98: Hongshan University at night

"Principal Li, tell me about the current situation of the school." Zhang Lei surveyed the campus, his gaze steady and focused.

Principal Li straightened his back, his voice clear and powerful: "Comrade Zhang, there are currently 5,287 survivors in the school, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1. Among them, about 700 students have attempted to consume crystal cores, successfully awakening 26 Evolvers, including 2 Summoning-type Evolvers." Speaking to this point, he pointed toward a formation training in the distance. "We organized all the male students to craft spears and shields, and even utilized ready-made weapons like fire axes to form a defense team. Additionally, the Student Union's Martial Arts Club contributed a batch of homemade crossbows."

(Note: Red Alert University focuses primarily on humanities, social sciences, and medicine; it does not have a school of mechanical engineering.)

Zhang Lei nodded slightly, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. For Red Alert University to achieve this much in such a harsh environment was nothing short of a miracle. Had it not been located in the zombie-dense city center, the number of survivors would likely be no less than that of Lingchuan University in the suburbs.

The rhythmic sound of military boots echoed through the campus as Zhang Lei led the troops toward the athletic field. From a distance, waves of cheering could be heard coming from inside. When the olive-drab formation appeared in sight, students stood on their tiptoes one after another, waving their arms with long-absent smiles lighting up their faces.

The scene inside the field gave Zhang Lei a slight shock: hundreds of male students were practicing with spears, while another team with short weapons and hand shields trained on the other side. Although their movements weren't as precise as regular army standards, they were orderly and powerful, and their battle cries shook the heavens. Who would have thought that these students, who were sitting in classrooms reading only a month ago, had now grown into warriors capable of defending their home?

"I apologize for our lack of polish, Officer." A weather-beaten teacher leading a team stepped forward to shake hands with Zhang Lei. His palm was rough and strong, his knuckles covered in calluses.

Zhang Lei shook back solemnly. "On the contrary, this scene is impressive. Under your school's leadership, the students have not only survived but have also developed such combat effectiveness; it is truly commendable."

Turning toward the training field, Zhang Lei stood at attention and saluted, his voice booming: "Hello, students! We are the Lujiang Base Red Alert Legion!"

In an instant, cheers surged like a tide. These young people in their late teens and early twenties—the oldest barely over twenty—all had reddened eyes. Some waved spears high in the air, some embraced and wept, and others knelt on the ground sobbing—for over a month, they had struggled to survive every day under the shadow of hunger and death. If not for Principal Li's strong leadership, this campus would likely have fallen long ago.

Zhang Lei quickly deployed his troops: four combat squads were stationed at the four corners of the campus, coordinating with the Evolver teams and student volunteers to construct a multi-layered defense system.

When Principal Li organized the entire school's faculty and students to gather, the athletic field was suddenly a sea of people. Over five thousand survivors stood in neat ranks, making for a magnificent sight. Standing on a temporary rostrum, Principal Li's hand trembled slightly as he held the microphone:

"Students! We have finally waited for the army's rescue! In two days, the main force will arrive at Red Alert University, and they will escort us to the safe Lujiang Base! From now on, we no longer have to live in fear!"

Before his voice had even faded, the athletic field was already boiling like an ocean. Cheers, shouts, and cries intertwined, becoming deafening.

"Long live the army!"

"The country hasn't forgotten us!"

"We're saved!"

When Principal Li handed the microphone to Zhang Lei, the entire field fell silent instantly. The young officer stood tall as a pine, his uniform crisp, exuding military poise in every gesture. He first gave the faculty and students a standard military salute, his voice steady and forceful:

"Students, you have suffered. From today on, the army is your strongest backing. We have brought sufficient supplies, and tonight everyone can have a good, full meal. At the same time, I also hope everyone continues to contribute their strength to ending this apocalypse!"

"Thank you, Officer!" The response was a mountain-shaking roar of shouts.

In the crowd, students whispered excitedly among themselves:

"This officer is so young and handsome!"

"More than that! I heard he's a powerhouse at the Second Order or higher!"

"I saw him with my own eyes today jumping down from hundreds of meters in the air, and he had two pairs of wings on his back!"

"Doesn't that mean he could be ranked among the Top Ten Experts?"

"Shh... stop gossiping, look!"

