Chapter 47 Leaving the School
"Hello everyone, I'm Song Chengjun, Chief Commander of the Patrol Team from B City Safety Base. Are there any other survivors in the school?"
As others hesitated to step forward, Song Chengjun, being from the official base, naturally took the initiative.
Hearing that Song Chengjun was from B City Safety Base, the eyes of several teachers and students lit up.
Though it was the first time they'd heard the name "Safety Base," it clearly sounded like an official organization.
Hadn't they been waiting for this exact moment all this time?
"Yes! After the zombie outbreak, we gathered all the survivors in the school cafeteria ourselves.
There are about 100 to 200 students in the cafeteria now. Are you here specifically to rescue us?"
At this question, Song Chengjun fell silent.
They hadn't come here for a rescue mission.
In fact, if not for the invitation of Chu Jiangyue, Shen Zhigui, and the other three, they might not have even passed by this place today.
Though the truth was harsh, he didn't want to deceive the survivors.
The silence from Song Chengjun quickly made the teachers among the awakened ability users realize the reason behind it.
Though somewhat saddened, they could still understand.
This was a school with teachers, students, and workers from various positions - totaling two to three thousand people, yet only one or two hundred survived.
Faced with such a massive horde of zombies, it was understandable they dared not rush in recklessly for rescue.
As long as the final outcome was good, they needn't dwell on the process.
"Stop talking now. There are still many zombies in the school. If we keep chatting, we'll be in trouble when they come."
Although zombie cores could restore special abilities, their bodies wouldn't withstand another round of high-intensity combat.
"You're right. I'll go organize other teachers and students to come out now and leave with you."
No matter what was happening outside, being able to leave the school was already their greatest fortune.
Chu Jiangyue's group followed several teachers and students toward the cafeteria.
Fearing zombie attacks, the cafeteria doors remained tightly shut at all times,
However, a portion of the zombies outside have been cleared for now, and no large numbers will arrive in the short term. This is their best chance to leave the school.
Several teachers and students arrived at the cafeteria entrance, knocking in Morse code. Soon, someone opened the door from inside.
"Professor Lu, you're back!"
"Quick, organize the students to leave—every second counts!"
Without waiting for the door to fully open, Lu Hua'an urgently spoke up.
"What?"
The teacher who came to open the door was momentarily stunned, finding it hard to believe.
"Hurry! The path from the cafeteria to the school gate via the teaching building has already been cleared of zombies. Now is our best opportunity to leave.
If we don't act fast and the zombies gather here again, escaping will become much harder!"
Lu Hua'an didn't believe Song Chengjun and the others would carve another path for them.
"Alright, I'll organize everyone now!"
Though still somewhat bewildered, she trusted Lu Hua'an completely and immediately began assembling all the teachers and students to prepare for departure.
The other teachers and students were equally baffled by her words, but fortunately, students' instinct to obey teachers is ingrained. When she said "line up," they quickly formed ranks in no time.
As for the other teachers, they just needed to follow the students' formation.
"Move out!"
"Teacher, did Cheng Yu and the others succeed?"
Some students had already figured it out.
"Now is not the time to discuss this! Just follow orders!"
The teacher organizing the evacuation wasn't clear about the specifics either, but since Lu Hua'an told her to assemble the teachers and students for departure, she did as instructed.
When the group of teachers and students exited the cafeteria and saw Lu Hua'an's team along with Chu Jiangyue's group, their eyes welled up instantly.
They had endured in the cafeteria for who knows how many days, nearly losing hope.
Now, suddenly being told they could leave—who wouldn't be overwhelmed?
Seeing everyone emerge, Song Chengjun and his subordinates positioned themselves at the front, middle, and rear of the group, forming a protective perimeter around them.
However, the number of people they brought this time was still too small, and the areas they could protect were limited. They still needed Lu Hua'an and his team to assist with the escort.
Chu Jiangyue had long completed the mission of collecting 100 zombie crystal cores. Seeing the two hundred people coming out of the cafeteria, Chu Jiangyue didn't show much emotion.
Among the group of teachers and students, many also noticed Chu Jiangyue's presence. However, since no one asked, Chu Jiangyue couldn't be bothered to explain.
"Boss Chu, can I take them to Jianglin Hotel for accommodation?"
According to Lu Hua'an, there were about one to two hundred teachers and students here. The distance to Base B was too far, while Jianglin Hotel was much closer.
Moreover, Song Chengjun believed that once they experienced life at Jianglin Hotel, they probably wouldn't want to live at the base anymore.
After all, life at the base might not necessarily be better than at Jianglin Hotel.
"The hotel doesn't have enough rooms. You can take them there to rest. If there are available rooms, those who wish to stay can do so freely."
Because Song Chengjun brought a group of people from City B's safety base last time, Building 1 of the hotel was already full, and some rooms in Building 2 were also occupied.
Until new rooms become available at the hotel, she couldn't arrange accommodations for so many people all at once.
Upon hearing Chu Jiangyue's words, Song Chengjun felt somewhat regretful.
"It's alright, let them decide for themselves when the time comes."
If possible, Song Chengjun naturally hoped everyone could stay at Jianglin Hotel, but unfortunately, the current conditions didn't allow it.
The group led the 200 teachers and students, moving as quickly as possible toward the school gate.
Occasionally, one or two zombies lunged at them, but they were swiftly dealt with by Shen Zhigui and the others.
The teachers and students looked at them with admiration. Even though they were also ability users, why weren't the awakened teachers and students at their school as capable as these people?
"Big brother, what kind of place is this hotel you mentioned? I want to go home—can you take me home?"
Zhu Lanlan had somehow moved close to Song Chengjun's side, asking questions in a sweet, coquettish voice while simultaneously making her request.
"Where do you live?"
If it happened to be in the same direction as returning to Jianglin Hotel, he wouldn't mind giving her a ride home.
Though he wondered if there was anyone at the home she mentioned.
"I live in Jinyu Bay, big brother! Could you take me home? I don't want to stay at the hotel!"
Seeing Song Chengjun hadn't refused, Zhu Lanlan seized the opportunity to push further, directly asking him to take her home.
Song Chengjun slightly furrowed his brows—Jinyu Bay and Jianglin Hotel were in completely opposite directions.
"Your home is in the opposite direction from the hotel, sorry. You should first go with the group to Jianglin Hotel before deciding where to go next."
Song Chengjun couldn't possibly leave everyone else behind just for her.
Zhu Lanlan hadn't expected to be rejected, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
She genuinely wanted to go home—she had never experienced such hardship in her entire life.
"Big brother, please take me home. If you take me home, my parents will give you money - my family has money!"