Chapter 8 Tying Hair

Chapter 8: Tying Hair

Bai Suizhi gently smoothed Kahn's hair...

The situation was sudden, involving a large-scale, cross-regional supply drop, requiring the government to coordinate diverse resources and execute complex transportation planning and scheduling.

On the fourth day after the birth of Guo Nianan—the daughter of Wu Feng and Guo Mengting—and the seventh day after the official announcement, the supplies finally began to arrive.

Community residents received text alerts detailing the delivery time and location. At 3 p.m., a large truck would deliver the provisions to the community entrance.

Though most of the zombies in the community had been contained, an unknown number still roamed freely, making everyone hesitant to act rashly. It was Wu Feng who first volunteered to retrieve the supplies.

After two days in Room 303, Wu Feng, his wife, and their daughter moved back home with the help of others. While the back-and-forth travel was far from ideal for a new mother and infant, Guo Mengting knew that, apart from Cui Qishan, her family members weren't keen on them overstaying their welcome. Two extra mouths and a newborn, even if unspoken, had caused some underlying resentment.

Wu Feng hadn't initially noticed, even urging his wife to stay longer. However, after Guo Mengting quietly explained the situation, Wu Feng understood that their prolonged stay was indeed inappropriate.

Now, presented with an opportunity to repay the community for their assistance, Wu Feng immediately stepped forward.

Yue Shaolin chimed in, "I'll go too. Delivery guy on duty~"

At this point, most residents from Building 1 also volunteered, stating, "We're closest to the community entrance, and our experience clearing zombies in the stairwells gives us an advantage. We are the most suitable candidates."

A wave of warmth spread through the community group chat as others read these messages. In the apocalypse, having such kind and brave companions made things feel a little less bleak.

The other residents didn't stand idly by. They formulated a series of plans: how to distract zombies to cover the Building 1 team, how to assist Yue Shaolin with the delivery, and several even volunteered to help.

Bai Suizhi had stockpiled provisions, and his current supply was sufficient for a while. Nevertheless, he answered the call for help. With the situation uncertain and no end in sight for the virus, it made sense to accumulate as many supplies as possible. Moreover, he now had another person to care for.

The group chat buzzed with enthusiastic discussions about the plan's details, everyone actively brainstorming ideas. Bai Suizhi quietly observed, interjecting whenever something seemed amiss. He also relayed the discussions in real-time to Kahn, and the two occasionally exchanged thoughts. Time flew by quickly.

At 3 p.m., a large truck arrived precisely on schedule. Several soldiers in camouflage fatigues, armed with firearms, first surveyed the surroundings from the vehicle. After assessing the situation, they swiftly dismounted, dispatching the zombies drawn by the noise with precise shots. Then, at the opportune moment, they opened the truck's rear compartment.

Once the compartment was open, the prepared logistics personnel swiftly began unloading the supplies. Others, guns raised, formed a perimeter around the truck, their eyes vigilantly scanning for any sudden zombie attacks.

The team worked efficiently and cooperatively, quickly stacking the supplies at the designated location. After completing the delivery, they immediately departed for their next destination.

Residents of Building 1, being closest, had a clear view. Once the supplies were delivered, they sprang into action. First, Bai Suizhi, Kahn, and Uncle Chen Jian from Room 106 descended using climbing ropes. Although the stairwell had been largely cleared of zombies earlier, they opted to rappel from the balcony to save time. Wu Feng from Room 103 also climbed down to the second floor after ensuring everyone had safely landed. They had agreed to regroup on the second floor, as before.

Once the action team had assembled, Mr. Wang Yongzhi, the "head of the household" on the second floor, distributed spears to the members. Once again, they commenced their "whack-a-mole" routine against the zombies.

While this was happening, Yue Shaolin shimmied down like a worm. After most of the zombies on both sides had been cleared, the group orderly gathered at the spot where Yue Shaolin had parked his motorcycle.

