Chapter 473: Long Time No See
Chapter 473: Long Time No See
After a while, the sky lightens, streaked with gray clouds. In the desolate compound, only Doll’s laughter echoes through the stillness.
A soldier approaches, salutes An Ran, and says politely, “Miss An, our leader would like to speak with you.”
An Ran tilts her head, a trace of doubt flickering across her face as she glances at the soldier.
Zhan Lian also turns to look.
From the distant building, Luo Feifan stands at the corridor entrance and waves toward her. His expression is heavy. He walks over and says to Zhan Lian, “Uncle Tang is dying. Let An Ran go in and talk to him. It’s okay—there’s no danger.”
Zhan Lian nods, glances at An Ran, then whispers, “I’ll go with you.”
He picks up Doll, takes An Ran’s hand, and together they walk into the building.
Inside, the corridor is dim, filled with the smell of decay.
An Ran frowns. A faint light glows from one of the first-floor rooms.
She tells Zhan Lian to wait outside and not bring Doll in. The atmosphere inside might be too grim and unsettling for the child.
She enters alone.
It is a large, 100-square-meter apartment. The spacious living room is filled with people—soldiers, all of them Ability Users. Some are strength-type, some belong to the five elements, and others have more unique abilities.
They have come to see Tang Jianjun off one last time.
When An Ran enters, everyone stands and clears a path for her leading to the bedroom. She pulls her wool coat tightly around her, smooths her hair, and composes herself—a final sign of respect for Tang Jianjun.
She walks slowly toward the bedroom. At the door, she looks inside and sees a double bed, with Tang Jianjun lying atop it. His neck bulges with veins, and phlegm drips from the corner of his mouth.
Tang Siluo kneels at the bedside, clutching her father’s hand.
Lei Jiang is nowhere in sight.
On the other side of the bed stand Zhang Boxun, Axe, and Luo Feifan, who follow her in. Only a few people are allowed inside.
“An Ran…” Tang Jianjun’s voice is faint, but when he sees her at the door, his eyes light up slightly and he reaches out feebly.
Everyone turns to look at her.
An Ran steps forward, sits on the edge of the bed, and says softly, “Chief Tang, it’s me.”
“Long time… long time no see…”
Tang Jianjun’s fingers twitch weakly. He can’t raise his arms. He smiles, a line of yellow phlegm sliding unconsciously from his mouth.
Still lucid, he murmurs, “I asked you to come because I want to entrust you with something. I have no regrets about dying for the people and the country… but there are still things I can’t let go of.”
Tang Siluo’s weeping fades into a distant hum.
An Ran feels an overwhelming heaviness in her heart, a deep and spreading sorrow.
Hearing Tang Jianjun speak like this, she suddenly feels as though the world is ending.
Though his methods are often harsh and uncompromising, there is no denying he has done what others couldn’t or wouldn’t. He leads the vulnerable through apocalypse. He builds Tiesi Village, one of the largest survivor bases. He tries to restore order.
And now, he is dying.