Chapter 19: Initial Victory

Chapter 19: Initial Victory

The action plan was set, and both of them, being highly efficient in execution, immediately sprang into action.

Of course, when Guan Yuanfeng saw Zhou Yun pull out another flatbed cart from his attic warehouse, loaded with tools, a ladder, and a thick, long rubber hose on top, he was once again impressed by Zhou Yun's hoarding habits. "Why do you have a long hose?"

Zhou Yun remained calm. "It's useful for watering the rooftop, cleaning the floor, and filling the fish pond. Besides, I bought it in bulk at a discount."

Guan Yuanfeng was speechless.

Zhou Yun skillfully connected the hose to the rooftop faucet and secured it. He first brought over a folding A-frame ladder and steadily placed it against the wall, leading up to a window near the dome.

He easily climbed up the ladder, pulling the hose all the way up, and helped Comet climb up as well.

Comet, resting in Zhou Yun's arm, leaped effortlessly onto the window, looking down intently.

Zhou Yun tied the dog's collar rope to a beam to prevent it from running off, and slowly lowered the hose to the ground.

After setting up the hose, he took out an outdoor mesh hammock and secured it to the beam, reinforcing it to ensure stability and prevent falls. This was a safety measure to facilitate Guan Yuanfeng's shooting.

It was scorching, and as Guan Yuanfeng watched, he saw Zhou Yun drenched in sweat, his thin linen shirt clinging to his broad shoulders and narrow waist, outlining his muscular and vibrant back.

Zhou Yun moved swiftly and efficiently, setting up the hose in no time. He then turned to Guan Yuanfeng, smiling down at him. "We can start the water now."

Guan Yuanfeng went over and turned the faucet on full blast. Zhou Yun observed for a moment and gave a thumbs up. "The water flow is smooth."

As Guan Yuanfeng watched Zhou Yun's shirt become translucent when he raised his arm, he could clearly see his strong and powerful arm. He realized how much harder it would be without Zhou Yun's help.

He checked his weapons—the bow, the steel claws—then slung the bow on his back and hung the long sword at his waist. He looked up at the ladder, searching for a suitable point to leverage himself. With his body weight plus the weight of his prosthetic leg, it would be impossible for Zhou Yun to carry him up. He would have to find a way himself.

But Zhou Yun, agile as ever, jumped down from the ladder and began selecting tools from the flatbed cart. "Wait a moment. This ladder isn't convenient. We'll be using it often, so I'm going to install a fixed ladder for you. It'll be more convenient. Anyway, we have to wait for the water to fill up."

Guan Yuanfeng didn't quite understand. "What fixed ladder?"

Then he saw Zhou Yun run back into the greenhouse and soon came out with an extension cord. He plugged in the power drill, took an electric adjustable folding ladder from the cart, climbed up the A-frame ladder, and began installing the new ladder.

Guan Yuanfeng could see that it was indeed a wider and more stable metal ladder.

Zhou Yun quickly secured it with the power drill and turned on the power. The ladder then automatically extended, unfolding from top to bottom to create a spacious, sturdy staircase wide enough for two people.

Guan Yuanfeng was speechless.

Wasn't this like watching a magic trick? Who in the world would have such an electric ladder at home? It even looked brand new!

Drenched in sweat, Zhou Yun ran down the ladder, testing its stability. "Just wait a bit more. It's all good. It's a super-thick, wall-mounted ladder made of titanium-magnesium alloy. It's rust-resistant, hydraulically assisted, and has a sturdy hinge mechanism. It can bear 1000 kilograms. You and your wheelchair can go up without any issues."

Guan Yuanfeng asked, "Why do you have all these at home?"

Zhou Yun replied, "My mother had rheumatism and found it inconvenient to go up and down the stairs, but she was stubborn and insisted on going up to grow vegetables. Once, she fell and fractured her hip, ending up in the hospital. At that time, I couldn't resign from my job immediately, so I had custom-made this to install in the second-floor attic. But after it arrived, she was diagnosed with cancer." She never left the hospital, and he resigned to return home.

Guan Yuanfeng was speechless. He apologized, "I'm sorry."

Zhou Yun waved it off. "It's okay. It's been a long time."

After the long apocalypse, the emotions from the peaceful days had faded over time.

It's not just me. In this post-apocalyptic world, many people have become emotionally distant and detached.

Because every day could be a parting from life or death, one can only learn to let go. Surviving is victory, and death might also be a form of liberation.

Zhou Yun pushed Guan Yuanfeng up the ladder. As Guan Yuanfeng went up, he saw the well-secured hammock again and thought to himself that Zhou Yun was indeed meticulous and his capabilities were truly top-notch.

The installation of the elevator took quite some time. The water had been flowing for over an hour, and Guan Yuanfeng saw that a shallow layer of water had indeed covered the entire restaurant floor.

