Chapter 44: Placing Trust

Chapter 44: Placing Trust

Faint sunlight filtered through the abandoned hospital's small garden.

It should have been a midday full of spring vitality, yet Comet's frantic barking at the shadow of the underground parking entrance cast a layer of terror over the scene.

Everyone stood up, grabbing their weapons. Guan Yuanfeng solemnly ordered Zhou Yun, "Put your helmet on."

Zhou Yun put his helmet on and looked over. The hospital's underground parking lot was a double-layer electronic parking area, always damp and filled with the smell of machinery and gasoline. He didn’t like it there.

The stench grew stronger.

A tall zombie emerged slowly from the shadows, accompanied by a low growl, sending chills down the spine. Its skin was an unhealthy gray-green, but it gleamed with a metallic sheen. Its eyes were red and rotten, appearing exceptionally ferocious.

It was surrounded by dozens of zombies, stumbling after it. Their eyes were hollow, their fingers sharp, and they shook their heads and howled like wild animals, dense and carrying an undeniable threat.

Worse, the tall zombie continued to howl, and zombies from nearby hospital paths began to surge towards this direction, as if intending to form a massive zombie horde.

"It's a Zombie King."

Guan Yuanfeng reacted swiftly, gripping his longbow tightly. He turned and ordered, "Get on the trees, on top of the RV!"

He leaped lightly, his hands steadily grabbing the RV's edge, and with agile, decisive movements, he climbed onto the RV roof like a lynx, then reached down to pull Zhou Yun up. Zhou Yun felt a strong pull and was hoisted onto the roof.

One by one, the team members climbed up, supporting each other, weapons in hand, ready for the impending battle.

The battle was about to begin. The Zombie King let out a deafening roar, and the zombies around it began to slowly approach the RV, a nameless terror filling the air.

The special operations team members looked at the dense horde of zombies approaching and felt their scalps tingle.

Su Jiaoning said, "We're done for. We've encountered the Zombie King and a zombie horde. We shouldn't have stopped here to eat. Get in the RV and leave now!"

Guan Yuanfeng shouted coldly, "Shut up!"

Su Jiaoning looked upset, but then saw more than a dozen three-story-high tornadoes rise from the ground simultaneously.

The tornadoes roared violently, like massive spinning funnels that could easily sweep up everything in their path and turn it to dust. Debris and sand flew in the air, showing a deep dark color, and within the all-consuming tornadoes, purple-white lightning flashed, rapidly moving toward the zombie horde.

The zombies were no match for the tornadoes, being easily swept up and torn to pieces. The lightning flashed in the zombie horde, rotten body parts flying everywhere, and zombies that had just arrived instinctively turned to flee.

At the same time, Comet leaped heavily from the RV roof into the zombie horde, roaring. It opened its mouth and spewed out a giant fire dragon.

The raging flames, like an awakened fire dragon, swept violently through the zombie horde, instantly engulfing them. The zombies let out sharp screams, struggling in the sea of fire, and were reduced to charred ash in the intense flames.

The team members gasped in unison. Su Jiaoning stood there muttering excitedly, "Captain... wind and lightning powers?"

The Zombie King seemed to have gained some intelligence and instinctively sensed danger, turning to flee.

Guan Yuanfeng took a deep breath, pulled a steel arrow from his quiver, and placed it on the bowstring. The arrow was surrounded by purple-white lightning.

He steadied his breath, aimed at the Zombie King, and released his arrow. The arrow shot out like a meteor, slicing through the air with a sharp sound, heading straight for the Zombie King.

The arrow accurately pierced the Zombie King's heart, and the Zombie King let out a thunderous roar, its body swaying, but it didn’t slow down.

Wu Jun reminded nervously, "We need headshots on those zombies!" Although it would damage the crystal cores, survival was the priority.

Before he finished speaking, the lightning on the arrow exploded.

The zombie king's heart was pierced and exploded outright, and its massive body fell heavily to the ground.

The team members cheered loudly.

After the zombie king fell, the zombies began to retreat like a tidal wave. Holding the pearl, Zhou Yun closed his eyes, raised his hand, and unleashed the Ice Rain ability.

The scorching hot air, which had been stirred up by Comet's fire dragon, suddenly turned icy cold.

Several glinting ice blades, in the biting cold wind, resembled the scythe of death. They swiftly and accurately sliced through the zombies' most vulnerable necks at an astonishing speed. The sharp, rapidly rotating ice blades cut through, causing countless zombie heads to roll off. The headless zombies fell neatly like wheat harvested by a scythe, showcasing a chilling lethality.

