Chapter 33: Military Rescue?

"Yes, let's save Brother Zhang first!"

"Without Brother Zhang, how will we deal with zombies in the future?"

"Let Zhang decide what to do!"

Those with a bit of sense quickly figured out the situation. At worst, they could rescue Zhang Tie and leave Lin Yi behind. Zhang Tie's sister and relatives were all in the hotel; surely he wouldn't leave zombies here if they saved him.

This way, they wouldn't appear heartless, and there would be no danger. The crowd stopped arguing, and some of the more proactive ones even nervously gripped makeshift weapons, ready to assist Zhang Tie.

Wang Jianguo watched the scene unfold and couldn't help but chuckle softly. He had anticipated this all along. A mob of cowards, the weakness of human nature. Whether for self-preservation or out of conscience and future considerations, people would make this choice. In essence, everyone was still prioritizing their own safety.

As the rope was about to be lowered and Zhang Tie was nearly at the bottom floor, Wang Jianguo suddenly spoke up again.

"Everyone, I contacted the military earlier today. They promised to come rescue us in the next few days."

"There's no need to worry about future safety."

"The military has established a safe zone, and many of their people are even stronger than Lin Yi and Zhang Tie!"

Wang Jianguo smiled confidently, his chest puffed out. He directly addressed the main concern in everyone's minds: safety!

Conscience? Saving people? Bullshit!

"So, for safety reasons, we can't let them up!"

"If the military rescue team finds out we've saved someone who might be a zombie..."

"Heh, don't blame me for not warning you when you can't board the rescue plane later."

Behind him, several white-collar workers who had already been in cahoots with him silently rushed into the crowd to seize the rope.

At this moment, Zhang Tie was less than thirty meters from the hotel, stumbling forward. Over a hundred zombies howled and charged frantically behind him, with the closest just two meters away.

"Lower the rope!" Zhang Tie roared, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the shattered second-floor window. He could see people moving inside and was sure they had heard his voice.

What was happening? Why weren't they lowering the rope?

"Uncle!"

"Old Huang!"

No one responded.

Helpless, he could only frantically hide with Lin Yi behind an overturned truck's cargo hold.

Behind him, Lin Yi's breath grew increasingly weak. Zhang Tie felt as if his heart was on fire.

They couldn't hide in the truck's cargo hold for long. Once the horde of zombies surrounded them, there would truly be no escape.

Zhang Tie panted heavily, looking anxiously at Lin Yi. As an awakened one, his immense combat prowess came with an equally enormous consumption of energy. With his stamina depleted and spirit exhausted, he felt an overwhelming sense of hunger rising in his throat.

Without food to replenish his strength, even if they miraculously avoided the zombies' onslaught, he wouldn't be able to recover his abilities. Not only did he need a safe place to rest, but Lin Yi needed one too!

Zhang Tie frantically rummaged through the medical bag, pulling out various medicines. They were all labeled in English, which he couldn't understand. He had no idea what the bandaged girl had taken!

There was no time to be picky. He shoved all the pills into Lin Yi's mouth.

But without water to wash them down, they were quickly spat out.

Zhang Tie felt desperate. Watching Lin Yi's breath grow weaker by the second, he feared his friend might succumb to the infection and turn into a zombie at any moment.

What should he do? What could he do?

Food, water!

They needed both desperately!

...

On the second floor of the hotel, Wang Jianguo wore a serene expression as he faced the angry glares of his uncle and his group.

"I'm thinking of everyone's well-being. Once the military arrives, you'll know who was right and who was wrong."

He sighed deeply, but inwardly he felt nothing but contempt.

A bunch of commoners, so easily fooled with a little manipulation.

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Wang's words had instantly captured their attention.

"Director Wang, is the military really coming to rescue us?"

"But aren't the phones out of signal? And the batteries are dead!"

Someone voiced their doubts, but they were quickly silenced by Wang Jianguo's lackeys.

