Chapter 45: Zombie Apocalypse (III)

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Chapter 45: Zombie Apocalypse (III)

Occasional screams and loud, eerie chewing echoed through the silent streets. After the initial panic, most of those who had survived no longer entertained any illusions. The apocalypse had arrived. Whether they accepted it or not, they were destined to struggle through this new era.

The tireless zombies hunted down one victim after another, tearing away nearly all their flesh before leaving only skeletons behind to join their ranks. As a result, the first generation of zombies differed noticeably from those that came later. Their flesh remained largely intact, unlike later generations, which were little more than bare skeletons.

Unfortunately for the first-generation zombies, this wasn’t necessarily an advantage. Though they still possessed flesh, it had already begun to rot, giving off a nauseating stench that often alerted prey before they could even approach.

“Professor, where are we heading now?” Zhang Yang drove the vehicle they had found abandoned by the roadside. Compared to the luxury sedans littering the city, the Land Rover looked rather plain. Cars like this had become rare in such a fashion-conscious metropolis, so stumbling across one was a stroke of luck. The interior still carried the faint odor of decaying flesh, but none of them paid it any mind anymore.

It had been a week since they left University S. Over that week, the endless rows of zombies lining the streets had long since numbed their senses. What had once provoked horror now barely earned a second glance. The stench of corpses no longer disgusted them, and even blood splattered across their clothes went unnoticed. The casual clothes they’d worn when leaving the university had long been replaced with thick, padded cotton coats.

In weather that remained oppressively hot and humid despite the perpetually sunless sky, wearing heavy coats was miserable. Sweat clung to their bodies and soaked into the fabric, something that would have been unbearable for people accustomed to comfortable lives. Compared to staying alive, however, such discomforts were insignificant.

“You don’t have to call me ‘Professor’ anymore. What use is a professor these days? Just call me by my name.” Miao Nianling was practically hanging from Miao Lichen, her large eyes curiously following the zombies wandering past the vehicle. Every so often, she’d nuzzle against his neck, unable to hide her delight.

Miao Lichen shifted slightly, making her more comfortable in his arms. “Weren’t we planning to head to the former military district in S City? What, have you changed your mind?”

“If we could think of going there, then plenty of other people will think of it too. Crowded places aren’t necessarily safe. Especially now that it’s obvious this world will soon belong to ability users.” Zhang Yang glanced at Miao Nianling, a possessive gleam briefly surfacing beneath his gentle smile.  “Ling’er’s ability is bound to attract unwanted attention.”

Miao Lichen nodded. He understood what Zhang Yang meant. Miao Nianling’s ability possessed no offensive power whatsoever, yet she could sense and influence zombie movements. Naturally, leaders would covet an ability like that. As for Zhang Yang, who outwardly appeared to possess no abilities, and himself—a frail-looking researcher—they seemed completely incapable of protecting her.

That was only on the surface, of course. Leaving aside everything Miao Lichen himself was hiding, he knew perfectly well that Zhang Yang had already awakened his ability. A lightning ability. Aside from the five basic elemental abilities of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, mutated elements like lightning were exceptionally rare.

Unlike most newly awakened ability users who struggled to control their powers, Zhang Yang had awakened directly as a Level 2 ability user. He could already employ his lightning silently in battle.

That was why his weapon was a machete. He relied not only on brute strength, but also on lightning flowing through the metal blade.

“Then let’s follow your plan. I trust your judgment.” A subtle change crossed Zhang Yang’s face. His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly as he met Miao Lichen’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Only after a long moment did he look away.

“I plan to return to my hometown. If you still want to go to the military district, I can take the two of you there first. It might not be particularly dangerous there.” A trace of hoarseness crept into Zhang Yang’s voice. The brief silence inside the vehicle caused a flicker of self-mockery to flash across his eyes.

From the moment he’d entered the laboratory until now, he’d been using both Miao Lichen and Miao Nianling. Aside from some physical effort, he’d paid almost no price. Meanwhile, Miao Nianling’s ability had saved his life several times. And now, someone like him had actually begun hoping for trust?

Trust between people had already been precious before the apocalypse. Yet here he was, yearning for it under circumstances far crueler than before. When had he become so foolish? Darkness flickered through his eyes, yet the smile on his lips only became brighter as his body slowly relaxed.

“I never expected you to suggest we part ways. Ling’er can be of great help to you. If I agreed, what would you do?” There was genuine curiosity in Miao Lichen’s voice.

“Maybe I’d find an opportunity to let our friends outside kill you and keep the little one for myself. If she failed to satisfy me…” Although he didn’t finish the sentence, his meaning couldn’t have been clearer. Miao Nianling’s ability was powerful in some ways, yet nearly useless in others. Anything that couldn’t be used by him, he preferred to destroy.

