“What’s wrong…?” Lin Bai immediately sensed that something was off. His brows drew together slightly as he stepped closer, instinctively trying to look inside the car. But before he could Lu Xi and Xu Qiaoyun moved at the same time. They turned, almost too quickly, and blocked the car door with their bodies. “It’s nothing,” Lu Xi said, her voice steady—too steady. “You and Gu Wang… go wait for us in the car.” Lin Bai paused. Just for a second. Then something seemed to click in his mind. His expression grew serious. “…Alright,” he said quietly. “Call me if anything happens.”
He didn’t insist. Didn’t push. He simply turned and left. Only after his footsteps faded did the tension in the air loosen slightly.
Xu Qiaoyun’s hand trembled where it held onto Lu Xi’s sleeve. Without a word, Lu Xi reached back and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
A silent reassurance. Then they turned. And looked inside where the world seemed to fall still. Inside the car a woman lay there. Her slender neck was bound by a cold, heavy chain. Her body was bare. Exposed. Her hair was dry, brittle, yellowed at the ends, falling messily around her face. And yet… even like this, her features were still beautiful. But her eyes though open were empty. Hollow. Like something inside her had already died. Her skin, once fair, was now marred by bruises deep, ugly patches of blue and purple blooming across her body.
There were burn marks too. Small. Circular. Cigarette scars. The air inside the car was thick with a foul, cloying stench—something damp and rotten, mixed with a nauseating, fishy odor with unidentifiable fluids stained the seats, sticky and dark, making the entire space feel suffocating.
Lu Xi’s fingers tightened unconsciously. She knew. She knew too well that this wasn’t rare. In the apocalypse… Women without abilities ar the easuest prey .Their beauty was never a blessing. It was a curse. A nightmare they couldn’t escape. Xu Qiaoyun’s eyes reddened instantly. She bit her lip hard, forcing back the tears threatening to spill over.
Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Lu Xi…” Lu Xi didn’t say anything. She simply reached into her spatial storage and took out a clean set of clothes, handing them over quietly. Xu Qiaoyun knelt down slowly, her movements careful, almost reverent, as if afraid of hurting the fragile person before her. “They’re dead…” she whispered softly. “You’re free now…” Her voice was gentle. Too gentle. Like she was afraid even sound might break her. The girl didn’t respond at first. She just lay there. Still. Unmoving. As if she hadn’t heard. But then her eyes flickered. Faintly.
As time passed. One second. Two. Then suddenly— As if something snapped inside her she lunged forward. Grabbing Xu Qiaoyun tightly. “Dead?!” her voice came out hoarse, trembling violently. “You said… Zhang Long and the others are dead?!” Her grip tightened, fingers digging into Xu Qiaoyun’s arm as she stared at her with desperate intensity. Xu Qiaoyun nodded. Slowly. Carefully. “Yes… they’re dead.” For a moment there was silence. Then the girl’s expression twisted. Beautiful features contorting into something almost unrecognizable.
“Hahahaha—!” As laughter burst from her lips. Sharp. Unstable. “Good! Good that they’re dead!” she cried, her voice breaking apart between laughter and something darker. “Other wise i’ll skin them alive—pull out their bones—!”
“I’ll kill them… I’ll kill them!!” Her body trembled violently as she leaned back against the seat, her strength clearly failing her as tears streamed down her face. But she was still laughing. Laughing and crying at the same time. Until finally her voice broke. Her body gave out. And she collapsed. Unconscious. Silence fell between them once more. Heavier than before. Lu Xi and Xu Qiaoyun didn’t speak. Their hands trembled slightly as they carefully dressed her, covering her body piece by piece restoring what little dignity they could.
Only after that did Lu Xi call Lin Bai over. Without asking questions, he stepped forward and melted the chains with his fire ability. The metal softened, then broke apart, falling away from her neck with a dull, hollow sound. She was now completely free.
