After the others left, Lin Yifei looked at Zhao Hu and spoke again.
"Once you've taken control of that base, prioritize evacuating Star City. He went out of his way to remind us about the concern we raised earlier, and I think he's right. The zombie numbers in Star City are horrifying. If a higher-tier zombie emerges, it could rally hundreds of thousands to siege the city. When that happens, there's no holding it."
"Mm, I've considered that too. I'll start making arrangements." Zhao Hu nodded.
Then he looked at Lin Yifei with a strange expression.
"The way you're talking... you're not planning to come with us?"
"Mm. Ma Zhongguo is dead. Uncle Liu's been avenged. The captain's here now. It's time I returned to the team."
"You really plan to join them?" Zhao Hu couldn't quite wrap his head around it. Could they really offer more security than the military?
"Mm. What I'm after is strength. I feel like following them is the fastest way to grow." A longing flickered in Lin Yifei's eyes.
"Did he agree?"
"........"
"I'll figure something out." Lin Yifei said, a touch awkwardly.
"Alright. Since it's your choice, I won't try to talk you out of it. They're genuinely powerful. If you can join their squad, that's not a bad thing."
"Division Commander Liu asked me to look after you, but honestly, it's been you looking after us this whole time. If you ever don't want to stay there anymore, come find us. This will always be your home."
"Mm. You all be careful too. Don't end up like my dad and Uncle Liu. It's the apocalypse now-learn to adapt. Think about yourselves and the people under your command."
"Will do."
On the other side, Yang Bin sat in the lounge, enjoying the attentions of the receptionist.
Perhaps Lin Yifei had said something before she left, because this girl was enthusiastic as hell.
Pouring tea, refilling water, asking if he was comfortable, chatting about funny stories from around the base-Yang Bin got so comfortable he completely forgot two people were still waiting outside the gates.
After a good while, Lin Yifei finally walked in with a large pack on her back.
"Miss Lin." The receptionist spotted her and hurried over with a greeting.
"Mm, thanks for your hard work. You can go now."
"Of course."
Seeing Lin Yifei approach, Yang Bin stood up.
"Got the stuff?"
"Mm. Got it."
"Hand it over."
"No need. I can carry this much myself."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Captain. I'm reporting back to the team."
"Pfft-"
Tea sprayed from Yang Bin's mouth.
"When the hell did I say you could report back?"
"I'm a Reserve Member of Star Fall Squad. Naturally, I should be with Star Fall Squad. Captain, weren't you going to assess me? How are you supposed to assess me if I'm not with you?"
"......"
"Why do you even want to follow us? Ma Zhongguo's dead. You don't need me to avenge anyone anymore. Once the military takes over that base, they'll be the biggest power in Star City. Wouldn't you rather stick with them and live the good life?" Yang Bin frowned.
"It's not the same." Lin Yifei shook her head.
"Soldiers are loyal to the nation. No matter how the world changes, that won't."
"If people from the capital show up one day to absorb the base, they'll cooperate without question. And I won't be able to stop it."
"But that's not what I want. What I want is freedom-to pursue real power without being shackled by rules."
"Star Fall Squad's way of life is what I want. Do what you want. Focus on getting stronger. Someone crosses you, you kill them. No need to weigh consequences, no need for evidence. Strength is the only thing that matters."
"There are only seven of you, yet you can steamroll the official forces. There has to be something extraordinary about your methods. Following you is the fastest path to power."
"Honestly, I thought about joining you the first time we met. I just didn't dare bring it up-afraid you'd say no."
"So when you suddenly invited me to join Star Fall Squad, I agreed without a second thought. Don't blame me for grabbing the ladder the moment it was offered. Opportunities like that don't come twice." Lin Yifei's cheeks colored slightly.
Yang Bin finally took a proper look at the woman in front of him.
Twenty years old. 168 centimeters. Looks that would put a whole roster of A-list celebrities to shame. Figure to match.
A woman like that, and her brain worked this well too? That was just unfair.
People always said when God opens a door, he closes a window. So what happened here-did God get hammered and leave everything wide open?
"You really want to follow us?" Yang Bin's tone turned serious.
"Mm!" Lin Yifei nodded firmly.
"Not afraid I might try something?"
"I pulled your files. Before the apocalypse-college students, clean records. After the apocalypse-ruthless, yes, but no history of preying on women. Well... you've definitely bullied men. Just not dominated women."
"......"
"Fine. You can tag along for now. But you're still just a reserve. Whether you actually become a member of Star Fall Squad depends on your performance." Yang Bin said.
It wasn't that he was against having Lin Yifei around. Beautiful, smart, and an ability user-of course he wanted her on the team.
But their squad was all guys. Dropping a woman into the mix... he wasn't sure yet whether that'd be a good thing or a headache. Better to let her follow for a while and see how it played out.
If nothing went sideways, he'd make it official later.
"Thank you, Captain!"
The moment Yang Bin agreed, a smile broke across Lin Yifei's face.
"Let's move."
Yang Bin headed straight for the base exit.
The entire base was buzzing with activity-everyone packing up.
Along the way, people kept greeting Lin Yifei as they passed. She clearly had good standing here.
On the third floor of one of the taller buildings inside the base, Zhao Hu and two other regiment commanders watched the pair leave from the window.
They hadn't gone down to see them off. Too much fanfare might make Yang Bin uncomfortable.
If the man could assassinate Ma Zhongguo inside a base of over a hundred thousand, he could do the same here without breaking a sweat. No point in empty gestures.
"Old Zhao, you're really okay letting Miss Lin walk off with them? If something happens, how are you going to face Division Commander Liu?" one regiment commander asked.
"What am I supposed to do? She doesn't want to stay. You want to hold her here by force?"
"I just don't get it. The base is safe. Why insist on running off with those people into danger?"
"Who knows. Maybe that's just how young people think. Their group is strong, though. Following them might not be the worst thing."
"Strong, sure. But their methods are brutal. I heard they wiped out thousands from the Wang family." The older regiment commander shook his head.
"It's the apocalypse. You think you survive by being gentle? If they weren't ruthless, you think they'd be where they are?"
"Sigh. Let's just hope we never end up on opposite sides."
"As long as your brain's still functioning, you won't even think about it."
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