QT: The Rescue Of The Miserable Bigshots

"Xue Fang! What's wrong with you?!"

The shout tore through the uneasy silence like a whip.

Just as several people were hesitating, uncertain what to do after Chen Ran's warning not to touch the two second-level zombies, Zheng Shuqiu suddenly cried out, his voice shrill with panic.

Everyone turned sharply toward him.

He wasn't looking at them. His wide eyes were fixed on Xue Fang.

And then they saw it too.

The back of Xue Fang's shoulder. His jacket had torn open, fabric hanging in jagged threads. Beneath it, pale flesh was exposed, marred by a gash that wasn't deep but was steadily oozing blood.

The blood was wrong.

It was too dark, thick, sluggish, tinged with a faint greenish hue. And worse, a foul, fishy stench clung to it.

Seasoned survivors didn't need anyone to explain. After all these years of apocalypse, they knew exactly what it meant.

"You… you've been scratched?!" Zheng Shuqiu's voice cracked. He recoiled a step without thinking.

Xue Fang blinked in confusion, not comprehending. But the solemn, frozen expressions on everyone's faces told him what his own eyes could not. Slowly, in disbelief, he twisted his neck, trying to look over his shoulder.

It was useless. That part of his body was in his blind spot. He only ended up twisting awkwardly, looking desperate and pathetic.

Following Zheng Shuqiu's lead, Shen Hao and Chen Ran also backed away silently, their expressions grave. Even their retreat felt like a verdict.

"What… what do you mean!?" Xue Fang's voice trembled.

Panic clawed at his chest. He took a staggering step after them, as if refusing to be left behind. "It was an accident! Just a scratch, not a zombie bite!"

"Xue Fang…" Zheng Shuqiu's voice was heavy. "We're not cruel. But what else could have scratched you? We didn't, and there are no animals here. Only zombies. And look, your wound is already darkening…"

"No! No!" Xue Fang's pale face contorted, his denial ringing with hysteria. "I don't want to become a zombie! I don't want to! We're teammates, you can't abandon me! You can't!"

Jiang Jiamian narrowed his eyes, studying the wound. A strange, cold ripple stirred in his chest.

Almost on instinct, he turned his gaze sideways.

Ling Zhuang stood quietly at his side, expression as mild as ever. But behind the glasses, a gleam of ice cut through, sharp and unmistakable.

Jiang Jiamian's heart jolted.

It was him.

This pervert.

Jiang Jiamian remembered, with crystal clarity, the flash of killing intent in Ling Zhuang's eyes whenever Xue Fang had mocked him. He never retaliated openly, but that didn't mean he hadn't acted.

When? How?

How had Ling Zhuang done it under everyone's nose, so quietly that even Jiang Jiamian hadn't noticed?

As if sensing his stare, Ling Zhuang finally turned his head. A polite smile curled his lips, the perfect image of calm civility. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Jiang Jiamian's lips twitched. He swallowed his shock, smoothed his expression. With everyone now glancing curiously his way thanks to Ling Zhuang's words, he said evenly, "I was just wondering, Professor Ling, in this situation, when someone's been scratched but hasn't turned into a zombie yet… is there anything you can do to save them?"

At once, Xue Fang lit up as though he'd glimpsed salvation. "Yes! Professor Ling! Save me! Please, I don't want to turn into a zombie!" He staggered forward, reaching desperately.

"Stay back!" Shen Hao and Zheng Shuqiu moved instantly, blocking his path.

"What are you doing?!" Xue Fang screamed, shoving at them with wild strength.

Zheng Shuqiu's face burned with shame. "Professor Ling is under our protection. In your condition… don't get near him!"

Even usually stoic Shen Hao agreed firmly, "If you have something to say, say it from there."

"You… you're treating me like a zombie already!" Xue Fang's voice cracked, rage and terror spilling together. "I'm still human! I'm your teammate!"

"Calm down!" Xiao Jinfeng cut in, frowning. His tone was steady but strained. "It's not that we're giving up on you. But you know the rules, once scratched, you could turn at any moment. We can't risk it."

Xue Fang gave a hollow laugh. "Not giving up on me? Then what is this? What's the difference between your words and abandoning me outright, Captain Xiao?" His voice dropped to a desperate rasp. "Professor Ling… you must have a way. Right?"

After sneering at Xiao Jinfeng, Xue Fang placed his final hopes in Ling Zhuang.

Jiang Jiamian almost pitied him. Seeking help from the devil himself…

Ling Zhuang adjusted his glasses, a mild, apologetic smile on his lips. "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. I am a biology professor, yes, with research in toxicology and virology. But the zombie virus spread suddenly, violently. I haven't found a cure."

"No… no, you're lying…"

Xue Fang's legs buckled, and he slumped to the floor, defeated.

"Xue Fang…" Zheng Shuqiu's voice wavered. They had known each other less than twenty days, ever since the formation of the Gale Squad. Yet in that short time, they had fought side by side, protected each other's backs again and again. It was impossible not to feel torn.

"You… are you going to kill me?"

The question fell into heavy silence. No one answered. Heads lowered, eyes averted.

"If I turn… into a zombie, will you kill me?" His voice was hoarse, cracked.

Zheng Shuqiu faltered. Finally, he whispered, "What if… what if you went outside the mall? We could shut the doors."

He really didn't want to turn his powers against those who had once fought beside him. Even if one of them had already become a zombie, he didn't want to be the one to kill them.

Xue Fang's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Jinfeng spoke, expression heavy. "He's right. You don't want us to kill you, and we can't risk letting you turn while inside. If we fight back, we may not control ourselves. Better that you step outside and preserve some dignity for all of us."

"You…" Xue Fang's voice broke, raw with betrayal. "I knew you never liked me, Xiao Jinfeng. Just because you knew I liked Chen Ran too! But I didn't expect you to be this petty. I haven't even turned yet, and you're eager to throw me away!"

His words made even Chen Ran wince with discomfort. He knew Xue Fang harbored feelings for him, but dragging it out here, like this, was humiliating for everyone.

Chen Ran clenched his fists. In his past life, Xue Fang had never faced this. He had lived, risen, become one of the most powerful men in the A City base. But this time? Was it all because he had interfered, pulled events off their rails?

Jiang Jiamian's eyes cooled, though his voice was calm. "He hasn't turned yet. As long as he's still human, even for one more minute, he's your teammate. Is pushing him out really the only option? What if next time it's one of you?"

The words landed like stones, and silence followed.

Ling Zhuang's lips curved, his tone soft, reasonable. "I do have a suggestion."

Everyone turned. Even Jiang Jiamian tilted his head, curious.

Ling Zhuang's smile was gentle, but something sharp hid beneath. "It's not wise to throw him out, but it's also unsafe to keep him with us freely. Why not find a room in this mall and lock him there for the night?"

The tension eased at once.

There were dozens, if not hundreds, of shops in the mall. Choosing one as a place for Xue Fang to enter was certainly possible, and it might spare them from being forced into a direct, life-or-death confrontation.

"That's… that's a good idea." Xiao Jinfeng said quickly, seizing on the compromise. "Xue Fang, what do you think?"

For a long time, Xue Fang didn't move. Finally, he dragged himself up, face gray. "Fine. Better than dying by your hands. If I turn tonight… open the door tomorrow and let me out. Don't kill me. That's all I ask."

"Alright. Don't worry." Xiao Jinfeng said gravely.

For now, the matter was settled.