With an uneasy heart, he waited for the satellite phone to connect.
The mysterious organization had leveraged the content within the Zombie Illustration Book to clearly probe his strength, which was why they dared not meet him face-to-face.
His strength had already made the other party wary.
If, in their eyes, he was just an ordinary person.
It wouldn't have been so difficult.
The entire reason was the overly straightforward descriptions within the Zombie Illustration Book.
He didn't regret it.
Although it prevented him from meeting the boss of the mysterious organization directly.
But if it could bring hope to the living, to the survivors who carried hope, then it was all worthwhile.
The mysterious organization's base.
In a luxurious room, Qin Ling, dressed in pajamas, would often have a glass of whiskey on the rocks before bed and read his favorite books for a while; this was his post-apocalyptic life.
During peaceful times, Qin Ling had received a good education and navigated a dog-eat-dog society.
He knew profoundly: if you didn't devour others, you would be devoured.
At this moment.
The satellite phone's call display lit up.
Qin Ling put down his book, picked up the satellite phone, and looked at the number, his brow furrowing slightly. He knew the numbers of those in charge of the outposts; all such calls were routed to him.
Moreover, no one dared to call him at night.
He needed to rest, to keep his mind clear and his energy levels high for the next day.
He knew who this number belonged to.
And he didn't believe Zham Huu could still be alive.
He hung up.
Paid no mind.
Far away in Sunshine Shelter, Lam Pham knew this would be the outcome. Calling someone at night – if they were close, the person would surely answer. But his relationship with the other party was lukewarm at best.
Them hanging up was indeed understandable.
But Lam Pham wasn't prepared to let it go.
He wanted to show the other party his determination.
Relationships were built slowly, nurtured through interaction.
Besides, for the surviving humans, this mysterious organization was a true menace. Anyone they found – the old, the weak, the sick, the disabled – they didn't want. And it wasn't just that they didn't want them; they would even harm and kill them.
Such actions were truly heinous. If Officer Hoang were to witness it, they would face severe punishment.
He redialed.
Inside the base.
Qin Ling was preparing for bed. He truly wanted no interaction with Lam Pham. The man's strength could affect them, even deal them a devastating blow.
If the organization were ever discovered, he could imagine the consequences.
The satellite phone rang.
Qin Ling's frown deepened in displeasure.
"Is he sick in the head?"
He knew it was definitely Lam Pham calling. The man was pestering him, constantly asking for the location of his base. This so-called desire to befriend him was utter nonsense.
If he actually told him, his Qin base might as well say goodbye to this world.
He hung up.
He had no intention of answering.
But shortly after he hung up, the satellite phone rang again, shattering the tranquility of the luxurious suite.
Qin Ling ran a finger along the rim of his wine glass, his face expressionless, his sharp gaze fixed on the ringing satellite phone.
He didn't answer, didn't move, just stared intently.
A moment later.
The satellite phone's screen went dark.
He tilted his head back, drained his glass, and just as he was about to stand, the satellite phone rang again.
"Will this ever end?"
Qin Ling's mood was thoroughly ruined by the incessant calls.
He picked up the satellite phone.
Answered.
He held it to his ear, curious to hear what on earth the other person wanted to say.
"Hello? Hello."
When the other party finally answered, Lam Pham sighed in relief. He had been afraid the man would coldly refuse to listen, which wouldn't have been good for him at all.
He waited for the other party to respond.
But the other end of the line remained utterly silent.
"This is Lam Pham. We spoke on the phone earlier today. I'm calling you specifically because I'd like to talk."
Lam Pham, at home, careful not to wake the soundly sleeping Manh Manh, had deliberately gone out to the balcony, sat down, and spoke calmly, unhurriedly, while gazing at the moonlight.
He knew the other person was very difficult to persuade.
But who would know without trying?
"There's nothing to talk about."
Qin Ling, who had been silent all this time, uncharacteristically replied.
Lam Pham said, "How would we know if we don't talk? What you're doing isn't good for the survivors. I can understand your research on zombies. Even if you develop a serum that turns people into zombies, I can accept that. But why must you inflict disaster upon others?"
"Such actions aren't right."
Lam Pham hoped the other man could be a little more rational. But he knew this was the apocalypse; without the constraints of order, the living were often pushed to desperate ends. So-called kindness and benevolence often felt like a sharp blade, cruelly piercing one's heart.
Zombies are irrational; they won't listen to any grand reasoning. Their sole instinct is to tear apart and spill the blood of any human in front of them.
Some zombies would thrust their hands into abdomens, violently tearing them open, pulling out all kinds of organs, creating a gruesome, bloody mess on the spot.
Qin Ling: "Are you lecturing me?"
Lam Pham: "No, don't misunderstand. I'm not lecturing. I just have a better suggestion. Do you know Professor Ha Duc Nhan?"
"I do."
"Good. Professor Ha and his team are also researching zombies, but their research direction is completely different from yours. If it's possible, I'd like to invite you to Sunshine Shelter for a visit. How about it?"
Silence. The other end of the line went completely quiet.
A moment later.
Qin Ling's low voice came through.
"Mr. Lam, are you truly so eager to see me dead? We can mind our own business; I can swear that I will never have any dealings with Sunshine Shelter. You have your ambitions, your desire to save the survivors, and I won't obstruct you. I only hope, Mr. Lam, that you will also leave us alone. The world is vast enough for both of us. Why must you relentlessly pursue us?"
From this, it was clear that Qin Ling wanted absolutely no involvement with Lam Pham.
He was clearly deeply wary of Lam Pham's strength.
Lam Pham said, "You misunderstand again. I have never harmed others, not before the apocalypse, and certainly not after. You're right, the world is vast and can accommodate many—not just you, but us as well. However, you indiscriminately kill innocent survivors. Don't you think such actions are wrong?"
Qin Ling said, "Mr. Lam, this world has always been about the strong devouring the weak, be it in the apocalypse or in times of peace. I imagine that during peaceful times, Mr. Lam, you were merely one of the common folk. What you saw was only what others allowed you to see. But I could see what you could not."
At this point, Qin Ling was patiently engaging with Lam Pham.
Since the apocalypse began, he hadn't spoken so much to anyone in a long time.
Lam Pham replied, "Yes, I understand. I was once an ordinary citizen, and I still am. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't know, and there would be nothing I could do. But now that I have seen it, I don't believe I can simply stand by and do nothing. Wouldn't you agree?"
He knew what Qin Ling was implying.
Of course, he didn't angrily berate Qin Ling; instead, he continued to converse with him in a calm tone.