AFTCKCTCKATD - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

For a long time, he had deeply wished for someone who could protect him.

Xia Shen Shu and the others didn’t take long to select their teams. Three teams quickly took shape, led by Xia Shen Shu, Lan Zi, and Li Pingsen respectively. Xia Shen Shu and Li Pingsen each commanded twenty people – sixteen armed with guns and four unarmed. Lan Zi’s team was the smallest, with only five members including herself carrying guns, all of them women. Those selected beamed with bright smiles, especially those who had just received guns and were now part of a team. Their cheeks flushed, as if they’d stumbled upon some incredible treasure. The remaining people, those not chosen, were undeniably dejected. They couldn’t help but envy the goofy grins of those selected, watching them from the sidelines.

Once the teams were formed, the chosen members gathered around their respective captains, introducing themselves. Each captain then addressed their team, outlining their specific situations. Ji Yanqing didn’t participate, leaving the entire process to Xia Shen Shu and the others.

Half an hour later, Ji Yanqing called for everyone to prepare for departure. They weren’t too far from the previous town, and they needed to reach the next one by tomorrow afternoon. There was no time for idle chatter.

After instructing his team to board the vehicles, Xia Shen Shu approached Ji Yanqing and crouched beside him. Ji Yanqing spread the map across his lap and explained their upcoming route. “We’ll follow the river downstream...”

There were several villages surrounding the previous town. The nearest one was only two hours away, and a larger town lay half a day’s journey beyond that. But Ji Yanqing decided against going there. The bridge in the previous town was the only river crossing in the area. Countless survivor groups had likely converged on that bridge, meaning the surrounding villages and towns would have been thoroughly picked clean. Ji Yanqing’s chosen destination was a county further downstream, far from the bridge.

“The only problem is that it’s quite far. We probably won’t arrive until tomorrow afternoon,” Ji Yanqing said.

Their supplies were dwindling, barely enough to last through tomorrow. If the county had already been looted, they’d be out of luck. It was a gamble.

After listening to Ji Yanqing, Xia Shen Shu and the others exchanged glances and nodded. Ji Yanqing’s reasoning was sound. The nearby villages and towns would have been stripped bare by other survivor groups heading for the bridge. Even if a small village had miraculously been spared, it wouldn’t be able to sustain their entire group. It was a gamble, but they had no other choice. In this apocalyptic world, no one could guarantee a constant supply of resources. If they could, life wouldn’t be this hard.

With the route decided and a few more details discussed, they all stood up. Xia Shen Shu went to arrange the driving shifts and inform the drivers of the specific route. Lan Zi helped Ji Yanqing to his feet and then carried Ji An and Ji Le, who were fast asleep after crying themselves out. Li Pingsen went to the vehicles to help secure luggage on the roof. Their previous escape had been too abrupt for packing. Now, with the opportunity, they stowed all their backpacks on the roof and secured them with ropes, freeing up almost a quarter of the space inside the vehicle. They might even be able to sit. Even standing still was a form of exertion if done for extended periods.

Once everyone was aboard, the vehicles set off again. They sped down the road, and after about half an hour, reached a fork, where they turned towards the river’s lower reaches. They continued driving until nightfall, and then for another hour, finally stopping at seven o’clock as darkness descended and snow threatened to fall. The temperature had plummeted by seven. Everyone shivered as soon as they stepped out of the vehicles. Without delay, they quickly set up a snow shelter between the vehicle and the nearby trees. With so many hands, the task was swiftly completed. In less than ten minutes, a shelter large enough for over fifty people was erected. Half the group stayed in the vehicle for the night, while the other half slept in the shelter. Ji Yanqing, due to his leg injury, remained in a vehicle.

Sitting in a corner with Ji An and Ji Le, Ji Yanqing watched as everyone else exited. He then turned to Ji Le, who had just woken up. The little boy’s already swollen eyes welled up with fresh tears. He looked at Ji Yanqing with a trembling lower lip, his expression filled with an unspoken sorrow. Once everyone else had left the vehicle, Ji Yanqing extended his arms to him. Ji Le immediately threw himself into Ji Yanqing’s embrace, burying his face in his chest and clutching his clothes tightly, as if terrified that Ji Yanqing would disappear if he let go.

Feeling the force of the child’s grip and the muffled sobs, Ji Yanqing asked softly, “Still scared?”

Ji Le shook his head.

Ji Yanqing gently stroked his hair.

“Don’t throw me away...” Ji Le mumbled, his voice thick with tears.

Ji Yanqing rested his chin on Ji Le’s head and held him close. Ji Le was so small that Ji Yanqing could completely envelop him in his arms.

“I won’t,” Ji Yanqing promised.

Feeling the warmth and strength of the embrace, Ji Le looked up at Ji Yanqing with red-rimmed eyes. “...Even if I’m bad, don’t throw me away.”

“Bad?” Ji Yanqing chuckled. “Okay, even if Ji Le isn’t good, I won’t throw you away.”

Ji Le’s trembling lip quivered, as if he wanted to say more, but he swallowed the words and sadly leaned his head back against Ji Yanqing’s chest.

