(1) Rich But Not Returning Home is Like Wearing Brocade at Night; Reading Without Showing Off, Nothing is Seen (1)

"Boss Ha, just let them leave like that?"

Vu Tuong was extremely unwilling in his heart. Ha Nha was someone he had set his sights on. Originally thought of slowly luring, coercing, pushing the opponent to a dead end, thereby blackmailing her. Who knew it would turn out like this?

Boss Ha looked at the slowly descending boarding ladder, expressionless.

In his analysis, the opponent similarly had a shelter. In future apocalyptic survival, it would be a contest of power between shelters. As of now, Lucky Star was absolutely the best existence among all shelters, capable of blocking any kind of zombie harassment. The only thing to be wary of was other shelter forces' survivors.

People and zombies are different.

Zombies have no brains.

People have brains. Merely for three useless survivors, to clash with another shelter's forces, also not a wise choice. Besides, that fellow wore exoskeleton equipment; their harvest was absolutely not simple.

"Vu Tuong."

"Boss Ha."

"You take people, go check out the situation of Duong Quang Apartments shelter for me."

"Yes, Boss Ha."

Vu Tuong thought of what happened before, a fierce glint in his eyes. That was the gaze of keeping Lam Pham firmly in mind, also the greedy longing for Ha Nha's beautiful body.

Water surface, yacht.

Ha Nha looked at the boundless water surface, mood somewhat gloomy. The sudden apocalypse disrupted everyone's rhythm. She thought of when the apocalypse first erupted, she met two survivors.

Under the panicked apocalypse, made her always hold sincere hope for human feelings. However, who could have thought, one of those two survivors actually had ill intentions towards her. When she completely despaired and accepted her fate, the other survivor wrestled with him.

She still remembered until now what the opponent said to her.

"Sis Ha, my name is Little Kiet. I came from a mountain village. I received your help. My mom's illness was treated with money from your charity fund. Although not cured, but I'm truly grateful to you. I didn't study at the Hope Primary School you donated, came out to work early. Didn't dare proactively speak to you, just embarrassed." (Tiểu Kiệt -> Little Kiet)

Little Kiet, stabbed in the abdomen, finally died before her from excessive blood loss.

"Miss Ha, what are you looking at?" Lam Pham walked to the front of the yacht, looked at the dazed Ha Nha. Since coming out from Lucky Star, she just stood there looking. Perhaps bewildered about the future, despairing about how to advance in the apocalypse. Towards this situation, he could understand.

Previously at the very beginning, he also was bewildered. But gradually, found the necessary direction to strive for. Instantly, wide and clear. Persisted in the direction, continuously advancing, continuously striving.

Ha Nha turned her head, smiled, "Not looking at anything. Just thinking about some things. Can I ask, is Duong Quang Apartments really as you said?"

After all, those things Lam Pham spoke of.

Placed in the past, wouldn't count for much.

But now looking, seemed like a utopian society, so ethereal, so distant.

Lam Pham didn't explain clearly, "When you see with your own eyes, you will know. No matter how well said, will still make people have doubts. When I want you to see with your own eyes, then you will feel it."

Ha Nha looked at Lam Pham, wanting to see different things from his face. But what she saw often was that faint, calm smile, as if towards the current apocalypse, always full of hope.

"Why did you finally only choose us three?" Ha Nha asked.

Lam Pham shook his head, "No, it wasn't me who chose you, but you who chose me."

"Us?" Ha Nha looked at Lam Pham, not understanding.

"Yeah."

Lam Pham looked at the water surface, always with a smile.

Ha Nha quietly looked at Lam Pham's profile. This mysterious young man gave her a very strange feeling, an indescribable sensation. Clearly in the apocalypse, but the opponent always gave her a feeling of having everything planned, as if the terrifying apocalypse in his eyes didn't count for much.

Returning to Duong Quang Apartments.

Ha Nha and her group looked at the layout, looked at the clean street, rubbed their eyes, a feeling like entering a brand new world.

