After Wu Tian and Jiang Ziqi left, Zeng Yilong poured himself a cup of tea, his expression turning to one of confusion.
"Brother Lin Yuan, why are you here so soon? Didn't you say you'd wait for seven months?" he asked, pushing the steaming cup of clear tea toward Lin Yuan.
The table was filled with the aroma of tea, but Lin Yuan had no interest in savoring it. He simply pointed to the radio placed on the side and said, "Indeed, the plan has changed. I applied for an early rescue from the Shuzhou Tianfu Safety Zone yesterday. They said they will send helicopters in 5-7 months."
"What!!"
Zeng Yilong shot up from his seat. The news Lin Yuan brought was even more explosive than last time. Last time, it was estimated to be a year later, but this time it was more than half a year earlier.
Lin Yuan had anticipated Zeng Yilong's reaction and quickly said, "Brother Zeng, don't get excited. Sit down and let's talk slowly."
"Oh, oh, okay." Zeng Yilong sat back down, his body still a bit weak. He asked uncertainly, "Brother Lin Yuan, are you sure what you're saying is true?"
"I'm sure, because I explained the situation of our team member Jiang Ziqi, and they took it very seriously. Even the rescue resources were prioritized for Shuzhou. And I mentioned that our total number of people is sixty, with twenty-seven slots reserved for you. That should be enough," Lin Yuan explained some of the situation to Zeng Yilong.
Hearing that twenty-seven slots were reserved for them, Zeng Yilong was overjoyed and quickly said, "Enough, enough, that leaves five slots."
"Well, these remaining five slots are the limit for new members joining our two teams in the future. Of course, it's not absolute; this number might change according to national plans. Don't worry, it will only increase, not decrease."
He said this verbally but wasn't entirely sure himself.
But everyone needs hope, right? Without hope, isn't living like a walking dead?
"Then, Brother Lin Yuan, do you have any new matters to discuss with me this time?"
Zeng Yilong had calmed down. There were no free lunches in this world. For Lin Yuan to go to such lengths to secure so many slots for them and to travel so far to deliver a radio, his own personal character was far from enough.
"Indeed, there are some things I need to discuss with Brother Zeng." Lin Yuan got straight to the point, no longer beating around the bush.
Zeng Yilong poured himself another cup of tea, straightened his back, and listened carefully.
"First, our previous transaction still stands. You will investigate the situation every half a month and record everything in writing. I will notify you via the radio when I come to collect it.
Second, our two survivor camps will form an alliance for offense and defense. If either side encounters danger, they will call the other via radio, and the notified side must rush to support immediately.
Of course, if we encounter danger simultaneously, we will fight separately and not distract each other.
Can you do this?"
Lin Yuan didn't rush to the third point but first confirmed Zeng Yilong's attitude.
"Don't worry, Brother Lin Yuan. As long as I am alive, and I receive a communication, I will come whenever called!" Zeng Yilong seemed to value these protocol-like agreements very much. He solemnly took out a piece of paper and wrote down the terms.
Seeing this display, Lin Yuan didn't refuse. Although in the apocalypse, such written agreements witnessed by heaven and earth were useless, since Zeng Yilong was so formal, he let him have his way.
"Being available whenever called is unrealistic. We might be out on business ourselves at any time. As long as we receive the message and can make it in time, that's enough.
Third, once the rescue time is confirmed, I will notify you via the radio. During this period, you must manage your camp members well. Don't think that just because the rescue application was successful, you can rest easy. There's always a possibility of delayed rescue, so during this time, you must not let your guard down."
"I understand that. We won't put all our hopes on this. It's best if the rescue comes, but if it doesn't, no one can be blamed." Zeng Yilong had a rather carefree and optimistic attitude.
As they spoke, the agreement on the paper was already written. There were two copies. Lin Yuan took one and looked at it. It only contained the second point about the offensive and defensive alliance. After carefully reviewing it and finding no issues, he and Zeng Yilong signed and stamped it.
"Keep this one safe. I know my team members. Even if I die, if you show them this agreement, they will complete what I couldn't."
The copy he kept for himself included the first point, but Lin Yuan didn't take it too seriously. Once a person dies, their light goes out, and everything is gone. His team members might not honor this piece of paper.
"Don't say such dejected things. We will all survive. Since we've finished discussing our matters, let me ask about yours now. I heard from that girl Cao Xueqin that you already have some leads on that group of survivors?"
"That's right, we have confirmed their gathering place and plan to scout it again tomorrow. If they are enemies, then I will definitely have my revenge!" Zeng Yilong's fingers turned white as he spoke.
Lin Yuan quickly interrupted him and told him about the situation of Du Minghu's convoy and Du Minghu's appearance.
This made Zeng Yilong agitated, and he quickly confirmed, "Brother Lin Yuan, was the leader of that convoy really white-haired, over fifty, and not very tall?"
"Yes, if I recall correctly, I killed him myself."
"Did he offend you?"
"He kidnapped a group of survivors to work for him. I couldn't stand it, so I took action." From the looks of it, Zeng Yilong hadn't witnessed their insectoid form and thought they were just a group of wicked humans.
After confirming that his enemy was dead, Zeng Yilong seemed deflated, slumping back into his chair and sighing, "Alas, to not have been able to kill him myself is a great disservice to my deceased brothers."
Lin Yuan said nothing, but inwardly he grumbled, thankfully we ran into them, otherwise, the ones drinking tea with me today might have been gravestones.
Patting his shoulder, Lin Yuan downed his tea in one gulp. "Brother Zeng, the past is like the wind, and the departed are gone. Don't dwell on sadness and sorrow. Living well is what truly matters."
"Since this group of survivors is not your enemy, why don't we settle this matter today? Coincidentally, I'm here. Why don't we go take a look together? Perhaps we can save a few more." With a new survivor settlement in the vicinity, Lin Yuan still wanted to investigate the situation thoroughly, whether it was good or bad. This way, when they acted, they wouldn't have to worry about this unknown group of people behind them, which always made them feel uneasy.
This suggestion indeed tempted Zeng Yilong, as his thoughts were similar to Lin Yuan's. He knew the two people Lin Yuan brought with him; their strength was superior to theirs, except perhaps for Wu Tian, whose strength was only slightly less.
After all, before the apocalypse, Zeng Yilong had a beer belly, and his muscles had all but disappeared. His foundation wasn't good, so the extent of his subsequent improvement was limited.
"Alright, that place is about 2km from here. With you guys, it will be much faster."
"Then let's not waste any more time here. Let's pack our provisions, weapons, and ammunition and set off."