The First Ally

Yu Xian's apartment was neat, almost obsessively so. Everything had a place, from the perfectly arranged bookshelves to the spotless kitchen counters.

It was exactly what Lian remembered from their past life.

He had always been meticulous, a man who liked control. But that control had shattered when the apocalypse hit.

Lian stepped inside, scanning the familiar space, her heart heavy with old memories. She turned to face Xian, who was watching her like a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

"You said the world is ending in four months." His voice was measured, calm but there was an edge to it. "That's a bold claim."

Lian met his gaze. "It's not a claim. It's a fact."

Xian crossed his arms. "Prove it."

Lian sighed. She had expected this. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, opening a news article she had saved earlier.

"Strange flu outbreak in multiple cities," she read aloud. "Authorities claim it's under control, but some experts fear it may be a new strain of"

She put the phone down. "That's how it starts. The virus is already here."

Xian's expression remained unreadable. "A virus doesn't mean the end of the world."

Lian leaned forward. "You know something's wrong. That's why you're already stocking up."

His fingers twitched just barely. But Lian caught it.

She smiled. "I saw the supply boxes in the hallway. You don't trust the government to handle this."

Xian's jaw tightened. "That doesn't explain how you know."

Lian hesitated. She couldn't tell him the full truth not yet.

Instead, she said, "I have my sources. People in high places."

Xian studied her for a long moment. Then, finally, he sighed. "Let's say I believe you. What do you want from me?"

Lian didn't hesitate. "We need allies. People we can trust. You were military, Xian. You know tactics, defense, how to survive. When the world falls apart, you'll be one of the few people who can make it."

Xian exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "And what's in it for me?"

Lian smirked. "Survival."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Then, Xian chuckled. "You're a dangerous woman."

Lian only smiled.

---

Chen's Arrival

Just as Xian was about to speak, a knock sounded at the door.

Xian's eyes flickered with suspicion. "Expecting someone?"

Lian stood. "Yeah. My partner."

Xian's eyebrows rose slightly at her choice of words, but he said nothing as he opened the door.

Chen stepped inside, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room before locking onto Xian.

For a long moment, the two men just stared at each other.

Lian suppressed a sigh. She had forgotten how these two clashed in their past life both strong-willed, both leaders in their own right.

She broke the silence. "Chen, this is Yu Xian. Xian, this is Guo Chen."

Xian was the first to speak. "You're military too?"

Chen's lips twitched. "Something like that."

Xian scoffed. "You don't look the type."

Chen smirked. "Neither do you."

Lian rolled her eyes. "Enough measuring each other. We don't have time for this."

Xian leaned back against the counter. "Fine. What's the plan?"

---

A Temporary Stronghold

Chen spread a map onto the coffee table, marking a spot on the outskirts of the city.

"This factory," he said. "It's been abandoned for years. It has high fences, plenty of space, and it's far enough from the city center to avoid early chaos."

Xian nodded. "Not bad. But if it's abandoned, others might already have their eyes on it."

Chen smirked. "Then we make sure we get there first."

Lian glanced at Xian. "You in?"

Xian exhaled, then gave a short nod. "I'm in."

Lian smiled. They had their first ally.

---

A Dangerous Shadow

Later that night, Lian and Chen walked back to her apartment in silence. The meeting had gone well, but something still nagged at her.

The man from the supermarket.

She had brushed it off earlier, but now, in the quiet streets, she felt it again.

A presence.

Chen tensed beside her. He had felt it too.

They turned a corner, and Lian caught a glimpse of movement in the reflection of a shop window.

Someone was following them.

Chen's voice was low. "Two options. Lose them, or confront them."

Lian exhaled. "Let's find out what they want."

Without warning, she spun on her heel. "Come out," she called. "I know you're there."

A long pause. Then

A man stepped out of the shadows.

He was tall, lean, with a casual confidence that set off every alarm in Lian's head.

He smiled. "You're sharp."

Chen stepped forward, his stance subtly shifting into a defensive position. "Who are you?"

The man tilted his head. "Just someone who's been watching. You've been… interesting."

Lian narrowed her eyes. "Why are you following us?"

The man's smile widened. "Because you're preparing for something big. And I want to know why."

Lian's breath caught.

He knew.

Chen's fingers twitched at his side, ready to move. "If you know what's good for you, you'll walk away."

The man chuckled. "Oh, I don't think so. In fact…" He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I think we should talk."

Lian and Chen exchanged a glance.

They were being watched.

And now, the real game had begun.

---