Gao Shen had been thoroughly bothered by Cheng Xin's words ever since her speech inside the bus. So, while the students were busy cleaning up near the front, he pulled her to the rear for a private conversation. Being pulled aside by Gao Shen was something Cheng Xin had grown accustomed to since the disaster began.
As Cheng Xin and Gao Shen pulled away to confer in hushed tones, the burden of managing dozens of anxious, restless high school students fell entirely on Xue Lili's shoulders.
Standing amidst the suffocating heat and the lingering stench of burnt asphalt and blood, Xue Lili took a deep, steadying breath. Unlike Cheng Xin, who was naturally gentle, or Gao Shen, who relied on stern authority, Xue Lili possessed a quiet, pragmatic resilience. As a science teacher, she was used to breaking chaotic situations down into structured steps.
Clapping her hands together, the crisp sound echoed down the narrow gap between the stranded bus and the surrounding wreckage.
"Alright, everyone! Listen up and gather around me," Xue Lili called out, her voice firm, clear, and reassuring. The students, who had been nervously eyeing the piles of motionless infectees scattered across the highway, immediately shifted their attention to her.
"Miss Cheng and Mr. Gao are having a discussion about our future steps," Xue Lili explained, keeping her tone grounded to prevent panic. "In the meantime, we have a job to do. As you heard, if we want a safe path for the bus—and a chance at a real shelter—we need to clear these corpses off the asphalt."
A wave of uneasy mutters instantly rippled through the teenagers. A few students gagged, covering their noses with their sleeves as they looked at the grisly scene before them.
"Miss Xue... do we really have to touch them?" a young girl asked, her voice trembling as tears brimmed in her eyes. "They're... disgusting."
Xue Lili walked over and placed a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder. "I know it's frightening, and I know it's stomach-churning. But look around us. We've survived this far because we looked out for one another. Clearing this road is the final hurdle between us and safety. We do this together, quickly and efficiently, so we can leave this place behind."
She turned back to the rest of the class, dividing them into organized teams with practiced efficiency. "I want the older boys in pairs, taking the legs and arms of the larger bodies," she instructed smoothly. "The rest of you, grab wooden planks, loose bumper frames, or thick branches from the roadside. We use tools to drag or lever them out of the way so no one has to touch anything directly if they don't want to. Keep your gloves on, wrap your cloth masks tightly, and move toward the outer shoulders of the road."
Inspired by her calm leadership, the students stopped complaining. Following her systematic approach made the horrific task feel less like a nightmare and more like a structured group assignment.
While Xue Lili rallied the students, Cheng Xin firmly stood opposite Gao Shen's tall, muscular frame at the back of the bus, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.
"What were you talking about back there regarding a shelter?" Gao Shen brought up the statement that had been troubling him.
"As I told the students, our savior said she is the custodian of a shelter near the city center, and she is here to help us clear the road," Cheng Xin explained calmly.
"First of all, what even is a 'custodian'? And why would she come out of her way to help us clear a road?" he questioned, feeling that the entire situation was far too bizarre.
"I don't know, okay? She just said she was here to clear the road because we're heading toward her shelter," Cheng Xin replied smoothly.
"But we aren't," Gao Shen answered bluntly, wondering why his usually patient colleague was suddenly getting defensive.
"And you think I don't know that?" Cheng Xin threw her hands up in frustration. "But think about it! We didn't have a safe destination before, but now we do. To make matters even better, we have an armed protector."
She turned back to face the silent man. Seeing the lingering doubt in his eyes, she pressed on. "Gao Shen, I know you're stressed, and so am I. But we can't keep carrying this entire burden on our shoulders when someone has actively gone out of their way to help us."
Truthfully, Gao Shen had felt a momentary surge of relief upon hearing the news, but considering their grim reality, the offer seemed far too good to be true. If he were on his own, he might have taken the gamble, but now he had a bus full of young students depending on him. "I just don't believe in such convenient miracles," he admitted quietly.
Seeing Cheng Xin nod in understanding, Gao Shen felt a brief moment of validation. He was about to turn and walk away when she reached out and pulled him back.
"What if you speak to her personally and ask every question you have?" Cheng Xin suggested, realizing she hadn't pressed for enough details earlier.
"Fine. Let's do that."
Having reached an agreement, the pair walked back toward the front of the bus. As they stepped out into the open, Xue Lili caught sight of them returning, their expressions a mix of caution and intense focus.
Meeting Cheng Xin's gaze from across the busy crowd, Xue Lili offered a resolute, understanding nod. She didn't interrupt them or demand explanations; she could see that the two had reached an agreement. With that single nod, she silently communicated that the students were under control and that they could proceed with whatever conversation was necessary with the mysterious woman.
Cheng Xin returned the nod with a look of profound gratitude before turning with Gao Shen to approach Zhao Yuan.
"Hello, my name is Gao Shen," he introduced himself upon reaching her side, extending a hand while making sure the students were out of earshot.
Staring down at his grimy, dirt-coated palm, Zhao Yuan stifled a frown, maintaining a polite expression as she gave a slight nod. "Hello. Nice to meet you."
Noticing her subtle hesitation, Gao Shen quickly withdrew his hand in embarrassment before swiftly changing the subject. "So, I was speaking with my colleague," he began, eager to brush past the awkward moment, "and we have a few questions regarding the shelter and your identity."
Zhao Yuan listened calmly as he aired his concerns before addressing them directly. "What specific questions do you have? Are you worried about the location, or the provisions?"
"We want to know about both," Cheng Xin interjected, stepping forward to avoid feeling like a bystander. "And we also want to know why you're out here helping us."
"Fair enough," Zhao Yuan replied. "First, as I mentioned, the shelter is located in the residential district near the city center. As soon as you enter that sector, you won't miss it. It features a massive black gate and tall, impregnable perimeter walls."
She paused for a moment before continuing. "As for provisions, we have operating agricultural plots and processing units currently supplying the compound. Water, electricity, and food are provided to all of our residents."
She had anticipated they might question her phrasing when she refrained from calling them 'refugees', but seeing as neither probed further, she proceeded to their second concern. "As for rescuing your group, our shelter network identifies candidates based on specific criteria. Your group met those parameters."
"So, let me get this straight," Gao Shen said, narrowing his eyes. "You're saying you only helped us because we fit a set of requirements?"
"Basically, yes," Zhao Yuan responded with a simple nod.
"What kind of requirements?" Cheng Xin asked, uncomfortable with the cold, calculated explanation.
"The full criteria are confidential. However, I can tell you that your route was flagged because your supposed fiancé is already residing within the shelter."
Cheng Xin froze, her face instantly flushing red as her mind raced. Gao Shen felt as though he had been struck by a physical blow, staring at her reacting face in stunned silence.
Zhao Yuan noted their dramatic reactions but paid them little mind, continuing casually. "Of course, if you prefer not to come to my shelter, that's fine. You're welcome to make the trek to the other one all the way in the capital."
Her words acted like a sudden switch, snapping both teachers out of their shock. "The capital?" they exclaimed in unison. Gao Shen's lingering hope of finding a closer alternative instantly withered.
"Yes. That is the only other operating shelter anywhere near this region," Zhao Yuan clarified. "Though our facilities are far superior, as we guarantee full daily utilities."
"And what do we have to give in return for these amenities?" Cheng Xin asked, growing anxious about the potential costs inside the compound.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Zhao Yuan offered a coy, guarded smile. "You'll have to visit to find out."