C119 Tang Bing Taught His Daughter How to Talk and He Took the Expensive Things First(1)

Qin Mengli felt a twinge of discomfort at Tang Bing addressing her by her full name.

She understood the reasons, though. Ever since she harbored thoughts of assassinating him, a gap had formed between them. That distance only grew when she allowed survivors into their home, nearly costing the team their lives—circumstances that couldn't be helped.

Bridging the divide with Tang Bing was far from simple, but she had no other choice. No matter the difficulty or the cost, she was determined to succeed.

Her survival hinged on Tang Bing; he was her sole support.

In the past, she would have been confident in winning back Tang Bing, trusting that the years of affection wouldn't fade so easily. But with Sun Meng openly challenging her, dissolving the tension and returning to their previous closeness seemed daunting.

Without Sun Meng's interference, Qin Mengli wouldn't feel such pressure. Yet, Sun Meng's persistent pursuit of Tang Bing meant that without resolve, Qin Mengli's standing in the group could plummet.

Since their last encounter, Tang Bing's demeanor toward her had soured significantly. Further alienation could spell real trouble. After facing numerous life-or-death situations, Qin Mengli had come to realize that pride and ego were trivial. What truly mattered was living well.

And to live, she was prepared to let go of whatever was necessary.

Lost in thought as she gazed at Tang Bing in the driver's seat, the vehicle came to a halt at the roadside. Turning her head, she saw they had reached a nearby town after hours of driving.

"We're about to enter the town," Tang Bing announced gravely to the group. "This is serious business. Once we're in, I'll park near the buildings we plan to scavenge. If danger arises, Qin Mengli, Sun Meng, you two need to get back to the car quickly. Dagang and I will cover the rear. Don't do anything impulsive—it'll only hold us back. Got it?"

"Got it, Bing!" Sun Meng immediately nodded in agreement.

"Understood!" Qin Mengli gripped her iron sword tightly, taking several deep breaths to steady herself.

"If we run into a small number of ordinary zombies, there's no need to panic. Dagang and I will handle them," Tang Bing instructed. "If there aren't many, I'll try to leave one or two for you to build up your bravery. And remember, zombie dogs are the biggest threat in villages and small towns. I'll keep an eye out, but if one shows up, don't even think about it—just get back to the car and hide!"

"Okay!" Sun Meng nodded once more.

"Got it!" Qin Mengli responded quietly.

"Prepare yourselves mentally," Tang Bing advised, noticing their anxious expressions and understanding the immense psychological strain they were under. "As long as I'm here, you're safe. There's no need to fear. Just follow my commands firmly. And remember, even if you're bitten by a zombie or infected with the virus, I've got the medicine. There's absolutely no need to worry!"

"Yes!" Both women took deep breaths, working hard to regulate their emotions and maintain composure despite their visible panic.

With his orders clear, Tang Bing continued to drive towards their destination. "Today, we're hitting the furniture store, cement factory, and fertilizer shop in this town. Once we've gathered enough supplies, we'll head straight home."

Reiterating his instructions, the car made its way to the town entrance, arriving at a street lined with wandering zombies. They had managed to avoid the sparse groups along the way, but now, confrontation was inevitable.

Approaching the first furniture store, Tang Bing spotted a group of about fifteen or sixteen zombies charging towards them. He brought the car to a halt. "Dagang, you're with me. Let's clear a path!"

"Roger that!" Zhao Dagang quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up, mace in hand.

Tang Bing led the charge, flinging open the car door and leaping out to meet the oncoming horde. "Qin Mengli, Sun Meng, stay put until Dagang and I have thinned them out, then you can join the fight!"

"Alright!" The two women, upon receiving the order, nervously unbuckled their seatbelts, their bodies trembling slightly.

For Tang Bing and Zhao Dagang, a dozen zombies were hardly a challenge. Leveraging their speed and the protective scrap iron gloves, they swiftly dispatched a dozen zombies.

With only three or four zombies remaining, entangled in a struggle with Tang Bing and Zhao Dagang, Sun Meng and Qin Mengli, though terrified, gathered their courage and stepped out of the car.

"Puff! Puff!" Tang Bing and Zhao Dagang showed no mercy as they eliminated the zombies before them. When only two remained, Tang Bing abruptly instructed Zhao Dagang, "Keep these two! Pin them down!"

"Got it!" Zhao Dagang immediately grasped Tang Bing's intent. He let the zombie in front of him bite onto his scrap iron glove, then maneuvered behind it, forcefully pressing it to the ground. Planting his foot on the zombie's back, he stood upright, declaring, "I've got it!"

Tang Bing, with equal decisiveness, took down the zombie before him and stepped on its back. "Qin Mengli! Sun Meng! Come over here!"

"Oh, oh..." The women's faces were etched with fear, but they had no choice but to lug their heavy iron swords over to Tang Bing.

They had already surmised Tang Bing's intention, and the sight of the subdued zombies sent waves of panic across their faces.

"Each of you take one, and use your swords to chop off their heads!" Tang Bing commanded sternly. He was aware that for Qin Mengli and Sun Meng, this task was daunting. Facing the zombies had already drained their courage; now being asked to decapitate them was an even more formidable task.

"Alright..." The two women consented, their voices quivering, their arms clutching the iron swords, shaking so much they could barely grip their weapons. The zombies' relentless struggles and terrifying roars, coupled with their ghastly visages, completely sapped their bravery.

After some time, despite their agreement, they were unable to act, merely watching the zombies shiver uncontrollably.

"Chop!" Tang Bing, seeing their verbal agreement but physical paralysis, driven by fear, couldn't help but exclaim, "Didn't you mentally prepare for this? Why can't you kill even the subdued zombies? If you can't manage this, how can you claim you won't hold the team back?"

Qin Mengli and Sun Meng both agreed that Tang Bing had a point, yet despite the logic, they were just delicate girls who had exhausted their last ounce of bravery facing such a terrifying zombie. They truly felt out of options.

"What are you waiting for, an invitation to chop? New Year's?" Tang Bing couldn't hide his frustration. He understood the girls' fear and frailty in the face of zombies, but in these harsh times, coddling them wasn't an option. His voice grew stern, "Chop now, or I'll let them loose! Then you'll be dealing with these zombies on your own!"

At his words, Qin Mengli and Sun Meng exchanged incredulous glances, silently questioning whether he was serious. But the resolve in Tang Bing's eyes signaled trouble.

After a mental battle, they came to a decision.

"Ahh!" Sun Meng shut her eyes and swung her sword at the zombie's head with all her might.

Qin Mengli followed suit, eyes closed, sword in motion.

Sun Meng's strike missed entirely, not even grazing the zombie. Qin Mengli, while managing to hit her target, lacked the strength to do any real damage; her iron sword merely tapped the zombie's skull.

"What's the matter with you?!" Tang Bing barked, startling both girls into opening their eyes and staring at him, lost.

"Dagang, help me out here!" Tang Bing, left with no other choice, called for Zhao Dagang's assistance.

Zhao Dagang sprang into action, pinning down his own zombie before leaning over to firmly grasp the one at Tang Bing's feet, indifferent to their clawing at his scrap iron gear, which was sturdy enough to withstand the assault.

Tang Bing then positioned himself behind Sun Meng, clasping her hands in his, "Keep your grip on the sword!"

Feeling Tang Bing's unexpected embrace, Sun Meng's face transformed from panic to a blush of embarrassment, "I've... I've got it steady!"

Qin Mengli watched the scene unfold, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.