A large convoy appeared on the mountain road, making the originally peaceful Celestial Horse Island tense. Upon learning the visitors’ identities and motives, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief. On the surface, these people seemed friendly at least.
Only Corgi Good Fortune, standing among the crowd, was slightly dissatisfied. Just because zombies act like dogs, why insult dogs?
Zhong Xiaoshan looked at the trucks loaded with supplies and the weary, rather disheveled people, feeling a bit heavy-hearted.
"I’m really sorry, Mr. Meng. Brother Su isn’t on Celestial Horse Island right now. I can’t make decisions on such a significant matter."
"If you can’t decide, then ask someone, don’t you have any communication tools?" A burly man shouted impatiently. "I hear at least dozens of people inside; can’t they come up with a conclusion?"
"Yeah, I clearly remember Zhang Su saying that if we face difficulties, we can come here. Now we’re here, with so many supplies, and helped eliminate quite a few zombies along the way. Yet, we’re being shut out now, what’s that about?"
Another middle-aged man spoke, his tone filled with dissatisfaction.
"Hey, hey, what are you two doing!"
Meng Changwei stepped forward to stop the speakers, offering an apologetic smile. "Master Zhong, could you please try contacting Master Zhang and ask his opinion? There shouldn’t be any issues."
Zhong Xiaoshan furrowed her brow. In her view, if Meng Changwei truly wanted to stop his men from speaking out of turn, he would have done so early on. But ultimately, he let them speak, probably as a mouthpiece.
She naturally understood the underlying nuances and wasn’t concerned, instead casting a questioning look at Guo Dachao and Zhao Xue, as if asking: Did Brother Su really say they could come to us if they had trouble?
Guo Dachao shrugged to express his ignorance, and Zhao Xue also pursed her lips and shook her head, having no idea about this.
Besides the two, another person had accompanied Zhang Su to the Cyan Dragon Corps, namely Su Xiaoya, who was muttering under her breath.
"Brother Su never said that..."
She distinctly remembered Zhang Su saying that there might be a chance to go to Bridge Town for food and drink!
"Don’t rush, we’ll discuss this." Zhong Xiaoshan nodded to Meng Changwei and others, then jumped off the tank, signaling to a few people.
"Without Brother Su, I can’t make decisions on such big matters by myself; everyone should give some ideas."
Twelve people formed a circle, and Zhong Xiaoshan looked at the crowd.
Those Zhong Xiaoshan called over for discussion were either core seniors of the camp, like Zhao Xue, Yu Qing, Lü Leiyang, and Guo Dachao, or individuals with some skills, such as Yang Liehuo, Duan Wuhu, Ju Mumio, and the cunning Ma Changshou.
Upon hearing Zhong Xiaoshan’s words, the people exchanged glances, and Ju Mumio spoke first, decisively: "Don’t let them in; there are too many of them."
When others spoke like this, it might seem cowardly, but since the camp’s force representative was speaking, it naturally turned cautious.
"I agree with Ju Mumio’s words!" Zhao Xue nodded second.
"I agree."
"Me too."
Following closely, Lü Leiyang and Guo Dachao raised their hands in approval.
"There are quite a few of them; I also feel we shouldn’t let them in, but..." Yu Qing looked at Zhong Xiaoshan: "But what if Brother Su really said those words? Wouldn’t our ungraciousness make things difficult for Brother Su?"
"Hmm..." Yang Liehuo hummed heavily in his throat, shaking his head: "We can’t deal with so many right now."
"I didn’t hear Brother Su say that, and even if he did, it was probably only polite talk!" said Guo Dachao.
"Um... Can I say something?"
Su Xiaoya timidly approached the group.
"Xiaoya? Just go ahead and say it, it’s fine."
Zhong Xiaoshan smiled kindly at Su Xiaoya.
"Brother Su didn’t say they could come over; I recall Brother Su talking about possibly visiting Bridge Town someday as guests. That’s all I wanted to mention, so I’ll head off now..."
After speaking, Su Xiaoya smiled shyly and turned to leave.
"That girl..."
Yang Liehuo shook his head with an odd expression.
"Now that the truth is clear, since Brother Su didn’t say that, I also agree with Ju Mumio’s suggestion." Yu Qing raised her hand.
Ma Changshou, slouched, hadn’t spoken, and he glanced at the gate disdainfully: "Stray dogs dare to be arrogant; if they were let in, how could we manage? Unless they’re all tied up!"
...
The others gave Ma Changshou an "You’re something else" look.
Zhong Xiaoshan pinched her temples and sighed: "Tying them up is less straightforward than just refusing; I have an idea—to let them settle in Satellite Village first and decide when Brother Su returns. What do you think?"
In the post-apocalyptic world, it’s not all about conflict; there’s also human sentiment. From various signs, Zhang Su’s relationship with Bridge Town seemed positive, so directly turning hostile wasn’t appropriate, requiring a face-saving way to delay.
Upon hearing Zhong Xiaoshan’s suggestion, Duan Wuhu was the first to raise his hand in agreement: "Second Sister-in-law’s solution is good; it avoids tension and minimizes clashes!"
"Exactly, exactly."
"Satellite Village has a nice living environment, and even if Brother Su does accept them, they wouldn’t be placed on Celestial Horse Island first; going there early is perfectly sensible!"
"A great arrangement, two birds with one stone, so convey it to them like this; it should be okay!"
While Zhong Xiaoshan was conferring with her group, seven or eight people outside the gate were also discussing.
The burly man from earlier spat on the ground, speaking darkly: "Damn it, in my opinion, why not just break in and show these bastards what the outside world is really like!"
"Big Bull’s suggestion isn’t bad, have you noticed a detail?"
The man who earlier claimed Zhang Su invited them leaned crookedly against a car, his slender frame like a monkey, eyes whirling, chimed in: "That woman mentioned discussing with everyone; she didn’t say contacting Zhang Su. From this, what do you infer? Yes, they can’t reach Zhang Su!"
Skinny self-asked and answered, quite pleased, continued analyzing: "They’re cautious and can’t contact their main force, this is precisely when internal defenses are lax; seizing the moment would be splendid!"
A man in a dark blue down jacket, arms crossed, nodded heavily: "Big Bull and Skinny’s words make sense. Old Meng, what’s your stance? Just nod, and my brothers will follow your command!
Apparently, over forty people weren’t all from Bridge Town; more than ten had joined the team back in Qing County.
"This is absolutely impossible!" Meng Changwei waved dismissively; his one eye carried a faint anger, directly rejecting the man’s suggestion, then said: "Moreover, Qi Dabin, we agreed everything would be our call; what was with the fabrications he spun earlier?"
"That was meant to quickly find a place for the brothers to settle." Qi Dabin wasn’t angered by Meng Changwei’s aggressive demeanor, turning to Skinny sternly: "Did you hear that? Don’t do that in the future!"
Skinny nodded very readily, but only he knew his true thoughts.
"There’s no animosity between us and Master Zhang; past dealings have been pleasant. Now, needing help, we should..."
"Brothers of Bridge Town!"
While Meng Changwei was speaking, Zhong Xiaoshan’s voice came through a loudspeaker.
More than forty people outside the gate looked toward the woman inside.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The situation is complex; Brother Su repeatedly instructed not to open the gate. I understand your plight. There’s a village cleared out to the southwest at the base of the mountain; everything is in order there, and you can rest there first."
"You’re treating us like..."
"Alright, no problem! Having a place to settle is good enough. Thanks, Master Zhong. When Master Zhang returns, please inform us; we’re hoping to catch up, haha."
Meng Changwei stepped forward and directly interrupted Big Bull’s words, while fiercely glaring at him.
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