42: I can only be your sister.

Lin Zhi, sitting on the sofa, finally waited for Lin Xiaoxiao and the other girls to arrive.

“Brother!”

Seeing Lin Zhi, Lin Xiaoxiao immediately called out.

Seeing the anxious and flustered appearance of Lin Xiaoxiao and the two other girls, Lin Zhi couldn't help but show a helpless smile and spoke up.

“What exactly happened, Xiaoxiao?”

“You're flustered. Speak slowly, don't rush.”

As Lin Zhi's voice rang out.

Only then did Lin Xiaoxiao hurriedly speak.

“Big Brother, you just said the next place we're going is Songshan Town, right?”

“Yes, that's right.” Lin Zhi nodded upon hearing this.

“Then, Big Brother, when are we setting off?”

“Well, there's no rush. Get a good rest tonight. The entire army will depart tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.”

“So Xiaoxiao, what exactly happened that made you so anxious? Do you happen to have a friend in Songshan Town?”

Lin Zhi couldn't help but look at his younger sister, Lin Xiaoxiao, with confusion.

Hearing Lin Zhi's question, Lin Xiaoxiao quickly shook her head.

“No, no, no, it's not me.”

“Big Brother, you probably don't know this, but Xi Xi is actually from Songshan Town. Her hometown is right there in Songshan Town!”

“So when I heard you were planning to go to Songshan Town, I immediately went to find Xi Xi.”

As Lin Xiaoxiao spoke, she looked toward Lan Xiaoxi, who was sitting nearby and appeared very nervous.

Hearing this, Lin Zhi finally showed a look of sudden realization.

“I see...”

“Uh, that...” Suddenly, Lan Xiaoxi, who was beside them, clasped her hands tightly together over her chest and looked nervously at Lin Zhi.

Hearing Lan Xiaoxi's very nervous and excited voice.

Lin Zhi displayed a calm smile.

“You're Xi Xi, right?”

“Come to think of it, we haven't properly met yet.”

“Don't be nervous. Speak slowly. Just call me the same way Xiaoxiao does.”

Lin Zhi acted very friendly.

Although he was the commander of a military unit, he didn't put on any airs of superiority; instead, he seemed approachable and kind.

This made Lan Xiaoxi's nervous emotions relax slightly.

After taking a deep breath, Lan Xiaoxi nervously asked.

“Um... Lin Zhi Gege, c-can I ask you for a favor?”

“Please, you must save my mom and dad!”

“My mom and dad work in Songshan Town. Before communications were cut off...”

Xi Xi finally laid bare all of her worries.

About a week ago, before the communication network collapsed.

Xi Xi's parents had contacted her.

Both elders were still alive and hadn't been unlucky enough to turn into zombies.

Because their family often stockpiled things like air-dried cured meat and dried fish.

So Xi Xi wasn't worried about their survival in terms of food.

In fact, everyone initially believed that national rescue efforts would surely arrive.

However, after Xi Xi was rescued by Lin Zhi during this period, she realized one thing.

This country was finished.

Moreover, the zombies were extremely powerful, far beyond what ordinary people could handle.

She couldn't imagine what terrible things her parents, who were nearing fifty, might face if they were targeted by zombies.

So what she hoped for now was that when Lin Zhi and his unit headed to Songshan Town.

He could take her home to check on them.

Upon hearing Xi Xi's request.

Lin Zhi rubbed his chin and spoke after only a few seconds of thought.

“That shouldn't be a problem.”

“If we are going to take Songshan Town as a stronghold, we will definitely clear out all the zombies inside.”

“You don't need to worry too much. If there's food stored at home, as long as they stay inside and don't venture out, the chances of survival are quite high.”

As Lin Zhi spoke, he smiled and ruffled Lan Xiaoxi's head.

In Lin Zhi's eyes, these roommates, who were the same age as his sister, were like younger sisters to him.

Furthermore, if they hadn't been there to accompany his sister during the time they were trapped in the dormitory when the zombie crisis broke out.

His sister's mental state definitely wouldn't be better than it was now.

Come to think of it, Lin Zhi was actually a little grateful to them.

When she heard Lin Zhi's assurance.

Lan Xiaoxi immediately stood up excitedly and bowed deeply toward Lin Zhi.

“Th-thank you!”

“Thank you, Lin Zhi Gege!”

Looking at Lan Xiaoxi's appearance.

Lin Zhi merely smiled.

“Don't mention thanks. These are things I ought to do.”

“Besides, since you call me Gege, isn't it only natural for me to help my younger sister to the best of my ability?”

“...”

Hearing Lin Zhi say this.

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly changed slightly.

Especially Lin Xiaoxiao, who was Lin Zhi's actual younger sister.

She immediately pouted.

It was obvious that she seemed a bit unhappy.

Clearly, she was expressing strong dissatisfaction with Lin Zhi's behavior of 'randomly adopting younger sisters.'

“Seriously? I should be his only younger sister...”

Hearing Lin Xiaoxiao's murmur, Lin Zhi rubbed his ear, having not quite heard clearly.

“What did you say, Xiaoxiao?”

“N-nothing.”

Xiaoxiao immediately denied it vehemently.

Seeing Xiaoxiao like this, Lin Zhi was suspicious but didn't press the matter.

Since he now knew the full story.

Lin Zhi then stood up.

“Alright, the three of you continue playing.”

“I need to head to the unit.”

After speaking, Lin Zhi left the living room under the gaze of the three girls.

Not until after Lin Zhi left.

Did Lin Xiaoxiao look at her good friend Lan Xiaoxi with slightly unfriendly eyes.

“What are you spacing out about, Xi Xi?”

Lan Xiaoxi, who hadn't yet recovered from Lin Zhi's recent words.

Was brought back to reality by Lin Xiaoxiao's question.

A subtle blush immediately stained her slightly cold and stunning face.

“N-nothing at all?”

“Are you really sure it's nothing?”

Lin Xiaoxiao squinted slightly.

“It's really nothing.” Xi Xi shook her head like a rattle-drum.

“Hmph, it better be!”

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at Xi Xi and finally let out a cold snort.

“Alright, the two of you hurry up and take a shower. You nearly suffocated me.”

As she spoke, Lin Xiaoxiao pinched her nose and looked at Xi Xi and Lele with disdain.

Seeing this, Yun Lele quickly pulled Xi Xi and led her toward the bathroom.

“Hehe, let's hurry up and go, Xi Xi.”

“Didn't you see that dead brother-con Xiaoxiao looking like she wanted to devour us alive?”

Yun Lele quickly pulled Xi Xi away while secretly complaining.

“Yun Lele, what did you say?!”

However, before Xi Xi could answer, Lin Xiaoxiao's slightly embarrassed and indignant voice came from behind.

“Nothing, Xiaoxiao! You must have misheard!”

Yun Lele instantly stiffened, replied with an awkward laugh, and then hurriedly dragged Xi Xi out of the living room as if fleeing...