She’s Fiercer Than Zombies - Chapter 48

Qiao Gaogao stared at Yinxi in shock. What did she mean by that?

She had never heard Yinxi mention this before. Was she suspecting that the vaccine the man had injected her with wasn’t actually a vaccine, but a reagent carrying the zombie virus?

But why would he do that? Did he want to make Yinxi an unwitting carrier for his experiments?

She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and glared fiercely at the man below, wishing she could kill him right then and there!

However, Zhou Wenqi showed no reaction to her gaze. His eyes remained fixed intently on Yinxi.

“Xiao Yin, think about yourself, think about your parents, think about all those people still trapped in fear. If you’re willing to come back with us and cooperate with the research, all of this will end.”

Qiao Gaogao could no longer hold back. She raised her hand and swung it forcefully toward him, sending a sharp spear hurtling straight at the man!

At the same time, Qiao Muyi, as if unable to bear listening any longer, grabbed a crossbow the moment Qiao Gaogao attacked. She calculated the man’s likely evasion path and fired an arrow!

It seemed she hadn’t seen enough of the world yet such shameless people were utterly intolerable.

“You!” The man hastily dodged their attacks. Although he managed to evade Qiao Gaogao’s spear, Qiao Muyi’s crossbow bolt struck his shoulder. Blood instantly gushed out, and his warm winter coat rapidly absorbed the crimson flow. In the freezing snow, he felt an icy chill spread through his entire body.

Seeing that he had actually dodged it, Qiao Gaogao pouted in disappointment.

Zhou Wenqi took a deep breath, observing the zombies that were growing restless again due to Qiao Gaogao and the others’ actions. He said grimly, “Let’s retreat for now!”

“Professor!” someone protested unwillingly.

“Retreat!” Zhou Wenqi roared.

If they continued to linger now, it would only bring harm to themselves!

As they prepared to leave, Qiao Gaogao and the others made no attempt to stop them. However, after the group had departed, their expressions turned grim. Glancing back at the others on the city wall and noticing their varied, contemplative expressions, their moods soured even further.

People are inherently selfish. When united by a common goal, they will readily sacrifice others to achieve their own ends.

Yinxi had long anticipated this situation. No matter how much she now resembled a normal human, she would never be accepted by the majority.

Looking at Yinxi’s calm face, Qiao Gaogao felt a suffocating tightness in her chest, an unbearable ache.

Her senior was so kind, why did she have to endure so much injustice?

“Let’s go back first,” Yinxi said, taking Qiao Gaogao’s hand. Without acknowledging the gazes of the others in the base, she led her away directly.

Song Qingxu and the others understood that the two probably needed to talk privately, so they tactfully did not follow. Instead, they took Tang Jiu and went to find Qiao Muyi and the others, to see if there was anything they could help with.

Back in the room, Yinxi looked at Qiao Gaogao’s puffed-up cheeks and furrowed brows, and couldn’t help but smile, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at her. She thought even her girlfriend’s anger was utterly adorable.

“Senior!” Seeing her carefree smile, Qiao Gaogao was on the verge of tears from frustration.

How could she not be worried at all?

“It’s fine~” Yinxi cupped her face gently with both hands, rubbing softly as she smiled with narrowed eyes. “They don’t dare use any extreme methods for now.”

The meteorite was safely stored within her personal space. Unless she voluntarily took it out, no one could forcibly breach her dimensional storage. If they pushed too far, it would be a lose-lose situation where they’d gain nothing.

She believed the people from Tai’an understood this logic perfectly well.

Qiao Gaogao’s brows remained tightly furrowed. “The problem is, if it were just Tai’an alone, we wouldn’t need to worry too much.”

But now there were government shadows behind Tai’an’s actions.

She feared official intervention might follow.

Yinxi understood her unspoken concerns. After a moment of silence, she said softly, “Gaogao, actually. I want to talk with the government representatives.”