Zhou Yun asked Guan Yuanfeng, "Here is the safest place where zombies can't come up. Check which zombies are within your range from here?"

Guan Yuanfeng searched for the optimal range and finally confirmed it was near the central island. "This spot is good because the dog can circle around, and the zombies won’t be able to catch up easily." He glanced at Comet.

But Zhou Yun said, "No need for the dog, just wait."

He quietly went down. Guan Yuanfeng didn't know what Zhou Yun was going to do, but soon saw him return with a drone, quickly securing a huge bag onto it.

Guan Yuanfeng smelled the blood and some foul odor, his heart stirred. "What is it?"

Zhou Yun said, "Chicken blood. Once the drone reaches the position, just shoot through the bag."

Blood is a key component of zombie bait, and when combined with synthetic human scent, it effectively lures them. As a former researcher, Zhou Yun had studied this and made similar baits before. But the necessary ingredients hadn’t fully developed yet, so they had to use chicken blood for now.

Guan Yuanfeng knew Zhou Yun was unwilling to risk Comet, but he had to admit this method was indeed safer, especially since they were facing an enemy they had never encountered before.

Zhou Yun skillfully operated the drone, flying it towards the central island. It hovered on that side of the island and signaled Guan Yuanfeng.

Guan Yuanfeng drew his bow, steadily aiming at the red plastic bag, and released. "Whoosh!"

The arrow flew like the wind, piercing the plastic bag. "Splash!"

The pig trotters, mixed with chicken blood, fell, the strong smell of blood spreading everywhere. Zhou Yun had heated the pig trotters in the microwave and mixed them with fresh chicken blood, making the scent rich and still warm, which was highly attractive to zombies that instinctively hunted living humans.

The sound and strong scent immediately reached the zombie wandering near the fish tank. It moved at a shocking speed, but the water did make it hesitate for a moment. However, the smell was too tempting.

It hesitated briefly as it stepped into the water, moving slower but still faster than most animals.

Guan Yuanfeng was a little startled. He thought that if they had used Comet to lure the zombie, it might not have survived unharmed.

The zombie quickly entered the range. As it approached the pig trotters, Guan Yuanfeng aimed at its forehead. When it finally stopped to grab the trotters and started biting, he released the bowstring.

"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"

He shot three arrows in quick succession!

But the first arrow had already accurately pierced the zombie's head, entering through the ear. The zombie turned quickly but was met with the second and third arrows, which penetrated its forehead and face.

It seemed to lose its source of strength and stiffly fell, splashing water everywhere. They had won the first round!

Zhou Yun operated the drone, circling inside and out, even checking the kitchen, ensuring there were indeed no zombies left. He then went to turn off the water.

He set up a simple ladder again, first letting Comet down, and then prepared to carry Guan Yuanfeng down. But Guan Yuanfeng waved his hand. "You go collect the fish first. It's inconvenient for me to move. Once you've modified the ladder and it's easier for me to go, I'll come over."

Zhou Yun noticed that Guan Yuanfeng’s green camouflage shirt was drenched in sweat, his face pale and strained. He guessed that the heat and the effort had taken a toll on him.

Worried about Guan Yuanfeng overheating, Zhou Yun decided to help him back to the room first. He helped Guan Yuanfeng back to his room and turned on the AC to cool him off.

He also took a bottle of Huoxiang Zhengqi water and mixed it into water for him to drink slowly, then brought over some iced mung bean and seaweed sugar water from the refrigerator for him to drink, watching as his complexion gradually calmed down before he went to check the spoils of their victory.

Guan Yuanfeng observed how Zhou Yun had been busy all day, draining water, installing elevators, killing chickens for blood, setting traps, going up and down, and had done almost all the physical work except for shooting arrows, yet he still appeared spirited and full of energy, showing no signs of fatigue.

He was practically glowing, his eyes lighting up at the thought of fish for dinner. Though his words were calm and measured, his excitement was impossible to miss, and his pace was light and agile, full of vitality.

Even in his former areas of expertise—reconnaissance and tactical planning—he was outmatched by an ordinary doctor.

He had never felt so inadequate, and with his eyes closed, the faint pain from his severed limb reminded him that even this level of activity was more than his body could handle.

Could someone as broken as him survive in this apocalypse?

Zhou Yun, on the other hand, was oblivious to Guan Yuanfeng's self-loathing. After all, his psychic powers had enhanced both his mental and physical strength far beyond that of an ordinary person. A whole wall of saltwater fish and the fresh zombie kills had him buzzing with excitement.

He grabbed a sharp knife and headed back to the domed restaurant, eyeing the aquariums teeming with lively shrimp, fish, crabs, and shellfish, his eyes gleaming.

If he could score a few water cores, it would all be worth it!