novelraw Chapter 266 - 257: Something’s Wrong with the Script
Chapter 266 - 257: Something’s Wrong with the Script
"You’re the ones who saved me?"
The man was very calm when he awoke, without a trace of panic in his eyes, which fit the image of someone who dared to venture into the wilderness alone.
"That’s right, we saved you." She rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, her expression full of curiosity. "And you are? Why were you out here all by yourself?"
"I..." A dazed look flickered in the man’s eyes, then he lowered his gaze. "Sorry, I’m a little dizzy. I’d like to rest for a bit." He was clearly avoiding the question.
’This is getting interesting,’ Qi Xiang thought. ’This guy has been radiating mystery from the moment he appeared, and now it looks like he’s trying to give himself an amnesiac persona? And a clumsy attempt at that—the kind where he doesn’t bring it up himself, making it all the more obvious. That fleeting, dazed look in his eyes was perfectly timed. I have to admit, this guy’s on another level.’
A glimmer of interest flashed in Qi Xiang’s eyes. She gave Gu Xi a subtle look.
Gu Xi calmly tossed a tree root into the fire. It was Qin Shi who suddenly stepped forward and said seriously to her companions, "Leave him to me. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on him."
Nearby, Zhao Li gave her a thumbs-up. ’You’re the GOAT, Miss Qin,’ he thought. ’Laying down the law right in front of the guy.’
At that moment, Qin Yi walked over holding a heated can. The can was already open, and a blackish, unidentifiable lump inside was emitting a steaming, fragrant aroma.
Qi Xiang only needed a single glance before giving the sweet girl a look that screamed, ’You’ve got some tricks up your sleeve.’ It seemed the Qin sisters really did have a talent in this regard. No wonder Gu Xi had kept them around from the beginning.
"What’s that sound?" Zhao Li frowned slightly.
The sound was faint, but it stood out in the quiet of the underground space.
"My apologies," the man lying by the fire said in a low voice, his face flushing with embarrassment as his stomach rumbled again.
"Hungry?" Qin Yi held the can out to him, two sweet little dimples appearing on her face. "Have something to eat," she said considerately. "Don’t be shy. We have plenty of supplies."
The man didn’t refuse. He took the can and thanked Qin Yi. "Thank you."
’Strange. I’m not even that hungry, but for some reason, the sight of this can is giving me an appetite. But in my condition, I shouldn’t need to eat at all...’
The man seemed to recall something abruptly. He subconsciously tried to cover the can to block the smell, but Qin Yi had already thrown the lid away somewhere. He had no choice but to act as if he were starving, swallowing the contents in a few quick gulps.
Just then, Zhao Li suddenly looked up toward the deepest part of the underground commercial street. "Something’s not right. Do you guys hear anything?"
"It sounds like... panting?" Qin Yi said uncertainly, following his gaze.
Nearby, Qin Shi and Lin Jin instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons, while Qi Xiang and Wei Heng subtly moved a step closer to Gu Xi.
Only Gu Xi remained calm, adding a handful of kindling to the fire.
The man looked at Gu Xi through the flickering flames. ’The infected were drawn out early by the can’s strange aroma,’ he thought. ’I guess I’ll have to change my plan.’
The man lowered his eyes. "You should all go..."
"You’re telling us to go? What about you? Aren’t you coming with us?" Qi Xiang asked, looking at him curiously.
Just then, the Mutated Rat King, which had been lying uncharacteristically still at Gu Xi’s feet, suddenly let out a cry.
"SQUEAK!"
At the same time, the man closed his eyes and said gravely, "They’re almost out..."
’Who is "they"?!’
Qi Xiang and the others exchanged a glance. Then, as if he had come to a grim decision, the man said, "A great many High-level Zombies were imprisoned here. They all escaped after the big earthquake. You need to leave, now. Any later and it’ll be too late..."
’Infected?’
’Shit!’
Lin Jin and Zhao Li couldn’t help but curse inwardly. High-level Zombies, high-level infected... ’Why were the Hibernation Chambers filled with this crap? What in the world were those people thinking back then!’
’Talk about leaving a mess for the next generation.’
’But how did Miss Gu know there were infected hidden here?’
The two of them exchanged a look. They weren’t stupid. Gu Xi had suddenly proposed an expedition and then led them straight to this place. It obviously wasn’t a coincidence.
Zhao Li suddenly thought of the Mutated Rat King, which had practically delivered itself to them...
Just then.