Rotting Land: Survive

Chapter 828: Chapter 813: Retrial of Yao Ruyi (Part 3)

Yao Ruyi lowered his head and said nothing. From the incessantly tapping thumb he placed on the table, it was not difficult to discern his inner anxiety.

Indeed, when Yao Ruyi initially lied to Zhao and the others, it was due to his unspeakable hardship. This was not solely because he needed to complete the role Liu Fugui had prepared to secure a ticket to reside in the villa.

More importantly, it was a secret connected to the incident at Juli Sports Arena, which he could not reveal.

Yao Ruyi’s silence made Old Xu restless. He intended to remind Yao Ruyi that using such a passive mute method would not allow him to escape this conversation, but his action was stopped by Tang Xiaoquan at his side.

Tang Xiaoquan patted Old Xu’s lifted right hand, signaling him to give Yao Ruyi some time.

Upon further reflection, Old Xu agreed, for the main purpose of their conversation was merely to uncover the truth, not to do anything to Yao Ruyi.

Excessively pressuring him would likely backfire and increase Yao Ruyi’s resistance.

Sure enough, after approximately five minutes of silent waiting, Yao Ruyi finally stopped his gestures, his chest heaving twice as if making a significant decision, then suddenly raised his head and spoke weakly, "Ask, as long as it’s something I know, I’ll tell you truthfully."

Old Xu glanced at Tang Xiaoquan. During the last transaction, he and Old Lin did not accompany the vehicle, so their understanding of the entire matter was based on subsequent oral accounts. As for specific details, only those present, including Tang Xiaoquan, knew. Hence, the task of questioning naturally fell upon him.

Tang Xiaoquan had already devised a three-step strategy for this conversation. The first step—establishing facts—had already succeeded, prompting Yao Ruyi to admit his lie under numerous challenges. The next step was to proceed smoothly to the second step.

The second step aimed to build a rapport with Yao Ruyi, for securing a stable environment where he willingly revealed the truth was crucial.

Tang Xiaoquan was not in a rush for substantial dialogue with Yao Ruyi. To gain precise and genuine information, he understood that it was not yet the right moment, given Yao Ruyi’s hesitant speech earlier which hinted at his reluctant entrapment.

Failing to alleviate Yao Ruyi’s concerns would inevitably result in a conversation with disappointing outcomes.

"Xiao Yao, perhaps you don’t know, but to earn a chance for a face-to-face conversation, we paid a lot of gasoline. And those resources were gathered by my brothers and friends risking their lives, just so I could obtain even the slightest news about my parents from you. The doubts you saw earlier, in fact, arose during your recount. I refrained from exposing it publicly because I believe you couldn’t fully express your difficulties. Additionally, to be honest, seeing your frail countenance at the time, I couldn’t bear to do that. Most importantly, your tragic past and indomitable spirit moved me profoundly. I am confident that at least those words were sincerely felt."

Tang Xiaoquan’s words inadvertently touched Yao Ruyi, which did not escape Tang Xiaoquan’s keen eyes. Seizing the moment, he continued, "Alas, with the apocalypse at hand, zombies rampant, countless lives were lost due to this catastrophe. Those of us fortunate enough to survive are merely struggling to live amidst ruins. Families separated, homes shattered, the miserable tales we’ve witnessed and heard are far too numerous. I believe Xiao Yao, you must feel the same."

"My parents are already over 60 years old. Whether they are alive or dead... Albeit by chance, I learned they might be in the shelter you mentioned, yet when we went to investigate, it was already abandoned, as you described. So, if they were indeed in that shelter, they must have departed with the troop you mentioned to another place. Xiao Yao, only you know the truth about this matter. I understand that pressuring you to speak about things you loathe to mention is not right, but I have no choice. If I had other means to find out, I certainly wouldn’t compel you. I was raised in the countryside, my parents struggled to bring me up, and now I just want to do my best to find them and fulfill my filial duty. I am scared, truly scared that should I suddenly die, I might never have this chance."

As he spoke, Tang Xiaoquan choked up, and Old Lin empathically patted his shoulder, took out a crumpled tissue from his waistband, and handed it over, sighing, "Sigh, Xiao Yao, I hope you understand Xiao Tang’s feelings. Help him, please."

"Ask your questions, but if indeed Xiao Tang’s parents were in that shelter, I’m afraid..."

Yao Ruyi hesitated as if there was something he was reluctant to reveal, prompting Tang Xiaoquan to hurriedly ask, "Xiao Yao, what do you mean by that? Judging from your demeanor, is there an issue with the shelter?"

As Tang Xiaoquan’s words faded, tension mounted among the trio present, each recalling the prior tragedy at the sports arena. Could it be that Juli Sports Arena was also under villainous control, contrary to Yao Ruyi’s assertion of military management? If so, then one’s parents could truly be...

The room’s atmosphere instantly intensified, Tang Xu and Lin, six eyes firmly fixed on Yao Ruyi, awaiting his explanation.

"Let me put it this way, the majority of what I told you during our previous meeting was true, but I lied to you specifically about the reason why survivors left the sports arena!"

"Why? Why did you specifically lie about that? Is there an ulterior motive behind the shelter’s evacuation?"

Tang Xiaoquan did not react with the same shock as Old Xu. His steadiness stemmed from his early deductions regarding the survivors’ exodus from the sports arena, which was not caused by a zombie siege as previously claimed by Yao Ruyi. These suspicions were also raised in the report he submitted to the latter.

Yao Ruyi silently covered his face with both hands, then combed his hair to the center of his forehead, leaving his neatly parted style in disarray. His actions induced further anxiety in Old Xu.

"Xiao Yao, speak up! What exactly happened at Juli Sports Arena? Why do you..."

"Old Xu!" Old Lin gently interrupted Zhang Chenghui again and whispered in his ear, "Give him some time!"

Old Xu silently nodded, acknowledging that forced progress yields no sweet fruit. Time was not an issue for them, and there was no need to rush.

Finally, after another lengthy five-minute wait, Yao Ruyi adjusted his mindset away from the agony and spoke with a distant gaze, "The evacuation of survivors from the sports arena was not due to zombies. The matter is rather complicated, so allow me to explain slowly!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Readers on mobile, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)