Chapter 58p2: Utilization
At dusk, Chen Jianing indeed saw smoke rising from the courtyard next door. A moment later, someone came over to bring her food. The bowls and chopsticks that had been eaten were once again taken back by Li Mi.
At night.
Jiang Zao and Wen Zhao stood on the roof and saw that the candlelight in Chen Jianing’s room was quickly extinguished. Not long after, the pigeon that had disturbed Little Mi’s sleep flew down to her windowsill.
Chen Jianing pushed open the window and looked around cautiously. Seeing that no one was around, she untied the note that was tied to the pigeon’s leg.
She took it into the house. There was no paper or pen. She could only bite her finger and write a few lines in blood, then tied it back as it was. With a wave of her hand, she watched the pigeon fly away before she closed the window.
Jiang Zao, on the roof, took out the slingshot that Wen Zhao had made, squinted her eyes, and with a whoosh, the pigeon that had not yet flown far fell from the sky. Kele, who had been waiting below for a long time, rushed up and brought it up.
The two of them untied the note under the faint moonlight.
“It has been confirmed that there are four people and a dog, no weapons. The location is the five-story small western-style house in the center of the village.”
Jiang Zao stared at the note for a long time, her brow furrowing slightly.
“She still made a move.”
“Since it was expected, don’t be sad.”
Wen Zhao patted her shoulder, rolled up the note, and tied it back as it was.
The pigeon was only hit by a stone and was slightly injured, but it could still fly. After Wen Zhao checked it, she let it go.
Only Kele was drooling, staring in the direction the pigeon had flown, reluctant to let go of the prey that had fallen into its hands.
Wen Zhao pulled Jiang Zao down the stairs. “Let’s go. Let’s go back and talk.”
In the storage room.
Wen Zhao took out the gun that she hadn’t used in a long time and slowly wiped it. Jiang Zao also took out the bullets and placed them on the table one by one. She had always been in charge of these things.
“There are a total of twenty 5.8mm handgun bullets and only ten submachine gun bullets of the same caliber. They’re the ones we picked up from the highway last time and haven’t used.”
Wen Zhao loaded the bullets into the magazine one by one.
“It’s enough.”
She handed the maintained and loaded handgun to Jiang Zao. “Actual combat is different from aiming and shooting from the balcony. You take this. It’s safer with more bullets.”
Jiang Zao weighed the black gun in her hand.
“I have a question. Since the bullets are of the same caliber, why can’t we mix them? This way, we can divide them evenly.”
Wen Zhao smiled slightly and also loaded the submachine gun bullets one by one.
“The chamber pressure is different. This is like the difference between regular gasoline and aviation fuel. In theory, they are the same thing, but it is not recommended to mix them. There is a risk of the chamber exploding.”
Jiang Zao touched her nose. Only then did she feel that she had asked a stupid question. After Wen Zhao had patiently explained it to her, she glanced at the gauze on her left hand and pulled it over.
“Does your hand still hurt? You haven’t changed the dressing today.”
Back in the room, Jiang Zao looked at her, who was buried in her palm, as if she wanted to poke a hole in her palm. She couldn’t help but find it funny and patted her head.
“It’s really fine. It only hurt a lot on the day I got injured. Don’t worry. It won’t affect my shooting or archery.”
The curtains in the room were drawn tightly, and the lights were not on.
Wen Zhao could only carefully examine it under the light of a flashlight.
The originally bloody palm had healed a lot after a few days of careful care. The wound had already begun to heal, and new flesh had even grown on the edges.
“You’re right. It seems to be healing so quickly.”
Jiang Zao watched as she sprinkled on the medicinal powder and then wrapped her palm with a bandage. She deliberately winked.
“I don’t know. Maybe this is the power of love.”
Wen Zhao flicked her forehead.
“What time is it? You’re still in the mood to joke.”
Jiang Zao gently leaned on her shoulder.
“I don’t know. In the past, I was always unsure when I encountered things, so I was particularly anxious. But this time is different. With you here, my heart is particularly at ease. I know that no matter what happens, you will face it with me and will not leave me alone.”
Wen Zhao tilted her head and kissed her forehead.
“It’s almost over. Just hold on for a little longer. It’s just a matter of the next two days. When this is over, we should also start spring planting.”
