Xu Chi leaned against the shelf, summoning all his remaining strength to tear open a bag of dried squid within his reach.
Dried squid was extremely tough, a true challenge for the jaw.
Luckily, the only thing on his body still intact was his set of teeth.
As long as he wasn't angered enough by the little zombie in front of him to grind them to pieces.
He knew very well that he was in the city center. Considering the peculiarity of this little zombie, perhaps it really could keep him safe.
Right now, it was standing with its back to him, facing off against the zombie that had just stumbled in panic out of the store earlier.
Pho Noan Yi had just hauled him closer to the store.
The starving zombie was so agitated it looked ready to leap forward and devour them.
But a single roar from Pho Noan Yi sent it staggering backward. Of course, it didn't understand the cry of this "foreign kind."
It was just afraid, too terrified to come closer.
Even though the "food" she carried on her shoulders smelled delicious and enticing.
That zombie had a chunk of flesh missing from its neck, though its face was still intact.
It hovered not far from the shop entrance, still staring hungrily at Xu Chi, but it didn't dare take another step forward.
Pho Noan Yi didn't like the way it was staring.
That was her food!
She was waiting for her food to finish eating before it would let her eat.
Pho Noan Yi opened her mouth and growled hoarsely: Get out!
It didn't understand, but her obvious displeasure scared it into retreating a few more steps.
Xu Chi gnawed at the dried squid with difficulty, his eyes fixed on the scene before him as his thoughts raced.
He had to deal with his injuries quickly.
Even if this little zombie could heal, its ability didn't seem that strong. To fully mend his broken leg would probably take a very long time.
Xu Chi knew all too well that he couldn't stay here.
This city was too small.
Yongnam City was a fifth-tier city, nothing remarkable about it.
Its only merit was its proximity to Xihe, a booming second-tier city on the verge of ascending to first-tier status.
And a "new first-tier" city meant real estate prices would soar beyond reason.
Xu Duc Hung had his eyes set on exactly that, choosing to invest in real estate development here in Yongnam.
Once Xihe turned from carp into dragon, housing prices in Yongnam would rise with the tide.
That was his luck.
He had brought Xu Chi here to inspect the development project, only for the apocalypse to break out. With his usual foresight, he noticed the high fever rate among the populace and immediately stockpiled vast amounts of food and medicine, preparing to strike it rich once again.
In the end, he used that stockpile and his powerful lightning-type ability to win people's allegiance.
Within just half a month, he had established a safe zone.
Naturally, the real estate project Xu Duc Hung developed was close to Xihe. The safe zone was also near Xihe.
Xu Chi could not stay in Yongnam. This city was far too small.
Xu Duc Hung had already started mobilizing manpower, preparing to clear out the zombies layer by layer and seize control.
When that time came, Xu Chi might very well run into him.
And right now, he was no match for Xu Duc Hung. At first, Xu Chi had thought that by sacrificing his life to control eight mutant zombies, he could at least destroy his father's safe zone.
But looking at his current state…
He had to leave this area, head into Xihe, and recover.
There, he could vanish like a drop of water in the ocean.
Even if Xu Duc Hung devoured all of Yongnam, he wouldn't be able to consume Xihe that quickly.
Xu Chi could bide his time, recover, then seek out mutant zombies and try to control them.
Wait for the right chance to destroy the safe zone.
Force his father into isolation or drive him to flee in disgrace.
And then—
Xu Chi tightened his grip on the crinkling plastic bag in his hand—he could kill that beast with his own hands!
The biggest problem now was escaping Yongnam.
That meant taking the long way around, which meant walking was impossible.
He couldn't even walk.
The little zombie before him, on the other hand, was moving around quite sturdily.
At that thought, Xu Chi clenched his teeth.
Being carried to Xihe by it? He would rather crawl there himself!
He had to find a vehicle.
Drive to Xihe.
With this strange little zombie by his side, he wouldn't even need to fear the others.
The real problem was—where to find a driver now?
Xu Chi sank into thought.
He couldn't drive, and the little zombie was clearly out of the question.
The city center was nearly devoid of survivors, and he dared not hitch a ride.
After all, the only safe zone here belonged to Xu Duc Hung. Any survivors with cars out in the open might well be sent specifically to hunt him down.
Thinking of Xu Duc Hung's dark intentions, that covetous look in his eyes—
Xu Chi's heart clenched with pain and disgust. He gagged.
He forced himself to swallow the food in his mouth.
He had to survive.
Survive, so he could kill that man with his own hands.
Before he killed him, he truly wanted to ask:
For the past twenty years, had Xu Duc Hung been waiting for his son to grow up—or for a toy to mature?
Was he even really his biological father?
Xu Chi's eyes grew wet.
Since childhood, he had been obedient and sensible, never once talking back to his parents, striving to be the perfect heir in their eyes.
He had no childhood. From the moment he learned to speak, he was made to study.
Even to fulfill Xu Duc Hung's expectations, he hadn't had a single friend. He strove ceaselessly, trying to become the flawless young master his parents demanded.
What had he done wrong?
Was it just because his face was too beautiful?
But wasn't that something they had given him?
All his pain, all his hatred, stemmed from the fact that Xu Duc Hung had once been a towering mountain in his eyes.
A man who always seemed refined, responsible to his family and company, never indulging in debauchery.
At last, Xu Chi could no longer hold it in.
Tears fell.
He lowered his head, staring at the cement floor, at the crumpled dried squid in his hand, at his twisted right leg.
Tears dripped, one by one, onto the ground.
Spreading into a dark stain.
This would be his last moment of weakness.
He would kill that beast. He must.
[Huh? Is it really so tasty it makes you cry?]
A soft, sweet voice echoed inside his head.
Xu Chi froze mid-silent sob.
Pho Noan Yi was staring curiously at the dried squid in his hand.
It didn't smell sweet.
To zombies, other than the stench of blood and flesh, all other foods were scentless.
Pho Noan Yi didn't know that.
But that didn't stop her from wanting to try. She tilted her head and leaned closer to Xu Chi.
Bending over, she stared at the packet he was holding.
Xu Chi roughly wiped his tears away, lifted his head, and snapped angrily, "Stay away from me!"
As usual, she ignored his tone.
Pho Noan Yi simply continued staring at the dried squid.
[Doesn't look very tasty though…]
That inner voice sounded even a little pitiful.
Xu Chi took a deep breath, reminding himself over and over.
Enough. That last weakness was over.
Survival mattered more.
He ignored her, raising the squid again to tear off another bite, glaring at her as he chewed.
As if he were gnawing her instead.
Pho Noan Yi didn't understand the look, and leaned in closer again.
Until finally, the cat-ear helmet she wore poked him right in the forehead.
Xu Chi winced, baring his teeth as he leaned back. "Back off! Or I'll starve you!"
Starve?
Pho Noan Yi understood that. She obediently stepped back, eyes wide and shimmering with grievance.
Xu Chi looked into those large eyes, caught between irritation and laughter. He turned away and chewed again.
It was strange.
The eyes of other zombies were all clouded, dull like cataracts—hideous.
But this one's eyes still held clarity, even emotion. Unlike any other zombie.
The thought left Xu Chi even more bitter.
Look at that—a little zombie could still retain a shred of humanity.
Yet his own father, dressed in refinement, wasn't even equal to a zombie.
Pho Noan Yi watched him eat a little, then stop, then eat again, and she grew impatient. She growled hoarsely: More!
"I know!" Xu Chi snapped, biting into the squid with effort.
His ability had recovered a little, but his stamina was depleted. He couldn't afford to waste it on her. He would just have to placate her for now.