Chapter 145: Entrusting the Orphan
Uncle You seed to understand things clearly. Those who have experienced the apocalypse tend to see life and death with more clarity, having been through so many separations and losses. Moreover, he and Xie Lii were a couple who got together late in life and didn't have a deep emotional foundation. Her death didn't plunge him into unbearable grief.
Seeing Uncle You’s reaction, Zhang Yi smiled in relief. "No problem, I’ll make sure to find soone who’ll satisfy you!"
As they spoke, Zhou Ke'er ca over, holding the crying baby, looking lost and helpless. "Zhang Yi, Uncle You, she's crying again. What should I do?"
Zhang Yi and Uncle You exchanged glances, both equally clueless. They were an old bachelor and an experienced driver, neither with any experience in taking care of a baby.
"Maybe... she's hungry?" Zhang Yi suggested, glancing at Zhou Ke'er, his gaze lingering on her well-endowed chest.
Her face turned red with embarrassnt. "What are you thinking? I haven’t had a child, so I don’t have milk for her!" she said, a bit flustered.
Zhang Yi said, "We really aren’t equipped to take care of this child. We need to find soone experienced." He looked at Uncle You. "Uncle You, should we send this child to soone else?"
When Xie Lii was alive, Uncle You could take care of the baby for her sake. But with Xie Lii gone, expecting Uncle You to take care of the baby was unreasonable. Uncle You wasn't foolish; he wouldn't do such a thankless task.
However, as he looked at the baby wrapped in the swaddling clothes, he hesitated, feeling a bit conflicted. "But if we send the child away, will she survive?"
Zhang Yi nodded affirmatively. "Don’t worry. After this battle, the community is unlikely to face large-scale conflicts again. I’ll find a reliable family to take her in and provide so essential supplies. She’ll be fine!"
Uncle You felt relieved by Zhang Yi’s assurance and nodded. "Yes, that seems to be the best solution."
Seeing Uncle You agree, Zhang Yi went over to Zhou Ke'er and took the baby from her. The baby seed to understand what was about to happen and started crying even louder.
"I'll find a good family for you," Zhang Yi said coldly, looking at her pink little face. "Sorry, though you’re innocent, I can't carry this burden. Too many innocent people have died in this world; bla it on the world."
Zhang Yi knew that sending the child away ant she had less than a 1% chance of survival. Both he and Uncle You understood this. Sotis, pretending ignorance was the only way to cope. Avoiding the truth might be cowardly, but it was practical.
Zhang Yi couldn’t bear to harm the child, but he couldn’t take care of her either. Leaving her with soone else was the only option. Her fate would be left to the heavens.
Zhang Yi found a backpack and packed two packs of diapers, two bags of formula, and a ten-pound bag of rice in it. Carrying the backpack and holding the crying child, he left the house with his gun in hand.
Building 25 was now eerily quiet. The neighbors were all dead, and the world seed to have beco peaceful. Zhang Yi walked down the stairs and headed towards Building 18.
The entire community was silent. Zhang Yi had killed most of the people in a single battle, especially all the combatants. The remaining residents were not a significant threat, at least not to Zhang Yi.
So people peeked through their windows, eyes filled with fear as they watched Zhang Yi.
"Is Zhang Yi coming to kill us?" they whispered in terror.
Zhang Yi walked steadily towards Building 18, a place known for its slogan of harmonious living. The residents of Building 18 were scared to death. The building still housed over sixty people, with deaths mainly due to freezing or complications.
Li Jian has managed to maintain his ideals as an idealist until now, which is why Zhang Yi hasn't attacked Building 18.
Zhang Yi stood at the entrance of Building 18 and fired two shots into the air.
"Li Jian, co out!!"
Soon, Li Jian appeared before Zhang Yi, his short, frail body looking even more exhausted. Dark circles under his eyes and a sallow complexion made him look like he could collapse at any mont.
"Zhang Yi, I'm here," Li Jian said, summoning the courage to stand before him.
Zhang Yi observed Li Jian, noting that the man wasn’t trembling. Understandable, given all he had been through, Li Jian was likely numb to the prospect of death.
"Aren’t you afraid of ?" Zhang Yi asked with a smile.
Li Jian swallowed hard. "I am. But fear is useless. And I think you didn't co here to kill us today."
He pointed to the swaddled baby in Zhang Yi’s arms, from which crying could still be heard. "You ca alone, holding a child. Knowing your character, you wouldn't co to kill with a child in your arms."
Zhang Yi nodded. "You're right. I always knew you were a smart man. I ca to bring you a child. Your building has the most survivors. Are there any nursing mothers among you?"
Li Jian's eyes lit up with excitent. He saw a chance for survival in Zhang Yi’s words.
"Yes, yes, we have! Are you looking for a wet nurse for the baby?" Li Jian nodded quickly, eagerly affirming.
Zhang Yi nodded. "Good! This child is now yours to care for. In return, I won't kill any of you."
He handed the child to Li Jian. Overwheld, Li Jian took the baby, looking at her with deep gratitude. The child had just saved the lives of everyone in his building.
Zhang Yi dropped the backpack on the ground. "This contains diapers, formula, and a bag of rice."
"I know you might not use the formula for the baby, but just make sure she stays alive. If you can’t manage, I won’t bla you. But don’t deliberately harm her. Baby at is tender and fatty; keep an eye on your people."
"Since I’m entrusting her to you, I expect you to show so respect."
Li Jian nodded quickly, glancing at the heavy backpack and listening to Zhang Yi’s blatant threat. "Rest assured, we will take good care of this child! She’ll be fine."
Zhang Yi nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave.
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