The World Turned into Zombies, So I Went Back to the Countryside to Farm 71

Chapter 71: The Past

“No need.”

Faced with her concerned gaze, Yan Zhen coldly refused her and turned to tidy up the things that Jiang Zao had messed up.

Jiang Zao looked at her movements, and even her arms were trembling slightly.

“Why? Doesn’t it hurt?”

“I told you, no—”

“Was it Qingshan?”

Yan Zhen raised her voice, then stopped abruptly.

Jiang Zao had already grabbed her hand. “Let me see.”

Unlike Qingshan’s rough treatment every time, Jiang Zao’s movements were extremely careful.

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and one can see a person’s true heart. Qingshan’s eyes were only as dead as ashes, and only when she was inflicting pain would a hint of madness and cruelty appear.

But Jiang Zao’s clear pupils were not mixed with a single impurity. Ever since the apocalypse, she had not seen such clean eyes in a long time. No one would not want to get close to beautiful things. The pursuit of beauty was engraved in human genes, and even a person like Qingshan was no exception.

The last person who had the same clear pupils as her was her teacher, but she was already dead now.

“Don’t think I’ll be grateful to you for this.”

“You saved Little Mi. I should be the one to be grateful to you. Where’s the medicine?”

Jiang Zao ignored her sarcasm and just asked in a calm tone. Yan Zhen was silent for a while and looked at the cabinet.

Jiang Zao walked over and took down the medicine. When she faced the wound on her arm again, her gaze swept over the large and small, deep and shallow marks. New wounds were on top of old ones. Some of the blood had already dried and was stuck to her sleeve. Some had already scabbed over.

There were so many on her arm alone. She didn’t know how many more there were in the places she couldn’t see.
Jiang Zao pursed her lips.

“Why did she do this to you?”

“She… she wasn’t like this before… ever since…”

At this point, Yan Zhen paused again, as if she felt that she had said enough to her tonight. If the people from the church heard, she would probably be beaten again.

“This is not a place you should be. Go quickly.”

Jiang Zao evenly applied the ointment to her arm and stood up. “What about you? Haven’t you ever thought of running away?”

Yan Zhen smiled wryly.

“You’ve seen it too. The camp is like an airtight iron bucket. I don’t know anything except for treating the sick and saving people. Where else can I go if I leave here? At least… at least there are no zombies here.”

Jiang Zao had heard this kind of talk countless times today. She moved her lips, and a commotion came from outside the tent.

“Go, go quickly! Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!”

Jiang Zao stood up and lifted a crack in the door curtain. Wen Zhao was tied up and was being pushed towards the quarantine area.

Jiang Zao gritted her teeth and was about to rush out when someone pulled her clothes from behind. “The engineering department is like this. They work on the outermost perimeter of the camp. Those who have offended the people from the church will be sent to the buffer zone outside the camp to repair the fortifications. There are often zombies and wild beasts there, and people die almost every day.”

There was blood on Wen Zhao’s clothes, but there were no obvious wounds.

“She probably had close contact with a zombie, which is why she was taken to quarantine again.”

In Wen Zhao’s mouth, she was just arranged to repair the house. She was always like this, reporting the good news and not the bad.

Jiang Zao turned around.

“She’s skilled enough to be a patrol captain. Why was she assigned to that kind of place to work?”

Yan Zhen looked her up and down with interest.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to ask yourself that.”

Although she was being cryptic, Jiang Zao quickly understood what was going on. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

“I want to see her. Help me.”

Yan Zhen’s expression returned to its usual nonchalance.

“Why should I help you? Bringing an outsider into the quarantine area is punishable by whipping at the church.”

Jiang Zao bent down and whispered something in her ear. Yan Zhen’s body instantly tensed up, and her expression became grave.

“I can help you this time, but you have to know that for some things, it’s more useful to ask the Prophet than to ask me.”

***

“Get in.”

Wen Zhao was pushed into the small room where they had been quarantined when they first arrived. Not long after she sat down, the door was opened again.

Yan Zhen came in with a nurse and placed the things on the table.

“Nucleic acid test.”

The door was wide open, and a few guards were standing at the door with guns.

“Look up, open your mouth.”

The nurse lowered her voice and approached her with a cotton swab.

Wen Zhao’s chin was held. She struggled to turn her head, but she unexpectedly saw a familiar pair of eyes under her lowered hat. A hint of surprise appeared in Wen Zhao’s eyes.

Jiang Zao nodded, and Wen Zhao opened her mouth in understanding.

“Ah—”

“Are you injured anywhere else?”

Wen Zhao shook her head. “No.”

Jiang Zao was facing away from the guards. While she was talking, she stuffed the food she had saved today into her hand.

