Zhang Yi was willing to accept Zhou Ke'er, but she had to offer a pledge of loyalty.
Zhang Yi's requirements were simple: she had to be useful, pose no threat, and most importantly, not be overly kindhearted.
Zhang Yi was confident about the first two points.
However, he wanted to know if Zhou Ke'er could be ruthless when it truly mattered.
So, he gave her a task.
Zhou Ke'er hadn't responded to Zhang Yi yet, clearly struggling with the decision.
Zhang Yi wasn't in a hurry, as time was on his side.
If Zhou Ke'er couldn't pass the test, Zhang Yi would swiftly give up on her.
After all, Zhang Yi was in good health, with a low likelihood of falling ill.
He wasn't about to leave his home easily, so the risk of injury was minimal.
As for how much longer Zhou Ke'er could survive, that was another matter.
…
The next day, Zhang Yi slept in until 10 a.m.
He lifted the velvet blanket, went to the bathroom to freshen up, and then changed into workout clothes to exercise on the treadmill.
In the post-apocalyptic world, maintaining physical fitness was crucial.
Having a strong body allowed him to better handle any dangers that might arise and also helped prevent illness.
He ran on the treadmill for an hour, drenched in sweat, before finally stopping.
Then, he took a hot shower.
During the shower, Zhang Yi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
After all, this kind of luxury was unattainable for most people nowadays.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Suddenly, loud noises erupted outside.
Zhang Yi's eyes narrowed, and he quickly wrapped himself in a towel and stepped out.
He soon heard cursing, coming from Zhou Peng.
Zhang Yi turned on the surveillance system and saw Zhou Peng outside, holding two kitchen knives, wildly hacking at his door.
"Zhang Yi, get out here! All you do is hide in your house like a coward, you useless piece of trash!"
Zhang Yi smirked. "Ah, yes, yes, everything you say is right."
"And then?"
It was laughable. This piece of trash, who could barely survive, was trying to provoke Zhang Yi?
It seemed Zhou Peng was the one more desperate right now.
Zhang Yi noticed that Zhou Peng was using only his left hand to smash the door, struggling to even lift his right arm.
He knew Zhou Peng's arm was infected.
Upon closer inspection, his arm was visibly swollen.
Zhang Yi walked to the door, hands in his pockets, and calmly said, "Zhou Peng, doesn't the infection feel awful?"
"I remember in biology class, our teacher taught us about wound infections."
"When the tetanus bacteria from the rust got into your wound, it was like maggots finding a corpse—they start multiplying like crazy."
"The wound on your arm must be at least ten centimeters deep."
"The outside temperature is cold, but your flesh is warm. The bacteria are multiplying as fast as they can, eating away at your flesh."
"Then your wound starts festering, oozing black fluid. As the bacteria increase, the wound will grow larger and larger until it spreads through your entire body via your bloodstream."
Zhang Yi described the process vividly, and Zhou Peng's arm throbbed with pain as he listened.
Cold sweat dripped down his face, and he felt as if his whole body was swarming with bacteria, ready to devour him.
Even though he knew Zhang Yi was just trying to scare him, he couldn't suppress his growing fear.
"Ahhh! Zhang Yi, I'll kill you!"
Zhou Peng had lost it. His arm was indeed rotting, and he knew he was doomed.
He wanted to make one last desperate attempt, but this time, it was bound to fail.
Next door, Chen Zheng-hao's men heard Zhou Peng's frantic shouting.
"Should we kill him?" one asked.
Chen Zheng-hao thought for a moment before replying, "Haven't you heard he's already infected and dying? Would you dare eat diseased pork?"
The group exchanged glances and ultimately decided not to take the risk.
Zhou Peng kept hacking at the door and cursing for a while longer.
Eventually, he grew exhausted, collapsing in front of Zhang Yi's door, and started begging for mercy through tears.
Zhang Yi coldly said, "You're a goner. The wound is rotting—it's too late to save you. You might as well take this chance to do whatever you didn't dare to while you were still alive."
Zhou Peng's eyes filled with tears. Hearing Zhang Yi's words, he plunged deeper into despair.
Was this really the end for him?
Fear enveloped him like a bottomless abyss.
But soon, that fear turned into unrestrained anger.
If I'm going to die, what do I have to be afraid of?
He struggled to his feet, kicked Zhang Yi's iron door, intending to hurl another insult, but the pain from the hard door almost made him pass out.
Ignoring the pain, Zhou Peng staggered down the stairs.
When he returned to his place, his vision was blurry. He saw Sun Zhi-chao using a candle to heat a knife, then pressing it against his wound.
"Sizzle~"
The sound of burning fat accompanied by a trail of smoke, and Sun Zhi-chao screamed in agony despite biting down on a blanket.
He seemed to believe that this would kill all the bacteria.
Ignorant and pitiful.
"Cousin…"
Wang Min watched Zhou Peng with concern, not knowing how to comfort him.
She knew Zhou Peng didn't have long to live. Every day now, the smell of rotting flesh filled the room, coming from several people.
Their bodies were decaying before death, a torment unimaginable to ordinary people.
Zhou Peng ignored Wang Min and rushed toward the room where Fang Yuqing was being held.
When Fang Yuqing saw Zhou Peng, she screamed in terror.
"Zhou… Zhou Peng? What are you doing?"
Zhou Peng walked up to her, his bloodshot eyes locking onto hers.
"Yuqing, will you marry me?"
This poor soul, even on the brink of death, had one final wish—to marry Fang Yuqing.
In the apocalypse, such a request was laughable but also tragically pathetic.
Fang Yuqing frowned, her eyes filled with disgust.
Instinctively, she pinched her nose. "No, I won't!"
Zhou Peng's heart shattered. He had sacrificed so much for her, even his life, but she had never once felt anything for him.
"No! You love me! You love me! Before I die, I'll make you mine!"
Zhou Peng roared, violently tearing at Fang Yuqing's clothes.
The others outside heard the commotion but did nothing.
In their eyes, Fang Yuqing was the one responsible for their downfall—she deserved this.
Fang Yuqing struggled with all her might, but how could she possibly match Zhou Peng's insane strength?
Zhou Peng tore off her down jacket and eagerly began undressing himself.
"No, get away from me! You're filthy and disgusting!" Fang Yuqing screamed in disgust.
"You dare call me filthy?"
Zhou Peng was infuriated. He suddenly ripped off the bandages on his arm.
His wound was severely swollen, turning black and purple, oozing with pus—a horrifying sight.
Then, Zhou Peng did something terrifying. He grabbed at his rotten wound and stuffed the decaying flesh into Fang Yuqing's mouth.
"How dare you insult me? How dare you!"
Fang Yuqing retched in disgust, but Zhou Peng relentlessly shoved the rotting flesh into her mouth.
Zhou Peng cackled as he watched his "goddess" being humiliated by him. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming sense of pleasure.