She’s Fiercer Than Zombies - Chapter 45

Upon hearing Qiao Gaogao’s words, everyone was initially startled, then exchanged glances, feeling somewhat tempted.

Since the people from Tai’an wouldn’t let them off anyway, why not take this seemingly important item with them and cause some trouble for their enemies?

No sooner said than done. Yinxi placed her hand on the glass enclosure and stored both the object and its protective casing directly into her space. In an instant, floors 27 and 28 were completely emptied.

Looking at the vacant floors, Qiao Gaogao couldn’t help but laugh. She could almost imagine the expressions on the faces of the Tai’an people when they saw this.

When the group exited Tai’an, the zombies were still gathered below. Observing the few high-level zombies that had been used as test subjects, they realized it was likely because of their presence that the Tai’an people had been unable to return.

Yinxi roared at them, but the zombies’ response left her somewhat disappointed they had no idea where Tai’an’s research institute was located.

Looking at the zombies and considering that there was nothing left of use to them in the Tai’an building, Yinxi decided to let the zombies follow her. On one hand, it would strengthen their own forces; on the other, it would give the Tai’an people a chance to witness the aftermath when they returned.

Otherwise, wouldn’t their efforts to take the meteorite have been in vain?

As they set off again, the group unanimously decided to return to the safe base. With their current strength, they were no longer easy targets. Returning to the base would also allow them to wait for the Tai’an people to come to them.

They drove toward H City, and after some guidance from Yinxi, the high-level zombies even managed to drive a car and follow behind them.

Song Qingxu and the others were already numb to this sight, having fully prepared themselves for the possibility that zombies might one day become indistinguishable from humans.

As they entered H City, they noticed a significant decrease in the number of zombies.

It was unclear whether the reduction was due to government efforts or the base’s inhabitants, but overall, the outcome was positive.

They continued driving until evening, when they finally saw the gates of the safe base. The entrance had been completely reinforced, the outer walls were tall and sturdy, topped with an electric fence, and the main gate was made of thick iron. Guards were stationed at regular intervals along the walls, giving a strong sense of security.

At the sight of the base gates, Qiao Gaogao couldn’t contain her excitement. After all, it had been a long time since they had seen their parents.

As they approached the base, an arrow shot out abruptly, forcing their vehicle to a stop.

Qiao Gaogao rolled down the window, stuck her head out, and waved at them with a bright smile.

“It’s me, Qiao Gaogao!” she shouted.

Over such a long period, the base had absorbed many new members, and most people had never seen Qiao Gaogao. However, almost everyone knew she had dyed her hair white. Fortunately, among the guards on duty that day were some of the people they had rescued from the supermarket, who recognized her.

The base gates quickly swung open. The guard looked at Qiao Gaogao with delight, then at Yinxi in the passenger seat, and broke into a wide smile.

“It’s so good to have you back.”

Despite knowing they were capable, the long absence had inevitably caused worry.

“Mm-hmm, we’ll head in first then. The car behind us has zombies inside they won’t come in, but you don’t need to be afraid. As long as no one provokes them, they won’t harm anyone,” Qiao Gaogao reminded before entering.

At the mention of zombies, the expressions on the people’s faces grew noticeably more serious. They nodded firmly to show they understood and would ensure no one disturbed the zombies.

Just before stepping into the base, Yinxi turned back and growled a few instructions toward the zombies in the car. In response, the zombies drove the car to the roadside and stayed inside without getting out.

The guards on duty watched in amazement, their gazes toward Yinxi now filled with awe.

As the group entered the safe base, they hadn’t even driven up to the hotel lobby before Qiao Muyi and the others, having heard the news, gathered outside to wait.

The moment the car stopped, Qiao Gaogao leaped out and rushed into Qiao Muyi’s arms, hugging her tightly and calling out “Mom” in a cooing voice.

Qiao Muyi affectionately patted her head, then looked up to see Yinxi approaching. She stretched out her long arm and pulled Yinxi into an embrace as well, saying with a smile, “It’s good to have you back.”

Yinxi was momentarily taken aback by the sudden hug, but soon her eyes curved into a smile, and she softly greeted, “Auntie.”

“Ahem!” Qiao’s father stood to the side, glancing at them with a sidelong look and giving a couple of deliberate, light coughs to assert his presence.

Qiao Gaogao’s eyes crinkled as she quickly caught on and gave her father a big hug, finally appeasing the one feeling a bit left out.

Yinxi didn’t offer a hug but obediently called out, “Uncle.”

Song Qingxu, who had just stepped out of the car, couldn’t help but smile softly at the sight of this harmonious family scene. Yet, after her smile faded, a trace of melancholy lingered.

Song Qingxu had lost her parents when she was very young. Scenes of a happy, united family had long faded from her memory she could hardly even recall how such warmth felt.

As for Tang Jiu, with her parents currently missing abroad, the uncertainty only added to her unease.

Once the excitement had settled, the group finally noticed the change in Yinxi. Qi Miao stared wide-eyed at Yinxi, who now appeared no different from an ordinary person, and asked in astonishment, “Xiao Yin, have you turned back into a normal human?” Had the serum been developed already?