“What?!” Qiao Gaogao’s head snapped up, her gaze fixed intensely on Yinxi. Did she realize what she was saying?

Yinxi pulled her down to sit on the bed edge, speaking in a lowered voice. “Gaogao, no matter what, the government has more resources than we do – whether it’s survival supplies or professional research facilities.”

“Most importantly,” Yinxi paused briefly, lowering her eyes, “I want to find my parents.”

Somehow she felt certain her parents were still alive and well. The preparations clearly made in their home suggested they had been ready for something long ago. How could she believe they had perished under such circumstances?

She needed the government’s assistance. With just her and Gaogao’s small group, they were too limited in numbers. With official support, she believed they would receive news about her parents before long.

After hearing this, Qiao Gaogao pressed her lips together. “But how can you be sure Tai’an doesn’t want to find your parents too? Have they possibly already requested government help in searching for them?”

Yinxi met her gaze. The possibility wasn’t zero, but even with minuscule odds, she still wanted to find her parents.

After piecing things together, she had formed certain conjectures.

The first vaccine dose had been administered by Zhou Wenqi, but the subsequent second and third shots were given by her parents.

Looking back now, the only connection she could make with her parents’ work was through these vaccinations. Since the first injection from Zhou Wenqi contained the zombie virus, the most likely explanation for her current condition – being different from ordinary zombies – must lie in the two subsequent injections from her parents.

“But my parents might truly have the capability to develop a serum,” Yinxi said, looking into Qiao Gaogao’s eyes. If those latter two injections could cause such significant changes in her body, then given sufficient time, they should be able to develop a serum that completely eliminates the virus.

Qiao Gaogao remained silent. She understood the logic well, but if they cooperated with the government, Yinxi would inevitably become their test subject.

“Gaogao, don’t overthink it. I believe government representatives will come to us soon enough.” Yinxi rubbed her head with a gentle smile. Only when the officials came knocking would their real negotiations begin.

Qiao Gaogao pressed her lips together, still unable to feel reassured.

Hadn’t she done so much just to protect her senior? Yet now she was being told that all her efforts were in vain, how could that not sting?

“Gaogao~” Yinxi called out softly.

“Hmph!”

Seeing that she was genuinely angry, Yinxi widened her eyes slightly in surprise. This seemed to be the first time Gaogao had ever been angry with her, and she couldn’t help but find it a little novel.

But no matter how novel it felt, she still had to coax her.

She leaned in and kissed the corner of Gaogao’s lips, then smiled with curved eyes, looking particularly endearing. Her voice remained soft, making it impossible not to feel one’s heart soften.

“Gaogao~ Don’t be angry, okay? You have to trust me. Please don’t be angry~”

“Hmph!” This time, the huff was even louder.

The smile in Yinxi’s eyes deepened as she raised her hand and swore, “Gaogao, don’t worry. If they dare to do anything harmful, I’ll tell you immediately and have all the zombies surround them! Just like in those zombie siege movies!”

This time, Qiao Gaogao fell silent. Hearing those words, she felt there was no longer any need to worry about her senior being bullied.

After all, someone who could talk about a zombie siege probably wasn’t the type to be easily pushed around.

She relented, but not entirely. When the officials arrived, she would still insist on discussing every necessary detail.

However, such a significant matter couldn’t be kept from Qiao Muyi and the others. So that evening, when all their close friends and family gathered for dinner, Qiao Gaogao shared Yinxi’s decision with them.

“No! It’s too dangerous!” Qiao’s father immediately objected, his face stern and almost fierce.

Though Qiao Muyi didn’t speak, he nodded in agreement. It was indeed too risky. Who could guarantee that those people wouldn’t develop something to suppress Yinxi’s abilities? If that happened, Yinxi would be like a fish waiting to be slaughtered.

Seeing their unanimous disapproval, Yinxi grew visibly anxious.

She knew Qiao Muyi and the others were protective of her, but she was also acutely aware that developing a serum was imperative. If they continued to refuse to hand her over, it wouldn’t bode well for the base either.

