Chapter 12 – The Deal

“Oh… I refuse.”

Ling Mo shook his head resolutely. Originally, saving them was out of sheer necessity, especially after experiencing some unpleasantness. He now only wanted to leave quickly with Ye Lian, fearing that if they stayed until dark, they might really get stuck.

“How can you be like this! I haven’t even said anything yet!”

Xia Na bit her lip in frustration, gripping Ling Mo’s sleeve as if she had no intention of letting go. She had a stubborn expression, but at this close distance, Ling Mo realized she had a babyface that made her look much younger than her actual age. Previously, he only noticed her fierce demeanor when killing zombies, completely unaware that she was actually a cute-looking girl.

Perhaps because she bore the hope for so many people’s survival and had gone through too many battles, she gave off a more mature vibe than her appearance suggested.

“Hey, stop staring at me!” Noticing Ling Mo’s gaze fixed on her face, Xia Na suddenly raised her eyebrows and flung his arm away. “We’re all survivors, and you seem to have some skills. Why are you unwilling to help?”

If you’re so capable, why do you need my help… From Xia Na’s tone, it was obvious she didn’t want to admit she was inferior to Ling Mo, which made Ling Mo secretly scoff.

“Let’s put it this way, I won’t help with anything related to those parasites.” Ling Mo had no fondness for those who reaped benefits without contributing. Moreover, since Xia Na and Liu Yuhao returned, these people hadn’t shown any concern for their safety, focusing instead on their own interests and being exclusionary. Slapping Lu Xin was, to some extent, a way to indirectly slap these parasites in the face.

However, this was ultimately Xia Na and Liu Yuhao’s choice, and Ling Mo didn’t plan to say much about it. But to get him involved with those people was out of the question.

Unexpectedly, after hearing his words, Xia Na revealed a profound smile. “So, if it has nothing to do with them, you’re willing to help, right? Great, because this matter really has nothing to do with them.”

“I didn’t say that…”

“I just heard Liu Yuhao mention to you that we’re students from No. 3 High School of X City. You know this school, right?”

“Yes… It’s a key school, fully residential…”

In X City, No. 3 High School was quite famous. However, for Ling Mo, who had always been an average student, it was just a name he had heard of but never visited. In contrast, Ye Lian had graduated from No. 3 High School the year before last and got into X City University. Unexpectedly, that annoying Lu Xin was also from No. 3 High School…

At this moment, Liu Yuhao chimed in, “That Lu Xin, he got in with money.”

“You’re so annoying!” Xia Na glared at him, then continued, “When we escaped, some classmates stayed behind at the school. We had planned to go back for them once we found a safe place, but when we tried, we couldn’t even get close. All you need to do is help me get into the school. How about it?”

To be honest, Ling Mo didn’t have a self-sacrificing spirit, but he also wouldn’t impose his standards on others.

He gave Xia Na a meaningful look and suddenly extended his hand, “What’s the reward?”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t think I’d work for free, did you?” Ling Mo asked logically.

Liu Yuhao’s eye twitched, and he suddenly went berserk, “Who told me that after a disaster, everyone would help each other! Ling Mo, I’m starting to feel the world is so dark!”

“That depends on the kind of disaster. Do you think there’s still any order or morality left?” Ling Mo sneered.

Indeed, the outside world was filled with zombies, and the living were hiding like rats, trying to survive in the gaps. The entire world’s order had completely collapsed. A week ago, they might have hoped for rescue, but now they fully understood that in this situation, besides self-rescue, there was no other way.

When the disaster struck, anyone could turn into a zombie in an instant, and no one could clearly explain how the virus was transmitted. But for it to cause such a large-scale outbreak, sweeping the globe within a day, it was likely airborne…

These mutated zombies, when encountering living people, would immediately tear them apart and devour them, giving no chance to resist.

Xia Na stared blankly at Ling Mo for a while, then suddenly smiled. “Your request is reasonable, but haven’t you already received a reward?” Xia Na pointed to the short knife at Ling Mo’s waist. “This was made by my relative.”

“You’re related to Wang Lin?!”

Ling Mo was startled. This world was too small! But it did explain why a young girl like her would have such a sharp long knife. In this country, it probably went beyond the category of regular controlled knives and could be considered a lethal weapon.

However, when Ling Mo looked at the long knife on Xia Na, he noticed something different about the engraved characters on the handle. It didn’t bear the Wang family mark…

Seeing Ling Mo’s confusion, Xia Na touched the exposed handle of her knife and snorted, “Don’t look. I made this one myself. By the way, the one in your hand was made by Wang Lin.”

“Wang Lin?” Ling Mo was truly shocked this time. He hadn’t expected that the frail Wang Lin he remembered could make handmade knives and swords, and with such skill… But on second thought, it made sense. The Wang family ran a home workshop, so it wasn’t surprising for the craft to be passed down to her.

But to be so young and skilled, yet die early without even leaving a body behind… Ling Mo couldn’t help but grip the handle tighter, his expression darkening for a moment.

Xia Na didn’t notice the subtle change in Ling Mo’s expression and continued, “Although it’s not as good as mine, that short knife is quite valuable, right? I consider it an advance payment. So, are we agreed? If you’re worried about your sister’s safety, she can stay here. My classmates will take care of her…”

“No need.” Ling Mo interrupted Xia Na’s proposal directly. What a joke; Ye Lian was a mutation zombie. If she was out of his control, by the time they returned, they’d probably only find a pile of meat and bones.

“You might be a bit annoying, but you’re really good in this area. Your sister might be quiet and introverted, but she’s so beautiful. You should cherish her.”

Xia Na raised an eyebrow and suddenly patted Ling Mo’s shoulder in a serious manner.

So, little sister, you really misunderstood… However, knowing that Xia Na and Wang Lin were relatives did soften Ling Mo’s heart a bit. Places like schools, densely populated areas, naturally had a lot of zombies. The people still inside were likely in dire straits. Xia Na must have considered this outcome but still hadn’t given up.

Should he call it determination or foolishness…

“I’ll only escort you to the gate,” Ling Mo said after careful consideration. Given his skills, getting to the main gate should be manageable. If anything went wrong, he still had Ye Lian by his side.

“Great! Ling Mo, it’s rare for you to stay and help out. Tonight, we’ll have a good drink to celebrate! Hahaha…” Liu Yuhao quietly gave Xia Na a thumbs-up and then familiarly draped his arm over Ling Mo’s shoulder, laughing.

“Since it’s a transaction, there’s no need for thanks.”

Xia Na smiled slightly and grabbed Ye Lian’s hand. It was clear that she quite liked this beautiful sister who never spoke or showed any expression…