Afterward, facing the corpses of hundreds of zombies, the special operations team spent over an hour digging out the crystal cores.

The RV and the off-road vehicle were already packed with supplies. Additionally, two cargo trucks were found to load the equipment. Tang Anchen and Liao Jinsheng each drove one of the trucks. In groups of two, they drove back to the residential area in a mighty convoy. Under Guan Yuanfeng’s direction, they moved the necessary medical equipment into the sales office of Yunding Mountain Villa.

Since not all the houses in Yunding Mountain Villa had been sold, the sales office remained intact. The spacious and bright lobby featured the most luxurious decorations, high-end furniture, and facilities. Several sets of soft sofas and coffee tables were arranged, and the sandbox area displayed the layout and planning of Yunding Mountain Villa. A large luxury screen played an introduction of the neighborhood.

As the medical equipment was brought in, Su Jiaoning, full of confusion, said, "By the time we return to Central Base, we might not have a chance to come back here again. Why did the captain go through the trouble of moving all this?"

Dong Kexin looked at her and said, "Just follow the captain's lead. He's never been wrong."

Su Jiaoning said, "It's too dangerous. There were even zombie waves. This small place is deserted. The zombies, unable to find food, will only become more ferocious."

Dong Kexin sneered, "With a powerful captain like him, what are you worried about?"

Su Jiaoning said, "I just want to get back to the base as soon as possible."

Liao Jinsheng, being straightforward, chimed in, "Only you carefree psychics are eager to return to the base. Here, under Captain's lead, we bash zombies to our heart's content, pick up supplies at will, and eat meat freely. Only a fool would want to return to the base."

Su Jiaoning: "..."

After a hard day’s work, everyone returned to the villa to clean off the day's grime, and then Zhou Yun, together with Guan Yuanfeng, actually set up a barbecue grill in the villa's yard and started roasting a lamb.

In addition to the lamb, they also slaughtered a chicken, a duck, and a rabbit. They also brought out a frozen giant mutated fathead fish. Yesterday, it was wine, but today they added mulberry wine, along with some juice and cola that were probably looted from a supermarket—a wide array of drinks.

The special operations team members, who usually had large appetites due to their high activity levels, had been in a state of food rationing back at the base, with supplies being tight. Rescue missions came one after another, and they hadn't been able to indulge like this for a long time. Immersed in the joy of abundant food, they reveled in the moment.

As the sun set, the orange-red sunset enveloped the tranquil yard. The carefully prepared lamb was now securely placed on a specially made grill. Tang Anchen was in charge of flipping and brushing oil, while Liao Jinsheng added more charcoal to the fire.

Other team members were either serving rice, washing vegetables, or helping in the kitchen to cook chicken soup, or cutting rabbit meat for cold rabbit dishes.

Relaxed smiles of pride spread across their faces. Before they left Central Base, they had been filled with doubts, worries, hesitations, and suspicions. However, with just one clean and decisive battle in a single day, Guan Yuanfeng easily boosted their morale.

The lamb's skin gradually turned golden and crispy under the flames, while the inside remained tender. Zhou Yun brought over a bottle of honey for them to brush on the surface. With each flip of the lamb, the pleasant sizzling sound could be heard, accompanied by the sweet aroma of honey.

As the lamb slowly cooked, the aroma in the yard grew stronger. The scent of barbecue blended with the fragrance of the flowers in the small yard. Zhou Yun directed people to set up a large table next to the flower bed in the yard. The team members sat around the bonfire, helping diligently while chatting casually.

It had drizzled a little earlier in the day, but it had already stopped. A gentle breeze brought the scent of flowers and the rustling of leaves.

Zhou Yun walked to the vegetable plot to pick some perilla and cilantro for the roast lamb seasoning when he saw Su Jiaoning standing in front of the beehives, carefully inspecting them. Seeing Zhou Yun approach, he greeted him, "Doctor Zhou, I just heard from Tang Anchen that these bees are yours? They seem to be larger than usual bees. I thought they were bumblebees."

In the setting sun, the bees were busily flying back and forth, their wings glinting golden in the sunset, appearing exceptionally robust and healthy.

Zhou Yun cut a large bunch of perilla and cilantro with a small knife and said, "Probably."

Su Jiaoning, with a look of anticipation and excitement, said, "No wonder the honey tasted so rich last night with the wine. I see now! It's from these mutated bees you're raising. The honey produced by mutated bees is extremely useful! And the royal jelly! It has high medicinal and cosmetic value! It's a great supplement to boost physical strength and immunity."

