Chapter 47: Painful Decision

Zhang Zhong Mou asked curiously, "What method?"

Li Dong wore a profound expression as he spoke slowly, "The food we have can last us two to three days. If the food at the supermarket is still there, we could gather it all and it would last us at least ten to twenty days. Within that time, we might find the exit, right? At least it would be better than staying with those people and eating monster carcasses, tree bark, and wild grass."

As he spoke, his fists clenched tightly.

Li Dong's words brought a heavy silence over the group. Each person was left with a choice: to return to the school and suffer with the thousand others, or abandon them and choose the path with greater hope.

Many had cold sweat on their hands. What seemed like a simple choice felt like a conflict between their conscience and the hard realities of survival.

Seeing no one speak, Li Dong continued in a low voice, "What do you think?" His voice was hoarse, his hands drenched in cold sweat. Seeing the group's silence, he shouted wildly, "Are you really that magnanimous? Can't you bear to leave them behind? If we can't ensure our own survival, how can we help others?"

Li Dong was nervous. He needed the group to agree with him because traveling alone was too dangerous. He needed to convince them to take the food and ignore the thousand lives at the school.

After a moment, Zhou Hua Kang wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "My thoughts are similar to Li Dong's. Although we are letting them down, I can't imagine over a thousand people without food and water. They might stave off hunger with trees and wild plants, but what about water? With so many people moving together, it would attract even more frightening monsters. The outcome would be unimaginable." Looking at the river before them, Zhou Hua Kang shuddered at the thought of the immense amount of water needed for so many people.

Li Dong sighed in relief as he noticed someone agreeing with him. He looked towards Su Yu and Qin Jia Gui, who were still deep in thought.

Zhao Shi Chang suddenly stood up and said calmly, "I've thought this through. Everyone in the school and in this forest started from the same point. We won't harm them, but we can't help them either. We can share our experiences of these two days, but we can't help so many people. I choose to be with Li Dong and the others. This doesn't mean we're selfish. When faced with life and death, everyone is equal. Why should I sacrifice myself to starve and thirst for others? I'm not a saint."

Having said his piece, Zhao Shi Chang sat down.

Zhang Zhong Mou snorted, "Good fellow, do you think you're performing in some recital? You certainly have a refined bearing."

Su Yu lifted his head and glanced at Zhao Shi Chang before saying, "That's right, we are all ordinary people and know how to plan for ourselves. This may not be wrong, and I am also selfish. I can't love and care for everyone equally, but there are some people, some principles that I will uphold even if it costs my life."

Zhao Shi Chang stared blankly before speaking, "Su Yu, what do you mean? Are you going to abandon us and stay with the thousand people?"

Su Yu shook his head and said softly, "I've already said, I can't care for everyone equally. But there are people in the school I cannot leave behind, even if it means risking my life. Do you understand?"

Zhao Shi Chang was dazed. Qin Jia Gui clenched his fists and said forcefully, "That's right, I'm similar to Su Yu. There is someone I want to protect in the school, and no matter what, I won't give her up."

Zhou Bi Rong then interrupted, "Why not just bring the people you care about? Wouldn't that solve the conundrum?"

Qin Jia Gui's body trembled. Li Dong hurriedly added, "That's right, Qin Jia Gui, you're talking about your girlfriend, right? Just bring her along. One or two more people won't affect us. Su Yu, who can't you leave behind? It can't be the whole class of students, right?"

Qin Jia Gui's eyes lit up. This was indeed a possibility. He couldn't bear the thought of his girlfriend enduring such hardships.

For Su Yu, the person he couldn't leave behind was Jade.

The group, initially guilty about abandoning the others, felt a bit relieved. After a careful discussion, each person, except Zhou Bi Rong and Ding Shan, could bring one person from the school. They also had the choice to give up this right.

Su Yu chose Jade, and Qin Jia Gui chose his girlfriend, Yuan Ni Ping. The others began to consider who they might bring, though some planned to give up their chance to minimize the number of mouths to feed.

This plan depended on the food in the supermarket still being there; otherwise, all their discussions would be meaningless.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, a frightening roar echoed in the distance, followed by sharp hissing.

Hearing this, their faces changed. The sounds were coming closer, barely a few hundred meters away, until finally, with an explosive "Ka Cha!", two large monsters could be seen fighting intensely.

"Everyone, be careful," Qin Jia Gui spoke softly as he climbed up.

Hearing the imposing sounds, their faces drained of color. These were definitely two very fearsome monsters.