Deep within the lakeside villa district, one detached villa remained brightly lit.
Unlike the ruined streets outside, where chaos reigned and zombies roamed the city with endless howls, everything inside this home looked almost exactly as it had before the apocalypse.
The backup generator hummed steadily, supplying power to the entire house.
The central air conditioning maintained a comfortable temperature.
Warm light poured from the crystal chandelier in the living room.
The dinner table still held the remains of a meal that hadn’t yet been cleared away.
Four dishes.
One soup.
All still steaming.
The braised prawns had been caught fresh from the sea inside the family’s dimensional space.
The stir-fried vegetables had been picked moments earlier from the space’s thriving garden.
The pork rib soup simmered with a rich, comforting aroma.
Even the rice had been harvested from grain grown inside the space, freshly milled before cooking, every grain plump and fragrant.
Lin Shaoan set down his chopsticks and looked at his daughter sitting across from him, her eyes curved into happy crescents as she ate.
The knot that had been tightening in his chest for days finally loosened.
He had started with nothing and built a fortune worth hundreds of millions.
He had weathered countless storms in his life.
Yet when his daughter tearfully told him the apocalypse was coming…
He had truly panicked.
Fortunately…
He had believed her.
Fortunately…
He had liquidated his assets and prepared enough supplies ahead of time.
And most fortunate of all…
His late wife had left behind this miraculous space.
Because of it, they could still enjoy hot meals in this world that had descended into hell.
They could stay safely inside their home without living in constant fear.
“Slow down,” Lin Shaoan said with a smile as he peeled a shrimp and placed it into his daughter’s bowl.
“We’ve got more ingredients than we could ever eat. Whatever you want, Dad will cook it for you. No one’s going to steal your food.”
Lin Qingtang bit into the sweet, tender shrimp and nodded.
Her nose stung slightly.
In her previous life…
A hot meal had been an impossible luxury.
Even clean drinking water had become precious beyond measure.
She had wandered from place to place with Long Juanli, surviving on moldy bread and rainwater that tasted of rust.
Every single day had been filled with fear.
In the end…
She had still died beneath a swarm of zombies.
But now…
Her father was by her side.
Her mother’s space was still with her.
She had endless food.
Endless supplies.
It all felt like a dream.
“Dad, I’m full.”
Lin Qingtang wiped her mouth and stood up.
“I’m going downstairs to practice shooting.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Lin Shaoan immediately rose to his feet and followed her into the basement.
The villa’s basement had been converted into a temporary shooting range.
Soundproof panels lined the walls.
Movable paper targets had been installed throughout the room.
Lin Qingtang picked up a precision hunting rifle from the table.
She skillfully attached the suppressor.
Pulled back the bolt.
Loaded a round.
Raised the rifle.
Took aim.
Her entire sequence of movements flowed naturally.
It was the result of practicing every single day for the past two weeks.
In her previous life…
She had never even touched a gun.
She had been completely powerless.
Whenever zombies appeared, all she knew how to do was scream and run.
Eventually…
She became someone else’s stepping stone to survival.
This time…
She refused to repeat that fate.
She would learn to protect herself.
She would learn to shoot.
She would learn to kill zombies.
She would protect herself.
She would protect her father.
Pop.
The suppressed gunshot was little more than a muffled thump within the soundproof room.
The bullet struck the paper target ten meters away.
Bullseye.
Standing beside her, Lin Shaoan applauded proudly.
“Our Tangtang is getting better every day. You’re already a better shot than your old man.”
Lin Qingtang lowered the rifle and let out a slow breath.
A thin sheen of sweat covered her forehead.
Her aim had improved considerably.
But she understood something all too well.
Shooting at a stationary paper target…
Was nothing like pointing a gun at a living zombie.
She had never killed anyone.
She had never even slaughtered a chicken.
The mere thought of those blue-faced monsters with jagged teeth and drooling mouths made her fingertips tremble uncontrollably.
“Don’t rush yourself.”
Lin Shaoan noticed her anxiety and gently patted her shoulder.
“We’ve got plenty of time to practice. There’s no need to master everything overnight. As long as Dad’s here, even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.”
Lin Qingtang looked at him and nodded firmly.
Her eyes stung with emotion.
Just then…
Beep!
A sharp alarm suddenly echoed from the security system monitoring the courtyard.
Both father and daughter stiffened instantly.
The villa’s surveillance network was equipped with motion detection.
Anyone entering the property would trigger the alarm.
Since the apocalypse began…
This was the first time it had sounded.
“Someone’s here.”
Lin Shaoan’s expression hardened immediately.
He instinctively pulled Lin Qingtang behind him, grabbed another loaded hunting rifle from the table, and disengaged the safety.
Lin Qingtang tightened her grip on her own rifle.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Her fingertips turned ice cold.
Was it zombies?
Or people?
In the apocalypse…
Human beings were often far more terrifying than zombies.
Keeping their footsteps silent, Lin Shaoan led his daughter upstairs to the foyer.
Pressing themselves against the wall, he activated the monitor connected to the front gate camera.
