C106 The Words Left Everyone's Heart in a Panic Wanting to Persuade Sun Meng to Stay(2)

"I think Ms. Meng is spot on!" Zhao Dagang said with a nod after some thought. "I don't want Brother Bing to leave, and I'll do everything in my power to make him stay! As long as Brother Bing is here, I'll do whatever it takes. All I want is to live a good life, nothing more."

Lin Leyan glanced at Zhao Dagang, then at Qin Mengli and her own daughter, mulling over her thoughts before speaking. "Huihui and I were the last to join, so we really shouldn't have much say. And I'm not fond of how Tang treats the other survivors, nor how he disregarded the safety of my daughter and me. But upon reflection, even though his actions made us feel slighted, he did it to ensure the survival of the group. It was a decision made out of responsibility. If he hadn't, we might all have ended up in a far worse situation. So, I don't hold a grudge against Tang. In fact, I believe it's best for everyone if he remains with us."

"I can't stand him!" Liang Hui declared. "I've resented him ever since he showed no regard for my mother's and my lives! But my mom is right; no matter how much I detest him, I can't deny that he's our beacon of hope for survival. With mutant zombies everywhere and numerous survivor groups with dubious motives, if Brother Bing were to leave, we might luck out and find a better team. But it's more likely we'd be devoured by zombies or, if we're lucky enough to escape, end up living without dignity among those other groups of survivors. Compared to that, I much prefer the atmosphere we have now. So, even though I loathe Brother Bing, I still believe he's the only one who can protect us."

"Exactly!" Lin Leyan agreed, nodding. "Since we're all on the same page, we need to pull together. Sun Meng has already gone to talk to Tang. Let's hold off on joining her and think things through here. If she can convince Tang, that would be ideal. If not, we'll take turns trying. No matter what, we have to dispel the bitterness in Tang's heart and get him to agree to stay."

Despite their words, the gazes of the three women were fixed on Qin Mengli. They all understood that she was the crux of the issue; Tang Bing's outburst was primarily because of her. Thus, the greatest hope for convincing Tang Bing to stay wasn't anyone else—it was Qin Mengli.

However, everyone was aware that once Qin Mengli entertained the thought of killing Tang Bing, the situation became exceedingly complicated. In truth, if it weren't for past loyalties, everyone was convinced that given Tang Bing's current temperament, anyone daring to mimic Qin Mengli's actions would be swiftly dealt with—silenced permanently to prevent any future threats.

Qin Mengli caught the glances of the other three. How could she not decipher their thoughts? She was torn, utterly unsure of how to proceed.

Meanwhile, Sun Meng ascended the stairs and made a beeline for Tang Bing's door.

She tried the handle, only to find it securely locked from the inside.

With no other option, she tapped gently on the door and called out in a soft voice, "Bing, please open the door!"

Tang Bing offered no response, lying on his bed, eyes shut, facing the wall.

"Bing?" Sun Meng rapped on the door again. "Please, open up! I just need a moment to speak with you, just a few words!"

Still, Tang Bing remained unresponsive.

"Bing! We haven't known each other long, but we've been through so much," Sun Meng persisted, knocking as she spoke. "From the moment you rescued me to our escape to this place—I've seen all you've done for us! Even if you're set on leaving, at least allow me the chance to say goodbye face-to-face. Bing, please open the door!"

This time, Tang Bing couldn't maintain his feigned indifference. After a moment's contemplation, he rose from the bed and unlocked the door.

With a "click," the door swung open, and Sun Meng pushed her way in.

Her initial joy quickly shifted to action as she stepped inside and locked the door behind her. "Bing, thank you!"

Tang Bing gave her a fleeting glance and said coolly, "Spare me the melodrama. If you're here to say farewell, then say it and be on your way."

