C33 In the Cafeteria, the Armor Was Distributed, and He Gave a Heavy Reminder Before He Left.

"A workshop?!" At mealtime, Qin Mengli brought up Tang Bing's early morning activities, prompting Sun Meng and Zhao Dagang to cast curious glances his way. After Tang Bing patiently explained, all three looked at him, their expressions a mix of surprise and admiration.

"Brother Bing, you're incredible! Even in these circumstances, you're able to calmly prepare for survival!" Sun Meng was visibly impressed. "We just know we need to keep living, but we never thought about preparing like this!"

"It's mainly 'cause we don't have all those technical skills," Zhao Dagang chimed in.

"The thing I'm most concerned about is where everything in that room went," Qin Mengli mused, still hung up on the mystery.

Tang Bing shot her a glance but chose not to reply. Instead, he turned to Sun Meng and Zhao Dagang. "I got up really early today, so while you were sleeping, I put together some essentials. These are survival must-haves that can keep us safe."

Feeling snubbed, Qin Mengli's frustration was palpable, but she had anticipated being ignored and simply focused on her meal in silence.

Tang Bing rose and stealthily retrieved four sets of makeshift equipment from the neighboring garage: scrap iron helmets, gloves, knee pads, and boots, which, combined with the cotton armor, formed a rudimentary set. He packed them in a cardboard box and brought it to the dining area.

"Brother Bing, what's in the box?" Sun Meng asked, her curiosity piqued by the sight.

"I've crafted some defensive gear!" Tang Bing announced, setting the box beside the table. "With zombies all around us, we need to venture out for food, water, and other essentials. I've got medicine here that can treat zombie bites and other injuries, but we should use it sparingly. Plus, nobody wants to get scratched or bitten by zombies, right? This equipment might look basic, but it's designed to offer us maximum protection. Everyone gets a set. It's one thing to be casual inside the factory, but once we step outside, we need to be fully equipped."

"Is it iron? It's so heavy!" Sun Meng commented, sitting on a stool and leaning over to lift a helmet.

"I love it!" Zhao Dagang exclaimed, quickly grabbing a set and trying it on. "Brother Bing, you're so talented. I could never make armor this good!"

"Most people couldn't pull this off, could they?" Qin Mengli remarked dryly, eyeing the makeshift armor in the cardboard box with a sense of Tang Bing becoming even more of an enigma to her.

"It's surprisingly comfortable, and it doesn't get in the way!" Sun Meng exclaimed as she donned the hefty scrap iron helmet, finding it unexpectedly fitting. The helmet's solid iron construction provided her with a substantial feeling of safety, and she was confident that zombies wouldn't be able to penetrate it under normal circumstances.

Zhao Dagang grabbed a complete set of gear and hurried out of the cafeteria, heading straight for the garage. He was clearly in a rush, having only eaten half of his meal!

Tang Bing distributed the equipment between Sun Meng and Qin Mengli, reserving the last set for himself. He then sat back down to finish his meal, saying, "Once we're done eating, I'll take Dagang out to scout the nearby supermarket and police station for food, water, and possibly guns. You two stay here. As long as you don't wander off the premises, you're free to move around inside the building. Try to locate all the survival supplies we have, and don't overlook any nook or cranny."

"Oh!" Sun Meng, already aware from the day before that Tang Bing planned to take Zhao Dagang out, couldn't hide her dismay upon hearing the plan again, "Then Bing, please come back soon. Mengli and I will be really scared being here alone!"

"What's there to be scared of?" Tang Bing reassured her, "Once Dagang and I leave, just lock the main door and all the windows of the building. That should keep you safe from zombies or intruders for the time being."

"I get that, but it's still frightening," Sun Meng sighed, her anxiety palpable.

Qin Mengli, meanwhile, kept her head down, silently continuing with her meal, appearing to be sulking over something with Tang Bing. But Tang Bing wasn't in the right frame of mind to address it just then.

"Hahaha! Behold the knight in scrap armor! Do I look dashing or what?" Zhao Dagang's voice boomed as he reappeared at the cafeteria entrance. Decked out in a scrap iron helmet, cotton armor, iron gloves, knee pads, and boots, he was completely encased, his face the only thing visible, sporting a ridiculous grin.

"Pfft!" Qin Mengli, who had been sipping her soup, glanced up at the sound and couldn't help but spit it out in laughter at the sight.

Sun Meng couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sight of Zhao Dagang's new look.

Having tried on the scrap iron suit himself, Tang Bing was aware that it made one appear slightly bulky and wasn't exactly flattering. A smirk played on his lips at Zhao Dagang's unfounded confidence.

Judging by everyone's reactions, Zhao Dagang could tell that his new look had nothing to do with being handsome. Unfazed, he chuckled, "As long as I feel handsome, that's all that matters! Plus, this armor may seem cumbersome, but it surprisingly doesn't hinder my movements. Bing, you've got some real talent! I'm impressed!"

