Chapter 153: Leading the Team Out of the Safe Zone

As Qin Sheng exited the Core Base, she unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance: Yang Lin from the Fierce Tiger Team.

"Long time no see, Qin Sheng." Yang Lin was dressed in camouflage; perhaps it was his habit after years of military service. His stern face softened with a smile upon seeing her.

Yang Lin was tall and sturdy, his muscles well-defined. Clad in his fatigues, he looked exceptionally spirited and energetic. Had it not been for the apocalypse, he might have earned even more medals and seen far greater prospects in his military career.

"Captain Yang, it’s been a while," Qin Sheng replied with a polite smile, reaching out to shake his hand briefly.

"Don't stand on ceremony with me, just call me Yang Lin." Yang Lin’s smile widened as he glanced at her army-green outfit and nodded slightly. "Captain Qin, that’s a nice outfit."

Qin Sheng looked down at her clothes. She had grabbed the army-green set from her storage space that morning on a whim, never expecting it to bear a slight resemblance to Yang Lin’s camouflage.

"I’m quite fond of your camouflage gear as well, Captain Yang," she said with a light smile.

Qin Sheng had always held soldiers in high regard; subconsciously, she trusted those in uniform. However, she felt no such affinity for Guo Jun, another soldier she knew, but that feeling was entirely absent with Yang Lin.

Yang Lin raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at his own attire. "Is Captain Qin here to see the District Chief as well?" Knowing she had just come from the Core Base, he ventured a question, figuring they had likely been summoned for the same purpose.

Qin Sheng raised an eyebrow, suddenly realizing why she had run into him. It was almost certainly about the upcoming mission to lead a team outside the safe zone to scavenge for supplies. The District Chief didn't trust her entirely, and since Yang Lin was an experienced figure in the safe zone, it made sense that the Chief would call him in for this.

"Yes. It seems the District Chief has summoned us for the same reason," Yang Lin answered with a smile, hiding nothing from her.

"Then I won’t take up any more of your time. See you later," Qin Sheng said politely before striding away from the Core Base.

Yang Lin watched her back for a moment, shook his head with a smile, and then turned to enter the Core Base.

"You’re here, Yang Lin."

"District Chief."

Yang Lin reverted to his usual stern demeanor, greeting the Chief with a nod as he entered the office. The District Chief appeared to be occupied with his own affairs, barely glancing up at Yang Lin before returning to his work. Yang Lin stood at attention, his posture as rigid as a military stance, waiting patiently.

After nearly half an hour, the District Chief finally looked up. "Apologies, I lost track of time, Yang Lin."

The apology was merely a formality; the Chief didn't offer him a seat. Yang Lin, accustomed to this, remained standing perfectly still.

"In a few days, your security team will need to lead a supply run outside the safe zone. You know as well as I do that our supplies are not infinite and must be replenished. Your team will have to shoulder the burden." After giving these brief instructions, the Chief left with his assistant, Xiao Li.

"Understood, Chief. Rest assured, this is the duty of the security team."

"Good. In that case, you will assist Qin Sheng in leading two teams out of the safe zone. We depart in roughly two days."

"Understood, Chief."

"Very well, that is all. I have other matters to attend to."

"Yes, sir."

The Chief and Xiao Li hurried away, leaving Yang Lin alone in the room. He let out a soft sigh and walked out of the Core Base.

***

"Captain, you're back! Did the District Chief want something?" Qin Sheng had just returned and bumped into Lin Xing and the others, who were heading to dinner after their afternoon training.

Qin Sheng pursed her lips slightly and replied, "I’m leading a team outside the safe zone in two days to scavenge for supplies."

"A team? Are we going?" Lin Xing was thrilled at the thought of leaving the safe zone. He had been cooped up for so long that he was dying to see the outside world, even if it was filled with zombies.

Qin Sheng nodded, though she didn’t intend to take everyone. A-Di’s strength wasn't sufficient yet, and Xiao Xiao and Xiao Nuo were too young and inexperienced; the outside world was too dangerous for them at the moment.

"Lin Xing, go gather everyone. We need to have a meeting." Qin Sheng turned and walked into the room across from the small kitchen. She hadn't had time to furnish it yet, so it would serve perfectly as a temporary meeting room.

