Rotting Land: Survive-Chapter 509 - 502: Back Home (7)

The late autumn wind was both cold and refreshing, making it difficult to describe the feeling it brought as it brushed against one’s skin.

Waiting is always hard to endure, and Lei Tong and Hua Biao were sitting on the massive open-air balcony at the top of the villa, having a laid-back conversation.

From time to time, they would stand up and look westward through binoculars, not only to keep watch but more importantly, to wait for their returning companions.

A coal-black dog drooped its eyelids listlessly and lay curled on the pile of dead grass in the yard.

Beside it, Fangfang was carefully combing its fur, not letting the dog’s lack of enthusiasm dampen her spirits.

He Jing, with the rare assistance of Zhang Zhicai, had managed to step out of the house and was now sitting in a wicker chair in the yard, though her eyes remained hollow and absent, showing no sign of change.

Yue Guishan strolled around He Jing, a task entrusted to him by Zhang Zhicai.

As the latter was occupied with other matters, he asked Yue Guishan to look after her.

Seeing that He Jing appeared calm, Yue Guishan lit a cigarette for himself.

He had left home at 20, and since entering the city, it was unclear even to himself how many days had passed without returning home.

Now standing on the outskirts of the county, breathing in the unique scent of nature, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of homesickness.

And if anyone in the villa was the busiest at the moment, it would undoubtedly be the chef, Wei Yang.

Ever since finding out that the team would return today, she immediately buried herself in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

Time ticked by slowly, and the once bright sky gradually dimmed.

The north wind howled more fiercely, and the setting sun in the west was nearly below the horizon.

"Oh my! This wind is really freaking strong!" Lei Tong couldn’t help but exclaim as he felt the powerful wind blowing against his head.

Beside him, Hua Biao spread his arms and enjoyed the wind beating against his clothes.

Suddenly, Hua Biao retracted his arms and quickly raised his binoculars.

Watching this, Lei Tong picked up his weapon, alert and whispered, "What’s up, Hua Biao?"

As soon as he spoke, Hua Biao gestured for silence with a serious expression, causing Lei Tong to feel tense, "Speak, what’s really going on?"

Without any viewing equipment, Lei Tong could only stare, anxiously.

After a suspenseful 30-second wait, Hua Biao turned his face excitedly, "The platoon leader! They are back!"

Taking the binoculars from Hua Biao, Lei Tong quickly confirmed the news.

Without further ado, he grabbed the hand-held radio and reported the news to Zhao Lin inside the house.

Upon receiving the report, Zhao Yunhai immediately contacted Xu Renjie on the other end.

This was all part of the survivors’ safety protocol before setting off, intended to prevent the risk of vehicles or personnel being hijacked.

Through the coded language understood only by the stationed personnel, old Zhao learned that the action team was safe and had returned smoothly.

The news of the team’s return quickly spread to every stationed individual, and everyone gathered in the courtyard, eagerly awaiting the return of their "family."

The ride driven by Xu Renjie was grueling, slowed down by a desire to ensure the safety of the supplies in the back. A journey that would normally take 3 hours was dragged out another hour.

On top of the poor road conditions, you can imagine the torment of a turtle carrying a heavy load crawling over a deeply pitted surface.

"Hey, look over there, isn’t that Lei waving at us?" said Wang Qiang, spotting Lei Tong waving enthusiastically from the rooftop.

Others in the vehicle saw it too, and everyone exchanged smiles, filled with happiness because at this moment, they truly felt they were going ’home.’

The car pulled steadily into the courtyard, and those who had been waiting rushed over immediately.

Wang Qiang was the first to jump out of the car, and just as he landed, a black shadow leaped at him like a cannonball.

"Coalball! Oh my little Coalball! Come on, tell me, did you miss me?" Crouching, Wang Qiang patted Coalball’s head, then a young voice solemnly said, "Brother Wang, don’t go out again. When you’re gone, Coalball gets unhappy and stays outside without moving all day."

Fangfang’s somewhat angry reprimand tugged suddenly at Wang Qiang’s heart. He gazed at Coalball frolicking in his arms, a feeling he couldn’t describe washed over him.

You may have many friends in life, but to a dog, you are its only friend.

He couldn’t remember where or when in a local magazine he once read these tear-jerking words; at the time it merely moved him.

But now, after experiencing a dog’s loyalty firsthand, he seemed to understand the true meaning of "a dog is a friend."

Old Zhao and old Lin stepped forward and hugged everyone, and after exchanging greetings, discreetly stepped aside with everyone.

Unaware of this development, Xu Renjie asked, "Old Zhao, what’s going on, anything wrong?"

Zhao Yunhai smiled and shook his head, then pointed ahead and whispered, "Look, the young couple is having a sweet moment; wouldn’t we be like intruding?"

Understanding immediately, Xu Renjie let out a couple of dry laughs and, without further comment, led old Zhao and the others a bit further away, not forgetting to glance back with a gossiping eye, but his eyes were filled with warmth.

"Was the journey tough? Everything go smoothly?" Wei Yang asked with a rosy face.

"Hehe, not tough, everything was smooth!"

"Okay now, just look at the dust on your face and you say it wasn’t tough, wipe it off!"

Somewhat embarrassed, Tang Xiaoquan took the towel but, to his surprise, when he touched it, he accidentally grabbed Wei Yang’s delicate hand. In her fluster, Wei Yang let out a soft "ah" and quickly pulled her hand back.

This startled Tang Xiaoquan, leaving him scratching his head awkwardly, stammering, "Uh... this... that... I... I’m sorry... I just..."

"Puhh!" Looking at the embarrassed man before her, Wei Yang finally burst into laughter, teasingly saying, "Oh, I never thought our resourceful classmate Tang Xiaoquan could get shy, so cute!"

Feeling ashamed, Tang Xiaoquan’s cheeks turned as red as a monkey’s bottom, rubbing continuously as if unable to stop sweating unless he did so.

Wang Qiang, who was teasing Coalball, saw this, and how could he miss such a great opportunity for some teasing fun?

So...

"Yo! Yo! What’s up? I say, Quanzi, it’s not even hot, why’re you wiping sweat so heartily? Emma, you won’t have a fever, would you? Come, let me have a look, see if there’s any fever."

"Get lost!" Without any hesitation, Tang Xiaoquan kicked Wang Qiang on the butt, who promptly pretended to be in pain with a groan, then seriously ducked behind Wei Yang, earnestly requesting:

"Nurse Wei, after examination, classmate Tang Xiaoquan is seriously overheating, please administer immediate aid or he... yow! Will it ever end, kicking my butt again!"

(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)