C41 He Was Worried and Wanted to Find Someone. They All Agreed to Fight Each Other.

After the horde of zombies followed Tang Bing out, it took a while for the three people in the security room to shake off their fear. Reflecting on their recent actions and realizing that Tang Bing had drawn the zombies away to protect them, a sense of embarrassment washed over them. The more they dwelled on it, the deeper their worry and guilt grew.

Their anxiety only intensified when Tang Bing didn't return after a considerable amount of time, especially after feeling the ground shake from the recent explosion. They were on edge.

"Mengli, what are you doing?" Sun Meng asked, alarmed, as she saw Qin Mengli abruptly stand and head for the exit. She hurried after her, grabbing her hand in a panic.

"I have to find Tang Bing!" Qin Mengli said, her face etched with worry.

"Are you out of your mind?" Sun Meng tightened her grip on Mengli's wrist. "There are hundreds of zombies out there. Even Bing had to run! Going out there is suicide!"

"He drew those flesh-eating monsters away to save us, and we don't even know what caused that explosion! Now we don't know if Tang Bing is dead or alive, and you can just stand there?" Qin Mengli pulled away from Sun Meng's grasp. "Sure, you haven't known him long, and you're not close. But he's saved your lives! Can you really just stand by and do nothing?"

"I'm worried too!" Sun Meng grabbed Qin Mengli's hand again. "Believe me, I'm just as concerned for Bing as you are. But if Bing made that choice, he must have had his reasons. From what I've seen these past couple of days, Bing isn't one to take his life lightly. Quite the opposite—he's always been cautious about his safety. I've thought about running out to find Bing too, but what good would that do? Let's be honest, Mengli. If the two of us run into zombies out there, it's a death sentence. We wouldn't just fail to find Bing; we could end up complicating things for him or even losing our own lives. So as anxious as we are, the best thing we can do right now is stay put and wait. I'm confident Bing will return soon."

"Do you even understand him?" Qin Mengli's fists clenched, her face showing a mix of frustration and sadness. "I've known him for four years; we were university classmates. I may not have feelings for him, but he's spent the last four years trying to win me over. I know how important I am to him. You have no idea what he's willing to do for me. Even though I've rejected him, his feelings are unmistakable. He lured the zombies away to protect me! You don't see how Tang Bing pushes himself to do the impossible for me. Like that time I mentioned something offhand, and he saved up for six months just to get it for me. He's definitely overextending himself this time. I'm afraid he'll get hurt. I may not reciprocate his feelings, but I'm grateful for all he's done. And now, he's the only person I really know here. If he dies because of me, I'll be haunted by guilt for the rest of my life."

Sun Meng was taken aback by the conversation. She hadn't thought much of Qin Mengli before, but the recent exchange revealed a surprisingly narcissistic streak in the sister she'd previously found quite agreeable. She was at a loss for words, unsure of how to address it. From their two days together, Sun Meng had come to see Bing as anything but the weakling Mengli made him out to be. He was thorough and considerate, truly someone to rely on and trust.

Sun Meng also harbored doubts about Mengli's claims regarding Tang Bing. She couldn't quite buy into the idea of Bing being the lovesick type Mengli portrayed.

Just then, Zhao Dagang approached with determination. "Nobody should go outside," he declared. "I'll go find Bing! I've got an axe, a gun, and the armor Bing gave me. I'm the best fit for this!"

"How can you say that? With so many zombies out there, it's a death wish!" Qin Mengli objected, her brow furrowed with concern.

"If I can't handle it, what chance would you stand?" Zhao countered. "Could the two of you even take me down together?"

"You're a big guy with weapons. How could we possibly beat you?" Sun Meng retorted with an eye roll.

"Exactly," Zhao Dagang concluded. "You two stay put in the factory. I'm going to find Bing."

"But..." Qin Mengli was far from reassured.

"Mengli, I really think Zhao's got a point," Sun Meng interjected. "Together, we're no match for him. We'd be no help out there—just a hindrance. Even armed with Zhao's axe or gun, could we really take on the zombies? It's best we stay here in the factory and not get in the way. We have to trust Bing. He'll make it back to us safely."

"But... I understand him better than either of you! He's always trying to prove himself..." Mengli's voice trailed off as she turned to look in the direction Tang Bing had gone, her eyes betraying her worry.

"Mengli, it strikes me that despite knowing Bing for four years, you don't really trust him," Sun Meng said, locking eyes with her. "I've only been around him for a couple of days, yet my trust in him is absolute. I have faith in his capabilities and his judgment. Bing will return to us, safe and sound."

"Exactly! I feel the same way!" Zhao Dagang nodded emphatically.

"You clearly don't understand him, so why this blind faith? Your blind trust could end up getting him killed!" Qin Mengli said, her head bowed.

