When Yun Xiaoxiao and her companions arrived at the hospital, Zhong Mingsheng and others were in the hospital cafeteria with bowls of porridge, enjoying meat buns made by Qin Zhi and Grandma Niu.
"You're here just in time. Come and join us, the meat buns are delicious."
Du Juan waved warmly to the group.
"Well, don't mind if I do."
Nie Yizhou chuckled as he picked up a warm bun and took a bite.
Yun Xiaoxiao and the others quickly joined, starting their first breakfast since arriving at the base.
Everyone looked satisfied.
After filling their stomachs, everyone was eager to think about their new home construction.
"Uncle Feng, these are the things you asked for. You will be in charge of them now. Brother Yizhou will go with you later to the vegetable field to help you build a tool shed."
Upon seeing the truckful of items, Feng Jin opened his mouth in surprise and quickly shut it, realizing his disposition.
"Grandma Niu, these are seeds for fresh flowers, along with these potted plants, we're counting on you to make our base beautiful."
Yun Xiaoxiao said, a twinkle in her eyes and a charming smile on her lips.
"Ah, alright. I will surely fill our base with blooming flowers, spreading their fragrance all around."
Grandma Niu's eyes brightened at the sight of the flower seeds and potted plants.
Yun Xiaoxiao also handed a basic recipe book to Qin Zhi.
"Is this for me?" Qin Zhi asked in surprise.
Yun Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly, "Of course, we're looking forward to trying your delicious meals."
Qin Zhi was very pleased, flipping through the recipe book like a cherished object.
"Yes, I will make lots of yummy dishes for Nini!"
Although her condition had stabilized somewhat, she still considered Yun Xiaoxiao as her child.
Yun Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. Perhaps being engrossed in studying cooking would distract Qin Zhi from her worries and could be beneficial for her health.
"And Fat Uncle, these are the feeds for the livestock."
Yun Xiaoxiao pointed to a pile of things packed in snakeskin bags.
Fat Uncle nodded continuously, “Don’t worry, I will take good care of all the poultry and livestock."
After distributing the items, everyone quickly got busy with their tasks.
Nie Yizhou and Feng Jin drove off to the vegetable garden.
Qin Zhi started researching her recipes.
Grandma Niu joyfully fiddled with her potted plants, Du Juan helping her out.
Mu Yang drove the truck full of tools to the parking lot.
Fat Uncle and Nan Yi went to the farm.
Yun Xiaoxiao, Lu Chen, and Xiao Feng, together with Zhong Mingsheng, Fan Wenying, and Ye Shuyuan, took the unconscious Ling Jing to the research institute.
As all the equipment was in the equipment room, they placed the bound Ling Jing on a hospital bed and went to fetch the equipment.
"Little girl, you're young, let us do the heavy lifting," Zhong Mingsheng said.
"Grandpa Zhong, don't underestimate me because I'm small. I am quite strong," Yun Xiaoxiao replied, gesturing to her biceps.
Zhong Mingsheng laughed heartily.
Although he knew she was formidable, she was still a child. She couldn't be that strong.
Besides, she was at a stage of growth, and he was thinking for her welfare.
"Maybe you can move some small..."
Just as Zhong Mingsheng was about to suggest Yun Xiaoxiao move some smaller stuff, he saw her stoop down and lift an appliance taller than herself. She then briskly walked out of the equipment room.
Zhong Mingsheng pushed up his glasses in astonishment.
This little girl certainly was something else!
He underestimated her...
By the time everything was moved into the research institute with the help of the others, two and a half hours had elapsed.
Yun Xiaoxiao also brought out a new generator and installed it in the building from the car.
Another twenty minutes passed while connecting the equipment to the power supply.
Finally, Zhong Mingsheng, Fan Wenying, and Ye Shuyuan made their way to Ling Jing's room to check his vitals.
"We also need a sample of zombie blood."
Zhong Mingsheng suddenly realized something and mentioned it.
"No problem, I'll get it with Chen," Xiao Feng immediately volunteered.
After Zhong Mingsheng explained how to draw blood they left with the syringe and blood sample tube.
Yun Xiaoxiao quietly sat on a high stool, her feet dangling as she watched Zhong Mingsheng busily working.
Just in case Ling Jing had any emergencies, she decided to stay behind.
Just as Zhong Mingsheng was about to draw Ling Jing's blood, Ling Jing suddenly opened his eyes.
He remained in the same dull state.
Everyone was taken aback momentarily, but seeing that Ling Jing seemed to have no reaction, they proceeded with the blood draw.
While observing Ling Jing’s responses, Yun Xiaoxiao also jumped down from her stool, standing by the side.
"Ouch!"
At first, Ling Jing was curiously staring at the syringe, but when the needle pricked his skin, he let out a pitiful whimper.
Hearing his whimper and seeing his innocent face, then reminding herself of the charismatic and devilish man before, Yun Xiaoxiao was struck with disbelief.
This was a complete 180!
She quietly took out her phone and opened her camera...
After recording for almost an hour, Ling Jing remained calm, not saying anything out of character.
Yun Xiaoxiao: ...
She held up one finger, "What number is this?"
Her other hand was holding her phone, camera directed to Ling Jing's face.
Ling Jing blankly responded, "1..."
"And this?"
Yun Xiaoxiao held up three fingers.
Ling Jing again got it right.
Yun Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, wondering is this real dumbness or pretend dumbness?
Not wanting to use her fingers anymore she simply asked, "11+25?"
"36."
Yun Xiaoxiao: !
"105+215?"
"320."
Yun Xiaoxiao: !!
"5258+3467?"
"8725."
Yun Xiaoxiao: !!!
His lying ability was definitely beyond average!
She only used addition and subtraction because...she didn't learn anything else.
She learned how to add and subtract from Lu Chen so that she wouldn't get swindled when buying supplies.
Firstly, Lu Chen taught her how to add and subtract up to a hundred. But she was quick learner and after a day she could perform addition and subtraction within ten thousand in a second.
After her self-deprecating moment, Yun Xiaoxiao turned off her phone and returned to her seat, casting Ling Jing a resentful gaze with her wide eyes.
After a while, Lu Chen and the others returned.
They handed the zombie blood sample tube to Zhong Mingsheng before walking toward Yun Xiaoxiao.
Seeing the strange look in Yun Xiaoxiao's eyes as she watched Ling Jing, Lu Chen asked, "What's the matter?"
"Nothing," Yun Xiaoxiao shifted her gaze away, "By the way, why were you guys gone so long?"
"We didn't see any zombies around here, so we went further away and... we bumped into a group of survivors."
