The aftermath of the Foguang Island disaster, but the crisis has not gone away.

After confirming that there were no zombies on the island on the side of the broken bridge, everyone immediately drove to the dock and returned to the freighter.

Just as the adults were trying to defend Foguang Island, Duan Xingze also successfully completed his task - the three children were already sleeping peacefully in the cabin hall, and behind them, the locked seafarer's room was quiet, and no movement could be heard.

Duan Whale led Haichen and the others to start cleaning up the aftermath, and Su He and Du Yunfei opened the door of the seafarer's room together.

There was a chair in the center of the room, and on the chair sat Hu Siyu, whose hands were tied. After more than an hour of solitude, her mood is now a little low, maybe it's time to communicate.

Su He has always liked to get straight to the point: "Teacher Hu, you have the ability to attract zombies. Let's talk about what's going on. ”

Hu Siyu raised his head and looked at him, and stopped talking: "Just now...... What's wrong? ”

"It's not a big deal, it's just that we were almost torn to pieces by more than a thousand zombies."

“……”

Hu Siyu's face was pale, and tears swirled in his red eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! I, I don't understand what this is all about. I'm just, just ......"

Su He interrupted her: "We don't need your apology, let's explain things clearly first." ”

Hu Siyu choked and nodded, raising his hand that had been eroded by the sea just now. It can be seen very clearly that a large piece of skin has fallen off the back of the hand of this hand.

And when Hu Siyu spread out his palm, a truly incredible picture appeared - most of the palms from the fingertips were cloudy and translucent, and you could even see red and blue blood flowing slowly under the skin.

"Actually...... When the zombie crisis first broke out, there were sixteen adults in the supermarket in addition to me and my three children. ”

Hu Siyu spent a moment sorting out his words, but his voice was still choppy.

"After a week of being trapped in the supermarket, fresh fruits, vegetables and meat are starting to rot, and the stench is everywhere in the supermarket. Some people began to realize that there would be no one to rescue them, and soon decided to fend for themselves...... Over the next month, thirteen people left one after another. ”

The three people who were left behind were an old couple and a heart man. Like the three children, they are all "leftovers" who stay in the supermarket and wait for food to run out, perhaps living longer than going out and venturing.

But for Hu Siyu and the children, the three became a threat.

"I'm scared that they're going to die one night and turn into zombies and attack us. So every night, we would each hide in the supermarket office. One room for the old couple, one room for the heart patient, one room for me and the children. About two weeks ago, what we had been fearing finally happened. ”

It happened without warning, and the husband of the elderly couple died suddenly in the early hours of the morning. His wife opened the door and fled, not noticing that she had been bitten on the shoulder.

It's not hard to imagine what happened next - the children were protected, and Hu Siyu and the heart man finally locked the zombies back in the room. However, during the struggle, both of them were injured.

"There is no medicine in the supermarket, even if there is...... I'm afraid it's useless either. ”

Speaking of that nightmare past, Hu Siyu's eyes are still full of lingering haze.

"We had to lock ourselves in the room and tie our hands to the furniture with ropes. I told the children that from now on, they must find their own food, sleep on their own at night, and go to the window during the day to keep an eye out for planes coming to their rescue...... But most importantly, we should never open the door to our room......"

The next few days were the most torturous time in Hu Siyu's life.

In unspeakable fear, she was forced to chew and torment minute by minute. She could hear the heart attackers in the next room. Listening to his voice of his wife and son, it gradually turned into a meaningless howl. She could also see that her palms were becoming transparent little by little, starting from the bitten fingers.

She could even feel that the zombie virus was spreading and mutating in her body, causing bursts of sharp pain like slashing axes, and even causing her to vomit, convuls, and coma again and again.

"I thought I was going to keep going like this, and eventually lose consciousness and become a zombie. But... Don't know why... I survived. ”

Suddenly, at that point in time, all the raging illnesses on Hu Siyu's body disappeared.

She opened her eyes and felt hunger and thirst; She tried to look at the poster on the wall and read all the words on it.

She looked at her palms again—the transparency had stopped. There was no reason, as if she had been saved by some angel.

"My throat was dry like smoke, so I untied the rope and got some water in the office to drink, then tried to look through the door glass to see outside. I saw children sitting by the window crying, and the floor was littered with biscuit bags and water bottles...... They're still so young, they can't live without me...... So I walked out again. Thankfully, I've been normal ever since, until now......"