They discussed and decided to move the supplies to the motorcycle. Wu Feng would then accompany Yue Shaolin to transport the supplies to the other buildings. Yue Shaolin’s motorcycle had been modified with a sidecar-like child seat, originally intended for a future pet. Now, it seemed his future daughter might get to use it. However, for now, the seat would be used to carry supplies. Though small, it could hold two or three boxes of supplies, which could be securely tied down.

For the first trip, everyone participated. Uncle Chen Jian led the way with his tactical knife, while Bai Suizhi and Kahn covered the rear. The others observed both sides from the middle.

Their location was very close to the main entrance, roughly 200 meters away. The group lined up and moved quietly, reaching the spot in five minutes. Outside lay twenty bags of rice, five boxes of meat, and ten baskets of vegetables—estimated to be two weeks' worth of food for the entire community. Originally, the government had planned to deliver a week's worth of supplies, but since nearly a seventh of the community had been infected, the remaining provisions were distributed among the others.

They had initially assumed the supply drop would only cover two or three days' worth of provisions. Aside from the heavy losses at the beginning of the zombie outbreak, the following days had been relatively calm, leading everyone to believe the situation was under control. However, the sheer volume of supplies indicated it would last at least another week.

If Yue Shaolin’s motorcycle were the sole means of transport, it would take until dark to move everything. They were reluctant to risk driving a car from the garage, as the open space and echoes could easily attract zombies.

As everyone hesitated, Bai Suizhi’s gaze fell on a nearby trash can. He quietly suggested, "Why don't we use that?"

Everyone's eyes followed Bai Suizhi's to the green trash can with four wheels. It looked quite suitable, though its contents were rather unappealing.

"Hmm... hmm..."

No one voiced an opinion, only emitting ambiguous sounds.

In the end, the eldest comrade, Chen Jian, made the executive decision to use the trash can.

Once decided, they acted without delay. Those with helmets donned them, and those without pulled their masks tight. Then, with swift determination, they emptied the trash can’s contents to the side and tied the cart to the back of the motorcycle.

As the owner of the motorcycle, Yue Shaolin selfishly tied Building 2’s supplies to his child seat. When no more could fit, he reluctantly placed the remaining supplies in the sloppy, liquid-filled garbage cart.

As members of Building 1, the others helped load the supplies for the other buildings into the garbage cart but left their own building’s supplies on the ground, planning to carry them back later. After all, Building 1 was only 200 meters from the entrance.

Wu Feng, holding a spear, climbed onto the back of Yue Shaolin’s motorcycle, and the two set off to deliver the supplies. While they were away, the residents of Building 1 didn't idle. They carried their share of supplies back to their building.

Seeing their success, others in the group chat prepared to receive the supplies, though they tactfully ignored the unsightly garbage cart. Before making the decision, the team had sought opinions in the group chat, and everyone had tacitly agreed. After all, in times like these, having food was a blessing, never mind where the food came from.

The true head of Household 102, Ms. Tao Hongyan, waited on the balcony with her two sons. As soon as the supplies arrived, the two boys, eyes gleaming with hunger, immediately lowered a rope. They were fed up with sweet potato porridge. Mr. Wang Yongzhi, with the help of his companions, tied their supplies together and hoisted them up. Residents on higher floors received their supplies in order. When only one portion remained, Wang Yongzhi turned to Bai Suizhi and asked, "Is there anyone else in your household?"

Bai Suizhi replied, "No, just the two of us. Leave it on the second floor for now. We’ll come up and get it later."

Kahn’s lips curled into a slight smile upon hearing Bai Suizhi say "just the two of us." He liked hearing Bai Suizhi say that.

After the delivery, everyone returned to the entrance to wait for Yue Shaolin and Wu Feng. Even with the garbage cart, it would take at least four or five trips to move all the supplies. They waited a while before Yue Shaolin and Wu Feng returned.

Wang Yongzhi said, "Wu Feng, I’ve left your supplies at my place. You can pick them up when you go back."

