Someone is setting off fireworks?

Returning to the apartment complex.

The two old men were also busy. No one knew where they had found abandoned wooden planks, but they managed to turn them into a barricade, hoping to reinforce the iron gate.

Seeing Lam Pham return, the two of them hurriedly opened the door. When they saw the cart full of goods, they were both shocked. Rice, firewood, oil, salt — everything was abundantly supplied.

He pushed the shopping cart and took the elevator upstairs.

"Old man, these are for you two. Take a look at the receipts." Lam Pham transported the supplies into the room, neatly arranging them in the kitchen. Since there was still electricity, he put some vegetables and frozen food into the refrigerator.

Vuong old man, being a former soldier, had a strong character. He could understand Lam Pham's thoughts — this was an outstanding young man, diligent in everything he did. Apocalypse or not, it didn't change the core of his beliefs.

Was it okay to just take things without paying during the apocalypse?

That was absolutely unacceptable.

Back then, when the martyrs defended the country and drove out invaders in similarly disastrous conditions, stomachs were empty, yet they fought life-and-death battles while thinking about how to fill their bellies. But even then, they didn't go around looting — they still used money to buy things. If they truly had no money, they'd write an IOU.

They never took advantage of the nation's collapse to rob others, thinking, "We fought and bled for this country — how dare you not give us what we want?"

Rules weren't made just to restrict people — they were a kind of seal, a restraint on the darker desires lurking in everyone's heart.

Someone without desire isn't human.

But someone who can restrain their desires — that is a true human being.

"Thank you, really, thank you," said Vuong Trung Quoc.

Next to him, Chu Ai Quan looked at the abundance of supplies, then at the receipts in his hand, and seemed to understand something. A voice inside told him: This is bought with my own money. I can eat it without shame.

Inside the room came a voice.

"Phi Phi, look at this question."

"When the big bell in the square strikes 5 times at 5 o'clock, it takes 8 seconds. When it strikes 12 times at 12 o'clock, how long does it take? How long is needed to finish ringing?"

"Take your time, don't rush. Use your little head, you'll definitely figure it out."

Granny Luong's voice was extremely gentle, with a special charm that seemed to guide children effortlessly into the sea of learning.

Having taught for decades, she had experience both in big cities and remote mountain areas. The children in those places had varied learning levels, requiring patience, not pressure — they needed to be led into learning with curiosity and joy.

From her years of teaching, she continuously evaluated and improved her own methods, ultimately developing a style that suited her perfectly.

Phi Phi bowed her head, biting her finger, staring at the problem, deep in thought. It felt really hard.

As a fifth grader, this math problem gave her a feeling of not knowing where to begin.

Hearing movement, she turned her head and saw Lam Pham standing at the door, smiling.

"Little Pham, want to look at the question together?" Granny Luong asked with a smile.

"Granny Luong, I think I'll pass. Elementary school problems are really tough these days. I'm afraid I won't be able to solve it either," Lam Pham said with a wry smile. He didn't look down on primary school homework — he had seen plenty of parents online complaining that even as graduate students, they were baffled by elementary problems.

Phi Phi was a sensible child. When she saw Lam uncle arrive, it felt like a lifesaver had come. Sweetly, she called out, "Uncle, hi!"

She thought that uncle probably had something to discuss with Granny Luong, which meant she could breathe for a bit. Maybe she'd still have to solve the problem later, but every second she could delay was a win.

Lam Pham walked over, nodded, and patted Phi Phi on the head, then pulled a gift bag from behind his back, "Phi Phi, here's a present I bought for you. See if you like it."

The bag was black, so she couldn't see what was inside.

"Thank you, uncle."

Phi Phi accepted the bag happily, but the moment she touched it, she had a bad feeling. Nervously, she opened it and looked inside.

"Grade Five Math Practice Book"

"Three Hundred Essential Ancient Poems for Fifth Graders"

"Fun Cultural History"

"Selected Mao Readings"

...

Immediately, for Phi Phi, the world turned dark. The human heart… was truly cruel.

"Phi Phi, are you happy?" Lam Pham smiled.

Phi Phi forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "Uncle, I like it."

"As long as you like it. Study well — once you finish these, I'll buy you more," Lam Pham said happily, thinking he hadn't bought the wrong gift. Judging by Phi Phi's expression, she must really love studying.

Such a good student.

Phi Phi: ┭┮﹏┭┮

Luong Yen laughed, "Perfect, we were just lacking practice questions. Now when she learns new things, we can use these to reinforce her knowledge."

"Granny Luong, Phi Phi, you two carry on. I'll head out for a bit." Lam Pham quietly closed the door behind him. When it came to studying, peace and quiet was important. A quick visit was fine, but lingering too long might ruin the learning atmosphere.

If that happened, Lam Pham would truly be a criminal.

He left the room.

He now planned to return the shopping cart and the borrowed books. Sister Ly was a professional in agriculture, way more skilled than him. Even if he finished all those books, he still wouldn't be a tenth as good as she was in that field.

The two old men followed him to the door. Vuong old man suggested they take the car if necessary, but Lam Pham thought the car was too loud — it might attract zombies.

Better to just push it there.

Along the way, he could also check out the outside situation and maybe find someone in need of help.

Pushing the shopping cart down the quiet streets, he looked to the left and right — there was no one.

Lam Pham hummed a tune in a rhythmless melody, inspired by the stillness of the scene.

He returned to the supermarket and returned the cart. Then he went back to the library to return the books. The deposit he had left was still on the counter, completely untouched.

That was the key reason he still held hope for this world.

Money left out in the open, yet no one took it — people with morals still existed.

Something worth celebrating.

He put away the deposit money, feeling lighter, and walked toward home.

What should I eat for lunch?

That was something everyone always looked forward to.

On his way back home...

Suddenly—

Boom!

Boom!

It sounded like heavy cannon fire exploding. He looked up in the distance and saw white smoke in the air, followed by the smell of gunpowder.

Fireworks?

Very strange — someone was setting off fireworks?

This was the apocalypse. Loud sounds could easily attract zombies, let alone sounds this loud. It seemed like someone was deliberately trying to draw zombies from all around.

Could the person be in danger, with no other way to call for help, and thus using fireworks to get attention?

Maybe they were hoping someone would come save them?

Thinking of this—

Lam Pham sprinted at full speed toward the building in that direction.

He could already faintly hear the growls of zombies, echoing from dark corners nearby.