Two young men stood outside the wrought-iron entrance.
The one in front stood tall in a black tactical jacket.
His back was perfectly straight.
A steel telescopic baton rested firmly in his hand.
His sharp profile and icy eyes radiated a dangerous aura that warned strangers to stay away.
Behind him stood another young man carrying a hiking backpack and gripping a sharpened steel pipe while vigilantly watching the surroundings.
Not zombies.
Two living people.
Lin Qingtang’s heartbeat quickened.
Even her hands holding the rifle began to shake.
Who were they?
How had they found this place?
When she and her father moved here, they had done everything possible to keep it secret.
They had even used the identity of distant relatives.
No one knew where they lived.
Not even Long Juanli.
Outside the gate…
Rong Yuxuan stared at the heavily fortified villa.
His heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst from his chest.
He had finally found her.
His girl…
Was right behind that gate.
The obsession of two lifetimes.
The regrets of two lifetimes.
The madness that had haunted him for two lifetimes.
At long last…
Had somewhere to rest.
He slowly raised his hand.
Even his fingertips trembled.
After hesitating for a long while…
He finally knocked.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Only three gentle knocks.
Yet within the silent neighborhood, they sounded unusually clear.
Inside the villa…
Both Lin Qingtang and Lin Shaoan instantly tensed.
Shielding his daughter behind him, Lin Shaoan leveled the rifle toward the entrance.
“Who’s there?”
His voice was calm and commanding, carrying the authority of someone accustomed to leadership.
The barrel of his rifle never wavered.
Outside…
Rong Yuxuan paused.
Uncle Lin.
He was alive.
He was still with Qingtang.
Half the weight crushing Rong Yuxuan’s heart disappeared.
As long as Uncle Lin was protecting her…
She would never again be abandoned and helpless as she had been in his previous life.
Taking a deep breath, he forced down the emotion threatening to choke him.
He softened his voice as much as possible, afraid of frightening the girl inside.
“Hello, Uncle.”
“My name is Rong Yuxuan.”
“I mean no harm.”
“I’m here to see Lin Qingtang.”
Rong Yuxuan.
Lin Qingtang frowned.
She searched her memories over and over.
The name was completely unfamiliar.
Facing the door, she answered cautiously, her voice trembling.
“I don’t know you. You’ve got the wrong person. Leave now, or we’ll shoot.”
Her soft voice carried unmistakable fear and suspicion.
Like a frightened rabbit raising every thorn it had to defend itself.
Rong Yuxuan’s heart clenched painfully.
He knew.
She didn’t remember him.
In his previous life…
He had only dared watch her from afar.
He secretly followed behind her.
He chased away troublemakers.
He quietly drove off unwanted admirers.
But he had never dared stand before her.
Never dared let her know how he felt.
The only real interaction between them…
Had been a few brief minutes beside a roasted sweet potato stall during one winter when they were fifteen.
She had long forgotten.
“Qingtang…”
His voice became even gentler.
“I haven’t mistaken you.”
“I truly mean no harm.”
“I only want to protect you.”
“The apocalypse is too dangerous.”
“You and your father aren’t safe here by yourselves.”
“We don’t need your protection!”
Lin Qingtang shot back immediately.
Her voice carried even greater vigilance.
“We’re perfectly safe here. Leave now! If you don’t go, we’ll really open fire!”
Before Rong Yuxuan could respond…
Li An couldn’t hold himself back anymore.
He stepped forward and shouted toward the house.
“Miss Lin! Uncle Lin! Please don’t be afraid! We’re really good people!”
“Brother Xuan spent seven days and seven nights searching for you! He barely slept! He checked surveillance cameras nonstop and fought his way here from the university district! He’s cleared out who knows how many zombies! He has powers! He controls lightning! He’s incredibly strong! He can absolutely protect you!”
Li An spoke so passionately that he practically wanted to list every one of Rong Yuxuan’s virtues.
Unfortunately…
His explanation only made things worse.
Lightning powers?
He could control electricity?
Lin Qingtang grew even more frightened.
A complete stranger capable of wielding lightning was standing outside her home, insisting he wanted to protect her.
How could she possibly not be afraid?
After everything she’d endured in her previous life…
She no longer trusted strangers who suddenly claimed to have good intentions.
Rong Yuxuan shot Li An a cold glare.
One look was enough.
Li An immediately shut his mouth and awkwardly retreated.
Turning back toward the door, Rong Yuxuan was about to explain…
When he instinctively extended his psychic power inside.
Ten meters.
Just enough to cover the foyer.
His senses clearly detected Lin Qingtang standing exactly 3.6 meters behind the door.
Her body trembled slightly.
She gripped a rifle tightly in her hands.
One meter in front of her stood Lin Shaoan.
Shielding her completely.
His own rifle remained trained on the entrance.
Then…
He sensed something else.
A faint, familiar scent.
The same lingering fragrance that had remained on that worn pink knitted glove all those years ago.
Rong Yuxuan’s eyes instantly reddened.
Suppressing the emotion in his throat, he spoke softly.
