"How's your day going?" Jiang Zihui asked with genuine concern.
"It's been alright. No need to worry about me. How about you?"
"Don't worry—I'm staying in an upscale residential area. Fewer people around means supplies are still abundant. The property management has stockpiled plenty."
Ye Qingyi exhaled softly, a hint of relief crossing her face as she shifted slightly. "What about Nana?"
"That little one still has the energy to do yoga. Can you imagine?" Jiang Zihui teased, hoping to lighten her mood.
"That's good to hear."
Jiang Zihui paused for a moment, his tone softening into a sigh. "Yiyi, you need to find a way to come over here. I can't stop worrying about you."
Ye Qingyi forced a faint, bitter smile. Huai'an City was four hundred kilometers away from Yunhai City—a distance that used to be easily covered but now felt insurmountable.
"I'll figure something out. Don't worry; my brother-in-law is still in charge," she said, trying to sound reassuring despite the uncertainty etched on her face.
"One of my classmates told me there've been riots in several neighborhoods—people killing each other without hesitation. Some psychopaths don't even leave women's bodies untouched."
"Ahh!" Ye Qingyi gasped, her flawless features contorted with fear.
Realizing he'd said too much, Jiang Zihui quickly changed the subject. "Let's talk about where we'll go for our honeymoon instead. Maybe Europe? Imagine strolling through Paris together…"
As her phone battery dwindled, Ye Qingyi reluctantly set it aside to charge. She gazed outside at the rain, feeling the wind grow stronger with nightfall. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she drifted off to sleep.
But her dreams turned dark. She dreamt she had become a corpse, surrounded by countless men who stared at her body as if it were a roasted steak. Their eyes gleamed with greed as they violated her remains, tearing them apart until nothing but bones remained.
"Ahh!"
Ye Qingyi jolted awake, sitting upright with cold sweat drenching her hair. Her complexion was pale, her body trembling as she glanced out the window—it was already morning. A deep sense of helplessness welled up within her. Could she ever escape this neighborhood alive?
Tears trickled down the corners of her eyes.
In stark contrast to Ye Qingyi's despair, Tang Ze woke up brimming with energy. Stretching lazily, he peered out the window, ready to seize another day filled with potential.
The previous night, he'd gained enough experience points to reach Level 10. Only 90 points stood between him and the coveted "Apocalypse Survival Pack 20"—a reward system designed to aid survivors in this chaotic new world. Though progress was now doubled, it still felt agonizingly slow.
At the entrance to his apartment, three automatic rifles were strategically positioned, their triggers connected by wires stretched taut across the doorframe. If anyone attempted to open or break down the door, the rifles would unleash their full magazines, sweeping the area clean.
After securing his weapons, Tang Ze pulled out a steaming bowl of Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles. The rich aroma stirred the two women awake, their eyes fluttering open.
Tang Ze made sure to prepare nutritious meals for them—they were, after all, vital sources of strength.
By noon, Sun Ting sat idly on the balcony, sketching on a blank sheet of paper resting atop her black stockings. Her slender fingers gripped a 2B pencil as she observed the scene below, her strokes deliberate and steady.
Emerging from the bedroom, Tang Ze approached curiously, standing behind her. "Not bad," he remarked approvingly.
On the white paper lay a detailed sketch, capturing…
"Oh! You're awake. Sorry," Sun Ting quickly stood up, but Tang Ze gently pressed her back down. "No need to apologize. Keep going."
She smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing.
"Did you study art formally?" Tang Ze asked, intrigued.
"I majored in fine arts. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a painter whose works would tour nationwide exhibitions. But reality crushed those dreams. A month's worth of creative work doesn't earn nearly as much as a single dance performance in a live stream." She sighed bitterly, aware of the sacrifices she'd made along the way.
An Bai walked over with freshly cut fruit, shaking her head sympathetically. "Her painting skills are incredible. She just hasn't found the right opportunities yet."
Tang Ze popped a peeled orange slice into his mouth. "You know, I have a dream too."
Sun Ting and An Bai exchanged curious glances.
"When I was younger, I'd often gaze at the sky, dreaming of becoming a great pilot defending our nation's airspace. Unfortunately, studying proved too difficult—I barely passed any exams."
The two women burst into giggles.
Seeing An Bai beside him, Tang Ze playfully slapped her peach-like posterior. "Laughing at me, huh? Payback time."
"I couldn't resist!" An Bai protested, her voice tinged with mock indignation. A faint handprint began to appear on her otherwise flawless skin.
"What about you, Xiao Bai? Why did you choose to become a flight attendant?" Tang Ze asked.
An Bai gazed wistfully at the sky. "I love traveling. Being a flight attendant lets me explore the world for free."
"Freeloading, eh?" Tang Ze teased, wrapping an arm around her slim waist and pulling her onto the couch.
Pouting adorably, An Bai retorted, "That's not true! I work hard too, you know. Stop misjudging me."
Sun Ting placed her sketchbook aside, joining them with a teasing grin. "Xiao Bai isn't just freeloading—she secretly wants to marry into wealth."
"He was my elementary school classmate," An Bai replied nonchalantly, long past harboring feelings for her deceased ex-boyfriend.
Sun Ting rolled up a newspaper and held it to An Bai's lips. "Come on, spill the story."
"There's really not much to tell. We met once in first class, struck up a conversation, and he lied about being single. When I brought up marriage, he admitted he was married but promised to divorce soon. That's all there is to it."
Tang Ze shook his head in disgust. "What a scumbag."
"Absolutely despicable," Sun Ting agreed.
An Bai chimed in with a sheepish laugh. "Yeah, totally despicable."
Suddenly, Tang Ze leaned forward, his expression serious. "So tell me—am I worse than him?"
The two women froze, exchanging uneasy glances.
"Tell the truth—or no food for three days," Tang Ze warned sternly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
Their silent exchange spoke volumes. Tang Ze smirked knowingly. "Calling me a scumbag, are you? Fine. I'll show you exactly what that looks like."
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. Ding Feng watched the dwindling supplies and the relentless storm raging outside. Tonight, he decided, they would launch an attack on Building 3.
"Brother Feng, everyone's ready," came the report from his subordinates.