Wu Feng acknowledged this, and everyone began loading the supplies again. They grew more skilled and efficient with each trip, finishing all five rounds without further incident.

After the task was complete, everyone returned to their homes. Bai Suizhi and Kahn once again covered the rear. Just as everyone relaxed after the hard work, a zombie suddenly attacked from their side and rear, making a beeline for Kahn. Kahn turned to counter, but the zombie grabbed his hair, causing him to freeze. The zombie lunged for Kahn’s neck.

It all happened in an instant. Before anyone could react, Bai Suizhi kicked the zombie hard in the waist, sending it stumbling to the side. He then followed up with a hook punch, knocking the zombie to the ground. A flash of his knife later, the zombie lay motionless.

Only then did the others react. Bai Suizhi had acted so fast that the fight was over before they could even prepare. Yue Shaolin asked, "Are you okay?"

Bai Suizhi replied, "I’m fine."

Yue Shaolin then asked Kahn, "All good?"

Kahn said, "I’m fine," and quietly moved closer to Bai Suizhi.

Bai Suizhi gave Kahn’s hand a squeeze without saying a word. Kahn clasped it back. Bai Suizhi had only meant to comfort Kahn but found his hand held tightly. He tried to pull away awkwardly, but Kahn held on even tighter.

The others didn’t understand why the two were suddenly holding hands, figuring they were simply very close. Seeing that both were unharmed, they continued forward, this time remaining highly alert and vigilant.

Fortunately, no more zombies appeared, and the group returned home safely.

Bai Suizhi stood on the balcony, hauled up the supplies from the second floor, and put away the rope.

After Bai Suizhi and Kahn put the supplies in the fridge, Kahn suddenly asked, "Where are the scissors at home?"

Bai Suizhi asked, "What do you need them for?" as he got up to look for the scissors.

"I want to cut my hair."

"Why?" Bai Suizhi paused and turned back to ask Kahn.

"Earlier, the zombie grabbed my hair, and I couldn’t move."

Bai Suizhi glanced at Kahn’s gorgeous silver hair, feeling it would be a shame to cut it. "Can’t you just tie it up?"

Kahn sensed Bai Suizhi’s reluctance to let him cut his hair and immediately changed his mind about the idea of chopping it off.

So Kahn said, "We don’t have a hair tie at home."

Bai Suizhi thought for a moment, then took out a sky-blue shirt from the wardrobe and asked Kahn, "Will this do?"

Kahn looked at Bai Suizhi with a puzzled gaze, "?"

"I'll cut a piece off to use as a hair tie."

Kahn thought that Bai Suizhi seemed to really like his long hair, and he felt happy about this guess. "Sure."

After receiving Kahn's affirmative answer, Bai Suizhi immediately fetched a pair of scissors and cut a piece from the hem of the shirt. He spread it out, found it suitable, and handed it to Kahn to try. Kahn held the strip of cloth, unsure how to proceed, as he was used to letting his hair flow freely and wasn't skilled at tying it up.

Kahn held the cloth in one hand and his hair in the other, awkwardly placing the cloth on his hair, but didn't know what to do next. He maintained this position and looked at Bai Suizhi for help.

Bai Suizhi had never tied someone's hair before either. He asked Kahn to let go, and the silver hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Bai Suizhi gently combed through Kahn's hair with his hands, gathered it together, and had Kahn hold it. Then, he took the two ends of the cloth, wrapped them around the hair, crossed them over, and tied a knot.

A low ponytail now rested on Kahn's beautifully shaped shoulders and neck. A few strands of unsecured hair fell onto Kahn's face, making him feel a bit itchy, and he couldn't resist scratching it.

Bai Suizhi asked, "How does it feel?"

Kahn replied uncertainly, "It's pretty good?" In truth, he found it a bit tight but didn't say so.

Bai Suizhi examined it and wasn't quite satisfied. He undid it and said, "I'll learn from a video later and try again."