Chapter Seven: The Jiang Group Survivor Base

Luo Yucheng gave a soft cry of surprise.

Following the direction of her pointed finger, I saw a half-open iron door, thick with layers of dust and rust. Xu Hanfeng stepped forward and pushed it open with force; a wave of musty air rushed out to meet us. We clicked on our flashlights and stepped inside with cautious, measured movements.

The basement was pitch black. The beams of our flashlights danced across the walls, revealing hazy, indistinct silhouettes. As we moved further in, we discovered a room filled with dilapidated furniture and discarded odds and ends. In one corner, we found a ramshackle bookshelf, piled high with various books and documents.

"It looks like someone has been here," Jiang Hanchuan remarked, pointing to some faint markings on the shelf, his tone tinged with excitement.

Xu Hanfeng approached and began to carefully examine the books and papers. Suddenly, a worn-out diary caught his attention. He picked it up and flipped it open, revealing pages densely packed with writing.

"This diary seems to have been left behind by someone who took refuge here before," Xu Hanfeng said in a low, resonant voice, his tone stirring with agitation.

"Quick, let's see what it says!" Everyone crowded around him.

The diary documented the state of the town before and after the zombie outbreak and mentioned a secret laboratory dedicated to viral research. This lab was located in the northern part of the town, and it was rumored to house critical research findings and data.

"Could this be the virus lab we’ve been looking for?" A flicker of surprise and hope flashed in Luo Yucheng’s eyes.

"It’s highly likely. We have to go there and see for ourselves," Xu Hanfeng said firmly.

We exchanged glances, our hearts heavy with tension. I asked, full of doubt, "The lab mentioned here is different from the place I found in the hospital. The information I uncovered there pointed to a military district in the south."

Xu Hanfeng decided to head for the secret laboratory. The group quickly gathered supplies, preparing to depart. Before leaving the basement, we scoured the room for useful items, including canned food, clean water, and some basic medical supplies. We packed these into our bags.

"We must proceed with caution. The danger there might be greater than we imagine," Xu Hanfeng warned, his expression grave.

"Don't worry, we'll be careful," Jiang Hanchuan said, thumping his chest with a hint of bravado.

We emerged from the basement. The sunlight hit our skin, bringing a sense of warmth. Yet, would reaching that lab really reveal the truth about the virus? Could it bring a glimmer of hope to this apocalyptic world? We couldn't be sure.

We continued our journey, and for the first time, Xu Hanfeng and the others seemed filled with genuine hope.

***

As night deepened, the apocalyptic wilderness was swallowed by a heavy, suffocating darkness. Xu Hanfeng’s group pressed on toward the northern part of the town.

***

Throughout the journey, Jiang Hanchuan grumbled about my slow pace, urging me forward every so often. Although I felt a surge of resentment, I dared not speak up and simply quickened my steps to keep up with the team.

"Can’t you walk any faster? Stop dragging your feet," Jiang Hanchuan complained again, his tone dripping with impatience.

My blood boiled, but I had to swallow my anger. "I’m tied up, aren't I? How fast do you expect me to go?"

Xu Hanfeng walked in the lead, seemingly oblivious to our minor friction. He scanned his surroundings vigilantly, his spear held at the ready to counter any sudden threats. Luo Yucheng brought up the rear, her eyes filled with concern as she glanced back at me from time to time, as if worried about my safety.

As we walked, Xu Hanfeng suddenly stopped, a sharp glint of alertness in his eyes. "Something’s wrong. Why are there guard towers up ahead?"

We followed his gaze and saw two towers looming not far in the distance, with shadows moving vaguely atop them. There shouldn't have been any military-style facilities in this area. Could it be another organization of survivors? Xu Hanfeng’s heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. Just as he was about to signal for us to retreat, a shout rang out from ahead.

"You people in front, stop right there!"

We were startled, but we ignored the command and continued to walk back the way we came. Suddenly, a deafening crack echoed through the air. A bullet whistled past our ears and slammed into a tree behind us with a dull thud. We were all struck with terror. They had guns? Non-military personnel, yet armed with firearms? The situation was dire.