Ji Yanqing glanced at Ji An, who also had tears in his eyes, standing forlornly by himself once. Ji Yanqing reached out and patted his head. With his leg injury, he couldn’t hold both children at once.

“Do you want to go see what they’re doing outside?” Ji Yanqing asked, trying to distract them.

Everyone was enthusiastic about the new teams. The entire camp buzzed with excited chatter and laughter. The atmosphere was so lively that it seemed to dispel even the chill of the night.

Ji Le shook his head. He didn’t want to go; he wanted to stay close to Ji Yanqing.

 

“Go check on them for Papa,” Ji Yanqing said, patting Ji Le’s leg.

Ji Le looked at Ji Yanqing, then at his injured leg. With a hint of reluctance, he obediently got up. Ji Yanqing was hurt and needed to rest. Ji An reached out, wanting to hold Ji Le’s hand as they walked to the back of the truck. Seeing his brother’s hand, Ji Le, unlike usual, didn’t take it. Instead, he bypassed Ji An and walked towards the back by himself.

Rejected, Ji An’s lower lip trembled. He fought back tears and followed Ji Le. Ji Yanqing observed the scene with a complicated feeling in his chest. Had they quarreled? Ji An and Ji Le were usually so well-behaved, never causing any trouble. This was the first time Ji Yanqing had witnessed them at odds. Seeing the two small figures standing on tiptoe, peering out from the truck, Lan Zi, passing by, lifted them down. Their vehicle was a large cargo truck, tall and imposing. The boys were so short that they disappeared from Ji Yanqing’s sight the moment they were placed on the ground. A moment later, they reappeared a short distance from the truck.

The increased number of people in the camp meant many unfamiliar faces, making the two boys feel a little lost. They stood nervously, craning their necks to look around. Ji Le instinctively reached for Ji An’s hand, then quickly withdrew it, suppressing his unease. After a moment, they walked towards the most crowded tent, one after the other. As they reached the tent flap, about to peek inside, it suddenly opened, and several adults emerged.

Startled, the two boys turned to flee. But their legs were too short. They only managed two steps before Xia Shen Shu scooped them up, one under each arm, and carried them into the tent.

Later, after everyone had received their food and water, they settled down to eat. Almost simultaneously, snow began to fall. Inside the truck, Ji Yanqing accepted the food and water offered by Feng Yimo. Everyone else had left the vehicle, except for a few who were still unconscious. The two men ate in silence. The atmosphere wasn’t awkward, but rather peaceful and comfortable.

Even after finishing their meal, no one returned to the truck to sleep. Ji Yanqing looked out the window. The tent beside the truck was packed with people. It was too small to accommodate everyone, so even outside in the falling snow, people craned their necks to see what was happening inside. The tent was close enough that Ji Yanqing, after listening for a while, understood what was going on. Xia Shen Shu was conducting team-building exercises.

Now that the teams were formed, the next step was to train them to work together. The team members were enthusiastic about this, and Xia Shen Shu, who had suggested the idea, was more than happy to oblige, offering his own unique methods.

“I really wasn’t thinking,” a voice said from inside the tent. “The food was just sitting there on my table, and it happened to be something I liked. She put it down and rushed off, so after a moment of confusion...”

The speaker paused, seemingly embarrassed, covering his face before continuing, “I ate it.”

“While I was eating, I was surprised that she actually liked me. I hadn’t noticed at all. I was even wondering if I should accept her feelings, since I’d already eaten the food.”

“Then, a little while later, she came back, and before I could say anything, she started yelling about who the inconsiderate person was who stole her pastry...” The voice trailed off, replaced by muffled laughter in the darkness. Most people tried to stifle their amusement, but a few couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Hearing the laughter, the speaker wished for the earth to swallow him whole. Seeing his mortification, others in the darkness burst into laughter, filling the camp with mirth.

After his story, another person took his turn. When it was about the fifth person’s turn, Xia Shen Shu emerged from the tent, a broad smile on his face. As he stepped out, his eyes met Ji Yanqing’s gaze.

Xia Shen Shu walked towards the truck, his smile unwavering. “We’re doing team-building exercises.”

“Are you sure this is helpful?” Ji Yanqing seriously doubted that Xia Shen Shu’s intentions were purely for training. It seemed more like his mischievous nature at play. Making people share their most embarrassing moments in front of everyone – how could that possibly improve teamwork?

“Many of the team members are new faces. They haven’t even memorized each other’s names, so how can they cooperate? How can there be any camaraderie? We have limited resources, not enough time or bullets for them to slowly get acquainted and practice. We have to think outside the box.”

Xia Shen Shu’s explanation sounded surprisingly reasonable, leaving Ji Yanqing momentarily speechless. Seeing that Ji Yanqing had fallen silent, Xia Shen Shu strolled back to the tent, eager to continue the “fun.”

Observing his carefree demeanor, Ji Yanqing became even more convinced of his mischievous intent. Turning his gaze away, Ji Yanqing shifted towards the edge of the truck bed. Perhaps he should also try to memorize the faces of the team members. As for what was happening in the tent, he wasn’t going to interfere. After all, the entertainment was at someone else’s expense, not his.

