Chapter 11 The Lone City (11)

Chapter 11: The Isolated City (Part Eleven)

Lin Yanqing fought and struggled, but the hand gripping him was as immovable as iron.

Just as he was trapped and out of options, the door to unit 1902 swung open. He Yunchuan swore, brandishing a stun baton as he charged forward, striking the back of the zombie's hand.

The zombie bared its teeth, thrusting its other hand through the door gap to grab at He Yunchuan's stun baton.

Amid the struggle, the stun baton clattered to the floor, and the zombie also grabbed He Yunchuan's shirt. Both of them were now firmly in the zombie's grasp.

He Yuanshan tried to push the zombie back by shoving a golf club through the gap in the door, but it was as futile as a mayfly trying to shake a tree, utterly ineffective.

Lin Yanqing dared not fire his gun, fearing he might damage the door itself. Just as they were running out of options, Xia Li rushed out, wielding a large pair of kitchen shears.

"Stay back!" Lin Yanqing roared.

Xia Li ignored him, stopping just short of the danger zone. From a safe distance, he snipped off the corner of He Yunchuan's shirt. Released, He Yunchuan stumbled backward from the momentum and fell to the floor.

Simultaneously, the zombie tossed aside the scrap of fabric, seized the golf club, and swung it backhand, striking He Yuanshan on the shoulder.

As He Yuanshan fell to the ground, Lin Yanqing took the shears from Xia Li. With a tearing rip, he cut a hole in his own shirtfront. Breaking free, he slammed the shears into the back of the zombie's hand and yanked them through the space between its fingers.

The zombie's bones were hard as rock, but its skin was as thin as a cicada's wing. Inky black blood dripped down, the flesh torn open to reveal the bone beneath. Yet, the zombie showed no sign of pain, its hands still flailing wildly in the air.

He Yunchuan helped He Yuanshan up from the floor, and the four of them quickly retreated into unit 1902, slammed the door shut with a bang.

They slumped in the entryway, panting heavily. After a long while, the zombie's cries for help gradually faded into the distance.

"Are you fucking insane?! What were you thinking running out there?!" He Yunchuan exploded in fury.

Lin Yanqing knew he had messed up. Hugging his knees, he just gasped for breath, letting He Yunchuan vent. Suddenly, his head snapped up in alarm. "Wait... you don't think that zombie can use the elevator?"

The four of them exchanged glances, they instantly tensed up.

They still hoped to keep the elevator and fire door secure. Having that thing constantly lurking outside their door would be unbearable for anyone.

Almost immediately, Lin Yanqing sprang to his feet, peering through the peephole to check the situation outside.

"Brother, don't go out there," Xia Li pleaded, his eyes welling up with tears.

"I'll just take a quick look. You guys move the sideboard over here," Lin Yanqing said. He then cautiously pushed the door open. One elevator was on the seventh floor, the other in the basement. Neither was moving.

After confirming this, Lin Yanqing nodded toward the apartment. He drew his gun, aiming it warily at the elevator entrance.

He Yuanshan rubbed his sore shoulder and went to lift the sideboard. His face turned beet red from the strain, his feet slipping several times, almost losing his balance.

He Yunchuan was livid, cursing under his breath. Together, they managed to shove the cabinet against the elevator doors. Then they went back inside to move a bookcase. Xia Li made trip after trip, hauling out any heavy, useless items from the apartment and stuffing them into the cabinets to make the barricade more solid.

Once the elevator was blocked, Lin Yanqing put his pistol away. He used a rope to tie the fire door's handle, reinforcing it further. Finally, he covered the glass window with the poster again, securing it with several layers of tape to ensure no gaps remained.

He Yunchuan didn't ask where the gun came from. Having a firearm in such times was a godsend—provided Lin Yanqing actually knew how to use it and didn't accidentally shoot one of their own.

Exhausted, they sat on the bare living room floor, catching their breath.

Once safety was assured, the anger He Yunchuan had suppressed surged back to the surface. He launched into a tirade directed at Lin Yanqing. Lin Yanqing ignored him, got up from the floor, fetched a few cans of soda from the fridge, and passed them around.

He Yuanshan spoke up to intervene. "Xiao Chuan, stop scolding A Qing. It's over now, isn't it? With everything so chaotic outside, securing the door gives us more peace of mind."

"When I'm talking to him, it's none of your damn business!" He Yunchuan snapped sharply.

Lin Yanqing had heard enough. He slapped He Yunchuan on the back of the head. Caught off guard, He Yunchuan stumbled from the blow. Lin Yanqing then grabbed his arm and dragged him into a bedroom.

It dawned on him that Lin Yanqing's strength had increased.

Lin Yanqing slammed the door shut. "He Yunchuan! What the hell is wrong with you? Where's this rage coming from?"

"I'm being irrational? You think *you're* in the right here?"

"I'm not in the right, but you don't have to rub it in!" Lin Yanqing threw the soda can into his arms. "At least Uncle He hasn't done anything to you! Since we're all living together now, check that terrible attitude of yours! Stop being so aggressive all the time!"

