Chapter 39: Only One-Third Remain in Building 10  

Huang Ming piloted the drone back home, closed the window, and took out exercise equipment from his dimensional space to start working out.

Liu Shuang'er and Gu Anqing also realized that good physical fitness was essential for survival in the apocalypse, so the three of them began running on treadmills.

They mainly focused on endurance training - running, jumping rope - and stopped after about an hour.

After a short break, Gu Anqing got back to work. Her goal for the day was to complete a combat suit for Huang Ming as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Liu Shuang'er cleaned the house thoroughly from top to bottom. As a doctor, she disinfected the place daily, as if afraid bacteria and viruses might be hiding in the corners.

Huang Ming continued with explosive strength training. He needed to ensure he had sufficient explosive power that could save his life in critical moments by unleashing his full strength.

Liu Shuang'er and Gu Anqing occasionally stole glances at Huang Ming's bare upper body with its clearly defined muscles. Though he noticed their looks, he didn't mind - in fact, he felt somewhat smug about it.

After another hour passed, Huang Ming stopped to rest on the sofa and checked his phone to see the current mood among the group.

As expected, the group wasn't as lively as before. Everyone seemed rather dejected.

"Thank god we ran fast enough, otherwise we'd have been left at the supermarket too. It's downright spooky - we cleared the surrounding zombies, so where did that huge horde suddenly come from?" Wang Gang said fearfully, sensing something was off but unable to figure out what with his limited intelligence.

"No kidding! If we'd been just half a minute - no, 15 seconds - later, we'd have been wiped out like Building 9," Ma Tao complained irritably while stuffing his face with bread on the sofa, replenishing his energy after the close call.

"What a shame! Just thirty seconds earlier and we could have safely brought the supplies back to Building 10! There's something really fishy about this," said Ji Dayong, who had been in charge of carrying supplies. He couldn't bear having to abandon the goods on the ground, firmly believing thirty more seconds would have let them escape the supermarket zombies.

"Enough complaining. Just being alive is a blessing. Who knew half our brothers would be left at the supermarket entrance? Now we're down to twelve people. We need to figure out how to move forward," Wang Lei said dejectedly. He had truly thought he was done for earlier, saved only because Wang Gang and Ma Tao happened to be nearby to help him. Otherwise he'd have been left behind too.

"I suggest we first divide up the resources from those twelve who died, then think about next steps," Fei Changkuai spoke up, his comment immediately reminding the remaining survivors.

"Damn, Fei Changkuai, you're still alive! Not just fast in bed but fast at running away too!" The speaker was a guy called Xiao Liu, also still alive. His teasing actually lightened the mood and got some laughs.

"I think we should split up - exactly twelve of us, each taking one apartment. Post which one you're claiming in the group so we don't double up," Wang Gang took charge of organizing. If they could loot the twelve dead members' supplies, each of them would have enough food to last over a month if rationed carefully.

They acted with remarkable efficiency. Soon, sounds of doors being pried open echoed through the building again, though the noise stopped quickly this time.

"I'll make a new group. Everyone still alive needs to scan the QR code to join by tonight, or don't blame us for breaking in to take your stuff," Wang Lei posted a new QR code in the group. Huang Ming scanned it too, curious to see how many were left.

Instead of checking the group chat first, Huang Ming privately messaged Zhou Ting: "Don't scan to join the new group. Wang Gang and some others are watching you. If they know you're alive, they'll suspect me and Li Chang'an. I'd rather avoid conflict for now."

"Got it, I won't join," Zhou Ting replied immediately. She had apparently been checking the group too, and would have joined if Huang Ming's message came any later.

Before Huang Ming could switch to the group chat, a notification popped up - Gao Weiwei had @mentioned him again.

"Huang Ming! You lucky dog! Still alive? I really underestimated you!"

"Yeah, how has this Huang Ming survived this long? Where's he getting food?" Fei Changkuai also questioned Huang Ming in the group, finding it illogical that someone who avoided risks could outlast those who risked their lives for supplies.

"What, you didn't know? Even before the apocalypse, he always stockpiled stuff at home, especially instant noodles - bought them by the carton. No wonder he's lasted this long! Being a shut-in actually saved his sorry ass!" Just as Huang Ming was wondering if they'd noticed something odd about him, Gao Weiwei unexpectedly provided the perfect explanation for him.

She was truly an utter idiot, single-handedly dispelling all suspicion toward him in one go!

Though Huang Ming could easily eliminate them all, he'd rather watch them die slowly than have them break down his door only to get shot in the head.

"Ohhh, so that's how it is!" Xiao Liu chimed in, acting like he'd just had an epiphany.

"Alright, there aren't many of us left now. Those who survived must have some skills. No need to keep calling people cowards - at least he's still alive, right?" Surprisingly, Wang Gang actually stood up for Huang Ming, leaving him momentarily stunned.

"Fourteen guys and twenty-eight girls left - down by a third! Looks like quite a few beauties starved recently!" Ma Tao directly posted the statistics in the group. Everyone gasped at seeing the numbers.

The apocalypse had only begun half a month ago, yet Building 10's population had dropped from over 130 to less than a third.

"Oh right, is Auntie Li still alive?" Gao Weiwei asked. She could never forget that bitch who tried to confiscate everyone's food at the start.

She wished Auntie Li would just drop dead already!

"Still kicking. She's got enough food to last several more days," other guys in the group replied. Auntie Li had opened the door for them this morning and waited at the entrance for their return.