“Ha...” A clear laugh rang out from outside. Ji Yanqing looked up. It was Lan Zi. She approached the truck, placed her hands on the side, and effortlessly hoisted herself onto the bed, which was almost chest-high for her. Once inside, she glanced at Feng Yimo, who was resting with his eyes closed, and then sat down.

Lan Zi studied Ji Yanqing. He had changed quite a bit. She had met him during their escape, when he only had Xia Shen Shu by his side. It was the lowest point of her journey.

 

She had just been chased out of the city by several zombies. Believing death was inevitable, she rolled down a hillside and miraculously survived. At the bottom, she didn’t even have the strength to leave; thirst and hunger gnawed at her, and the pain from her wounds made her surrender to exhaustion, drifting into a deep sleep.

When she awakened, Ji Yanqing stood before her.

In the beginning, when they had just met, she had kept her guard up around Ji Yanqing and Xia Shen Shu. Ji Yanqing seemed like a decent person, but Xia Shen Shu had a mischievous glint in his eye, and she imagined all sorts of awful scenarios. Yet, Ji Yanqing had carefully bandaged her wounds, offered her water, and provided much-needed food. 

After spending a considerable amount of time together, she slowly began to lower her defenses and became more acquainted with Xia Shen Shu. It was almost laughable—Ji Yanqing was the one who had saved her, yet it was Xia Shen Shu that she grew closer to first. 

The reasoning behind this was simple: Ji Yanqing had a way of keeping his distance. He seemed to exist in a world of his own. His isolation was different from Feng Yimo’s—who exuded a cold, detached indifference toward others. Ji Yanqing appeared to possess his own world, while being a unique presence in their universe. He could engage in conversation and share laughter, yet remained fundamentally removed from those around him, as if they belonged to different realms. 

Perhaps that was why Lan Zi had always imagined Ji Yanqing’s world was perfect and warm. He must have come from a good family, with loving parents who could nurture someone like him. It only made sense that a person with his disposition stemmed from such a stable background.

Now, Ji Yanqing was not vastly different from before, yet Lan Zi could sense that his world was beginning to include other people. It felt like this transformation started when Ji Yanqing found Ji An and Ji Le.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Yanqing’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Lan Zi snapped back to reality.

Ji Yanqing watched Lan Zi, puzzled. Since getting in the car, she’d been studying him intently without saying a word. Lan Zi took a deep breath, focusing her thoughts. “I want to discuss something with you.”

“What is it?” Ji Yanqing asked, his voice hoarse. He’d heard that exact phrase from Xia Shen Shu not long ago.

“It’s about my squad. I want to form a specialized sniper team.” Lan Zi’s expression turned serious. She’d thought it through carefully. This wasn’t just Ji Yanqing’s team, it was hers too. She wanted to contribute, to protect it.

“A sniper team?” Ji Yanqing echoed, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. A complicated feeling washed over him. He’d been mulling over the same idea.

“Yes, a squad dedicated to sniping.” Lan Zi had already formulated a rough plan. “I think our team can’t just rely on close-quarters combat. We need long-range firepower. As our numbers grow, we’ll encounter more Awakened Zombies and Corpse Kings. We simply can’t kill those with our current firepower alone.”

“Remember when I hit that crocodile Corpse King in the eye? I’ve been thinking ever since that maybe we could form a long-range sniper squad. That way, if something similar happens again, we can buy time and create opportunities...”

She’d already selected the initial members: five women, including herself, all proficient with firearms. She chose only women not out of sympathy or a desire to stick together, but after careful consideration. Women were inherently physically weaker than men in the apocalypse; that was an undeniable fact. Especially now, when they were barely getting enough to eat, they didn’t have the energy or resources to balance the scales at all. 

Burdened with dozens of pounds of gear, women wouldn’t have an advantage in close combat against zombies, even within the larger group. They might even become a liability due to lack of stamina. It was better to have them focus on long-range shooting, supporting the team from afar. This way, they could maximize their strengths.

Besides the strategic advantages, Lan Zi had a personal reason. She no longer wanted to stand by helplessly while Ji Yanqing risked his life. He excelled at close combat. Before Feng Yimo arrived, Ji Yanqing had been the only one in their entire group who could keep up with the speed of an Awakened Zombie. Whenever danger arose, he was always the first to charge in. The rest of them could only watch from a distance. Even if they tried to help, they couldn’t match the speed of Ji Yanqing and the Awakened Zombies. They would only get in the way.

But with long-range weapons, a single bullet could change the entire situation. Even if she couldn’t kill a Corpse King or an Awakened Zombie, she could create an opening for Ji Yanqing. Against such formidable foes, a split second could mean the difference between life and death.

Lan Zi spoke for a long time, nearly five minutes. The more she spoke, the more nervous and anxious she became. She’d had this idea for a while, but hadn’t found the opportunity to discuss it with Ji Yanqing before they started dividing into squads.

