Chapter 1111 - 1099

Chapter 1111: Chapter 1099

"Xiaotang!? Are you saying Xiaotang and Xiaowen are here too?"

"Yes, we didn’t originally plan to bring them along. But Quan insisted since the operation was his suggestion, and he worried something might go wrong if he didn’t come. So, we had no choice but to fulfill his wish." Hua Biao shook his head helplessly.

Hu Xiaodong smiled understandingly, "Yes! Xiaotang is just like that. He cares about Old Xu and Lei Zi’s safety."

"Where are the two of them then? Why didn’t they come with you?" Wang Qiang asked expressionlessly, his gestures subtly questioning.

"We hurried over first, they’re not as physically fit for long marches. After a little rest, I’ll go back to pick them up." Hua Biao said, looking at the camping stove emitting warm steam, he reached out his hand to stay warm.

"Let me go instead. You’ve had a hard journey, after eating, you should rest. Give me the snowboard, and I’ll head out now." With that, Wang Qiang started to get up.

Unexpectedly, Duan Chengwu stopped him, "Xiao Wang, I know you’re worried about Quan and the others, but do you know which way they’ll take? Do you know the route? You don’t know. So, it’s better to leave it to Hua Zi. He traveled with Xiaotang for 3 days back to the base, he knows the way. If you go out now and lose your way, we’d have to send someone to find you."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaodong immediately nodded, "Yes, Xiao Wu’s analysis makes sense. Qiang, you better stay at the camp. Hua Zi, we’ll count on you again."

After finishing the meal, Hua Biao rested for 15 minutes, then dressed up, bundling himself like a tightly wrapped dumpling, and set out on the path to find Tang Xiaoquan and Wen Quanxin.

The welcoming task lasted until dusk. As the dim light gradually brightened, Hua Biao, who went out to meet them, led Tang Xiaoquan and Wen Quanxin back to the camp, not disappointing everyone.

The reunion naturally involved a round of emotional exchanges. After dinner, everyone gathered to discuss and plan the next specific actions, then they packed up the tents and each returned to their vehicles to begin a long night’s vigil.

On the first day after the reunion, the snow continued to fall like goose feathers. Seeing the snow show no signs of stopping, everyone’s mood was quite heavy.

"No! We can’t just wait like this! We must act in advance." Hua Biao, worried about Old Xu and Lei Tong, wasn’t one to sit idly by, he didn’t like leaving fate to unreliable external factors.

Others understood Hua Biao’s thoughts; the current situation indeed wasn’t optimistic.

"Yes, this snow seems unlikely to stop anytime soon, but the vehicle can’t move. Hua Zi, what do you plan to do?" Wen Quanxin rubbed his hands together—outdoor weather was truly freezing.

"The same plan, Xiao Wu and I will take all the equipment and set out first. If it clears up later, you can follow."

"But what if it doesn’t clear up? If the snow keeps falling?" Despite knowing the question was harsh, Wen Quanxin still stubbornly asked.

"If heaven truly does not show mercy, then we have no choice; Xiao Wu and I will carry out the rescue plan. Anyway, the main task is to set up the sound equipment; the two of us are sufficient for that."

"That’s true, but Hua Zi, this matter isn’t concerned with what’s probable; rather, it’s about avoiding unlikely disasters. Though we’ve discussed the action-related topics, anything could happen in actual operation. While you two may handle setting up the sound equipment, responding to emergencies might be..." Hu Xiaodong poured a cold bucket on Hua Biao at an inopportune time. Wei Dazhuang immediately supplemented:

"In my opinion, how about leaving a few people to watch the cars while the rest go to the ruined city to rescue?"

"No!" As soon as Wei Dazhuang finished his words, Tang Xiaoquan immediately denied: "The trip to WH City is at least 70 kilometers, relying on walking... even if you sustain yourselves, upon arrival, it would take quite a while."

Being someone who experienced the agony of walking on snow, Tang Xiaoquan comprehended the hardships vividly.

Thus, upon hearing Wei Dazhuang’s suggestion, his instinctive reaction was to prevent it.

Firstly, doing this has little significance.

Secondly, such a large group trekking to the ruined city faces foreseeable dangers.

"Then what’s the plan? This isn’t feasible, neither is that. We just huddle here waiting? Excluding glancing at the sky, it doesn’t seem like it’s about to stop, does it?"

Wei Dazhuang’s words left Tang Xiaoquan speechless. Despite having a sharp mind, he couldn’t predict the whims of the weather.

As the atmosphere on the scene grew increasingly tense, Hu Xiaodong exhaled gently, pondered for a moment, and spoke: "Alright, we’ll proceed in two steps. Hua Zi, Xiao Wu, you two should set out first. The rest stay at camp; only if the weather clears, we’ll meet Hua Zi, Xiao Wu. Conversely, Hua Zi, if you can’t move, contact Old Xu’s side when you arrive in the ruined city, verify their supplies first, then decide whether or not to take action."

This is a necessary approach; waiting certainly doesn’t work, but not waiting also bears risks.

An unflinchingly practical Hu Xiaodong could only opt for this moderate path.

His proposal inadvertently gave Tang Xiaoquan considerable insight: "Yes, Brother Hu’s plan seems feasible to me. However, there are a few points I’d like to add."

"Alright, let’s hear it."

"Firstly, after snow stops, vehicles won’t be operational immediately. If you two haven’t reached the destination, avoid rushing forward; consider stopping temporarily, await convergence with the convoy. After all, this ruined city differs from suburb, advancing without transportation, encountering zombies would pose substantial danger."

"Secondly, once the snow stops, and you arrive in the ruined city, be sure to wait for us to arrive before proceeding."

"Thirdly, regarding the walking route, let’s plan it out; accordingly, follow this path. In case of changes, leave some clues to inform about your change of direction."

"Finally, ensuring seamless convergence, if the snow stops for 2 days without meeting us, leave a note at Brother Huo’s house. This is what I have to add."

"Alright, does anyone else have suggestions?"

"Also... there’s another problem: once Hua Zi and Xiao Wu leave, our drivers are reduced by one. What do we do with the extra vehicle then?"

Luo Baocun again brought up a challenge, at present, the survivor convoy only had Wei Dazhuang, Hu Xiaodong, Huo Yuankai, Luo Baocun, along with newly arrived Hua Biao and Duan Chengwu as drivers.

If Hua Biao and Duan Chengwu left, the vehicle allocation issue would indeed arise.

Looking at Old Xu and Lei Zi, who barely survived the hardship, Hu Xiaodong knew he couldn’t abandon them.