Yinxi shook her head, but before she could speak, Qiao Gaogao proudly cut in, “It’s because Senior’s level is too high! Senior has regained her normal human appearance now!”

The expressions of those unaware of the truth froze for a moment. Finally, Qiao Muyi tentatively asked, “Are you saying that when zombies evolve to a certain extent, they become almost like normal humans?”

In fact, it wasn’t just “almost” Yinxi was now completely indistinguishable from a normal human!

At least on the surface!

“Mm!” Qiao Gaogao nodded emphatically.

Qiao Muyi drew a sharp breath, the first to grasp the severity of the situation.

“From now on, the base must enforce stricter and more standardized procedures for accepting survivors,” she instructed, turning to the others.

They immediately understood her implication and nodded in unison. After all, no one wanted a zombie with unknown intentions slipping into the base.

After putting aside the matter of Yinxi, Qiao Gaogao began introducing Song Qingxu and the others. Once everyone had exchanged greetings, Zhou Yuan and her friends stepped forward, their eyes sparkling as they looked between Qiao Gaogao’s group and Song Qingxu’s. Leaning close to Qiao Gaogao, Zhou Yuan lowered her voice and asked, “Are they?”

As she spoke, she curved her two thumbs toward each other, wiggling them suggestively.

Qiao Gaogao: “…”

Song Qingxu, a high-level ability user with exceptionally sharp hearing: “…”

Her face flushed subtly, and her gaze instinctively drifted toward Tang Jiu. When she met Tang Jiu’s slightly puzzled eyes, she immediately averted her gaze, feeling somewhat speechless toward Zhou Yuan.

Where had she gotten the idea that there was something between her and Tang Jiu?

Qiao Gaogao also lowered her voice. “No, stop making things up!”

Zhou Yuan let out an “Oh,” clearly disappointed.

Qiao Gaogao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Still, she glanced at Song Qingxu and the others. It wasn’t surprising that Zhou Yuan had gotten the wrong impression even she sometimes felt there was something unusual between the two of them, a hint of that kind of vibe.

The group entered the hotel lobby. The base had developed well, with the entire resort fully operational. It was now self-sufficient in water and electricity, had internet access, and even cultivated land, achieving a certain degree of self-reliance.

Although the food wasn’t particularly great, at least everyone had enough to eat.

Qiao Muyi returned the Bodhisattva pendant that belonged to Qiao Gaogao, only to see her immediately turn and gift it to Yinxi. Beaming with excitement, Qiao Gaogao said, “Senior, here your birthday gift!”

Qiao Muyi: “…” Sigh, I’m used to it.

Yinxi accepted the pendant. The jade felt warm and smooth to the touch, and given its significance to Qiao Gaogao, the heartfelt intention behind gifting it to her was unmistakable.

“Thank you,” Yinxi said with a soft smile, carefully hanging the pendant around her neck and tucking it inside her clothes, close to her skin.

Qiao Gaogao grinned, her heart swelling with joy.

Next, Qiao Gaogao and the others familiarized themselves with the current situation at the safe base. The total population now stood at 1,573 people, including 306 ability users, all of whom were quite capable. For a long time, no one had dared to cause trouble at their base.

Hearing this, Qiao Gaogao and the others began to understand why the Tai’an group hadn’t come looking for trouble. For one, they hadn’t been at the base, and even if Tai’an had considered using their families as leverage to force them out, the base’s strength was formidable enough that any confrontation would have been costly for the aggressors.

Dinner was a grand feast prepared by Qi Ji and his team. After everyone had eaten their fill, they didn’t linger much longer, allowing Qiao Gaogao and the others to return and rest.

That night, as they settled in their room, Qiao Gaogao hugged Yinxi tightly, her eyes shining brightly as she gazed at her.

Yinxi, unnerved by her intense stare, looked back at her in confusion.

Seeing that Yinxi still didn’t understand, Qiao Gaogao pouted and whined, “Senior!”

“What’s wrong?” Yinxi was even more puzzled. Why did Gaogao seem so dissatisfied?

Realizing Yinxi still didn’t get it, Qiao Gaogao was on the verge of tears. “Senior! Don’t you want to do something?”

They hadn’t done anything yet surely her senior wasn’t already getting restless!

Yinxi fell silent, studying Qiao Gaogao’s expression before tentatively asking, “Want to sleep?”

She was genuinely sleepy now, yet couldn’t actually sleep, a truly torturous predicament.

Qiao Gaogao: “…”

Frustration puffed her cheeks and widened her eyes into round orbs as she stared.

Witnessing her silent treatment, Yinxi grew increasingly anxious, her mind racing to decipher Gaogao’s unspoken meaning. By the time she finally pieced it together and snapped back to reality, she found Gaogao gazing at her with those plaintive almond-shaped eyes.

Yinxi: “…”

Was it what she thought it meant?

Could it really be possible?

But she was still essentially a zombie!

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