The Chef Rules the Last Days
Chapter 317 - 316: Epidemic Prevention Zone

Chapter 317: Chapter 316: Epidemic Prevention Zone

Jiang Yulian had been sitting in the backseat, and when she confirmed it was the dog she had raised for years, she teared up, nostalgic for the sorrowful past.

The baby swaddled in her arms seemed to sense his mother’s distress and began to cry.

She frantically tried to soothe the child until Ling Ye helped by making faces, which calmed the baby at last.

Zhao Changsheng’s concern for Li Qian instantly shifted to Su Mo, his anxiousness apparent in his fox-like eyes as he watched the back of her head.

Li Ming, unaware of the nuances of the group’s expressions, thought they were just upset about the dog. He said, "It’s just a few dogs, no worries. As long as we get rid of the zombie horde, all is well."

He didn’t associate the zombie horde and the dogs, obviously finding the idea of zombies controlling dogs to block paths absurd, but still, he was cautious.

As dusk fell and the headlights were switched on, they approached the epidemic prevention zone.

But to everyone’s surprise, what they thought would be the epidemic prevention zone, filled with barriers and tents, disorganized and dirty,

turned out to be a few hundred meters through a tunnel that led to an arched door made of reinforced concrete, where they stopped.

It was pitch black in the tunnel, so dark one could not see even a hand in front of them.

Yet, Su Mo could see several man-made holes in the arch, with machine guns poking out.

Several flashlight beams illuminated the entrance.

Everyone got out of the car.

Li Ming walked ahead, greeted the holes in the wall, and said, "Open the door."

With a thickness of about half a meter, the door slowly opened from the inside, manually pushed by two superpower users with strength abilities.

"This door, it really has a high safety factor," Su Mo whispered.

Li Ming looked back at her, his tone quite proud, "We modeled it after bank vault doors, it’s bomb-resistant."

"No wonder."

When He Fei got out of the car, he was supported by his peers. His eyes lost their color, seemingly dazed, clearly traumatized.

Behind him stood a group of students and three teachers.

After the door fully opened, Li Ming led the way, and the vehicles were also driven in.

As Su Mo walked through the gate, she was surrounded by inhales and exclamations; even she was taken aback.

This place was a completely sealed mini-town.

Enclosed by continuous black mountains, the town comprised only about a dozen houses and shops, nestled amid the mountains, and surrounded by a wire fence to prevent mutant creatures from entering.

A natural, secluded barrier closed off from the world.

A brightly lit street led straight through, flanked by detached rural cottages. People were bustling around, mostly burly armed men.

It looked like a great place by any standard.

Upon entering, Guo Hua felt as familiar as if returning home, carrying his gun and greeting people around; everyone seemed happy to see him back.

Hundreds gathered at the gate, waiting for Li Ming’s instructions.

Li Ming called his companions over and addressed the new students, "Welcome to the epidemic prevention zone. Superpower users and ordinary people will now separate, and we will lead you to your respective living spaces."

As soon as they heard about being separated from the superpower users, the students protested,

"No way! We are together, how can we be separated!"

"They have to protect us!"

"You can’t do this!"

"..."

Li Ming dug his ears and exerted a commanding presence as he loudly said, "In the epidemic prevention zone, we don’t support the idle or useless. Please follow our directives, or else.."

He paused, his finger pointing towards the recently closed gate that connected to the outside world, "leave."

Once you’re in someone else’s territory, you naturally have to follow their rules.

Su Mo watched the students making a ruckus and thought their future might become even harder to bear.

The student superpower users weren’t foolish enough to step forward, having spent enough time outside to know that these people were not to be provoked, especially when even their leader, He Fei, seemed utterly defeated.

The three teachers, including Ding Yan, dared not speak anymore, fearing their fate would be the same; however, to their surprise, Li Ming said that the teachers could stay with the superpower users.

In the end, only the ordinary students were taken away by seven or eight armed men. As for where they were taken, it was unknown at that time.

After dealing with the regular people, Li Ming became much more polite. He addressed the remaining superpower users, including Su Mo, "Our Governor has already arranged a dinner to welcome you all. Let’s all go have something to eat together."

"Governor?" Su Mo looked up at Lu Chen.

The man took her hand and followed Li Ming’s lead, "The highest administrative officer of this region."

"Self-appointed, right?" Su Mo whispered.

Lu Chen: "Yes."

Su Mo gestured for Jiang Yulian and Ling Ye behind her to catch up.

As they walked down the straight path, Su Mo noticed two or three non-superpower children running past her, and an old lady in a floral cotton-padded jacket came out of a small western-style house to pour water, looking as though she had just washed her feet.

She shifted her gaze as she was drawn to music coming from a two-story standalone house ahead, which sounded like classical music played from an old gramophone, melodic and lingering. She didn’t know the song’s name, but it was pleasant to hear.

In front of the house, many roses were planted, but on closer inspection, one could see they were all made of plastic.

Many people gathered in the open area, mostly robust young men, who were using four or five homemade outdoor grills to cook blocks of meat and sausages in front of the house.

The firelight reflected off their muscular builds and resolute faces, creating an unexpectedly aesthetic scene.

There were also numerous neatly-dressed women clinging to these men, warmly offering their red lips.

It was a lively party, or so Su Mo thought.

"Li Ming is back!"

Someone shouted.

Everyone’s attention turned to them.

Immediately, about a dozen robust men swarmed forward.

"Not bad, Li Ming, bringing back so many superpower users and chicks!" one person hooked Li Ming’s neck and loudly praised without any reservation.

"Enough, enough, go back to the barbecue, I’m starving to death," Li Ming pushed him away, kicking the man’s buttocks.

He walked over to Lu Chen, smiling, "They’re wild here, but feel free to enjoy the barbecue and drinks without restraint, once you’re in the epidemic prevention zone, we’re all family."

With that, he stepped into the house playing classical music.

This was their cue to start the dinner.

He walked away, and aside from occasional curious glances, there were no other lingering stares.

Su Mo approached a square table covered with a red and white checkered picnic cloth, laid with many household plates and cutlery.

She picked up a plate, "Anyway, let’s eat our fill first."