Chapter 364 - 313: Letting Go of the Past

Zhang Su smiled and said, "Alright, Old Ma, today you take all the villagers from West Camp Village along with the folks from United Village and move to Madian Village. We’ve already cleared out three streets over there with the help of the United Village folks, and there are plenty of empty houses for you to stay in. However, you’ll need to compensate the United Village folks, and I’ll provide specific plans for that after you’ve settled in."

"Sure, sure, we’ll do whatever Boss Zhang arranges!"

Ma Changshou agreed very readily.

Having experienced life and death, they knew the value of life. Last night, the people of West Camp Village held a meeting and came to a consensus: as long as it doesn’t lead to death, they’ll do anything...

Wang Longzhong, eating breakfast, felt grateful. He didn’t expect those details would be remembered by the other party. The feeling that all their efforts would be rewarded was fantastic.

"Additionally, the five brothers from the Cyan Dragon Corps."

Zhang Su looked at Xin Qi and others, and said, "Besides Xie Yanshan, the four of you will also go to Madian Village first. I’ll form a Reserve Team, and when the time comes, you’ll join the Reserve Team as a protective force for Satellite Village."

As one survivor camp after another was wiped out in the wide area, Zhang Su no longer doubted people’s loyalty. In the freezing cold, with the zombie crisis and difficulty of survival, who would choose something risky over a safe and comfortable environment, pulling a Xia Jiba?

When survival is at stake, even dignity can be given up, let alone anything else!

Those who have survived until now are people who cherish life and have a strong will to survive. Everyone shares the same goal: to live!

Xin Qi and the others stood up and nodded. Even Pan Guoliang, who usually joked around, was serious, knowing that this was no time for jokes.

Xie Yanshan stood up a bit hesitantly, "Uh... Mr. Zhang, why am I not going?"

"Because you need to stay on Celestial Horse Island for research. Not just the Cyan Dragon Corps, we also need talents like you!"

Zhang Su wasn’t hiding anything. After speaking, he slammed the table and stood up.

"That’s all for today. Everyone, eat well, and after you’re done, let’s get busy. If you have any questions, talk to Old Yu. When I’m not in the camp, he’ll address them for you. It’s freezing cold, so keep warm and make sure not to get frostbite. By the way... although Satellite Village isn’t on Celestial Horse Island, the rules are the same; what is not allowed remains not allowed, that’s it!"

"Take care."

"Take care, Boss Zhang."

After Zhang Su finished speaking, he left the restaurant amidst the farewells.

"Big brother, your decision is so wise. Damn, it’s been so long since I’ve seen so many people, it frightens me—I hope it doesn’t turn out like the Cyan Dragon Corps."

Zhao Dezhu saw Zhang Su walking out of the restaurant and immediately went up to greet him. Many of the first batch of people who finished eating were standing at the door listening in.

"Yeah, I’m nervous too."

Zhang Su shook his head, recalling vividly the scene where the Cyan Dragon Corps fought the zombie horde.

Nowadays, population is a double-edged sword. Development and defense rely on it, but once the population crosses an unseeable red line, it can attract a large zombie horde. The timing is unpredictable, and the scale is hard to control, like the Sword of Damocles hanging over everyone’s head, leaving them in constant fear.

The solution on Celestial Horse Island was to establish Satellite Villages to tightly connect and disperse the population. As for the outcome, we’ll have to take it step by step to see.

"Brother Su, should we set off?"

Qi Xiaoshuai was highly excited, wearing a wool hat, ear muffs, and a mask, with only his eyes showing.

"No rush, we’re still missing someone."

Zhang Su smiled lightly and said.

"Who?"

"Su Xiaoya." Zhang Su pointed to the room where Su Xiaoya was held.

"Her?"

"Why take her along?"

"Are you dumb? She’s a hostage. If Kuanzhuang’s people come and cause trouble, Brother Su taking Su Xiaoya with him will keep them in check. Get it?"

Latecomers were educating those not in the know.

Zhang Su had the others get into positions and walked toward Su Xiaoya’s room. Someone had brought her food after breakfast was prepared. Even as a captive, she had basic human rights.

He unlocked the door and entered, finding Su Xiaoya sitting by the bed, clear tear stains on her face. A bowl of thick porridge, a steamed bun, and some pickles were set aside, with only one bite taken out of the bun.

"A night has passed. Have you thought it through? Will you stay or leave?"

Su Xiaoya looked up at Zhang Su, her bloodshot eyes lacking any spirit. Last night, she drifted off around two or three a.m. and had a series of nightmares, having less than three hours of total sleep, looking very haggard.

Hearing his question, she pursed her lips and said, "I’ve thought through some of what you said and acknowledge that the culprit who started the war is Lei Youliang. I don’t blame you for considering the safety of many people, but I still... my sister is dead, and I feel so uncomfortable!"

Su Xiaoya held her head in both hands, shaking it desperately.

"I’m not comfortable either."

After hearing Su Xiaoya’s words, Zhang Su replied calmly.

"You?"

Su Xiaoya didn’t believe what Zhang Su had said...

"Some things you’ll figure out eventually, so I might as well tell you now. Your sister was my girlfriend for a period a bit over a year ago. Ex-girlfriend, understand?"

Zhang Su chose to tell Su Xiaoya about his relationship with Su Lei.

Hearing this news, Su Xiaoya was struck as if by lightning, staring blankly at Zhang Su. Her mouth opened and closed as if to ask something, but the words never came out. Finally, her lips quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes again, looking at Zhang Su with an extremely resentful gaze.

"So I didn’t want things to get to this point, either. Otherwise, why do you think I would say so much to a little girl?"

Zhang Su spread his hands, his face full of helplessness.

"Ah... no wonder Lei Youliang took my sister to the camp. He must have known in advance about your past connection with her and took her along to, to..."

"To threaten me, making me not dare to act. Is that what you want to say?"

Zhang Su didn’t expect Su Xiaoya to so quickly understand the crux of the matter despite her lack of articulation; she wasn’t a dull-witted girl after all.

"That’s right!" Su Xiaoya nodded earnestly, her eyes full of sorrow, "Too bad Lei Youliang didn’t expect you’d be so ruthless, not caring about old feelings at all... But I know you’re not wrong. You have to care for so many people’s lives."

"Let’s not talk about yesterday’s matters anymore; what needed telling has all been told. Letting go of the past and focusing on the future is more important. Are you going to eat, or are you coming with me if you’re not eating?"

"Go where?" Hearing that she was to leave, Su Xiaoya became instantly nervous.

"Whether you decide to leave or stay, shouldn’t you at least visit your sister’s grave?"

Zhang Su asked.

"Visit? Yes!"

Su Xiaoya nodded vigorously, gulped down the half-cold porridge, tore apart the steamed bun, packed some pickles, and walked to Zhang Su’s side.