The shrill screech of brakes shattered the silence of the empty highway, the tires burning against the asphalt and filling the air with the sharp smell of scorched rubber.
Li An gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. Staring at the four SUVs that had stopped directly in front of them, a cold sweat broke out across his back.
“Brother Xuan… they’re here for us.”
Rong Yuxuan had already unbuckled his seat belt. His first instinct wasn’t to look at the enemy, but to turn toward the back seat.
His eyes landed on Lin Qingtang, filled with caution and reassurance.
“Qingtang, don’t be afraid. Stay in the car and don’t come out.”
Then he looked at Lin Shaoan.
“Uncle, please protect her.”
Before anyone could respond, the passenger door of the lead SUV swung open.
A familiar female voice rang out, deliberately sweet and overflowing with fake excitement.
“Qingtang? Is that really you?”
Long Juanli jumped out of the SUV.
She was wearing a tight-fitting dress with flawless makeup, looking completely out of place amid the ruined, post-apocalyptic landscape. Tears already glistened in her eyes as she hurried toward them, as though she’d suffered some terrible injustice.
The moment Lin Qingtang saw her face, her expression turned icy.
Her grip tightened around the hunting rifle.
“Qingtang! I finally found you!”
Long Juanli grabbed onto the car window, tears streaming down her face almost instantly.
“Where have you been these past two weeks? You never answered your phone or replied to my messages! I was worried sick! I thought something had happened to you!”
As she spoke, she glanced back toward the SUV behind her before lowering her voice conspiratorially.
“Qingtang, it’s the apocalypse now. Everywhere outside is full of monsters that eat people! Luckily I met Brother Zhao. He can protect us. Why don’t you come with us? The more people we have, the safer we’ll be.”
Lin Qingtang slowly rolled the window down.
There was no trace of joy at seeing an old friend.
Only cold indifference.
“Looking for me?”
Her voice was calm, carrying a hint of mockery.
“What for? So you could introduce me to your brother again and pressure me into dating him?”
Long Juanli’s smile froze.
Panic flashed through her eyes before she hurriedly covered it up with another pitiful expression.
“Qingtang… how can you say that? I just thought my brother is honest and dependable. He’d take good care of you…”
“Take care of me?”
Lin Qingtang cut her off, her gaze as cold as ice.
“Or were you planning for him to use me to swallow up my family’s fortune?”
“Long Juanli, do you really think I don’t know what you’re plotting?”
Long Juanli’s face instantly turned pale.
She unconsciously took a step back.
She couldn’t understand it.
The soft, trusting Lin Qingtang who believed everything she was told… had completely disappeared.
At that moment, the driver’s door of the SUV opened.
A fat middle-aged man climbed out.
His loud floral shirt strained over his bulging stomach. A cigarette dangled from his lips as his lecherous eyes roamed openly over Lin Qingtang through the car window, examining her like merchandise.
It was Zhao Hongbin.
“So you’re Lin Qingtang?”
He exhaled a cloud of smoke, his tone dripping with greasy arrogance.
“Juanli talks about you all the time. Says you’re her best friend, beautiful, and from a wealthy family.”
He stepped closer, his gaze shamelessly lingering over her body.
“Looks like she wasn’t exaggerating.”
“Since you’re Juanli’s friend, you’re one of us.”
“Stick with me, Zhao Hongbin, and you’ll eat well and live well in this apocalypse. Forget zombies—even if the King of Heaven himself showed up, nobody would dare touch a single hair on your head.”
He grinned obscenely.
“So? Come with us.”
“Spend the night entertaining me, and from then on you’ll be my woman. Nobody will dare bully you again.”
The instant those words left his mouth, Lin Shaoan’s face darkened.
He immediately raised his hunting rifle and aimed it directly at Zhao Hongbin.
“Watch your mouth.”
His voice was freezing cold, carrying the authority of a man long accustomed to command.
“Say one more filthy word, and I’ll blow your head off.”
Several of Zhao Hongbin’s men immediately surrounded the vehicle.
They carried machetes, steel pipes, and even homemade firearms.
The atmosphere became explosive.
At almost the exact same moment Zhao Hongbin had spoken, Rong Yuxuan calmly opened the car door and stepped out.
He positioned himself directly in front of the window.
With his tall frame standing between them, he completely blocked Zhao Hongbin’s disgusting gaze from reaching Lin Qingtang.
He stood like an unbreakable wall.
“I didn’t hear you clearly.”
His voice was soft.
But the murderous chill within it could freeze bone.
He stared directly into Zhao Hongbin’s eyes.
“Who exactly did you say was going to spend the night with you?”
Zhao Hongbin looked him up and down before laughing dismissively.
“And who the hell are you?”
“You think you can interfere in my business?”
“I’d advise you to mind your own business.”
“Otherwise I’ll deal with you too.”
“He’s my friend.”
Lin Qingtang’s voice came calmly from inside the car.
Clear.
Firm.
“What he says is what I say.”
“Long Juanli.”
“Take your people and leave.”
“And don’t ever appear in front of me again.”
