Chapter 276: Anran’s Heart
Chapter 276: Anran’s Heart
"No, if you quit, then who will take over?" Luo Feifan follows closely behind Zhan Lian. "Tiesi Village is already in chaos, and survivors keep arriving in waves. If you just walk away, won’t that make things even worse?"
"When you asked me to be the captain of the fourth district, I told you I’d step down once I found my wife." Zhan Lian looks impatient. Standing tall in the early morning sun, he turns to face Luo Feifan and says, "You know why my wife insisted on divorcing me. It was because I spent too little time with her. If it weren’t for the apocalypse, I’d be at home taking care of our child right now. So don’t try to talk me out of this. Are we brothers or not?"
"We are!" Luo Feifan nods decisively.
"Then handle this for me."
"What’s in it for me?" Luo Feifan grins and even winks at Zhan Lian.
Zhan Lian purses his lips, then lifts his foot and aims a kick at Luo Feifan’s crotch. Luo Feifan quickly dodges, laughing as he turns to run. "Uncle Tang is stubborn. You can’t rush this. I’ll take care of it for you!"
Hearing this, Zhan Lian’s tense expression eases. Luo Feifan is always looking for ways to benefit himself, but if he says he’ll handle it, then the matter is practically settled. Now, all Zhan Lian has to do is finish up his current responsibilities and wait for someone to take over his position as captain of the District 4
On his way back through the barricades, he keeps his usual stoic expression, but the thought of Anran—of her small, slender frame—lifts his spirits. His steps feel noticeably lighter as he makes his way back to the gas station.
Anran has been waiting for Zhan Lian in the room all night.
The baby in her arms wakes up twice, so she feeds her some milk and then paces the tiny space, rocking her gently. As dawn approaches, Anran feels more and more uneasy.
During the night, a person in a white coat comes to take the temperatures of Anran, Little Mint, and Doll. All of them are normal. Someone else comes with forms, asking Anran to fill in details about her skills and any special abilities she might have.
But she has no interest in filling them out.
When asked about her skills, she simply writes that she isn’t good at anything. When asked if she has any special abilities, she marks "none." Then she crumples up the form and tosses it aside, focusing instead on figuring out what to do next.
The moment Zhan Lian pushes open the door and steps inside, Anran immediately approaches him with Doll in her arms. Without hesitation, she says, "Zhan Lian, Brother Tao was captured by that woman you’re involved with. He asked me to find you. Can you let him go?"
The bright smile that had been on Zhan Lian’s face fades, bit by bit.
He stares at Anran for a long time, his expression unreadable. Then, with a furrowed brow, he steps inside and, upon spotting a little girl in the room, pulls out a chair, sits down at the table, crosses his legs, and silently observes Anran without saying a word.
Yes, he believes there is nothing between Anran and Yun Tao. But still—after finally reuniting, she hasn’t cried with joy, hasn’t clung to him. Instead, the first thing out of her mouth is Brother Tao.
That irritates him.
And Tang Siluo—he has already told her to stay out of his business, yet she keeps interfering. Since when do so many outsiders have a say in his and Anran’s affairs?
And worst of all—Zhan Lian can see it.
Anran’s heart is no longer with him.
But who can he blame? No one but himself. It’s his own fault.
After finally finding Anran, he rushes straight to the battlefield to fight zombies. And it makes sense—after all, the situation had been critical. The horde had descended, and everyone had been in danger. If he hadn’t fought, the zombies would have come for his wife and child. And these aren’t just any zombies; they are the bronze-skinned, iron-boned kind—monsters that are nearly impossible to kill.
But even if his actions are justified, it doesn’t change the fact that, in the end, Anran’s heart has drifted away from him.