C21 The Survivors Were Arrogant and Finally Gotten Their Revenge by Burning the Car.(1)

"I can't stand that guy!" Sun Meng murmured quietly once Zhang Tao and the others had settled into their seats on the bus.

"Neither can I!" Zhao Dagang chimed in, nodding in agreement. "He has no manners and acts all high and mighty!"

"He's definitely a spoiled rich kid, always acting like he's above everyone else," Sun Meng added under her breath. "But look at the state of the city now; his money means nothing!"

"Exactly!" Zhao Dagang wholeheartedly concurred with Sun Meng.

While they were quietly exchanging their thoughts, another group of ten people was lowered down by the ladder. They quickly went over to escort the rescued survivors onto the bus.

Qin Mengli was among those brought down on the third trip and boarded the bus with her female colleagues. Tang Bing caught sight of her retreating figure and was momentarily lost in thought until Sun Meng nudged him, asking what was wrong, snapping him out of his reverie.

Once the final group of survivors was safely off the stairs and it was confirmed that no one else was left, Zhao Dagang and Sun Meng boarded the bus first to ensure everyone was seated properly.

"Everyone's accounted for; we can leave now!" Jiang Hefei announced, barely containing his excitement. "Let's get to the military sanctuary quickly. I can't stand to be in this place a moment longer!"

"Is there any food?" Zhang Tao glanced at Qin Mengyao, who was seated in the row to his right, before standing up to inquire. He tapped Zhao Dali, who was sitting next to him, signaling him to make way as he intended to take a seat next to Qin Mengyao.

"You'll get something to eat in a bit," Sun Meng assured him.

Zhang Tao stepped past Zhao Dali and addressed Qin Mengyao, "Hang in there, Mengyao. I'll make sure they bring us some food shortly."

"Don't sit here!" Qin Mengyao shot him a frosty look. "I don't want to sit with you!"

"What's got you upset now? Still angry I didn't go back to the apartment to look for food?" Zhang Tao asked softly, trying to appease her. "Haven't I explained? It was too risky! And I told you, the military would come for us. Even though it wasn't the military this time, we'll be at the military sanctuary soon enough! Please, don't be mad. I know you're hungry, but we'll have food shortly, okay?"

At that moment, he turned to Sun Meng and yelled, "When's the food coming? We're practically starving to death here!"

"Exactly! We haven't had a bite to eat. Can we get some food, please?"

"My girlfriend's about to pass out from hunger!"

"Anything will do, just give us something to eat!"

...

The survivors inside the vehicle began clamoring for food, spurred on by Zhang Tao's outburst.

Sun Meng's face soured. They had rescued a bunch of ungrateful old men! How could they be so impolite? We saved their lives, and they can't even muster a simple 'thank you'? She had previously been horrified by Tang Bing and Zhao Dagang's talk of killing, but now she was starting to think they might have been better off not rescuing them at all, leaving them on the ground where they were!

Qin Mengli showed no warmth to Zhang Tao, who stubbornly tried to sit next to her. Was she upset because he refused to risk getting food for her? Maybe that was part of it, but mostly she was angry at his lack of remorse for his selfish actions during the rescue. He didn't seem to realize anything was amiss and had the audacity to ask her why she was angry.

No matter what Zhang Tao said, Qin Mengli was not about to let him sit beside her.

Rebuffed, Zhang Tao sulked back to his seat, wondering what was going through Qin Mengli's mind.

Just then, Tang Bing descended from the fire truck and made his way onto the bus in silence. The noise inside the bus made him visibly upset. What if zombies were drawn by the commotion? With that thought, he slammed his fire axe against the metal handrail.

"Clang!" The resounding noise silenced everyone. The survivors who had been demanding food now eyed the zombie-bloodied fire axe in his hand with trepidation.

"Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!" Tang Bing didn't utter a word. Once the crowd had settled, he pointed at three individuals.

Zhao Dagang quickly identified the trio Tang Bing had singled out: Zhang Tao, Zhao Dali, and Jiaang Hefei. "You three, come here!"

"What for? What are you going to do?" Zhang Tao asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Zhao Dali and Jiaang Hefei immediately stepped in front of Zhang Tao, fixing a steely gaze on Zhao Dagang.

Tang Bing gestured with a hook of his finger, then pointed towards the fire truck.

