The party of three departs from the military district's building together. When that group of people came barging in, they just about cleared all the zombies in the way, which is why they didn't meet any on their way out. Exiting the military district via the front gates, Huo Zaiyuan sees the few large trucks parked in front, as well as a pretty black off-road vehicle.
"This car is not too shabby." Long Zhanye lifts a hand to pat the car's hood. "A Hara[1] product, unmodified." In other words, it isn't very durable, but still better than nothing.
"Little Qing, get into this car first. I'll go check out the other trucks. See if there's anything worth taking." Huo Zaiyuan gestures towards Li Qing, then heads towards the trucks, followed closely by Long Zhanye, who readies his pistol just in case.
Pulling open the car door and climbing into the backseat, he slides up to the window and stares at Huo Zaiyuan, who is currently opening the truck's door. Calling out, he asks. "Why not just drive those trucks as well?"
"These trucks are cumbersome and serves as a pretty large target." Huo Zaiyuan's eyes brighten as the goods compartment opens, proceeding to climb in.
He quickly emerges again, holding two large boxes of instant noodles as well as foods-stuff and heading back to the off-road vehicle. Being an initiative kid, Li Qing immediately opens the car door before Huo Zaiyuan comes within range, holding it wide so his friend can place the goods in the backseat.
"I'll come out and help too."
"No need. Sit inside and let your body rest. I alone am enough." There is a lot of food stored within the truck's compartment, so his aim is to put everything else into his space. At present, other than Long Zhanye, he doesn't plan to let anyone else know about his interdimensional space yet. Of course, it's not because he doesn't trust his best friend.
"All right then."
Within the first truck, Huo Zaiyuan discovered rice, flour, instant noodles, mineral water and a lot of snacks. It is obvious that those men used the second truck as their resting place. Within, he finds some pillows, quilts and clothes. Huo Zaiyuan frowns a little. Although he doesn't like using what others have used before, be still places them all into his space in the end. After all, during the apocalypse, there might be a chance these used items will come in handy in the future. The third truck contains a pile of steel pipes, chopping knives, swords, etc. Carrying an armful to the black car, he stores the rest away.
"Older brother Long, you haven't eaten anything since this morning. Go ahead and eat something first. I will drive and little Qing will give directions." Getting into the driver seat, Huo Zaiyuan turns the key in the ignition, kick-starting the engine.
Passing some instant noodles and a few packets of snacks to the Long Zhanye sitting in the passenger's seat, Li Qing shifts over until he is directly behind the driver's seat in order to see the road clearer and give his friend directions.
Reversing smoothly from its parked position, Huo Zaiyuan manoeuvres the off-road vehicle slowly to avoid hitting the large trucks as he drives it out the steel gates. The fact that those men didn't bother closing the front gates after driving in is a grave mistake that only serves to quicken their deaths. As the black car exits the district, a couple of zombies are already making their way over. Stepping on the accelerator, Huo Zaiyuan departs from this place quickly.
Because he knows that not long later, this military base will be surrounded by zombies. If he doesn't leave swiftly, they will be met with more trouble.
Z City's military district is located at the eastern fringe, whereas the house which Li Qing's mother lives in is in the northern suburb, an individual villa a fair bit apart from other normal residential areas. To say it's near, it's not exactly so, but to say it's far, how far can it be? However, according to Huo Zaiyuan's beginner driver's speed, it will take at least an hour for them to reach their destination. On top of that, Long Zhanye is taking this opportunity to guide him in improving his driving techniques.
Entering the city hub once more after hiding in the military district for ten over days, one can see how disastrous the entire place had become. Burning buildings, crashed vehicles, bloodstains here and there. From time to time, a few zombies shuffle out from dark side streets and alleyways where the sunlight cannot penetrate…
Seeing those zombies, worry surfaces in Li Qing's eyes. "Little Yuan…say, what happened to this world? Will it continue to be like this in the future?"
The apocalypse…if he isn't witnessing it with his own eyes, he would scarcely believe it. But how can he not believe it now when it is unfolding right in front of him?
"I don't know either." Huo Zaiyuan's grip on the steering wheel tightens, lips pursing. "But right now, surviving is the most important thing."
"Un." Li Qing nods in agreement, then bites his lips. "I don't know if 'he' is all right…"
"Tsk…didn't you say the both of you broke up so it's none of your business anymore? Why are you suddenly concerned now?" Huo Zaiyuan heard his murmured words and inquires in a slightly exasperated tone.
"I - I'm just saying!" Pale face flushing red, Li Qing shouts defensively.
"You also haven't told me, how did you guys break up?"
Li Qing and his boyfriend had gotten to know each other during their first year in junior high, quickly falling in mutual love. For the past six years, the both of them were inseparable, to the point of Huo Zaiyuan often laughing at them and calling them twin beans.
"He got engaged to the mayor's daughter." Li Qing states dully. "That's also good. It's the apocalypse now, but his family is wealthy, so he'll be fine, right?"
"Idiot."
When Long Zhanye, who has been sitting in the passenger seat, content to listen to the conversation and no interrupt, hears "mayor's daughter" these two words, his eyebrows rise, clearly showing that he is mildly surprised by something.
Footnotes:
[1] Obviously a made-up car brand. Author wants to make that clear（⌒▽⌒）