Chapter 13: Gu Anqing  

Liu Shuang'er listened intently to Huang Ming's analysis, her mind racing as she tried to piece things together. 

"Huang Ming, you're right. The most critical factor is the unknown number of zombies along the way. We don't have solid intel on that." 

Intel? Mechanical engineer? Unknown numbers? 

Suddenly, Huang Ming felt like he was missing something important—a clue or piece of information. He clutched his head, trying to recall, think, and analyze, but it just wouldn't come to him. 

Seeing Huang Ming in apparent distress, Shuang'er quickly got off the sofa and moved closer to check on him. 

Huang Ming waved her off, signaling that he was fine. Shuang'er, seeing that he seemed okay, glanced out the window and teased, 

"Huang Ming, do you have a plane? If only we could fly over there!" 

A plane? Fly over? 

Huang Ming's mind exploded with realization. He remembered what he'd been forgetting—drones! 

His spatial dimension was filled with drones that could conduct aerial surveys. This way, he could quickly gather intel on the entire campus. 

"Shuang'er, you're a genius! Thanks for reminding me. I'd have been stuck otherwise." 

Huang Ming excitedly grabbed Shuang'er's hands, leaving her flustered and confused. She stared at him, wide-eyed. 

Huang Ming knew what she was thinking and cut off her wild imagination, explaining excitedly: 

"How could I have a plane? But I do have drones!" 

"Drones? Oh, you mean for aerial surveys! How did we not think of that earlier? I'd forgotten about that too!" 

"Exactly, aerial surveys!" 

As he spoke, Huang Ming pulled out a drone from his spatial dimension. 

Its exterior was made of optical materials, making it nearly invisible during flight. 

Shuang'er was just as excited as Huang Ming, eager to launch the drone and explore the unknown. 

Huang Ming directed the drone from Building 10 toward Building 5. 

He noticed that there weren't many zombies on the road, likely because most people were asleep when the disaster struck, so few were outside. 

This was good news for him. He circled Building 5 a few times, confirming the situation before concluding it was safe. 

The scattered zombies along the way were manageable for Huang Ming alone. He just needed to clear them out during the trip. 

As he prepared to bring the drone back, he noticed that Building 1 was surrounded by zombies. Building 1 was right in front of Building 5. 

Earlier, Building 1 had reported infections, followed by a live-streamed zombie ambush. 

Now, the drone footage showed zombies swarming the building, both inside and out. Survivors had locked themselves in, too scared to step outside. 

Huang Ming guided the drone back, his mind unsettled. Things were looking grim. 

"What's wrong, Huang Ming? There aren't many zombies along the way. Why do you look so worried?" 

Shuang'er, noticing Huang Ming's troubled expression, knew something was off and couldn't help but ask. 

"It's Building 1." 

Huang Ming glanced at the footage stored on the drone and replied briefly. 

"Building 1? What about it? I saw it too. They're practically overrun. But what does that have to do with us going to Building 5? Wait, are you saying..." 

"Exactly! If we don't act soon, the zombies from Building 1 will spill out, and Building 5 will be the first to suffer. The area will be swarming with zombies, and escaping will be much harder." 

Shuang'er hadn't considered this. Her mouth fell open. 

Building 1 had nearly 200 people. If half of them turned into zombies and spilled out, Building 5's surroundings could be infested with dozens of zombies. 

Without firearms, escaping unscathed would be impossible. 

The thought made her gulp. 

"Shuang'er, contact your best friend now. If possible, I want her to cooperate with my plan tonight. Otherwise, it'll be too late." 

"Huang Ming, are you crazy? Can you even see at night?" 

Shuang'er couldn't control her emotions, almost shouting. Huang Ming knew she was worried about him, so he didn't mind. 

"Shuang'er, I have night vision goggles. I can see those monsters. We have to act at night. If we go during the day, we'll attract too much attention. It's better not to rescue her at all. Think about it—if I rush out in broad daylight to save a beauty, word will spread, and our lives will be hell." 

After Huang Ming's explanation, Shuang'er understood his reasoning. Though she was still uneasy, she had no choice but to pull out her phone. 

"I get it. I'll talk to her now. You prepare yourself too." 

Shuang'er clicked on her best friend Gu Anqing's profile. At this critical moment, she didn't overthink it, hoping her friend would be sensible. 

"Anqing, are you there?" 

"What's up, Shuang'er?" 

"Anqing, listen. If someone could guarantee you a lifetime of food and shelter, would you be willing to follow them?" 

"Shuang'er! I don't understand what you mean!" 

Shuang'er pursed her lips. Her best friend was always so stubborn. But given the circumstances, Shuang'er couldn't help but feel a bit impatient. 

"Anqing, you know what I mean. This is a life-or-death situation. Otherwise, I'd explain it to you slowly. I'm with him right now. If you're willing, he'll act tonight to rescue you." 

"Shuang'er! What kind of joke is this? Rescue me? How? Where would you take me?" 

Shuang'er understood. If she were in Anqing's shoes, she'd have the same doubts. 

When she first entered Huang Ming's place, she'd also been skeptical, even mocking him. The memory made her cheeks burn with embarrassment. 

So Shuang'er patiently explained, hoping to save her proud and stubborn best friend. 

"Anqing, listen. First, he can guarantee you a lifetime of food and shelter. Second, he needs your mechanical engineering skills. I recommended you! Third, we're not joking." 

"Anqing, Building 1 is overrun. He just saw it with the drone. If you don't cooperate with his plan tonight, it'll be too late tomorrow or any other day." 

Hearing this, Gu Anqing rushed to the window and looked toward Building 1. What she saw made her pupils contract. 

The corridors, stairwells, and the area around the first floor were filled with zombies, shambling aimlessly. 

Anqing knew Shuang'er and Huang Ming were right. If she waited another day, the zombies would spill out. 

Building 5 would definitely be affected. Once surrounded by zombies, escaping would be impossible.