Chapter 35: Chapter 35: This Is a Father
Watching the iron gate open, Ye Fan led the team into the courtyard immediately.
The courtyard gate was locked, but the door was not. Xu Haoran took the lead and pushed the door open.
Just like the second floor, the first floor also had bedding and a table. A group of young men were sitting around the table. When Xu Haoran entered, they were very alert and all reached for their weapons.
Since Jiang Shilong had acquired gear from an abandoned police station, he had several guns, with some of them already armed downstairs.
Others held machetes and long spears, and even had riot shields. When they saw Xu Haoran approach, they all stood up with a start.
But all they could do was stand because the ten or so soldiers who came in soon after left them completely stunned.
The soldiers rushed in, quickly took positions, their steel guns held level, bayonets glimmering coldly, preventing any movement.
Xu Haoran strode over to two armed and defiant young men, swinging the butt of his gun down twice, immediately making them bleed from the head.
Screaming and clutching their heads, their guns were easily taken by Xu Haoran.
"Everyone squat down, hands on your head and lean against the wall!"
One of the disarmed individuals seemed rebellious, just about to raise his head and complain when Xu Haoran fiercely kicked him in the abdomen, sending him flying four or five meters away into the wall.
Blood spurted from his mouth, and the ferocity in his eyes was replaced by fear, daring not to move again.
Seeing this scene almost made the others wet themselves, and without a word, they tossed their weapons aside and obediently squatted in a row against the wall.
At this point, their only thought was that everything was over. The army had arrived, and everything would be reset.
Even the survivors shivered, though they had hoped for the army’s arrival, truly facing the military’s iron-blooded style was something many ordinary people found hard to adapt to.
Fear, especially, was almost unavoidable, typical of ordinary citizens.
The Conscripts had occupied key points, the first floor was secured, and Xu Haoran turned back: "Sir, it’s under control."
Only then did Ye Fan step inside, his eyes landing directly on his parents.
Seeing their weary faces, he felt a twinge in his heart.
However, his parents hadn’t recognized Ye Fan yet, firstly because Ye Fan wore a hat, and secondly, they were backlit.
When the officer across the room looked their way, his parents instinctively lowered their heads.
Before Ye Fan could say anything, suddenly a group of people rushed down from the second floor.
The people on the first floor were mere small fries; the real core was upstairs — Jiang Shilong, his two direct subordinates, and seven or eight brawny young men, all armed.
Seeing the situation downstairs, Jiang Shilong was taken aback. He quickly dodged and pulled Lan Lili over to shield them.
"Who are you people?"
Ye Fan initially intended to talk to him, but now that the situation was under control, there was no need. He directly took off his hat and addressed Jiang Shilong, "Do you recognize me now?"
Jiang Shilong rubbed his eyes, stunned: "Why do you look so familiar?"
He didn’t recognize him, but Lan Lili screamed, "You’re Ye Fan!"
Ye Fan snorted; with his parents present, Jiang Shilong’s opinions no longer mattered.
"Take their guns, we’ll talk later."
Xu Haoran led the wolf-like Conscripts over, taking their guns without a word. Faced with the overwhelming firepower and palpable aura of death from the Red Alert Soldier, they stood no chance.
Ye Fan walked over and supported his parents.
Ye Jian Country looked at Ye Fan in utter disbelief; he couldn’t fathom that this imposing officer was his son.
Instead, his mother, Xu Lizhen, burst into tears, throwing her arms around Ye Fan, "Little Fan, you’re alive... thank goodness."
Holding his sobbing mother, Ye Fan felt both heartache and relief. That his parents survived was a blessing, and if he could find his sister next, his mind would be at ease.
His father, Ye Jian Country, also rubbed his reddened eyes, moved and deeply curious.
"How did you become an officer?"
Ye Fan coughed: "Dad, this unit has confidentiality protocols. Just know I was urgently promoted, and don’t ask about the rest, asking too much could get me in trouble."
Ye Jian Country was full of curiosity, but his personality was old-fashioned. Such people hold immense love and respect for their country and the military.
Coupled with his love for his son, upon hearing it could cause trouble, he immediately said, "Then don’t tell me. Since you’re here, work hard and don’t disgrace the army or the nation."
Ye Fan felt guilty but didn’t show it. He continued to his father, "Dad, I came here specifically to find you. You and Mom should pack up and come with me now."
"Go? Where to?" Ye Jian Country asked.
"Hmm, next I’m planning to find my sister, and then we’ll be reunited as a family."