Zhou Yun nodded, and Su Jiaoning continued, "We need to figure out how to get this valuable resource back to the base! If you donate this to the research institute, you can earn a lot of points!"

Zhou Yun: "..."

Su Jiaoning said, "We can pack them in boxes and take them back. I'll talk to Captain Guan and see if we can load them onto the helicopter. This could lead to several research projects."

"These are my bees, not Guan Yuanfeng's. I'm not donating them," Zhou Yun replied, turning away with the purple perilla and coriander in hand. Su Jiaoning: "..."

He continued, "You wouldn't believe the resources and privileges the research institute offers. Exchanging these for points is a no-brainer. When we get back to Central Base, even the psychics don't have much living space. These bees are hard to raise, so it would be better to donate them to the base research institute for common research, benefiting everyone. Captain Guan would definitely support this."

Zhou Yun carried a large bunch of vegetables to the front and handed them to Liao Jinsheng to wash. He overheard Su Jiaoning asking from behind, "It smells so good! Is the barbecue almost ready? Where's the captain?"

Tang Anchen said, "He and Captain Jiang went out, saying they were heading to the security room or somewhere. They told us to start eating."

Tang Anchen and Dong Kexin removed the lamb from the grill and placed it carefully on a large plate. They took sharp knives to cut the lamb, sprinkled cumin, and Liao Jinsheng washed and chopped the coriander. Zhou Yun personally mixed the dipping sauce, poured hot oil over it, and the aroma immediately filled the air.

The team gathered around, savoring the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside lamb. The cumin and shredded purple perilla created a unique fragrance. Zhou Yun also boiled a large pot of perilla and citrus peel drink, squeezed some lemon juice into it, turning it into a bright red beverage with a refreshing taste. It was said to have health benefits, and Tang Anchen couldn't help but drink an extra cup.

Guan Yuanfeng and Jiang Rongqian walked around the neighborhood, inspecting every corner inside and out, upstairs and downstairs. Guan Yuanfeng then briefed Jiang Rongqian, "Did you note everything down? We need high-definition, night-vision capable cameras, hard drives, servers, surveillance systems, infrared sensors, or any wiring required. We'll go to the computer mall tomorrow to get whatever materials you need."

"I need surveillance for the entire neighborhood, and we'll set up infrared sensors and door/window magnetic sensors here at Yuexi Number 3. If anyone breaks in, it will trigger an alarm, and we'll be able to see it from the 30th floor."

"Additionally, we need a complete automatic irrigation system that can be operated from the control room."

Jiang Rongqian was puzzled, "We're leaving soon; why bother setting up these security and irrigation systems?"

Guan Yuanfeng fell silent for a moment, "Zhou Yun isn't leaving."

Jiang Rongqian was shocked, "How can you leave him here alone?"

Guan Yuanfeng didn't respond immediately, "He doesn't like socializing. He can manage well on his own."

Jiang Rongqian said, "But isn't he going to feel lonely staying here by himself? He's an independent person and doesn't want to leave his home. The supplies here are abundant, and he's a psychic; he can protect himself."

Jiang Rongqian continued, "It's just... in the apocalypse, it's too dangerous for him to be here alone. You can't be at ease, can you?"

Seeing Guan Yuanfeng's troubled expression, Jiang Rongqian sighed, "No wonder you're in a bad mood today. It's written all over your face."

"I see Zhou Yun as a gentle person. Maybe he's worried about going to the unfamiliar base and is reluctant to leave. Seeing how well you all live here, raising chickens and ducks, growing vegetables, it's understandable. Maybe we should talk to him and ease his concerns about the base."

Guan Yuanfeng immediately stopped him, "No, don't bother him."

He paused, "Once he decides, he sticks to it. I don't have the right to ask him to abandon his home and follow me to Central Base."

It felt like his heart was being rubbed raw. He knew Zhou Yun treated him differently, but as the time to part came, he realized he had no right to ask Zhou Yun to leave everything behind.

He was worried and didn't want to leave Zhou Yun behind, but he couldn't abandon his responsibilities or his comrades.

Jiang Rongqian comforted him, "Go back to the base first. Once you're settled, come back to fetch Zhou Yun." He then realized, "No wonder you're stockpiling supplies we can't take. You're ensuring Zhou Yun has enough supplies here, just in case."

