Skinwalker Belle – Chapter 40 – Cleaning Operation

At breakfast, Lin Fan sat beside Lei Li, holding a bowl of white porridge.

The atmosphere in the stronghold was still a bit heavy. Yesterday’s encounter on the fifth floor had made everyone realize that the zombies were evolving.

“Lei-jie.”

Lin Fan began softly.

“I thought about it last night. Clearing the building floor by floor like this is too inefficient.”

Lei Li put down the steamed bun in her hand and looked at her.

“Xiao Yao, what do you have in mind?”

A glint flashed in Lin Fan’s eyes.

“I think we should change our strategy.”

She stood up and walked over to the building blueprint on the wall.

“Look, the first floor of this building is a lobby. It has high ceilings and is a wide-open space.”

Lin Fan drew a circle on the blueprint with her finger.

“What if we build a defensive line on the first floor, forming an encirclement around the entire lobby and the stairwell leading up?”

The people in the stronghold all gathered around.

Ah Hu scratched his head.

“Doctor Xiao Yao, what are you trying to say?”

“It’s simple.”

Lin Fan turned around, a sweet smile on her face.

“First, we seal all the doors on the floors we’ve already cleared to prevent any zombies from wandering in by mistake.”

“Then, we open the barricade on the eighteenth floor and have someone who can run fast make constant noise.”

“We lure all the zombies down to the first floor to eliminate them.”

Everyone exchanged glances.

The idea sounded insane.

“Once the eighteenth floor is cleared, we open the seventeenth and continue luring the zombies down,” Lin Fan continued.

“Floor by floor, all the way down to the seventh.”

“This will be much more efficient.”

Lei Li frowned.

“Xiao Yao, this is too risky.”

“What if we can’t control the number of zombies?”

Lin Fan blinked her big eyes.

“Lei-jie, the first-floor lobby has marble floors, and there are very few flammable materials around.”

“We can use a large number of Molotov cocktails.”

“The fire will be easy to control, and they’re incredibly destructive.”

She turned to Ah Hu.

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“Brother Ah Hu, how many zombies do you think there are between the seventh and eighteenth floors?”

Ah Hu thought for a moment.

“At least a thousand, I’d say.”

“Then we’ll need at least a hundred Molotov cocktails,” Lin Fan said seriously.

Everyone gasped.

A hundred Molotov cocktails?

How much liquor and cloth would that require?

“Xiao Yao, this plan sounds good,” Lei Li said, standing up.

“But the risk is indeed very high.”

“If something goes wrong…”

“Lei-jie.”

Lin Fan walked to Lei Li’s side and tugged on her sleeve with a small hand.

“I know the risk is high, but if we continue like this, more and more of our people will die.”

“You saw what happened to Ah Long and the others yesterday.”

“The zombies are evolving. We have to change our strategy.”

Lei Li looked into Lin Fan’s sincere eyes, and her heart softened.

This little girl was always thinking of everyone.

“Besides,” Lin Fan continued, “if this plan succeeds, we’ll have complete control of this building.”

“Then, this place will be our true home.”

The people in the stronghold began to whisper among themselves.

It was true. If they could clear out all the zombies, the building would be completely safe.

“I think Doctor Xiao Yao is right,” a young man spoke up.

“Instead of slowly grinding away like this, we might as well take a gamble.”

“Yeah, we have to clear them out sooner or later anyway.”

“Doctor Xiao Yao’s method is definitely more efficient.”

More and more people voiced their agreement.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Lei Li made up her mind.

“Alright.”

She slammed her hand on the table.

“We’ll go with Xiao Yao’s plan.”

“But I have a few conditions.”

Everyone immediately fell silent.

“First, we must prepare a sufficient number of Molotov cocktails, at least one hundred.”

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“Second, the defensive line on the first floor must be absolutely secure, with no oversights.”

“Third, the person luring the zombies must be the most agile among us, and we must have a backup plan.”

Lin Fan nodded vigorously.

“Lei-jie is right. Safety first.”

“So when do we start preparing?”

Lei Li looked at the crowd.

“We start today.”

“Everyone, split into groups.”

“Group one will be in charge of making Molotov cocktails, group two will seal off the cleared floors, and group three will build the defensive line on the first floor.”

“Tomorrow morning, we will officially begin the cleanup operation.”

Everyone answered in unison.

“Yes!”

Lin Fan smiled inwardly.

The plan was proceeding more smoothly than she had anticipated.

Not only would this proposal increase their clearing efficiency, but more importantly, in an operation of this scale, she would have more opportunities to get close to Lei Li.

And even to strike amidst the chaos.

“Xiao Yao, you’re so smart,” Lei Li said, patting Lin Fan’s head.

“If this plan succeeds, you’ll be the greatest hero of our stronghold.”

