"Phew—"
Letting out a breath, Shawn touched his head. Though still a bit agitated, he was much calmer than before.
"What are you worried about?"
"The Camp? Or are you actually just worried about Carl and Lori?"
"I saw Rick earlier, and at least he still expressed his gratitude to me."
Shawn shrugged, his words conveying only one meaning.
Others get married in autumn, so what are you doing singing and dancing here in summer?
After speaking, Shawn secretly observed Shawn's expression, thinking to himself.
"Shawn can't hold back anymore. It seems he already knows about Lori's pregnancy."
"While it won't directly cause Shawn to turn evil, it has given Shawn, who had already given up on his little schemes, new ideas."
"Perhaps in Shawn's eyes at this moment, Lori is his wife and Carl is his stepson, otherwise Shawn wouldn't be so agitated."
Shawn sighed inwardly, looking at the unconscious Lori in the tent.
"Isn't Rick enough?"
"Or is it because she's pregnant that she urgently needs a sense of security?"
"Making Shawn have ideas again is Lori's biggest mistake."
Karma, perhaps if it weren't for Lori, Shawn might not have stood against Rick.
And if Shawn hadn't died, perhaps Lori wouldn't have died in the Prison in the original plot.
"I need to find an opportunity to guide Shawn later. At least many things have changed now, and it's not a life-or-death situation between Shawn and Rick."
As Shawn pondered for a moment, he saw Shawn, hands on hips, lean closer.
This time, his gaze towards Shawn suddenly changed, showing a hint of pleading, and his tone also became more consultative.
"Hey, Shawn… buddy, listen."
"I'm just worried about the Camp, and Lori and Carl are also part of the Camp. Look at how Rick became after something happened to them?"
"I care about the Camp, and I also care about my best partner, so don't take Carl to do such dangerous things next time."
Shawn was a bit surprised after hearing that.
What?
Shawn actually took the initiative to back down?
Shawn quickly scrutinized Shawn, noticing that the swaying in his eyes had a hint less of sharpness.
Patting Shawn's shoulder, Shawn thought for a moment before speaking.
"We need the Prison. You should understand what I mean. As for future matters… let's talk about them later. Now is still a bit too rushed."
After saying this, Shawn leaned against the tent, took a plate of 'cheese potatoes' from Carol, and began to eat.
Shawn's words ended there.
He didn't directly respond to Shawn's plea but instead vaguely mentioned the Prison.
As for whether Shawn would understand, or if he understood but still pretended to be ignorant, that was beyond Shawn's control.
Shawn truly felt it was a pity for Shawn.
He could have been Rick's most trusted brother, one of the powerful combat forces defending the Camp.
Shaking his head, Shawn focused on his food.
He didn't know how much time had passed when a soft groan, tinged with pain, came from behind him.
"You're awake." Shawn turned his head and saw Lori, still groggy, supporting herself to sit up.
It wasn't until Shawn placed a hand on her shoulder, pressing her back down, that Lori noticed Shawn's presence.
"Carl… how is he?"
Lori didn't even realize that her thin lips were trembling as she spoke.
She was already very thin, and the past few days of fear had made her even weaker.
Coupled with her pale face, Lori at this moment was not much better than Rick when he first woke up from his sickbed.
"Carl is fine. I told you I would bring him back safe and sound."
Shawn first reassured Lori, otherwise, she would probably keep struggling.
"I want to see him." Lori looked up at Shawn.
Pleading, humble, resentful, blaming… it was somewhat complex.
It made Shawn's scalp tingle, and he deliberately avoided her gaze.
Yes, Shawn was not afraid of hideous Walkers, nor was he afraid of threatening other survivors, but when Lori looked at him as a mother, Shawn avoided her.
Her reliance on Shawn was largely due to her child. As a mother, Lori truly had no choice.
"You can, but he's already asleep with Rick. When he wakes up, you can see him however you like."
"And I'm looking for you alone for something else."
Hearing Shawn's words, Lori frowned and looked at him strangely.
What could Shawn and she possibly have to talk about?
They had just had a conflict not long ago…
But as Lori wondered, she saw Shawn slowly stand up and say to her,
"I'm sorry, Lori. I only thought about helping Carl grow quickly, but I didn't consider your feelings. I apologize to you."
The Camp was not large, and the moment Shawn's voice carried, almost everyone looked over immediately.
They watched Shawn apologize to Lori, raising their eyebrows in surprise.
At least in their minds, Shawn, who proposed 'autocratic management,' would never make such a gesture.
And Lori.
At this moment, she looked up at Shawn, who was deeply apologizing to her, her lips slightly parted, her mind somewhat frozen, completely unprepared for the scene before her.
"Is this still Shawn? That overbearing and oppressive man?"
"He would actually apologize to me for Carl?"
Lori couldn't help but ask herself.
But before she and the others could react, Shawn looked up again and sincerely said,
"What I did was inappropriate, so I apologize to you. I'm sorry for making you worry."
"However, this does not mean that I admit my previous argument with you was wrong, nor does it mean that my training Carl and helping Carl grow is wrong."
"Lori, I hope you understand that I am autocratic! Beyond refutation! But that doesn't mean I need to use oppressive methods to achieve my goals."
"On the contrary, I respect each and every one of you, and it is precisely because of this that I will make decisions that are most beneficial to everyone."
"Carl is fine. I brought him back unharmed as promised, but I still apologize to you."
"This situation will not happen again in the future. This is my promise to you."
Shawn was serious, not feeling ashamed or losing face because of his actions.
He admitted his mistakes and corrected them. He could listen to others. He was rational yet firm and autocratic.
Beside him, Rick gently placed Carl in the tent and hurried over when he heard the commotion.
And Shawn stood beside him.
They exchanged glances, and then their eyes seemed to hold something unsaid, something greasy.
The people in the Camp watched Shawn's back.
For some reason, even though Shawn hadn't puffed out his chest just now, his figure seemed even taller.
A seed was planted in everyone's hearts at that moment, feeding on their despair, waiting to give birth to the sprout of hope in the future.