"But you guys are really lucky today. Shi Yin said the banquet will be held on a nearby rooftop, and you might even hear her sing." Old Tang put the food on the windowsill in a good mood: "Let's go, she won't come to get it if there are people here. She'll only come after we've all left."
"She can sing?" Freya exclaimed, as if she had discovered something amazing. "Is she deliberately avoiding you?"
"Haha, yeah, you can listen to it tonight." Old Tang laughed. "She probably wants to keep her distance. Anyway, after being betrayed, she rarely hangs out with people anymore."
"Miss... cough, Shi Yin was betrayed?" Nan Zhu asked, puzzled.
"Sigh, it's a long story." Old Tang looked around to make sure no one was around before whispering to the two newcomers about the past: "You've probably heard the story of how a small favor is appreciated but a large one is resented. Shi Yin is very approachable and gets along well with everyone, so some people naturally think he's easy to manipulate."
“Our shelter used to be huge. Shi Yin even tried to win over people from the country to cooperate. It was thriving and on par with the zombies. It's nothing like how it has fallen into such a state now.”
Old Tang sighed deeply, his expression filled with nostalgia.
He was an old man who had been with Shi Yin all along. He had witnessed the establishment, glory, and decline of the shelter, and therefore felt the deepest emotions.
"She was such a spirited person back then, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was the most dazzling existence among mankind, she practically established a small country." Old Tang recalled carefully: "Back then we also advised her to keep her distance, after all, a king is aloof and has a clear hierarchy, only then can he control those below him... But, she was young after all."
"Someone wants to replace him as the highest-ranking person in the shelter?" Nan Zhu immediately understood.
"Yes, Shi Yin's cooperation with the country is actually quite pleasant, but sensitive and suspicious people doubt her intentions, arrogant and conceited people question her incompetence and folly, and some even rejoice in seeing her make mistakes." As he said this, a trace of resentment flashed in Old Tang's eyes.
"Because that's their nature. They have no achievements of their own and are like parasitic plants that live by absorbing the nourishment of others. Yet they want to pull Shi Yin down from her high position and use the failures and misery of others as nourishment to live on."
"They were really out of their minds, living too well, and often forgot how they even survived. Later, Shi Yin was betrayed, the country's army was wiped out, Shi Yin disappeared, and the sanctuary quickly fell apart."
Old Tang paused, then sighed: "In that incident, Shi Yin's sister and father both died."
"Then my sister will probably come back for revenge, right?" Freya didn't think Shion was the type to swallow this insult.
“Under normal circumstances, she would come back to seek revenge, but the collapse of the shelter means that the zombies will no longer have any worries. By the time Shi Yin comes back, those people will be long dead, and we will be either dead or injured…” Old Tang slowly sat down against the wall: “Perhaps the reason she never gets too close to us is because she hates us.”
"She needs an outlet to vent her frustrations; perhaps she even hates humanity now."
"And what about you?" Nan Zhu suddenly spoke up: "Shi Yin said that everyone here has lost someone important, and you seem to hate that."
"Of course I hate it. The national army was wiped out, so how much better was the army in the shelter? I was the only survivor of that squad." Old Tang glanced at Nan Zhu: "I can tell that you all seem to have other ulterior motives towards Shi Yin. I'm telling you this so that you understand that if anything is against her, none of us are to be trifled with."
"Do you hate humans too?" Nan Zhu asked. "You said Shi Yin might hate humans, is that because you're just guessing?"
“Yes, I have nothing left.” Old Tang sneered, “I originally wanted to commit suicide, but Shi Yin persuaded me.”
"What did he say?" Freya asked curiously.
“She said that tragedy is not the end, but the beginning of hope. All the struggles and efforts that our group has gone through will become the hope to fight against the apocalypse.” Old Tang took a deep breath: “Maybe the apocalypse will be over tomorrow.”
"But, little girl, your name is Freya?" Old Tang looked up. "The way you look at Shi Yin is strange, just like the way those young men in the shelter look at Shi Yin. Do you like Shi Yin?"
"Yes," Freya said with a smile, readily admitting it.
"You're all girls, right?" Old Tang looked at Freya's skirt with a complicated expression.
Could this child be a boy who likes to wear skirts?
“Yes, but what does it matter?” Freya laughed. “There is only one sexual orientation in the world, and that is the one your heart desires.”
Old Tang was taken aback, and wanted to say something, but then silently shut his mouth.
“By the way, we plan to leave tonight to go find her,” Freya said. “We are very capable and good at fighting, so we are well-suited for combat.”
"Haha, well, that depends on your luck. You're not the first person to say that." Old Tang shook his head: "The chances of her agreeing are slim, at least she hasn't agreed yet."
"I'll try my best..." Freya smiled and winked.
"Old Tang! Are you going to eat or not?!"
"They're here!"
A shout came from behind, and Old Tang immediately came to his senses, stood up, dusted off his backside, and turned to leave.
He was still hungry. Today he finally got to eat an unlimited feast, and he even got to eat minced meat, eggs, and soup made with oil. He had to fill his stomach no matter what.
Faintly, Freya and Nanzhu seemed to hear the gentle sound of strings and singing, a soft and languid sound, like a traveler exploring the Moon Lake leaning on a small stool playing the guitar.
During the banquet, the noise subsided, and even the sounds of people eating became much quieter.
This song sounds familiar, like a folk song, light and cheerful with a touch of charm and laziness, drifting melodiously from afar.
When I turned around, the food and wine on the windowsill had disappeared without me noticing.
Shi Yin's location isn't actually hard to find; it's true that I told Lao Tang before that I would sit in a place where everyone can see me.
The surrounding area is filled with tall buildings, all of which have been completely overtaken by plants. Thick vines climb up the buildings, and the walls are covered with dense ivy, making it look eerie and terrifying.
Shi Yin sat on one of the rooftops, her legs dangling down, seemingly in a good mood as she strummed the strings. Freya and Nan Zhu were captivated by Shi Yin's relaxed and leisurely demeanor, seeing it for the first time.
"I haven't touched her in months, and she's gotten a bit out of tune. It took me a while to tune her." Shi Yin put the guitar aside, picked up her wine glass, and took a sip. "Why aren't you going to the banquet? What are you doing here looking for me?"
“We’ve come to find you.” Freya stepped forward. “They’re quite strong too, they can come with you.”
"You wouldn't be pitying me because of what Old Tang said, would you?" Shi Yin laughed and downed her drink in one gulp. "Take his words with a grain of salt. I don't get close to them, not for those strange reasons."
"Were you there at the time?" Nan Zhu suddenly realized.
When he was chatting with Lao Tang, he vaguely felt that something was wrong with his surroundings, but after a careful investigation, he found nothing. It turned out that the strange noise came from Shi Yin.
“Yeah.” Shi Yin yawned. “If you don’t find it hard, then do as you please. There are no beds, and you’ll have to take care of your own food and medicine.”
"We can... Huh? Sister agreed?" Freya asked in surprise.
“Yes.” Shi Yin felt the wind and smiled softly: “It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone I can fight alongside. Let’s make an exception for once in a while.”
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