Wen Zhao’s hands were tied, but she still quickly hid the plastic bag under her clothes before the guards’ eyes came over.

“Prophet.”

“Prophet, you’re here.”

After Qingshan had patrolled the square, she still hadn’t seen that slender figure. She walked towards a few teachers.

“Didn’t the new teacher today participate in the rest day activities?”

Teacher Meng respectfully placed her right hand on her chest.

“She wasn’t feeling well at dinner and went to the Red Cross.”

“Not feeling well?”

“Yes, Miss Jiang, she was vomiting very badly.”

Qingshan turned and walked towards the Red Cross.

The whispers of the two teachers came from behind.

“The Prophet seems to be particularly concerned about Miss Jiang.”

Teacher Meng looked at Qingshan’s departing back, and a deep sense of worship appeared on her face again.

“Of course. The Prophet is like this, she cares for every resident of the camp.”

“Hurry up and pack up and go back.”

Their small movements did not escape Yan Zhen’s eyes. Seeing that the two soldiers’ faces were already showing a hint of impatience, Yan Zhen couldn’t help but urge.

Only then did Jiang Zao pull her hand out of Wen Zhao’s palm.

“Alright, Doctor Yan, let’s go.”

Wen Zhao watched her figure walk out the door. Seeing the guards lock the door, she took out the plastic bag and opened it. Besides the food, there was also a note that was soaked in grease.

Wen Zhao moved her body and, under the moonlight that shone through the roof, she saw the familiar handwriting:

A-Zhao, I’m fine. Take care of yourself and wait for the right time.

She picked up the bag and ate the note along with the rice, her eyes slightly red.

When Qingshan reached the entrance of the Red Cross, the lights in the tent were still on, but it was empty outside. The dinner that the church attendant had brought was on the ground in front of the tent, and it seemed that no one had touched it.

Qingshan’s eyes sharpened. She walked over with her scepter and lifted the tent flap. The two people in the tent turned their heads in unison. Yan Zhen stood up and respectfully placed her right hand on her chest.

“Prophet.”

Jiang Zao sat still and just fastened the buttons on her collar.

Qingshan’s gaze fell on the stethoscope hanging around Yan Zhen’s neck. “I heard that Miss Jiang is not feeling well. What’s wrong?”

Yan Zhen lowered her eyes and replied, “Miss Jiang has been wandering outside for many days and has a weak stomach. She has some indigestion after suddenly coming into contact with meat, which is why she is vomiting.”

Qingshan glanced at Jiang Zao. Her face was indeed a little ugly. Her gaze fell on her silver hair again.

“Since you’re at the Red Cross, Doctor Yan should give her a full physical examination.”

“Yes.” Yan Zhen bowed again.

Qingshan looked around the room. There were empty bowls and chopsticks on the table. There was still a little bit of soup dregs at the bottom of the bowl. It must have been that Yan Zhen had just finished eating when Jiang Zao came over.

The child was still lying on the hospital bed, her eyes closed, and an IV tube was connected to the back of her hand. An ampoule was thrown in the medical waste bin.

“Isn’t that child awake?”

“Her body is still very weak and needs more rest. After she was put on the IV, she fell asleep again.”

Yan Zhen’s answer in front of Jiang Zao was also flawless. Qingshan nodded in satisfaction and walked out with her scepter.

“Take good care of her.”

Jiang Zao looked at Qingshan’s departing back and remembered what Yan Zhen had said to her, “For some things, it’s more useful to ask the Prophet than to ask me.” She jumped up from her chair and called out to her.

“Qingshan, do you want to go for a walk?”

***

The two of them walked along the winding street, under the starry sky. But the guards behind them were always following, not too close and not too far.

Jiang Zao looked back.

“Do you always have so many people following you wherever you go?”

“They are used to following the Prophet.”

“But I still like the old Qingshan.”

Qingshan stopped and looked at her own reflection in her clear pupils. She waved her hand back.

The guards tactfully stopped where they were.

“Prophet…” The leading attendant came forward, seemingly a little worried. Qingshan glanced at him.

“It’s okay. You guys can go and join the rest day too. We’ll just take a walk in the camp.”

“Yes.”

The two of them did not talk about the argument last time and just chatted about some trivial matters. They soon reached the side of the square.

“Are you used to life at the school?”

“It’s alright…”

As Jiang Zao spoke, her gaze couldn’t help but fall on the skeletons that the residents were gnawing on. The strong fishy smell drifted to her nose again, making her a little nauseous.

Qingshan saw that she was a little uncomfortable and remembered Yan Zhen’s words. She said considerately, “Do you want to go to my place for a late-night snack? I’ll have the church make something light.”

