105: Giant Bear and Girl

"What about Old Chen, Tanya, and Brother Ang? Are they almost here?" Zhang Lei let go of his hand and asked with concern.

Zhang Long nodded and pointed in the direction they came from: "They are bringing up the rear, responsible for searching for survivors and collecting important supplies along the way, so their speed will be a bit slower. They are expected to arrive in one to two hours. Chen Hao will escort the rescued survivors back to the base first. Li Ang and Tanya will lead the main force to rendezvous with us, jointly garrison Hongshan University, and use it as a forward base to execute the operation plan to retake the Old City District."

"Good!" Hearing this, Zhang Lei nodded with sharp eyes. "As for strategic deployment, you and Brother Jiang decide; I trust you. I am just the vanguard blade of Red Alert; wherever you point, I will strike!" His words were filled with absolute trust in his comrades and the self-confidence of a strong individual.

At this moment, Principal Li also walked over at the right time, his face full of a sincere smile, and extended both hands to Zhang Long: "Officer! You've had a long, dusty journey; thank you for your hard work! Welcome to Hongshan University!" His handshake was enthusiastic and firm.

Zhang Long also responded politely: "Principal Li, you are too kind. There are follow-up troops that need to be stationed here, so I will have to trouble you."

"It's only right! It's only right!" Principal Li hurriedly replied, then immediately reported the arrangements: "Upon learning that the main force was coming, I organized the female students early this morning to thoroughly clean several vacant dormitory buildings, and the bedding has also been prepared. In addition, the school cafeteria has been preparing as well; dinner is ready, just waiting for the soldiers! Do you think... should we let the soldiers eat and rest first?" The group of Evolver teachers behind him also gathered around, enthusiastically inviting the officers in a clamor.

Zhang Long looked around at the troops still entering, as well as the long convoy behind (including military trucks loaded with supplies), and waved his hand steadily: "Principal Li, teachers, thank you for your hospitality. However, the main force led by Battalion Commanders Li Ang and Tanya is still behind, and there are even more of them. Let's wait for them and eat together. Also," he pointed to several fully loaded large military trucks in the convoy, "The troops have also brought a batch of supplies this time, which just happens to need manpower to help unload and transport; it might be hard work for the students."

"No problem! Absolutely no problem!" Principal Li did not hesitate at all and immediately agreed, "Everything will follow the troops' arrangements! I will organize the manpower right now!" He turned around and began to call for the teachers and student leaders.

Thus, under the eager gaze of the teachers and students, the vanguard force led by Zhang Long—a steel torrent composed of tanks, armored vehicles, mechs, War Bears, and elite soldiers—marched imposingly into the Hongshan University campus. When Xiong Da's massive body, like an ancient giant god, took heavy and steady steps, lowering its head to pass through the school gate, a huge shadow loomed over them, once again triggering an uncontrollable wave of gasps and screams from the students.

"Yiyu! Look! It's that War Bear! My god! It's even bigger than imagined! Even more imposing! It's super cool!" Li Xueli was as excited as a child, clutching Yang Yiyu's arm, jumping up and down, staring at Xiong Da with glowing eyes, completely looking like a little fan meeting her idol.

"Yiyu! I... I really want to touch it! This is just so cool! It gives such a sense of security!" She covered her burning cheeks, stuttering with excitement.

Yang Yiyu, however, subconsciously took a small step back. Looking at Xiong Da's terrifying body, covered in heavy armor, stained with dark red blood, and exuding a mixed aura of primal wildness and metallic coldness, especially those gleaming fangs and giant claws like the Grim Reaper's scythe, she only felt a chill rise from the bottom of her heart. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her voice carried an imperceptible tremor: "Xue... don't you think it's... a bit scary? Those claws... those teeth..." In her view, this giant beast really could not be associated with the word "cool."

However, the 'daring' Li Xueli had long been overwhelmed by excitement. Taking advantage of the gap while the teachers and officers were talking and the crowd's attention was dispersed, she actually dashed out of the crowd, nimbly bypassed the soldiers, and ran directly to the feet of the moving Xiong Da!

"Big Bear! Big Bear!" Li Xueli looked up, shouting at the War Bear which was like a mobile fortress, her voice sounding exceptionally crisp amidst the roar of the huge engines, "Can I touch you? You are so cool!"

Xiong Da seemed to be attracted by this sudden little thing. Its huge head lowered slightly, its armored eye sockets seemed to glance at Li Xueli, and a low, intimidating roar emanated from its throat: "Roar—!" It sounded like muffled thunder exploding in her ears, shaking Li Xueli, making her face turn pale instantly, and she almost sat down on the ground.

Just when she thought she had angered this giant beast, Xiong Da made a move that made everyone's jaws drop. It slowly raised a giant paw, covered in heavy armor and half the size of Li Xueli's body; without extending its sharp claws, it tilted the relatively flat back of its hand slightly downward and stopped in front of Li Xueli, as if signaling something.

Li Xueli's heart raced, and fear was replaced by immense curiosity and surprise. She cautiously reached out, first gently touching Xiong Da's hair, which was as hard and rough as steel needles, and the cold armored surface. Seeing that Xiong Da did not react, she became bolder, wrapping her hands tightly around Xiong Da's arm, which was thicker than her waist, and hooked her fingers into the gaps in the armor.

Xiong Da seemed to understand her intention, its huge waist slowly bending down, the movement actually carrying a strange kind of "gentleness." It used its giant paw to gently support Li Xueli, then steadily placed her on its broad, armored back, which was like a platform.

"Wow—!" Sitting on the bear's back several meters above the ground, feeling the steady and powerful undulations of the giant beast beneath her as it walked, stroking the hair that was as prickly as steel needles yet full of vitality and the cold, hard alloy armor, an unprecedented sense of security stemming from absolute power instantly enveloped Li Xueli, making her face flush with excitement, and she couldn't help but cheer.

This scene instantly ignited the entire crowd! Seeing the 'daring' Li Xueli actually climb onto the back of that super War Bear, the students' eyes were red with envy!

"She sat up there! My god!"

"I really want to sit there too!"

"So cool!"

The crowd instantly became agitated, especially the boys, who swarmed around the moving blaze and thunderbolt mechs, looking up with burning eyes at these two sci-fi-filled steel giants, chattering and eager to get closer and touch them.

"Hey! You all! Move away quickly! Don't surround them! The soldiers have been fighting zombies all day and are very tired; they need to rest! Don't cause trouble here!" Several Evolver teachers responsible for maintaining order hurriedly stepped forward to drive them away.

Just then, the visor part of Yang Yi's mech helmet slid upward smoothly like mercury, revealing his gentle, smiling face. He controlled the mech to lean forward slightly and said loudly to the crowded students below: "It's okay, teachers, let them watch; we don't mind." His voice came through the mech's loudspeaker, carrying a reassuring magnetism.

On the other side, Blaze Ash also cleanly removed his helmet, revealing a resolute face, nodded at the teachers and students, made a "please feel free" gesture, and even a rare, understanding smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

Seeing the two mech warriors so approachable, the teachers' attitudes softened, and they no longer forcibly drove the students away, only urging them to pay attention to safety and not to hinder the troops' movement. The students cheered and gathered around the mechs even more excitedly, cautiously touching the cold metal shells, letting out bursts of exclamations. The cold steel giants and the curious, excited gazes of the young students formed a peculiar scene full of hope and vitality in the apocalypse.