Choosing the five members without prior consultation was essentially acting first and asking for permission later. Their team was still newly formed; the last thing they needed was someone acting on their own. She was afraid Ji Yanqing would disagree. She hadn’t encountered many survivor groups, but she’d never heard of any with a dedicated sniper squad.

Finally, after exhausting everything she could think of, Lan Zi stopped, her throat dry. She looked anxiously at Ji Yanqing, who had remained silent throughout her explanation.

Listening to Lan Zi, Ji Yanqing felt a complex mix of emotions: bittersweetness and a heavy sense of responsibility. She had considered so much, far more than he had: the squad, the advantages and disadvantages, the future… and perhaps, him.

Ji Yanqing took a deep breath, suppressing the warmth in his chest. “Yes. You can.”

Lan Zi, tensely awaiting his verdict, was momentarily stunned by his immediate agreement. She hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. “I...” she started, wanting to say more. She’d thought a lot before approaching him, and was unsure if she’d expressed everything she’d considered.

 

“This is your team too. If you’ve thought it through and believe this plan is viable, you can tell me directly.” Ji Yanqing said.

Lan Zi paused, looking at him. In the darkness, a faint smile played in Ji Yanqing’s eyes, devoid of any displeasure. Understanding dawned on Lan Zi. She chuckled, then chuckled again. Her eyes suddenly felt hot, a prickling sensation that hinted at tears. She couldn’t explain why, but she didn’t dislike the feeling.

“I’ve considered this before as well...” Ji Yanqing outlined his previous thoughts on the matter. He approved of and supported Lan Zi’s initiative, but he also hoped she would focus more on improving her own strength. This world was teeming with Corpse Kings and Awakened Zombies. Unless someone eradicated them all, there was no avoiding them.

As long as they continued to encounter these powerful undead, they needed a way to definitively kill them. Otherwise, their flight would be endless, and their hard-earned survivor group could be annihilated at any moment.

“Hunt Corpse Kings...” Lan Zi’s mouth fell open, her eyes wide with shock. Her mind went blank. She wasn’t the only one surprised. Even Feng Yimo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened his dark, chilling gaze and fixed it on Ji Yanqing.

“If we want to survive long-term, this is a necessary step,” Ji Yanqing stated with conviction.

Lan Zi’s lips moved, wanting to say something, but unable to articulate her thoughts. The blood rushed to her head, pounding in her ears, as her heart hammered against her ribs. 

To be Hunters of Corpse Kings.

She wanted to call Ji Yanqing crazy, but the words caught in her throat. Within moments, the idea began to take root in her mind, sending out tendrils that wrapped around her thoughts and burrowed deep into her heart. For a fleeting moment, she even thought it might be possible, that they might actually be able to do it. Hunt Corpse Kings.

Lan Zi covered her face, numb from the cold air, and took a deep breath. “Ha...” she laughed, a shaky sound. Hunt Corpse Kings! Ji Yanqing must be insane. And she must be too, for even entertaining the thought. They were all mad.

Xia Shen Shu and the others were having a blast. Laughter echoed through the darkness. Listening to their joyous sounds, the night seemed less cold, the apocalypse less terrifying.

Lost in their games, no one wanted to stop. It wasn’t until nearly ten o’clock that Xia Shen Shu finally sent them off to bed. Laughter and carefree joy – such moments had become distant memories, like dreams. Even lying down, many found sleep elusive.

It wasn’t until eleven o’clock that the entire camp finally fell silent.

The next day, as the first light touched the sky, they eagerly awoke, ready to resume their “training” before the morning snow melted and made travel impossible.

After breakfast, Ji Yanqing sat in the car, listening to the cheerful chatter around him, but his face remained unsmiling. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the further north they traveled, the colder the nights became, and the longer they lasted.

Before, they could sleep comfortably in their coats. Later, they needed blankets. Now, even with blankets, the cold seeped into their bones. The days also seemed less warm. They used to be unable to travel during the hottest two hours of the day, but lately, they’d almost forgotten the sun’s intensity. While their urgency to escape played a role, the milder weather was undeniable.

Ji Yanqing didn’t like this change. Colder weather meant increasingly harsher nights. The nights were far longer than those two hours of intense sunlight. If it got any colder, they would have to consider the possibility of freezing to death.

Later that morning, Ji Yanqing’s worries were confirmed. The snow, which usually melted by seven o’clock, remained thick and heavy past eight, delaying their departure by half an hour.

Finally, they were on the road again. Even inside the vehicle, the boisterous energy continued. They chatted about stories they’d heard, about their pasts. Some even discovered they came from the same towns. Laughter filled the air, creating a light and joyful atmosphere. Ji Yanqing observed quietly, keeping his concerns to himself. Voicing them wouldn’t change anything. They already carried enough burdens; there was no need to add another.

They stopped once midday to refuel, choosing a secluded village nestled in the mountains, hidden from the main road by a thick forest. They encountered only twenty zombies in the fields, avoiding a major confrontation.

