Chapter 83 – No Turning Back Once the Bow is Drawn

Lin Luanqiu noticed that Shi Bin’s attitude was somewhat unusual, but she still lowered her voice and said, “We are at a disadvantage after all…”

“Can you just stop talking? I didn’t have to come along! If it weren’t for you…” Shi Bin trailed off, unable to continue.

If Lin Luanqiu hadn’t brought him along, it would have been a death sentence for him. Alone, he would have eventually been trapped on Red Light Street, and without Lin Luanqiu, he wouldn’t have had the means to survive. Whether it was the Sharpening Stick or the combat techniques, Lin Luanqiu had taught him everything.

“Sorry, I’m really tired.” Shi Bin glanced at Lin Luanqiu with evasive eyes, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes.

Lin Luanqiu sighed quietly and leaned back as well, saying nothing more. She had a vague feeling that if Shi Bin continued like this, things wouldn’t end well for him. But she couldn’t influence Ling Mo’s thoughts, nor could she persuade Shi Bin…

Though they had rarely engaged in combat along the way, the constant traveling had left Lin Luanqiu feeling quite exhausted.

Seeing that Ling Mo had also closed his eyes, Lin Luanqiu discreetly touched her left arm and then pressed down slightly. A trace of pain immediately appeared on her face. She tried to lift it, but there was no response.

Looking down at her slowly unclenching and clenching left hand, Lin Luanqiu’s nose began to sweat, and a hint of sorrow flashed in her eyes. “If I hadn’t met up with Ling Mo’s group in time, I probably wouldn’t have lasted another week before dying…”

Just as Shi Bin had said, they were exhausted and it was getting late. After some consideration, Ling Mo decided they would stay there for the night.

Although he didn’t have a good feeling about Xu Cai, Ling Mo didn’t think much about it.

Little did he know, the group of students who had seemed so pitiable earlier were now tormenting their own companions.

“Dead? Someone’s dead!”

A boy, still frantically moving, suddenly realized the girl beneath him had stopped responding. His fervor and impulse were instantly extinguished. After checking her breath with his fingers, his face turned deathly pale, and he went limp…

Just as he cried out, Xu Cai kicked him hard: “What are you yelling for? Are you trying to alert the others? You guys! You’ve had your fun, and now she’s dead. There’s no turning back once the bow is drawn, got it?” Xu Cai’s wolf-like gaze swept over the group. He was very pleased with their frightened and complicated expressions.

This group was never made up of good people. Every time Xu Cai went out to scavenge for food, he would inevitably pick out some “sacrifices.” These people would always push the weak or cowardly to their deaths. Women with no means of self-defense were naturally the first choice for sacrifice.

Originally, there were seven or eight girls among them, all sent out as bait in this manner. These three were bound to meet the same fate sooner or later.

However, this group had never thought of venting their frustrations on them, as they believed the girls’ greatest use was as bait.

Sometimes, all it takes is a spark to ignite. They had indirectly caused many deaths, but this was the first time they had killed a companion with their own hands.

“These two aren’t dead yet…” one of them said, responding to Xu Cai’s words.

Xu Cai glanced at the two girls lying on the ground, a vicious look in his eyes: “Then kill them!”

Killing one or two made no difference…

The sky quickly darkened, and the small warehouse was filled with nothing but the sound of long, deep breaths.

Ling Mo lay under the window, his head resting on Ye Lian’s lap, while his other hand was tightly clasped with Xia Na’s. He was clearly sleeping soundly.

The two mutated female zombies were leaning against each other, eyes closed. Although their breathing was faint, the slight rise and fall of their chests indicated they were also in a deep sleep.

Sitting next to Ye Lian was Lin Luanqiu. Initially, she had been resting more than two meters away from them. However, the cold wind continuously blowing in through the window made her unconsciously move closer to the nearby source of warmth.

Almost instinctively, Lin Luanqiu pressed her body against Ling Mo’s. She slightly tilted her head, resting it on Ye Lian’s shoulder, and her legs were nearly seamlessly intertwined with Ling Mo’s body.

Shi Bin coldly watched this scene. When he saw Lin Luanqiu and Ling Mo almost touching, a flash of malice appeared in his eyes. He tightly gripped the Sharpening Stick beside him, his eyes filled with jealousy and resentment, fixated on Ling Mo’s throat.

Could he kill Ling Mo with a surprise attack right now?

Even if he couldn’t kill him, he could infect him, turning him into a zombie, a man-eating monster…

Shi Bin felt his heart start to race, his blood boiling, and a dry mouth and throat.

Should he make a move?

After several tense seconds, Shi Bin suddenly snapped out of it.

Even if he could kill Ling Mo, Xia Na and Ye Lian would surely kill him when they woke up! Moreover, without reaching the School Hospital, Lin Luanqiu would certainly die!

Shi Bin’s expression became complicated. He really disliked Ling Mo, but risking his life to attack Ling Mo seemed not worth it… And looking at Lin Luanqiu’s sleeping face, he couldn’t help but feel a bit soft-hearted. Although Lin Luanqiu’s actions to survive now disgusted him, she had done a lot for him in the past. Besides, he had special feelings for her…

Once they reached the School Hospital, they could part ways, and Lin Luanqiu would return to her old self!

“Consider yourself lucky!”

Shi Bin finally put down the Sharpening Stick, cursing in his heart.

He waited quietly for a few minutes. Once he was sure everyone was deeply asleep, he stood up stealthily, opened the door with the utmost care and gentleness, and quickly slipped out.

However, he didn’t know that the moment he closed the door, Ling Mo, who seemed to be sound asleep, suddenly opened his eyes wide…

After Shi Bin exited the small storage room, he stretched his stiff body and then turned his gaze to the dark hallway.

“That Xu Cai asked me to meet him at the stairwell. What on earth does he want to talk about…”

Actually, almost two hours had passed since the agreed meeting time with Xu Cai. Shi Bin was still hesitant about meeting him at the stairwell. However, seeing that everyone was asleep now, his curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to check it out.

Full of doubts, Shi Bin cautiously approached the stairwell.

As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he spotted Xu Cai’s figure.

Xu Cai had been waiting impatiently, but his face lit up with excitement when he saw Shi Bin. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Shi Bin’s arm, and whispered, “Brother, I knew you wouldn’t stand me up. Come with me.”

With that, he pulled Shi Bin up to the third floor, finally stopping at the landing between the second and third floors.

Annoyed, Shi Bin shook off Xu Cai’s hand and asked, “What exactly did you call me here for? If it’s food, I really don’t have any.”

“I know,” Xu Cai replied with a sly grin, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Brother, you know I’ve always been loyal. We had a good relationship before, right? Now, after surviving such a catastrophe and still being able to meet, it’s like we’re real brothers! Honestly, it seems like you’re not doing so well, are you?”

Xu Cai’s flattery made Shi Bin somewhat skeptical, but it was the last statement that hit a nerve.

His expression changed, and he sighed in resignation. “Since you noticed, I won’t deny it. Yes, I’m not doing well. Actually, things were better a couple of days ago.”

“Come on, there’s nothing we can’t talk about between brothers. Just tell me, did Ling Mo do something to you? Even though I’m down on my luck now, I can’t ignore a brother’s troubles!” Xu Cai thumped his chest in assurance.

Shi Bin looked at Xu Cai suspiciously. While he doubted the sincerity of Xu Cai’s words, his genuine eyes and earnest tone made Shi Bin’s inner resolve waver.

Whether Xu Cai was lying or not didn’t matter. If he was willing to trouble Ling Mo, it would suit Shi Bin perfectly.