Chapter 71 Recruiting Squad

A rain fell in Yunxiang.

The villagers collected the rainwater, and the wilted crops in the fields were irrigated.

Some people took advantage of the rain to venture out and cut or uproot branches and plants that wouldn't grow crops, waiting for the sun to shine so they could dry them and use them as firewood.

The wisdom of the working people is still admirable.

After checking the operation of the water tank and filtration system, Lin Xi went to the fish room in the backyard, took out a blackfish, cleaned it, sliced ​​it, and cooked a pot of sauerkraut fish hot pot.

Watching the rain patter against the glass, Lin Xi sat comfortably in the room, enjoying her hot pot.

It would be great if there were more varieties of vegetables.

In the afternoon, the rain grew heavier and heavier, so heavy that Lin Xi could hear it even inside the house, which had been sealed with soundproofing tape.

The pattering rain was interspersed with the sounds of "bang bang bang".

Something's not right.

That sounds like gunshots.

Lin Xi sprang up from the soft tatami mat, pulled back the blackout curtain, and took out binoculars to check the surroundings.

As expected, things took an unusual turn—

A pickup truck and a minivan were parked at the entrance of the village, both covered with wire mesh.

Three strangers, soaked by the rain, were going from house to house on the path, asking questions. They were all young and strong, each wearing a black or camouflage vest. The two leading men were carrying guns, while the three behind them were carrying machetes and baseball bats.

"Bang!" Another subtle gunshot rang out.

The binoculars followed the sound of gunfire, and not far away, a zombie fell into the lotus pond.

Ten meters away from the zombies, three armed men formed a triangle and swept through the field, attacking or defending. In the short time Lin Xi observed them through binoculars, they had already killed two zombies.

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow—

Finally, troops have come to the village to wipe out the zombies! The cleanup operation is showing signs of improvement!

The group stopped and chatted at each house they passed, with someone opening the door to let them in for a home visit. When they arrived at Lin Xi's house on the very edge of the village, Lin Xi knew what they had come for.

The gunfire continued intermittently for about half an hour. When it stopped, the three men clearing out the zombies and the three men conducting home visits met up. They somehow managed to get the villagers out as well, and together they did one thing—

Digging lotus roots.

All the crops in this village have just been harvested and seedlings have just been planted; only the lotus pond still has plants.

Harvesting lotus roots in the pond requires tools and time. Previously, due to the zombies' pursuit, no one dared to go into the water. Now that the zombies have been dealt with, the villagers, led by the extermination team, went into the water together.

August is the season when lotus roots ripen, and the harvest is plentiful.

Although the villagers hadn't eaten properly for several days, the thought of having fresh lotus roots to cook them soon filled them with enthusiasm. Working together, they pulled up all the lotus roots from the two ponds in just half an hour.

The costs will be shared locally.

The team that came to clear out the zombies gestured and said something to the villagers, and then took away a whole pickup truckload of lotus roots.

Lin Xi looked at it from afar and felt a little hungry.

While having sauerkraut fish hotpot for lunch, she was thinking how nice it would be if there were more kinds of vegetables, and crisp lotus root is a special kind of vegetable.

When the group loaded the lotus roots onto the pickup truck, Lin Jie took a backpack from home and put it in their vehicle.

Lin Xi couldn't help but find it strange. Would someone like Lin Jie voluntarily donate supplies?

The group clearly wasn't planning to leave immediately; instead, they continued visiting each house as if they were dealing with some important person.

During the home visit, two members of the team followed Lin Jie into Zhang Xiulan's house with a handbag, but the handbag was gone when they came out.

Lin Xi assumed they were exchanging supplies.

But she couldn't think of anything Lin Jie could give to the cleanup team, and what the cleanup team had given Lin Jie in return.

If it's just supplies, that's fine, but if it's weapons or other items, then it's a bit troublesome.

Lin Jie is wicked and has already made enemies with Lin Xi. Even if he can't get into Lin Xi's house, he will always find a way to harm people or cause trouble.

Just as he was wondering, the team was almost at Lin Xi's doorstep, and Lin Jie was still following behind them like a sycophant.

Lin Xi put down her binoculars and went downstairs. She didn't plan to leave her house, but she wanted to observe these people up close.

They didn't seem to have any ill intentions; perhaps they were sent by the authorities to clear out the zombies, but in the apocalypse, anything can happen.

However, Lin Xi's windows are bulletproof, so she's not afraid even if the other party has a gun.

As the group approached, Lin Xi spotted a familiar figure.

The man wasn't wearing a vest, but a pure black T-shirt. His skin appeared even colder and whiter against the black clothing, making him stand out starkly against the tanned person behind him.

Lin Xi blurted out from inside the house: "Lu..."

The person turned their face towards him, and it wasn't that indifferent face anymore.

The man was around 25 years old, exuding positivity and integrity in his every move. When he arrived at Lin Xi's courtyard gate, he glanced at the house with slight surprise, or rather, at the "birdcage"-like security bars on the outer yard.

Finally, my gaze fell on the surveillance camera in the corner.

Lin Jie quickly stepped forward and said to the man, "This is my cousin's house. She has a mental illness and took over my family's land and decorated the house like this."

The young man leading the group glanced at Lin Jie and said, "What you're describing is 'mental illness,' not 'neurosis.'"

Lin Jie: "..."

Lin Xi inside the room: "..."

The young man ignored Lin Jie and raised his voice to Lin Xijia, saying, "Hello, I am Yang Yicheng, the commander of the second squad of the Iron Wolf Base. We are here to clear out the zombies and recruit soldiers. Would it be convenient for us to open the door and discuss this in detail?"

Yang Yicheng's identity was similar to what Lin Xi had expected, but "Iron Wolf Base" didn't sound very official; it seemed like it was a privately established organization.

Lin Jie leaned in again to chat: "She won't open the door. Before the zombie outbreak, she could stay at home for a month without going out."

But Yang Yicheng seemed used to being turned away. No one answered the door or responded, but he didn't get annoyed. He continued to talk to Lin Xi: "We need manpower to help clear out the zombies and manage the base. If any young people are willing to join, we will provide safe accommodation and some supplies for their families."

Lin Xi suddenly realized what the bag Lin Jie had loaded onto the car and the tote bag Yang Yicheng had given Lin Jie were; this kid had actually joined the cleanup squad.

Lin Xi had no intention of going out in the first place, and seeing that Lin Jie had joined the team, she was even less likely to go.

Since the conscription began, Yang Yicheng had seen many people hiding at home and not responding. He wasn't surprised; he was just making one last effort.

"It's okay if you don't want to join. If you have some emerging electronic devices such as surveillance equipment, drones, and solar panels, we are willing to exchange them for food and daily necessities."

Lin Xi has all of what Yang Yicheng said.

She couldn't help but admire Yang Yicheng's judgment. He could guess her quality of life from her home decor and the surveillance camera in the corner. No wonder she could become a squad leader at such a young age.