At 4:30 pm, they arrived at their target county, as planned. The main roads leading in and out of the city were choked with abandoned vehicles and hordes of zombies. They parked on a mountainside, far from the town.

The county was situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, smaller than the previous one they’d passed through – perhaps two-thirds the size – but still substantial in area and population. It wasn’t located near the Grand Canal; instead of the waterway, distant mountain ranges dominated the view.

The sheer number of zombies within the city walls brought a collective sigh of relief from the group. Ordinary zombies meant a lower likelihood of encountering Corpse Kings and Awakened Zombies.

Ji Yanqing glanced at the cluster of buildings at the foot of the distant mountain, then at the eager faces of the squad members beside him, brimming with excitement. He took a deep breath and nodded.

“This small county town is perfect for training. It will allow you to familiarize yourselves with each other and develop your strategies,” Xia Shen Shu said, addressing the squad leaders. “This is an opportunity.”

 

A group of eager people nodded in unison. Xia Shen Shu turned his attention back to Ji Yanqing. 

“Our main objectives this time are food and water. We’ll consider other supplies later. It isn’t dark yet, so you need to assess the situation in the city first. Split into teams and explore specific areas—focus on supermarkets, pharmacies, and the police station, then look for trucks and fuel,” Ji Yanqing instructed firmly. 

Lü Qing already looked tired, though the rest remained enthusiastic. 

“Do not linger. You must be back before nightfall…” After a few more instructions, Ji Yanqing exchanged a glance with Xia Shen Shu, Lan Zi, and Li Pingsen, then quickly led a group of people armed only with guns and ammunition into the city.

They were positioned at the mid-slopes of a hillside, a considerable distance from the town. The route ahead started with a steep descent and transitioned into farmland. In the fields, the crops had mutated; on the far right, there was a vast area of rice taller than a person, flowering and swaying with the wind, releasing pollen that danced in the air—an unsettling sight. 

To their left lay ordinary vegetable plots, where the crops were also mutated but posed less of a threat. 

After about twenty minutes, Xia Shen Shu’s group finally reached the city’s edge. They didn’t rush in immediately but paused to observe from a distance, moving right for a bit before entering.

The outskirts were crawling with ordinary zombies. Many had fled the outbreak, leading to masses of them lingering on the city’s fringe. Ji Yanqing gazed into the distance until the silhouettes of his companions vanished entirely into the buildings.

Once Xia Shen Shu and the others were out of sight, the remaining team members, aside from a few on lookout duty, settled down to rest. Ji Yanqing pulled out the map they had earlier, though it was nearly useless. They were practically out of the territory marked on it.

Although he did have a larger map, it only indicated provinces and major cities, which was of little use to them. They needed to acquire a new, detailed map soon. With their large team, resources were depleting, and they could no longer afford to stumble around blindly like headless flies.

“Daddy.” Ji Le snuggled up against Ji Yanqing, clutching the hem of his shirt with one hand.

Ji Yanqing glanced at him; ever since his earlier outburst of tears, Ji Le had become increasingly clingy, wanting to be close at all times. Ji An sat on his other side, visibly upset. The squabble between the two little ones wasn’t over—Ji Le still refused to acknowledge Ji An, and Ji Yanqing couldn’t help but smile at the situation, feeling a touch of helplessness.

As dusk began to settle around five-thirty, the sky darkened conspicuously. The heavy clouds hung low, pressing down like a massive stone, sending a wave of anxiety through everyone. 

This reinforced Ji Yanqing’s belief that daytime was dwindling, and as the temperature dropped, he also cast his eyes towards the county town below. Xia Shen Shu and the team had been gone for over an hour without any sign of return. Their last exploration had taken considerable time, but Ji Yanqing had participated, keeping track of everything; this time, he could only wait.

The group remaining began to show signs of impatience, some even climbing atop vehicles in hopes of catching a glimpse of the county town from a higher vantage point. Silence fell over them, all eyes glued downward.

As darkness fully enveloped the area, finally nearing six o’clock, movement appeared at the city’s edge. 

The moment that happened, the group on the hill erupted into excitement, all eyes focused downhill. 

“They’re back!”

“It’s them, right?”

“Absolutely, it is them!”

“Thank goodness they’ve returned...”

Ji Yanqing watched attentively as Xia Shen Shu and the others adeptly maneuvered among the zombies, indicating that they hadn’t faced any major issues, which was a relief.

After about twenty minutes, Xia Shen Shu’s group climbed back up from the foothill. Clambering a short distance up the slope, the tension from being in the city still lingered, evidenced by the sheen of sweat on their foreheads. Despite their fatigue, their eyes sparkled with excitement.

After a brief rest, Li Pingsen cheerfully recounted their discoveries in the city. “Many places have already been scavenged, but the supermarkets and pharmacies remained untouched; there’s still stuff inside. Plus, we spotted two trucks on the national road heading out of the city, well within our reach.”

Hearing Li Pingsen’s words, the rest waiting atop the hill couldn’t hide their smiles. Ji Yanqing felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Before he could say anything, Lan Zi spoke up, “There are two supermarkets in the county—one large and one smaller. Both still have stock. We checked them out, and we can handle each with our earlier strategy.”