He Yunchuan clutched the icy soda can, feeling his palms go numb with cold. His body seemed to freeze, and his eyes began to redden. He let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Stop acting so high and mighty. If your mom showed up here, would you welcome her with open arms?"

Lin Yanqing was stunned into silence. He stared fiercely at He Yunchuan, his voice growing hoarse. "That's different. My mother abandoned me. Uncle He didn't. He was tricked out of his money. All these years, he's been working to pay off the debt. He already knows he was wrong."

He Yunchuan tilted his head back, forcing the tears not to fall. "That was the money for my mother's treatment. If he hadn't been so greedy, if the debt collectors hadn't come... Grandpa might have lived a few more years. I won't forgive him, Lin Yanqing. I'm warning you, don't cause trouble, and don't interfere in my business."

Lin Yanqing shook his head in disappointment.

Just then, Xia Li started banging on the door. "Brother! Come out quick and watch the TV!"

Lin Yanqing pulled the door open. The television was on the news, the familiar voice of the female anchor echoing in the living room.

"Please immediately cease consumption of any food products manufactured by Aimeile Company. According to research and investigation, several unknown components have been discovered in the nutritional supplements produced by Aimeile Company, which may have uncontrollable effects."

"Related serum research is currently underway. If you encounter individuals exhibiting abnormal behavior, please flee immediately."

"According to relevant investigations, individuals may experience convulsions, vomiting, loss of appetite, and other symptoms before the madness sets in."

The anchorwoman had blood on her collar. Her usually impeccable hairstyle was disheveled today. Her eyes were filled with tears, thin streams trickling from the corners, yet her voice remained firm and powerful, like a steel rose, delivering the news with calm composure.

The TV emitted a crackling static noise. Thinking it was a signal issue, everyone watched as the screen flickered a few times before switching to a dark room. There was a transparent glass cabinet, dark pillars, a long metal conference table. The Aimeile Company logo was on the wall, and many sample products were displayed on the table.

A man appeared on the screen. He had shoulder-length wavy hair and a sinister smile. Looking closer, one could see his irises were a faint, misty blue.

He stared directly into the camera. The shot was so close it felt like he was making eye contact through the screen.

The man spread his arms wide, lifting his face as if savoring the moment, and spoke a line to the camera.

"Dear viewers, welcome... to my apocalyptic paradise!"

The screen flickered a few more times, quickly cutting back to the official news channel. Before the anchorwoman could say more than a few words, with another crackle of static, it switched back to the Aimeile Company feed.

"The new product launched by Aimeile Company: eternal vitality, undying life. Let us join hands and open a new world!"

-

"Please remain in your homes and await rescue. Repeating—"

The screen flickered back and forth, the two sides locked in a stalemate, until finally, with a sharp *click*, the signal cut out completely.

"What... what does this mean?" He Yuanshan asked.

"This disaster was deliberately caused by Aimeile Company," Lin Yanqing said, the realization dawning on him in a daze. He rushed to the storage cabinet, frantically rummaging through it.

After moving the furniture earlier, the apartment was once again a mess, supplies and daily necessities piled haphazardly, making it difficult to find anything.

"What are you looking for?" Xia Li trailed behind him like a little tail. "Let me help."

"Do you remember if there was a bottle of Aimeile Company nutritional supplement in the house?" Lin Yanqing spun around, grabbing Xia Li's arm urgently. "You haven't been drinking anything strange, have you?"

Xia Li's eyes darted away. "I'm very healthy, I never eat or drink random stuff." He pointed to the cardboard box where the vitamins were kept. "There, see? I didn't drink it."

Lin Yanqing finally let out a sigh of relief, moved several cardboard boxes aside, and found the nutrient supplement from a pile of bottles and jars.

He Yuanshan took a closer look and urgently said, "That's the stuff! Our foreman drinks that all the time! He went home sick a few days ago, and later we heard he got rabies!"

Lin Yanqing asked, "Uncle He, Yun Chuan, did either of you...?"

They both shook their heads.

Feeling slightly relieved, Lin Yanqing put the supplement into a sealable bag and stored it in a room drawer so no one would accidentally eat it.

"What on earth is this company trying to do? Was that guy out of his mind?" Xia Li muttered.

"Whatever he's trying to do, at least this is a silver lining in all this misfortune. Since the virus is man-made, there must be an antidote. As long as we endure this period and wait for the government to deal with this damned company, society can return to order," He Yunchuan said.

"I hope so," Lin Yanqing said, still shaken.

After all that commotion, the four of them were starving. There were still some frozen dumplings at home, which Lin Yanqing had made himself when he had time. He boiled the dumplings, cooked a handful of noodles, and tossed in the remaining vegetables and meatballs from the fridge, adding two spoonfuls of chili sauce to create a quick, thrown-together lunch.

Lin Yanqing alternated between hot noodles and cold drinks, finding the contrast oddly satisfying.

The four of them buried themselves in their noodles, all checking their phones at the same time. Online, all sorts of rumors were flying around, and there was no end to the stories about monsters and demons.

The group chat was perpetually flooded with 999+ messages. Many deranged individuals in the neighborhood were banging on doors—some called them "madmen," others "zombies." The group chat also contained some bloody photos. Lin Yanqing couldn't bear to look but felt helpless, so he put his phone down and reminded himself that everyone's fate is their own.

