On the third day of survival in the apocalypse.
Dinner consumed 3.3 jin of rice, two chickens, three onions, two tomatoes, and 1000g of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, carrots). They couldn’t make braised chicken rice anymore, but a chicken stew over rice was still doable.
Food now meant one less meal each time.
But there was no choice.
They had to ensure basic caloric intake, or they wouldn’t have the strength to go out searching for supplies—or to keep the team safe.
Xiao San and Xiao Si were in charge of serving food. They were extremely considerate.
【If it’s not enough, feel free to cook instant noodles!】【Yes! The kitchen has 24-hour hot water supply!】
The second line was especially directed at the newcomer—Lin Shuangshuang.
That evening, a little “monster” and the two AI robots had an in-depth conversation about worries.
Things that were hard to say to humans were easier to say to AI instead.
So Lin Shuangshuang vented a little.
Xiao San and Xiao Si immediately treated her as “one of their own” and became very close to her, taking extra care of her.
Lin Shuangshuang felt a little awkward. In a moment of impulsiveness, she said a lot—too much, in fact.
Fortunately, the AI robots had confidentiality protocols, and they also had access to a professional psychological knowledge base, successfully comforting the sad little monster.
She was still very grateful.
Wu Zhe ate his rice bowl while watching Xiao San and Xiao Si bustle around.
“Robots really are great. They only need charging—no need to eat.”
Unlike humans.
They needed food to maintain life functions.
Gao Lei agreed.
Luo Na immediately added, “+1!!”
In truth, they were all anxious about food.
Seven mouths in the team had to eat.
But food reserves were not keeping up with consumption.
Luo Na swallowed the last bite and wailed, “Finding zero-pollution food is so hard! Can’t Zhao-ge just make nutrient solutions? Even if it tastes bad, at least we won’t starve! We searched all day and only found one usable fishing gear shop—it’s too miserable!”
Painful.
Wu Zhe and Gao Lei didn’t agree.
“No way. If we drink nutrient solution every day, life is basically over.”
“Agreed. I support Xiao Zhe.”
Drinking nutrient solution every day was indeed unbearable.
Huo Ling looked at their distressed expressions and remained calm.
“Tomorrow we speed up and search the town center. There should still be food.”
It wasn’t likely everything had been contaminated.
More importantly, another team had arrived today, increasing competition pressure instantly.
They needed to hurry and collect supplies.
The next town was 150 kilometers away—too far. They had to prioritize nearby scavenging.
Otherwise, by the time they arrived at the next town, everything might already be looted.
Lin Shuangshuang raised a suggestion.
“Can I go alone tomorrow?”
Her memo stated she had a space card.
And she had experience in searching. She was faster alone, and although following the group was safe, it slowed things down.
Since speed mattered—
It was better if she acted alone.
Luo Na, Wu Zhe, and Gao Lei instinctively looked at Huo Ling.
After all, the captain might react badly to someone leaving alone—especially given his breakup trauma.
Even though there was likely some unspoken reason behind it, she had still disappeared for six years.
But unexpectedly, Huo Ling was calm.
“Okay.”
Lin Shuangshuang relaxed slightly.
“Mm, then it’s settled.”
She also said she could be contacted anytime if needed, and she would come to assist.
Luo Na suddenly got curious.
“Shuangshuang, what’s your ability? I didn’t see you use any today—you were just relying on brute force.”
For example, she really liked using a steel pipe to smash zombie heads.
Lin Shuangshuang didn’t hide it.
“My ability is dual water-electric. My innate trait is neurotoxin—it can paralyze or kill a designated target.”
Wu Zhe immediately exclaimed, “Isn’t that basically a walking poison weapon? Just knock enemies out instantly!”
Luo Na and Gao Lei were also shocked.
Huo Ling didn’t speak, but kept glancing at her.
So strong.
As expected of his partner.
…even if she was an ex.
They still hadn’t reconciled.
Lin Shuangshuang nodded.
“Yes, but I currently can’t use my abilities.”
She lowered her head and looked at her hands.
She could only form a thin layer of water film, within which faint purple-pink electric currents crackled—then quickly dissipated.
“You can’t use them, and you shouldn’t use them,” Zhao Pingsheng said as he came downstairs with documents.
“At a pollution level of 95%, being able to stay conscious at all is already beyond normal understanding.”
Lin Shuangshuang deflated slightly.
But she agreed.
If she used her ability recklessly, she would risk losing control completely and turning into a mindless monster.
That would be terrifying.
It would scare children—and even adults.
Including her boyfriend.
Too dangerous.
Zhao Pingsheng’s pills had managed to stabilize her at 95% pollution. She was already grateful. Even with memory loss as a side effect, she was still rational and “normal.”
She nodded politely.
“Good evening, Doctor Zhao.”
“Good evening,” Zhao Pingsheng replied with a smile.
Huo Ling glared at him subtly, clearly unhappy with the mention of her unstable condition.
He didn’t like hearing that topic.
Zhao Pingsheng, practical as always, shrugged.
“She’s not as fragile as you think. Don’t worry.”
Lin Shuangshuang immediately turned to look at Huo Ling.
Huo Ling instantly changed expression.
“Who said I’m worried about her? Hah. You said that?”
Zhao Pingsheng ignored him.
After all, this was no longer the same Huo Ling who once sat at his bedside in the middle of the night crying over a missing girlfriend and nearly scared him off the bed.
Sometimes this guy was truly absurd.
Luo Na, Wu Zhe, and Gao Lei all had obvious “we’re watching drama” expressions.
Zhao Pingsheng clapped his hands.
“Enough gossip. Where are the cores you brought back? Sort them out and give them to me.”
“Two choices: turn them into medicine to drink, or inject them as serum.”
“Drinking relies on absorption—slow effect. Injection works faster, but has side effects.”
Discomfort is guaranteed either way.
“Oh, and Shuangshuang can’t inject. Your situation is too dangerous. Any mistake could worsen your condition. Even upgrading your ability could accelerate pollution.”
He continued:
“Later I’ll have Lao Zhang upgrade your wristbands’ health system. It will display your pollution levels so I can monitor everyone’s condition.”
“None of you are allowed to exceed 80% pollution. Understood?”
Above 80% in normal people would already cause irreversible damage.
Lin Shuangshuang was an exception.
After all, she wasn’t a normal human—
She was a genetically modified humanoid weapon.