Chapter Seven: Courting Death

Chapter Seven

The rain did not stop all through the next morning.

Watching the people across from her, who showed no sign of worry, Mei thought for a moment and called out to Lin Shaojie, “I’m so bored! Big brother, come over and chat with me!”

Since the space was small and there had been no effort to keep their voices down during previous conversations—and, more importantly, since everyone believed Mei was just a well-protected, innocent little girl—no one stopped Lin Shaojie from approaching her.

“Big brother, how long do you think this rain will go on? It’s so cold and gloomy here, and I’m so bored!”

The only fire in the house had gone out in the middle of the night. There was nothing left inside to burn.

“Hang in there. I’m afraid this rain will last another two days,” Lin Shaojie consoled her.

Mei’s eyes flashed at his words.

“Do you think this rain could ruin the zombies? Then we wouldn’t have to fight them anymore!”

Her innocent question drew a round of light laughter from the room.

Mei’s eyes twinkled as she pouted in displeasure. “What’s so funny? This rain is so strange—it might really kill the zombies! When is normal rain ever black? Maybe it’s like acid rain or something and just burns the zombies away!”

Her words sounded naive, but they made a certain sense—at least they raised a possibility worth considering. Since the rain began, no zombies had been seen. It was natural to wonder, and her logic could make anyone pause. Yet, the others didn’t seem to care—they didn’t even hesitate—which was telling.

From the way these people avoided letting the rain touch them, to the look on Qu Wenyuan’s face when she mentioned it, and the fact that no one stood watch at night, it was almost as if they already knew zombies wouldn’t appear. Now, with their reactions, it was clear—they knew something.

Unable to fight zombies, yet heavily protected, and even rumored to be powerful.

That Qu Wenyuan—hah!

Mei lowered her head, a wry smile curling at her lips.

“Mei, don’t be upset. If you’re afraid of the zombies, you can come with the big brothers when the rain stops,” Lin Shaojie said, patting her head comfortingly.

“I’m not afraid!” Mei huffed, turning away to dodge his hand.

“Yes, yes, Mei isn’t afraid of zombies. You even dare to kill them—how could you be scared?” Lin Shaojie was utterly charmed by her proud little act, quickly trying to soothe her.

As an only child, Lin Shaojie had always dreamed of having a cute little sister—one who would call him brother in a soft voice, look up to him, and whom he could protect from all harm.

Mei’s behavior fit perfectly with his fantasy. Though they’d known each other less than a day, he already felt the urge to protect her.

That night, Mei and Mo Chen wrapped themselves in blankets, resting side by side. Though they had sleeping bags, neither used them—knowing that if anything happened, it would be harder to react quickly.

At two in the morning, everyone in the small temple slept soundly; no one kept watch, since no zombies had appeared. But in the darkness, someone suddenly opened their eyes and slowly sat up. Seeing that no one around him stirred, the man carefully crawled to his feet, fumbling at his clothes until he produced a knife.

Clutching the blade, he crept cautiously toward the two huddled together, terrified of making a sound. What he didn’t know was that, as soon as he moved, several others in the darkness opened their eyes, only to close them again in unison.

Just thinking about the food those two had made the man salivate. During every meal, everyone in their group eyed them hungrily—how long had it been since they’d eaten like that? He’d often thought, why should just two people hoard so much? This world was as unfair as ever, before or after the apocalypse.

But things had changed. If not for the apocalypse, he’d have spent his life as a laborer at the bottom of society, trampled by the rich, with no hope of rising. Now, people who once never spared him a glance called him “Big Zhuang” and flattered him, hoping he’d protect them from zombies. This inflated Fang Dazhuang’s sense of self-worth like never before.

Maybe the apocalypse wasn’t so bad, he thought. Now he could do openly what he’d never dared before, and no one would judge him. If he lacked food or clothing, he could take it—everything belonged to whoever could seize it. As for zombies, they were just more numerous—he had the strength and didn’t fear them.

Thinking of the tenfold strength he’d gained since awakening, Fang Dazhuang’s grip on the knife tightened, his eyes fierce. With his heightened senses, he moved directly toward the two huddled figures.

He was going to kill that pretty boy; such types had always disgusted him, even more so now. If he killed him, the food would be his. He’d share a little with the others—just enough.

As for the girl—her innocent expression, her sweet face, her age so close to his own daughter’s—Fang Dazhuang felt a heat rise in his chest. Some things he’d only dared dream of before; now, finally, he could experience them openly. The thought of that innocent little face crying helplessly under him made him swell with anticipation.

Driven by his lust, he could wait no longer and quickened his steps toward them.

But just as he crossed the invisible line, a faint whooshing sound cut through the air—then, silence.

Fang Dazhuang stood there, unmoving.

In the morning, as the team members woke one by one, their eyes immediately landed on the upright figure in the center of the room—some surprised, some alarmed, some oblivious.

“Dazhuang, what are you doing standing there so early?” Lin Shaojie strode over and clapped his shoulder, only for the man to collapse instantly.

He stared, baffled at how easily the man fell. But when he saw Fang Dazhuang’s face, he could not utter a single word.

Fang Dazhuang's face was ashen, twisted in a hideous grimace. He had been dead for some time, his eyes wide open, brimming with greed and lust frozen in the moment. The knife in his hand, the direction he faced—nothing was unclear.

Seeing this, Lin Shaojie’s first reaction was not sorrow at a comrade’s death, but anger that this old bastard had tried to rob and murder them. Worse, he’d had vile intentions toward the young girl—a fitting end!

Lin Shaojie kicked the corpse in fury, shot Mei an apologetic look, and returned to his spot, sulking in silence.

To think such scum had been his companion—it was shameful beyond words.

While washing up, Mei discreetly observed the others. Their actions were as she expected: they simply dragged the body out of the temple, doing nothing more. Lin Shaojie’s reaction, though, surprised her.

This boy’s heart had not yet been tainted by the apocalypse—unexpectedly pure.

Double update for the weekend—please bookmark and recommend!