"I wonder how Uncle Niangao is doing," Xia Li suddenly said.

He Yuanshan paused while drinking his soup. "Niangao is that sponsor of yours, right? It's been ten years—you still keep in touch?"

"Uh, yeah, like friends. Sometimes we chat and check in on each other," Lin Yanqing said. "I asked him this morning, and he said he was almost home."

"Cut it out. We talk normally; we're good friends," Lin Yanqing added.

He Yunchuan rested his arm on the back of Lin Yanqing's chair and asked curiously, "What's in it for him? He's not some fifty-year-old, balding old pervert, is he? Did you send him photos?"

"He's not that old. He was born in the Year of the Rabbit, fourteen years older than me. And he's not a pervert; he's still single. Don't be so mean," Lin Yanqing said, annoyed.

"He could also be twenty-six years older than you," Xia Li chimed in.

"You don't even know his name, but you know he's single. Are you really that easy to fool?" He Yunchuan scoffed.

"He said he didn't want to leave his name when doing good deeds. It's not as complicated as you think," Lin Yanqing said irritably. "Besides, he hasn't asked for anything from me. We don't have any other kind of relationship."

Lin Yanqing finished his meal sullenly, placed the dishes in the sink, and went into his room by himself.

He closed the door and sat by the bay window, looking at photos. Uncle Niangao had sent a few pictures from hiking trips—though they were only from behind, he didn't look like a man in his fifties at all.

Lin Yanqing studied the photos over and over, muttering softly, "No way, he can't be that old."

The man in the photos had a robust build, a tall and imposing figure, and exuded vitality under the sunset glow—nothing like a middle-aged uncle.

Uncle Niangao had a gentle personality and was very generous, likely holding a good job and coming from a favorable upbringing. He didn't like discussing his private life, and Lin Yanqing rarely pried. Over time, they became familiar, but it never went beyond being online friends.

Lin Yanqing sometimes felt it was unfair—Uncle Niangao knew everything about him, while he knew nothing about Uncle Niangao: not his name, age, appearance, or profession. He had only seen a few blurry photos of his back.

Lin Yanqing wanted to become real friends with him, to have an equal relationship. But from the day Uncle Niangao began sponsoring him, their relationship could never be equal.

Uncle Niangao was his benefactor, supporting him not only financially but also helping him in life. Even the lawsuit to regain custody of Xia Li was handled by a lawyer Uncle Niangao helped hire.

The more grateful Lin Yanqing felt, the more tormented and frustrated he became.

Just as he was feeling agitated, Uncle Niangao sent a message.

"Stranger": I'm almost home. How was your day?

Lin Yanqing wanted to say he was far from okay—not just not okay, but absolutely terrible. He had been bitten and might die. All his studies were for nothing, his job search wasted, his car wrecked, and his arm hurt terribly.

"Lin Yanqing": I'm doing fine. Thank you for your concern, Uncle.

"Stranger": No need for that.

Lin Yanqing didn't want to reply anymore. Talking about movies and novels felt out of place at a time like this. He felt like an idiot making small talk, constantly trying to cater to a stranger's interests.

"Stranger": Whatever you do, don't go outside. Stay home and stay safe.

"Lin Yanqing": Okay, thank you for your concern, Uncle.

"Stranger": ...Are you being too dismissive with me today?

"Stranger": Are you in a bad mood?

Lin Yanqing glared resentfully at his phone screen, his frustration clearly written on his face.

"Lin Yanqing": No, I'm in a good mood. A new neighbor moved in next door, and he seems to like me. I haven't figured out how to interact with him yet.

"Lin Yanqing": He made me fried rice with eggs—it was really delicious. He's also very handsome, tall and good-looking, with nice eyebrows and a great figure. He's just a bit too tall and seems a little intimidating. If we ever argue and fight, I wonder if he'd bully me.

No reply came in the message bar for a long time. Lin Yanqing's nose tingled with emotion. He rolled up his sleeve to look at his wound and felt he was being too melodramatic. At a time like this, he was still throwing a tantrum.

"Lin Yanqing": Uncle, please stay safe. I should go eat now.

"Stranger": It's a bit noisy here. I'll call you later.

"Lin Yanqing": But you don't like voice calls, do you?

"Stranger": Today is different. I miss you, baby.

Lin Yanqing was stunned for a moment, feeling that Uncle Niangao was acting unusually today. He was humorous and loved to joke, but he wasn't frivolous and never said such ambiguous things.

"Stranger": If I had known you thought so highly of me, I should have met you sooner.

"Stranger": I won't bully you, I promise.

Lin Yanqing froze for a few seconds, his mind filled with question marks.

"Lin Yanqing": Uncle, how old are you?

"Stranger": 27.

"Stranger": Just two years older than you.

"Stranger": Does your arm still hurt? Don't forget to apply the medicine.

Lin Yanqing was so startled that he threw his phone away, his cheeks flushing like a fiery sunset.

Author's Note:

[Cat paw] Don't bully Linlin.