Chapter 266: Who Said I’m Not?
The moment the two soldiers appeared, the outer section went quiet in a way that set off every warning bell in Zhenlan’s head.
They were not Commander Li’s men. That much had been obvious before either of them opened their mouths. One held his rifle too high for a casual question, while the other kept looking at Fang Lihua, Qin Fen, Gao Shun, and Luo Qing like he had been sent to collect people rather than ask what was happening.
The recruits noticed it too.
Fang Lihua’s shoulders went tight, Gao Shun’s expression hardened, and the man with the pipe stepped back just enough to warn the others without looking like he was retreating.
The first soldier said civilians from this section were not permitted to leave without work authorization, and that was all it took for Lingyun to smile and for Chenghai’s shoulders to drop.
There were too many people that they wanted to take to make a quick getaway, something needed to be done, because otherwise, it was going to turn into a blood bath.
As if he could read his mind, Commander Li moved before anyone else could make the situation worse. He stepped forward, placing himself between the soldiers and the people gathered behind him, and for the first time since they had entered the outer section, there was nothing uncertain in his posture.
"These civilians are leaving under my authority," Commander Li announced, narrowing his eyes at the soldier closest to him.
The soldier swallowed, looking around him uncertainty, like he was trying to find a higher up to deal with the situation so he didn’t have to. "Sir, with respect, current reassignment orders require clearance from—"
"I know what current reassignment orders require," Commander Li interrupted.
The soldier froze.
Commander Li’s face did not change, but the air around him did. Zhenlan was actually impressed with the man, to be honest. Maybe he would try to get him back to the mansion sooner rather than later.
The second soldier recovered first. "Colonel Wei’s office has restricted departures from this section."
"Then Colonel Wei’s office can come explain that to me directly."
The two soldiers exchanged a look, and Zhenlan saw the problem immediately. They had orders, but no one was willing to risk their lives to enforce them. Or at least, not today.
Commander Li did not look back as he spoke. "Xu Zhenlan, take your people and leave."
Zhenlan lifted one brow.
Commander Li’s eyes remained on the soldiers. "Now."
Lingyun turned immediately, his smile brightening like someone had handed him a gift wrapped in gasoline. "Okay boys and girls," he called over his shoulder. "You heard the man. If you do not want to stay here and your name is on our list, move."
For half a second, no one moved.
Then Fang Lihua stepped forward.
That was all it took.
Qin Fen followed, one arm wrapped around a small cloth bag. Gao Shun pushed himself upright with a grimace, and Luo Qing moved to his side without being asked. Two more people came after them: an older woman with scarred hands who had said almost nothing, and a thin young man Fang Lihua grabbed by the sleeve before he could think too hard and scare himself into staying.
"My tools," Gao Shun said. "I’m not leaving without them."
Chenghai shook his head. "Only if they are already on you or close enough to grab without turning back."
Gao Shun’s jaw tightened. "You ever worked without tools?"
"Yes," Chenghai replied. "It’s not easy, but at least they won’t be the reason why you die in this base."
"That is not an answer."
"It is the only one you are getting." Chenghai looked over the group, his voice staying low enough not to stir the crowd but sharp enough that the people who needed to hear it heard every word. "We can get tools. We can get clothes. We can get blankets. We cannot get you out if they close the gate before we move."
Fang Lihua turned to the others. "If it matters, grab it. If it doesn’t fit in your hands, leave it."
That did more than Chenghai’s warning.
People moved fast an in a matter of minutes, they were back standing where they were before, but now with bundles in their arms.
Zhenlan counted as they formed up and realized that one of them was missing. He turned to look at the man standing there with the pipe in his hand. "You too. You’re coming with us."
The man’s eyes narrowed. "I didn’t give you a skill. I’m not who you are looking for."
"You are today. Hurry up and get in line."
Fang Lihua snorted. "His name is Old Chen. He knows who can work, who lies, who steals, and who will fall apart if you look at them wrong."
Old Chen glared at her. "No one asked you."
"You were taking too long."
Zhenlan nodded once. "Even more of a reason to keep him."
Old Chen looked like he wanted to argue, but the crowd behind him was already shifting, already watching him the way people watched the closest thing they had to a wall. After a moment, he tightened his grip on the pipe and stepped forward.
"Fine," he muttered. "But I’m not responsible for slowing you down."
Before Zhenlan could reply, a voice cut in. "This is not authorized," the first soldier said, raising his rifle another inch.
Chenghai moved before Zhenlan had to decide whether to let Lingyun become involved. He did not rush, he simply stepped into the soldier’s space, caught the barrel of his gun, and angled it down with the kind of ease that made the soldier’s face lose color.
"Do not point that at people you are not ready to shoot," Chenghai said. "Especially not in front of me."
The soldier’s fingers tightened. "Who said I’m not ready to shoot?"
Chenghai scoffed at the bravado in the soldier’s voice. "You did. Or did you miss the fact that you are shaking so hard you wouldn’t be able to hit the broad side of a barn?"