"Damn it, they actually have guns!" Jiang Hanchuan cursed, quickly dropping to a crouch, his weapon clutched tightly in his hands.

Seeing this, Xu Hanfeng knew that a forced breakthrough was impossible. He had no choice but to turn around, a look of forced resignation on his face as he offered a faint smile. "We’re just passing through, looking for a shelter. Sorry to disturb you; we’ll be on our way."

Even as he spoke, the towers had alerted the personnel at the base. Several men emerged from the distance, all armed with rifles.

The man in the lead wore a crisp suit; his features were cold and profound, as sharp as if sculpted from stone. He carried an air of elegance and composure, yet emanated a chilling presence that made one shudder.

He looked at me, tied up in the middle of the group, and asked, "Why is that person bound? Who are you people?"

Xu Hanfeng answered offhandedly, "Just a criminal."

The man in the lead gave a cold laugh. "A criminal? Interesting. Are you a policeman?"

Xu Hanfeng calmly pulled out a cigarette and lit it with indifference. "Former special forces." He took a deep drag, slowly exhaling the smoke. "Retired!"

I was stunned by his audacity. *Good god, is he really playing it cool right now? Man, they have guns! Guns!*

The leader curled his lip and nodded slightly. "Let me introduce myself. I am Jiang Li. This is the Jiang Group survivor base."

***

My heart skipped a beat. The Jiang Group? My parents had mentioned it—before the apocalypse, it was the largest private conglomerate in the country, with assets exceeding ten trillion. Strange, what were these people doing here?

Xu Hanfeng took a final, sharp drag of his cigarette before tossing it to the ground and crushing it. "Xu Hanfeng. Those behind me are my friends. Sorry for the intrusion, we’ll be taking our leave!"

With that, Xu Hanfeng turned to lead us away. Sensing that this Xu Hanfeng was no ordinary man, Jiang Li decided to recruit him and called out to stop us.

"Officer Xu, no need to rush! We established this base specifically to take in survivors. Why not join us? It would at least provide you with a place to call home."

Xu Hanfeng frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And if I refuse?"

Jiang Li didn't answer, merely spreading his hands with an enigmatic expression. Xu Hanfeng looked back at us, pondered for a moment, and finally said coldly, "Lead the way."

I followed the man who called himself Jiang Li toward their survivor base. I finally let out a sigh of relief. I had nearly been killed by his recklessness—it was a good thing Xu Hanfeng wasn't stubborn. If he had pushed back, those guns would have cut us down before we even had a chance to react.

After a short walk, we followed Jiang Li into their survivor base. He signaled to the guards atop the gate to open it. As the heavy doors groaned open and I followed them inside, the scene before us left everyone in shock.

The number of survivors was immense. People moved about, their faces lit with genuine smiles, making the place look like a veritable paradise. Some were tilling the fields, others were weaving, and some were working at the forge—a scene of prosperity. I was shaken. Is this really the apocalypse? How could such a harmonious scene exist here?

Xu Hanfeng was equally astonished; he hadn't expected to find such a tranquil haven in this ruined world. Jiang Hanchuan and Luo Yucheng were stunned as well, their eyes reflecting envy and yearning.

Jiang Li watched our reactions, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Welcome to the Jiang Group's No. 8 Survivor Base. This is a home for the survivors."

We exchanged looks, our hearts filled with complex emotions. This might be a new beginning, a new hope. But I knew that everything here was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. More secrets and dangers likely lurked in the shadows. I wondered if Xu Hanfeng had noticed.

After entering the base, Jiang Li gave us a tour of the facilities. It was fully equipped with a medical center, a cafeteria, dormitories, and even a small power plant. The survivors were well-organized, each with their own duties, living in perfect order.

I noticed a lone warehouse in the distance, nondescript and highly suspicious, so I asked, "What is that warehouse used for?"

Jiang Li turned back to me with a look of mild surprise. "That is a laboratory. We have invested a great deal of resources into it, hoping to develop an antiviral drug."