Rotting Land: Survive

Chapter 823: Chapter 808: Luo Baocun’s Memories (4)

"Ah, Xiaoquan, when you can’t even fill your belly, where do you find the strength to resist? Back then, everyone had already given up, planning to just muddle through each day."

"Then how did you manage to drive away from the gas station with that huge load of fuel?" The question Old Lin mentioned was exactly what Tang Xiaoquan wanted to ask. If Luo Baocun and his group didn’t even have the courage to resist, how could they have just easily left the gas station with a truck? Isn’t this just too bizarre?

"When it comes to this, I have to mention the person who told me about the refuge I talked to you about before. He came to our gas station after those scoundrels took power. I found out about it by eavesdropping on a chat between him and his brother by pure chance. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but as days went by, those in charge acted more and more outrageous and unacceptable, which sparked my idea to leave the gas station. However, with zombies ruling now, running aimlessly outside would be no different from seeking death. It was then that I remembered the refuge I had heard about before. To further understand the details of the refuge, I started to intentionally and unintentionally reach out to those two brothers, and soon enough, I became familiar with them. Later, in a casual conversation, I indirectly expressed my dissatisfaction with the life at the gas station, and to my surprise, the two were also indignant. I concluded there was hope for this matter right then. So, I straightforwardly asked if they had any thoughts of leaving the gas station, and the two brothers actually agreed wholeheartedly and even confided their intention to head to the refuge. I was so excited at the time. However, while we had enough people, implementing the plan really made my head hurt. After much thought, I decided to try my luck with Old Ma. Although he seemed indifferent and a bystander, I always felt he wouldn’t willingly continue to eke out a living here for the rest of his life."

Luo Baocun gulped down a cup of tea. He had rattled off everything like a chain gun without pausing midway, leaving his mouth a bit dry. It wasn’t until he finished two large cups that he stopped and put the cup down.

Evening out his slightly ragged breath, he spoke again: "I’ve mentioned before, Old Ma and I didn’t say much to each other normally. Apart from a few words when he handed out assignments early on, we didn’t have any interaction later. Alas, such a shame. Though we seemed to live under the same roof, actually... I won’t say more, but it can’t be compared to you guys. You can certainly guess the outcome of my first attempt to initiate contact with Old Ma, which was bound to fail. After that, I increasingly felt the need to leave the gas station because those scoundrels’ behavior became increasingly inhumane. If people at the station slightly displeased them, the mild consequence was getting beaten, while the severe consequence was being thrown out of the station and watched like a show, being surrounded and struggling against zombies. Not only did they not lend a hand to rescue, but they also reveled in it, laughing and chatting. So, can you tell me this is the behavior of a normal person?"

Luo Baocun didn’t notice the unusual expression of Old Xu while listening to his account. The latter’s whole body had already tensed up, with the muscles on both arms bulging under his clenched fists.

Yes, Old Xu thought of that damned Scarface, his comrades who died miserably, and the countless innocent civilians who fell under the zombies.

"They’re beasts, worse than beasts!" Luo Baocun roared angrily. "I can’t wait any longer. I worry that if we continue to let them run rampant, sooner or later I will also become their plaything. So, I decided to be upfront with Old Ma. What I didn’t expect was, after hearing about the refuge, Old Ma’s attitude changed drastically. The coldness he had vanished without a trace. He showed great interest in what I said, and when we chatted further, he immediately decided to join in the plan to leave the gas station. So I wasn’t wrong in my judgment. He wanted to leave the place for a long time. I have to say, Old Ma’s mind was much sharper than ours. He quickly drafted an action plan, of course, just verbally. It was quite simple. I proposed to those in charge at the gas station that we go out under the pretext of replenishing food supplies for the station to get the chance to leave. When I proposed this to those beasts initially, they were skeptical and impatient. But once I mentioned Old Ma would be among those leaving, they unexpectedly agreed without hesitation."

"Hmph, that’s because those beasts hoped Old Ma would die outside and never come back!" Tang Xiaoquan sneered, showing strong contempt for their actions.

"Sigh, let them think what they want. The main thing is that we achieved our goal. But heaven really played a trick on us!"

"What do you mean?"

"The fuel tanker! Old Ma emphasized in the plan that no matter what happened, we must leave with a fuel tanker. Even if we didn’t bring food or drinks, we had to bring the tanker. He worried the so-called refuge might not exist, or it might already have been turned into ruins by zombies. With the tanker, we could continue moving forward to find a suitable place without worrying about fuel."

Tang Xiaoquan subconsciously nodded. Old Ma’s thinking was indeed meticulous, contemplating escaping in such harsh conditions was truly remarkable.

"But heaven wasn’t kind to us. On the day of the action, our proposal to bring fuel was rejected by those in charge. Thinking back, we were too naive thinking at the time. First, we were only going out to collect supplies, why bring so much fuel? It would clearly tell them we intended to escape. Second, this fuel was what those robbers told these in-charge people to safeguard. Now letting us take them away was just nonsense. So, considering these two points, those guys changed their mind. But Old Ma was truly fearless, didn’t say a word of complaint, gestured for us to get in the car, and stepped forward alone to open the door. I was really stunned, I had never expected Old Ma would do such a thing. Alas, next, haha, all those in charge were knocked down by Old Ma alone. Thus, our goal was achieved, we left the gas station successfully."

"Resourceful and brave! I really want to meet this Old Ma!" Old Lin sighed and refilled Luo Baocun’s cup.

"Ah, indeed, Old Ma was really an impressive guy, straightforward and kind too. But for such a person... damn it, shortly after we left, those robbers caught up with us. I realized from the situation that those scoundrels must have used the radio to inform the robbers, otherwise, how could they have known our moves! Those guys followed us like shadows. After a time, we thought we had shaken them off, only to run into them again at the town entrance where we met Xiao Wen’s group. As for what happened later, I guess Brother Wen and Brother Wang already told everyone. All of my companions, including Old Ma, died on the spot in the explosion, leaving me as the sole survivor. If it weren’t for meeting Brother Xiang and the others, I might well be... alas!" (To Be Continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read on m.qidian.com.)