Chapter 26: The Infected at the Base-No apocalipse, estoques bilionários de suprimentos e domínio total da construção em terras devastadas!(A lua segue o barco que navega.)

New survivors flooded into the Coastline Base like a tidal wave, dragging their families along with tattered luggage, their faces etched with exhaustion and bewilderment.

The Coastline Base provided each person with a private room. Though small—containing only a single bed and a basic wardrobe—they were clean and tidy, far superior to the cramped communal dormitories of other bases, and at least one didn't have to worry about their belongings being stolen while sleeping.

Once everyone was settled, Li Dalin and his subordinates began distributing the agreement, which clarified the rights and obligations of the residents as well as the base's rules. Li Dalin was a burly man with a booming voice; he sounded as if he were picking a fight while reading the terms: "Listen up! If you want to stay at the Coastline Base, you follow the rules! Anyone who doesn't obey management gets kicked out immediately!"

The agreement stipulated that residents must submit to the base's authority and actively participate in construction and defense. In return, the base provided food, shelter, and basic security. Residents were forbidden from hoarding supplies; all spoils of war had to be surrendered, and disturbing the peace was strictly prohibited. Some questioned the terms, arguing that certain clauses were unfair—for instance, the high percentage of spoils required to be turned in. Why should they surrender everything they had worked so hard to scavenge?

A scrawny man asked timidly, "Everything... isn't that a bit too much? We need to live, too..."

Li Dalin glared at him. "Too much? The zombies would love to peel your skin off! Our boss is merciful enough to give you food. Sign it or get out!"

Others felt that just surviving was enough, and compared to their previous lives of constant uncertainty, the conditions at the Coastline Base were already luxurious. A middle-aged woman, holding her child's hand, said gratefully, "Thank you, thank you for taking us in! We will work hard to repay the base!"

Others felt the same; compared to the days of living in fear and hunger, the private rooms, clean beds, and stable food supply were everything they had dreamed of. The woman’s eyes grew moist, her gratitude overflowing. She choked out, "Thank you, thank you so much! Thank you for taking us in! We used to live in constant fear, hungry, cold, and homeless. Now, we finally have a safe home! We will work hard to repay the base's kindness!" The child followed his mother's lead, nodding earnestly, a smile appearing on his young face.

An elderly man in rags stepped forward shakily, leaning on a rough wooden staff, his skeletal frame seeming ready to collapse at any moment. His cloudy eyes filled with tears as he gripped Li Dalin’s hand tightly. "Thank you! Thank you for saving us old bones! I’ve been given a second chance at life, and this life now belongs to the base! I am part of this base now; as long as I can move, I will contribute everything I have!"

In the end, all the survivors chose to sign the agreement, officially becoming residents of the Coastline Base.

While the others were signing, Jiang Qiyu brought Lu Yao to the second floor of the villa to let him choose a room. Lu Yao followed her like a little shadow, trailing behind her and stealing glances at her every now and then.

"Pick whichever room you like," Jiang Qiyu said.

Lu Yao’s thick, curled eyelashes fluttered like tiny fans, and his clear, bright eyes clouded with a mist, as if he were about to cry at any moment. He looked at Jiang Qiyu pitifully. "I want to live with you..."

Jiang Qiyu refused without mercy. "No."

Lu Yao pouted, looking aggrieved. "Why? I'm scared by myself..."

Jiang Qiyu glanced at him. "What are you afraid of? The zombies should be more afraid of you."

Lu Yao’s eyes darted around, and he pointed out the window. "I'm afraid... I'm afraid there are monsters outside..."

Jiang Qiyu sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Enough, stop the act. Pick a room quickly and go to sleep."

Just then, Lu Yao’s expression shifted. He sniffed the air hard, catching a strange scent—it smelled like something rotting.

"What is it?" Jiang Qiyu asked, noticing his behavior.

Lu Yao frowned, his tone grave. "There's... something nasty." He followed the scent and hurried into a room, and the others curiously followed.

Inside the room, a woman was frantically undressing, revealing a wound on her body from a zombie bite. The wound had already begun to fester, emitting a foul stench.

Those nearby were struck with terror, scrambling backward as screams erupted.

"A zombie! She's a zombie!"

"Run!"

The woman desperately tried to explain that she was fine, that the wound had been treated and she wouldn't turn, but no one believed her. Among the crowd, someone recognized her and urged her to think of her child and end it early.

A man holding a child rushed out, pointing at the woman and roaring, "You madwoman! You're going to get us all killed!"

The woman clutched her child, crying out in despair, "I didn't! I haven't turned! Please, believe me!"

The child looked around at the crowd in confusion, not understanding what was happening, only clutching his mother tightly and trembling in fear.

The child gazed blankly at the panicked crowd, his young mind filled with confusion. He buried his face in his mother's chest, his small body trembling as he held onto her tightly.

Jiang Qiyu found herself in a dilemma. The woman’s wound certainly looked like a zombie bite, but she showed no signs of turning yet. To deal with her now would be too rash, but to leave her be could have catastrophic consequences if she did turn.

Just then, a man stepped forward. He analyzed the situation calmly and proposed isolating the woman for observation, with people taking shifts to watch over her. If she turned, they would handle it then; if not, she could remain in the base.

The proposal was accepted by the group, and Jiang Qiyu agreed to the plan. As everyone began to arrange the isolation, someone pointed at Shi Chao in surprise. "Isn't that the actor? The one from 'Prosperous China'!"

Shi Chao offered a wry smile, surprised to be recognized at such a time. After the apocalypse broke out, his film crew had been shooting by the sea when they were attacked by zombies; members of the crew had either died or fled.