ALL NOVEL Chapter 40: Parting Ways
As the light drizzle fell, Su Ling instinctively took a step back. If the rain truly reinforced and mutated the zombies, they might have to face a tough battle today. Sheng Hongye seemed to share the same concern, quickly pulling down the rolling shutter and turning off the lights.
Once the door was closed, darkness enveloped the place, making the spacious room feel oppressive.
Sheng Hongye's voice followed, hoarse and tired. "Er Lei can't move for now, we'll have to stay here today. Everyone, rest quickly, don't make a sound, and don't go outside."
Gu Kai Xuan vigorously nodded his little head. In a childish voice, he said, "Uncle, I understand. I promise not to make a sound or go outside."
Sheng Hongye ruffled his hair and then turned to Su Ling, saying, "I haven't slept all night. I'm going to catch some rest. Could you take care of Kai Xuan for me?"
After a moment to adjust, they could faintly see their surroundings in the warehouse. Su Ling naturally noticed Sheng Hongye turning his face toward her.
Just as she was about to speak, Li Xueying had already picked up Gu Kai Xuan.
"I understand, Brother Ye. You can rest assured; I'll take good care of Kai Xuan," Li Xueying reassured.
Gu Kai Xuan immediately jumped down. "I want to find Aunt Su."
Finishing his words, he ran towards Su Ling, who reached out and caught him.
Addressing Sheng Hongye, Su Ling said, "There probably won't be any other issues during the day. You can rest assured and sleep."
Sheng Hongye nodded and walked into the left side of the warehouse, climbing up onto a pile of toilet paper.
Li Xueying immediately followed him. "Brother Ye, I'm scared. Can you stay with me? I'm really afraid."
The warehouse door closed with a thud.
Li Xueying never came out again.
Su Ling glanced over there for a moment, then withdrew her gaze.
She heard Su Rou sneer beside her, "Do you like Sheng Hongye? Too bad he only sees you as a medical tool."
Knowing that Su Rou was trying to provoke her, Su Ling smirked. "So what? At least I still have some value to offer. What about you? Besides your body, what else do you have?"
Since leaving Donghai until now, Su Ling had her first real chance to confront Su Rou face-to-face.
Su Rou glared at her fiercely. "All of this is because of you, bitch! You're the one who caused all this misery for me."
Su Ling chuckled. "Isn't it typical of bitches to blame others for their mistakes?"
Su Rou yelled, "You're the bitch."
Recalling all the grievances she had endured on this journey, Su Rou's anger surged, and she pulled out a dagger, lunging at Su Ling.
Su Ling held Gu Kai Xuan protectively, hastily avoiding Su Rou's attack.
Su Rou charged forward like a madwoman.
With sharp eyes, Gu Kai Xuan noticed the dagger in Su Rou's hand.
Immediately, he shouted, "Uncle, Aunt Su wants to kill Aunt Su Ling."
Before his words even finished, Su Rou had already pounced. Su Ling suddenly felt a sharp pain in her arm, and at that moment, the warehouse door burst open with a bang.
In the darkness, a tall figure rushed out from the warehouse, grabbing hold of Su Rou's wrist. Su Rou's eyes were now red with fury as she screamed, "Let go of me! I must kill this bitch!"
Sheng Hongye swiftly struck Su Rou's wrist with his hand, and the dagger fell to the ground with a clang.
"I don't care about your past grievances, but Su Ling, you can't move," Sheng Hongye stated firmly.
Through gritted teeth, Su Rou asked, "Just because she's a doctor?"
"Yes," Sheng Hongye's voice came from the darkness, causing Su Ling's heart to sink inexplicably.
She had always considered herself as their companion, even though she knew that being part of a team involved various interests. But, hearing it directly still hurts.
She smirked self-mockingly and looked in Sheng Hongye's direction. "Thank you, Mr. Sheng, for the recognition. Now that your team has no more wounded members, I no longer have a reason to stay. I've decided to leave."
After saying that, Su Ling walked towards the door, bent down to pull the shutter door.
"Su Ling."
Sheng Hongye called out, but Su Ling didn't turn back.
She stepped quickly into the rain and got into her Passat.
Sheng Hongye immediately followed, and before Su Ling could step on the gas, he was already in the passenger seat.
"Do you really want to leave?" he asked.
Su Ling turned her face and looked at Sheng Hongye with a calm gaze. "In fact, I wanted to leave a long time ago. Mr. Sheng was not my first choice."
Sheng Hongye narrowed his eyes. "Are you looking for the person with the dragon-shaped tattoo on his wrist?"
"Yes, he's my benefactor."
Sheng Hongye frowned and asked, "What if he's dead?"
Su Ling said with certainty, "He won't die. Please get out, Mr. Sheng."
She started the car, but Sheng Hongye held onto the steering wheel.
His sharply defined face came a bit closer. "I need you. You can't leave," he said, each word resolute.
Su Ling shrank back a bit, catching a glimpse of the stubble protruding from the corner of Sheng Hongye's lips, which was a little sexy.
She shrugged and smiled faintly, saying, "With Mr. Sheng's abilities, protecting them is not a problem at all. Please let go."
"No, I won't allow you to leave. You just can't," Sheng Hongye retorted firmly.
He kicked open the car door and hugged Su Ling into his arms.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Su Ling exclaimed in surprise as Sheng Hongye carried her out of the car.
Li Xueying also rushed over, her eyes turned red with jealousy as she saw Sheng Hongye hugging Su Ling.
"Brother Ye, why don't you let her go? Once she's gone, we'll definitely be more harmonious," Li Xueying pleaded.
Sheng Hongye glanced at her and calmly replied, "Is Su Ling obstructing you in any way?"
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Su Ling jumped down and looked at Sheng Hongye with a smile. "All this arguing is unnecessary. I know Miss Li doesn't like me, and I feel the same way. There's no need to continue this charade. By the way, if you encounter zombies tonight, you can hide in the rest area. Hopefully, it will help you get through the ordeal."
Having said that, Su Ling got into the car and drove off without looking back.
As she left the supermarket, Su Ling sped down the road, her face wet, unsure if it was from the rain or tears.
But she knew deep down that she should have left long ago.
She was never one to tolerate injustice, and enduring Li Xueying for so long was already a miracle, all because of Sheng Hongye's face.
Unfortunately, in her hasty departure, she forgot one thing. She should have taught Su Rou a lesson, one that she would never forget.
She hoped Su Rou would toughen up so that the next time they met, she could exact revenge with interest.
Finding a relatively secluded place, Su Ling stopped the car. She had to tend to the wound on her arm; otherwise, if zombies caught a whiff of blood, they would come chasing after her.
Efficiently, she took out some gauze, sterilized it, and bandaged her wound, then sprayed some perfume on her sleeve to mask the smell of blood.
After completing these tasks, Su Ling scanned her surroundings and out of the corner of her eye, suddenly noticed a dark figure nearby. Surprised, she turned her head and found someone pointing a gun at her through the car window, the wound directly in their line of sight...
