Chapter 43: Preparing for Action!

Huang Ming did a few push-ups and high knee lifts on the spot, trying to familiarize himself with the combat suit. 

"Alright, we'll move at midnight tonight to rescue Lu Yusi. You two will operate the drones to monitor our surroundings and try to locate that mutated zombie Li Qingya." 

Gu Anqing frowned slightly. She had been worrying about one thing - whether firearms would be effective against mutated zombies, and if their strength surpassed ordinary zombies. 

"Huang Ming," she cautioned, "while this suit can withstand attacks from normal zombies, don't try to go head-to-head with Teacher Li Qingya. I'm afraid her strength might penetrate your armor." 

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to let her get close. If she tries, I'll send her on a one-way trip to the dimensional space," Huang Ming replied confidently. 

Liu Shuang'er also looked worried. The thought of Huang Ming going out on another dangerous mission made her anxious. 

"Don't be overconfident," she added. "What if she's faster than you expect? A sneak attack from behind might catch you off guard!" 

Huang Ming nodded, warmed by their concern. With two campus beauties worrying about him, he couldn't afford to be careless. 

"Anqing, contact Lu Yusi and tell her to wait in the first floor lobby of Building 2 at midnight. She should bring only essential items and research materials, and be careful not to be seen." 

Gu Anqing took out her phone and called Lu Yusi. 

"Anqing? What's up?" Lu Yusi answered. 

"Yusi, be in the first floor lobby at midnight. He'll come to Building 2 to extract you. Just bring your most valuable items and research. Remember, don't be seen - there are still many survivors at school, and we don't want to expose ourselves yet." 

"Got it. Have him call when he arrives. I'll be waiting downstairs beforehand." 

After hanging up, Lu Yusi went to the table and unwrapped a sandwich. She needed to eat well to ensure she had enough energy for tonight's operation. 

She had already changed into sportswear and light blue sneakers. Her belongings were packed in a small backpack - just some jewelry left by her mother, a few precious mementos, and important biological research materials. The bag was almost weightless. 

With Lu Yusi notified, Huang Ming prepared to call Li Chang'an. He decided to bring the big guy along tonight. 

"Fatty, we've got an operation tonight." 

"Awesome! Just say the word, boss! I'm with you!" 

"Meet me at your place at 11 PM. Have your gear ready, and we'll go over details then." 

"You got it!" 

After hanging up, Huang Ming put both drones on charge to ensure they wouldn't run out of power during the mission. 

"Huang Ming," Gu Anqing said worriedly, "we still have over six hours until midnight. Let me make more bullets for you. I don't know why, but I have this nagging feeling firearms might not work well against Teacher Li Qingya. Please be careful." 

"Alright, I appreciate it. But let's rest first and have dinner before you start." 

Holding Liu Shuang'er's hand with his left and Gu Anqing's wrist with his right, Huang Ming led them to the sofa. He then took out three cups of Starbucks coffee - all 1982 vintage cappuccinos. 

"Got any sugar? I need some in mine." 

"Me too." 

Huang Ming raised an eyebrow. These girls didn't hold back - quite particular about their coffee! He retrieved two packets of specialty coffee sugar and handed them over. 

Despite being drenched in sweat, they sipped their coffee with such elegance that Huang Ming couldn't help but steal a few extra glances. 

After resting, it was 6:30 PM. 

The three gathered around the dining table for dinner - a 12-pound king crab pre-cooked at a five-star hotel with various preparations: garlic-steamed legs, typhoon shelter-style body, ginger-scallion stir-fried body, cheese-baked legs, spicy body and legs, and crab roe noodles. 

"Huang Ming!" Liu Shuang'er exclaimed, cheese smeared at the corner of her mouth as she picked at crab legs. "I thought we'd have to cook this ourselves! How did you get prepared food from a five-star hotel?" 

She was clearly enjoying the feast. Gu Anqing seemed equally pleased, though she focused on the spicy dishes - apparently a chili lover. 

Huang Ming just shrugged. He was used to their constant amazement. Finding crab meat insufficiently filling, he mainly ate the crab roe noodles. 

After dinner, Huang Ming lounged on the sofa to rest while Gu Anqing returned to her materials to make more bullets. Huang Ming didn't object - he could always use more ammunition. 

Liu Shuang'er played on her phone, apparently deciding to relax before cleaning up. 

By 10 PM, Huang Ming asked Gu Anqing to stop. She had been working all day - this was enough. 

Her efficiency had improved remarkably, producing 150 more bullets and 10 additional magazines. 

This brought their total to 30 magazines with 10 rounds each. With quick reloading, Huang Ming could fire 310 rounds continuously. 

Seeing Gu Anqing drenched in sweat again, Huang Ming said considerately, "Anqing, I'll load the magazines. You go rest and take a shower first." 

Taking the ammunition case, he called over Liu Shuang'er - who had already finished cleaning and showering - to help load the 10 new magazines, which didn't take long. 

At 11 PM sharp, Gu Anqing emerged freshly showered to find Huang Ming doing final equipment checks. 

She and Liu Shuang'er offered last-minute advice: 

"Be careful out there. Don't take unnecessary risks." 

"If things go south, just run. No shame in retreating." 

Huang Ming nodded, though their fragrant proximity was giving him distracting thoughts. Shaking his head to clear it, he chugged a bottle of milk and stepped out. 

The hallway was pitch black, but Huang Ming's helmet-mounted night vision made navigation effortless. 

Without his spatial abilities and high-tech gear, walking alone through these eerie midnight corridors would have been terrifying.