“Then are we still going to help them? The apocalypse school isn’t a good place,” Wen Jiuya asked.
“The more people there are, the more zombies there will be. The terrain is large and complicated. It’s already been a week—there probably aren’t many survivors left.”
“I wonder why they want to go back to save people.”
“Could it be that someone they care deeply about is inside?”
Xue Qi replied lazily, “That’s also possible.”
Wen Qiao made the decision. “We’re going. But we’ll only clear the way and deal with troublesome zombies and mutated animals and plants. We’re not responsible for protecting them.”
“Since Baby Qiao Qiao said we’re going, then we’re going. There’s nothing fun about this apocalypse anyway—let’s just treat it as entertainment. That kid looks good; it’d be a pity if he died. Better alive, even if he’s a bit depressed,” Wen Jiuya said, offering unconditional support.
Xue Qi knew Wen Qiao had softened. He sighed. Forget it—she had the ability to do as she pleased. As for the others, they could just consider it a lesson learned in the apocalypse.
Wen Jiuya was also the type to sway with the wind. Just earlier she had been analyzing the school, and now she was fully supporting the plan.
Wen Qiao looked at Xue Qi. Seeing that he didn’t object, she knew he had silently agreed.
Noticing her gaze, Xue Qi also lifted his head, tilted it slightly, and smiled at her gently.
“Ahem!”
Wen Jiuya gave a fake cough. “There are still other people here.”
Wen Qiao looked away and shot her a glance. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
How could someone who was loved not feel it?
That meticulous, gentle, considerate feeling—like his eyes were filled with nothing but you.
Wen Jiuya could only nod. “Yes, yes, yes.” Then she turned and glared at Xue Qi.
Xue Qi was innocently caught in the crossfire. Well… not entirely innocent.
In the living room.
“Big Brother, will they really go with us?” the yellow-haired boy asked.
Another person chimed in, “Yeah, yeah—our little sister is still waiting for us to rescue her.”
The yellow-haired boy kicked him. “Don’t interrupt. That’s Brother Ze’s sister.”
The other muttered weakly, “Brother Ze’s biological sister is our biological sister too.”
“That’s not wrong,” the yellow-haired boy said, scratching his head.
Wang Ze sat on the sofa, hands clasped together, elbows resting on his knees, lips pressed tight.
“Thank you, everyone. It’s been a week. Whether they agree or not, we have to set out. I’m afraid my sister won’t be able to hold on.”
“What are you saying? We have what we have today thanks to Brother Ze. At Suhai Direct Experimental High School, we were able to thrive and not be rejected,” a sturdy boy said.
Another added, “That’s right, Brother Ze. Yutou is right.” Yutou was the sturdy boy.
“Yes. Even though I know those so-called good students still look down on us, we’re still happy.”
“The school rules are complicated and messy. Our homeroom teacher is disgusting—one face to your front, another behind your back.”
“When Brother Ze and his sister transferred here, he was willing to hang out with us. We’re really grateful.”
The yellow-haired boy waved his hand, clenching his fist. “Stop!” Everyone fell silent.
He stepped forward. “Brother Ze, I know what you’re thinking. Yutou and I—we’re orphans. It’s only because of the country’s twelve-year compulsory education that we could even go to school.”
“As for the others—some have divorced parents who had new children and stopped caring about them. Some were raised by their grandparents, but their grandparents have already passed away.”
“So don’t feel burdened. None of us have family anymore. From now on, we’ll follow you.”
“Brother Ze treats his brothers well, and we’re willing to treat you and your sister well too. In this apocalypse, we’ll be brothers—real brothers not born of the same parents!”
“Right, right!” the others echoed.
At that moment, someone handed out drinks—one bottle for each person.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!!”
Wang Ze also took a can of cola and clinked it with them. “Thank you. Then let’s celebrate our new family! A new home for thirteen people!” (including his sister).
“To the new family!”
“Hooray!!”
“Brother Ze, after we rescue your sister, where should we go?” someone asked.
The others looked at each other, exchanging uncertain glances. They were all just half-grown boys, not yet fully mature. None of them knew what the future held.
Wang Ze fell into thought, then finally said, “We’ll go to a base—Minqi Base.”
This was the base Wen Qiao and the others had briefly mentioned yesterday. It was said to be a base built by civilians, where strength spoke for itself. The leader was chosen because they had the strongest superpower and a clear sense of right and wrong.
There were no nobles or elites—compared to the other bases, it suited them better.
“Alright, Brother Ze.”
After thinking it over, the others agreed. Working harder wasn’t a problem anymore. Before, they had just drifted through life—but now they had brothers and a sister. They couldn’t afford to be reckless anymore.
“To a better life for us, hehe (〃‘▽‘〃).”
“Let’s come up with a name for our family—and also rank everyone.”
“What should we call it?”
“No need to think too hard—just call it ‘Thirteen.’ The formal version: 拾叁. Rank everyone by birthday,” a thin, small boy said.
Yutou hooked an arm around him and laughed loudly. “Hahaha, sounds good! Lin Xu, that’s a great name. Our Thirteen is missing no one—let’s go with that.”
The yellow-haired boy also thought it was good. Team 13—when they went on missions, others would know their number and strength. He looked at Wang Ze, waiting for his decision.
Wang Ze smiled. “Alright. We’ll do as Lin Xu said.”
Team 13 Member Rankings (from oldest to youngest):
Big Brother – He Jin (the sturdy boy, nickname Yutou)
Second Brother – Li Xiaodong (yellow-haired)
Third Brother – Qi Hu (a boy with very little presence)
Fourth Brother – Wang Ze (with a slightly melancholic aura)
Fifth Brother – Lin Xu (the thin, small boy)
Sixth Brother – Jun Bian (a cold and aloof boy)
Seventh Brother – Zhang Tu
Eighth Brother – Qin Zhou
Ninth Brother – He Wangyan (there was meaning within, yet words failed to express it)
Tenth Brother – Li Ke
Eleventh Brother – Dai Min
Twelfth Brother – Peng Zhui
Little Thirteen – their younger sister, Wang Yuhan, currently in her first year of high school
Li Xiaodong, the yellow-haired one, grinned. “Never thought I’d live to become Brother Ze’s older brother, hehe.”
Yutou, He Jin, released Lin Xu from his arm and pulled him over with one hand, flicking his forehead. “You? Forget it. Come on, call me Big Brother.”
Li Xiaodong glanced at the muscular arm draped across his neck and reluctantly called out, “Big Brother.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
He Jin let him go. “Good boy. Big Brother will protect you from now on, hahaha!”
Wang Ze also smiled, the gloom between his brows fading with it.