The middle-aged man’s cruel rule was gone, and the gym finally had a quiet night. The boys’ eyes were red as they stared in disbelief at their long-awaited freedom, while the girls hugged each other and sobbed softly.
“Can we go look for Bai Sui now?”
Li Ge crossed her arms, looking at Xi Zhou with a faint, teasing smile.
The clothes were clean, the trouble was solved—it was time to set off.
“You seem very eager. Do you have a grudge against her?”
“Otherwise, would it be for you?”
Xi Zhou lowered his legs and stood up, his figure cold and detached. “If there’s a grudge, you should deal with it yourself. Strike first. Don’t place your hopes on others.”
If he hadn’t protected Bai Sui before, she would have long since become one of the zombies.
From the corner of his eye, Li Ge noticed Luo Xiaoran finishing comforting her friends and walking toward them, so she restrained her expression.
“Brother Xi Zhou, is she your girlfriend?”
Only then did Luo Xiaoran notice Li Ge. She pouted and looked her up and down, surprised.
“No.”
They both answered at the same time, then turned their faces away from each other.
“I see!” She sighed in relief and smiled. “There’s still a lot of supplies in the gym. Everyone is planning to wait in school for rescue from the base. Does Brother Xi Zhou have any thoughts?”
Not only Luo Xiaoran, but everyone in the gym also looked up, waiting for Xi Zhou’s answer, as if they were certain he would stay with them.
“Yes.”
Xi Zhou nodded. Though his answer was brief, it was reassuring.
Li Ge’s eyes widened almost instantly. “You still want to stay?”
It had already been seven days since the apocalypse began, and no rescue had come. No one knew how long they would have to wait.
“Aren’t they also waiting for rescue?”
Under the dim lights, his expression was unreadable. Li Ge immediately understood he was referring to Bai Sui, not the people in the gym.
If she didn’t want to leave, no one could force her. Li Ge walked to the wall and sat down to rest.
The girls kept bringing him water and food, hearts practically sparkling in their eyes as they surrounded him.
With such a powerful companion, everyone slept soundly that night.
At dawn, Xi Zhou let out a soft sound and quietly slipped out with his hands in his pockets.
As expected, he wouldn’t stay put.
Li Ge opened her eyes slightly and scanned the room. Everyone was still asleep and no one noticed.
Outside the gym corridor, Luo Xiaoran was pleading with him, completely unaware of his impatience.
“Brother Xi Zhou, I know you’re leaving, but can you take me with you?”
She slowly formed a small stream of water in her fingertips.
“No matter where you go, people need water. I have water-type abilities—I can definitely help you.”
Li Ge watched from behind a pillar, enjoying the show.
She probably survived a week on instant noodles in the supermarket warehouse thanks to her water ability.
But approaching him alone at this time… wasn’t her intention too obvious?
When Li Ge peeked out again, Luo Xiaoran was already crying pitifully. First she used “fan identity” to close the distance, then her ability to persuade, and finally emotional manipulation.
A perfect combo—too bad, she disagreed.
“You can’t take her. I don’t agree.” Li Ge stepped out of the shadows, arms crossed.
“You’re not his girlfriend, so why do you get to decide? I can help him—what can you do?”
“I don’t need to do anything. Xi Zhou has spatial ability; he doesn’t lack food or supplies.”
She wasn’t his servant. Why should she constantly think about doing things for him? Since she was the one who saved him, he belonged to her now. No one else had the right to covet him.
“Your ability can’t compare to a box of bottled water. It’s nothing compared to spatial storage.”
In her past life, she was second-in-command of the base—like second only to the ruler. She didn’t need a teammate who disliked her.
Realizing she was being aggressive, Li Ge threw the question to Xi Zhou.
“Troublesome.”
Xi Zhou looked extremely impatient. At that moment, a zombie rushed at them and was instantly burned to ashes.
“Brother Xi Zhou… are you annoyed with me? I really like you. I listen to your songs every night. I finally got to meet you. Please don’t abandon me—I can do anything.”
Too humble. It didn’t sound pleasant at all.
“You say you’re his fan—then what songs has he sung?”
Luo Xiaoran hesitated and stammered out a few titles. Li Ge didn’t know if they were correct, but Xi Zhou certainly did.
“Heh.”
A cold laugh sent chills down everyone’s spine.
Her so-called “fan” couldn’t even name a single accurate song title—it was laughably ironic.
The rising sun stretched Xi Zhou’s shadow long across the ground. He was no longer a shining superstar, but the one-of-a-kind Zombie Emperor of the future.
Without realizing it, walking with him was like courting death.
At the north gate, the road was blocked by abandoned cars. Xi Zhou found a vehicle about five hundred meters away, easily drove off the zombie in the driver’s seat, and got in.
Li Ge climbed into the passenger seat.
“Buckle your seatbelt,” he said coldly.
“No need.”
She adjusted her backpack instead. In the apocalypse, she had long stopped caring about seatbelts. Danger could come at any moment—getting out quickly mattered more.
Zombies filled the roads, but they didn’t approach due to Xi Zhou’s pressure. Still, the journey wasn’t smooth—abandoned cars blocked the way, forcing them to switch vehicles repeatedly and walk around obstacles.
What should’ve been a one-hour drive took three hours.
As the buildings grew lower and more luxurious, Xi Zhou’s expression tightened.
Was he that nervous about seeing Bai Sui?
Li Ge almost wanted to tease him—but then realized her own body was trembling with excitement too.
Only eight or nine days into the apocalypse, and she might finally settle her greatest enemy.
What could be more exciting than that?
The car sped faster and faster until it felt like it was flying, engine roaring and tires screeching against the road.