"Okay, enough!" Tang Bing chuckled, "Let's finish up and head out. We've got to scavenge for supplies. Make sure you follow my lead!"

"Got it, I'll do as you say!" Zhao Dagang nodded enthusiastically, removed his helmet, and sat back down at the table.

After breakfast, Sun Meng and Qin Mengli walked Tang Bing and Zhao Dagang to the door, their eyes filled with concern.

"Bing, please be careful! Finding stuff is secondary; your safety is what's truly important!" Sun Meng implored, "Whatever happens, you both must return unharmed. We'll be waiting for you at home!"

"Don't worry! We'll be fine! With every zombie that comes our way, we'll take them down!" Zhao Dagang brandished his fire axe, his face alight with excitement. Having personally dispatched several zombies, he had undergone a significant transformation and was no longer afraid of them.

But Sun Meng seemed unconcerned with his bravado, her gaze fixed on Tang Bing with worry, "Brother Bing, you have to return safely! We all depend on you. If anything were to happen to you, we wouldn't know what to do!"

"I'll return safely," Tang Bing assured her with a slight nod, "However, you can't rely too heavily on others. You need to be strong too. This world is unpredictable, and we can't promise there won't be accidents. If we do run into trouble, you'll need to depend on your own strength to survive, not just wait around for death!"

"Brother Bing, nothing will happen to you!" Sun Meng quickly interjected, "Smooth sailing! You both will surely return without a scratch!"

"Rest assured! I'll take Brother Bing out alive, and I'm bringing him back the same way," Zhao Dagang assured with a thump on his chest.

Yet, what dampened his spirits was the lukewarm response from Sun Meng and Qin Mengli, who merely gave slight nods, their attention clearly fixed on Tang Bing.

He might be a bit slow on the uptake, but he was no fool. The way the two women were acting made it clear they were more concerned about Tang Bing than him. With a scratch of his face, he stepped back and fell silent.

"Okay!" Tang Bing gave Sun Meng a nod, then turned to Qin Mengli, "Dagang and I are heading out now. Make sure to lock up all the doors and windows here! If there are survivors seeking help, don't just let them in. First, check for any zombies nearby—no point in risking your own lives in an attempted rescue. Second, even if there's no immediate zombie threat, keep your distance from any survivors. You can let them inside the perimeter, but they should stay outside the building at first. No one knows if they've been bitten or scratched by zombies, and getting too close could be dangerous! Also, remember, in this apocalypse, there's no rule of law. Any survivor who seems friendly or pitiable could turn violent for resources. And yes, some might have special intentions towards you, even to the point of taking action. So, always stay on guard!"

"Bing, we're not kids!" Sun Meng retorted, "We already know all this!"

"I'm not treating you like kids, I'm just concerned about your generous natures," Tang Bing replied earnestly. "Bottom line, being cautious is never a mistake. Keep a close eye on both zombies and survivors, and don't approach either without careful observation. Here, take this telescope. If anything comes up, you can use it to check things out. Dagang and I will be at the nearby supermarket and police station, not too far away. If you're worried, use the telescope to keep tabs on us."

"Thanks, Brother Bing!" Sun Meng accepted the binoculars, her face visibly relaxing. Her biggest concern was the lack of security she felt when she couldn't see Tang Bing and the others.

"Additionally," Tang Bing told them, "if there's a real emergency, light a fire on the rooftop. The clothes, blankets, and such in the dorms will catch easily. While we're out scavenging, we'll keep an eye on the house. If we spot the signal fire, we'll come racing back immediately!"

"Bing, you've thought of everything!" Sun Meng's anxiety melted away. "With that plan, I can actually relax."

"That's the idea," Tang Bing agreed, securing his helmet. His gear was already on, matching Zhao Dagang's. "Dagang, time to move out!"

"Got it!" Zhao Dagang turned and heaved the hefty iron door open, leading the way out of the factory.

"Don't forget what I told you," Tang Bing called back to Sun Meng, then stepped out and added, "Quick, lock the door!"

"Got it!" Sun Meng promptly went to work, wrapping the bulky chain lock around and securing it tight.

"Let's go!" With the door firmly locked, Tang Bing felt at ease and signaled to Zhao Dagang to depart.

"Tang Bing!" A few steps out, Qin Mengli's voice rang out from behind.

Tang Bing halted but didn't look back.

"Tang Bing, you better listen!" Qin Mengli's voice carried her usual authoritative air, a tone she was all too comfortable with. "Make sure you come back alive!"

Though Tang Bing was aware she didn't hold him in her heart, her words still offered him some comfort. "Dagang, we're off!"

"Right behind you!"