Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Five

"It's too dangerous, and after that earthquake, Morus City is probably just ruins now."

Shen Xiuzhe was a man of calm restraint; he knew that even if they went, it would likely be in vain. The chances of survival for those who disappeared in the earthquake over a decade ago were virtually none.

With limited words at his disposal, Lin An tugged gently at Shen Xiuzhe's sleeve, shaking it; this was his way of earnestly conveying his plea.

Shen Xiuzhe: "..."

It was the first time he realized that he was somewhat vulnerable to this almost coquettish manner of persuasion.

Shen Xiuzhe averted his gaze with an indecipherable expression, deliberately avoiding looking at Lin An. This action, however, was misinterpreted by the others as a rejection.

Ouyang Dong was the first to speak up, "Isn't it not far from our planned route? Let's make a detour there."

Xu Fang chimed in, "Yeah, Brother An is so anxious he's even started talking. He must really want to go. It shouldn't be a problem to check it out."

Wu Shuangxue added, "I've never been to Morus City, but I've been around that area when I was younger. I know the way."

Udo looked around and nodded in agreement with the others.

Shen Xiuzhe: "I never said we weren't going."

Xu Fang and Ouyang Dong cheered, shouting praises for their leader.

Lin An understood and slowly released the sleeve he had been holding. He was delighted but didn't know how to express it.

Then, taking Lin An by surprise, Shen Xiuzhe ruffled the young zombie's hair into a disheveled mess. Perhaps because his request had been granted, Lin An didn't resist and allowed his soft hair to be tousled into a bird's nest.

An excited Lin An, sporting his disheveled hair, slowly took the picture frame from Professor Lin's hands and began to pace around the factory. Lacking proper cleaning tools, he resorted to using his water-based ability to clean.

It seemed he wanted to thank Professor Lin in this way.

Even as everyone prepared for bed, he quietly continued cleaning. The factory was too large to clean quickly, and although Professor Lin insisted he needn't do more, Lin An was determined, as if he would not rest until he finished cleaning.

Not that he needed sleep or rest.

Though not fully lucid, he knew he had to express gratitude to Professor Lin for learning about his parents' whereabouts. Cleaning was what he excelled at now, so he eagerly used it as a means to repay the kindness shown to him.

Due to his past, Lin An rarely received kindness, so when someone showed him even a little, he was eager to return it manifold.

Before, he wasn't conscious of this, but now, it wasn't just Professor Lin, but also his companions...

In the end, it was Shen Xiuzhe who couldn't bear to watch the overly diligent little zombie any longer. He picked up Lin An, insisting he stay in bed and not move anymore.

After everyone else had fallen asleep, and Shen Xiuzhe, having watched Lin An for a while, also drifted off, only Lin An remained sitting on the bed, slowly blinking.

Professor Lin had prepared beds for everyone, including Lin An. Granny Wu and her grandson were separated by a curtain, and on this side were the five of their beds.

Having expended much energy killing zombies today, Xu Fang snored away, Ouyang Dong muttered 'don't chase me' in his sleep, while Shen Xiuzhe and Professor Lin breathed steadily, asleep.

Only Lin An still sat dazedly on his bed. At home and in the RV, he would usually stand or sit in a trance. Now, he noticed everyone else lying in bed, with him as the only one sitting.

Mimicking the others, Lin An, stiff as a robot, lay flat on the bed.

Xiao Fu didn’t have its usual dog bed today, which was in the RV. Seeing everyone asleep, it quietly approached its owner's bed, eager to jump up, but then locked eyes with Lin An, who just turned his head.

Xiao Fu guiltily shifted its gaze, pretending it hadn't intended to climb up.

Back home, Xiao Fu had its own room and bed, and Lin An's cleanliness wouldn't allow the dog on the bed. Even when Xiao Fu was newly adopted and constantly anxious, Lin An would accompany it by its bed.

After Lin An turned into a zombie, Xiao Fu never managed to succeed in getting on its owner's bed.

The slightly sulking dog was intimidated by its owner's calm gaze and eventually scampered over to Xu Fang, jumping onto his bed and curling up to sleep.

Xu Fang, still in a drowsy slumber, felt the dog's fur with his hand, chuckled softly, and fell back into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Shen Xiuzhe lazily opened his eyes, having not slept this peacefully in a long time. In the wilderness, he had to be vigilant against noises at night, waking up at the slightest sound.

In the Mechanical City, most zombies had been cleared, eliminating fears of nocturnal attacks. Professor Lin's robots, far from harmless, would immediately sound an alarm in case of trouble, allowing Shen Xiuzhe to sleep soundly.

