Standing beside him were a young man and a young woman.
The young man had been a college student before the apocalypse.
The girl had just graduated from high school and was preparing to start university.
Su Han looked at the unmistakably youthful innocence still lingering on their faces.
At a glance, it was obvious they had been rescued shortly after the apocalypse began. Their eyes still held a trace of naivety.
They probably had no idea just how ruined the outside world had become.
“So stuffing Wen Lan into our squad wasn’t enough? Now they’re adding two students too?”
“Aren’t they just making trouble for us?”
Wang Hui frowned.
All awakened ability users had to be trained now.
No matter how powerful their abilities were, they would be useless if they never faced real danger.
“When Wang Hui joined our squad back then, she had to earn her place through competition. But these two are being assigned directly for us to train.”
“They’re only here to gain experience in the field. Think of them as reserve members.”
“What about Wen Lan?”
“The same.”
Everyone froze.
Wen Che was especially surprised.
He had originally wanted Wen Lan to join the squad, but after learning about her pregnancy, he had immediately abandoned the idea.
“The higher—ups require every squad to take three new members. Wen Lan is an awakened ability user as well, so she’ll have to be assigned somewhere. Rather than sending her to another squad, I’d rather have her stay with ours.”
Wen Che was deeply moved by Su Han’s words.
He knew it was true.
If Wen Lan were assigned elsewhere, no matter how close he and Su Han were, he would leave this squad to follow his sister.
There was no way he would abandon her.
Although Wang Hui wasn’t happy about it, she assumed the captain was only allowing Wen Lan into the squad to keep Wen Che from leaving.
That, at least, she could tolerate.
As for these two newcomers…
She only hoped they wouldn’t scream their heads off or do something stupid the first time they encountered zombies.
“What are your names? And what are your abilities?”
“My name is Zhang Yuan. I’m twenty years old. My ability is Steel Enhancement.”
As he spoke, Zhang Yuan transformed one of his hands into solid steel.
“The energy beads I can absorb are silver ones.”
Silver energy beads were fairly rare.
Everyone then turned toward the young woman.
“I’m Zhang Meng. Nineteen years old. My ability lets me create a mist barrier that confuses zombies within a hundred—meter radius.”
“I absorb white energy beads.”
Both of their abilities were excellent.
Evolved humans had a clear advantage in the early stages, while supernatural ability users started off somewhat weaker.
Like the difference between a warrior and a mage.
For the first time, Wang Hui actually felt a little relieved that Wen Lan’s seemingly useless ability had joined their squad.
Most enhancement—type abilities were classified as Grade B.
Wen Lan’s perception ability had been rated Grade D.
Mainly because its effective range was so short.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan’s steel enhancement granted tremendous defense, and Zhang Meng’s mist barrier could confuse zombies.
If they ever ran into a horde, that barrier could easily save everyone’s lives.
“Our missions mainly involve gathering supplies. We can only bring one trainee each day.”
“The three of you will take turns.”
In truth, Wen Lan wanted to go more than anyone else.
She needed to search for black energy beads.
Supply runs usually took them into places where zombies gathered, making them considerably more dangerous.
“My sister won’t be participating in supply missions.”
“She doesn’t need to receive squad points. Give her food ration to me instead.”
Wen Che frowned.
His little sister was pregnant.
There was no way he’d let her go out and fight zombies.
If something happened to her…
Now that he had finally brought her safely into the safe zone, all he wanted was for her to live here peacefully.
“Brother… I can go.”
Wen Lan tugged gently at his sleeve.
If she never left the safe zone, how was she supposed to find black energy beads?
The two newcomers exchanged glances.
Envy flashed across Zhang Meng’s eyes.
She didn’t want to fight zombies either.
But if she refused to go, she wouldn’t receive points, and she’d have to find food herself.
Who wouldn’t be afraid of those disgusting monsters?
When she’d fled during the outbreak, the horrifying sight of people suddenly mutating into zombies had become a nightmare she still couldn’t escape.
Now she had to walk straight back into the face of death.
How could she not be terrified?
But there was no one at home to protect her.
Her parents expected her to go out and search for food too.
