Rotting Land: Survive

Chapter 708 - 696: Sowing Discord

Liu Fugui was in no mood to eat right now. Several hours had passed, yet there was still no news of his son, Liu Yunpeng. Faced with the full table of dishes, he couldn’t bring himself to pick up his chopsticks and just stared at them absentmindedly.

Liu Shi had learned about Liu Yunpeng’s departure from the factory early this morning, but he wasn’t fully aware of the specifics. He planned to use the mealtime to inquire in detail about the situation, but seeing Liu Fugui’s dazed expression, he immediately abandoned his original thought.

He had been by Liu Fugui’s side for so many years, yet this was the first time he saw him in such a dejected state. In the past, even during the most difficult and arduous times at the beginning of his career, he had never been like this.

It was no exaggeration to say that Liu Yunpeng was Liu Fugui’s Achilles’ heel. Liu Shi sighed deeply and comforted him, "Old Liu, I’ve heard about Yunpeng. The kid really went overboard this time. Maybe he found the factory too stifling and couldn’t stand it, so he snuck out. But since Xiao Huang has already gone after him, there should be news soon. Even though you’re worried, you should still eat your meal on time. Don’t forget your stomach..."

There weren’t many people in the whole group who could call Liu Fugui "Old Cheng" directly. Liu Shi was one of them, not only because he was an excellent cook but also because he had the longest tenure within the group, having followed Liu Fugui for the longest time.

However, today Liu Fugui was clearly in no mood for lectures. He tried to control his emotions as best as he could and impatiently waved his hand, signaling for Liu Shi to stop talking.

Liu Shi understood this well. He tactfully stood up and silently left the dining room, intending to go to the kitchen to make a hot-and-sour soup to whet Liu Fugui’s appetite.

Liu Shi’s departure made the already cold dining room feel even more forlorn. He Lei stood honestly with his hands behind his back behind Liu Fugui. Normally, this task was handled by Huang Yong, but since the latter was at his wit’s end trying to find Liu Yunpeng, He Lei naturally took over this position.

Liu Fugui symbolically picked up his chopsticks and took a few bites, but his worried heart left him tasteless. He turned to look at He Lei behind him and asked, "Try contacting Huang Yong and see if there’s any news about Yunpeng!"

"Yes, Mr. Liu!" He Lei responded promptly. However, when he sent out a contact signal to the team outside using a common frequency band, only Yao Ruyi, who was in charge of searching for supplies outside, responded in time. Huang Yong and the two guards on duty at the gate did not answer.

"Alright, He Lei, stop calling!" Liu Fugui stopped He Lei, who was still continuously calling Huang Yong. Clearly, since the other side hadn’t answered at this moment, something must have been wrong.

Liu Fugui desperately tried to calm himself down. The chaos had far exceeded his expectations. Too many doubts needed to be clarified, but unfortunately, no matter how he adjusted, he couldn’t achieve the calmness like in the past.

He Lei shut off the walkie-talkie and placed it back on his waist. Stepping forward, he leaned down toward Liu Fugui and said, "Mr. Liu, don’t you find it strange that Huang Yong doesn’t respond to our calls?"

"Hmph! Strange? You tell me what wasn’t strange today!" Annoyed almost to the point of madness, Liu Fugui vented his anger on He Lei, who was initially stunned but then calmly continued, "Yes, Mr. Liu, many things today are indeed strange. You see, first came the young master’s mysterious departure, then Huang Yong and those under him responsible for the gate also left the factory. Most bizarre is that they have all lost contact with us now. Mr. Liu, don’t you find this suspicious? How can all these people related to this matter suddenly vanish? Is there really such a coincidence?"

He Lei’s words awakened Liu Fugui. Upon closer thought, it was exactly as He Lei described, and He Lei’s subsequent bold speculation was even more shocking.

"Mr. Liu, have you considered that the young master didn’t leave the factory on his own but was kidnapped? And the ones who abducted him might just be Huang Yong and others, pretending to chase after him but actually escaping."

Liu Fugui abruptly stood up from his seat: "How is that possible? Huang Yong wouldn’t do such a thing!"

If it was merely the two gate guards who fled the factory for fear of taking responsibility for Liu Yunpeng’s departure, Liu Fugui could understand.

But if this involved Huang Yong, he couldn’t accept it. He had invested too much effort into Huang Yong.

Whether it was money, power, or status.

Especially in this apocalyptic world, he entrusted all factory affairs, big and small, to Huang Yong. This showed his trust in him.

Moreover, considering Huang Yong’s defection, before the apocalypse, he might have had such thoughts due to competitors offering a high enough price.

But now, in this doomsday scenario, survival is the priority.

And the factory, with its tall, sturdy defenses, ample supplies, and relatively superior living conditions.

How could Huang Yong possibly make such a foolish decision to defect?

He Lei had long anticipated Liu Fugui’s reaction and was well-prepared. However, he misunderstood and brought up the matter concerning Li Huiru, "Mr. Liu, you know people by their faces, not their hearts. Huang Yong might seem loyal on the surface, but that’s a sharp edge on the blade of lust. Don’t you think Ms. Li’s disappearance has a great connection to Huang Yong? The young master told me the details and his analysis, and I think he made a good point. I’m also suspicious that Huang Yong is worried about being exposed, so he..."

Li Huiru, just hearing those three words, multiplied Liu Fugui’s inner rage. It was because of this woman that the factory became a mess, making his son’s whereabouts unknown. He now wished he could personally tear her to pieces to relieve his anger.

He was torn apart, worrying about his son’s safety outside and dreading his son actually finding Li Huiru. Whether either situation turned out to be true, it was unbearable for him.

Therefore, He Lei mentioning this matter at such a sensitive time naturally annoyed Liu Fugui, who interrupted him.

Just as the dining room atmosphere worsened, the hand-held radio at He Lei’s waist suddenly rang out, a fearful cry for help echoed through. Listening carefully, it was none other than the runaway Liu Yunpeng, who had worried everyone sick.

"Dad, save me! It’s Yunpeng!"

"Clang!" A crisp sound of breaking bowls and chopsticks echoed as Liu Fugui fiercely stood up, his abrupt movement causing the dishes to fall off the table onto the floor: "Yunpeng!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)