Watching Rong Yuxuan stand protectively in front of the car, jealousy and resentment flashed across Long Juanli’s eyes.
This was the man.
The one who had slapped her.
The one who had crippled her brother with a single kick.
Now he was protecting Lin Qingtang again, making her lose face in front of Zhao Hongbin.
She didn’t dare reveal any of her anger.
Instead, she clung to Zhao Hongbin’s arm and spoke sweetly.
“Brother Zhao, don’t be angry.”
“Qingtang and I just had a little misunderstanding. She’s stubborn.”
“She’s just a young girl all alone in the apocalypse. It’s so dangerous for her.”
“If she comes with us, we can all look after each other.”
Then she turned back toward Lin Qingtang, continuing her performance as the caring best friend.
“Qingtang, I know you’re still mad at me.”
“I shouldn’t have pushed you into dating my brother.”
“But this is the apocalypse.”
“We’re best friends.”
“We should stick together, shouldn’t we?”
“Brother Zhao is powerful.”
“He has guns.”
“He has people.”
“He can protect us.”
“Where’s your brother?”
Ignoring every word Long Juanli had said, Lin Qingtang looked toward the SUV behind her.
Another door opened.
Long Junlong limped out.
His face was pale.
His eyes were full of hatred as they locked onto Rong Yuxuan.
His fists clenched tightly, yet he didn’t dare step forward.
Ever since Rong Yuxuan had crippled him with that kick, he’d become little more than a useless burden.
In Zhao Hongbin’s group, he wasn’t even worth as much as a dog.
If his sister hadn’t sold herself to Zhao Hongbin, he’d have been thrown to the zombies long ago.
He blamed every bit of it on Rong Yuxuan and Lin Qingtang.
“Qingtang, look!”
Long Juanli hurriedly pointed at him.
“My brother’s here too.”
“We’ve known each other for so many years.”
“Doesn’t that friendship mean more than some outsider?”
“If you come with us, we’d never hurt you.”
“Whether you would or wouldn’t…”
Lin Qingtang looked at her coldly.
“You know the answer better than anyone.”
“Long Juanli.”
“I’m only saying this once.”
“Take your people and leave.”
“If you keep following me…”
“Don’t blame me for what happens next.”
“Don’t be so ungrateful!”
Long Junlong finally exploded.
“My sister is trying to save you!”
“Who do you think you are?”
“In this apocalypse, without Brother Zhao protecting you, you and your father will both end up as zombie food!”
“Say that again.”
Rong Yuxuan’s voice turned icy.
Blue-white arcs of electricity crackled around his fingertips.
Long Junlong’s face immediately drained of color.
He instinctively hid behind Zhao Hongbin, his legs trembling.
He truly feared this man.
That kick…
The pain still haunted him.
“So you’ve got tricks, huh?”
Zhao Hongbin frowned as he noticed the crackling electricity.
He waved his hand.
“Get him!”
“Break his legs first!”
“I want to see whether his little magic can stop a bullet!”
More than a dozen men roared as they charged forward with steel pipes and machetes.
At the same time, Li An threw open the car door and rushed over with his sharpened steel spear.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Rong Yuxuan.
“Brother Xuan!”
“I’m fighting with you!”
“Damn it, if they want to touch Miss Lin, they’ll have to get through me first!”
Rong Yuxuan didn’t even glance at him.
“No need.”
“Just watch.”
With that, he stepped forward to meet the charging mob.
Screams echoed one after another.
Within moments, the first four attackers were sprawled across the ground, writhing in agony and unable to stand.
The rest froze in place.
No one dared charge again.
Even Zhao Hongbin’s expression changed.
He hadn’t expected this young man to be so terrifying.
Then…
From somewhere in the distance…
Came countless zombie roars.
They grew louder.
Closer.
The ground itself seemed to tremble.
Li An’s face instantly turned pale.
“Brother Xuan!”
“This is bad!”
“It’s a zombie horde!”
“Sounds like dozens of them!”
Panic immediately spread through Zhao Hongbin’s group.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Their weapons shook in their hands.
They had fought zombies before.
They knew exactly how terrifying they were.
Against dozens of them…
None of them would survive.
“Damn it!”
Zhao Hongbin spat on the ground.
He glared viciously at Rong Yuxuan and the people inside the car.
But he didn’t dare stay any longer.
“Retreat!”
“Get back in the cars!”
He turned and ran, abandoning even the wounded men lying on the road.
Seeing Zhao Hongbin flee, Long Juanli no longer bothered pretending to care about friendship.
She grabbed Long Junlong and sprinted toward the SUV.
After only a few steps, she looked back at Lin Qingtang.
Her eyes were filled with venom.
This was all Lin Qingtang’s fault.
If she hadn’t refused so stubbornly…
She wouldn’t have suffered so much humiliation in front of Zhao Hongbin.
One day…
She would trick Lin Qingtang into Zhao Hongbin’s hands.
And when that happened…
She would make her pay.
The four SUVs roared to life.
With their accelerators floored, they disappeared into the distance in moments.
