Zhou Li

Biodata

Appearance

• Tall and burly, with an upright, righteous bearing 27.
• Looks considerably older than forty-five, apparently worn down by his worries since the apocalypse began 27.

Personality

Zhou Li is decisive and resolute, but cautious when lives are at risk. When fourteen ability users disappear in a basement, he prevents the investigators from venturing deeper without understanding the danger 27 31.

He balances humanitarian concerns with legal responsibility. In Xiao Ya’s case, he refuses to overlook her involvement in murder, but also insists that her age and victimization must be considered. His response prioritizes supervision, an official record, and eventual trial rather than immediate execution 39.

History

Western Zone Leadership

A former soldier, Zhou Li becomes the official responsible for Qingyun City’s western zone settlement. He values Cheng Jing’s proposals for screening survivors by sealing doors and establishing controlled zones, both of which prove effective. When others suggest redistributing Cheng Jing’s ability users among weaker teams, Zhou Li consults him and does not force the issue after his refusal 27.

After Cheng Jing warns him about abnormal weather and approaching extreme cold, the authorities begin preparations. During the worsening conditions, Zhou Li prohibits indiscriminate gunfire near the settlements because the noise attracts more zombies, assigning nearby clearance work to ability users instead. Facing manpower shortages, he also calls on survivors to help the rescue teams insulate homes and devise ways to keep warm 27 28.

When Cheng Jing’s team donates most of its collected supplies and provides voluntary ability services, Zhou Li shares information about base construction. He explains that the army will search cities for survivors after the extreme cold ends and assures Cheng Jing that the authorities will remember the team’s contributions 30.

Jiahe Court Disappearances

Zhou Li brings Cheng Jing’s group to investigate the disappearance of a fourteen-person ability-user patrol at Jiahe Court. They discover smashed satellite phones and bloody drag marks leading into a basement. He limits the inspection to the outer area, personally collects the phones, and later keeps Cheng Jing behind for further discussion 31.

After considering Cheng Jing’s findings, Zhou Li coordinates further deployments. When Cheng Jing presents the theory that a hidden ability user is keeping a zombified relative, Zhou Li entrusts the investigation to his squad, promises it first choice of western district resources, and arranges support from other personnel. During the operation at apartment 1805, his people remain out of sight, chiefly to prevent basement zombies from being stirred into a mass attack 33 36 37.

Xiao Ya’s Supervision

After the case is resolved, Zhou Li learns that twelve-year-old Xiao Ya helped her mother obtain victims for her zombified father while subjected to deception and control. He recognizes her as both an accomplice and a victim, and refuses to allow her to be killed once brought into official custody 39.

With no means to transfer her and limited resources for holding her locally, he asks Cheng Jing, Jiang Nian, and Huang Qian to supervise her temporarily, then take her to a base for registration and placement. He promises to document the case, disclose the truth to the victims’ families when doing so will not provoke unnecessary chaos, and ensure that Xiao Ya eventually stands trial 39.

Rescue Guild and Departure

Zhou Li invites Cheng Jing’s squad into the Qingyun City Apocalypse Ability User Rescue Guild as Team 017. Cheng Jing negotiates the right to leave at any time in exchange for revealing that all eight teammates have awakened abilities. Zhou Li also permits future recruitment, provided new members pass an official assessment 41.

He accommodates the team’s childcare responsibilities by overlooking substitutions for Huang Qian’s night-patrol duties 44.

When the team prepares to leave for South City Base, Zhou Li arranges a recommendation letter and advises its members to register there as Qingyun City’s official rescue team. Expressing both gratitude and hope for future mutual assistance, he sees them off before their departure on March 10 46.

Relationships

• Cheng Jing — Trusted partner and adviser. Zhou Li increasingly relies on his judgment, and the two get along despite their generational age difference 27 31 33.
• Jiang Nian — Recognizes his engagement to Cheng Jing and suspects that he contributes to Cheng Jing’s proposals. Zhou Li considers him more capable than his outwardly agreeable manner suggests, but does not press for information about him 33.
• Xiao Ya — A juvenile offender whose protection and accountability he treats as simultaneous obligations, arranging temporary supervision rather than absolution 39.

Notable Quotes

“She's an offender, but she's also a victim and a minor. Now that she's here, I can't let you kill her.” 39