They had previously used flashlights to create light balls at night to lure zombies away—“a strategy to draw the tiger away from the mountain,” as they would say.

“Are you sure?” Ji Yanqing sat up straight; if they could divert the zombies without confrontation, that would be ideal.

“Yes.” Lan Zi nodded, visibly pleased. 

They had initially planned to leave the city sooner but thought the plan feasible, so they took the time to investigate the two supermarkets in detail, which had led to their delay.

Xia Shen Shu, Lan Zi, and Li Pingsen focused their gazes expectantly on Ji Yanqing, waiting for his response. The chatter among other team members dwindled, all eyes on him.

Ji Yanqing’s gaze swept across the gathered faces. Xia Shen Shu and his group were dependable; he trusted they would be fine.

 

Ji Yanqing took a deep breath and nodded.

With his approval, Li Pingsen and the others broke into smiles, immediately launching into an eager discussion of the plan. There were two supermarkets in the county; they had to clear them both out tonight. To transport the supplies, everyone capable of moving from the mountain would need to enter the city. This was a major operation, requiring extreme caution to avoid causing a commotion.

Getting the supplies out presented another challenge. They were about to switch vehicles, but the two large trucks were parked on the main road leading out of the city, which was swarming with zombies and abandoned cars. They couldn’t possibly transport the goods directly to the trucks without attracting attention. Starting the trucks first was also out of the question. The noise of the engines and the movement of the vehicles would inevitably draw the zombies from the road and the city’s edge.

After half an hour of deliberation, they finally devised a workable plan. Since they couldn’t drive the trucks in first or directly load the supplies onto them, they would first transport everything from the supermarkets to their current vehicle on the mountainside. When leaving, they would drive both vehicles out. Once they reached a safe location, they would transfer the supplies to the trucks.

Their current vehicle, once fully loaded, wouldn’t have room for passengers. After transporting the supplies out of the city, they would have to sneak to the new vehicles on foot. Moving with over a hundred people was risky, but less so than transporting the goods back and forth.

With the plan set, Xia Shen Shu and the others reviewed the details one last time, then led the able-bodied members of the group, their backpacks emptied, down the mountain. Nearly one hundred and ten people departed, leaving fewer than ten behind. Those remaining included the unconscious individuals in the vehicle, two with leg injuries who were awake, Ji An, Ji Le, Ji Yanqing, and Feng Yimo.

While all those with guns had left, there was no guarantee the mountain was completely clear of zombies. Feng Yimo stayed behind to ensure the safety of those who remained.

Despite their swift movements, the distance between their parked vehicle and the county was considerable. It took them over twenty minutes to re-enter the city. By then, it was past seven o’clock, and darkness had fallen, making it almost impossible to see. Once inside the city, Xia Shen Shu and the others vanished from sight, swallowed by the vast, monstrous darkness.

About fifty minutes after they re-entered the city, as snow began to fall heavily, a faint light flickered in the darkness. Xia Shen Shu and the others had begun their operation. The light appeared on the rooftops of two buildings, then descended into the buildings themselves. Though dim, it was strikingly conspicuous against the pitch-black night, especially when viewed from the mountainside. Seeing the light, those who remained on the mountain, including Ji Yanqing, felt a surge of tension and anxiety. If they were there, they would be nervous, but not with this agonizing helplessness. Not being present, unaware of the plan’s progress, their hearts felt like they were being held captive, unable to beat freely.

The light slowly moved towards the street, flickering twice as if nearly caught by the zombies below. Fortunately, the operation proceeded smoothly. After traversing most of the street, the light turned a corner. It remained lit for nearly ten minutes before rapidly flickering and then vanishing.

Ji Yanqing held his breath, peering into the distance. After two minutes of silence, hearing no gunshots or other disturbances, he finally relaxed, confirming Xia Shen Shu’s success. The silence of the night returned.

Half an hour later, a light appeared again, this time on the other side of the county, some distance from the previous location. With the experience of the first operation, they were much more efficient. The entire process took less than ten minutes. When the light vanished once more, and still no gunshots or commotion followed, those waiting on the mountain were drenched in cold sweat. Ji Yanqing was no exception. Even Ji An and Ji Le were pale with anxiety. They had always been by Ji Yanqing’s side during previous encounters, and although they had been afraid then, it was different from this agonizing worry for others.

Ji Yanqing gently squeezed Ji An and Ji Le’s cheeks, feeling the flesh that had gradually returned to their faces. “Daddy,” Ji Le mumbled, clinging to Ji Yanqing’s arm.

“Hmm?”

Ji Le didn’t reply, just held on tighter.

Ji Yanqing looked at him. “Did you and your brother have a fight?”

Ji Le remained silent.

Ji Yanqing turned to Ji An, who was looking down with an expression of both grievance and dejection. He didn’t speak either. “Did your brother make you angry?”

Ji Le hugged Ji Yanqing tighter.

“Then what happened?”

Ji Le still didn’t respond.

Ji An shook his head, refusing to speak. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he quickly wiped them away.

