NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24: A Choice Between Safety and Solitude
Wang Xiong spent the afternoon exploring the Zhang residence, gaining a comprehensive understanding of both the place and its leader, Zhang Ye. A successful businessman, Zhang Ye had returned to Good Hope Village to pay his respects to his ancestors when the apocalypse struck, leaving him stranded in the family’s ancestral home.
Luckily, the young men of the Zhang clan, who outnumbered the elderly, reacted swiftly to the crisis. With financial backing from Zhang Ye’s parents, they fortified the residence into a defensible shelter. Rescue missions to grow their numbers became routine, and with the addition of three Awakened individuals, including Zhang Ye himself, the shelter’s safety and ability to secure resources grew immensely.
By the time Wang Xiong left, he had formed a solid impression of Zhang Ye— a capable leader, resourceful, and decent at heart. The shelter, with its formidable defenses and ample supplies, presented a compelling alternative to Wang Xiong’s current situation. The decision to join them weighed heavily on his mind.
On one hand, he had his own small, familiar group—a handful of survivors he had taken under his wing. On the other, the Zhang residence offered a much larger, better-equipped community. It wasn’t until that evening, back at his haven, that Wang Xiong finally made his decision.
“I think we should move,” he announced to Zhang Lixin, Dr. Meng Jie, and the others.
The desire for safety and companionship resonated deeply with them. The apocalypse had made it painfully clear that numbers mattered. Few, like Lu Ming, could thrive in solitude.
“I checked it out,” Wang Xiong continued, addressing any concerns about danger. “The shelter and Zhang Ye are solid. Good people.” He glanced out the window at the now-empty streets. The zombie corpses were gone, but he didn’t elaborate further.
The limitations of their current shelter were evident. There were too few people, and the location itself lacked the fortified defenses of the Zhang residence. Wang Xiong explained the advantages: more people, more Awakened individuals, a fortified wall, and ample food supplies. “Considering everything,” he concluded, “it’s in our best interest to move there.”
Leadership wasn’t something Wang Xiong craved. He had created this haven out of a moral obligation to protect others. No one objected to his decision, as he was already the de facto leader of the group.
With everyone on board, Wang Xiong turned his focus to convincing Lu Ming. “Surely,”
he thought, “Brother Lu would see the logic in this.”“Move? I’m not moving!” Lu Ming’s voice over the intercom was unexpectedly firm, catching Wang Xiong off guard.
“It’s safer over there,” Wang Xiong pressed. “They’ve got five Awakened now, including you and me. There are more people and enough food for everyone.”
Lu Ming inwardly scoffed. “Leave my house? In your dreams.” But he kept his tone measured, not wanting to alienate Wang Xiong completely. “My home was already safe before you all came.”
Wang Xiong fell silent. Lu Ming’s words stung. Had their presence been unnecessary all this time? He couldn’t argue against it—Lu Ming had survived comfortably without ever needing to leave for supplies.
After a long, awkward pause, Wang Xiong let out a sigh. “Alright. I understand.”
“We have to move,” he insisted. “Even if you won’t, we need to.”
“Have a safe trip.” Lu Ming’s voice was calm, though a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.
Wang Xiong longed to try convincing him again, but Lu Ming’s stubbornness left him speechless. Finally, he muttered a heartfelt farewell, “Brother, take care.”
“Yeah,” Lu Ming acknowledged curtly.
As Wang Xiong’s image faded from the screen, Lu Ming’s expression remained stoic. Yet, a hint of turmoil lingered in his gaze. “Wang Xiong could be annoying,” he mused, “but he’s a good person.” Through their interactions, he had learned much about the outside world. Now, with Wang Xiong gone, there was a subtle sense of loss. Just a little…
By the evening, Lu Ming had shaken off the conversation entirely. He focused on his sandbag workout, expelling any remaining tension. After a solid night’s sleep, he woke refreshed and peeked out the window the next morning. Below, he saw Wang Xiong leading a group of about ten people, heading towards Good Hope Village. Only then did their previous conversation return to him.
The streets were eerily deserted, devoid of both zombies and survivors. Lu Ming shut the observation window and began his daily training routine.
The route to the Zhang residence had been cleared by Wang Xiong the previous day, so their journey was uneventful. By noon, they arrived at the towering complex. Wang Xiong, along with thirteen survivors—including Zhang Lixin and Dr. Meng Jie—were welcomed warmly by Zhang Ye.
Lunch was a feast. Roasted chicken and sealed wine were devoured enthusiastically by Wang Xiong and his companions. The contrast to their previous meals reinforced their decision to join the Zhang community. The larger, safer haven, with its abundant resources, seemed like a beacon of hope in the chaotic apocalypse.
After the meal, the regular survivors were shown to their dormitories, while the Awakened individuals from both groups gathered for a discussion. Dried fruits were passed around as refreshments.
Li Zitong, one of the Zhang family’s Awakened, turned to Zhang Lixin, whose military background commanded respect. “Does the military have any plans for rescue?”
Zhang Lixin shook his head gravely. “The outbreak caught them completely off guard. Communication lines are down. I have no idea what’s happening now.”
The conversation shifted briefly before Li Zitong addressed Dr. Meng Jie. “Dr. Meng, I’ve heard you’re a biologist. Do you have any insights or theories about the zombies and Awakened?”
Dr. Meng Jie paused thoughtfully before beginning to share her knowledge.
End of Chapter 24