Volume One, Chapter 46: Action.

If Li Jingzhou wasn't knocked out, Chong Li would have no way to get away. Aside from that, he didn't want Li Jingzhou to take any risks. Even though, in his heart, he was already considering taking their relationship a step further, when danger arose, Li Jingzhou simply didn't have the ability to protect himself. So Chong Li could only keep him away from all this.

The Black Dragon hefted Li Jingzhou over his shoulder. "I'm leaving."

The Black Dragon was always a man of few words, so he used just these simple ones to express his meaning.

Chong Li and his companions left through the doors, got into a car, and drove off.

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Jiang Chen lay on his bed, his face drenched in sweat. Beside him, Su Yike had wrung out the towel several times already.

Ever since Jiang Chen had fainted, he had started sweating profusely. At first, Su Yike thought it was just a side effect, but after nearly a whole day, it still hadn't stopped.

She had been busy nonstop, only pausing for a break when Gao Han finished handling the hospital admission procedures.

Gao Han, wanting to thank Jiang Chen in person, asked Su Chenglong about him, only to learn that Jiang Chen hadn't woken up yet. Anxious, she consulted the hospital director. After Li Shengyuan brought her over, Su Yike finally took a moment to rest.

Gao Han tirelessly wiped Jiang Chen’s parents’ faces, her own expression full of concern.

Su Yike and Gao Han took turns tending to Jiang Chen throughout the night.

It was deep into the night when Jiang Chen finally woke up in a daze.

But after just a short while, he lost consciousness again.

...

The 509 Special Investigation Team had already changed into plain clothes and was heading toward the scene of the incident.

In the car, Fang Longcheng said, "Let me explain briefly. We’ll split into two teams and check all the places where zombies might be hiding. Black Dragon, Xue Qi, and Congcong, you three are one group. With Congcong’s protection, even if you run into a zombie, you should all be able to get away safely."

"I’ll pair up with Chong Li. If we encounter zombies, we can take action directly. Also, keep a close eye on any suspicious individuals during the investigation; it’s quite possible the zombie isn’t acting alone and may have accomplices."

After he finished, the group settled in for a short rest in the car.

As night deepened, Chong Li gazed absently out the window. Thunder roared outside, wind and rain lashed at the world, and the bright moon was swallowed by thick, black clouds.

Splitting up, Xu Congcong, Black Dragon, and Xue Qi stepped out of the car into a village. This village should have been included in the urban planning zone, but for some reason, it had been left out, retaining its original rural style. Most of the residents were elderly.

At the village entrance, Xu Congcong changed into plain clothes, looking every bit the university student. The group slowly made their way in, preparing to investigate.

But just as they reached the entrance, an old woman stopped them.

"Children, are you here sightseeing?" The old woman’s face was kindly, her hair white but full, her spirit lively and excited.

Xu Congcong realized that sneaking in unnoticed was impossible—she hadn’t expected anyone to be at the village entrance and had let her guard down.

But since they’d been spotted, they couldn’t just use their abilities to leave in front of the old woman.

"Granny, we’re fine. I’m a student, and we’re all from the nearby university. We originally planned to come for some farm-style food, but got delayed and only just arrived," Xu Congcong cobbled together the best excuse she could think of.

The old woman didn’t question them, just took Xu Congcong’s hand. "It’s all right, it’s all right. I just got back from the fields myself. Since I ran into you, why don’t you come home with me? It’s just me and the old man at home, you can all stay over tonight, how about it?"

Black Dragon and Xue Qi nodded. Xu Congcong smiled. "Thank you, Granny. We actually have two more classmates. Can they join us?"

"Of course, the more the merrier," the old woman replied cheerfully.

On the way back, the old woman unexpectedly shifted her attention from Xu Congcong to Black Dragon, chattering away to the normally silent boy.

Out of politeness, Black Dragon spoke more than he ever had in his life, and still the old woman wasn’t finished with him.

Xu Congcong and Xue Qi trailed behind, observing their surroundings. Xu Congcong pointed out, "In the countryside, you’d normally hear dogs barking. Even at night, there should be at least one dog barking, but it’s completely silent here."

Xue Qi also sensed something off. Stroking his chin, he said, "It is a bit strange, but I can’t put my finger on why. Maybe we just haven’t heard any dogs yet. Let’s check around some more later."

In the countryside, there was no nightlife after dark. Even relieving oneself outside counted as entertainment, and most of those who stayed in the village were elderly—by this hour, everyone was in bed.

After contacting their captain, the group arrived at the old woman’s house. She introduced herself as Mrs. Mei, known to the villagers as Granny Mei or Old Lady Mei, so Xu Congcong and the others addressed her as Granny Mei as well.

Granny Mei’s home was tidy. Though the house was small, aside from the kitchen, there was one bedroom and a modest living room.

The group sat in the living room, sipping hot water. Granny Mei said, "Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll cook something for you—you must be starving."

Xu Congcong took a sip of hot water. "We’re fine, Granny, you don’t have to go to any trouble."

"It’s no trouble," Granny Mei waved her hand. "My home is your home. Make yourselves at ease."

The three exchanged glances. Xu Congcong initiated a mental conversation.

"This granny is really enthusiastic," Xu Congcong said.

Xue Qi tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Something’s not right. She’s being a little too friendly."

Black Dragon asked, "Isn’t friendliness good?"

Xue Qi shook his head. "It’s not that it’s bad. It’s just too much. Think about it—we show up at this hour after dark, and she just happens to be here and welcomes us in so warmly?"

Thinking about it, they all felt something was off.

But when Granny Mei brought out hot porridge and freshly stewed chicken, the three looked conflicted.

They didn’t want to suspect her, but with so few leads, they had to consider every possibility.

Yet the strangest thing wasn’t even Granny Mei herself. Even after nightfall, there should be sounds—chickens, dogs—something. But here, there was nothing.

At that moment, Xue Qi, unseen by Granny Mei, glanced at his phone. Just one look and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Get out of the village immediately. Everyone here is dead!"