“So there was only ever one answer. Life or death, I made my choice from the very beginning.” Miao Lichen nodded calmly. The answer hadn’t surprised him. Zhang Yang excelled at wearing masks. Yet most of the time, he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend. His arrogance and aloofness had contributed greatly to the hardships he’d suffered throughout his early life. The Zhang Yang before him wore a mask. But it was a mask so transparent that seeing through it was effortless.

“Since you knew my intentions from the start, why did you choose to leave with me? In this apocalypse, you might get stabbed in the back at any time.” Zhang Yang’s voice turned cold. His words carried absolute certainty. No one would mistake them for a joke. If he said he would do it, he would.

“A true villain is far more agreeable than a sanctimonious hypocrite. As long as Ling’er still has value to you, you won’t make a move against me.” Miao Lichen’s tone never changed.

Meanwhile, the little girl in his arms bared her tiny teeth and waved her fists threateningly at Zhang Yang. Her protective attitude couldn’t have been more obvious. Anyone who intended to harm her papa was automatically classified as an enemy.

“Then we’re companions from now on. Let me introduce myself. I am Zhang Yang, an ancient martial artist.” A grin returned to Zhang Yang’s face. Unlike his usual gentle smile, however, this one carried unmistakable mischief and malice.

“Miao Lichen, a biological researcher. Or perhaps the identity you care about most is that I’m Miao Nianling’s father.”

“No, I care about you too now. There aren’t many truly intelligent people left in this world. In an apocalypse like this… having a real companion is a kind of consolation.” Zhang Yang chuckled. Miao Lichen had seen through every one of his calculations from the very beginning, observing him like an outsider watching a play. If Miao Lichen possessed strength to match his intellect, then becoming companions wouldn’t be a bad thing. For now, however… “companions” was merely a pleasant-sounding title.

“Companions?” Miao Lichen glanced at his own hands. “If that’s truly the case… then I can’t continue letting you protect us without feeling guilty. If… we really are companions.”

“…” Zhang Yang said nothing more. Instead, he pressed down on the accelerator. Being seen through so easily wasn’t a pleasant experience, but the feeling wasn’t bad.

The Land Rover plowed through the zombies blocking the road, crushing them beneath its wheels. The undead were still fragile for now, but things would be very different a few days later.

“Papa… sleep with Ling’er, okay?” After staring at Zhang Yang for quite some time, Miao Nianling suddenly tightened her grip around Miao Lichen’s arm. The strength in those tiny fingers was nothing like that of an ordinary child. Her fingernails slowly dug into his flesh. The faint scent of blood was barely noticeable. But Miao Lichen could never fail to recognize the smell of his own blood.

“Alright.” He looked at her with indulgent affection, as though the wound on his arm didn’t exist. Heat rapidly spread outward from the injury, coursing through his body. Fortunately, wrapped in heavy winter clothing, sweating and flushed cheeks were perfectly normal. Leaning gently against Miao Nianling, Miao Lichen gradually relaxed. The strength drained from his body until his hand slowly slipped down her shoulder.

Miao Nianling immediately clasped his larger hand in both of hers before burrowing deeper into his embrace. Smiling happily, she held him tightly, seemingly oblivious to the scorching heat radiating from his body.

Zhang Yang steadied his emotions before glancing into the rearview mirror. The sight of father and daughter asleep in each other’s arms filled him with unexpected helplessness. Miao Lichen trusted him far too much. Almost unconsciously, he began driving more carefully as the vehicle headed toward the home he had left years ago.

He wasn’t returning because he still held any feelings or expectations for those relatives. There was simply something inside that old ancestral residence that belonged to him. Something he absolutely had to reclaim.

A sudden wave of icy cold spread through the car. Zhang Yang’s expression changed immediately. After catching sight of the rearview mirror, he slammed on the brakes and pulled over. He hurried into the cramped back seat, paying no attention to the lack of space. Miao Nianling was shivering violently, yet still refused to release Miao Lichen. Zhang Yang forcibly pulled her into his own arms.

Lowering his gaze, he looked at Miao Lichen. A thin layer of frost had already formed across his eyebrows and lashes. He truly looked at another person’s face for the first time, and his heart skipped a beat. He had always known the professor possessed remarkably refined features. Yet he had never imagined they could become even more breathtaking beneath a dusting of frost.

“Don’t worry, your dad will be fine.” A genuine smile curved Zhang Yang’s lips and a trace of anticipation flickered through his eyes before he even realized it.

“Of course papa will be fine.” Miao Nianling answered with absolute certainty as she struggled to escape Zhang Yang’s embrace. For an instant, a flash of crimson passed through her innocent eyes. But in the end, she quietly settled down.

“Ling’er is still here. So how could anything happen to Papa?”

“Papa~” Successfully breaking free, she immediately threw herself back into Miao Lichen’s arms. Her sparkling eyes were filled with pride, practically begging for praise.

With practiced ease, Miao Lichen rested a hand atop her head and gently stroked her silky hair. For a brief moment, the atmosphere inside the vehicle became unexpectedly warm.

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