Song Qingxu pondered and said, “Since you mentioned that your parents likely have the ability to develop the serum, why not wait until the officials find them before you cooperate with the research?”

Her gaze fixed intently on Yinxi as she added solemnly, “We don’t feel comfortable entrusting you entirely to the Tai’an group for research.”

Given that Tai’an was collaborating with the officials, if Yinxi were to participate in the research, it would most likely be under Tai’an’s supervision. But Tai’an had already lost all credibility in their eyes their actions were too reckless, and no one could predict what they might do to Yinxi.

Her words were met with unanimous nods of agreement.

It made sense. Since they needed to find people and conduct research anyway, why not wait until Yinxi’s parents were located and let them handle it?

After all, Yinxi was their daughter they would never harm her.

Yinxi lowered her head, contemplating the possibility. Her only fear was that the officials might not agree to such an arrangement.

“When the officials arrive, I’ll negotiate with them!” Qiao Muyi declared decisively.

“Alright, let’s worry about this when the officials get here. For now, let’s focus on dinner,” Qiao’s father said.

“Okay,” Yinxi replied softly, her nose tingling with unshed tears.

In these times of complete societal collapse, she considered herself incredibly fortunate to have encountered so many good people.

Yet, no one had anticipated how quickly the authorities would arrive.

However, seeing the team of only five individuals, they sensed the goodwill extended by the authorities.

Had they come with a large force, it would have signaled an uncompromising, non-negotiable stance.

Qiao Muyi led them to the hotel’s dedicated conference room. Song Qingxu and the others, unwilling to leave Yinxi unprotected, stayed nearby as her support, making it clear to the visitors that Yinxi was not alone and not someone to be bullied.

The leader of the official delegation was a middle-aged man in a military uniform, exuding an aura of integrity. The wheat sheaves and three stars on his epaulets revealed his rank as a general, a surprise to everyone. His presence, however, underscored the importance they placed on this meeting.

“Greetings, I am Wei Quan, a serving Army General and currently the Chief of Staff of the National Security Base,” the man introduced himself first, saluting them.

The others behind him followed suit, introducing themselves one by one and offering a crisp, uniform military salute.

Watching them, Qiao Muyi and the others felt a mix of emotions, a tinge of bitterness and something indescribable.

Before the apocalypse, the nation had provided them with a sense of security. But after the zombie outbreak, aside from a largely useless text message, they had received no further protection from the state. Everything they had now was the result of their own desperate efforts.

Yet, they couldn’t deny the undeniable contributions these individuals had made in protecting the populace.

After Qiao Muyi and the others finished their introductions, everyone sat down to negotiate.

“I understand our request may seem abrupt and impolite, but please believe me everything we do is aimed at ending this catastrophe,” Wei Quan began. “During Miss Yin’s participation in the research, we will fully respect her human rights and provide 24-hour military protection to ensure her safety.”

Qiao Muyi’s expression remained unmoved.

“Let’s set that aside for now. Hear our demands first before making any decisions.”

Wei Quan paused briefly, then gestured for her to continue.

“I assume you already know Yinxi’s identity, and by extension, the capabilities of her parents. We demand that you locate Yinxi’s parents and have them conduct the research.”

“And there’s one more crucial point,” Qiao Muyi added, meeting the general’s gaze without flinching. “I insist that all research be conducted at our base!”

Only with the research taking place at their own base, under the direct supervision of Yinxi’s parents, could they feel assured of her safety.

If Yinxi were to go with them to their base, far from their reach, how could they possibly help her in time if anything went wrong?

At this, Wei Quan and his team fell into a noticeable silence, clearly finding the demand troubling.

Seeing their hesitation, Qiao Muyi stated firmly, “This is not up for negotiation. You are well aware of what the people from Tai’an have done.”

“On this matter, we will not yield.”

“Otherwise, there’s nothing more to discuss.”

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