______________________________________________________________________________The SUV moved slowly along the narrow road. The night stretched endlessly around them. Occasionally, zombies stumbled into its path but Lin Bai didn’t slow down. The vehicle surged forward, crushing them beneath its wheels without hesitation. But inside the car it was quiet. Too quiet.
The new girl had already woken up. As she now sat in the back seat, pressed against the window, her gaze fixed somewhere far away. Empty.
No matter how Lu Xi or Xu Qiaoyun tried to speak to her she didn’t respond. Not a word.
Just silence.
From the system, Lu Xi had already learned her identity. Her name was Xu Yiyi. A member of the protagonist’s team in the original story.
She was a psychic ability user (a mental-type power user capable of controlling or attacking through the mind). And not just any— A powerful one. In the original novel, Xu Yiyi was second only to Lin Bai among the psychics. Later, she would even reach Tier 6—standing among the strongest. She had short hair. A quiet personality who rarely spoke. But when it mattered— She never failed.
Lu Xi remembered clearly there was a scene where Xu Yiyi faced a Tier 5 zombie head-on. And didn’t even flinch. She had been… Decisive. Unyielding. Almost cold. And yet— She had also been the one who repeatedly risked her life to save women oppressed in the apocalypse. Even when it dragged the team into trouble. Even when readers called her a “saint” (a sarcastic term in Chinese internet slang for someone who is overly kind to a fault). Lu Xi had never disliked her. Not once. She admired her. Deeply. But now looking at the girl sitting beside her— Pale. Fragile. Broken Lu Xi found it hard to connect the two. This person… And the one she remembered… They didn’t feel the same. Then, slowly Understanding dawned on her . Because she had once stood in the rain ,she wanted to become someone who could hold an umbrella for others.
(“holding an umbrella for others” is a Chinese metaphor for protecting someone from suffering you once experienced.)
Lu Xi lowered her gaze, her thoughts unreadable. Beside her, Xu Qiaoyun glanced over with worry clear in her eyes. Lu Xi only sighed softly before offering her a small, reassuring look.
The car finally groaned to a halt in front of a self-built countryside villa. From within the sturdy walls of the house, the faint, jagged roars of zombies echoed, but there was no sign of living survivors. Before anyone could suggest a plan, Gu Wang descended from the car. He took a single step back, then suddenly surged forward, using the wall as leverage to vault cleanly over the gate in one fluid motion.
Moments later, the roars inside cut off abruptly. A heavy silence followed. Then, with a slow, metallic groan, the gate creaked open from the inside. Gu Wang walked out first, hands shoved in his pockets, his usual air of careless indifference returned as if the violence from moments ago hadn’t mattered at all.
Originally, Xu Qiaoyun had been in the passenger seat with Gu Wang and Lu Xi sharing the back. But now, with the addition of Xu Yiyi, the three girls were forced to squeeze together in the rear. This left Gu Wang with no choice but to sit in the front, shoulder-to-shoulder with Lin Bai.
The entire ride, his mood had been abysmal. He was visibly irritated and restless. Deprived of Lu Xi’s faint, sweet scent lingering beside him—and instead being trapped next to a man radiating an overwhelming “pure masculine presence” he hadn’t managed to sleep at all. Not even for a second.
At one point a dark thought had even crossed his mind. If that woman disappeared… He wouldn’t have to sit in the passenger seat anymore.
The more Gu Wang thought about it the more… reasonable the idea became. As his gaze darkened slightly, a dangerous thought taking quiet root in the back of his mind. Meanwhile, Lin Bai smoothly drove the SUV into the courtyard. The engine died down, and the world seemed to settle once more into that eerie, post-apocalyptic stillness.
Lu Xi and Xu Qiaoyun carefully helped Xu Yiyi out of the car. Her body was light. Too light. Like something that had already been worn down to the brink. The house before them was a three-story self-built villa (a privately constructed countryside home, common in rural China), with a wide, open courtyard stretching out in front. In the southeast corner A small vegetable patch thrived quietly. With rows of cabbages. Clusters of peppers. Green. Alive. Almost out of place in this broken world. Lu Xi’s eyes lit up instantly. Without hesitation, she waved her hand—
And in the next second, every last vegetable disappeared into her spatial storage. Not even a single leaf was left behind. (…Survival first. Sentiment later.) Stepping inside the first-floor hall greeted them with stillness. And death. As two bodies lay side by side on the floor.
