Chapter 96: A Couple, Perhaps?

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Since the city became engulfed in thick black smog, darkness had fallen over everything. Day and night blurred into one indistinguishable stretch. The people in Liwan took refuge inside Ye Qian’s private apartment. It didn’t matter where they hid, but for Ye Qian, who was picky about her bed, sleeping on a stranger’s bed was out of the question.

As the homeowner, she naturally took charge of cooking. With no electricity, candles were used for light, and the gas stove handled the cooking. When Ye Qian placed the food on the dining table, she noticed the young men had already collapsed into sleep from exhaustion.

Ye Lan finished tending to Ye Tang’s wounds and came out to eat. “Little sister, it seems your cooking skills have declined,” she teased.

“If it’s bad, don’t eat it—no one’s forcing you. Be grateful there’s food, yet you still complain,” Ye Qian retorted, unimpressed by her teasing smile.

“It’s been years since I last ate your dishes,” Ye Lan said, though her expression was one of enjoyment, which only annoyed Ye Qian further.

After an unknown length of sleep, Du Bin groggily woke and walked from the sofa to the balcony. Apart from the occasional distant sound of explosions, an eerie silence prevailed. Every alley was deserted—no infected, no citizens. This deathly quiet unsettled him.

“Old Du, is something wrong?” Hu Guozheng, sprawled out asleep on the sofa, rolled over and fell to the floor with a yawn. He saw Du Bin standing on the balcony and rubbed his nose as he approached.

“Nothing, just feels strange,” Du Bin replied.

Hu Guozheng tilted his head. “Strange?”

“Don’t you find it odd? There’s heavy gunfire in the distance, yet here it’s so quiet. Aside from us, not a single soul in sight.”

Du Bin voiced his suspicion. The stout man thought it might not be a bad sign. “The infected are controlled by the vampires. Maybe they’re focusing their assault on a stronghold elsewhere, which is why this area is empty.”

“Maybe you’re right, Fatty. I have a suggestion—help me analyze it.” The two began to discuss quietly.

Once the talk ended, they waited for everyone to wake. Du Bin spread a map on the dining table. “Everyone, since we’re all here, I want to discuss our battle plan. We’re few in number and can’t afford a prolonged fight, so I think a strategy is necessary. Last night, Fatty and I surveyed the general situation.”

“Good idea. Tell us what you found,” Ye Qian said, sipping coffee and gesturing.

Du Bin nodded and pointed to several spots on the map. “We’re currently in Liwan. The vampire headquarters is in Moshing Tower, also known as Haizhu Radio Station. The infected led by vampires are fighting the police at several points—Convention Park, Ersha Island Stadium. Of course, Moshing Tower itself is heavily guarded. A direct assault is impossible. The only way out is a stealth attack. The only route fitting this is a single road, the only path that avoids the infected and leads beneath Moshing Tower.”

Ye Lan thought for a moment. “I understand. You mean the subway tunnel.”

“Exactly. The subway is the only direct route. Apart from staff, few can enter the tunnels. Even if infected are inside, their numbers won’t be large unless the tunnel collapses. We don’t have time to waste, so we have to gamble.”

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“This plan is good—it avoids a vampire encounter and allows for a surprise attack. But without transport in the tunnel, walking will take too long,” Zhong Chen agreed.

“I thought about that too. Fatty and I discussed driving the car into the tunnel. We’ve chosen a route—from Line 8’s starting station to Kecun, then walk to transfer to Line 3 straight to Moshing Tower.”

“Then let’s take this chance,” Ye Tang said, coming out of the room.

Du Bin approached with concern. “You’re up so soon? Shouldn’t you rest a bit longer?”

“No need. Aunt Lan has cleared the Red Blade’s power from me. I’m almost healed now.”

“That’s good,” Du Bin sighed.

Seeing a couple showing affection in front of him, Hu Guozheng’s lovesickness flared up again. He thought of Sasha far away in Shanghai, unable to call her.

Wu Yongxin bounced up and linked arms with Ye Tang, addressing Du Bin. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Du Bin replied without hesitation.

Wu Yongxin giggled. “Are you my sister’s boyfriend?”

“Uh!” Du Bin’s face flushed red. He glanced around, then at Ye Tang, who smiled silently. Given their relationship, he wasn’t sure how to answer.

Pfft! Hu Guozheng, drinking tea, nearly choked. “Come on, it’s obvious!”

“Sis, how did you two meet?”

“Heh, you asked the right person. Their first meeting was dramatic—they nearly fought each other,” Hu Guozheng teased, poking Du Bin’s side.

Curious, Wu Yongxin urged, “Sis, tell me! You really fought the first time?”

Ye Tang awkwardly said, “Not really. I just thought he was too arrogant, so I taught him a lesson.”

Hu Guozheng rolled up Du Bin’s sleeve. “This love scar is what brought them closer.”

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Zhong Chen looked on with envy. “My idol! I wish Xiao Xin would give me a love scar too.”

“Pervert,” Wu Yongxin smacked him hard on the head.

Ye Qian whispered, “Big sister, you agreed to this?”

“Do you think saying no would have made a difference?” Ye Lan rolled her eyes.

Ye Qian thought for a moment. “True. If protesting worked, she wouldn’t be Mei Jie’s daughter.”

Sitting quietly nearby, Le’er suddenly felt unwell. She quietly slipped into the restroom and stared at her reflection. Her blue eyes flickered between faint and deep hues.

The plan was roughly finalized. Upon reaching Phoenix New Village Station, everyone began dividing tasks. Protective glass panels blocked access to the platform. Ye Tang used the Red Blade to create an entrance into the tunnel. Du Bin and Zhong Chen sought support straps to help the car enter the tunnel smoothly.

Hu Guozheng carefully drove the car down the stairs. Fortunately, the sidewalk was wide enough for the vehicle to pass. It took him half an hour to navigate the stairs successfully.

Wu Yongxin returned from scouting the tunnel. “I’ve checked. No traces of infected inside so far.”

“Good. Let’s move!” Ye Qian grabbed her handgun and got into the car; others followed.

Du Bin handed out flashlights to everyone, then signaled Hu Guozheng, who understood and started driving. The car’s engine echoed through the dark tunnel.

The tunnel was circular; driving on the rails required skill. For Hu Guozheng, who loved showing off, it was a perfect challenge. He started cautiously then gradually increased speed as he became accustomed.

“Once we reach Kecun, we’ll draw their attention. Tang, you head straight to Line 3,” Ye Lan said, turning on the lights and studying the map again to check for any flaws.

“Am I going alone?” Ye Tang asked, puzzled.