Lam Pham smiled. He knew Ha Nha and her group definitely very shocked by the surrounding cleanliness. Of course, he wouldn't say this was all done by me leading everyone. He himself wasn't a person who liked to show off.

Co Hang said, "What you see was all tidied up by him. A clean environment often makes people's mood joyful. I think he's right."

Ha Nha thought inwardly, Who exactly is he?

Clearly already the apocalypse, why still have such leisurely mood?

Entering the residential area.

Ha Nha and her group looked at this group of smiling survivors before them. She truly was shocked. Such a free and unrestrained smile, as if since the apocalypse erupted, never seen again. As if after the apocalypse arrived, sincere smiles were taken back by old heaven, wouldn't appear on people's faces.

But now, she saw. Those smiling faces, brilliant as flowers, warm as the scorching sun.

"Wow! Big star! Sis Ha Nha! I super like you!"

Phi Phi was so happy she almost jumped up.

The crowd looked at Lam Pham, then at Ha Nha. All didn't expect Lam Pham would actually bring back a big star from outside. Just that this big star's situation really not good, sallow, spirit depressed, seemed to have suffered quite a lot.

Also that dazed mother and child, as if shocked by the current situation.

Nhan Ny Ny assessed Ha Nha. Mm, figure about the same as mine, face can have a good fight with mine. My own facial features also very striking. Just that she had to admit one thing: Ha Nha was a model among females.

Three views upright, can earn money, has a loving heart. This was an existence repeatedly praised by official media, even Hoang city's image ambassador. This point, she couldn't compare.

People need self-awareness.

Women seeing women always like to compare. But women are even more able to positively accept other females' excellence. After all, not just men like beauties; even women also like beauties.

"Sis Li."

"Little Pham, what's wrong?"

"You go to the fish pond, catch some fish and shrimp, prepare a sumptuous meal for them. They haven't eaten their fill on Lucky Star for a long time, bodies relatively weak, need to be properly nourished," Lam Pham said.

Ly Mai said, "Okay, rest assured. Leave it to me."

Lam Pham introduced the survivors in Duong Quang Apartments to Ha Nha and her group of three. Later, everyone would live together, strive together towards a beautiful future. In Lam Pham's eyes, people in Duong Quang Apartments extremely pure, all very diligently contributing to the residential area. Perhaps some contributions insignificant.

But these contributions were all done with everyone's utmost effort.

Then Lam Pham led Ha Nha and her group to visit the residential environment. Saw the fish pond, saw the vegetable garden, saw piled-up supplies. For them, everything before their eyes was like dreaming. If not seen with their own eyes, truly hard to believe.

Of course, Old man Vuong proactively attacked, said to Ha Nha, "Little girl, bank card still there? If on you, can give to Little Pham for safekeeping. Later if want to buy anything, can let Little Pham go buy."

This was also Ha Nha, after the apocalypse, first time realizing, money could actually still be useful.

Not long after.

Sis Li finished cooking. Fragrant aroma attracted Ha Nha and her group's taste buds.

Before the dining table.

The crowd watched them devour food wolfishly, didn't laugh, all felt empathy. After all, they were also like this before. Them being able to eat their fill now, have a sense of stability, that was also Lam Pham's contribution.

From beginning to end, they never dared forget, always kept firmly in mind.

After a moment.

Ha Nha thought of her wolfish appearance just now, said somewhat embarrassed, "Haven't eaten such delicious food for a long time. Made you all laugh."

Lam Pham smiled, "It's okay. Being hungry is just like that. Everyone comes through like this."

Sis Li, who cooked the dishes, mood particularly good. She felt what she did was extremely meaningful.

Ha Nha asked, "Don't know what I should do for the residential area?"

Tran Ly similarly looked at the crowd. This meal was, for her and her child since the apocalypse descended, by far the best meal eaten. She deeply understood, no such thing as reaping without sowing in the world. She just wanted to rely on her own efforts, to be able to stay here, let her child live well. (Trần Lỵ -> Tran Ly, likely the mother Lam Pham rescued from the Lucky Star. This seems to be her first proper introduction by name.)