“Qingtang…”
“You’re standing about 3.6 meters behind the door.”
“Your father is one meter in front of you, protecting you.”
“Isn’t he?”
The moment those words left his mouth…
Every drop of blood in Lin Qingtang’s body seemed to freeze.
How did he know?
She jerked violently.
Her rifle nearly slipped from her hands.
Her voice immediately broke into frightened sobs.
“H-How do you know that?!”
“What are you trying to do?!”
She was terrified.
He knew exactly where she stood.
He even knew her father was shielding her.
How?
Could his ability actually see through walls?
Lin Shaoan’s face darkened completely.
Without hesitation, he extended one arm behind him, pulling his daughter even closer.
His fingers tightened around the rifle until his knuckles turned white.
He didn’t care what kind of powers this man possessed.
He didn’t care why he had come looking for his daughter.
Anyone who threatened her…
Would have to step over his dead body.
“What exactly do you want?!”
Lin Shaoan’s voice became as cold as ice.
“I’m warning you.”
“Leave immediately.”
“I don’t care what abilities you have.”
“My gun doesn’t discriminate.”
Outside…
Hearing the tears in Lin Qingtang’s voice…
Rong Yuxuan felt as though someone had crushed his heart in their fist.
He had frightened her.
He shouldn’t have used his psychic ability.
He shouldn’t have made her this afraid.
He hurriedly explained, panic filling his voice.
“Qingtang… don’t be scared.”
“I truly mean no harm.”
“I would never hurt you.”
“Never.”
“I only…”
Before he could finish…
Lin Shaoan cut him off sharply.
“Enough!”
“We don’t need your protection.”
“Get out.”
“Or I’ll shoot.”
His finger rested firmly on the trigger.
His eyes burned with fierce resolve.
Anyone who dared hurt his daughter…
Would pay with their life.
Rong Yuxuan stared silently at the closed gate.
He could still hear the frightened breathing of the girl behind it.
He dared not push any further.
If he continued…
She would only fear him more.
In his previous life…
He had arrived too late to protect her.
This time…
He would never allow her to suffer another grievance.
Not even another moment of fear.
Taking a slow breath, he swallowed the bitterness rising in his throat.
“Uncle.”
“Qingtang.”
“Please don’t be afraid.”
“I’m leaving now.”
“I won’t force you to open the door.”
“And I will never hurt you.”
He paused before continuing.
“But I won’t leave this area.”
“Qingtang, I’ll stay in the empty villa across the street.”
“If zombies come…”
“If bad people come…”
“As long as they approach this house…”
“I’ll deal with them.”
“Whenever you need me…”
“I’ll be there.”
“You can choose to trust me.”
“You can come find me.”
After saying those words, he gazed once more at the gate.
As though he could somehow see through it.
See the girl he had treasured across two lifetimes.
Then he turned and motioned for Li An to follow.
Li An looked utterly confused.
Still, he wisely asked no questions and obediently followed Rong Yuxuan into the vacant villa across the road.
Inside…
Father and daughter remained pressed against the wall.
Only after the sound of footsteps faded away, and the security monitor showed the two men entering the villa opposite theirs, did they finally breathe a small sigh of relief.
Even so…
Lin Qingtang’s hands continued trembling around her rifle.
Who was he?
Why had he searched for her for seven days and seven nights?
How did he know exactly where she was standing?
Countless questions swirled inside her mind, leaving her restless and uneasy.
Setting down his rifle, Lin Shaoan turned and wrapped his daughter tightly in his arms.
He gently stroked her back.
“Don’t be afraid, Tangtang.”
“Dad’s here.”
“I’ll protect you.”
“He won’t dare do anything.”
“If he even thinks about hurting you…”
“I’ll put a bullet through him.”
Leaning against her father’s chest, Lin Qingtang could no longer hold back her tears.
She had no idea whether that man was good or evil.
She didn’t know what he truly wanted.
But she remembered one thing with absolute clarity.
In her previous life…
Blindly trusting others had cost her everything.
This time…
She would never trust anyone again.
No matter how sincere they sounded.
No matter how harmless they appeared.
Meanwhile…
Inside the empty villa across the street…
Rong Yuxuan stood by the second-floor window, his gaze locked on the villa opposite.
He refused to look away for even a second.
From an inner pocket close to his chest, he carefully took out a faded pink knitted glove.
His fingertips gently traced its worn, fuzzy surface.
His eyes overflowed with tenderness and unwavering obsession.
Qingtang…
It’s okay.
It doesn’t matter that you don’t remember me.
It doesn’t matter that you won’t open the door.
It doesn’t matter that you’re afraid of me.
In my previous life…
I arrived too late.
This time…
I’ll stay here and watch over you.
I’ll wait until the day you’re willing to trust me.
I’ll wait until the day you’re willing to open the door.
Even if it takes the rest of my life…
I’ll wait.
He quietly extended his psychic power once more toward the villa across the street.
Only after confirming that his precious girl was safe inside…
Did he finally relax.
Even though his temples throbbed as though they were about to split apart…
He welcomed the pain without a single complaint.