Chapter 37: We Will Always Be Teammates!

"You… you're willing to lend me your robot dog?" Lan Ya asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

In this day and age, she'd be thanking her lucky stars if people just stayed out of her way. To find someone actually offering to help was unheard of. Still, Chen Yuan's own combat abilities seemed average, but his three robot dogs could be of some use. With these three little guys, they could provide some support. In the current situation, something was better than nothing.

The corner of Chen Yuan's mouth twitched. "When did I say I was lending you my robot dogs?"

Aha! So you are after my gear! You scheming woman!

"Huh? You're not? Didn't you just say you wanted to help?" Lan Ya asked, a look of genuine confusion on her face.

Chen Yuan scratched his head. Great. I'm being underestimated.

If I don't show you some real skill, you'll think I'm just some nobody who stumbled into this mess.

He gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "I am helping. Of course, the robot dogs will be used as well."

Lan Ya's expression was strange. "You're helping?" Hmm, the explosive arrows were certainly useful, but against a large-scale zombie horde, they were like a cup of water on a burning cart. To solve a zombie swarm, you needed a real weapon of mass destruction. And this man before her certainly didn't look like he had anything of the sort.

"Maybe it's better if you don't. I'll have to protect you then…" After a moment's thought, Lan Ya decided to scrap the idea of getting his help.

You… you… Chen Yuan nearly coughed up a mouthful of old blood. He admitted that, in terms of skill and professionalism, he was no match for her. But just because he wasn't good enough now didn't mean he couldn't grow. What's with that look? Why do you look at me like I'm a liability?

"You just wait! I'll show you what I'm made of!"

"Uh… maybe you should just go home…"

"I refuse!"

"Fine then. You can follow me, but I can't guarantee your safety."

Chen Yuan's lip curled. "Who asked for your protection? I can protect myself. Maybe one day, you'll be the one needing my protection."

"Heh. Me, need your protection?" Lan Ya's competitive spirit was instantly ignited. "Let me tell you, although I'm only a C-rank Hunter, I'm far beyond what any ordinary person can keep up with!"

"Good! Then let's see who's protecting whom in the end!"

"Fine! It's a deal," Lan Ya said, clenching her fists. You want to be cocky? As if I'd let you outdo me.

"Alright," Chen Yuan said, "but let me make this clear first. You are not allowed to pry into my secrets! Otherwise, you'll have to deal with the robot dogs!"

"Tch. Who cares? It's just some hand-made gear, right? Don't worry, I won't even ask," she retorted.

Hearing this, a slight smile touched Chen Yuan's lips. There, she took the bait. With Lan Ya as a shield in front, he could safely scavenge for materials and arm himself. He hadn't decided to what extent he would arm himself yet, but at the very least, he needed armor similar to what she was wearing. No, similar wasn't good enough. It had to be stronger!

In the end, after a brief war of words, the two reached an agreement. Lan Ya would continue her mission, and Chen Yuan would provide assistance as he could, without having to follow her constantly. As for what came after, the two of them had a tacit understanding not to press the issue. After all, whether they would even survive was a question in itself. There was no point in wasting brainpower on it.

Lan Ya took off her helmet again, her guard around Chen Yuan gradually lowering. Since they were teammates, they needed to trust each other.

She took out a compressed biscuit from her portable pack and offered it to him. "Fill your stomach."

Chen Yuan chuckled. Compressed biscuits? He took one out of his own backpack and tossed it to her. "You try mine first."

"What's the difference between yours and mine..." Lan Ya pursed her lips.

"You'll know once you eat it."

"Tch. Fine, I'll eat it!"

Lan Ya unceremoniously tore open the packaging, stuffed it in her mouth, and took a bite.

A crispy texture, fragrant but not greasy, with a faint milky aroma. After a few chews, she swallowed, and the feeling of hunger was instantly swept away. Not only that, she felt a faint heat radiating from within her entire body. Although her armor had an insulation function, heat would still slowly dissipate. But after just one bite of the biscuit, she felt miraculously warm.

"What… what is this?!" Lan Ya asked, staring at Chen Yuan in a daze.

"Oh? You want to deal with the robot dogs?" Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed with amusement.

"Is this also a secret?!"

"Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" The corner of Chen Yuan's mouth curled up. See? Easy way to shut you up.

Lan Ya gritted her silver teeth. Fine! I won't ask! She looked at the remaining half of the biscuit in her hand and stuffed it all into her mouth.

Warmth surged through her body, and she was filled with strength.

Hooo... She let out a light breath. Ever since she had started her mission, she had never felt so satisfied.

Chen Yuan watched her expression, feeling a secret thrill of satisfaction. See? Am I amazing or what?

Lan Ya turned her head away, unable to stand the smug look on his face.

After a simple meal, the two began to discuss their next steps. Lan Ya's original idea was to organize the people from the various camps, manage them centrally, and avoid unnecessary casualties while she was out killing zombies. And with more people, there was more strength. Relying on a fortified base, they might even be able to hold off the zombies for a while.

But the moment she proposed this idea, it was shot down by Chen Yuan. His theory was that with more people came more problems. Before they even killed a single zombie, internal chaos would break out. Then, they would not only have to face the zombies, but also deal with internal issues, spreading themselves too thin.

In the end, Lan Ya changed her mind and decided to listen to Chen Yuan. Although he looked to be in his early twenties, he was, after all, a man of two worlds. He might not be able to beat her in a fight, but did he not understand the ways of the world?

The night passed without a word.

When the sky was just beginning to lighten the next day, the rolling shutter of the QQ Underwear store was pulled up again.

"Let's go! Time to move!" Lan Ya waved her hand, batting away the snowflakes drifting in front of her.

Chen Yuan nodded. "I'll come and meet up with you after I'm done here."

"You be careful," Lan Ya said, a hint of worry in her voice. Although they had both been full of bravado last night, when it came to actually dealing with so many zombies, she still felt a little short on confidence.

"Don't worry, I won't die. It's just that the timing is uncertain."

"It's fine. I've set up a base at the Hengfeng Building. If you need to find me, you can go there directly."

"Alright, I'll go find you after I'm done. I know that place." Chen Yuan grinned, then patted Tieqiong's head. "You go with this pretty big sister. Protect her well."

「Roger!」

Tieqiong, as if infected by the atmosphere, extended its two mechanical arms and waved them.

"Chen Yuan, thank you for your help. We will always be teammates!" Lan Ya said, her expression complex as she watched the robot dog obediently walk to her side. She knew how much this robot dog meant to Chen Yuan. But with this little guy scouting ahead, her efficiency would be greatly improved.

"Alright, alright, enough with the sentimentality. Find the zombies' nest as soon as possible, and then the two of us will wipe them out in one go!"

Lan Ya nodded silently and turned to walk to the left. Tieqiong glanced at Chen Yuan, then quickly followed her. Man and dog walked down the snow-covered road, their steps making a soft crunching sound.

"Alright, let's go too," Chen Yuan said to his remaining companions.

With that, he turned and mounted Tieniu's back.

「Master, where to?」