As night fell, small campfires were lit across the campus. Over a thousand pounds of frozen meat, canned goods, and instant noodles brought by the six chinooks finally allowed the famished faculty and students to have a full meal. On the athletic field, cooking smoke curled up and the fragrance drifted everywhere. Some set up simple grills to roast meat, some boiled steaming pots of soup, and even more held long-awaited bowls of instant noodles, eating with great relish.

"God! These instant noodles smell so good!" A boy held his bowl, moved to tears. "I used to think instant noodles were gross, but now I know they're a delicacy of the human world!"

"Look at how easily satisfied you are!" A companion laughed and patted his shoulder. "Once we get to the base, I guarantee you'll get to eat your fill!"

"I really hope I can become an Evolver too and follow the army to kill zombies!" another student said, waving a fist with a look of longing in his eyes.

On the rostrum, Principal Li raised a glass to clink with Zhang Lei. This weather-beaten educator finally showed a long-absent smile: "Comrade Zhang, on behalf of the entire school, I express my most sincere gratitude to you once again."

Zhang Lei was somewhat unaccustomed to such formal occasions but still responded politely: "Principal Li, you're too kind. After we reach the base, we will still need your assistance in managing these students."

"Of course, it is my duty!" Principal Li nodded repeatedly.

At this time, a teacher suggested: "Officer Zhang, should we let some of the soldiers come and eat as well? We can arrange for students to take over the sentry posts."

After a brief thought, Zhang Lei nodded in agreement: "Very well, let half of the soldiers come to eat first."

As the guard rotation was completed, the atmosphere of the evening party grew even more enthusiastic. Talented students spontaneously organized performances: some played guitar and sang, some performed skits, and others did impromptu breakdancing. Laughter echoed in the night sky, as if they had returned to campus life before the apocalypse.

Suddenly, the entire field went quiet. A girl dressed in a plain white gown stepped gracefully onto the stage. Her features were like a painting, her skin like congealed fat, and her waist-length hair fluttered gently in the breeze. As the music started, she extended her arms, dancing gracefully like a swan. Every turn and every glance back made the audience hold their breath in concentration.

Zhang Lei was also drawn by the beautiful dance; he stood up and gave a light wave of his right hand. In an instant, flakes of crystalline snow appeared out of thin air, slowly falling as they circled the dancer. Against the backdrop of the moonlight and snow, the dancer looked like a fairy from the Moon Palace, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Oh my god! It's snow!"

"That officer's Superpower is so romantic!"

"So beautiful..."

When the last note fell, the dancer took a graceful bow. Zhang Lei raised his hand and shot out a fireball; the fireball rose a hundred meters into the sky and burst with a boom, turning into a sky full of brilliant fireworks that illuminated the entire night sky. Cheers rang through the campus once again.

After finishing her dance, the girl moved with light steps toward Zhang Lei and Principal Li, bowing deeply to Zhang Lei: "Thank you for the fireworks, Officer. My name is Yang Yiyu." She looked up, her bright eyes and white teeth shining, her every smile and movement exuding an elegant temperament.

Zhang Lei rose politely: "You're welcome, Student Yang. Your dance was excellent." Having said that, he prepared to sit back down.

"May I invite the Officer for a dance?" Yang Yiyu's eyes were full of expectation.

"No thank you, I am not particularly good at dancing." Zhang Lei declined politely, his attitude gentle.

Principal Li's mouth twitched slightly; he knew Yang Yiyu, she was an excellent girl. This Major was really too lacking in romantic sensibility—this was clearly Yang Yiyu showing her affection.

A wave of good-natured heckling rose around them, but Zhang Lei remained unmoved; he had no interest in such things. Yang Yiyu had no choice but to leave awkwardly.

"Yu, a man actually rejected you?" A girl nudged Yang Yiyu with her elbow and asked with a smile.

Yang Yiyu propped up her head, looking at the distant Zhang Lei: "This man is indeed different."

"Of course! He has a Superpower and is an army officer—he's a total catch!"

"Too bad he doesn't think much of me!" Yang Yiyu shook her head.

"What's the rush? Once we get crystal cores later, maybe we can become Evolvers too. Then we'll have a chance."

"Perhaps!"

The two of them continued to chat idly.

The crowd was also quickly drawn away by other programs. The party lasted until late into the night, the campfire reflecting on every smiling face. For Red Alert University, this was the warmest and safest night in a month.