C94 (2)
Tang Bing couldn't discern whether Liang Hui had any feelings for Zhao Dagang, and frankly, he preferred not to meddle in others' affairs. "We've pretty much finished inventorying and loading the supplies. We're ready to move out as soon as the weather clears up! Until then, everyone should get some rest and focus on Liang Hui's recovery. I'll leave you to it!"
"Tang, thank you so much!" Lin Leyan expressed her heartfelt appreciation. "Without your help, my daughter and I would be at a loss."
"We're all part of the same team now, so there's no need for such thanks," Tang Bing responded coolly. "An illness in the group slows us all down. I'm just looking out for myself, too!"
"Shall I walk you out?" Lin Leyan offered, picking up a candle from the table and glancing at Sun Meng, "Mengmeng, please take care of my daughter."
"Don't worry about it!" Sun Meng reassured her with a smile. "A fresh towel change should do the trick! I've got this under control."
"Thanks!" Lin Leyan, holding the candle, accompanied Tang Bing to the door, walking with him to the stairwell.
"Teacher Lin, you don't need to see me out," Tang Bing said, turning to face her. "I can make it upstairs on my own."
"Okay," Lin Leyan nodded slightly. "Tang, I really must thank you again. Huihui is all I have. If anything were to happen to her, I'd never forgive myself."
"There's no need to worry," Tang Bing reassured her, "It's just a typical cold and fever. She'll be back on her feet in no time. And even if it were corpse poison, I've got antibiotics. There's nothing to fret over."
"You're right," Lin Leyan said with a sigh, the candle in her hands casting a warm glow. "It's best to stay healthy, especially now. Getting sick with no hospitals to turn to is the last thing we need. Minor ailments are manageable, especially with Nurse Mengmeng here. But a serious illness would be disastrous."
"Teacher Lin, you're overthinking it," Tang Bing said, shining his flashlight on the stairs. "You should get some rest."
"Wait!" Lin Leyan called out as Tang Bing took a step upward. "Tang, I... I need to ask you something."
Tang Bing wondered to himself, "What could you possibly want to ask me? It's not about where I've stashed my supplies and medicine, is it? Even if you did ask, I wouldn't tell you!"
He turned to face Lin Leyan and said, "Ask away! As long as it's not personal, I'm open to answering."
"I just have a small question..." Lin Leyan glanced back at her room, then peered upstairs before quietly approaching Tang Bing. "Tell me, Tang, what's your take on Zhao Dagang? I don't know much about him, but you've spent more time with him. You must have some insights, right?"
Tang Bing was taken aback by Lin Leyan's inquiry about Zhao Dagang, somewhat surprised.
Was this a case of a mother vetting her daughter's suitor? It certainly seemed that way.
With this in mind, he turned and shared his thoughts, "Dagang is a straightforward guy. He might seem a bit slow-witted, always grinning foolishly, but when it counts, he's sharp. He's got a solid character and strong principles. Honestly, out of everyone here, he's the one I trust the most."
"You rate him quite highly?" Lin Leyan was surprised. "Even more than Mengli?"
Tang Bing thought to himself about his strained relationship with Qin Mengli, questioning the very notion of trust. You have no idea, he thought, she even tried to assassinate me once!
Of course, he kept these thoughts to himself, simply offering a slight smile in lieu of a response.
When Tang Bing remained silent, Lin Leyan paused before speaking candidly, "Tang, let me be frank with you. In the past, I would have never approved of someone like Zhao Dagang for Huihui, even if she was interested. It's not that I looked down on him, but back then, he wouldn't have been able to provide for her, only bringing hardship to my precious daughter. But now, things have changed. After everything we've been through, I've come to realize that this world may never go back to the way it was."
Tang Bing found himself in agreement with Lin Leyan's somber outlook.
For the world to revert to its former state, humanity would have to eradicate every last zombie and reclaim the Earth. But how could humans, now only 20% of the population, possibly eliminate the 80% that were zombies?