He was a bit grumpy when waking up, but usually woke up early and lightly, so even Xu Fang hadn't noticed it.

Sitting up from the bed, the somewhat gloomy Shen Xiuzhe looked around and saw only Xu Fang tinkering with a damaged robot.

He rubbed his brow, suddenly remembering something, and looked up to ask, "Where is Lin An?"

In the entire factory, it was just him and Xu Fang; Lin An was unexpectedly not there.

"Oh, he went out with Professor Lin. Didn't Professor Lin want An Ge to help clear the zombies in the sewer? They left early in the morning."

Xu Fang, curious about the robot, kept touching it and even tried to see if he could fix the broken robot himself.

"How did he leave?" Lin An resisted strangers and disliked going out. So far, only Shen Xiuzhe could take him out, and it was impossible for others to persuade Lin An to leave.

Xu Fang, still focused on the robot, replied casually: "How? Professor Lin asked for help, and he just followed."

Shen Xiuzhe remained silent...

Suddenly, there was an indescribable feeling.

Rising to put on his coat, he walked out, asking, "Where have they gone? It's dangerous for Lin An to be out alone. There might be special types of undiscovered zombies in the sewer. If attacked, he won't fight back."

Xu Fang turned to watch Shen Xiuzhe's hurried figure, calling out, "Boss, you haven't washed up or eaten yet. Everyone else went together; they should be fine, especially with all those robots around."

Shen Xiuzhe turned back, washing and eating with a scowl, while Xu Fang, oblivious to his boss's displeasure, thought he looked as usual.

After a few bites of breakfast and learning their location from Xu Fang, Shen Xiuzhe hurried off again, with the easy-going Xu Fang following behind.

Granny Wu explained that they hadn't woken Shen Xiuzhe that morning, saying he really had been tired lately, so they just left Xu Fang to wait for him to awake.

Meanwhile, the others were at a sewer entrance on the edge of Mechanic City. Professor Lin, holding several blueprints, was examining the structure carefully, while Lin An stood behind him, tugging at his clothes and watching Xiao Fu play.

Xiao Fu was amusingly trying to catch his own tail, spinning into a blur like a top, while the onlookers enjoyed the little whirlwind's performance.

Professor Lin wore a blue denim coverall, which was usually stained with grease but looked impeccably clean today, thanks to Lin An's efforts.

"Yes, right here. We'll pump water in here, and it will flow out of the city. I've stationed robots outside to handle it when the time comes."

Pushing up his glasses, Professor Lin turned to the little zombie hidden behind him and kindly said, "Lin An, can you use your ability to pump the water in? Not too much water, just faster, so it carries all the zombies away in one go."

He didn't turn back as he spoke, keeping his gaze forward and explaining slowly. He knew from yesterday that speaking too quickly was confusing, so he deliberately slowed his pace to ensure Lin An could understand.

It took three repetitions for Lin An to comprehend what the professor wanted him to do.

Releasing the professor's clothes, Lin An slowly approached the sewer cover, peered into the dark entrance below, and then looked back at the professor for confirmation.

"Yes, right here. Just pump the water in."

Lin An extended a hand, hovering it over the ground, and suddenly, a water spout rose from the earth, surging into the sewer with grand force.

He looked back at the professor again.

"Well done."

Professor Lin wasn't one for praise. Lin An had used his abilities several times, looking to him after each use, and he would only dryly repeat phrases like 'well done' or 'very good.'

Lin An seemed genuinely content, his spirits soaring with each use of his abilities, eagerly awaiting Professor Lin's praise before continuing his work.

By the time Shen Xiuzhe arrived, they were about to head to the next site. Lin An, like a grandchild out for a stroll with his grandfather, clutched at Professor Lin's blue coverall, obediently following alongside.

Observing Lin An's evident reliance and fearlessness around Professor Lin, Shen Xiuzhe was tempted to ask where his social anxiety had vanished, but Lin An instinctively hid behind the professor.

A lump formed in Shen Xiuzhe's throat; Lin An usually sought refuge behind him at the sight of zombies or strangers, and now, it seemed he had defected.

But it wasn't such a big deal, after all. Given that Professor Lin shared a name with Lin An's father and possessed a gentle and approachable nature, even the severely socially anxious little zombie found him agreeable, even endearing.

This was perfectly normal.

Shen Xiuzhe put on a friendly face and called out, "Lin An, come here."

Xu Fang, who had followed Shen Xiuzhe, turned pale and blurted out, "Boss, what's wrong? If something's bothering you, let's solve it together. When you called for Lin An, did he upset you? Your expression is quite frightening!"