"Don't do this!" Sun Meng implored, rushing to his side as he returned to the bed, turning his back to her. She took a seat on the edge. "Bing, I'm firmly in your corner! If you're going to leave the others behind, you can't leave me too, can you? If you're set on going, you have to take me with you! I know I'm not much help—I can't fight zombies or scavenge for food. But I promise to be compliant and loyal. I will never betray you!"

"Are you done?" Tang Bing spoke without looking back, his voice tinged with indifference. "I'm fed up, so I've decided to be selfish! I want to live for myself! So cut the chatter. Say your goodbyes properly because from now on, we'll each walk our own path and not interfere with each other!"

"Please, no!" Sun Meng reached out desperately, clutching Tang Bing's arm. "Bing, don't be impulsive! I get that you're really upset, but could you reconsider? Our team can't function without you! If you leave, we'll probably just end up cowering here, too scared to venture out. Once our supplies run out, we're as good as dead! I know it's cheeky to say this, but we can only thrive with you leading us. Could you find it in your heart to take pity on us?"

"Just leave, please! I'm exhausted and need to sleep," Tang Bing replied, his tone icy.

"I'm not going anywhere!" Sun Meng decided, lying down behind Tang Bing. "Bing, I don't want you to go. Please, don't leave!"

"Hey, what's this about? Didn't you hear me? I'm tired and I want to sleep!" Tang Bing, seeing Sun Meng lying beside him, turned to face her with a frown. "Stop being so stubborn. Your antics won't change my mind."

"Bing, please, give us one more chance! I swear, from now on, everyone will follow your lead and never defy your commands again!" Sun Meng's eyes were filled with a plea for mercy. "You're the leader of our team. Your word is law! Whatever you command, we'll do without a second thought!"

"I'm telling you to leave right now!" Tang Bing sat up, looking down at Sun Meng with a furrowed brow.

"If you promise to stay, I'll leave this instant!" Sun Meng looked up at him, defiant.

"Get off the bed!" Tang Bing thought to himself about how shameless she was being. He grabbed her arm, pulling her up. "What kind of behavior is this for a girl, lying in someone else's bed?"

"At this point, what do I have to lose?" Sun Meng, once pulled up, didn't bother to sit properly and lay down again. "Promise me you'll stay, and I'll leave. If not, I'm staying put right here!"

"You're shameless, aren't you?" Tang Bing grumbled, "Get up already, will you? Is this any way to behave? I've made up my mind about this, and I'm not going to change it! No matter what you say, I'm leaving tomorrow!"

"Bing, please don't go~" Sun Meng batted her eyelashes and suddenly wrapped her arms around his thigh, "It'll be so lonely if you leave by yourself. I know Qin Mengli hurt you deeply, and what she did was way out of line! But torturing yourself like this, what's the point? Listen to me, instead of leaving in a huff, why not stay? She doesn't love you, right? She's into someone else, isn't she? She even tried to have you killed for someone else's sake. Why run away? Why not just get even with her?"

"Revenge?" Tang Bing's eyelids gave a little twitch as he patted Sun Meng's head, "Let go of me! And stop talking crazy!"

"I'm not talking crazy!" Sun Meng clung on, "Bing, Qin Mengli tried to have you killed, yet you spared her. That must mean you still care about her, doesn't it?"

"What's it to you?" Tang Bing pried her hands off and pushed her away, "Can you just leave? Before I say something I'll regret!"

"Just hear me out!" Sun Meng sat up and leaned in, "Bing, if you really didn't care about her, you wouldn't be reacting like this. You've held onto this relationship for four years; that love is deeply rooted in your heart. If it hadn't been for that incident with Zhang Tao, no matter how many more years passed, your feelings would've remained unchanged, right? She's so important to you, yet she treats you like you're disposable. That's got to sting. Plus, she thought about assassinating you before. This latest incident must have been the last straw, right? So why are you running away from her? There's absolutely no need!"

"What are you trying to say?" Tang Bing could sense Sun Meng's underlying intentions. He found it hard to believe that this girl, who always seemed so cheerful and optimistic, could harbor such dark thoughts.