Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Exploring the Building’s Ground Floor (Part 1)
"How about we head back?" Wang Qiang rarely suggested retreat.
It’s no wonder he reacted this way, considering anyone who’s been chased by zombies for miles would not want their hard-earned peace destroyed.
Hu Xiaodong stood with furrowed brows, his mind rapidly processing thoughts.
Indeed, rushing downstairs is quite dangerous now. But entering the house at the corner first might cause a disturbance.
So, after a brief deliberation, seasoned by many trials, Hu Xiaodong decided to take a gamble.
After all, only by closing the door at the building’s bottom would the problem be solved once and for all.
"Alright, Xiao Wang, let’s do this..." Hu Xiaodong briefly whispered his plan to Wang Qiang, and suddenly he realized that laying out an "action plan" is no easy task; he unintentionally thought of that slightly frail young man.
Who knows what he would decide if it were him?
He shook his head to rid his mind of chaotic thoughts because Wang Qiang had already quietly started moving after hearing the plan.
Following Hu Xiaodong’s instructions, Wang Qiang approached the room door. His task was simple: use his body to block the door, preventing any "creature" inside from suddenly rushing out.
Once Wang Qiang was set, Hu Xiaodong adjusted his alert posture, yet his Compound Bow’s aim never left the corner.
His eyes communicated once again with Wang Qiang, signaling the latter that he was about to act.
Wang Qiang understood and took a deep breath, fully prepared for any impending impact.
All is ready, just waiting to start!
Three fingers coldly extended, then dropped one by one; when the last finger settled in his palm, Hu Xiaodong’s strong thighs suddenly tensed, and he dashed out like a leopard hunting downhill, both fast and strong.
Closing a door is usually a simple, mundane task, but when put in a special environment, everything becomes uncertain.
Hu Xiaodong certainly couldn’t predict if zombies would suddenly appear in front of him, so he could only rely on his speed now, hoping to reach the door before the "unknown" could happen, even though the door was only a corner away.
Maybe heaven pitied what they’d been through, or perhaps the zombies were tired of toying with these poor souls; in any case, Hu Xiaodong managed to reach the front of the hallway door without any danger.
Not bothering to take a breath, Hu Xiaodong quickly pulled the wide-open iron door and closed it gently.
"Click!" The piercing sound of the lock closing was music to the ears of Hu Xiaodong and Wang Qiang.
Almost instinctively relaxing his tense shoulders, Wang Qiang finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"Let’s go back!" Wang Qiang swung his hand holding the stick powerfully, eager to return to the room to enjoy a good sleep and a satisfying meal.
Hu Xiaodong silently nodded; his dark face showed no signs of joy due to the closed door. Instead, his expression was akin to a clay sculpture, making it difficult to read anything from it.
Wang Qiang, who generally disliked thinking, naturally paid no mind to this. He was solely focused on rushing back to the room and quickly finding a big bed to have a long talk about "life and dreams" with Zhou Gong.
Tang Xiaoquan had been anxiously waiting at the entrance with a group of companions for a long time.
There’s no doubt that as the initiator of the entire plan, he understood the action’s significance better than anyone. He also knew the irreversible consequences that would befall the Survivor Team if the action failed.
However, the world is inherently filled with variables and the unknowable; you’ll never find a 100% safe plan.
Therefore, any plan made by people is bound to have flaws.
As for evaluating the feasibility of a plan, it depends on whether the benefits brought about outweigh the consequences caused by its flaws.
In this operation, Tang Xiaoquan clearly favored the long-term benefits brought about by closing the door for the Survivors.
After all, closing the door means zombies can’t directly attack their room;
Doors closed, they can freely enter and exit the building.
To survivors always trapped somewhere, unable to move, constantly on guard against zombie attacks, this was undoubtedly a huge **.
Thus, when ** outweighs the dangers, it’s easy for people to develop a sense of adventure.
Tang Xiaoquan is no exception, except he made this decision after careful consideration of pros and cons, and he knew exactly what he wanted to achieve.
When Hu Xiaodong and Wang Qiang’s sweat-drenched figures reappeared in the group’s vision, everyone’s hearts jumped into their throats.
"Ho-How did it go?" Wenquan Xin swallowed hard, her fair young hand instinctively clenched.
It was clear everyone was tensely waiting for Hu Xiaodong and Wang Qiang’s answer.
Sweeping a solemn glance at each companion’s nervous eyes, Wang Qiang sighed dejectedly and slowly raised his right fist.
A deathly silence fell; everyone presumed the action failed, and disappointment began to spread in every heart.
Yet, at that moment, Wang Qiang, heavy with sorrow the second before, suddenly grinned as his raised right fist extended a forefinger.
"Success?"
He nodded affirmatively, but as soon as he provided the certainty, Wang Qiang’s chest was inevitably punched by Tang Xiaoquan.
"D***, scared me to death!" Tang Xiaoquan cursed angrily; he truly found himself both vexed and amused by his brother’s poor theatrics.
Except he didn’t linger in Wang Qiang’s prank too long, as the silent Hu Xiaodong next to him caught his attention.
Hu Xiaodong mustered a feeble smile, then walked alone into the room, avoiding his companions’ revelry, leaving a long shadow cast by the sun.
Tang Xiaoquan pondered for a moment, seemingly figuring something out, then callously summoned everyone back inside.
After all, the zombies were still "celebrating" outside the walls, and Tang Xiaoquan didn’t want any happiness to turn into tragedy.
Moreover, there were many things he needed to discuss with the group right now.
Law of Survival Rule 22: No matter where, when, or what kind of encounter, never get carried away; always remember, to survive during crises, survival must be your top priority.