Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 160: What’s your size

[Cross-referencing heat signals and your team’s report... Hold on.]

Qingran waited, one hand still resting on the roof of the car as she watched the others settle inside. Meng Nian climbed into the driver’s seat, giving her a small nod. She returned it absently, eyes scanning the broken horizon beyond the school fence.

[Confirmed. I count thirty-seven life signs still within the school compound. Some in the auditorium basement, some scattered through isolated classrooms, and a few in the rooftop green shed.]

"Thirty-seven..." she repeated under her breath, doing the math in her head. "So we’ve gotten thirty out so far. More than half, but not done."

[Correct. But several of the remaining are spread thin, isolated in locations with a high density of infected nearby. You’ll need to split routes or make multiple trips.]

"We’ll handle it," she said. Then, raising her voice, "Meng Nian, drive. Let’s get them back."

The engine started up with a low rumble. Qingran climbed into the passenger seat beside him, pulling the door shut. The moment they were moving, she finally let herself relax slightly, tension easing from her shoulders.

From the backseat, soft breathing and the occasional cough reminded her of the weight of their mission. The girl with the twisted ankle was already dozing against another student, her hand still clutching the sleeve of Qingran’s jacket like a lifeline.

Meng Nian glanced sideways. "You alright?"

"Fine." She didn’t look at him. "Just already thinking about tomorrow."

"Then I’ll think for you tonight. You did good."

Qingran let out a short laugh, dry and quiet. "We did good. Let’s just make sure we finish it."

⸻

Back at the hotel, the survivors were led in quickly by Feng Yuxi and Rina. Rina was waiting at the entrance with fresh bandages and a notepad, ready to record names and injuries. She offered Qingran a faint smile as they passed.

"Good haul.." she said, gently helping the twisted-ankle girl to a seat.

"Thirty now." Qingran murmured. "Thirty-seven more left in the school."

Rina’s eyes flickered wide before she nodded. "We’ll be ready for them. We’ll do our best here, to help you out."

Qingran gave a brief nod of acknowledgment to Rina, then moved toward the nearest elevator with a steady pace.

The weight of the mission was beginning to settle heavier on her chest, but she pushed it aside for now.

There was work to do, and resting wasn’t an option until all of them were safe.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. She stepped inside, pressing the button for the 39th floor.

Meng Nian stayed behind, talking with Feng Yuxi as they ensured the newcomers had settled in, while she needed a moment of solitude to gather her thoughts.

As the elevator rose, the hum of the machinery the only sound, she reflected on the night’s success.

They’d rescued thirty, but that number weighed heavily. Thirty-seven still remained, and each life counted. But she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

The remaining survivors were scattered across the campus, many in hard-to-reach places with zombies closing in.

It would take time. And, as always, time was something they were running out of.

The elevator reached the 39th floor with a soft ding. She stepped out and made her way down the hallway, scanning the rooms along the way.

The last available room on this floor had already been filled, and now the next group was being settled on the 38th floor.

At the end of the hall, she saw one of the survivors standing near the window. He was a student, maybe in his late teens, with shaggy hair and hollow eyes. He looked out across the city, his face drawn.

"Is everything alright?" Qingran asked, her voice low.

The student turned slowly, his gaze meeting hers. He didn’t answer immediately, just blinked a few times as if trying to process her words.

"We’re just safe, aren’t we?" he said finally. "Is this real? I don’t know how to feel."

Qingran’s expression softened. "It’s real. You’re safe here. We’ll make sure you stay safe."

He nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Thank you."

She wanted to say more, but the moment was interrupted by a distant sound, a soft knocking on the door of a nearby room. It was faint but distinct.

She turned toward the noise, her instincts sharpening immediately. "Stay here.." she said, her voice firm. "If anything happens, stay put."

Before the student could respond, she moved quickly toward the door. Her hand hovered over the handle for a moment, listening carefully. The knocking came again, more urgent this time, but still muffled.

Qingran slowly cracked the door open, peering into the hallway.

There was no sign of danger, but her senses were alert, her heart rate picking up.

The hallway was quiet, save for the low murmur of voices behind closed doors.

She pushed the door all the way open. "Is everything okay?"

A young girl, maybe sixteen, stood just inside. Her face was pale, her clothes torn, but there was a look of desperation in her eyes.

"I... I don’t feel safe. I keep hearing things outside." Her voice trembled. "Please... can I stay with someone? I don’t want to be alone."

Qingran’s gaze softened. The girl was clearly scared, her mind likely reeling from the trauma of everything that had happened.

"Of course.." Qingran said, stepping inside. "The others are being checked on, once they’re good to go, someone will bring them here. For now.."

The girl bit her lips, clearly that was not enough to call her down.

"Can’t you stay here until they come at least?"

Qingran shook her head, sighing she placed a hand on her hip.

"I can’t stay here with you. So follow me to my room, you can still there until your roommates arrive. You need a bath, fresh pair of clothes and warm food. What’s your size?"

The girl followed Qingran out of the room as they headed to the elevator, she looked at Qingran, her eyes filled with admiration.

"I use size "S"