Guan Yuanfeng frowned without speaking, and Jiang Rongqian took out a pen and notebook to jot down the list, "Alright, I'll go back and sketch a rough diagram. Tomorrow, we'll get the cameras and equipment from the computer mall and set them up for Zhou Yun. We'll make this place as safe as possible."

"Let's head back. If you don't come back, they'll probably wait to eat until you do."

When they returned, the sunset had completely disappeared beyond the horizon. The courtyard was lit by the fire, and everyone was gathered around the table, drinking wine, mulberry honey wine, roasting rabbit skewers, and sipping chicken soup, laughing and chatting as if it were a pre-apocalypse gathering after a mission.

Guan Yuanfeng naturally sat down next to Zhou Yun, who handed him a skewer of grilled potato slices, "Try these. I picked this potato variety specifically for grilling. They're extra large and just right."

Guan Yuanfeng took a bite, and Zhou Yun joked with him, "Once you're at the base, you won't get to eat such good potatoes. This variety doesn't store or transport well and has a low yield. They won't mass-plant this variety. Also, those thin-skinned tomatoes, you should eat more of them."

Guan Yuanfeng nodded, and Zhou Yun asked, "Where did you and Captain Jiang go? Isn't it tiring enough after a whole day of work?"

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Jiang Rongqian is a top talent in information technology and communications. He's proficient in setting up various high-tech devices. I've asked him to optimize the surveillance facilities in the neighborhood so that you can monitor the downstairs, the front gate, and the back gate from upstairs. Don't worry; I've arranged for the main control room to be in my apartment. He won't know what's going on with you since he won't come upstairs."

Zhou Yun's eyes lit up. "That's great. Thank you for going through the trouble. I was also thinking that my drone station had some unreasonable setups. I was hoping to consult Jiang, since he's an expert."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Feel free to ask him. He can set up a drone patrol system for fixed points around the neighborhood for you. Tomorrow, we'll go and get a few more drone units to increase the number of automatic patrol points and enhance security."

After a pause, he added as a precaution, "However, Jiang Rongqian can be a bit of a chatterbox. He might try to persuade you to go to Central Base. Just ignore him and don't mind his fussiness."

Zhou Yun said softly, "It's fine. Your whole team is made up of good people."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "While we're still here, if there's anything you need or any equipment you require, let me know. I'll send people to get them. I'm really not at ease leaving you here alone." He hadn't fully taught Zhou Yun close combat, as the time was too short. In front of Zhou Yun, he had been too soft-hearted to use the strict methods he would with new recruits. At that time, he had only thought that with himself and the Comet around, they would always be able to protect Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun said, "We have the Comet. And I don't like going out. If someone comes, I'll just hide."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "The Comet is too conspicuous, and there will be people hunting mutated animals for their crystal cores. You should avoid confrontations as much as possible. These things downstairs, if they're gone, they're gone. Safety is the top priority, and things are just external possessions. Today, I've had people hide food and supplies in different places around the neighborhood. Even if someone breaks in, they might not be able to find everything. So, don't confront people casually."

Zhou Yun nodded.

In his heart, Guan Yuanfeng knew how much Zhou Yun treasured his medicinal gardens and mutated plants and animals. The more he knew, the more worried he became about these things being exposed and seized by powerful people. Zhou Yun's strong personality, his unyielding nature... he was afraid that once Zhou Yun's stubbornness kicked in...

As he stared at the transverse lines in Zhou Yun's palm, his heart twisted with countless thoughts. In the end, he hated that he still wasn't strong enough. If only he could have the final say in the base and not be under anyone else's command, Zhou Yun wouldn't have to suffer if he followed him.

Noticing Su Jiaoning's intense gaze from afar, Zhou Yun thought that some precautions were still necessary. He handed a few grilled mutton skewers to Guan Yuanfeng and said in a low voice, "Here, brushed with honey—this mutated honey is especially sweet."

Guan Yuanfeng took them. "Thank you."

Zhou Yun whispered in his ear, "In a moment, that annoying person from your team will ask you to donate this mutated honey to the base."

Feeling his ear heat up from Zhou Yun's breath and the strong presence of this unusual behavior, Guan Yuanfeng was slightly distracted. "Xiao Su? He can be a bit clueless. His mind has been affected by too much research. Don't bother with him. He can go on and on if you talk to him; it's annoying. Just reject him without needing to explain, or he'll come up with more nonsense to bother you."

Zhou Yun said, "I've rejected him, but I think he'll still go to you. He'll tell you about all the grand meanings of benefiting humanity and society."