Lam Pham said, "No rush. Your physical condition somewhat poor, need to be properly nourished. Wait until physical fitness improves, can look around the residential area, if anything needs help, can do it once. It's okay, our community is very casual, don't have so much psychological pressure. Just be like normal is fine."

He knew their thoughts. Clearly afraid of not being able to show their own value, then would be kicked out. This kind of thought was completely an unfounded worry.

Old man Vuong watched with smiling eyes, witnessed Duong Quang Apartments grow and develop. From a few people to now dozens. This, for past society, truly not worth mentioning.

...

...

Long Cung Base.

Inside the base.

"Fifty-seven crystals?"

Everyone looked shocked. The quantity before them fiercely impacted their vision, impacted their hearts.

Not seen with own eyes.

Hard to believe.

Hung Ung said, "Yes. Duong Quang Apartments' Lam Pham, he, in a very short time, killed evolved-form zombies, collected fifty-seven crystals. Applied to our base's growth, now already possess the basis to fight against evolved-form zombies. I think later we can easily collect crystals ourselves."

Professor Ha, shocked by Lam Pham's strength, similarly gratified Lam Pham wasn't that kind of domineering, dictatorial survivor. He was willing to help them fight against zombies.

"Possessing these crystals means good hope. Current matter is to quickly absorb crystals, make equipment even more powerful. Firstly, straight saber absorption."

Now Long Cung Base's development direction is: use remaining resources to create more exoskeleton equipment, then collect crystals, strengthen equipment. When reaching a certain level, then have ability to reclaim production sites, transport equipment, lay a solid logistical foundation for fighting zombies.

According to reported situation.

Desert Base and Ngan Ha Base both knew Long Cung Base obtained fifty-seven crystals.

This made them very envious and sour.

But Professor Ha's one sentence doused the thoughts they just had: Don't think of going to Duong Quang Apartments, frequently troubling others, will leave a bad impression. Our Long Cung Base already has its own basic ability to obtain crystals; let us rely on our own two hands.

Long Cung Base will also do its best to supply.

Quy Thu Nguyet understood Grandpa Ha's meaning. Could only wait. At the same time, also actively producing powered exoskeleton equipment, preparing for future zombie cleanup.

...

...

Nighttime.

Outside Duong Quang Apartments.

"Bro Tuong, this Duong Quang Apartments survivor number not considered too few."

A survivor looked at that building's bright lights. Damn! Truly f*ing comfortable! Actually so carefree! Even smelled food aroma before. Needless to think, knew this group of survivors was cooking.

Vu Tuong looked, "Hmph! How many can there be? Can't even catch up to our Lucky Star's fraction. But honestly, zombies here really few. What method exactly did they use to lead them away?"

Underling said, "Could it be they were dealt with?"

"Bullsh*t! Deal with my ass! Look around here, any corpses?" Vu Tuong was good at observation. Didn't even see a corpse; he wouldn't believe this ghost story.

Nighttime always extremely empty.

Vu Tuong lit a cigarette. Underlings behind him looked very envious. Cigarettes, this thing now, extremely valuable. Men's hard currency. Sometimes one cigarette can exchange for something to eat.

"Consider yourselves lucky. Tonight, follow me here to stay up all night. Let you each have one."

Vu Tuong distributed cigarettes.

"Bro Tuong! Generous!"

"Bro Tuong is an idol!"

Hearing underlings' flattery, Vu Tuong's mouth curled up, slightly pleased. Until now, he finally felt what the meaning of being alive was: that is to shine and radiate heat in the apocalypse.

Vu Tuong said, "Stop flattering. Until now still just a floor manager. Don't know when can become Boss Ha's confidant."

If can become Boss Ha's confidant, then supplies enjoyed would be different.

"Hehe! With our Bro Tuong's ability, isn't this still easy, extremely simple? I believe not long, our Bro Tuong will surely rise higher!"

"But Bro Tuong, do we still want to wait here? Feels like nothing's happening. How about go back?"

