Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Escape Plan (Part 4)
"Uncle~" Watching Du Jian rush into the crowd of corpses, A Cheng screamed out, but before the word "Uncle" could leave his mouth, it was covered tightly by a large hand, silencing him entirely.
"Mmm mmm mmm~" A Cheng struggled twice, trying to break free, but Tang Xiaoquan had no intention of letting go.
He covered A Cheng’s mouth with one hand while gesturing to Wang Qiang to retreat. Only after they moved back to the turn in the first-floor corridor did he let out a long breath and say, "Everyone, stay calm. You all heard what Brother Du just said. Don’t let him down!"
"****, what the hell are you talking about?" Wang Qiang couldn’t believe his ears. "What do you mean don’t let him down! Did a donkey kick your brain? You actually believe that bull he spouted?"
Tang Xiaoquan nodded affirmatively, and as if feeling that wasn’t strong enough, he righteously added, "Yes, I believe him."
Ignoring Tang Xiaoquan’s nonsense, Wang Qiang pushed him aside and raised his Long Spear, ready to rush out for rescue.
But to Wang Qiang’s surprise, Tang Xiaoquan wouldn’t yield, grabbing his collar and pulling him back once more.
This really made Wang Qiang furious, and he was about to argue in rage.
However, Tang Xiaoquan was quick and sealed his mouth before he could speak.
In that moment, the corridor on the first floor was filled with "mmm mmm mmm" sounds, as if mourning a death at a funeral.
"Listen to me, Brother Du did this because he knows he is infected. He wanted to do something for us while he still has his sanity. If we rush out now, we’re crushing his last wish, and he won’t rest in peace!"
"Bullshit!" When it comes to strength, Tang Xiaoquan was no match for Wang Qiang. So, after a few seconds of struggle, he failed to overpower him.
Flinging away Tang Xiaoquan’s right hand that was covering A Cheng’s mouth, Wang Qiang continued, "Quan, listen up, Brother Du isn’t infected. He’s doing this to give us a way out. Didn’t you say before, we are a team? And as a team, can we just watch Brother Du march to his death?"
Facing Wang Qiang’s indignant expression, Tang Xiaoquan knew that if he couldn’t provide a reassuring answer, Wang Qiang would drag A Cheng out next. And by then...
It would be too late!
"Alright, given the situation, I won’t hide it anymore. In fact, yesterday evening, while you were showering, Brother Du confided the whole situation to me. As for why he didn’t tell you, for him, it was really hard to bring up."
At this point, Tang Xiaoquan paused appropriately, then shifted his gaze to Wang Qiang, "Qiang, do you remember when we discussed the cause of Huang Yaru’s mutation the night before?"
"Of course," Wang Qiang nodded, "Yaru was infected by the guest she was with. Why? What’s it got to do with Brother Du?"
Suspiciously watching Tang Xiaoquan, Wang Qiang tried to read something from his face.
Sighing lightly, stalling for time, Tang Xiaoquan shook his head, appearing troubled before speaking slowly, "Brother Du, he... was involved with Huang Yaru, on the night of the watch."
"What?" Upon hearing this, both Wang and Yan were astounded.
Especially Wang Qiang, who felt a pang in his heart, immediately asking, "You’re saying Yaru and Brother Du were involved?"
"Yes!" Tang Xiaoquan was unusually certain.
But is this the truth? Obviously, the answer is no.
Indeed, Du Jian was involved with Huang Yaru, but for Tang Xiaoquan, it was mere speculation, he never witnessed it himself, let alone any confession from Du Jian.
The reason he said it was purely to save the lives of the two in front of him.
After all, sometimes lies told with good intentions can save lives, and this didn’t go against Du Jian’s own will.
At this point, Wang Qiang, who was just clamoring to go out and rescue, fell silent. Seeing him bow his head without speaking, Tang Xiaoquan wasted no time and quickly shifted his focus to A Cheng.
"A Cheng, Brother Du did this largely for you. He wants you to live well and has entrusted you to us, hoping we’ll ensure your safety. So, for Brother Du, don’t let him die in vain, you must survive with his expectations in your heart!"
A Cheng’s eyes welled up, crystal tears circulated unbidden in his eyes.
He once complained about his uncle’s bad temper and strict treatment of him;
He once resented his uncle for abandoning his father and ignoring him;
But now, after listening to Tang Xiaoquan’s passionate account, his heart felt as if it had been pierced by a sharp blade, throbbing with pain.
This is probably the commonality of humans; we often don’t cherish things when we have them, only to regret losing them too late.
The atmosphere in the corridor immediately plunged into oppression, Wang and Du stood dumbfounded.
Time passed slowly in this bizarre silence, and the previously clear curses and shouts outside were gradually replaced by excited roars.
Cautiously peeking outside, Tang Xiaoquan saw that most of the dense crowd of corpses at the entrance had disappeared, with only a few staggering zombies trudging along.
He knew the time to flee had come, promptly waking A Cheng from his grief, saying, "Xiao Du, when we go out later, your only task is to open the door, start the car, and take us away. As for the rest, Qiang and I will handle it. Understand?"
Hesitating for two seconds, A Cheng, with a crying face, said, "But I’ve only learned to drive with my uncle for a week. I’m afraid..."
"Have some confidence in yourself! We believe in you!" Tang Xiaoquan gave A Cheng a trusting look, though it was truly a helpless move.
There was no choice; among the three, only Du Jian and his nephew had any driving experience, and now that Du Jian was gone, the responsibility naturally fell to Du Jiancheng, despite his only week of learning...
Reaching out, Tang Xiaoquan handed the keys to A Cheng and solemnly patted his shoulder.
What follows is a gamble for life...