Chapter 337: No Happiness Without Elimination
Chapter 337: No Happiness Without Elimination
Around the afternoon, Luo Feifan’s men return, bringing one of Lei Jiang’s subordinates. An Ran smiles when she sees him. This man is none other than Zhou Xiang, the one who chased her onto the national highway.
Zhou Xiang is a calm person. He is taken to the second floor by Luo Feifan’s men. When he sees An Ran and Yun Tao in the hanging water area, he doesn’t panic. He simply smiles politely and greets An Ran, saying, “Hello, Miss An, long time no see.”
An Ran, holding Doll, ignores Zhou Xiang. Doll hums, gazing out the window. An Ran sits on the chair beside the bed with Doll, while Zhan Lian leans against the wall, eyeing Zhou Xiang with a sly smile. “Lei Jiang has a good character like you. If you have any conditions, feel free to state them.”
Dr. Zhao and the doctor recommended by Dr. Zhao are both in Lei Jiang’s hands. At this point, Zhan Lian, An Ran, and even Yun Tao and Luo Feifan don’t doubt that Zhou Xiang has been sent by Lei Jiang to negotiate terms.
Zhou Xiang presses his lips together and smiles without speaking. His gaze sweeps across the people in the IV drip area, landing on Little Mint, who sits with Hengheng . She looks pale, expressionless, as if completely detached from everything around her. He confirms that this is the pregnant girl who is about to undergo surgery. Shrugging, he says:
"Actually, you’re overthinking this. Captain Lei only helped by getting Dr. Zhao out. He didn’t have any hidden motives. He was simply doing you a favor."
Then, Zhou Xiang’s gaze shifts, focusing on Zhan Lian, and he continues: "Captain Zhan is a talent. Captain Luo and Brother Yun are, of course, in a tough spot. Captain Lei’s intention is clear—let’s be friends and develop together. It’d be best if the two teams merge into one."
"Stop playing games," Zhan Lian cuts him off, visibly irritated. "What does Lei Jiang mean by that? Merge the teams? Is he trying to absorb ours and Luo Feifan’s team?"
It isn’t surprising that Lei Jiang, as the leader of a dominant survivor group in District 3, uses such tactics. He certainly knows how to play the game. But his appetite is far too large. To suggest merging teams right off the bat? Who would be the team leader, Zhan Lian or Lei Jiang? If Lei Jiang takes command, wouldn’t Zhan Lian just become one of his subordinates?
Lei Jiang’s plan is clear. He wants to use Zhao Qianrong as leverage to make Zhan Lian his subordinate and gain An Ran in the process. Zhan Lian, his wife, and child would all end up under Lei Jiang’s control. It’s a nice thought, but Zhan Lian isn’t about to let that happen.
Zhan Lian’s expression darkens. He steps toward Zhou Xiang, his anger evident. But before Zhan Lian can make a move, Zhou Xiang quickly retreats, shouting, “Captain Zhan, calm down. I’m just the messenger. When two countries are at war, they don’t kill envoys. Captain Zhan, don’t be so rash. If I die, you won’t get any news of Dr. Zhao.”
Zhan Lian freezes in place, fists clenched. He looks at Zhou Xiang with a mix of surprise and irritation.
Luo Feifan and Yun Tao, who stand beside him, also furrow their brows at Zhou Xiang’s words. Zhan Lian hasn’t truly intended to kill Zhou Xiang, but Zhou Xiang’s threat makes him pause.
He has promised An Ran that he will take care of this, and now, several strong men who could easily handle zombies are being held back by a single Zhou Xiang. Tiesi Village has only sent a few teams to search for supplies. Zhan Lian doesn’t want to escalate matters further, but there is no denying it—Lei Jiang has to be eliminated.