"It's been normal?"

Su He interrupted Hu Siyu's memories: "No one here will deliberately harm you, but I need you to be honest - from that time on, you really don't have any strange feelings?" ”

Knowing that there was no point in concealing it, Hu Siyu nodded.

"Actually...... Sometimes, I mean when I'm sleeping or in a trance, I see some very strange images. It's like I'm walking in the middle of a group of zombies, looking at the supermarket and the surrounding buildings from their perspective, and even seeing children sitting by the window...... Also, I'm afraid of something for no reason. Like salty food, those canned foods...... After eating it, my stomach feels like it's burning ......"

Speaking of this, she covered her cheeks with her hands and bowed her head deeply towards Su He and Du Yunfei.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry...... But I really want to leave that supermarket! It's been four months, and it's been four months since I waited for you. This may be the only hope that my children and I will survive in the end...... I didn't know those zombies were going to follow me all the time, I didn't mean to! ”

"We get it."

After listening to Hu Siyu's self-report, Su He and Du Yunfei glanced at each other, and there was a little helplessness in their eyes.

To be honest, there was such a terrifying zombie raid just now, which almost cost everyone's lives, and it is obviously impossible not to blame Hu Siyu at all. But in all fairness, anyone who is put in her position has many other options.

What's more, things have come to this point, and complaining won't solve the problem at all.

Hu Siyu was temporarily left in the cabin, where there were toilets, as well as food and water, so it was not a problem to stay overnight. And while it's time for someone else to make a decision about how to accommodate this unusual woman.

Su He and Du Yunfei returned to the villa. Duan Whale and Haichen are carefully wiping and maintaining the drone; Lin Youqing and Lu Rulan had already helped the three children take a bath and change into the clean clothes they brought in their small backpacks.

Let Duan Xingze lead the children to the prepared bedroom on the second floor to rest, and the adults will gather in the living room for a meeting.

Su He first repeated what Hu Siyu had said; Immediately afterwards, Lin Youqing and Lu Rulan also said that when they took a bath just now, the children also told them similar things.

"So, Hu Siyu was bitten by zombies, but she didn't become a zombie?" Lu Rulan summed up in disbelief, "Is this possible?" ”

"Why can't it be?" Su He raised his hand and waved it twice in front of his younger brother: "Am I not your brother?" ”

"You're not in the same situation as hers."

Du Yunfei has already made a comparison: "The accepted view now is that the pathogenic bacteria on zombies will increase with the increase in the time of death. Being bitten by zombies can lead to sepsis and death. But Hu Siyu is obviously still alive, but his □□ body has mutated in advance, and even formed synaesthesia with zombies to some extent - this has never happened. ”

Duan Whale then threw out the most critical question: "So, is she a human or a zombie?" Will there be further corpse transformation? Do we need to watch out for her? ”

"I feel the need to quarantine." Haichen was the first to say, "Who has such a big heart, we can't take this risk." ”

"That's right." Lu Rulan seconded, "We will control her food and drink, explain to her well, and if she doesn't agree, let her go." She should be able to understand that, right? ”

Human life is a matter of heaven, and of course safety comes first. The others said they had no objections, but Lin Youqing raised another question.

"Maybe I didn't observe carefully enough before, but the zombie's palm is transparent?"

"Well...... this"

Su He turned his head to look at Du Yunfei. Du Yunfei set his eyes on Haichen, and Haichen looked at Lu Rulan.

Lu Rulan just wanted to go to see Duan Whale, but heard Duan Whale say: "There may be an answer in the surveillance." ”

They turned on the drone's surveillance, selected a few high-definition images, zoomed in on the zombies' waving arms, and slowly observed the hands.

“…… Opaque! Su He nodded at the screen excitedly, "I also remember that the zombies in the corpse pool don't have this characteristic!" ”

Haichen and Lu Rulan looked at each other: "So, is this the virus mutating again?" ”

"Don't jump to conclusions."

Du Yunfei had obviously thought of something: "We have seen transparent objects related to zombies for a long time. ”

His reminder was followed by others one after another.

"You mean...... Dian Bo?! Su He gasped, "What the hell? Why do people have the characteristics of alien trees? ”

"Maybe someone can tell us the answer."

Speaking of this, Duan Whale pointed to the satellite phone placed in the corner of the living room.

___________________________

Duan Whale got in touch with Zhu Yixin through a satellite phone and first conveyed the good news of the successful rescue of the three children.