“No, Lan. This time you have to listen to me.”
Wen Che’s tone hardened.
There was a fatherly sternness in his eyes.
Wen Lan could only nod.
She decided she’d try persuading him again later.
She was pregnant.
Not disabled.
Besides, she was already three months along.
The babies were stable.
If she waited until her pregnancy advanced further, leaving the safe zone would become even more difficult.
But to Wen Che…
Wen Lan was his only remaining family.
He would protect her with his life.
“All right.”
Since the captain had agreed, no one else dared voice any objections.
“Go get ready.”
“Zhang Yuan, you’re coming with us today.”
“Yes.”
Zhang Yuan frowned slightly.
Though he was reluctant, he knew there was no avoiding it forever.
“You’ve awakened a great ability.”
“Don’t you want to make it stronger? The only way to level up is by finding energy beads.”
Grinning, Zhang Ye patted him on the shoulder.
Unlike these young people, the soldiers had fought terrorists before the apocalypse.
Psychologically, they adapted more easily.
“Yeah…”
Zhang Yuan nodded perfunctorily.
He was about to kill zombies.
Before the apocalypse, they’d all been ordinary young people raised in a peaceful society under the rule of law.
Most of them had never even killed a chicken or a duck.
And now they were expected to butcher zombies.
Those zombies were still wearing human clothes.
Before all this…
They had been people too.
Standing off to the side, Zhang Yuan quietly tried to prepare himself mentally.
Zhang Meng secretly felt relieved that she didn’t have to go out on the first day.
Wen Lan quietly pulled Wen Che aside.
“Brother, if you find any black energy beads, save them for me.”
“Of course.”
Wen Che silently committed her request to memory.
Soon, the squad climbed into a van and set off.
Watching them leave, Zhang Meng remembered that tomorrow would be her turn.
Her anxiety immediately returned.
“Wen Lan, you’re so lucky to have a brother like yours.”
“I’m honestly jealous.”
“You don’t have to go out and face those disgusting zombies.”
“Your brother supports you. That’s such a nice life.”
“…”
“I’m only eighteen, and I already have to fight zombies to support my parents.”
There was a hint of resentment in Zhang Meng’s voice.
Her parents still had to perform exhausting manual labor every day just to earn enough food for a single meal.
It was never enough to fill their stomachs.
They lived with constant hunger.
For the sake of her family’s survival, she had no choice but to join an official supply squad.
At least it was safer than venturing out alone.
Of course, some awakened ability users chose not to join the government squads.
Although official teams had to turn over a portion of the supplies they collected, independent ability users had to pay other resources in exchange for points.
Housing was free during the first month.
After that, they would need points to keep their rooms.
“Thank you.”
Wen Lan smiled softly.
Zhang Meng frowned slightly.
What’s so great about it?
Sure, your brother supports you now.
But could he really support you for the rest of your life?
Some people smile and congratulate you to your face.
The moment they turn around, they’re looking down on you instead.
Or laughing quietly while waiting to see the day your own family grows tired of supporting you.
Since the apocalypse began, too many ugly sides of human nature had been exposed.
Some mothers would sacrifice their lives for their children.
Others would abandon their children just to survive.
Parents.
Siblings.
Lovers.
Far more often than not, they turned against one another.
Why was genuine affection so precious in desperate times?
Because it was so incredibly rare.
Even true love could eventually be worn away.
Over the past few days, Wen Lan had barely left the apartment.
She had even asked her brother to sing, hoping to recreate what had happened before.
But the babies’ energy feedback never came close to what she’d experienced when Su Han had hummed that children’s song.
The problem was…
She couldn’t think of any excuse to ask Su Han to sing.
Every evening, Wen Lan prepared simple meals.
Steamed rice.
Pickled vegetables.
Ham sausages.
Nothing fancy.
She simply wanted her brother to have a hot meal waiting when he returned.
“Lan, these two black energy beads are from Su Han.”
“He said he has no use for them.”
“Consider them his way of thanking you for cooking these past couple of days.”
Wen Lan felt a little embarrassed.
Since her brother was living with Su Han now, whenever she delivered food she couldn’t exactly bring a meal for only one person.
