Chapter 43: Awakening with a Start

Falling into the sea, Mo Yu was not overly panicked, for she knew her life was not in danger.

Only after scrubbing herself clean, soaking the towel thoroughly, and watching the “stone” sink slowly to the seabed did Mo Yu feel at ease enough to leave her sanctuary.

The stone: “……”
Mo Yu: “……”

Qing Xuan stared wide-eyed at Mo Yu, drenched from head to toe, his face filled with confusion.

Mo Yu, somewhat disheveled, raised her head and gave Qing Xuan a meaningful look. That gaze made Qing Xuan’s heart flutter with anxiety. Why would his mistress look at him like that after merely returning from her sanctuary? Had he done something wrong, or had she discovered that secret…?

Qing Xuan was both uneasy and guilty, not daring to meet Mo Yu’s eyes. If she truly knew about that matter…

No, he shouldn't dwell on it; the more he thought, the more uncomfortable he became.

Qing Xuan retreated to the doorway, his gaze vacant as he observed the situation outside.

After a day and night of battering at the door, perhaps the zombies were exhausted, or their attention had been diverted by other “food,” for some had moved away. Yet outside, many still clustered, tirelessly repeating their monotonous assault, so much so that the locked door finally showed signs of loosening.

They couldn’t tell how much longer the door would hold, but with Li Jun’s illness and their own not-so-powerful abilities, they dared not act rashly. They could only wait for the perfect moment to break free from this cage.

For now, they could only sit and wait for death. Mo Yu had considered it: if the zombies broke in before Li Jun recovered, she and Qing Xuan would have to either fight to the death or hide in the sanctuary.

Yet Mo Yu would rather fight than hide. The sanctuary could erode a person’s will, making them lazy and complacent, robbing them of their fighting spirit. As her ancestor Mo Lie once said, one’s world is forged by one’s own efforts; those who hide away in comfort will never possess true strength of mind or resolve.

Thus, Mo Yu would rather make a desperate stand than be a coward.

Inside, the silence was starkly contrasted by the howls and chaos outside.

The mournful and powerful cries collided and echoed in the crowded space, tracing wild, irregular lines, twisting and tangling with the despair that filled the sky.

Too quiet—far too quiet. The silence unsettled the heart, made it hard to breathe.

Mo Yu sat by the bed, periodically turning the towel on Li Jun’s forehead. The coolness gradually dispelled the flush from his face. Qing Xuan, though ignorant of what happened in the sanctuary, hoped nothing had occurred; perhaps Mo Yu’s look was merely due to her fall into the sea. Comforting himself thus, he dared to steal glances at Mo Yu’s every move.

Suddenly, a cough shattered the peace of the room.

Truthfully, Li Jun was awakened by a nightmare.

After two days of heavy sleep, he still remembered with clarity the dreadful events of that morning.

That previous day, he and Sister Nan had waited for Sister Mo until it was late. Neither had slept well for days, always fleeing or fighting, so their strength had waned quickly. Luckily, a brother familiar to Sister Nan had agreed to wait with them for Sister Mo. Soon after, Li Jun drifted into sleep.

In his dream, he was happy. Though his parents had abandoned him, he still had Sister Mo and Sister Nan, both of whom were very kind. Yet he preferred Sister Mo, who had helped him grow up. She was usually quiet, never raising her voice—so why were Sister Mo and Sister Nan arguing today?

Li Jun climbed out of bed, sunlight streaming through the curtains like stars in the night.

He was still groggy, rubbing his eyes and wondering why the two sisters were quarreling. Why, as they argued, did they approach him? Their gait seemed strange…

Li Jun stared, bewildered, as the two figures lunged at him!

They weren’t Sister Mo and Sister Nan—they were two zombies, torn and bloody!

A cold sweat broke out across Li Jun’s back.

Where was Sister Nan and that unfamiliar brother? Why had they disappeared? Why were the chunks of flesh in the zombies’ mouths so fresh, as if they’d just eaten? Why hadn’t Sister Mo come yet? If he died, she wouldn’t find Sister Nan, wouldn’t avenge her! No, he didn’t want to die, he truly didn’t!

“No! Don’t come any closer! Get away! Get out!” Li Jun’s eyes reddened with desperation as the zombies advanced.

He trembled as he fumbled in his pocket for his gun. This was not his first time seeing zombies, but it was the first time they were so close, the first time he had to face them without anyone’s help.

His hand shook as he gripped the gun. He hadn’t loaded many bullets, fearing to waste them; most were still in his backpack. Now, there was no time to reload. He could only rely on the few bullets in the chamber to kill these two zombies and survive!

Survive! Only by surviving could he avenge them! Only by surviving could he see Sister Mo again!

Li Jun immediately spotted the large wardrobe across from him. Though not sturdy, it would serve as a good refuge, able to withstand the creatures for a while.

With that resolve, Li Jun’s fear faded. Sister Mo had once taught him to remain calm in the face of danger—panic would only make things worse, even endanger himself.

Yes! Stay calm! Don’t panic!

He guarded against the clawing zombies, calculating the distance from the bed to the wardrobe and the best moment to dash.

Faster! Wait a little longer, just a bit closer! Yes, now!

When the zombies drew near, Li Jun sprang from the bed and darted toward the wardrobe.

He was young, his body weakened by years of abuse, but those circumstances made him more agile. He leaned slightly left, brushing past the zombie on his right, and the two zombies, missing their target, crashed headlong into the pale yellow wall, splattering blood everywhere.

Li Jun, proud and overconfident for having evaded them, was caught off guard when he saw another zombie from the living room lunging at him.

Author’s note: Still working hard~ Please leave a comment if you see this~~
This is today’s first chapter, and likely there won’t be a second… [kick]