CHAPTER 26

"Are we there yet?", Mo Jun asked for the nth time.

"Come on, man, you've asked that a million times already since this morning!", Li Qingshan exasperatedly answered.

They've been traveling through the forest for a day and a half now. According to Shao Haoran's calculations, they should be reaching the safe zone soon.

"Sorry," Mo Jun scratched his head sheepishly, "I'm quite excited to see this safe zone. And besides, Haoran said that we'll be there after a day and a half's worth of travel. I guess I just can't wait."

Li Qingshan didn't answer but simply followed Shao Haoran. He can't really blame Mo Jun for his excitement since he too is quite looking forward to what he will see once they arrive.

Soon enough, the three men saw light at the end of the road. Getting closer, they reached the clearing and the two men who were there for the first time saw the mesh fence that Shao Haoran talked about.

"It's really a mesh fence with no gate...", Mo Jun muttered.

Shao Haoran led the two towards the entrance. As soon as the three stepped inside, they felt something different in the air.

"Why does it seem like the air is much fresher here?", Li Qingshan commented.

They continued to move forward down the road, all the way straight to the only single house they saw at the distance.

"Is that the house where you said the owner lives?"

"Yes."

"Will the owner welcome us?"

"Well, he should. He was the one who told me to invite people to come and rent his guest room."

Reaching the house, it was only then that Shao Haoran realized that he didn't have a key to enter. He knocked on the door a couple of times, but there was no answer.

"Let's just wait for the owner to come."

It was a good thing that the porch has a swing and Li Qingshan sat there together with Baobao. Shao Haoran leaned on the pillar. Mo Jun, on the other hand, sat on the porch steps and was looking at the distance, observing the area.

"This place is very clean." Mo Jun observed.

Indeed, compared to the forest or even to the base, the safe zone looks well-maintained despite the fact that it was just all grass.

Li Qingshan was more focused on the farm. It was a sectioned off area that's different from the grassland that surrounds it.

"Haoran, is that the farm that you were talking about?", Li Qingshan can't hide the excitement in his voice.

"Yes," Shao Haoran replied with pride. He can't help but be proud of the farm since he also helped in planting those seedlings. "It looks like they're growing well."

As soon as Shao Haoran's voice fell, the three men heard the sound of running from the back of the house. The three men raised their vigilance and turned their attention to the source of the sound.

In a bit, Shen Tian's dirty figure appeared in front of the three of them.

Shen Tian had been notified by the system earlier that three guests had entered the safe zone, with one of them holding a signed safe zone residency agreement. He had only signed one agreement all this while, so he knew that it was Shao Haoran who came back. And knowing that there are three guests, he guessed that Shao Haoran had brought people with him.

Seeing the three able-bodied men in front of him, Shen Tian burst into tears wildly.

Shao Haoran, seeing Shen Tian bursting into tears, was flustered. He had never seen a grown man throwing such a big fuss to the point of tears without a reason.

"I'm so happy that you guys are here!", Shen Tian sniffed as he wiped away his tears. Since his sleeves were dirty, his already dirty face became smeared even more. "Are you the two guests planning to stay here as well?"

"Ughh...", Li Qingshan and Mo Jun were apprehensive upon seeing Shen Tian's disheveled appearance.

"A-are you the safe zone owner?", it was Li Qingshan who asked.

"Oh, where are my manners!", Shen Tian exclaimed. "Apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Shen Tian and I am indeed the safe zone owner. I trust that Shao Haoran has already given you a basic introduction of what the safe zone is?"

"Well, yes, he did."

"Shen Tian, these two are my good friends. He is Mo Jun and he is Li Qingshan.", Shao Haoran introduced the two men he brought with him to Shen Tian. "They'll be staying with us for a while."

"Welcome to the safe zone!", Shen Tian happily greeted the two new guests. "How many days will you be staying? Shao Haoran may have already told you, but just to bring it up again, I only have two beds available and they're in one guest room. Is it okay with you if you two are going to room together?"

"Yes, we plan to stay here for three days for now.", Li Qingshan replied.

'Just three days...`, Shen Tian was a bit disappointed but he soon cheered himself up. No one would be able to reject the allure of a safe zone that zombies can't enter. They will soon become long-term tenants, he's sure of that!

"Okay, then that'll be fifteen crystal cores each.", Shen Tian replied. "Also, I can take care of your daily food and water for the next three days. In exchange, I'll need you to provide physical labor for today and tomorrow."

Hearing that, Shao Haoran realized that Shen Tian may be doing another project - just like with the farming one.

"Are you working on something now?"

"Yes, I'm currently working on establishing a stable water supply for the safe zone.", Shen Tian felt dejected as soon as he said that. "It's not going well, currently. I know you guys are tired from traveling, but I really need help from the three of you, if you're okay with that."

Li Qingshan and Mo Jun looked at each other and they saw the same puzzled look on the other's face. Shao Haoran only nodded, already intending to help out with Shen Tian's work.

"Well, what do you need us for?"

"If you are up for it, then please follow me."