They belonged to an elderly couple. Their clothes were clean. Neatly arranged. Their expressions were peaceful. They must have died at the very beginning of the apocalypse. Before they had the chance to harm anyone. Lu Xi paused. Then, silently she bowed. As a quiet gesture of respect.
After all she had taken their vegetables. And now, she would be staying in their home. Turning slightly, she called out , “Lin Bai… help me dig a hole outside.” .The two of them carried the bodies to the vegetable garden. Under the dim glow of the night, Lin Bai dug a grave, the soil turning over slowly beneath his hands.
When it was done they buried them carefully. So that, at the very least ,they could rest in peace. This house itself was clean. Orderly. Every corner reflected a life once lived with quiet discipline. In the kitchen, they found half a bag of rice and a container of cooking oil. With the gas stove still working. A rare luxury. So Lin Bai made a decision. “Let’s have a proper meal tonight,” he said. He paused, his voice softening as if he were afraid to say it out loud. “of…Hot pot. Lu Xi’s eyes sparkled instantly. Without hesitation, she began pulling out ingredients from her spatial storage one after another—meat, vegetables, seasoning packets, and most importantly— Hot pot base (a concentrated seasoning block used to make Chinese hot pot broth, rich, spicy, and deeply flavorful).
Luckily s he had taken everything back at the mall. As expected this family really couldn’t function without her. (At least, that’s what Lu Xi firmly believed.) They shut all the doors and windows tightly, sealing the house completely. So not even a trace of scent could be allowed to leak out—food smells in the apocalypse were dangerous. They could attract not just zombies… But people. And sometimes people were worse.
As candles were lit. Their soft glow flickered across the room as the four of them gathered around the table. The pot began to simmer. Soon
It boiled. “…Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen done!” Lu Xi counted under her breath, her eyes bright with anticipation as she skillfully lifted a slice of tripe (thinly sliced cow stomach, a popular hot pot ingredient known for its chewy texture) from the pot . Perfectly cooked. Crisp.
Just the way she liked it. She brought it toward her mouth and then she Paused. As a strange sensation prickled at the back of her neck.
By a gaze. Burning. Heavy. Slowly— Very slowly— She turned her head and saw Gu Wang sat leaning lazily in his chair, one arm draped casually, his posture relaxed, almost languid. His features were sharp. Striking. His lips curved slightly in what looked like a playful smile. But his eyes were locked onto her. No. Not her. The tripe in her bowl. For a split second— Lu Xi genuinely wondered if she was imagining things. But no. There it was. That faint unmistakable threat. Lu Xi: …Sigh. After a brief internal struggle, she hesitated for a moment… then carefully placed the piece of tripe into Gu Wang’s bowl.
“…Please have it,” she gestured politely. And then Under her utterly incredulous gaze Gu Wang picked it up. And ate it. Lu Xi: “……” Wait. Wasn’t he supposed to be a germaphobe (someone extremely sensitive to cleanliness, especially avoiding others’ used items)? Then what was this?!
He just stole her tripe!! Before she could even process the betrayal “Ding—current world stability progress: 41%. Please keep up the good work, host~” The familiar mechanical voice rang out at the same time . Lu Xi froze. Then her eyes lit up. Wait. Wait a second. Did he like this?
Without hesitation, she picked up another piece of tripe. Placed it carefully into his bowl. “Please try it , Master Gu.” (“Master” here is a teasing, slightly flattering way of addressing someone, like “boss” or “sir.”)
