Seeing everyone so flustered, Wen Qi lowered her head, feeling like she had done something wrong.
Just then, a large hand gently ruffled her hair.
“You did great, good girl. Without you, we might not have gotten so many medicines. Those zombies being trapped inside would’ve been trouble anyway—letting them out actually makes things easier, they’re less concentrated now,” Jian An said softly, stroking her head.
“Waaah…” Wen Qi threw herself into his arms.
“I thought I messed up…”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, little sister Wen Qi—you’re our biggest contributor!” Liao Liao gave her a thumbs-up.
“Exactly. We just reacted instinctively when we saw that many zombies,” Ji Chen added.
Wen Qi hugged Jian An tightly, feeling warm inside.
They’re so nice… among spirits, there’s nothing like this—only fighting and killing…
“Alright, mission complete. Let’s head home.”
“Finally going back! We’ve been out here for half a month, right?” Ji Chen was already eager, thinking about the girls back at the base.
“I miss Old Chen’s cooking,” Liao Liao said, almost drooling at the thought.
“Can I go home with you?” Wen Qi looked at Jian An expectantly.
“Of course you can, little sister Wen Qi!” Liao Liao replied immediately.
“That’s great! I want to eat Old Chen’s food too!”
For Wen Qi, going back with them had two reasons—one was her benefactor… the other was food.
If Liao Liao said it was delicious, then it had to be good.
“Stop up ahead!” A pockmarked man stood in front of them, holding a loudspeaker.
“Bro Jian, something’s up.”
“Stop and see what’s going on.”
“Hey, brother, what’s wrong?” Liao Liao rolled down the window.
“The road ahead is blocked. There was an earthquake—you can’t pass through,” the man said.
“If you don’t believe me, you can go check.”
“Alright, we’ll take a look first.”
In the apocalypse, you couldn’t trust anyone easily—seeing was believing.
“Boss, it’s true,” Ji Chen said after looking ahead.
They saw a massive crater in the ground, with cracks stretching far out, looking unstable and ready to collapse.
Seems that man was telling the truth—that’s why he was so confident.
“Let’s go back,” Jian An said. Let’s see what he’s up to.
In his previous life, although he had nearly died in the hospital, he had taken this same route—there had been no earthquake.
Screech—
The van stopped in front of the pockmarked man.
“Heh, you came back after all.”
“Is there another route?” Ji Chen asked.
“Heh, asking me for directions? That’ll cost you—ten kilos of rice and a case of water,” the man said greedily.
“What?! Why don’t you just rob us outright?” Liao Liao rolled up his sleeves.
“That path is only known to me. And your big vehicle can’t even fit through it,” the man sneered.
It was the only passable route. If they turned back, they’d have to take a long detour—at least another week.
“And let me remind you—because of the earthquake, many roads are now dangerous. They could collapse at any moment,” he added smugly.
“Tch, look at this guy…” Liao Liao muttered, annoyed.
“Give him the supplies. We’ll get off,” Jian An decided calmly. They had no better option for now—and something about this man didn’t sit right with him.
They got out of the car with their backpacks.
The man glanced at their packs and sneered. They won’t live much longer anyway, still carrying luggage…
“Follow me.”
He led the way.
“What’s with that big crater back there?” Ji Chen asked.
“Earthquake, obviously.”
Jian An noticed the path was becoming more and more remote. His eyes flickered.
“This road is at least another five kilometers, and it’s getting dark. Why don’t you stay overnight at my place?” the man suggested with a smile.
Ji Chen glanced at Jian An before replying, “Sure. We’re tired anyway.”
The village they entered was dilapidated—almost like no one lived there.
“Don’t be fooled by how run-down it looks. Very few zombies pass through here. Quite a few people who came asking for directions ended up staying,” the man said as he led them in.
“Oh? Why are there so few zombies here?” Ji Chen asked.
“There aren’t even many people here, let alone zombies… and besides…” The man patted his pocket. “We have herbal protection.”
“Oh~ I see,” Ji Chen said, as if enlightened—but then added, “But don’t zombies track by smell?”
“That’s a secret of our village,” the man said mysteriously.
Dead people don’t need to know that much.
“Alright, alright, let me show you where you’ll stay tonight,” he changed the topic.
Ji Chen and Jian An exchanged a glance.
This village isn’t simple.
Jian An scanned the surroundings—he didn’t see any other villagers.
Wen Qi frowned. There was a strange smell here—one she instinctively disliked.
She tugged at Jian An’s sleeve and whispered, “I don’t like it here.”
“Why? Does it make you uncomfortable?” Jian An noticed her expression.
“It smells weird… it makes me feel bad,” Wen Qi said, burying her face in his chest.
You smell much better…
She hugged him tighter.
Seeing how uncomfortable she was, Jian An held her closer.
What exactly is hidden in this village…
“Wow, still being all lovey-dovey,” the man commented, glancing back at them.
Ji Chen turned and joked, “Hey, young couple—come on, tell me more about your village.”
“What big events could there be? Everyone’s just trying to survive now—fighting zombies, searching for supplies. Nothing like the old days, chatting and laughing together,” the man said, a hint of nostalgia in his tone.
“Yeah, the apocalypse really has everyone on edge. You can’t even feel safe at home,” Liao Liao said, throwing an arm around him like an old buddy.
“Relax, you’re safe here. Zombies haven’t even entered our village,” the man assured confidently.
Hearing that, Jian An glanced at Wen Qi in his arms.
Some things… can’t be said yet.
“We’re here. Many elderly people in this village have passed away—these are their houses. Stay here for the night,” the man said, leading them to a run-down, dusty house that looked long abandoned.
“Hey, wait—” Liao Liao stopped him.
“Heh, what about our food?” he asked.
“Well, you saw it yourselves. Your car can’t come through this path,” the man shrugged.
As for the supplies in the car—those were obviously his now.
He looked at them with a merchant’s greed.
“Fine. We’ll stay here tonight. When will you take us out tomorrow?” Ji Chen pulled Liao Liao back and asked calmly.
“I’ll come find you tomorrow,” the man said before closing the door.
Wen Qi looked around in disgust.
So dusty…
The little rabbit spirit looked listless.
The entire place was filled with that unpleasant smell—something like grass, yet not quite.
“He’s gone.”
They could no longer hear his voice—only footsteps fading away.
“Is there something here that makes you uncomfortable?” Jian An asked gently. He didn’t want her to keep feeling this way.
He had never seen her so low-spirited before.
Even when she got bored from long car rides, food would cheer her up—but now…
“It smells bad… really strange… it makes me want to leave,” Wen Qi said pitifully.
She almost wished she could remove her nose.
But then I wouldn’t be able to smell him anymore…
“There’s a smell here?” Liao Liao took a deep sniff.
“Achoo! Cough—!”
He immediately inhaled a mouthful of dust.