Chapter 25: I'm Willing to Follow You
The roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
Alex's appearance instantly filled everyone on the gymnasium rooftop with fear. The scene of Alex slaying the burly zombie was still vivid in their minds, and the sight of his blood-stained blade caused everyone to tremble.
Shen Jiabin, clutching a baseball bat, stepped forward shakily and asked, "What... what do you want to do?" Alex glanced at Shen Jiabin and frowned. He remembered when he first entered university as a freshman, full of enthusiasm, and went to sign up for the basketball team. The ones in charge of the selection were Shen Jiabin and Gu Fanghua, the very people in front of him now. They had not only flatly rejected him but also humiliated him in front of many other students, calling him a level-ten cripple.
"Was it you who flipped me off earlier?" Alex asked Shen Jiabin expressionlessly. "So what if it was? You're Alex, right? I recognize you! We're all classmates, and we appreciate you coming to rescue us despite the danger. Tell us what you want," Shen Jiabin said, gripping his baseball bat tightly, probing cautiously.
"Who said I came to save you?" Alex replied with a cold smile. Without another word, he stepped forward, grabbed the baseball bat from Shen Jiabin's hand, and gave him a harsh slap across the face. "I came to teach you a lesson, you waste! If you dare provoke me again, I'll kill you!"
Alex turned his head in surprise to look at Lin Mancha. Lin Mancha's delicate almond eyes twinkled, exuding an air of innocence and vivacity, pure like a spring. Her small, well-shaped nose was flawless, without a blemish or blackhead to be seen. Her lips, like cherries, were tightly pursed, showing an eager anticipation. She was the epitome of a naturally pure and beautiful young girl. Dressed in a ballet dress, it was clear that Miss Lin Mancha was a distinguished ballet dancer.
"I can take you with me. There are three other girls at my refuge; you should be able to keep each other company. However, once you're at my refuge, you must follow my arrangements and abide by my rules," Alex said, pleased with Lin Mancha's appearance and her status as a ballet dancer. Still, he warned her, "Think it over carefully. If you don't follow the rules and I have to kick you out, it could end badly for you."
"Mancha, are you crazy? You don't even know this man's background, and you're willing to go with him? Aren't you afraid he might have ulterior motives?" Tang Jingyan shouted angrily at Lin Mancha.
"Do they not have ulterior motives toward me?!" Lin Mancha, tears streaming down her face, pointed at Zhuang Qiang and the others with a cold laugh, "They don't even have the courage to go out and look for food. Do you feel safe with people like them? At least, this stranger can ensure my safety."
Lin Mancha turned back to Alex and nodded firmly, "I've made up my mind. I'm willing to go with you!" The slap Alex had given Shen Jiabin had made her see through their incompetence. Recalling the discussions during the meeting with Zhuang Qiang and Shen Jiabin, she had finally made her decision. Following this man might also lead to her being compromised, but with his strength, at least she could live a better and longer life in this apocalypse.
"Okay!" Alex nodded, scooped Lin Mancha up in his arms, putting her on his back, and turned to climb down the building.