Gu Wang glanced at her. Then smiled. Faintly.…Not bad. This one was teachable. “Ding—current world stability progress: 42%. Please keep up the good work, host~” Lu Xi picked up another. His smile deepened. “Ding—current world stability progress: 43%. Please keep up the good work, host~” Another piece. Another bite. Back and forth. Again and again .Lu Xi fed. Gu Wang ate. Like a perfectly synchronized, completely absurd routine. Until finally—
The system fell silent at 44%. Lu Xi blinked.Wait. That’s it? Undeterred, she added four… five more pieces into his bowl. Nothing. No sound.
No increase. “…Host,” 003’s voice echoed calmly, “the world stability progress has stopped.” Lu Xi’s shoulders slumped instantly. Like a frostbitten eggplant (a Chinese idiom describing someone suddenly losing all energy and spirit).
…Fine. She thought about it. Four percent in one night It’s not bad. Meanwhile Gu Wang had eaten nearly half a plate of tripe. And his mood became surprisingly good. He leaned back slightly, waiting. Waiting for the small, obedient “deer” (a teasing term for someone acting submissively or eager to please) to continue feeding him. But than came Nothing. He waited. And waited. Still nothing. His gaze shifted. Toward Lu Xi. The girl just sat there, head lowered, looking utterly dejected. Her soft, slightly fluffy hair framed her face, making her look… oddly small.
Fragile. For some reason he had the sudden urge— To ruffle it. “Tch.” Did she eat too much and upset herself? After a brief pause Gu Wang reached out. Picked up a slice of tripe. Following her earlier method, he dipped it into the pot—counting silently— Then placed it neatly into her bowl.
Lu Xi: “!” Her head snapped up. Eyes wide. For a moment she just stared at it and than began to eat happily. After the meal Lu Xi leaned back in her chair, one hand resting over her slightly rounded stomach, rubbing it contentedly. Warm. Full. Satisfied. At this time Xu Qiaoyun gently tugged at her sleeve, her voice soft with concern“Lu Xi…That girl… is she really not coming down to eat?” Since they arrived— Xu Yiyi had gone straight upstairs. To the second floor. During dinner, Lu Xi and Xu Qiaoyun had taken turns going up several times to call her. But each time . She simply pulled the blanket over her head. Silent. Unresponsive. Indicating only one thing— She didn’t want to eat. Lu Xi let out a quiet breath.
They all understood. Right now What Xu Yiyi needed most… Was time.Lu Xi sighed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Wait a while… I’ll go upstairs and bring her some food later.” She trusted Xu Yiyi. This was the girl destined to become a sixth-level psychic [in the story, mental ability users are ranked in levels; the sixth level is extraordinarily powerful]. She would not be defeated. Not now, not ever. Xu Qiaoyun had prepared a simple bowl of millet porridge, it’s grains tender and fragrant, dotted with a few sweet red dates [a common Chinese dried fruit, often added to porridge or desserts for natural sweetness and warmth]. Lu Xi carefully carried it upstairs, moving as quietly as a shadow, careful not to disturb the fragile stillness of the room.
The door creaked faintly as she opened it. Xu Yiyi lay on her side, facing the wall, the blanket pulled over her head like a fragile cocoon. Her body trembled slightly, as if even the act of lying down demanded every ounce of her remaining strength. Lu Xi placed the warm porridge on the bedside table. “Um… Qiaoyun made this for you. It’s millet porridge… come on, get up and eat a little. She’s been simmering it for a long time.”
There was no answer. Lu Xi stayed silent, watching for a long moment, letting the quiet room absorb her presence. “I know you’re hurt… I know you’re angry,” she continued, her voice soft, but firm. “But you’ve escaped and those beasts are dead. The ones who tormented you—they’re gone. Do you want to live forever in the shadows of your past, or do you want to survive, to live?” Her words carried a weight that only the survivor could feel. “Do you feel resentful? You’ve done nothing wrong. Why should you die, crushed by the darkness cast by others?”
