The apocalypse is the ultimate test for fake friendships.
Yao Zuizui never expected that the original Qi Qiqi and Feng Ran, who were as close as sisters—sleeping together, chasing men together—could deteriorate so easily.
She realized Feng Ran had changed.
At first, it was restricting her food.
Later, it escalated to criticizing her for eating normally.
“Qiqi, don’t you think you’re eating too much?” Feng Ran shook the compressed biscuit in her hand.
She only ate one packet each time, but Qi Qiqi would devour two or three.
She had no idea how Qi Qiqi’s stomach could handle so much food.
And yet, she barely killed any zombies.
Feng Ran’s disdain for Yao Zuizui grew stronger.
She snatched the other two packets of biscuits from Yao Zuizui’s hands and sweetly offered them to Lu Jiang.
“Brother Lu Jiang, you work so hard fighting zombies. You should eat more.” Her voice was sickly sweet, jarringly out of place in the apocalypse.
Yes, Feng Ran’s interest had shifted from He Si to Lu Jiang.
He Si was handsome, but he lacked combat skills—useless eye candy who couldn’t provide security.
But Lu Jiang was different.
Tall, strong, radiantly handsome, and most importantly, powerful zombies crumbled before him.
With a mere flick of his hand, swathes of zombies fell.
Now *that* was a real man, a true hero!
Feng Ran had a feeling that once Lu Jiang reached the safe base, he’d be highly valued.
Maybe even save the world.
If she could become his woman, her future would be glorious.
So she meticulously maintained her image, ensuring she always looked her best in front of him.
She couldn’t afford to be like Qi Qiqi, always covered in blood—disgusting.
But Lu Jiang didn’t like Feng Ran at all.
She was like a delicate greenhouse flower, needing constant pampering, unable to endure hardship.
He was a rough man, incapable of appreciating such fragility.
Instead, he admired Qi Qiqi.
Her courage, her effort.
How she always charged ahead, fighting zombies rather than hiding behind his protection.
Even if he could slay twenty zombies in one breath while she struggled to kill just one, she never used that as an excuse to sit back and watch him work.
She was willing to fight bloody battles, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
She refused to be a parasite, silently contributing in her own small way.
That was what Lu Jiang admired about her.
Perhaps…
It was also why he was slowly falling for her.
Lu Jiang frowned at the biscuit Feng Ran handed him but took it anyway.
Then, he sat beside Yao Zuizui and offered it to her. “Qiqi, want some?”
Yao Zuizui shook her head. “It’s gross. I don’t want it.”
“…” Lu Jiang scratched his head awkwardly.
He felt helpless. He *wanted* to give her good food…
But what could he do when there was none?
Silently, he vowed to work hard at the safe base, earning better rations for Qi Qiqi.
“Qi Qiqi, come here.” He Si sat nearby, waving a small box.
Yao Zuizui squinted—chocolate biscuits!
He Si didn’t speak further, just smiled gently, though Yao Zuizui couldn’t shake the feeling it was a taunt.
She glanced hesitantly at Lu Jiang.
Lu Jiang leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Feng Ran.”
Feng Ran, furious at Lu Jiang giving Yao Zuizui the biscuit, had stormed off somewhere.
Yao Zuizui giggled and winked at him.
With their secret pact in place, she happily trotted over.
But… the chocolate biscuits in He Si’s hand had mysteriously vanished.
So had his smile.
His face darkened as he glared at her. “What were you two whispering about?”
Since it was hushed, he hadn’t heard.
Yao Zuizui stared at him, baffled. *This guy’s so paranoid.*
“We weren’t badmouthing you, relax,” she explained.
Honestly, jumping to conclusions just because people whisper…
He Si’s expression remained icy. With a cold glance, he stood and walked toward the car.
Yao Zuizui reached out. “Where’s the chocolate biscuit?”
He Si smirked and slapped her palm hard. “Did I say I’d give it to you?”
Though usually refined, his strength was no joke.
Yao Zuizui winced, her palm stinging red.
She blew on it, scowling. “Why hit me? If you don’t wanna share, just say so!”
Lu Jiang, ever the peacekeeper, stepped in. “Qiqi, He Si didn’t mean it. Don’t fight. If it hurts, I’ll rub it for you.”
His bright eyes burned with concern.
He Si scoffed. “Relax, I don’t waste time arguing with trash.”
“You—!” Yao Zuizui had no idea what nerve she’d struck. Why was he suddenly so hostile?
Just days ago, he’d been happily feeding her!
Feng Ran emerged, eyes red as if she’d been crying.
Yao Zuizui thought she was overreacting.
So Lu Jiang indirectly rejected her—why the waterworks?
But Feng Ran shot Yao Zuizui a glare, her eyes simmering with quiet hatred.
Yao Zuizui sighed. What could she even say?
Lu Jiang’s feelings were his own.
He hadn’t confessed—was she supposed to reject him preemptively?
Besides, she liked Lu Jiang’s personality—honest, loyal, a heart always in the sunlight.
Unlike Suhei, forever twisted in the shadows, growing darker by the day.
As dawn broke, they set off toward City B.
They were a third of the way there, but supplies were dwindling.
According to He Si, they only had three days’ worth left.
Feng Ran was the most anxious. With no abilities and no zombie-killing skills, she had no protector.
If food ran low, she feared they’d abandon her first.
Their car entered a small, rundown town.
They decided to scavenge for supplies in local shops and homes.
But the main road was blocked by hundreds of zombies.
“Same as usual—I’ll clear the area. Qiqi, guard the car from strays,” Lu Jiang ordered, his face stern.
“Got it.” Yao Zuizui didn’t need instructions—their默契 was seamless by now.
(Note: The term “默契” is a Chinese word that conveys a deep, unspoken understanding or默契 between people. In English, it can be translated as “tacit understanding,” “unspoken默契,” or “seamless默契” depending on the context. Here, “默契” is retained in the translation to preserve the original nuance, but it can also be translated as “their默契 was seamless by now” or “their默契 was second nature by now.”)
Alternatively, if you prefer a fully translated version without retaining the Chinese term:
“Got it.” Yao Zuizui didn’t need instructions—their默契 was second nature by now.
Or:
“Got it.” Yao Zuizui didn’t need instructions—their默契 was effortless by now.
Let me know if you’d like further adjustments!
He Si’s eyes darkened at their exchange.
Yao Zuizui scanned the perimeter, spotting a lone zombie breaking through.
She charged, hammer in hand, beating and stabbing ruthlessly.
Just as she prepared to deliver the final blow—
Pain shot through her foot.
An ice spike pinned the zombie’s head to the ground, killing it instantly.
But Yao Zuizui’s foot was also impaled.
Agony radiated from her sole to her chest—cold, piercing.
Was there another superhuman here?
She scanned the area but saw no one.
Feng Ran, trembling, rolled down the car window. “Qiqi, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I—I was trying to help kill the zombie, but I can’t control it yet!”
She kept babbling apologies, frozen in fear.
“Retract the ice spike,” He Si advised calmly.
“I—I don’t know how!” Feng Ran panicked.
Yao Zuizui gritted her teeth. Her white sneakers were soaked red, blood pooling beneath her.
The zombies, smelling fresh blood, grew frenzied.
More poured in from nearby streets, surrounding the car.
Lu Jiang’s lightning barrier flickered weakly as zombies pressed in.
“Go! I can’t hold much longer!” he growled, carving a narrow path to a nearby building.
“Qiqi, I’m sorry, but we have to leave you,” Feng Ran said tearfully, bolting for safety.
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