After Chen Du finished speaking, he instructed Bai Xianxing and the others to leave.
The other party had no choice but to comply.
However, before leaving, Bai Xianxing remained visibly uneasy.
"Mr. Chen, over the next few days, please ensure that nothing happens to Bai Xi. She's still so young…"
Chen Du immediately understood the hidden implication in his words.
Does he really think I'm such a despicable person?
With a calm tone, Chen Du replied, "Mr. Bai, there's no need for concern. Surely you've watched the video. I'm not the kind of man who would take advantage of someone in distress. I have my principles, and you can rest assured—your daughter will return to you unharmed."
At this moment, Bai Xianxing recalled that the figure in the video, code-named 1945, was also a young man.
Moreover, he appeared dignified and didn't seem like someone who would exploit others during their weakest moments.
Bai Xianxing said with a hint of embarrassment, "Please forgive me, Mr. Chen. My worry got the better of me. Then, I shall take my leave now."
Bai Xianxing turned around and began walking away.
After a few steps, he couldn't help but look back and sternly remind Bai Xi, "Bai Xi, listen carefully: these next few days, be obedient. Don't do anything to anger Mr. Chen. In three days, I'll bring the antiviral serum and come to take you home."
Bai Xi nodded.
"Dad, I'll behave. You can go ahead and leave."
Unable to suppress a sigh, Bai Xianxing exhaled deeply.
Then, stepping ahead of the group, he left first.
Black Tiger also glanced back at Chen Du and Bai Xi before finally following the others.
Only after Bai Xianxing and his companions were far enough away—out of sight from the drones hovering in the sky—did Chen Du finally lower his guard.
Suddenly, without warning, he tied Bai Xi up.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Bai Xi shouted, struggling against her bonds.
Chen Du smirked coldly. "I'll release you, but only if you grant me full access to your backpack. Otherwise, how can I trust that you won't attempt something reckless when my back is turned?"
Bai Xi's face darkened with frustration.
Deep down, she had indeed been contemplating escape.
But she hadn't anticipated just how vigilant Chen Du would be, leaving her no opportunity to act.
Reluctantly, she opened her backpack permissions, allowing Chen Du unrestricted access to its contents.
The items inside were now entirely at his disposal.
Chen Du took a quick glance through them.
The supplies were pitifully sparse, with the sole valuable item being a schematic for an arming sword.
Chen Du kept only the essentials—bread, bottled water, and other basic necessities.
Anything that could potentially pose a threat to him was confiscated without hesitation.
Once he was confident that all potential dangers had been neutralized, he untied the ropes binding Bai Xi.
Rubbing her sore wrists, Bai Xi suddenly bolted into a sprint.
But before she could get far, Chen Du caught up to her and grabbed her arm firmly.
"Behave yourself," he warned, his voice low and menacing. "As long as you cooperate, I won't harm you. In fact, I'll provide food and drink. But if you choose to run off and end up devoured by zombies or captured by other survivors as their plaything, don't expect me to intervene."
With that, he released her arm and started walking toward the direction of the villa complex.
"Let's go."
Behind him, Bai Xi gritted her teeth in frustration.
After hesitating for a long while, she reluctantly followed behind.
Without weapons and alone, she knew she wouldn't survive long on her own.
When they reached the garage, Chen Du retrieved a car stored in his backpack and used it to drive them back, saving considerable time.
Upon arriving at the villa compound, the Fortress Wall detected Chen Du's vehicle and automatically opened the gate.
After granting entry, the massive doors slowly closed behind them.
Inside the villa, Xie Li heard the sound of the Fortress Wall opening and the hum of the car engine. Realizing Chen Du had returned, she excitedly ran outside without even changing out of her slippers to greet him.
But what she saw made her pause in confusion.
Chen Du had returned—but he wasn't alone. A woman stepped out of the passenger seat where Xie Li often sat.
This was Bai Xi, who immediately noticed Xie Li's striking beauty, rivaling her own.
With a touch of jealousy, Bai Xi remarked sarcastically, "Oh, I see. So this is where you've been hiding your little treasure."
Without waiting for a response, she strode past Xie Li and entered the villa as though she owned the place. Opening the fridge, she grabbed an ice-cold soda and popped it open, seemingly unfazed by the awkwardness of the situation.
Meanwhile, Xie Li approached Chen Du anxiously.
"Chen Du, who is she? Why has she come here?"