Hu Die stealthily crept into Yang Mu's room, her demeanor shifty and suspicious.

Bathed in moonlight, Yang Mu looked at her.

Her outfit was already provocative—a pair of form-fitting, hip-hugging pants, and a tight half-sleeve top, as if she had just emerged from the gym.

"What are you staring at? Give me something to eat, I'm starving."

"Alright, but..."

"Change of clothes, right? Little brother, let's make a deal—when we get to my place, I'll put on my own clothes for you to see. Wearing someone else’s intimate apparel feels off, plus this outfit doesn’t even look good. The ones at my place are far better!"

Yang Mu, no stranger to the cunning of women, knew she was playing him.

Yet, he wasn’t angry. If Hu Die were the type to strip for a mere meal without resistance, she’d be a bore.

"Sister, you're a sly one."

Suddenly, Yang Mu lunged forward, his fist aimed at her chest.

Hu Die swiftly dodged, stepping back, her legs hitting the bed as she toppled onto it.

Yang Mu didn’t pursue, giving her a chance to rise.

"What’s your problem?"

"Just testing if you're as agile as you claim. I wasn’t even trying, yet few can dodge that punch."

"Fine, since we may become companions, I won't push you too hard. But don't take me for a fool. Tomorrow, we'll make a run downstairs and grab your clothes from your place. Don’t try to wiggle out of it again. It’s not that I desperately need to see you, but you did promise."

As he spoke, Yang Mu tossed some bread, pickles, two sausages, and a bottle of water onto the bed. Hu Die's eyes lit up as she eagerly grabbed them and began to eat.

"Relax, little brother, I’ll make good on my word... Ah, these sausages are delicious, so much meat."

"Seems like you were truly starving."

"I haven’t eaten all day. How could I not be hungry? I even went swimming this morning, and had a jog."

"What about the others? Your boyfriend asleep?"

"Yeah, Liu Dongfeng, Wang Yunzhi, and Wang Liang are in the side room, your girl is passed out in the study, and Gu Dasen's on the living room floor. The couch is mine."

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"What’s your plan?"

"What else? Waiting for the helicopter. They said if it doesn't come tomorrow, we’ll have to clear the zombies outside and secure food."

In the time it took for her to speak, Hu Die had finished every morsel, still looking unsatisfied.

"Alright, you've eaten, but don’t forget what you owe me."

"I won’t, little brother. I’ll head out now before Gu Dasen notices. Tomorrow, if we find food, I’ll save some for you."

With another empty promise, Hu Die left the room.

Yang Mu smirked. For now, it was best to keep her around. While being alone had its advantages, having a companion to watch your back in a world like this was invaluable. Food wasn’t scarce, so why not play along?

"Ah!"

A piercing scream shattered the night’s stillness.

Yang Mu was startled, rushing to the window and peering outside.

On the seventh floor of the opposite building, a woman was screaming.

At first, he thought she was being attacked by a zombie. But on closer inspection, it was a man pinning her down on the balcony, seemingly about to violate her.

Yang Mu frowned slightly. He didn’t need to guess their relationship—it was the ugliness of human nature magnified in the apocalypse.

It was only the beginning. As time went on, such acts would become more common.

No one would intervene. No one could. The only thing that could potentially save this woman was a zombie dog, but if it showed up, the danger she faced would escalate.

Her dignity or her life—which would she prefer?

"Help me! Somebody help! I’m Yelena Li! My father is Yelena Tieshu. I’m at the top of the government’s rescue list—please save me!"

The number one on the list?

Yang Mu’s eyes narrowed.

Yelena Tieshu was a familiar name. A star scientist in the field of genetic engineering, just over fifty, handsome, and frequently on TV. He was from Hanning City, the province's only national treasure-level academician.

With the outbreak, his expertise in genetic engineering would indeed be highly sought after.

So, perhaps this woman wasn’t lying?

Yang Mu felt tempted.

If Yelena was the top priority for the rescue team, it wasn’t impossible that a helicopter would arrive within hours. If he saved her, he could leave with them. This was a reasonable assumption. Chu Hong might be on the list too, but probably further down, and as more important people joined, her chances would diminish. Yelena had likely cut in line to become the top priority, making Chu Hong’s helicopter unreliable.

How could he save her?

The two buildings were about five meters apart—not too far, but not close either.

After a brief hesitation, Yang Mu decided to take a gamble.

Quickly, he retrieved the rope he’d found earlier, tying a small wooden stool to one end.

No decent developer would build two high-rise buildings only five meters apart, but this was a shoddy project. They knew it was for a resettlement area, so they cut corners.

Today, though, this flawed construction worked in Yang Mu's favor. If not for the short distance, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

With all his strength, he threw the stool onto the opposite balcony. He then tugged the rope, maneuvering the stool so it wedged securely between the railings.

Done!

Yang Mu fastened the rope on his side, ensuring it was secure.

All set.

At least this side was safe. The other? He’d leave that to fate.

He tossed his backpack aside, keeping only his machete, and carefully climbed out of the window, gripping the rope as his body dangled, inching forward.

No sign of the zombie dog so far. If it appeared, he’d have no choice but to cut the rope and retreat, abandoning the rescue mission.

Fortunately, nothing interfered, and Yang Mu reached the other side without incident.

He landed on the rooftop, finding another rope to descend quickly to the seventh floor. In one swift motion, he kicked the man off the woman. Glancing down, he saw her shirt was torn to shreds, her pants halfway off.

Hastily, Yang Mu pulled her into the bedroom, locking the glass door that separated the balcony from the room.