Ji Yanqing was at a loss, about to say something more when he noticed a light flickering in the city again. He immediately looked up, his heart leaping into his throat. His brow furrowed. Did something go wrong?

The others on the mountain also noticed the anomaly. Their faces, which had just relaxed, turned pale again. They stared intently at the light. After two minutes, Ji Yanqing’s head began to pound. The light was appearing with a familiar pattern: first on the rooftop, then descending between the buildings, slowly moving along until it reached a corner. It wasn’t an attack; it was the start of a third operation.

 

Ji Yanqing immediately realized what was happening. After two successful plans, Xia Shen Shu and the others had gained confidence; they were now daring enough to tackle the pharmacy and the police station in addition to their original objectives. They were taking risks to reap greater rewards.

He took a deep breath, feeling a momentary disapproval flutter within him, but that quickly dissipated. If he were in their position, he would probably do the same. In this apocalypse, the timid perish while the bold thrive. And if they could successfully clear the pharmacy and police station, they wouldn’t need to return to the city tomorrow; they could leave first thing in the morning.

Logically, Ji Yanqing understood, but his heart remained tense. Just one mistake—no matter how small—could mean that Xia Shen Shu and the others might never return from the city.

As his anxiety mounted, and after the fourth, fifth, and even eighth flashes of light emerged, it gradually morphed into a baffled silence. Sitting on the hillside, watching as Xia Shen Shu’s team nearly emptied out the city, Ji Yanqing fell into thought. Perhaps he should find a chance to have a serious talk with them. Being daring was good, but it didn’t mean one should court death.

He had sent them to look for food and water, not to completely strip the county bare.

Lost in these thoughts, his concern began to fade. He shifted his attention to Ji An and Ji Le; otherwise, he feared he’d either die from tension or be consumed by his own frustration.

Ji Yanqing glanced down at Ji An and Ji Le. Ji Le clung tightly to his right arm, almost as if fearing that if he let go, Ji Yanqing would vanish. Ji An sat quietly on his left, looking somewhat forlorn due to Ji Le’s animosity toward him. 

Knowing that the two little ones had genuinely quarreled made his heart swell with a mix of pain and helplessness; yet, amidst that, a sense of happiness bloomed—they were slowly becoming normal children. When Ji Yanqing had first found them, they had been remarkably obedient, deprived of the childish innocence and stubbornness typical of their age. They hadn’t even had the courage to cry loudly.

Now, they were bickering, holding onto his arm as if it were a lifeline, and daring to be affectionate.

As he glanced outside at the heavy snowfall gently blanketing the ground, he inhaled deeply, allowing the cold air to penetrate his lungs. He savored the fleeting pain it brought.

He lifted Ji Le into his lap, placing him on his uninjured left leg and playfully pinching the boy’s chubby cheek. “You know, Daddy really wanted a big brother or sister when he was little.”

With his head nestled against Ji Yanqing, Ji Le looked up; Ji An turned his gaze towards Ji Yanqing as well. They had previously inquired about his past, but Ji Yanqing had dodged the questions. Since then, they hadn’t revisited the topic—it had slipped from their memory.

Ji Yanqing’s focus shifted toward the darkness ahead, his eyes unfocused. 

“My parents had a wonderful relationship,” he began, recounting a story he had never shared before, “They met while still in high school, and even back then, they liked each other secretly. Neither openly admitted their feelings, and they didn’t know that the other felt the same.”

“They enrolled in the same university. Though they studied different majors, they often bumped into each other due to shared elective courses.” 

“Daddy’s mom had poor health,” Ji Yanqing paused, contemplating the best way to explain the details to the two little ones. “She had congenital heart disease and underwent several surgeries as a child. Despite being able to live normally afterward, her frail health meant she couldn’t have children.”

Ji Le’s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn’t remember his mother, but he understood the significance of a mom and dad. Countless times, he had wondered what it would be like if his parents were around—would they hold him close like other parents, protecting him from harm and bullying?

Ji An listened intently, his expression serious.

“They had liked each other quietly for a long time before finally getting together after graduation. They started discussing marriage right away, but Daddy’s family opposed.” 

Ji Yanqing weighed his words carefully, trying to simplify the complex emotions surrounding the story, a situation he had struggled to comprehend as a child. “They wanted children, and couldn’t accept that Daddy’s mother couldn’t have babies.”

Both Ji Le and Ji An stared, their eyes round and bewildered, uncertain of what to make of this revelation.

“Despite the family’s objections, they still got married,” Ji Yanqing continued. “After the wedding, Your Grandaddy’s family was furious with them, arguing constantly. They even went to your Grandmom’s workplace and caused such a scene that she lost her job.”

“They were horrible people,” Ji Le said, a hint of anger tinting his voice.

Ji An furrowed his brow, displaying a maturity beyond his years as he absorbed the gravity of the story.

“Later on, Daddy’s mom decided to have a baby,” Ji Yanqing added.

Both boys turned their attention back to him, their expressions shifting as they grasped that the baby referred to was their father.

