Lin Fan recounted the recent events to everyone. People stared with their mouths agape, dazed, as if they couldn’t imagine that something so distant in the movies could actually happen right next to them.
Old Master Wang said, "They’re truly a bunch of bad eggs, deceiving survivors in Huangshi and conducting such experiments. It’s a good thing you discovered it, otherwise who knows how many innocent survivors would have suffered."
Qi Sheng said, "I once paid attention to some matters regarding Tenghuang Pharmaceutical. Many years ago, Tenghuang Pharmaceutical conducted a health survey in our country’s rural areas, collecting blood samples from elderly villagers with longevity, clearly for genetic research. It was later discovered and reported by concerned people, and in the end, these blood samples were sealed. It was this Tenghuang Pharmaceutical that caused such things. Over the years, Tenghuang Pharmaceutical has enjoyed the benefits of our country and made money from our citizens, and to think that they actually had underground laboratories."
For them, this was something that only appeared in movies.
Zombies were already terrifying enough.
Yet such a thing occurred, which was simply forcing innocent survivors onto a path of death.
"So terrifying, so malicious; it seems I’ve done something quite remarkable," Lin Fan sighed and gave a thumbs up to his own idea. As an ordinary citizen, he felt truly proud of what he had done.
Old Master Wang said, "Lin Fan, you did an excellent job. If this were peacetime, you would definitely be treated as a hero, commended, and appear on television, that’s for sure."
"Commendations and such are not necessary; I only did what I should have done," Lin Fan humbly said.
Look at how good this child is; Old Master Wang really liked this young man Lin Fan—low-key, modest, not extravagant, sticking to the facts, always full of positive energy—completely the role model of the new era’s youth. He should be made an exemplar to promote widely.
"Lin Fan, what do you intend to do with these guns and that armored vehicle?" Old Master Wang asked.
Gu Hang became anxious. He wanted to say ’keep them, really keep them,’ but he knew his place in front of Lin Fan wasn’t as high as Old Master Wang’s, whose virtue and authority were respected. He was a former soldier, a hero who had partaken in wars.
It may look like he spent nine years in the military, which seems quite long.
Compared to the old master, though, he was just a naïve child, the kind that hadn’t yet grown all its fuzz.
Lin Fan said, "I planned to hand them over to Officer Huang, but he’s very busy. It probably wouldn’t be safe to leave them at the police station. If they got stolen by someone with ill intentions, it could lead to negative consequences. So, I brought them back to consult with you, since you and Brother Hang are both soldiers."
This was Lin Fan’s trust in Old Master Wang and Gu Hang.
In this apocalyptic world, if even they couldn’t be trusted, then the world would truly descend into utter darkness, with not a single glimmer of hope.
Gu Hang looked at Old Master Wang with hopeful eyes, as if saying that any word from the old master could decide the fate of these weapons. Possessing these weapons would surely make Sunshine District much safer.
Old Master Wang smiled and said, "Lin Fan, your idea is good. Indeed, it’s dangerous to leave them outside. As you see, the population of our district keeps increasing, and safety should be given more attention. I think it’s best to keep the weapons here, under my and Gu Hang’s watch. That would be absolutely safe."
Lin Fan nodded and said, "Alright, no problem. Old Master’s word is final. I trust him."
He had only a few ideas about what to do with the firearms: either send them to the police station or leave them with Old Master Wang for safekeeping. And he understood that Old Master Wang wanted to keep the firearms to protect the district.
Though it might not comply with firearm management regulations.
But a great person once said that houses should be cleaned regularly or they will gather dust, and the mind must also be fluid.
That makes good sense.
It depends on the situation. During peace, private possession of guns is definitely not allowed, even for retired soldiers. But now, in these chaotic times, private possession is permissible. However, these firearms are not for use against kind citizens, but to courageously aim at enemies, at those filled with malice.
Like when he saw someone taking things without paying, he would merely mention it habitually, but not stop them, because he knew the current situation. Some things are unavoidable.
His warning was merely meant as a reminder for the person to understand that buying things requires payment. He hoped that when peace returns and hope arrives, they would repay if they had money then.
That was his reasoning.
Gu Hang’s face lit up with a smile; finally, the firearms and the armored car were left behind. Touching the weapons, a powerful conviction emerged, as if, with the rifle in hand, he had the world at his disposal.
The children gathered around the armored vehicle, touching here and there, expressing wonder at every part.
Qi Sheng marveled internally.
Deserving of the name Land of Hope as Brother Zhu said—it truly offered enough security.
Downstairs, Lin Fan was using scissors and a trimmer to tidy up Old Master Wang’s hair. After finishing, he put down his tools and shook a mirror in front of the old master.
"What do you think? Isn’t it a good haircut?" he asked expectantly.
Old Master Wang looked left and right and laughed, "Good, a very nice job indeed."
Lin Fan stretched out his hand in front of Old Master Wang and teasingly said, "Ten yuan, thank you for your patronage."
"Alright, this skill is well worth ten yuan."