So she’d simply cooked a little extra for both of them.
“You’ve been looking much healthier these past few days.”
Her hair had become thick, glossy, and jet—black.
Her complexion was radiant.
Even the dark circles beneath her eyes had disappeared.
“Just focus on taking care of yourself.”
“You’ve got your brother.”
Wen Lan nodded.
“I found these books for you today.”
“I know you like reading.”
Whenever Wen Che went out searching for supplies, he almost always brought back one or two books every few days.
Wen Lan read aloud every day to keep herself in a good mood.
She placed the two black energy beads beside the He Shou Wu.
Within a few days, it absorbed them completely.
Even those two beads weren’t enough to satisfy it.
Its leaves still looked wilted on the surface.
But Wen Lan could clearly sense the powerful energy gathering in its roots.
The vitality it returned to her had grown even stronger.
Although they had never deliberately tested just how powerful she had become…
She knew she was far stronger than before.
Every time Wen Che returned from a mission, he also gave Wen Lan a share of the energy beads he had collected.
She always refused.
“Nobody else can absorb these anyway.”
“Just keep them.”
“Su Han found these. They’re mostly pink and red ones.”
Wen Lan nodded.
She assumed they truly had no use for them.
Quietly, she memorized the number of beads Su Han had given her.
She intended to repay him eventually.
Perhaps by cooking something even better next time.
Unfortunately, ingredients were extremely limited.
Fresh vegetables were almost impossible to find.
She’d heard that the safe zone had already begun cultivating crops.
One day, she discovered that the base had established a trading market.
A place where people bartered goods.
Early every morning, after the others left to hunt zombies, Wen Lan headed to the exchange market.
The place resembled a giant flea market.
Vendors shouted their offers everywhere.
“I’ve got a genuine pink diamond here!”
“Guaranteed authentic! Worth a hundred million before the apocalypse!”
“I’ll trade it for one pack of instant noodles!”
“Any flavor!”
“I’ve got a real solid gold bracelet!”
“I’ll trade it for one pack of sanitary pads!”
The moment Wen Lan entered, those sales pitches filled her ears.
It seemed that nowadays…
Gold and diamonds truly weren’t worth as much as instant noodles.
“I’ve got energy beads from killing zombies!”
“I’ll only trade them for yellow energy beads!”
Meanwhile, a few discarded black energy beads lay off to one side.
“I’ll trade these black energy beads for food.”
Wen Lan’s eyes immediately lit up.
She pulled a family—sized pack of instant noodles from her backpack.
“Can I trade this for those black energy beads?”
The man stared at the large pack.
It contained five oversized packets.
“I’ll tell you up front.”
“No one in the safe zone can absorb black energy beads.”
“I’m just curious.”
“I want to try them.”
The man immediately produced a sign that read:
No Returns or Exchanges.
People had bought black energy beads before out of curiosity.
When they discovered they couldn’t absorb them, they’d come back demanding refunds.
“Deal.”
Wen Lan agreed without hesitation.
Two black energy beads exchanged hands for one pack of instant noodles.
Both sides were extremely satisfied with the trade.
Wen Lan continued wandering through the market.
She soon noticed a middle—aged man wearing glasses.
Despite his gaunt appearance, he still carried the refined aura of a scholar.
He looked strangely familiar.
Then she remembered.
He was a famous literary master.
A true master indeed.
His stall was filled entirely with his treasured collection of books.
When fleeing for his life, those books had been the only possessions he’d chosen to save.
Now, in the safe zone, he had no choice but to trade them for survival.
“Who would be stupid enough to trade food for books nowadays?”
“Exactly. Sir, you might as well go home and use them as firewood for cooking.”
“You’re just wasting a market stall.”
The man’s face turned livid.
“These are priceless treasures!”
“They’re so priceless that you’re standing here trying to trade them for bread and ham sausages.”
“Hahaha! I’d love to see which fool actually makes that trade.”
The man’s expression darkened.
He had occupied this spot longer than anyone else.
Not a single book had been exchanged.
Hardly anyone even walked past his stall.
No one spared his books so much as a glance.
Were these precious volumes…
Really destined to become nothing more than firewood?