“Daddy’s mom wasn’t healthy enough to get pregnant, and having to stop her medication made things worse. Soon after, she was hospitalized, and her condition deteriorated rapidly.” 

“Daddy’s dad was very worried, visiting her every day, doing everything to keep her spirits up while hoping she wouldn’t have the baby.” 

Ji An and Ji Le watched Ji Yanqing with wide eyes, disbelief etched on their innocent faces.

With a faint smile, Ji Yanqing marveled at how good their ears were, his heart softening at their engagement in the story. 

“Daddy’s mom wouldn’t change her mind. She wanted to have the baby. When the baby was born prematurely at over eight months, she lost a lot of blood and died in the hospital.”

“Daddy’s dad loved her dearly. He was furious, angry at everyone who pressured her into having the baby, he vented his fury at the world.” 

Ji Le and Ji An’s faces twisted in disbelief, anger swelling within them for the injustices suffered by their family, yet struggling to comprehend how everything had unraveled in such a tragic manner.

“Didn’t you ask me what kind of person my dad was?” Ji Yanqing chuckled lightly, attempting to mask the bitterness that threatened to spill forth, his throat tight as he continued, “Daddy’s dad was a terrible person. He hated me for ‘killing’ my mom, and he mistreated me for it. Every day, he beat and scolded me, locking me in dark rooms, neglecting to give me food or water.”

“Sometimes he would say he loved me, holding me close while crying, but the next moment, he’d hit me even harder…”

“He was ill. They said he was gravely sick and needed a lot of medicine to get better. They told me it was my fault he fell ill because I ‘killed’ my mother. They urged me to forgive him, saying when he was well again, he wouldn’t hurt me anymore.”

Ji Le anxiously clutched Ji Yanqing’s hand, sensing the raw pain in his voice, while Ji An edged closer, also grasping Ji Yanqing’s hand.

Their little mouths formed into frowns, eyes wide with worry. They were on the verge of tears; they had never seen their father like this before, as if he were reliving a great suffering.

Ji Yanqing had been hurt before, had danced with death on many occasions, but he had never displayed this level of pain—sudden, pervasive pain that twisted deep in his being. 

He wanted them to understand, he really was okay; after all, it had been a part of his life. Over two decades had dulled the edges of that memory, yet the boys clung to him tightly, concerned.

“Back when I was little, I really wished for a big brother or sister—if I’d had one, they would have protected me,” Ji Yanqing said, looking towards Ji Le. 

“Ji An is a protective big brother, after all. So for Ji An’s sake, let’s forgive him for whatever he did, okay?” Ji Yanqing said to Ji Le kindly. 

Tears brimmed in Ji Le’s eyes, and he wiped them away as he turned to Ji An, glancing up at the older brother. Meeting Ji An’s tear-filled gaze, Ji Le reached out with a trembling hand. “I’m sorry…”

He shouldn’t have pushed Ji An away. He knew it wasn’t Ji An’s fault; it was his own, a misunderstanding—he had been frightened.

He just felt overwhelmed with fear of being abandoned or hated by Ji Yanqing, even imagining a knife at his throat.

He was afraid, so he blamed Ji An for everything.

Afterward, he had avoided Ji An altogether, as if pretending nothing had happened would absolve him.

Ji An sniffled, taking Ji Le’s outstretched hand. “I’ll protect you,” he choked out, determination set in his eyes.

“Uh-huh…” Reconciling with Ji An, realizing he had meant what he said, Ji Le sobbed aloud, trying to hold back the torrent of emotions that spilled freely, darkening the surrounding air with despair.

He felt like he was becoming a little zombie, like Ji Yanqing might abandon him.

Hearing the sadness woven into Ji Le’s cries, Ji Yanqing felt somewhat helpless. Why did they seem to cry harder now that they were mending their bond?

“Don’t cry, don’t cry…” Ji An knelt beside Ji Le, trying to comfort him.

He fought back tears of his own, wanting to cry yet feeling the need to remain strong. He was the older brother; he had to take care of Ji Le, both now and when they had their own struggles.

Ji Le clung to Ji Yanqing, one hand grasping his shirt, the other reaching for Ji An, needing the reassurance from both. With one providing tenderness and the other seeking comfort, he let loose a heart-wrenching wail.

Ji Yanqing watched the two little ones huddle together, hearing Ji An’s soft attempts to soothe Ji Le, his heart swelling with warmth and affection. 

He didn’t know what had caused the rift between them, but now it seemed there was no need for further concern.

Observing Ji An’s earnest attempt to hug Ji Le tightly with his tiny arms, a fleeting moment of envy washed over Ji Yanqing. For a long time, he had deeply wished for someone who could protect him.

He had wished for someone strong enough to hold him against the blows, run away with him, and step up for him. But after waiting over twenty years, he had never found that person, not even when the world fell apart.

Ji Yanqing gently patted the heads of Ji An and Ji Le, feeling a quiet sense of contentment. During that moment, he noticed Feng Yimo, who had been sitting nearby with his eyes closed, now quietly observing him with an inscrutable gaze.

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