Chapter 57: The Battle Begins

Chapter 57: The Battle Begins

When the topic of safety came up, everyone grew tense.

Though these middlemen had backers behind them, they couldn’t ignore the desperate hunger gnawing at some. Many would rather risk being killed tomorrow than go hungry today.

So everyone became extremely cautious. Those living farther away even moved in closer—after all, there were plenty of vacant rooms in every building now.

They gathered together, brainstorming better strategies to minimize danger.

After Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng left, they went home first to check the transformer room. Spotting the turtle symbol on the wall, they instantly became alert and hurried back home.

Unexpectedly, at the stone block by their building’s entrance, they found the same turtle emblem with the word “Today” written beside it. It seemed Ding Weiguo was quite diligent. Once this operation succeeded, they couldn’t let down this young man with a strong sense of justice who loved spy dramas.

Before they even stepped inside, Chen Shaonan came out: “You saw it, right?”

Gu Pan nodded, “Yes, we saw it.”

Lu Ruisheng said, “Let’s head upstairs for a meeting.”

Everyone understood the unspoken message.

Chen Shaonan had Chen Lang call everyone through the walkie-talkie to gather upstairs.

Soon, they all arrived at room 901. Once the door was shut, they got down to business.

Gu Pan began, “You’ve all seen the marks at the transformer room and the entrance. Tonight’s going to be a tough fight.”

Lu Ruisheng added, “I’ve already drafted a battle plan. Let me walk you through it.”

Gu Pan pulled out the detailed plan Lu Ruisheng had drawn—a strategy they had refined over several days, stored safely in Gu Pan’s space.

Everyone grew serious; this battle was no ordinary skirmish.

Lu Ruisheng posted the plan on the wall. “They didn’t challenge us openly, probably because they fear us. Their last attack cost them heavy casualties. This time, they’ll likely try a sneak attack, probably around 3 a.m., so we need to rest beforehand.”

Pointing to the diagram, he continued, “Since we’re prepared, we can’t all just defend at home. We must counterattack. Gu Pan and I will strike from above, while Cheng Yang and Teacher Chen attack from below. Although the upper floors have the advantage, escaping is tricky—they’d have to rappel down from the 9th-floor balcony to the 6th. Since Gu Pan and I have experience, we’ll take the upper floors. You’ll block the lower levels. If you can’t hold, retreat. Once outside, you have bombs to take out a bunch at once. Dr. Feng and his wife will guard the 6th floor, Teacher Duan and Chen Lang the 7th. We’ll attack from multiple sides and trap them like dumplings in a steamer.”

They couldn’t use bombs inside the building—they’d risk collapsing the structure and killing everyone. But fighting outside was risky too—the snow provided too much cover, letting the enemy escape. Their goal was to trap and eliminate every last one.

Attacking their position wouldn’t be easy—they were well-defended—but if they could catch them in a pincer, it would be an excellent opportunity.

Gu Pan added, “Everyone must protect themselves well. Use your blast shields properly. If the tide turns against us, don’t cling to the fight—escape via the cable car. Survival is paramount. Our only rule is to avoid injury as much as possible. Stay alive.”

Cheng Yang fiddled with his gun, “Don’t worry, sis. This time, they won’t come back.”

Gu Pan said, “We’ll distribute more bullets today. We can’t waste ammo, but we have enough. In battle, supplies and ammunition are vital. Once we win, we’ll feast on barbecue.”

Chen Lang exclaimed excitedly, “Awesome! I haven’t had barbecue in ages—I’m starting to forget how it tastes.”

Duan Shumei tapped her son’s head gently, “Remember what Auntie Gu said—safety first.”

Chen Lang nodded, “Got it, Mom. Don’t worry. I’m curious about what the future holds in this apocalypse, so I’m going to live well.”

Then Lu Ruisheng reminded everyone of some finer points and mentioned they had smoke bombs for escape.

Their goal was survival, not territory.

After the meeting, everyone returned home and started taking shifts resting to conserve energy for the night.

By midnight, most were asleep, but as the hour grew late, they all woke to prepare for the battle.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng took position on the 9th floor, Cheng Yang and Chen Shaonan hid on the 5th, Duan Shumei and her son guarded the 7th, and Dr. Feng and his wife watched the 6th. Each was equipped with blast shields, bulletproof vests, and helmets—essential for survival.

Perhaps by now, or because they had grown accustomed to life and death, none seemed overly anxious. This was the path they had to take if they wanted to live.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng took turns scanning below with binoculars starting at 1 a.m. By 2 a.m., Li Dong’s men arrived—earlier than expected.

Lu Ruisheng quickly grabbed the walkie-talkie: “Enemy at the base of the building, prepare to engage.”

Everyone acknowledged the message through their radios.

Li Dong brought about thirty men, well-prepared. Two stayed at the entrance as sentries while the rest, armed, followed Li Dong upstairs.

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng positioned themselves between the 7th and 8th floors.

Li Dong’s group went straight to the 7th floor, clearly focusing on Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng.

Upon arrival, they started prying open the iron door.

The moment they touched it, one man was electrocuted and collapsed. Another tried to help, but both were knocked out by the electric shock.

Li Dong ordered a retreat, realizing that the man’s body was conducting electricity—anyone touching him would be harmed.

Suddenly, the security alarm blared, startling them all.

Cursing fiercely, Li Dong said, “Damn it, they’re not so simple after all.” He called for someone skilled with electricity to cut the circuit.

At that moment, the group clustered between the 6th and 7th floors because Cheng Yang’s whistle signaled activity below.

Hearing the whistle, Li Dong sensed trouble. Before he could react, Gu Pan shot a man beside Li Dong down.

Li Dong shouted, “Ambush! Fall back!”

Gu Pan smiled and shouted back, “You came easily, but leaving won’t be so simple.”

She fired again, but Li Dong dodged quickly, and with his men nearby, the shot hit his arm rather than a fatal spot.

Lu Ruisheng also struck, taking down two more of Li Dong’s men.

Many tried to retreat, only to find the path blocked.

Cheng Yang and Chen Shaonan, holding blast shields, had already sealed off the way down, killing three or four trying to escape.

Panic spread among Li Dong’s men. Their sneak attack had turned into a trap. Even if they had planned to fight in the stairwell, they never expected to be the ones cornered.

To their horror, bullets also flew from behind the iron door on the 7th floor. Li Dong hurried into a corner, stunned that eight people could lay such a bold trap, unafraid of attacks from above or below. How could two men resist against so many?

But judging by their combat prowess, Li Dong had no illusions. These were no reckless fools—they were truly capable fighters.

(End of chapter)