Overcast sky.

Li Yu and his group left Meiling Forest Park.

The weather wasn't good, and everyone's mood matched the sky, clouded with gloom.

They didn't know if it would rain. If it rained, they'd be trapped here. Being trapped was no big deal since they had a whole month's supply of food.

If they rationed it, they could stretch it to one and a half to two months.

However, if the rain lasted too long, and they exhausted their food, they'd have to turn back.

They already didn't have enough fuel. This trip took three to forty vehicles, using more than half of the base's fuel.

Especially some of the larger vehicles were heavy fuel consumers.

If they couldn't reach Xinyang and had to turn back midway, they might not have enough fuel for another trip.

So, on this trip, they must deal with the Motorcycle Gang.

Even if, after dealing with the Motorcycle Gang, Oil City is destroyed, at least they'll have achieved their purpose—eliminating the Motorcycle Gang.

The overcast sky brought a temperature drop of about five degrees from yesterday. Li Yu didn't turn on the air conditioning but opened the window to let the outside wind in.

He sat on the RV sofa, spread out the map, and marked it with a pencil.

"Macheng is only three hundred kilometers away. At our current speed, it'll take seven hours to reach it. It's now half-past eight in the morning. If we don't rest, we can get there by half-past three in the afternoon."

Li Yu pointed at Macheng with the pencil and spoke to Li Tie and the others beside him.

"What if it rains on the way?" Li Tie asked.

Li Yu looked up and asked Li Tie in return, "Didn't you consider this when you were making the battle plan?"

Li Tie scratched his head and said, "We did consider it. Our plan was to avoid cities and rivers as much as possible, making it less likely to encounter large groups of zombies."

Li Yu nodded and said, "Then just follow the plan. There's nothing wrong with it. Just do what was originally planned. Don't overthink it. Hesitation leads to defeat. Once a decision is made, just act on it. Be confident."

Li Yu's voice was steady and encouraging, instilling a sense of determination in Li Tie.

He always worried about the possibility of flaws in his plan, especially since he was responsible for so many people. It was his first time planning such a large operation. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

He felt a bit anxious.

But now Li Yu told him, "You can do it. Once you decide, just go for it," providing him great comfort.

So he nodded seriously and said, "Got it, big brother."

"Mm." Li Yu tossed the pencil onto the table.

He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes for a nap.

He hadn't slept well last night, and now was the time to rest and regain some energy.

Li Tie picked up the pencil Li Yu had thrown on the table and focused on the map.

Murmuring, he said, "Once we pass Jiujiang, we'll be away from the Long River. Then, we can circle around Xishui. If it rains by then, we can find a nearby spot to camp. It should be fine."

Li Yu overheard Li Tie's murmuring and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Much of the time, growth is something others can't teach you.

It's something you must think through and summarize yourself. It's only when you learn to apply it that it becomes your own.

Now Li Tie was trying to think and solve problems on his own, and that was growth.

Suddenly, the sound of the walkie-talkie interrupted.

"Xiao Yu, the weather seems off. We'll scout ahead while maintaining a 30-kilometer lead. If it rains, we can find a campsite early, and you can catch up later," Third Uncle's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

Originally, according to the plan, Third Uncle's reconnaissance was supposed to start after entering Yu Province territory, to avoid being too far and losing contact.

However, given the current situation, what Third Uncle suggested made sense.

Li Yu pondered for two seconds. He opened his eyes just as Li Tie was about to wake him.

Li Yu grabbed the walkie-talkie and spoke, "Alright, Third Uncle, be careful. We'll keep our distance and check with each other every ten minutes. Our travel plan remains unchanged; today's destination is still Macheng."

"Received," Third Uncle responded simply.

Then he turned to Old Qin, who was driving, and said, "Old Qin, let's head up ahead and scout."

Old Qin turned the steering wheel, pressed the gas, and surged past several vehicles, heading forward.

Zhong Chuchu and the others in the car just happened to see Third Uncle and his team leave.

Shen Xiaoxiao, somewhat puzzled, asked, "Where are they going?"

Zhong Chuchu glanced at the sky, speculated a bit, but she wasn't sure either, so she said, "I don't know, maybe it's related to today's weather."

"Oh," Shen Xiaoxiao replied and then took a pink box filled with candy out of her pocket.

She recalled that these were given to her by Zhou Weiguo, who was responsible for livestock in the Inner City. At that time, He Chao had specifically approached her, saying he had something to discuss.

Later she learned it was to introduce someone to her.

They met outside the base under the city gate.

A man with a crew cut, looking to be in his thirties, who blushed like a monkey's bottom after meeting her.