Within minutes, the members of the Seventh Team arrived.

"Is something the matter, Captain?"

"Yeah, I haven't even had a chance to start dinner!"

Qin Sheng pressed her lips together and said, "I’m leading a team out of the safe zone in two days to search for supplies."

"Outside the safe zone for supplies?!"

"Does that mean I finally get to kill zombies?" A-Di was the most excited. Killing zombies had always been her wish, but she never had the chance within the safe zone.

Qin Sheng smiled helplessly. "Not this time for you. It’s too dangerous out there. Keep training, and you can go next time."

"Oh," A-Di said, looking disappointed. But she realized Qin Sheng was right; compared to her wish, staying alive was more important.

"Xiao Xiao and Xiao Nuo, you two stay behind this time as well."

The two children pouted, but they wouldn't challenge Qin Sheng’s decision; they knew how to be obedient.

"Okay, I'll stay in the safe zone and wait for you to come home, big sister," Xiao Nuo said with a sweet smile.

Qin Sheng patted Xiao Nuo’s head and turned to the others. "Uncle Yu, you should stay as well. The Seventh Team still needs you, and Shen Shi is still in the hospital—I’ll need you to look after her."

Yu Yong smiled sheepishly. "Don't worry, Captain. We’re all family; we’ll do whatever you say."

The rest of the team felt the same, nodding in agreement. Qin Sheng knew they supported and trusted her from the bottom of their hearts. She smiled. "We are a family, and I want us all to grow stronger. Let’s work together to build our Seventh Team into something even better."

"Yes!"

"Let’s do it!"

The atmosphere of the Seventh Team was always warm and harmonious. Qin Sheng cherished this environment and trusted her friends and teammates deeply.

Wang Qiang decided to tease the high-spirited group. "Alright, since we want to be better, training continues after dinner."

The moment training was mentioned, their expressions changed instantly.

"Right, Lin Xing, didn't you want to show me your dagger? Come on, let me take a look..." Little Fatty pushed Lin Xing and quickly darted out of the room.

"Count me in! I’ve got my own little treasure of a dagger too, let’s compare..." Chu Xingyu followed suit.

Jiang Miaomiao and A-Di also found an excuse to leave quickly.

"Xiao Nuo, come upstairs with me in a moment." Qin Sheng remembered the gift she had promised Xiao Nuo.

"Okay, big sister."

"Captain, I’m off to train, bye!" Xiao Xiao found an excuse to slip away.

***

Only Qin Sheng, Xiao Nuo, and Wang Qiang remained in the room.

"Wang Qiang, we leave in two days. Prepare what we need and join me at the Core Base tomorrow to pick up our weapons." Qin Sheng felt her hands itching; she hadn't touched a firearm since her previous life, and she was eager to get her hands on one again. Firearms were always more effective and satisfying than cold steel.

"Understood, Captain. I’ll get right on it." Wang Qiang smiled and left.

"Big sister, did you need me for something?" Xiao Nuo asked, blinking.

"Follow me."

Xiao Nuo followed her upstairs. When Qin Sheng emerged from her room, she was holding a scabbard. It looked familiar, but the sheath was brand new—a soft, delicate pink.

"This is for you," Qin Sheng said with a smile.

"For me?" Xiao Nuo had been inwardly critiquing the color a second ago, but the moment he realized it was a gift, his face lit up with joy.

Qin Sheng nodded. "You need more training before you can properly handle this blade, so keep it put away until the time is right."

Xiao Nuo nodded vigorously, his smile widening. "I understand, big sister!"

"Go have your dinner, and train hard afterward."

"Goodbye, big sister!"

"See you."

Qin Sheng watched him skip away, a faint smile on her lips. After finishing her tasks, she suddenly realized she had forgotten someone: Song Qing'an. She hadn't seen him since Shen Shi's match ended. She wasn't worried about his safety—given his strength, no one in the safe zone could hurt him, or even find him.

"Forget it," she muttered. She would go downstairs to eat and stop by the hospital to check on Shen Shi.

That was the plan. She stood up and opened the door, only to raise an eyebrow at the person standing there.

"You didn't even worry when I disappeared?"