Zhao Dagang immediately spoke up, "Our boss said to call the three of you out. You're to go with him to that fire truck to get some food!"

At the mention of food, the eyes of all the rescued survivors brightened. Zhang Tao, Zhao Dali, and Jiang Hefei also felt a wave of relief.

"What? It's just about getting food," Zhang Tao chuckled. "Dali, Fei, you guys go grab it!"

"Sure thing!" Zhao Dali and Jiang Hefei cheerfully rose from their seats and made their way to the front.

Tang Bing pointed at Zhang Tao and curled his finger in a beckoning motion.

"Our boss said you're to go as well!" Zhao Dagang, interpreting the gesture, promptly added.

"We don't need that many people. Two is plenty!" Zhang Tao, disinclined to exert himself, had no interest in doing such strenuous work.

"You, get out there!" Zhao Dagang, seeing Zhang Tao's reluctance, angrily hoisted the fire axe. "Our boss gave an order. Are you daring to disobey?"

Zhang Tao was seething inside at the confrontational tone. He considered the fact that they were only three, while he had a group of over thirty. Why should he tolerate this? He could just as easily have everyone overpower these few men and take the vehicle and food for themselves!

But the sight of the fire axes in their hands gave him pause. An accidental strike could be dangerous! Opting for safety and deciding to endure, he pointed at a male employee, "You, go give them a hand!"

"Right away, Director Zhang!" The male employee was also intimidated, especially with the two men wielding fire axes.

Tang Bing pointed at the standing male employee, motioning for him to sit back down, then pointed again at Zhang Tao.

"See that?" Zhao Dagang glanced back and raised his voice, "Our boss wants you out there. Stop dragging your feet!"

"You..." Zhang Tao was fuming, unaccustomed to such treatment.

"Zhang Tao, are you even a man?" Qin Mengli couldn't stand it any longer. "It's just fetching some food. What's with all the fuss? I must have been blind to have ever dated you!"

Seeing Qin Mengli's anger, Zhang Tao, though seething inside, stood up and forced a smile. "Fine, I'll go! Is that okay? Mengli, please don't be mad. I'll get you something to eat right away!"

"Hmph!" Qin Mengli shot him an irritated look and closed her eyes, refusing to speak.

Reluctantly, Zhang Tao moved to the front, casting an annoyed glance at Tang Bing, who still wore his motorcycle helmet. "Always you with the problems! And what's with the secrecy? Let's see your face, why don't you?"

Tang Bing simply ignored him and hopped off the vehicle, gesturing for them to follow.

"Enough talk! Let's move and fetch some food!" Zhao Dagang bellowed, "If we don't make it quick, the zombies will be back!"

Realizing the urgency, Zhang Tao wasted no more time. He led Zhao Dali and Jiang Hefei towards the fire truck's door.

"Here!" Tang Bing pulled open the door and gestured inside.

"Just us?" Zhang Tao's eyes bulged. "And what about you?"

Without a word, Tang Bing hefted the fire axe, pointed once more, then gave them an impatient look.

"Listen, Young Master Zhang, just put up with him for now. We'll settle the score at the military sanctuary," Zhao Dali murmured in his ear. "Your father, Chairman Zhang, is there, right? And doesn't he know the officer in charge?"

"Right," Zhang Tao conceded, thinking it over. For now, he could hold his tongue. Once they reached the sanctuary, he'd be in control. And as for Qin Mengli, that infuriating woman, despite agreeing to be his girlfriend, she was still acting high and mighty, not even allowing a kiss, and constantly losing her temper! Once at the sanctuary, he'd make sure to 'educate' her, teach her to be more obedient.

The trio stepped into the back of the fire truck only to find it completely empty.

"Hey! Where's the food?" Jiang Hefei called out, turning back.

Tang Bing didn't respond. Instead, he slammed the carriage door shut and secured it with a chain lock from the outside.

"Hey! What's the meaning of this? Where's the food? Why are you locking the door?" Jiang Hefei realized they were trapped and frantically pulled at the door, but it wouldn't budge.

"What's going on?" Zhao Dali emerged from inside upon hearing the commotion.

"The guy locked the door!" Jiang Hefei responded.

"Why would he lock the door?" Zhang Tao came out as well, pounding on the car door with force.

"No clue!" Jiang Hefei shook his head.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The trio inside the car pounded on the door in unison, yelling at the top of their lungs, desperate to understand what was happening.