Chapter 106: Following

Yi Chen returned to the hotel and shared his next plan with the group.

"You're going to study at the Ivory Tower?" Everyone was surprised. In their eyes, although Yi Chen was only sixteen, he was nothing like an ordinary student.

"I suspect there are infected individuals lurking in the Ivory Tower. While I can't be certain yet, I believe we should dedicate more effort to searching in that area. There are too many students, and screening them takes time. It would be much easier to move around if I were integrated into the student body."

"We should indeed be cautious. The enemy's motives are still unclear, and if they were to cause trouble at the Ivory Tower, it would be a devastating blow to the inner city," Bai Ge said solemnly.

She supported Yi Chen's decision. On a small scale, every student represented a family; if something happened to their child, the parents would be absolutely devastated. On a larger scale, these students were the future of Nanchuan. In three to five years, they would enter society and apply their knowledge and skills. If they were to be harmed by monsters here, what future would humanity have?

"In a sense, the infected are just as terrifying and threatening as zombies. If a normal person is scratched or bitten by them, they will also become infected. The Ivory Tower has a high density of students, with elementary, middle, and high schoolers all together. If there is one infected individual, a large-scale outbreak is highly likely," Ling Lan said, analyzing the problem from her perspective.

"If you've decided to go, you must act quickly to find them and bring the situation under control before any incident occurs."

"I know. I'll contact Zhou Shiwen immediately and have him make the arrangements," Yi Chen said.

"I'm going too," Liang Bing spoke up.

"What are you going for? To attend school?" Ling Zhe asked.

Liang Bing nodded.

Everyone looked at each other, unsure if they should agree. Based on her age, Liang Bing was only a middle schooler and, by rights, should be sitting in a classroom at the Ivory Tower. However, her status as an infected individual was unique, and she had been silently following the team's operations. Everyone had been so busy dealing with various crises that no one had ever suggested she return to school.

"I... it’s not really for the sake of school. The Lurkers and Ouyang Hong probably don't know you exist. If your identity is exposed, it won't be safe," Yi Chen reminded her.

"I know. I go where you go, as long as I can help you," Liang Bing said stubbornly.

"I might not be able to look after you..."

"I can take care of myself. I won't be a burden. This is the path I’ve chosen."

Yi Chen was speechless. Looking into Liang Bing's bright eyes, he realized just how obstinate this young girl was.

"Forget it, just take her with you. If you both search, you'll be more efficient and can look out for each other. Did you really think we’d be at ease with you going alone?" Ling Lan smiled. She rarely saw Liang Bing make a decision, and she knew that once her mind was set, it was hard to dissuade her.

With the leader having spoken, Yi Chen stopped insisting. He quickly called Zhou Shiwen and briefly explained the situation.

"My friend and I want to enter the Ivory Tower as students. Please make the arrangements as soon as possible."

"Enrollment tomorrow morning, straight into class. Can you do that?" Zhou Shiwen, true to his reputation as the chairman of the Future Group, didn't waste a single word.

"Yes. I need to be in Grade 10, Class C. My friend’s name is Liang Bing; please place her in the second or third year of middle school," Yi Chen said. He only knew her age and had never heard her talk about school, so he made an estimate.

Fortunately, in the post-apocalyptic era, there was no pressure for advancement, and he assumed there wasn't much difference between the second and third years of middle school. The Future Group kept students in school largely to ensure they could quickly master various skills, cultivating talent for the future. Besides, they were just going to the Ivory Tower to "go through the motions," not to actually study. Yi Chen only specified a class because he had promised Lu Yu he would be in his class.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, a hotel attendant delivered a brand-new school uniform and a stuffed backpack. Yi Chen changed into the uniform and opened the bag. Inside was a file folder containing his enrollment papers, student ID, and school number. Beyond the documents, all the necessary textbooks and stationery were included—the preparation was thorough.

He couldn't help but marvel at how capable and meticulous the secretaries and assistants around Zhou Shiwen must be to have arranged the entire package in such a short time.

In the next room, Liang Bing had received the same high-tier treatment. She emerged wearing her new summer school uniform skirt, her face expressionless as she joined Yi Chen. Outside the hotel, a luxury private car was already waiting. They both got in and sat in the back.

"If I had this kind of noble treatment when I was in school... I might have actually been willing to study for a few days," Yi Chen mused, recalling how he used to ride his mountain bike through wind and rain, regardless of the season.

Liang Bing wasn't surprised. Her family had been well-off before; even though she came from a single-parent home and her father was busy, she had always had a chauffeur to drive her to and from school.

Before long, they arrived at the main gate of the Ivory Tower. It was exactly the right time, and students were filing in. Many parents were dropping their children off by car or bicycle.

"Let's go," Yi Chen said, stepping out first, with Liang Bing following behind.

"I'm a bit nervous," Liang Bing said. However, looking at her blank expression, she didn't seem nervous at all.

"Are you worried about danger?" Yi Chen asked.

"No. I have to meet strangers; I'm a bit afraid," Liang Bing said, her tone finally shifting. She wasn't good with words, and the prospect of navigating social relationships felt like facing a formidable enemy.

Yi Chen smiled slightly, patted her head, and said, "Don't think too much. Just be yourself. Those who can accept you will do so naturally; you don't need to go out of your way to cater to others."

Liang Bing murmured an acknowledgement, her mental burden easing. Yi Chen's gesture and words had infused her with courage.

The outermost perimeter of the Ivory Tower was lined with greenery, refreshing and park-like. Further in was a 400-meter track circling the tower, where students performed their daily drills. Due to limited space, there was no football field, but the tower housed an indoor basketball court and a specialized equipment room for physical education, making the facilities quite complete.

As Yi Chen climbed the steps, looking at the rooms converted into bright classrooms, he felt a genuine sense of awe. Regardless of his opinion of the Future Group, at least they were conscientious about education. This was the apocalypse, after all—conditions were far from what they used to be.