Jiang Zao had not wanted to set foot in her residence again, but on second thought, she readily agreed. “Alright. Can I order?”

Qingshan made a “please” gesture. “Of course you can.”

The attendant placed the exquisite dishes on the table one by one. Qingshan stood up again and took a bottle of red wine from the cabinet. She pulled out the cork in front of her and poured it into a glass.

Jiang Zao raised her hand and covered the glass in front of her.

“I’m not a good drinker. I’d better…”

“It’s okay. This is a very low-alcohol red wine. A little is good for your health. We haven’t had a good chat like this in a long time.”

Under Qingshan’s insistence, Jiang Zao slowly moved her hand away and watched as the scarlet liquid slowly flowed into the glass.

Qingshan sat opposite her, swirling the red wine glass.

“Do you know? When I was walking with you tonight, I always thought of the old days. It was just like just now, walking with you in the mountains and forests. I looked forward to hiking with you every year during the holidays. Those were my happiest days.”

Jiang Zao could only force herself to reply.

“Yes, I was also very happy at that time. Unlike now, when I’m always on edge for survival.”

“No one can hurt you here.” Qingshan stretched out her arm and raised the red wine glass in her hand.

“Cheers, to our happy life in the past.”

Jiang Zao also raised her wine glass and clinked it with hers, then carefully took a small sip. After confirming that there was no strange taste, she dared to swallow.

Qingshan watched her actions, cut the beef on her plate, and forked a small piece for her, placing it by her hand.

“What do you think about what I told you last time?”

Jiang Zao looked at the pink piece of meat, which was still oozing blood. Thinking of the meat soup during the day, she took another sip of red wine to suppress the nausea.

“Thank you. I’ll just have the pasta.”

Jiang Zao knew she was talking about staying in the camp and smiled.

“I thought you would kick us out after our fight last time.”

“A fight?” Qingshan seemed to have heard something funny. She curved her eyebrows and put on a magnanimous look.

“You know, I’ve never really paid attention to your childish temper. After all, I’m the Prophet. Besides, the camp is also short of manpower now, and you’re a rare highly educated talent.”

When Qingshan said this, the helpless smile in her eyes reminded Jiang Zao of the times they had hiked together. Since they were traveling together, it was inevitable that they would have disagreements, sometimes because of the route, and sometimes because of other things.

Every time she was stubborn and finally found that Qingshan was the right one, she would also show such an expression.

The hint of a daze in her eyes also did not escape Qingshan’s eyes. Although her appearance had become more mature, and her personality was stronger than before, one thing had not changed, which was her soft-heartedness.

Qingshan raised her red wine glass again.

“What do you think? Do you want to stay?”

Jiang Zao smiled wryly and clinked glasses with her.

“Do I have any other place to go? I can stay, but I don’t want to stay at the school.”

“Why? The school is the most relaxed place.”

“You know, I don’t like children.”

Jiang Zao spread her hands, indicating her helplessness. “They give me a headache.”

Qingshan stood up, took the red wine bottle, and walked around the long table. “Then where do you want to go?”

“The Red Cross. I want to take care of my sister, and also… learn some medical knowledge. After all, the camp is also very short of manpower in this area, isn’t it?”

The reason she gave was something that Qingshan could not refuse. She walked to Jiang Zao’s side and filled her red wine glass.

“And? Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Seeing that Qingshan was in a good mood, she simply brought it all up.

“Let the woman who came with me leave the engineering department. As a condition, I can always…”

A smile slowly appeared on Qingshan’s lips. Just as she thought Qingshan would agree, Qingshan suddenly bent down and pressed her body against her back. Jiang Zao subconsciously wanted to raise her hand to resist.

Qingshan grabbed her hand and pressed it on the table. She took a deep breath of the fragrance on her neck, but her tone was as cold as ice.

“Has no one ever taught you to take off this broken thing on your hand before you ask for something?”

Qingshan slowly caressed her finger bones. When she passed by the ring, Jiang Zao suddenly clenched her fist, quickly raised her elbow, and hit her head. Qingshan tilted her head and dodged, letting go of her grip. The next second, Jiang Zao picked up a fork and stabbed it at her face. In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged several blows.

Qingshan snorted coldly. “Is this the fancy footwork she taught you?”

Then she grabbed Jiang Zao’s wrists with both hands, wrapped them around her arms like a snake, and lifted them up. At the same time as she released her strength, her right hand quickly changed from a fist to a palm and hit her ribs.

Jiang Zao cried out in pain and took several steps back. Her lower back hit the edge of the table, and she let out a muffled grunt.

She gritted her teeth and did a carp leap, pouncing on her with a fork, every move aimed at her throat.

Faced with her desperate fighting style, Qingshan seemed to be at ease, and her lower body barely moved.

