Free Web NovelChapter 40: Chapter 40: Truthful Declaration
After getting out of the RV, Zhu Huizhen’s legs were trembling, terrified a zombie would suddenly leap out from the side.
Fortunately, it was peaceful inside the Song Family Manor. Every household’s main gate was shut tight.
Zhu Huizhen covered her mouth, unable to stop a soft cry from escaping.
When she turned her head, wanting to plead with Xie Ning and the others again, she saw the RV speeding away without a backward glance, leaving her in the dust.
A flicker of anger ignited within her.
’What a cold, heartless girl. She’s so uncompromising in her words and actions, leaving no room for discussion whatsoever.’
’How could the Old Song Family have produced such a monster.’
’Cold? Yes, she was.’
Xie Ning leaned back in her seat, gazing out the window.
After surviving twenty years in the apocalypse, coldness had become a protective shield, one that was now etched into her very bones.
If one had to find a word to describe her now... ƒrēewebnovel.com
...it would probably be... numb.
She had seen, heard, and experienced far too much—things far more tragic and inhumane than the present situation. To Xie Ning, this was nothing at all.
"Ningning, just ignore her. Let her say what she wants. As long as we’ve done the right thing, our consciences are clear," Song You’ai said suddenly, glancing at her daughter’s blank expression in the rearview mirror.
"Exactly. We’re not some kind of world-saving superheroes," Song Kexin chimed in. "Getting home to take care of Grandpa and Grandma is what’s important."
Song Youzhi raised his hand to pat Xie Ning’s shoulder. "If we hadn’t saved her on that rooftop, she would’ve been a goner. We don’t owe her a thing."
Xie Ning turned to look at them and cracked a smile. "I’m not upset. Why waste anger on an outsider?"
The manor sat on over two thousand mu of land. Thanks to an agritourism project developed years ago, every family had grown wealthy, building three- and four-story modern homes.
The Old Song Family’s home, a four-story villa, was situated on the eastern edge of the village, enclosed by a wall just over a meter high.
This was precisely why Xie Ning had been so determined to bring her mother back to her grandparents’ home.
For one, she didn’t want the tragedy of her past life to repeat itself. For another, the villa was reasonably defensible—far safer than staying in the city.
They could wait for the government to announce a coordinated evacuation to a safe zone. In the meantime, the villa was well-stocked with supplies, so they wouldn’t go hungry.
Of course, when she was making these plans, she hadn’t yet discovered that her personal pocket Space had expanded into a massive villa.
So now, food was certainly not a concern.
The RV pulled up to the Song Family’s gate and stopped. The four of them filed out, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
The immediate area was clear—no zombies in sight. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mom and Dad were busy in the kitchen when I left," Song Youzhi said, pulling out his keys to open the gate. "Drive the car inside."
After pushing open the two ornate, carved gate doors, Song You’ai drove the vehicle into the small courtyard.
Xie Ning and Song Kexin followed Song Youzhi, but they all froze the moment they stepped into the courtyard.
Four or five young men were standing in the yard. When they heard the engine, they turned, their eyes visibly brightening as their gazes locked onto the RV.
Xie Ning saw her two grandparents being held down by a pair of the young men. They were seated in rattan chairs before a large, square table, looking anxious and constrained.
The two honest, good-natured elders now wore looks of pure terror.
"Who are you people?" Song Youzhi demanded, striding forward.
"Hey, what do you think you’re doing?" one of the young men snarled, his face hardening at Song Youzhi’s hostile tone. "Watch it! We’re enforcers from the Song Family Pavilion Survivors’ Alliance, and we’re here to register you. Report your household numbers and supply status. Be honest about it, and don’t even think about hiding anything."
