Not many people were venturing out of the city, and at this moment, only a minority had this awareness. Most were still waiting for rescue.
Zheng Lanxin had initially planned to question Jianyi, suspecting if she had incited her own son to steal the bank card. However, after seeing the sturdy motorhome that could knock zombies aside, along with the not-so-well-hidden supplies inside the vehicle, she couldn't bring herself to ask those questions. Furthermore, Chen Junsheng had taken full responsibility for the incident. Zheng Lanxin could only mutter sarcastically in a passive-aggressive manner, "Lao Jian, the kids have grown wings and big ideas. I can't control them anymore. Don't blame me later."
The vehicle left the city, got on the highway, and the road became relatively clear. However, there were still many humans turning into mutants on the highway, so the journey was filled with one gruesome accident scene after another. This sight made Zheng Lanxin rush to the bathroom to vomit for half an hour.
After vomiting, she returned to the cabin and pulled all the curtains closed, refusing to look at the outside.
"Where are we going?" Zheng Lanxin finally remembered to ask this important question.
During the half-hour she spent vomiting in the bathroom, she had finally come to her senses and realized that something was amiss. First, Jianyi could drive. Second, her son no longer treated her affectionately. Not only was he distant, but he also followed Jianyi without question.
However, no one answered Zheng Lanxin's question.
Chen Junsheng looked at the highway signs ahead and reminded Jianyi, "Sis, there's a rest area up ahead. Should we stop and take a look?"
Jianyi glanced at the side mirror. Long Xiaohu's pickup truck was still following closely behind, maintaining a safe distance of a hundred meters.
"We'll stop at the next rest area. You can get off and ask Long Xiaohu if he dares to grab the rest area. If he hesitates, just let him go."
As for killing this person, there was no need for it.
After a while, Chen Junsheng reluctantly agreed, "Okay."
Jianyi gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you find anything wrong?"
Chen Junsheng didn't speak, but he stared at the in-car electronic map with his long eyelashes covering his eyes, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
However, inexplicably, Jianyi could sense his grievance.
"Do you still remember what happened when we were kids?"
"No, I've long forgotten."
"What made you have such a strong aversion to Long Xiaohu?"
The teenager remained silent for a while before replying, "His recent stupidity almost got us killed. I don't think he's suitable to be our companion."
"Is that so... just because of that?" Jianyi's lips curled into a teasing smile. "I thought he left you with childhood trauma."
"Sis!" Chen Junsheng panicked. He didn't have any childhood trauma!
He wanted to explain but found himself looking at the young girl in front of him. She was looking ahead with a smile on her face, a mischievous expression, and he suddenly understood. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"A companion? He doesn't deserve it." Jianyi's tone became gentle. "Whether it's Long Xiaohu or anyone else, as long as they're useful to us, they can stay."
Us?
Jianyi said "us." Did that mean he was considered her companion now?
Thinking of this, Chen Junsheng's lingering resentment dissipated, and the intense hostility he had felt toward Long Xiaohu also subsided. His sister had said that as long as Long Xiaohu agreed, he could stay. Just as long as Long Xiaohu didn't agree, that was fine too.
Meanwhile, unnoticed by Zheng Lanxin, she listened to her siblings' conversation. Her heart sank bit by bit. When the motorhome stopped by the highway and Jianyi's gaze turned towards her, she had become ice-cold.
"Auntie, we're taking a break to regroup. If you feel stuffy, you can get off and walk around. It's safe here; there are no zombies," Jianyi said with a warm smile as she got off the driver's seat.
Both her smile and tone were gentle and affectionate. However, when Zheng Lanxin saw the ice pick Jianyi held in her hand, she involuntarily recalled Jianyi's disdainful words earlier:
"Ask Long Xiaohu if he dares to grab the rest area, and if he hesitates, just let him go!"
"A companion? He doesn't deserve it!"
"Whether it's Long Xiaohu or anyone else, as long as they're useful to us, they can stay."
So, if someone was useless, she would kick them out without hesitation? Just like those zombies she ruthlessly killed with the ice pick, merciless and brutal, without batting an eye!
"Auntie?"
"Ah!" Zheng Lanxin suddenly shivered. She looked at Jianyi with fear in her eyes, recalling Jianyi's disdainful words. She couldn't help but clench the sandbag she had found, her hand trembling.
"Auntie, are you okay? If you're not feeling well, you can stay in the car and look after Tong Tong. If there's anything, just call me," Jianyi said, concerned.
However, everything about Jianyi, from her smile to her tone, seemed to Zheng Lanxin to be a mask concealing her true nature.
"Please don't mind, Auntie. My younger brother is going through a rebellious phase right now."
Zheng Lanxin replied nervously, trying to put on a friendly face. She knew that if not for the harsh realities of the apocalypse, and if not for witnessing Chen Junsheng's impolite behavior, she would have already started berating Jianyi.
Accepting the water and food offered by Jianyi and her brother, Zheng Lanxin felt like she was groveling.