Shen Xiuzhe suppressed the urge to kick Xu Fang right then and there, replying expressionlessly, "It's nothing."

Afterwards, they all followed Professor Lin around. The professor had relaxed his strict oversight, allowing other survivors to venture out. Each time they encountered strangers, Lin An would hide behind Professor Lin, who would amiably allow his coverall to be tugged, even if it choked him.

And each time Lin An hid, Shen Xiuzhe couldn't help but frown.

Pfft, ungrateful, fickle creature, he thought. Once outside the city, we'll see if he still shields him from zombies and strangers!

Two days passed, and the zombies lingering in the sewers were thoroughly eradicated; they were ready to move on.

Professor Lin had readied the weapons he promised them and also gifted them a robot, his latest creation before the apocalypse. When asked about its functions, Professor Lin mysteriously urged them to discover it themselves.

Wu Shuangxue looked at her old friend, knowing this might be their last meeting. Their advanced ages and uncertain destinations meant she likely wouldn't return.

"Are you sure you won't come with us? Didn't you say when we were younger that you wanted to see the world too?" Wu Shuangxue asked.

"No, I'm too old for such travels. Now that Mechanic City is cleared of zombies, I plan to take some robots to Chuxi City. I reckon there's still need for me there, and I'll be leaving in a couple of days," Professor Lin had his future plans set, his resolve clear.

"Well, I respect your wishes, but don't spoil those folks in Chuxi City too much."

Professor Lin laughed sheepishly, "I know, staying here isn't a long-term solution. Our food supplies will only last a year, and there's not much to grow around here. I'll take those willing to follow me to Chuxi City. It's almost time to sow, and the land there is more fertile than here. At the very least, we won't starve, and everyone can practice their abilities. I won't repeat my past mistakes."

Wu Shuangxue nodded; it seemed he had made all the necessary preparations, so she didn't press further.

Xu Fang, half out the passenger window, was a mess of tears and snot, "Goodbye, Grandpa Lin. Take care of yourself."

Ouyang Dong stood outside with a look of distaste, "Could you please wipe your nose?"

Shen Xiuzhe, seated at the RV's driver's seat, nodded toward him in agreement, "Take care."

Professor Lin is a fine person, whose abilities and character command respect from all.

Lin An's lips were tightly pressed, his eyes brimming with redness.

"It's getting dark; we must go now," Wu Granny finally spoke up, nudging Lin An and Wu Duo, who stood beside Professor Lin, onto the RV.

As the RV door closed, Lin An stood by the window, gazing out with lingering reluctance at the elder waving goodbye.

He waved back.

The RV started, and the figure of the elder at the city gate shrank and eventually vanished from sight.

Only Xu Fang's miserable wailing pierced the heavens.

"Grandpa Lin!!!"

Shen Xiuzhe, driving beside him, nearly driven to distraction by the noise, scoffed coldly, "Keep that up, and you'll stay here forever to keep your Grandpa Lin company."

Xu Fang immediately clammed up, wiping his tears in self-pity; just because he was soft-hearted didn't mean he couldn't cry at a farewell.

Professor Lin, hearing Xu Fang's sobs, couldn't help but laugh.

Li Xu, standing expressionless inside the city gate, looked at him, "Can't bear to part? Why not leave with them?"

Professor Lin shook his head, "I'm too old to go on such journeys."

Li Xu snorted but said no more.

Turning to face the scruffy man, Professor Lin said, "If I had to do that incident over, I would make the same choice."

Li Xu's expression stiffened. His daughter had already been infected and was killed by a robot before losing her senses. He knew the robots acted only on their programming and that it wasn't the professor's fault, but the image of his daughter's conscious cries for her father was something he could never forget.

"Come with me."

Li Xu shook his head, "No, I'll stay where my daughter is. You take the others and leave. I hear they're rebuilding a new city in Chuxi City. Perhaps that's where the last hope lies."

"Let's hope so."

As Professor Lin and Li Xu conversed, the RV had already traveled a great distance. A road had been constructed from Mechanical City to Dawn City, and a long stretch beyond Mechanical City as well, which allowed them to continue driving.

Upon reaching an area with denser vegetation and entering the forest, they would have to proceed on foot.

Two hours after leaving Mechanical City, Xu Fang was still talking about Professor Lin when he suddenly noticed the sky ahead darkening.

"Is it going to rain?"

Xu Fang looked out the window, his expression shifting from confusion to panic, followed by an alarmed shout, "Boss, those guys really are here for revenge! What do we do?"

Approaching like a wave of grey clouds were a large flock of Rocktop Birds.