“The ones who bullied you are dead. You didn’t get your revenge, it’s true. But countless women are still being tormented in this apocalypse. If you’re not resentful… if you don’t act, they’ll continue to suffer. You can’t waste your life in despair. You have to grow stronger. You have to fight.” The room remained silent. Xu Yiyi didn’t speak. She didn’t move. But Lu Xi stayed, a quiet sentinel beside her bed, keeping watch until the porridge cooled almost to lukewarm. Then came a small, hoarse voice, barely audible over the darkness. “Do… I have a future?” Lu Xi’s chest tightened. Her hand reached out instinctively, finding Xu Yiyi’s small, pale fingers outside the blanket. She clasped them gently, letting warmth travel between them.
“Of course you do,” Lu Xi said, her voice gentle and unwavering. “You’re brave. You didn’t give up, didn’t try to end it all. You survived… with every ounce of strength you had.” She bent closer, letting her words sink in, wrapping the girl in soft reassurance. “Being bullied… it isn’t your fault. And it doesn’t mean you should die. Those monsters wanted to drag you into hell—but you… you’re alive. Alive, and you deserve to live fully, to live boldly.”
“If you want revenge you can stand for all those girls who are still suffering. Tell them—we are brave. We did nothing wrong. We are purer than most of the world around us.” Lu Xi drew Xu Yiyi into a gentle hug, her arms warm, steady, and comforting. She thought of the Xu Yiyi she had read about in the book a quiet, resolute force who had saved countless women from injustice. Even in the pages, she had been a wild rose, proud and untamed. Now, seeing the girl before her so broken yet unbowed Lu Xi understood. Xu Yiyi had survived to protect others because she had once been the one in need of a protector.
Then came a soft, trembling sob. It grew. Slowly at first, then louder, rising in waves, until it became a full wail. All the grief, all the pain, all the humiliation Xu Yiyi had suffered the betrayals, the cruelty of her closest family, the brutality of the monsters she had encountered—it poured out.
Her pride had wanted her to die, over and over again. To surrender to despair. But she had resisted. She had fought to survive, even while battered, even while chained. Even when the thought of revenge seemed impossible. Her voice cracked and wailed until she could barely breathe.
All Lu Xi could do was hold her tightly, rocking her gently, letting the girl’s anguish dissipate slowly, like smoke in the night air. Outside the door, Lin Bai pulled Xu Qiaoyun into his arms, letting her lean against him. His embrace was silent, unspoken comfort for the friend who had been too frightened, too helpless to intervene. At the top of the stairs, Gu Wang lingered. His hair, damp from a quick shower, stuck slightly to his forehead. He wore the loungewear Lu Xi had carefully chosen for him, the soft fabric draping elegantly over his shoulders. Yet his dark eyes, framed by long, raven-feather-like eyelashes, betrayed a rare unease.
Lu Xi’s warmth… it was everywhere, like sunlight spilling over everything she touched. And Gu Wang—foolishly, irrationally—resented it. What if someone came for her? What if someone else tried to get close to her ? Tch. It wasn’t his business. He cursed himself silently, though his heart thudded against his ribs. He finally turned away, his steps measured and casual, though a faint trace of unease lingered in his gaze. Sleep awaited him. As the night was late.
The wind howled violently, slapping the bedroom windows with a dull thud that made the whole house shiver. Lu Xi rose from her bed and shivered. Something was wrong. Before, they could have kept warm in fleece-lined hoodies, the soft fabric was enough against the chill.
Today, however, even thick cotton coats barely offered them comfort. And it was only September.
Too early for such cold. In the original story, a month after the apocalypse, the first cold wave would arrive dropping temperatures below freezing, slowing zombies to sluggish, almost immobile creatures. Human survivors rejoiced, thinking nature itself had intervened to curb the undead threat. Superhumans were dispatched to previously inaccessible cities, gathering supplies with minimal resistance.
But Lu Xi knew the truth. This wasn’t a gift from nature. It was another massacre. As the cold wave would last half a month, then recede. Zombies would regain speed, evolve. Superhumans sent to scour cities would be ambushed, their numbers decimated. Human survivor bases would suffer catastrophic losses. The apocalypse wasn’t pausing. It was changing. And Lu Xi, watching the wind shake the bare branches outside, knew they had to be ready for it .