Chapter 10

Shen Feng let out a breath of relief upon witnessing the demise of the speed zombie. While the other zombies posed little threat, the speed zombie had proven to be remarkably challenging. He remembered how he had attacked its weak point last time by cutting a rope, but this time, he had chosen to go after his senior sister. If it hadn't been for the truck parked nearby, she might have been in grave danger.

He climbed into the passenger seat next to Chang Jianyi, his senior sister. As soon as he settled in, she wrapped her arms around his neck and choked out, "I thought for sure I was a goner. Its paw was just a centimeter away from me!"

Shen Feng appreciated her trust in him. He shut the door with his right hand, though a bit of air still slipped through due to the impact they had just endured. "Don't worry, I'm here to protect you!" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and settling her comfortably on his lap.

However, the moment Chang Jianyi felt the closeness, her cheeks flushed. The awkwardness of sitting on her junior's lap and wrapping her arms around him was not lost on her. To ease the tension, she quickly shifted around to sit beside him instead.

Understanding her embarrassment, Shen Feng tried to redirect the conversation. "Look outside, those people seem to need help!"

Chang Jianyi turned her gaze to the view outside, where colorful flags waved from the buildings, a desperate signal for aid. However, she knew all too well that without military assistance, it would be nearly impossible to rid the city of its hundreds of thousands of zombies. The horde on the road leading away from the city was still formidable, but the trucks plowed through without a hitch.

Lao Yang had his hands full navigating the cars littering the road, sometimes having to barrel through obstacles with little care for damage.

"It's troubling," Chang Jianyi commented as they drove. "If zombies remain as low-IQ and slow-moving as they are now, they won't pose much of a crisis. But if more speed zombies show up, it'll be a disaster!"

Shen Feng wasn't perturbed by the notion. "There's no need to panic! Even the fastest zombie can't outrun a bullet."

"But what if they evolve and start using firearms?" she countered.

"That's unlikely. It took humans millions of years to evolve—zombies can't adapt that quickly!" He dismissed her concerns, confident in humanity's evolutionary edge.

"What if they somehow retain human memories and thoughts? They could become a real threat then," she speculated.

"But if they have human memories, are they still zombies?" Shen Feng challenged her premise.

Chang Jianyi fell silent, pondering the implications. If zombies did possess human memories, they could indeed become much more dangerous.

After an exhausting two-hour drive, the group finally arrived outside the city. A cornfield lay a few kilometers away, ready for harvest but untouched by anyone amid the chaos.

With nineteen individuals now regrouped, they laid out some clothes on the ground and settled in for a discussion about their next steps.

Shen Feng turned to Chang Jianyi with a grin. "Why don't you come with me to Rongcheng? You can meet my parents!"

His intentions were unmistakable; meeting parents typically indicated a serious relationship. Chang Jianyi paused, initially surprised, but eventually nodded with a tentative smile. "Alright. Let's go to Rongcheng together."

The provincial capital would likely be a key focus for the military, possibly offering better protection. Encouraged by the idea, everyone agreed.

Afterward, Shen Feng assumed the role of group leader, with Chang Jianyi naturally becoming his right-hand support.

That night, they lit a campfire, cooking in the wild with a kilometer of safety from the nearest village. Shen Feng suggested they sleep in the vehicle, ensuring a sense of security.

As they shared the warmth of the meal, Shen Feng teased, "You've got to try the veggies from my hometown!"

Chang Jianyi laughed and seemed to find her spirits lifted, her previous anxiety fading as they shared lighthearted moments.

To provide a more comfortable sleeping arrangement, Shen Feng found a nearby pickup truck, asking the driver to back it up. He made a makeshift bed in the back and invited Chang Jianyi to join him.

She furrowed her brow, "With all this space available, why do we need to sleep together?"

Shen Feng replied seriously, "It's for your protection! There are dangers out here. Plus, we can strategize together."

Chang Jianyi sighed, conceding to his insistence: "Fine, but let's not make this weird. I just want to sleep!"

He laid down next to her, still restless and wondering if something was troubling her.

Later in the night, Chang Jianyi awoke quietly, gazing at Shen Feng's peaceful expression. In a moment of melancholy, she withdrew a piece of paper and placed it in his palm before slipping out of the vehicle unnoticed.

Under the moonlight, she trudged back toward the city. "Goodbye, junior," she murmured softly, tears streaming down her face. She knew she had to find her brother.

Despite the danger, her brother might be alive, and she couldn't risk dragging Shen Feng into the peril of the city. Better for her to face the threats alone.

As she ventured further, the streets felt desolate, and the eerie silence crept in. It wasn't long before she heard footsteps, but when she turned, she found only emptiness.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" she called out, gripping a steel bar tightly, a simple form of defense.

Yet again, she heard footsteps but couldn't see anyone. Doubt gnawed at her; was it a trick of her imagination?

Just then, she felt a strong grip around her waist, and a familiar voice whispered, "Where do you think you're going, beautiful?"

Panicking, she struggled and shouted, "Let go! My boyfriend is right behind you!"

But the grip only tightened. "I'd rather embrace danger than let you slip away," the voice chuckled.

Recognizing the voice, Chang Jianyi fumed, "Shen Feng! Let me go!"

He quickly released her, and she turned to face him, livid. "Why are you following me? I'm going to find my brother. This has nothing to do with you!"

"But why were you crying earlier?" Shen Feng pressed, refusing to let her walk away.

"Did you see that? Have you been peeking while I was asleep?" she retorted, humiliated at her vulnerability being exposed to him.

"I didn't mean to— I fell asleep, but when you put that note in my hand, I woke up. You should have told me the truth. I'd be there for you, no questions asked."

"That's why I wanted to go alone! You have no reason to follow me into danger! You don't even know why I'm going back!" Chang Jianyi insisted.

Shen Feng then wrapped his arms around her from behind, unconcerned. "No, your brother is now my brother, too! I care about you, and I want to be with you."

"Are you serious?" she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.

"Of course, I am!" he said earnestly. "I know I'm a bit of a nerd, and I may be obsessed with my virtual relationships, but I see how much you mean to me now. Your kindness and care have been incredible."

Chang Jianyi stayed silent, caught off guard by his sincerity. Tears began to well up again, but she didn't speak as emotions flooded her.

In a moment of resolve, Shen Feng bent down, allowing her to climb onto his back. Together, they began to walk toward the treacherous city.

As they stepped forward into the unknown, she clutched him tightly, her cries still fresh as they faced whatever fate may bring.

"What about the others?" she managed to ask amid her tears.

"I left them a note. They can fend for themselves," he replied nonchalantly.

"That's rude! Why destroy my farewell to you?" she accused, her anger flaring.

Shen Feng chuckled lightly, "Well, it's not like I asked for a love letter at that moment!"

"Love letter?" she echoed, her heart racing as she realized what she had written.

He approached a solitary convenience store, where two trapped zombies, seemingly a couple, awaited their end. He quickly dealt with them before securing the premises.

Using the light from a desk lamp, they settled down, but Chang Jianyi soon laid down a quilt and turned her back to him. Shen Feng felt emboldened and moved closer.

"Cuddle with me, for safety!" he encouraged, to which she surprisingly obliged.

Their closeness ignited an undeniable chemistry. As their eyes locked, Shen Feng leaned in, letting impulse take over, but she halted him gently, saying, "I'm really tired, please."

He sighed and thought to himself, "Strawberry-flavored lipstick," but complied and turned off the light, promising himself that opportunities would come.

In his heart, he felt the warmth from their entwined fates might just blossom into something beautiful in time.