle thoughts, everything as calm as ever, until the "bang bang" sound came from inside Huang Yaru’s room...