“I don’t know if the wheat grains we picked up from the warehouse last time can sprout. If they can, won’t we have an endless supply of steamed buns to eat? When the snow melts, we can also go up the mountain to dig bamboo shoots. I’m really craving that…”
Jiang Zao leaned on her shoulder, chattering.
What they didn’t know was that while they were still looking forward to the coming spring planting, someone would be forever left in the spring.
***
The next morning, the sky was still dark.
Jiang Zao urged Jiang Wuni to go out.
“Why? It’s not like we’re fighting at our house. Can’t I just hide in the house?”
“This time is different from fighting zombies before. Bullets have no eyes. Zombies won’t dodge or think. For your safety, it’s better to go to the small wooden cabin on the mountain to take shelter.”
“Didn’t you say we’re a team? Why am I not allowed to participate this time?”
To make Jiang Wuni leave the place where she had been born and raised was more painful than killing her. Wen Zhao also came over to persuade her.
“The situation is special this time. The opponent is a desperate person who kills without batting an eye. You’ve also seen Chen Jianing’s fate. Grandma, it’s not that we don’t want you to participate. Your being alive and well is the greatest help to us.”
Jiang Wuni thought of the first time she had seen Chen Jianing, her disfigured and miserable appearance. The passion in her heart cooled down, and she couldn’t help but shiver.
“Then… alright then. I’ll go to the small wooden cabin and wait for your news. You must… ensure your safety. If it really doesn’t work, we can leave this place. As long as you are safe.”
Jiang Zao stepped forward and gently hugged her.
“Don’t worry. This is our home. I won’t let anyone take it away.”
Li Mi and Wen Zhao also hugged Jiang Wuni in turn.
Finally, it was Kele. Wen Zhao affectionately rubbed its head. “Good Kele, you go with Grandma.”
Before she left, Jiang Wuni was afraid that the rabbits in the main hall would also be harmed. She went up and down, moving them to the cellar.
The rabbit they had first picked up, they were always reluctant to eat. It was already old. As the biggest “hero” on the dinner table during the New Year and other festivals, Jiang Wuni had set up a separate cage for it so that it could live more comfortably.
She poured the cut sweet potato chunks and grass into it for the last time.
“Good rabbit, hold on a little longer. See you next time.”
***
During the day, it was still Li Mi who came to deliver the food.
Chen Jianing was stirring the somewhat mushy white noodles in her bowl. She didn’t find it hard to swallow, but she was still a little strange.
“Don’t we usually have sweet potato congee in the morning?”
Li Mi smiled.
“Oh, Grandma’s high blood pressure acted up last night. She’s not feeling well and is still lying in bed. I cooked this morning. What’s wrong? Did I burn the noodles again? Sigh! I’m so careless.”
Chen Jianing quickly picked up her bowl and shoveled the noodles into her mouth.
“No, no, it’s fine. I couldn’t even cook at your age. By the way, where are your two big sisters? Don’t they help?”
“There’s no firewood at home. Big Sister Wen went up the mountain to chop firewood. It’s a long way. She’ll be back tomorrow. Big Sister Jiang has to take care of Grandma. I’ve been cooking these past two days. Is it not to your liking?”
There was a hint of nervousness on Li Mi’s face. Chen Jianing quickly said, “Not at all. I’m satisfied just to have something to eat.”
***
As the night grew deeper.
Old Three rushed into the factory manager’s office with a pigeon. “Boss, there’s news.”
The two of them untied the note that was tied to the pigeon’s leg and looked at it.
“One is sick, one is on the mountain. We can make a move tonight.”
Old Three rubbed his hands in excitement.
“Boss, this is a good opportunity.”
“Go, wake up the brothers and get your weapons.”
“Boss, are we leaving anyone at home?”
“Do those cripples need to be watched? Don’t waste manpower. Kill the ones that need to be killed, or throw them out to feed the zombies.”
Ever since he had received the intelligence from Chen Jianing yesterday, he had been a little excited. That was a five-story small western-style house, and there were also fresh girls. It was much better than being cooped up in this broken office.
Old Three acknowledged and turned to go out. The scar-faced man reminded him again, “Don’t forget to bring our big guy.”
“Yes, boss!”
