Rotting Land: Survive

Chapter 591 - 580: Sudden Abnormalities (11)

"It's still about the previous matter. I want to discuss some details with you," Tang Xiaoquan got straight to the point, without any preamble.

Xu Renjie was initially taken aback, but then gave two brief instructions before inviting Tang Xiaoquan back into the room.

"Come, sit!" Pulling over a stool, Xu Renjie gestured for Tang Xiaoquan to sit down. "Go ahead, Xiao Tang, what are your thoughts?"

Tang Xiaoquan took a moment to compose himself, organizing his thoughts, and then replied, "Old Xu, do you remember the fireworks we got from the road last time?"

Old Xu's eyes shifted, and he nodded, "I remember. Why do you ask?"

"Do you think it's possible to modify them for use against an enemy?"

Hearing this, Xu Renjie only lowered his head to think for a few seconds before slapping his thigh, "Right! If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten about this big killer we have on hand! By the way, why didn't you bring this up in the meeting earlier?"

Tang Xiaoquan explained, "There were outsiders present, and while we can rule out suspicion on Liu Fugui's side, I feel we should still be wary of Yang Xue. Some secretive things shouldn't be known to them, so, Old Xu, please keep the modification of the fireworks under wraps and proceed in secret."

Xu Renjie nodded solemnly, also expressing appreciation for the cautious attitude of the younger man.

What Xu Renjie didn't know was that besides deliberately guarding against Yang Xue, Tang Xiaoquan didn't bring it up in the meeting for another reason.

Another reason was, during the meeting, Hu Xiaodong and other members of the "Archery Team" were quite enthusiastic, all believing that using arrows against guns wasn't an issue.

Tang Xiaoquan disagreed in his heart but chose to remain silent to avoid damaging the team's confidence and causing unnecessary trouble.

Even in his private meeting with Xu Renjie, he did not reveal this point.

This further demonstrates that Tang Xiaoquan was also growing step by step in the struggle for survival in this apocalyptic world.

After all, it's easy to see through many things, but achieving the feat of seeing without pointing it out, and guiding developments in a favorable direction, is extremely challenging.

"Besides modifying the fireworks, do you have any other ideas?" Xu Renjie believed the young man wouldn't go to such lengths to meet him over just modifying fireworks.

His judgment was indeed correct. As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Xiaoquan proposed a second suggestion: "Old Xu, you mentioned in the meeting that we should defend the villa to the death. I think we should prepare for two outcomes."

"What do you mean?"

"In the meeting, to ensure everyone had a common enemy and unified thought, and to strengthen confidence in facing the enemy, I emphasized many of our advantages. But, Old Xu, you should know, no matter how great our advantages, the things in their hands are not mere fire sticks. Moreover, we don't know much about their true capabilities. If they indeed have heavy weaponry, relying solely on the Archery Team won't be enough to guard the villa."

"So, what's your suggestion?"

"Prepare a backup plan, retreat!"

Upon hearing the word "retreat," Xu Renjie did not appear overly surprised. On the contrary, he was very calm.

Because "retreat" had long been part of his plan, and he emphasized holding firm in the meeting for the same reason Tang Xiaoquan mentioned: to instill in people the consciousness and determination to remain at their post as long as they were there.

"How do you plan to retreat?"

"The bus! The bus is our only vehicle that can accommodate everyone at once. If the battle situation becomes critical, we must use it as a breakout tool. Therefore, the vehicle's armor needs to be fortified to withstand at least a 92-type handgun's attack."

Nodding once again, the young man's thoughts once again coincided with Xu Renjie's.

Following this, Xu and Tang exchanged views and details on the villa's defense layout,

And so, as time slipped away unnoticed, Xu Renjie and Tang Xiaoquan managed to outline a rudimentary defense plan.

Meanwhile, outside the villa, the sky grew increasingly dreary.

"Hey, Qiang!" Wen Quanxin's obnoxious voice inappropriately resurfaced in Wang Qiang's ears.

Wang Qiang was furious at the moment. Because of this bastard, if not for him, Yang Xue wouldn't have joined the game, and he wouldn't have ended up in this disgraceful situation.

Burning with anger, Wang Qiang didn't think twice and snapped back irritably, "Get lost, as far as you can, right now! Immediately!"

However, Wen Quanxin was like a sticky plaster; he didn't get angry at Wang Qiang's irate attitude. Instead, he leaned closer to Wang Qiang's ear and feigned seriousness, "Hey, Qiang, we're buddies, why so mad! Ah, don't blame me for not telling you, your lady friend is all alone in the courtyard right now, looking all forlorn. Aren't you going to check on her and comfort her a bit?"

"What?" Wang Qiang raised his head and coincidentally bumped into Wen Quanxin's smug, pancake-like face. Although Wen Quanxin's face twisted instantly, Wang Qiang was indifferent and immediately continued, "Are you saying Yang Xue is outside alone?"

"Precisely, it's her, hehe! Hurry and go take a look. I'm speaking from experience, bro. Women need comfort at times like these. But, well..."

Extending his large hand, Wen Quanxin snatched the PSP from Wang Qiang's hand and, without giving him a chance to argue, pulled him up, then earnestly said, "You don't need this for now. I'll keep it safe for you. Just go and pacify your woman, come on, why are you just standing there being dull? Go on, quickly!"

Wang Qiang felt as if he were brainwashed, driving himself toward the villa's exterior, but the further he walked, the more something felt off. Suddenly realizing, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Nima, what do you mean by my woman and my PSP... that brat really is..."

Glancing back, Wen Quanxin had already comfortably settled on the sofa, leisurely playing the PSP he had just wrested away, temporarily keeping it for Wang Qiang.

Seeing this scene, Wang Qiang felt utterly exasperated. This is what they call misjudging a friend.

Wang Qiang initially planned to go back and reclaim what belonged to him, but after a glance outside, he ultimately abandoned the idea.

Even though Yang Xue had given him a thorough scolding over the card game, Wang Qiang was still somewhat worried about her.

So, regardless of whether Wen Quanxin was deceiving him, he decided to go out and have a look.

Outside the villa, Yang Xue sat alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, staring blankly at the sky, her eyes filled with helplessness. Her lonely figure looked so desolate and pathetic against the tranquil surroundings.

Wen Quanxin hadn't lied to him. The moment Wang Qiang saw her shadow under the moonlight, something inexplicable pierced his heart, prompting him to sigh deeply as he took steps forward. (To be continued. If you like this piece, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)