Lin Fan lowered her head, her face blushing.

“I just want to help everyone.”

A warmth spread through Lei Li’s heart.

This little girl was always so considerate.

“Then let’s divide the labor,” Lei Li said, standing up.

“Ah Hu, take some people to gather the materials for the Molotov cocktails.”

“Xiao Min, you’ll be in charge of moving the things needed to seal the floors.”

“The rest of you, come with me to the first floor to set up the defensive line.”

“Xiao Yao, you…”

“I want to go to the first floor with Lei-jie,” Lin Fan volunteered.

“Even though I can’t fight, I can help come up with ideas.”

Lei Li hesitated for a moment.

The first floor was, after all, quite dangerous.

But seeing the expectant look in Lin Fan’s eyes, she nodded.

“Alright, but you must stay in a safe area.”

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“Mhm!” Lin Fan nodded obediently.

Everyone began to move.

Lin Fan followed Lei Li down to the first floor.

The lobby of Fragrant Hills International was indeed spacious, spanning several hundred square meters.

The marble floor was as smooth as a mirror, surrounded by some sofas and decorations.

“Lei-jie, I think the defensive line should be set up like this.”

Lin Fan walked to the center of the lobby.

“We’ll use the elevators as the center and build a semi-circular defensive line.”

“This way, we can control the stairwell entrance while also securing our retreat path.”

Lei Li carefully observed the terrain.

“Not bad. This position is indeed advantageous.”

“And the field of view is wide, which will make it easier to throw the Molotov cocktails.”

The two began to walk around the lobby, planning the specific positions for the defensive line.

Lin Fan would occasionally get close to Lei Li, pretending to discuss tactics.

In reality, she was observing Lei Li’s physical reactions.

Whenever she drew near, Lei Li’s breathing would quicken slightly.

It seemed last night’s “bath massage” had indeed worked.

“Lei-jie, what do you think we should put here?” Lin Fan asked, pointing at the stairwell entrance.

“This is the path the zombies must take. We should place some flammable materials, like gasoline,” Lei Li answered seriously.

“If the zombies charge down in a horde, it can form an effective wall of fire.”

“What about the throwing distance for the Molotov cocktails?”

Lin Fan deliberately walked behind Lei Li, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in her ear.

Lei Li’s body stiffened.

Xiao Yao’s warm breath on her ear made her heart race.

“About… about twenty meters.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Noticing Lei Li’s unusual reaction, Lin Fan felt a sense of triumph.

She continued to maintain this intimate distance.

“Lei-jie, why is your voice trembling a little?”

“Are you cold?”

As she spoke, she took the initiative to hug Lei Li’s arm.

Feeling Lin Fan’s soft body pressed against her, Lei Li’s cheeks instantly turned red.

“I… I’m fine.”

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“That’s good,” Lin Fan said with a sweet smile.

“Lei-jie’s body is so warm. I love hugging Lei-jie the most.”

Just then, Ah Hu arrived with his men, carrying large quantities of liquor and cloth strips.

“Lei-jie, we’ve gathered all the materials.”

“Where should we make the Molotov cocktails?”

Lei Li forced herself to calm down.

“Let’s make them right here. It’ll be convenient to use them later.”

“Xiao Yao, you can instruct everyone on how to make them.”

Lin Fan nodded and let go of Lei Li’s arm.

“Everyone, gather around. I’ll teach you.”

The group formed a circle, and Lin Fan began to explain in detail the key points of making Molotov cocktails.

“First, the cloth strips need to be torn to a suitable length. Too long and it will affect the throw; too short and it will extinguish easily.”

“Next, the higher the alcohol proof, the better. It should be at least fifty percent.”

“When you stuff the cloth strip in, leave about a third of it outside so it’s easy to light.”

Lin Fan’s movements were practiced, and she quickly produced a standard Molotov cocktail.

“Just like this,” she said, holding it up for everyone to see.

“Everyone, give it a try.”

The group began to make their own.

Lei Li watched from the side as Lin Fan instructed everyone, marveling to herself.

This little girl was not only skilled in medicine but also very knowledgeable about these tactical supplies.

She was practically an all-around genius.

“Lei-jie, what are you looking at?” Lin Fan asked curiously, noticing Lei Li’s gaze.

“Nothing,” Lei Li said, shaking her head.

“I was just thinking that you seem to know everything, Xiao Yao. You’re amazing.”

“Not at all,” Lin Fan said, lowering her head shyly.

“I just read a lot of books.”

“Before the apocalypse, I used to read a lot of strange novels.”

Lei Li nodded.

Two hours later, all one hundred Molotov cocktails were finished.

They were neatly arranged in a safe area of the lobby.

“Very good.”

Lei Li inspected the quality of the Molotov cocktails.

“Tomorrow’s operation will depend on these.”