"Don't you know Director Wang's position? Just because you can't contact them doesn't mean he can't! Use your brain, he's a big shot!"

"Besides, we're in the city center. Do you think the authorities would abandon us?"

"When the rescue team arrives, don't blame us if there's not enough room for everyone on the first trip!"

Half explanation, half threat.

The doubters quickly fell silent.

Wang Jianguo maintained a calm demeanor and a sincere expression. He cleared his throat.

"I hope everyone will stop questioning this point. I give you my word of honor that the authorities will send someone!"

"What we need to do now is ensure our own safety and avoid infection so we can board the plane!"

He thumped his chest resoundingly, as if he truly meant it.

But deep down, Wang Jianguo knew that the talk of military rescue and safe zones was all fabricated.

The phones had long since died, and without a signal, contacting anyone was impossible.

But he was confident that, as a member of the leadership, the authorities wouldn't abandon him.

If they waited a few more days, even if the military didn't send anyone, surely some police or armed police would come?

Most of the indecisive crowd, hearing Wang Jianguo's assurances, said nothing more.

Among those Zhang Tie had brought, the few who still cared about loyalty could only seethe in anger.

The reason was simple: Wang Jianguo had recruited a group of tall, strong young men from the hotel.

These men wielded fire axes, intentionally or not, intimidating the others.

They might fear and cower before zombies, but they had no qualms about threatening a group of elderly, weak, and sick people.

Seeing that he had control of the situation, Director Wang couldn't help but look smug.

He had made some casual promises – anyone who followed him would get a government job in the future.

And once the military arrived, his followers would have priority in boarding the plane.

With this carrot-and-stick approach, these people obediently followed his orders. How stupid they were!

Just as everyone was about to return to their rooms, a young girl's sorrowful voice rang out.

"Uncle, please lower the rope. My brother is still down there..."

Tears streaming down her face, Zhang Weiwei looked at Wang Jianguo pleadingly, her body trembling with emotion.

Hmm?

Wang Jianguo, who had been arm-in-arm with a fawning young woman, stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the girl.

Tsk tsk.

What a fresh young thing, quite the beauty in the making.

Zhang Weiwei was dressed in a cute and pure style, her red-rimmed eyes brimming with tears, evoking sympathy in others.

Her feet, white as lotus roots, were clad in sandals, the rounded toes making him want to grab and fondle them.

Her skin was fair and smooth, like milk poured into a steaming teapot.

The girl's unique innocence made his insides crawl with desire.

A flash of greed passed through his eyes, and he discreetly withdrew his arm from the waist of the woman beside him.

In comparison, the woman he had thought attractive before now seemed like a withered flower.

He strode over to Zhang Weiwei in a few quick steps.

"Uncle wants to save your brother too, but he's been infected," he said, his breath reeking of years of smoking.

"Uncle is thinking of everyone's safety. If there was a way, I'd definitely save him!"

He reached out to caress Weiwei's face, pretending to comfort her.

Her face, full of vitality, was smooth and tender, as if a firm squeeze would make water ooze out.

He couldn't resist letting his hand wander lower, ostensibly to pat Weiwei's shoulder.

"Uncle..." Weiwei's whole body trembled. She felt afraid of the look in this man's eyes.

"My brother isn't infected. He can still fight zombies."

Sobbing, her shoulders shook as she tried to avoid his greasy hands.

Wang Jianguo inwardly sneered.

He had guessed that Zhang Tie probably wasn't infected by zombies – otherwise, wouldn't he be unconscious like Lin Yi?

But let Zhang Tie up? Then who would listen to him anymore?

When he had privately recruited people earlier in the day, he had already promised them how to deal with the women in the hotel.

To manipulate people through threats and temptation, he had to give these fools a taste of sweetness first!

"Little darling, uncle..."

One hand pressed down on Weiwei's body, while the other, feigning sympathy, moved lower.

Just as he was getting excited, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck.

"Lower the rope. Save them!"

The voice was cold, filled with killing intent.