"You've tied this rope pretty securely!"

After Yang Mu opened the window, Fang Hua was the first to leap inside, patting Yang Mu on the shoulder as he spoke.

Yang Mu could feel the force behind it, a subtle test of strength.

In such situations, Yang Mu had no intention of playing weak, as that would only invite suppression. He straightened his back, tensing his shoulder muscles, remaining immovable under Fang Hua's grip.

"Not too bad, considering it's for survival. What brings you here?"

"Zombies are everywhere, no way out. Look around—there are seven buildings close together. I figure there must be survivors in some of them. We're planning to clear out the zombies in all of them, connect the buildings into a fortress, and kill that zombie dog to avenge our comrades!"

"Oh, but what’s the real reason you came over here?"

"Like I said, to find all the survivors. You’re the first."

Fang Hua gave a wry smile, his eyes carrying a hint of mockery.

Yang Mu understood what he meant. Fang Hua had clearly seen through him, knowing he didn't need their help, hence the playful tone.

Hmph! He wouldn’t fall for that.

Yawning, Yang Mu replied, "I respect you guys, really. I admire your plans and actions. But I'm just an ordinary guy. My only goal is to survive. I’m keeping this bedroom; you can take the living room, another room, or head downstairs. Rescue whoever you want, but leave me out of it. How about that?"

At this moment, the other soldiers arrived. Han Dong carried Yelena on his back, while Su Long hefted the little puppy. Thankfully, the rope Yang Mu had set up was sturdy enough; otherwise, it wouldn’t have held.

Yelena, still as childish as ever, was holding her phone and live streaming.

"Yeah! Wow, my followers have hit three million! It was only ten thousand earlier—this is insane! Hey everyone! I’m here, in the quarantine zone, and it’s the most dangerous place! Did you see me climbing that rope just now? The zombies below are piled up two floors high. Yes, yes! I’m with MC Worker! Come on, MC Worker, say hi to my fans! Oh my gosh, I’ve become a huge influencer!"

Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Yelena, even MC Worker was trembling as he stood beside her.

How could she still be live streaming in such a crisis? Two people had died rescuing her!

Fang Hua's face darkened. After glancing at the overly dramatic girl, he turned back to Yang Mu and said, "Alright, I won’t bother you. But since this place seems pretty safe, we’ll leave No. 1 here with you, along with her streamer friend. We’re soldiers with a mission; we can’t afford to do anything untoward. You, as a regular civilian, don’t have such restrictions. If they disobey you, feel free to handle it as you see fit."

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Yang Mu narrowed his eyes, catching Fang Hua’s insinuation that he should discipline the foolish girl. But he had no intention of meddling unless she crossed him.

"Fine, they can stay here."

"Here, take this walkie-talkie. Press 3 if you need to reach us."

With that, Fang Hua led his men downstairs. The naive girl continued her live stream by the window, with MC Worker standing by her side. Yang Mu walked over, shut the door, and locked it before returning to bed.

If he had known those soldiers were coming, he wouldn’t have bothered clearing out the zombies earlier. All that effort wasted—they’d now open every stairwell and search every floor for survivors.

But, in the end, it wouldn’t affect him much.

He took out Wang Liang’s phone and started fiddling with it.

Suddenly, a video call request popped up on WeChat.

After a brief hesitation, Yang Mu answered.

"Who... who are you? Where’s Wang Liang?"

On the other side was a girl who appeared to be about the same age as Yang Mu. Wang Liang was also twenty-one, like Yang Mu, though he looked much younger.

"I’m the new owner of this phone. Wang Liang gave it to me."

"You’re lying! What happened to Wang Liang? Did he die? Did he turn into a zombie or get eaten by one?"

Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes.

"Uh... and you are?"

"I’m his girlfriend."

Damn!

That old saying is true—good cabbages always get eaten by pigs!

The girl looked strikingly like the celebrity Guan Xiaotong, maybe even more beautiful. And Wang Liang? Just a regular guy. How on earth did he manage to land her? And she’s so devoted to him?

Yang Mu pursed his lips, feeling indignant.

"He’s not dead. Call his sister."

"I don’t have his sister’s number... We’re classmates, still students, actually. It’s a secret relationship; our parents don’t know."

The girl blushed.

"Sis, how old are you?"

"Twenty-one, just started my third year of university."

Damn, the same age as me and still calling it a ‘secret relationship’?

"You seem shy. Is Wang Liang your first love?"

"Yes."

"You two... haven’t done it yet, have you?"

"Done what?"

"Slept together?"

"What are you talking about? You pervert! We’re pure!"

Yang Mu almost rolled his eyes.

He might be twenty-one and just as inexperienced, but he never thought of himself as pure. He couldn’t believe that at this age, a couple could be so... innocent.

And here he was, face-to-face with unexpected purity.

"So... what’s your name again?"

"My name is Jiang Yuanyuan."

"Alright, Yuanyuan. Don’t worry, Wang Liang is fine. He just gave me his phone. Where are you right now?"

"I’m not in the quarantine zone. I’m at home with my parents, hiding out."

"Oh... Do you want to see Wang Liang?"

"I do!"

"Alright. My name is Yang Mu. I’m not exactly the helpful type, but if you want to use this phone to see Wang Liang, what’s in it for me?"

"This is Wang Liang’s phone!"

"But he gave it to me."

"Then... what do you want?"

"Here’s the deal: I’m a sucker for beauty. Your face is lovely, but I’m curious about your figure. Set your phone down, take a step back, and let me get a full view. If I’m pleased, I might just let you talk to Wang Liang."

Yang Mu was simply bored. He couldn’t escape for the moment, and with soldiers outside dealing with the zombies, why should he care about anything else?

As the old saying goes, "You’re a fool if you don’t flirt with a girl when you can."

Who said that? Yang Mu wasn’t sure. He had never been to school and taught himself to read. Coming up with a half-remembered quote from ancient times was no small feat!

"You... you’re such a lecher!"

Jiang Yuanyuan’s face turned bright red, like a monkey’s bottom.

"Get your mind out of the gutter. I just want to appreciate your figure from an artistic perspective. I didn’t ask you to strip, so how am I being a lecher? Or do you not even dare to show yourself fully dressed? If so, your mind’s filthier than mine. You’re the one lacking purity!"