Xu Lizhen’s eyes immediately turned red again. These days, worrying about her children almost made her cry blind. Initially thinking there was no hope, seeing Ye Fan now rekindled endless hope in her, and she wished her daughter could return to her side immediately.
"Do you plan to take us to find your sister?" Ye Jian Country asked.
"No, I’m just taking you to another place, and then I’ll find my sister myself."
"But your sister is in Lingshui. Where do you plan to take us? Wouldn’t it be a waste of time to leave and then come back? Besides, we still have relatives and friends here."
Ye Fan looked at some people beside Ye Jian Country, among them were indeed some familiar faces.
He grew up here, with many villagers around, some of whom were his relatives, and there were people whose names he could call out.
But these people were not within Ye Fan’s consideration. If he took one away, that person might know someone else and might also ask to be taken away.
In the end, maybe he would have to take everyone away.
Ye Fan didn’t feel close to them, but his parents were different. It’s hard for the elderly to leave their homeland and its people.
For instance, mom’s old sister who she’s known for decades.
For example, his aunt by kinship, always coming and going, mom would be reluctant to leave them behind.
The same was true for dad; he also had relatives and friends here.
Ye Fan said, "Dad, you and mom come with me first."
Ye Jian Country hesitated, "Where? You can go find your sister, but where are mom and I supposed to wait? Can’t we stay here? In case your sister comes back, at least she won’t find no one here."
Before Ye Fan could persuade further, Jiang Shilong suddenly spoke up, "Ye Fan, brother, can I say a few words?"
"What do you want to say?"
Jiang Shilong smiled as he walked over, approaching Ye Fan.
"Stay there, don’t move. Take one more step, and I’ll break your legs!"
Xu Haoran blocked him; this person was dangerous, and he wouldn’t allow him to get close to Ye Fan.
Jiang Shilong immediately raised both hands to indicate he meant no harm, "Ye Fan, brother, you see Uncle Ye doesn’t want to go with you, so don’t force it. If you ask me, you should stay here with your people. From what I know, there aren’t many soldiers left outside, right? You guys are among the few left. Stay with us, and I’ll promise to follow your leadership; everything will be as you say."
By Ye Fan’s side, Xiaotian and another military dog stared fiercely at Jiang Shilong. If not for Ye Fan’s restraint, they would have already pounced.
Ye Fan felt stirred in his heart; he knew the military dogs of Red Alert had a special skill.
Identifying spies!
Spies disguise themselves as soldiers to steal things, and other combat units cannot identify them, but military dogs can easily see through it.
And now, with the dogs acting this way, it indicated Jiang Shilong had ulterior motives.
About to take action, Jiang Shilong, seeing that he failed to persuade Ye Fan, suddenly spoke to Ye Jian Country, "Uncle Ye, please persuade Xiao Fan. In times like these, money doesn’t matter; people are what matter. Humanity needs to procreate, right? If most people die, those left alive wouldn’t find life meaningful. So, we should stick together, don’t you think?"
Even Ye Fan had to admit Jiang Shilong’s words made some sense.
He worried his father might be convinced by him.
His father was known for his stubborn temperament; once he decided on something, even nine oxen couldn’t draw him back.
Jiang Shilong, despite his ill intentions, was someone who had saved his parents, and his father could fall into his trap.
Feeling uneasy, Ye Fan thought of ordering action immediately, making the decision before asking later, forcing the outcome so his father couldn’t object.
But just then, his father suddenly stood up, taking Xu Lizhen’s hand, and moved behind Ye Fan.
Jiang Shilong was taken aback, "Uncle Ye, what is this...?"
He had known the Ye Jian Country family for a long time and understood Ye Jian Country’s character well. He thought his words would definitely influence Ye Jian Country, making him overlook previous misdeeds in the name of greater causes.
If Ye Jian Country let Ye Fan stay, with his current special abilities, he could definitely eliminate these soldiers and seize their guns.
Looking at these guns, Jiang Shilong drooled at the thought; acquiring such firepower could let him dominate one area in this apocalyptic world!
So when he saw Ye Fan, he wasn’t nervous; instead, he quickly started plotting and executing his plan.
But Ye Jian Country’s actions now left him puzzled; had the old man changed?
Standing behind Ye Fan, Ye Jian Country finally spoke to Jiang Shilong, "I agree with what you said."
"Great, so Uncle Ye, what is this...?"
"Though I’m old, I’m not blind. You’re no good guy, and this is my son. Don’t think you can fool my son."
After saying this, Ye Jian Country took Xu Lizhen a few steps back among the soldiers, "Xiao Fan, now you do whatever you want; your mom and I will act as if we saw nothing."