A slight pause, Liu Fugui’s sudden phone call imdiately made the atmosphere in the villa’s joyous living room turn solemn.
Old Xu exchanged glances with Lin and Zhao Er, then picked up the hand-held radio, pressing the talk button: "This is Xu Renjie. Director Liu, is there sothing so late? Over!"
"Oh, it’s nothing really. I just wanted to call and ask if everyone returned safely. Over."
"Well, thanks for your concern, Director Liu. We’ve all safely returned to our station. But how about you? Did the zombies gather back there afterwards?" Xu Renjie didn’t want to miss any opportunity to gather information.
"Not for now. Your fireworks strategy to lure the enemy seems quite effective!" Liu Fugui laughed heartily and then changed the subject to Tang Xiaoquan: "By the way~ did Xiao Tang find his parents?"
Old Xu glanced at Tang Xiaoquan discreetly; he clearly didn’t want to delve deep into this topic with Liu Fugui.
After all, the latter had no emotional ties with Tang Xiaoquan, and this question was likely asked for so particular reason.
But bound by the basis of cooperation, Xu Renjie replied truthfully: "No!"
"No!? What about clues? Did you find no clues at all?" Liu Fugui pursued relentlessly.
To stop Liu Fugui’s never-ending inquiry, Xu Renjie briefly recounted their experiences after leaving the factory.
Originally thinking this would end the pointless topic, unexpectedly, after hearing about the JZ shelter, Liu Fugui asked hesitantly: "Xu Company Commander, did you ntion the JZ shelter just now?"
Undoubtedly Liu Fugui’s question caught the attention of the survivors, especially Tang Xiaoquan, whose eyes fixated on Xu Renjie.
"Yes! I did ntion the JZ shelter just now! So does Director Liu know sothing?" Even a fool could sense the hidden aning in Liu Fugui’s words, and Xu Renjie tried to maintain his composure.
After a brief silence, Liu Fugui’s voice ca again: "I do have so information about the JZ shelter! We received a protection signal from the JZ shelter before!"
Undoubtedly, this statent made Old Xu’s eyes shine with hope: "Please, do tell us, Director Liu!"
"Okay, hang on! This is handled by my subordinate, Huang Yong. You rember him, right? I’ll call him over, and he’ll respond to you soon! Over!"
"Thanks to you, Director Liu!"
"Ah, don’t ntion it. I always say, filial piety is paramount, and as a father myself, I understand Xiao Tang’s feelings. Alright, contact you later. Over!"
Finishing his words, after a series of "buzzing" noises, the call returned to silence.
In the living room, everyone remained silent, and Wei Yang closely watched the man beside her with concern.
She wanted to offer comfort but knew that at this mont, the best thing she could do was to stay quietly by his side and wait for the answer he was about to confront.
To say the least, Liu Fugui was quite efficient. Just three minutes later, the static sound of the radio pierced through the silent living room.
"Buzz buzz buzz, hello? This is Huang Yong. Receiving, please respond. Over!"
Without hesitation, Xu Renjie promptly pressed the talk button and gave a positive reply, urgently asking: "Mr. Huang, Director Liu said you received contact from the JZ County shelter?"
"Yes!" Huang Yong answered straightforwardly: "We indeed received a wide area signal from JZ County!"
"That’s great! Do you know the exact location of the shelter? Have you contacted them?"
Sensing the other’s excitent, Huang Yong replied coolly: "Don’t get too excited yet, let finish."
"Yes indeed, we received signals about a shelter in JZ County shortly after the apocalypse began. We arranged for people to monitor radio signals daily to gather external information. Back then, we repeatedly received ssages stating that the JZ County Stadium could provide refuge for survivors."
"We reported to Director Liu and analyzed that under those circumstances, only a governnt body could offer such large-scale assistance to survivors, so we also considered going to the shelter."
"But unfortunately, when we decided to contact them hoping they could send soone to rescue us from the siege, they seed to vanish completely. We couldn’t get in touch at all."
"After saying so much, I believe Commander Xu understands. The coverage of radio signals is limited. Unexpectedly, the rescue team you ntioned might... hmph!"
Huang Yong’s cold words devoid of emotion didn’t need more elaboration; the aning was clear between the lines.
Old Zhao wanted to say sothing but recalling Tang Xiaoquan’s ticulous mind, he knew convincing would be futile.
His heart dropped to freezing cold; as Zhao Yunhai expected, Tang Xiaoquan was now as clear as a mirror inside.
Undoubtedly, whether from the radio reception range or Liu Fugui’s factory location, the signals they received about the "JZ County shelter" were most likely from the incinerated town’s rescue team.
And the disappearance of the signal under those circumstances had only one possible explanation.
Why! Why is it like this! God, even hope given to people is so despairing!
With both hands deeply gripping his black hair, Tang Xiaoquan collapsed on the table.
Watching Tang Xiaoquan’s helpless appearance, Wei Yang felt a sting in her heart.
Faced with this, Xu Renjie had no desire to continue the dialogue with Huang Yong anymore. After a few random words, he ended the call.
The living room fell into dead silence, and the oppressive atmosphere was suffocating.
Standing up to pour a cup of tea for the young man, Zhao Yunhai persuaded earnestly: "Xiao Tang, life’s uncertainties happen more often than not. We shouldn’t blindly be optimistic about everything, but likewise, we shouldn’t blindly be pessimistic. You are smart; I won’t elaborate on Huang Yong’s inference. I know you have your judgnt! As an elder, I only want to tell you one thing, no matter what you’re doing, never give up hope until the very end. Because if you give up, then everything truly ends!"
"That’s right, Qiangzi! Things haven’t reached that bad yet. Until we get definite news about your parents, as their son, you can’t easily give in! Even taking a step back, we still have the clue of the JZ County shelter!" Hu Xiaodong also chid in.
Listening to everyone’s encouragent, the dejected Tang Xiaoquan gradually recovered. But after more than four months, are his parents truly still alive? (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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