Seeing Tang Bing remain silent, Lin Leyan spoke up again, "You know, I think Huihui should be with someone like you, Tang. She'd have a more stable future by your side. But I'm aware of the situation between you and Mengli. Feelings aren't something you can just switch off..."
"Why bring me into this?" Tang Bing raised an eyebrow. "Teacher Lin, let's not discuss Qin Mengli and me anymore! There's no chance for us! And the same goes for Liang Hui."
"I understand," Lin Leyan said with a hint of regret, "I was merely pondering the idea. After all, it's Huihui's decision to make. I'm her mother, not a dictator. It's just my personal thought that you're more dependable than Zhao Dagang! But clearly, you're not interested in my Huihui, and I'm not sure what she thinks either. Zhao Dagang, on the other hand, has been quite attentive to her lately. Huihui doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings at the moment, but it's hard for a woman to resist a persistent suitor. They say even the most resolute woman can fall for a persistent man, and I speak from experience. If we can't prevent certain things, we must be prepared. If Zhao Dagang turns out to be a bad apple, I'd like to nip his intentions in the bud. But if he's genuinely a good guy, then it wouldn't be right to stop him, would it?"
"You're quite progressive!" Tang Bing was taken aback.
"I don't have much choice," Lin Leyan sighed. "But Tang, I just need a straight answer from you."
"Go ahead," Tang Bing nodded.
"Is everything Zhao Dagang told you true? Not a shred of deception?" Lin Leyan asked softly.
"Not a shred," Tang Bing confirmed with a nod. "You can rest easy."
"And one more thing," Lin Leyan added, "Tang, even though I've never been your teacher, I am still a faculty member at your school. That makes me your elder, doesn't it?"
"Yes!" Tang Bing was unsure of what she was getting at.
"Tang, I just want to hear you say it," Lin Leyan said, gently holding his hand. "You wouldn't do anything against my daughter and me, nor would you force us to do anything against our will, would you?"
Ah, Tang Bing caught on.
Teacher Lin Leyan was overthinking things. She believed that in this team, Tang Bing called the shots. He was essentially the leader, with everyone expected to follow his lead.
Tang Bing was known to be uncompromising. Capable of killing both zombies and people, he controlled a wealth of food, water, and medicine—crucial supplies for survival. And with guns at his disposal, who would dare cross him?
So far, he hadn't made any unreasonable demands, but Lin Leyan feared the "what if." If he chose to coerce her and her daughter, who would dare resist? She assumed their relationship would mean compliance, and Huihui would likely obey to protect her mother.
Lin Leyan had many concerns and sought a precaution to avoid an unwanted scenario, even though she doubted its effectiveness. It was about peace of mind.
Whether or not Tang Bing would honor his word in the future, his current assurance could at least quell Lin Leyan's worries.
Understanding her concerns, Tang Bing nodded. He found her fears unfounded.
Not only would he never act so disrespectfully, but he also had no interest in Teacher Lin or her daughter. If he were to change, he'd be more inclined to settle scores with Qin Mengli directly, which would sit better with him.
Teacher Lin had her own allure and the respect that came with her profession, but Tang Bing wasn't attracted. He was quite clear about his orientation.
And as for Liang Hui, she wasn't his type at all.
With this in mind, he firmly reassured Lin Leyan, "Teacher Lin, you really don't need to worry! I assure you, I will not do anything that goes against you and your daughter's wishes, nor will I force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. Mutual respect is a fundamental rule in this team. Unless you cross a line with me, you have absolutely nothing to fear."
"Tang, your assurance is all I need to hear!" Lin Leyan finally exhaled in relief upon receiving his response. "Go ahead and get some rest. The conversation we just had will remain between us—I won't share it with anyone. And any future tasks you have, I'll make sure to handle them just as you've asked."
"Okay, let's leave it at that," Tang Bing nodded, then turned to head upstairs.