Zhu Yixin's intuition is very keen: "What about the female teacher?" Why don't you tell me about her? ”

"She's in a strange situation."

Duan Whale relayed Hu Siyu's story.

Zhu Yixin immediately had an opinion: "Don't disclose this matter to anyone first." I'm going to report to the Institute now. You put that teacher in isolation for a while, and watch out for your own safety. ”

That seems to be the only way to do it today. Everyone nodded and waited patiently for the response from Qinghai.

Faster than they had imagined, and just two hours later, the satellite phone rang in a hurry.

Zhu Yixin brought the reply of the Qinghai Research Institute: The experts attach great importance to Hu Siyu's special situation. Tomorrow afternoon, a plane will be sent to take her and her three children back to Qinghai.

This may be the most time-saving and labor-saving way, but everyone looks at each other and still has some doubts in their hearts.

"The children are going to the institute too?"

"The child needs to have a medical check-up, which is a routine check for everyone entering the placement. I've just found Li Nijia's parents, they are crazy with joy, and they are willing to raise all three children, you don't have to worry. ”

"What about Hu Siyu?" Su Heduo asked, "You are so anxious to take her away, it can't be that you are preparing for human experiments, right?" ”

Zhu Yixin also said honestly: "The institute has indeed been studying the pathogenesis of zombies. But Hu Siyu's case is probably unprecedented, and I can't guarantee the specific research method. If you're not at ease, I can ask an expert to talk to you. ”

Duan Whale exchanged glances with the others and approved of the suggestion.

"Okay, we'll wait for your news."

About an hour and a half later, the satellite phone rang again. Zhu Yixin brought a professor surnamed Li as promised. Professor Li said that an expert group headed by him has been set up in the institute and is ready to admit Hu Siyu at any time.

"As you can see, the Institute does take this case very seriously. Because this is the first time we have found a Dian Bai that stopped mutating in the middle of the process. ”

"Dian Bai...... Stop mutating? ”

Everyone on the other end of the phone was a little confused, but Du Yunfei made his own interpretation.

"You mean to say that Hu Siyu is not going to become a zombie, but to become a Dianbai?"

"Everything is as you can see. The transparency on her palms was supposed to spread throughout her body, and gradually transformed into a tree. But for some reason we don't know yet, this mutation was discontinued. And our current plan is to figure out that mechanism. ”

"People can become Dianbai ......" Su He is still incredulous, "Animals can become plants......"

Professor Li corrected his statement: "It is more correct to say that the dianbai is not a plant, they should have been mutated by humans. ”

"But we've never seen how people became Dian Bai, and we've never heard anyone talk about it."

"That's because the number of dianbai is so scarce. Generally speaking, there is only one plant every 2,500-3,000 square kilometers. In an area the size of Beijing, there are only six cypresses. Moreover, individuals who are about to develop into Dian Bai will consciously hide in relatively safe areas. It's not easy to watch them grow. ”

"And how do you know?"

"Two months ago, we organized a large-scale clean-up operation to recapture a small town more than 200 kilometres east of the settlement. There was a cypress tree in the city, and we studied it and found structures similar to the human spine and brain inside the trunk. And this has led to the conjecture of the mutation relationship between humans and Dian Bai, and your discovery not only confirms this conjecture, but may also be very helpful for the future research on zombie vaccines. ”

"What kind of research will you do on Mr. Hu?" Lin Youqing asked the most critical question, "Will it threaten her life?" ”

Professor Li on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment.

"It's a difficult question to answer. First of all, you have to understand that even with the most advanced medical treatment, and in the face of diseases that we are all too familiar with, there can still be fatal cases. What's more, now we are facing a virus that is unfamiliar to all mankind and is likely to come from outside the sky. So it's hard for me to assure you that there won't be any accidents in the course of your medical research. However, I can personally guarantee that we will respect the dignity of each person's life and will not do anything against the will of the person concerned. ”

"We will relay your words to Teacher Hu, and we will tell Yixin her reply later."

Duan Whale made such an answer on behalf of everyone.

——————————

When I ended the phone call with Qinghai, it was almost evening. Su He asked Lu Rulan to cook a few dishes and put them in the lunch box, and he and Du Yunfei sent them to the cargo ship by the dock.

When he opened the hatch of the seafarer's room, Hu Siyu was looking at a magazine on the table. The afterglow of the setting sun cast in through the porthole, shining on the side of her face, looking serene and serene.