Jiang Zao took a moment to glance at her legs. That’s right, her right leg was inconvenient. She could attack her lower body.

In another punch, Qingshan grabbed her arm. Just as Jiang Zao thought her feint had deceived her, her gaze sharpened, and she quickly raised her leg and kicked her right leg.

Jiang Zao didn’t even see how she had moved. She only felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, as if she had been hit by something heavy. The next second, she had been sent flying and had crashed heavily on the table. The bowls and plates fell and shattered all over the floor.

Jiang Zao was panting heavily, her vision was blackening, and her fingers were about to reach for the fork that had fallen beside her when it was picked up.

A cold metal object was pressed against her throat.

Qingshan looked at the cold sweat that was dripping from her temples with satisfaction. Her fingers caressed her facial contours inch by inch, almost obsessively, until they held her chin and lifted her head.

“Good skills, but you still need some work. It seems you’ve been through a lot in the days I wasn’t here.”

Looking at the resentment in her eyes, Qingshan became even more happy. She gently bent down and came close to her face.

“But when it comes to seducing people, you should learn from Doctor Yan, or, you can just put on a pure and harmless look.”

“I… also like it very much.”

She breathed gently by her ear. Jiang Zao immediately turned her head and gritted her teeth.

“For the sake of your active invitation tonight, I’ll forgive you for these unreasonable little tricks. To get something, you have to pay a greater price. No one can get something for nothing.”

Her persuasive tone sounded like she was flirting, but only Jiang Zao knew how disgusting it was when she got close to her.

Qingshan looked at her heaving chest, the graceful curves under her plaid skirt, and let go of her.

“Someone, send Miss Jiang back.”

They had ignored the loud noise in the room just now. It wasn’t until Qingshan gave the order that they rushed in.

Jiang Zao held onto the wall under the watchful eyes of the dark muzzles and slowly walked out of the room.

Qingshan raised the glass of red wine she hadn’t finished, drank the scarlet liquid in it, and licked her lips, wanting more.

The school’s skirt was too long, reaching her knees. Perhaps she should have a custom-made one that only reached her thigh.

Qingshan didn’t pay any attention to her assassination attempt just now and was thinking about her back with a thoughtful expression.

The soldiers “escorted” her to the dormitory door, watched her go in, and closed the room door.

The school dormitory was different from the collective dormitory. Not only was it a single room, but it even had a separate bathroom for washing up.

Jiang Zao turned on the faucet and frantically splashed water on her face, even immersing her head in the basin, trying to forget what had just happened. It wasn’t until she was almost out of breath that she raised her head.

Jiang Zao took a few steps back, leaned against the door panel, looked up at the ceiling, and closed her eyes in pain, repeatedly hitting her head against the door panel.

It wasn’t until this moment that she and Yan Zhen completely empathized with each other. She really couldn’t imagine what that beast Qingshan had done to Doctor Yan.

How did the seemingly so weak Doctor Yan survive under this demon for so long?

Maybe… maybe she’s stronger than I thought.

Jiang Zao wiped the tear stains from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. When she opened her eyes again, she had regained her spirit.

She remembered what Yan Zhen had said to her today. In fact, it wasn’t just that sentence, but also: “Bribe all who can be bribed, use all who can be used, and kill those who have other intentions. From Qingshan to becoming a Prophet, this is how she has come step by step.”

That’s right, it was about using. Fortunately, she still had some use value now. She might as well learn from Qingshan and use this face to get some benefits, at least to ensure the safety of A-Zhao and Little Mi.

Jiang Zao looked at her own face in the mirror and smiled self-deprecatingly. Although, she had not even been willing to appear on camera in her videos before.

Jiang Zao returned to the room, found the letter from the notebook again, placed it on her chest, and lay on the bed with her eyes closed.

“Grandma, you will bless us to escape from here, right?”

***

Although the church attendant had already tidied everything up, when Lorian came in, the luxurious carpet was still stained with red wine.

He glanced at it and bowed respectfully.

“Prophet, the person has been found.”

Qingshan, who was leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed, opened her eyes with a whoosh.

“Bring him in.”

A shifty-eyed, short man was brought in. He knelt on the ground, trembling. “Prophet…”

Qingshan’s tone was a little impatient.

“Get to the point.”

Lorian took out two portraits and placed them in front of him.

“Have you seen these two people? When did you see them?”

The man nodded quickly.

“Yes… yes, yes… I… I’ve seen them. Last winter, in Luohe Town. At that time, I was still in the Dragon Tiger Gang. Our boss said she looked familiar…”

The man pointed to the long-haired woman with a knife in the portrait.

“He thought she looked like… like someone he had seen in prison before.”