Meanwhile…
The zombie roars continued growing closer.
“Brother Xuan!”
“Get in!”
“The horde’s almost here!”
Li An shouted as he yanked open the passenger door.
Lin Qingtang looked at the thin sheen of sweat on Rong Yuxuan’s forehead.
Then she remembered the way he’d stepped in front of the car without hesitation.
Her heart softened.
“Thank you…”
“…Rong Yuxuan.”
It was the first time…
She had called him by his name.
His heart skipped a beat.
The tips of his ears instantly turned bright red.
He shook his head so quickly he almost stumbled over his own words.
“N-No need to thank me, Qingtang.”
“Protecting you…”
“…is what I should do.”
Lin Shaoan watched the flustered young man and couldn’t help smiling to himself.
“You’ve worked hard today, young man.”
“Hurry and get in.”
“The zombie horde is almost here.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Rong Yuxuan immediately closed the door before circling around to the passenger seat.
“Li An.”
“Take the back roads.”
“We’re heading home.”
“Avoid the zombie horde.”
“You got it, Brother Xuan!”
Li An slammed on the accelerator.
The SUV veered onto a narrow side road and sped toward the Lakeside Villa District.
Even after they had driven far away, the distant zombie howls still echoed behind them.
Silence gradually settled inside the vehicle.
Only the steady hum of the engine remained.
Abai lay quietly at Lin Qingtang’s feet.
After growling at Long Juanli’s group for so long, the big dog finally relaxed, gently rubbing its head against her hand.
Lin Qingtang stroked its fur as she watched the scenery rush by outside the window.
Her emotions were complicated.
If she hadn’t been reborn…
She might still have trusted Long Juanli completely.
She might even have followed her today…
Only to repeat the nightmare of her previous life.
“Don’t think about it anymore.”
Lin Shaoan gently patted her shoulder.
“Just stay away from people like that.”
“As long as Dad is here…”
“No one will hurt you.”
“I know, Dad.”
She nodded before looking toward Rong Yuxuan in the front seat.
“Rong Yuxuan.”
“Did you know Zhao Hongbin before today?”
He turned around immediately and shook his head.
His eyes were cold.
“No.”
“I’ve never met him.”
Half an hour later, they safely returned to the Lakeside Villa District.
Rong Yuxuan got out first.
After carefully checking that the surroundings were secure, he opened the rear door and helped Lin Qingtang and Lin Shaoan out.
“Uncle.”
“Qingtang.”
“You should head inside and get some rest.”
“Li An and I are going to inspect the perimeter and reinforce the electric fence.”
“We don’t want Zhao Hongbin’s people sneaking back.”
“Alright.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Lin Shaoan nodded and patted him on the shoulder.
Lin Qingtang hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
“You should be careful too.”
“Don’t overwork yourself.”
Rong Yuxuan’s eyes immediately lit up.
He nodded enthusiastically, smiling like a child who had just received the greatest reward in the world.
“Okay!”
“I will!”
“Don’t worry!”
Only after watching Lin Qingtang and her father enter the villa and close the door behind them did he finally turn away.
Together with Li An, he spent the rest of the afternoon inspecting every defensive structure around the neighborhood.
By the time they finished, night had completely fallen.
Li An collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted.
“My god…”
“Brother Xuan…”
“You’re way too careful.”
“We checked every section of the electric fence three times.”
“You even inspected every tiny hole a mouse could crawl through.”
Rong Yuxuan ignored the complaint.
He walked upstairs to the window.
Only after seeing the lights still glowing warmly in the villa across the street did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
He had no idea…
That outside the neighborhood, hidden among the trees…
Two shadowy figures were secretly watching the villa.
Long Juanli.
And Long Junlong.
After returning earlier, Zhao Hongbin had flown into a rage.
He had given Long Juanli an ultimatum.
Three days.
Within three days, she had to lure Lin Qingtang into his hands.
Otherwise…
He would throw both siblings out to the zombies.
Driven into a corner, Long Juanli had no choice.
Under the cover of darkness, she brought her brother back to the villa district, hoping to trick Lin Qingtang into opening the gate.
“Sis…”
“Do we really have to go in?”
Long Junlong’s voice trembled.
“That Rong Yuxuan is terrifying.”
“If he catches us…”
“We’re dead.”
“What are you scared of?”
Long Juanli hissed, her eyes filled with malice.
“As long as we trick Lin Qingtang outside…”
“We’ll live.”
“Once Brother Zhao gets his hands on her…”
“We’ll have everything we want.”
“No more suffering.”
Keeping low, she quietly crept toward the villa gate.
What she didn’t know…
Was that the instant she stepped out from the trees…
Rong Yuxuan, standing silently at the second-floor window across the street…
Had already noticed her.
He watched as Long Juanli sneaked toward the villa like a thief.
His eyes turned ice cold.
Blue-white lightning crackled once more around his fingertips.
He didn’t move.
He simply watched her.
As if watching a ridiculous clown perform her final act.
He wanted to see…
Exactly what trick she intended to play.