Seeing Zhou Yun's bright eyes and the look of someone reporting to him, Guan Yuanfeng felt both happy that Zhou Yun didn't treat him as an outsider and melancholic that he ultimately couldn't repay Zhou Yun's kindness.

He whispered, "I'll make it clear to him that this mutated honey and these mutated plants must be kept confidential. He's not allowed to disclose them."

Zhou Yun said, "No need to worry too much. Spring has arrived, and there will be an increasing number of mutated animals and plants outside. He's just come out of winter and has been stuck in the base, so he thinks everything is precious. Once he returns to the Psychic Research Institute, which has superior resources, he'll have priority access to all research resources in Central Base. Once he's seen more, he won't find these things rare anymore."

Although he wasn't familiar with mutated animals and plants, Guan Yuanfeng had seen some by the reservoir and in the mountain forest after the spring. He nodded. "He's a simple-minded person. Once I've instructed him, he won't tell anyone. He just values fame and those medical research topics, which I don't really understand. His elder entrusted him to General Tan, asking me to look out for him. We often have to deal with hospitals, so it's good to maintain a good relationship with them. There are always connections and relatives sent over with various demands. As long as it doesn't violate our principles too much and they can cooperate with training, we usually let it slide."

Zhou Yun said, "You've done so much for him, yet he doesn't think of repaying you. Why does he dare to ask for more from you? Is it because you're too lenient and principled, always giving the best things to others? So, others naturally treat your things as communal property, and they can demand you hand them over under some noble pretext?" Zhou Yun tapped Guan Yuanfeng's knee, his gaze meaningful.

Guan Yuanfeng involuntarily pulled his leg back, feeling the strong presence of the spot Zhou Yun had touched—ever since Zhou Yun had declared ownership over him after drinking, it felt like his legs no longer belonged to him but were cherished by Zhou Yun, who wouldn't allow him to treat them lightly.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, he coughed lightly. "I didn't really care about these things before, but I will in the future."

Zhou Yun said softly, "Captain Guan's word is as good as gold." Guan Yuanfeng would care for a stray dog and rescue a neighbor in the apocalypse. He always took on responsibilities that weren't his, proving his purpose in life by shouldering everything himself, readily giving himself entirely.

But what if his body, his psychic data, were tied to another person's safety?

Unaware of Zhou Yun's intentions, Guan Yuanfeng once again promised, "I'll take good care of these legs."

Zhou Yun's eyes flickered. "Sometimes, it's not just about body data or psychic data. Do you remember what those robbers said when they ambushed us? Psychics and their descendants are very likely to also be psychics."

Guan Yuanfeng was startled. Zhou Yun looked at him meaningfully. "Do you think the research institute wouldn't ask for it, or that you wouldn't agree to donate?"

Guan Yuanfeng took a deep breath. "None of them... Research institutions should uphold basic ethical principles... This isn't right..."

It was unimaginable to him, not born out of love and responsibility, but for the sake of breeding or scientific study.

However... After Zhou Yun's reminder, he faintly sensed that, considering humanity's current state, could the basic ethical standards of the old civilization still be upheld? Laws are the baseline of morality, but what if laws no longer existed?

Moreover, would any psychics actually volunteer to donate? If there were psychics who agreed, what would those lab-born kids be considered? Besides, his own abilities weren't naturally awakened... Could his genes even be considered psychic? If others discovered any clues from his blood, crystal cores, or other data, revealing that he was artificially awakened, what would he and Zhou Yun face?

A shiver ran down his spine, and he even shuddered slightly.

Zhou Yun looked at him intently, his dark and clear eyes reflecting the flickering flames of the barbecue.

Guan Yuanfeng suddenly realized that Zhou Yun's request that day wasn't just idle talk. Zhou Yun's intense insecurity and complete distrust of others were not unfounded.

Zhou Yun had always been uneasy, always afraid, and he even preferred to stay on this "isolated island," refusing to go to the base, keeping silent about even the person he had been with since the apocalypse.

Even though he had already exposed much in front of Guan Yuanfeng, risking himself to perform crystal core transplant surgery on him and Comet, delivering his fatal weakness and the highest trust, could Guan Yuanfeng protect him? Could he keep this secret for him?

An overwhelming sense of pity for Zhou Yun filled Guan Yuanfeng's heart, and the heavy guilt almost overwhelmed him.

Looking into Zhou Yun's clear eyes, Guan Yuanfeng made a solemn promise to him. "I promise you, whether it's the data of my body, the data of my psychic abilities, or any other part of my body—organs, genes, blood—I will not agree to hand them over to any institution or anyone for research."