Su He briefly explained to her the current situation of the three children, and then opened the lunch box and put it on the table in front of her.

Looking at the steaming meals and fresh fruits and vegetables, Hu Siyu's eyes moistened again.

"I've dragged you guys, but you're still so nice to me. I really don't know how to thank ......."

"Actually, we have one more important thing to tell you."

Du Yunfei didn't beat around the bush: "There is a research institute in Qinghai, they are very interested in the mutations that happen to you, and they hope to take you over for observation and research." ”

Then, he roughly relayed what Professor Li had said this afternoon, and then waited quietly with Su He for her answer.

The spoon in Hu Siyu's hand paused, but she didn't hesitate for long.

"I'm willing to go."

She nodded, and said with a wry smile: "I don't seem to have anywhere else to go except there." ”

"Maybe you should think a little more and take into account all sorts of situations." Su He reminded, "In the process of research, you may also encounter accidents, pain, and even death. I hope you will be able to give a well-thought-out reply that you won't regret. ”

"I won't regret it."

Hu Siyu raised his head softly, but unusually firmly, and met Su He's eyes.

"Because of the zombie virus, I lost my family, relatives and friends; Because of the virus, I spent four hellish months in the supermarket; Also because of the virus, I almost killed you who reached out to help...... If it is possible to put an end to this catastrophe by studying the special circumstances that have happened to me, then I am willing to give everything I have. ”

"Even if it's possible to cost your life?"

"Hmm."

The setting sun faded out of the portholes. But Hu Siyu's face and her determined eyes did not look gloomy in the dark.

Staring at such a calm face, Su He no longer had any doubts.

"Okay, we'll relay your reply to the Institute. As soon as tomorrow afternoon, a plane will come to pick you up and take you to Qinghai. ”

Hot water, futon, and a few women's clothes that Haichen had scooped from the shipping container were left behind. Su He and Du Yunfei left the cargo ship.

Du Yunfei stepped on the bicycle, and Su He sat on the back frame and hugged Du Yunfei's waist.

The two of them rode two or three hundred meters, and Du Yunfei asked in a low voice: "If she is unwilling, what are you going to do?" ”

"Honestly, I know she'll definitely agree."

Su He leaned on Du Yunfei and reached out to rub his broad and flat back.

"Hu Siyu is a good teacher with a sense of responsibility, but also a victim of the zombie tide, and a person who has experienced death. She knew she had no choice...... Even if it were any one of us, there would be no second choice when it comes to this kind of thing. ”

Du Yunfei pedaled the bicycle twice, turned around and said, "She is different from you, you can also choose to stay on the island all the time." ”

"You know I'm not going to do that."

Su He shook his head with a smile: "Regardless of whether I can save others or not, at least I won't let the people I love be in the shadow of zombies all the time, and I can't bear the loneliness of being alone." Aristotle once said that man is essentially a social animal; Those individuals who are born isolated are either not worthy of our attention or are not human. For Ms. Hu, returning to society may be the best way to prove that she is still human. ”

"But Sartre also once said, 'The other is hell.'" Expecting social recognition, but what you get may be malicious from others. ”

"yes, who can say for sure these things? But even if it is such a hell, don't we always look forward to the day when we will be able to return to its embrace? ”

With that, the bike climbed up a gentle slope again. Walk around the blister-like tropical conservatory in front of you, and you'll see the glittering lights of the villa.

————————————————

The next morning, the cargo ship slowly sailed away from Foguang Island, carrying Hu Siyu and three children to the airport.

Considering the objective synaesthesia connection between Hu Siyu and the zombies, at the suggestion of Professor Li, they always kept Hu Siyu in the cabin along the way, and at the same time used drones to pay close attention to the movements of the zombies on the shore.

This trick did play a role, at least the zombies that appeared in the drone surveillance screen looked calm and showed no signs of running with the boat.

After more than an hour of sailing, the cargo ship finally arrived at the airfield on the shore. Military transport aircraft were already waiting on the runway that had been cleared in advance. There was no time for a careful goodbye, not even eye contact — Hu Siyu was blindfolded and taken to the shuttle bus, which drove away quickly with her and her three children. After a while, the transport plane took off into the air and flew in the direction of Qinghai to the west.

"Good luck." Su He waved his hand at the sky, "...... Good luck to ourselves too. 166 Reading Network