"Mengli, it's not blind faith," Sun Meng countered, "You're the one who doesn't understand Bing, and you lack trust in him! I'm worried and scared too, scared that something might happen to him. He's the backbone of our team! Without Bing, our survival would be in jeopardy. But I trust him unconditionally; I have faith in every decision he makes!"

"I trust all of Bing's decisions too!" Zhao Dagang added, nodding in agreement. "Let's open the door. I'm sure he's still alive. I'm going to bring him back!"

"And how do you plan to do that?" Qin Mengli asked, turning to him. "Think you can outrun the zombies?"

"I'll drive there!" Zhao Dagang gestured towards the garage.

"This..." Qin Mengli was taken aback.

"That's an excellent idea!" Sun Meng's eyes sparkled. "Driving means the zombies won't catch us, and as long as we avoid getting trapped, we'll be fine! Plus, once we find Bing, we can bring him back immediately!"

"Alright! I'm going to drive, so help me with the door!" Zhao Dagang secured his fire axe and pistol at his waist and headed straight for the garage.

"Wait!" Qin Mengli called out, hurrying after him.

"What's up?" Zhao Dagang looked back, puzzled.

"I'm coming with you!" she declared.

"No way! I need to keep you all safe for Bing's sake; I can't let you take that risk!" Zhao Dagang refused flatly.

"I don't care about that!" Qin Mengli insisted, growing more anxious. "We're just driving over, and I won't leave the car!"

"If Mengli is going, then I'm coming too!" Sun Meng interjected, stepping forward.

"Why are you getting involved?" Qin Mengli turned and glared at her.

"I'd be terrified alone here!" Sun Meng met her gaze firmly. "And I'm just as worried about Bing as you are!"

"I'll go by myself! You two stay here!" Zhao Dagang said, frowning.

"You have to take me with you today!" Qin Mengli insisted to Zhao Dagang. "If you leave me behind, I'll just head out on my own once you're gone!"

Zhao Dagang found himself in a bind and cast a desperate look at Sun Meng for help.

"Mengli, are you sure you don't have feelings for Bing?" Sun Meng probed, her gaze fixed on her. "It seems like there's more to it."

"That's not it at all!" Qin Mengli countered, shaking her head. "I don't have feelings for Tang Bing, and I've made that clear to him. But we've been classmates for four years. If he's risking his life because of some foolish thing I've done, how can I just sit here, doing nothing? I have to find Tang Bing, no matter what."

After a long pause, Sun Meng finally spoke up, "If that's how you feel, Mengli, then I'm coming too! If we're going to find Brother Bing, we should all go together!"

"No, you can't— I don't agree!" Zhao Dagang protested, clearly distressed.

"It doesn't matter if you agree or not; I'm going," Qin Mengli stated firmly.

Zhao Dagang was torn. He couldn't bear the thought of Qin Mengli and Sun Meng facing danger, unsure of how he'd ever explain it to Brother Bing. One was Bing's first love, pursued for four years, and the other seemed to have a close connection with him now. He couldn't forgive himself if anything happened to either of them. And to be honest, even going alone to find Brother Bing was fraught with peril. How could he possibly bring along two girls who were completely unprepared for combat?

"Stop wasting time!" Qin Mengli pressed, seeing Zhao Dagang deep in thought. "What if something happens to Tang Bing while we're delayed? He could be in danger this very moment, while we're here unable to agree!"

Zhao Dagang felt a jolt of urgency. His concern for Qin Mengli and Sun Meng was overshadowed by the gravity of Tang Bing's situation. He knew, just as they did, how crucial Tang Bing was to their team.

Their acquaintance was brief, but Tang Bing's leadership and survival skills were evident to all. In such a short span of time, both Sun Meng and he had come to rely heavily on Tang Bing, seeing him as their greatest support.

If Tang Bing were in trouble, the three of them truly didn't know how they'd manage to survive in this brutal post-apocalyptic world!

"Alright! You all come with me. I'll do everything in my power to protect you!" Zhao Dagang clenched his jaw, "But you have to stay in the car, no getting out!"

"We need to move!" Qin Mengli hurried toward the garage, "The sooner we leave, the better our chances of saving Tang Bing!"

"Let's go!" Zhao Dagang instantly grabbed the car keys and headed for the garage, leaving Sun Meng to wait at the gate. She would unlock it as soon as the car approached, then hop in so they could all set off together!

With a rumble, the luxury car slowly emerged from the garage and pulled up to the gate. Qin Mengli leaned out from the passenger side, "Hurry, open the gate!"

"Got it!" Sun Meng quickly reached for the keys, ready to unlock, but then she suddenly cried out in astonishment, "Bing!"