Spending night outside, ultimately somewhat dangerous.

They also feared encountering zombies.

Besides, sleeping in this car, where is it as comfortable as sleeping on Lucky Star?

Vu Tuong said, "Go back for what? Now opportunity is right here. Want to get Boss Ha's approval, then must do something. If I get promoted, then that first-floor management might fall onto you guys."

Originally, the two underlings felt waiting here somewhat uncomfortable. But hearing Bro Tuong's words, instantly became extremely interested. If this becomes first-floor management, then life quality clangs upwards!

Vu Tuong looked at those rooms with bright lights, thought inwardly, Which room exactly is Ha Nha in? Enduring which man's abuse? Damn it! Thinking of this, his heart ached for a while. Lao Tzu haven't even tasted, yet snatched by someone else first!

Dog bastard fellow!

Cursed inwardly, at the same time also cursed Ha Nha. Pretending what pretense? Now you fall into someone else's territory, still want to act aloof? Absolutely two big slaps!

At this time.

Ha Nha covered with a quilt, smelled the quilt's fresh fragrance, looked at the night sky outside the window. Stars twinkled. A sense of peace naturally arose, as if returned to past life.

Slowly closed her eyes.

How she wished when opening eyes, could see the once bustling streets.

However, she knew, all this was illusion.

Early morning.

Sky already bright.

Inside the car seat.

"Bro Tuong! Bro Tuong..."

An underling pushed him, waking Vu Tuong up. Drowsy Vu Tuong opened his eyes, "What are you doing?"

Meanwhile, he instantly jolted awake. Just now reacted; now might be outside. Still thought was waiting on Lucky Star.

"That kid came out!" The underling pointed ahead and said.

Vu Tuong instantly became energetic, rubbed his eyes. Unexpectedly saw Lam Pham leisurely walking there. Instantly said angrily, "Damn! Truly f***ing dares to come out alone! See how I kill him!"

Finished speaking, Vu Tuong started the car, drove towards Lam Pham.

Hearing movement behind, Lam Pham turned around, saw a car driving this way, somewhat puzzled. Early morning, why would a car come? Could it be survivors?

Of course, he had experienced before someone driving to hit him.

But this car, looking at it, didn't seem like it. Driving speed not fast. Even if wanted to hit me, also very easy to dodge.

"It's him!"

When the opponent got out from the car, he recognized who he was at a glance. Just that survivor seen yesterday on Lucky Star, extremely arrogant, also liked to curse.

"Hello," Lam Pham waved, greeted. Although the opponent might not be a good person, but until now, still hadn't done anything illegal or excessive. Meeting, friendly etiquette indispensable.

"Haha..." A cold smile appeared at the corner of Vu Tuong's mouth, "Kid! Just you alone? Where's that very good fighter from yesterday?"

In Vu Tuong's eyes, just that fellow was the best fighter. As for this sword-carrying fellow before him, he fundamentally didn't put in his eyes. Trash, understand?

Lam Pham said, "Bro Hang is exercising in the community area."

Vu Tuong smiled, smile sinister, "Yesterday when he was present, you were very arrogant, huh? Lao Tzu set his sights on a woman, yet you dared take away! You say, aren't you asking for death?"

Visitor comes with ill intent.

Lam Pham said regretfully, "I know your meaning. But I advise you to be calm. When you do something excessive to me, I think I will defend myself. And my self-defense might bring you grievous harm."

Hard to understand what exactly happened with this group of people.

Already the apocalypse, outside very chaotic, zombies everywhere. Not thinking of dealing with zombies, but harming compatriots. Such behavior too much.

Yesterday he just insulted himself; verbal attacks, also didn't take to heart. After all, being spoken to by people won't make one lose a layer of skin.

"Haha..."

Vu Tuong laughed, eyes contemptuous, "Listen! You guys listen! Is this guy muddled? Doesn't know what he's saying? I always feel this guy's head seems extremely abnormal! Come! You two, give him a good lesson on how to be human! Don't be too loud, in case of zombies!"