A faint smile tugged at Renault's lips. Things were starting to fall into place. Although he wasn’t entirely sure why Dong Liang’s rank had increased, for now, it seemed like a useful connection.

Renault quickly shook Dong Liang’s hand and explained the situation from earlier.

“Family housing area? It’s been renamed the Base Management Zone. Most of the people living there now are individuals with status within the base,” Dong Liang explained, nodding as he filled them in.

Afterward, Dong Liang approached the camouflage-clad soldier and whispered a few words to him. The soldier looked from Dong Liang to Renault and his group, then took a step back.

“All right, it looks like we can pass,” Renault said with a sly grin. Who knew that fighting off a few zombies would lead to such a beneficial relationship with Dong Liang?

Behind him, Guo Haoyu felt slightly embarrassed. “Thanks, boss. I really appreciate this.”

“No need to thank me. You call me 'boss,' so of course, I have to look after you.”

As they talked, Dong Liang gestured for them to follow, leading Renault’s group into the Base Management Zone.

“The place has changed quite a bit,” Dong Liang continued. “The buildings are the same, but the people inside… well, they aren’t the same as before.”

“If you’re looking for people who used to be part of the military family housing, well…” Dong Liang hesitated.

“Well, what?” Guo Haoyu asked anxiously. This matter was deeply personal to him, and he had to know what was going on.

“They might be hard to find,” Dong Liang replied. “Things here have shifted, and most of the old families… well, let’s just say they’ve been assigned new roles. Also, whatever you do, avoid getting into any conflict with people wearing camouflage here.”

As they walked, Dong Liang led them to a building. “I’ve been assigned the third floor of this building. If you don’t have anywhere else to go, you’re welcome to stay here.”

Renault shook his head, explaining, “We appreciate the offer, but we’re here to find Haoyu’s parents.”

Dong Liang nodded. “I see. Well, best of luck. I hope you find them.”

After parting ways with Dong Liang, Renault, Guo Haoyu, and the others headed in the direction Haoyu remembered. After about five minutes, they arrived at a small building.

“It’s this one, third floor. The location hasn’t changed,” Guo Haoyu said, his voice tinged with hope.

Renault pulled out his radar device, which showed twelve green dots inside the building. That meant there were at least eight other people present.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Strangely, the size of the green dots varied. Some were large, while others were smaller.

He compared the dots to their current group. His own dot was the largest, followed by Alice’s, Guo Haoyu’s, and Fan Bing’s, with Fan Bing’s dot being the smallest.

“Could the size of the green dots represent the person’s strength?” Renault mused. He looked at the eight dots inside the building, which were scattered throughout. Some were smaller than Alice’s, while the largest one was still smaller than hers.

Shaking his head, Renault said, “Fan Bing, you and Alice keep watch down here. Haoyu and I will go up.”

The others nodded, and Renault led Guo Haoyu up the stairs.

...

In Apartment 303 of Building 7, Family Housing Area.

“Brother Yang, that woman is too stubborn! She won’t give in at all!” a man with a buzz cut stammered in panic.

His name was Liu Cunguang, and he was a lackey of Fu Yang.

“Damn it! You can’t even handle this simple task? Useless idiot!” Fu Yang spat in frustration.

Fu Yang was a high-ranking officer in the Xishan City base, a position he’d secured due to his father, Fu Dahai, being one of the base leaders. The apartment had been specially allocated to him.

Seething with anger, Fu Yang stood up and stormed into a small bedroom. Inside, a woman in a white blouse was tied to a chair.

She lifted her gaze toward Fu Yang, her eyes filled with fury and murderous intent. She gritted her teeth and snarled, “Fu, you’d better kill me today because if you don’t, you won’t live to see tomorrow!”

“Hahaha! Summer Yushan, are you threatening me? Do you even know what position you’re in right now?”

Fu Yang moved closer, his finger lightly tracing her fair cheek.

“Hmph!” Summer Yushan snorted, turning her head away to glare at him with piercing eyes. If looks could kill, Fu Yang would’ve been dead a thousand times over.

“Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy it soon enough. It’s not the kind of pain you think—soon, you might be begging for more,” Fu Yang sneered, lifting a cup of water from a nearby table and pouring it over her.

The icy water trickled down her body, causing her to tremble slightly.

...

“Haoyu, which one?”

“303!”

Renault nodded, walking up to the door and knocking. According to his radar, there were three green dots inside the apartment.

Guo Haoyu’s parents might be in there.

“Who is it?” a man’s voice called out, sounding irritated.

Guo Haoyu moved closer to the door and asked, “Excuse me, is Guo Zhi Cheng here?”

“He’s not. Now get lost and stop wasting time!”

Liu Cunguang was still furious from being scolded by Fu Yang and had no patience for anyone at the door. Peeking through the peephole, he saw Renault and Guo Haoyu—neither of whom he recognized. Since they weren’t important base figures, Liu Cunguang didn’t feel the need to be polite.

Renault exchanged a glance with Guo Haoyu, then patted him on the shoulder. “Step aside.”

Guo Haoyu quickly moved out of the way as Renault raised his right leg and kicked the door with all his might.

**BAM!**

With a loud crash, the entire metal door fell inward, slamming into the ground with dust and debris flying everywhere.

“What the hell? Who are you?”

Liu Cunguang, who had just moved away from the door, stared in disbelief. The door had been kicked down—and with a single blow no less! It didn’t make any sense.

“I asked you a question. Where is Guo Zhi Cheng?” Renault demanded, his tone sharp and unyielding.

“Wh-what Guo Zhi Cheng? I don’t know! Brother Yang, someone’s breaking in!”

Liu Cunguang, trembling with fear, scurried backward, calling out for help as he landed hard on the floor.

“I’m coming! Who the hell dares?”

Fu Yang, his moment of indulgence interrupted, stormed out of the bedroom with an annoyed expression. He drew a pistol from his waist as he approached.

“I’ll ask one last time. Where is Guo Zhi Cheng?” Renault said, his patience wearing thin. He wasn’t here to waste time; his priority was Guo Haoyu’s parents.

“What Guo Zhi Cheng? Who the hell are you, some idiot that crawled out of nowhere?”

Fu Yang’s fury flared again as he took in the sight of the man before him. His hand tightened on the pistol, aiming it directly at Renault, his finger itching to pull the trigger.