Chapter 3 Reinforcing the Residence

Lin Mu flipped through a few pages and opened several videos, all of which were similar incidents of biting.

Some took place outdoors, and the scene was even more chaotic in the pouring rain, with bright red blood spreading in large patches along with the rainwater.

He had no doubt that if no one stopped those mutated “people,” they would devour the victims completely.

Rubbing his sore temples, a cold sensation filled the space between his eyebrows. There were too many peculiarities in these videos.

The WeChat icon flashed incessantly in the bottom right corner of his computer, and Lin Mu clicked on it.

He was suddenly bombarded with messages from He Ze.

[Mu Mu, have you seen it? Have you seen it?!]

[Oh my god, I have goosebumps all over!]

[What do you think this is? Could it really be zombies, or some kind of infectious disease?!]

Lin Mu clicked on the reply, his slender fingers tapping the keyboard.

[Perhaps… it really is zombies…]

[There have been too many strange things happening recently. Prepare more food and clean water, and minimize going out, just in case… just in case something like what happened in Yichang happens here too. It might actually be safer at home.]

On the other end, He Ze’s typing indicator appeared.
[No way… I was just joking. It’s really zombies, and I think I’m being controlled… I’m only on vacation starting on the 28th. I still have to stay at school for a few more days, Mu Mu.]

He Ze sent a pitiful expression, and Lin Mu shook his head, sighing softly. Things wouldn’t be that simple.
[Anyway, if you can come back home, come back immediately. There are too many people at school. Once the rain stops, I’ll come find you.]

He Ze had always trusted Lin Mu the most since childhood. Lin Mu was the smartest person in the entire neighborhood, always scoring a perfect hundred on exams. If he said so, it must be right!
Sensing the seriousness in Lin Mu’s words, a sudden wave of sadness welled up in He Ze’s heart. [I understand, Mu Mu. You also need to be careful.]

[I know, and… weapons, just in case. Be cautious in everything.]

Lin Mu replied again before ending the conversation.
He sat in front of the computer for a long time, the sound of rain mixed with thunder outside the window.

Although the situations in the videos were currently only happening along the coastal areas, who knew when it would spread to Yichang City?

Yichang was separated from the nearest coastline by three provinces. This kind of mutation, biting might be one way of transmission, but it definitely wasn’t the only way.

Where did the first person with this condition appear?

The people in those videos appeared in different regions, with no intersection between them, yet they all underwent the same transformation inexplicably.

How did they transform like this out of nowhere?

Slowly, perhaps Y City, or maybe even himself, would inexplicably turn into such a state…

The more Lin Mu thought about it, the worse he felt the situation was, probably worse than what many people imagined. The sky gradually revealed a bit of light, and he stood up to wash his face.

Anyway, now the place where he lived had very few people, which was the only comfort.

He put on a raincoat. The rain outside was still heavy, and the sky was gloomy and not yet fully bright.

But there was no way to know what the future would look like. He had to take some measures to make himself feel a little safer and more at ease.

There were many tools left in the storage room on the first floor from when the building was being constructed. He found a handy hatchet and quickly walked to the intersection in the rain.

This small road, which turned off from the highway, was not conspicuous, with trees and wild grass on both sides.

Usually, apart from him and Uncle Zhang, hardly anyone walked this way anymore.

The road was narrow, just enough for a car to pass through. Lin Mu chopped off several branches from trees halfway and dragged them to the entrance of the road, trying to conceal the entrance as much as possible.

The rain was heavy, and the raincoat on the body was of little use. Lin Mu was soaked all over.

He patiently moved several large stones from the roadside and threw them in the middle of the road. If someone found them and wanted to drive in, it would provide some obstruction.

After doing all this, it was already completely bright outside, and his sweat had mixed with the rainwater, leaving his face dripping wet.

Lin Mu was not used to doing laborious work, and at the moment, he was exhausted, his face pale.
He turned his head and glanced at the intersection, confirming that it was relatively concealed before walking back with a little relief.

By the time he got home, it was already past nine in the morning. As he took off his raincoat, he turned on the television. As expected, the news was reporting on the biting incidents.

Indeed, this matter was no longer can be suppressed.

The terrifying incidents hidden beneath the pouring rain were like a sharp sword, exposing the facade of peace.

[…In the past two days, incidents of “biting” in coastal areas have caused anxiety among the public. Up until now, the injured have been sent to the hospital for treatment. The individuals responsible for the biting are suspected to be infected with an unknown virus. The research institute has temporarily named it the “R virus.” Those infected with the virus lose consciousness, their pupils turn gray, and they bite indiscriminately. The Health Research Institute is working tirelessly to develop medication to suppress the virus. We urge the general public not to panic and to trust the nation, trust…]

Lin Mu switched to several other channels, but without exception, they were all broadcasting news, interrupting TV dramas and entertainment shows, attempting to scientifically explain this phenomenon and reassure the public.

He dropped the remote control and went into the kitchen to cook himself a bowl of noodles.

The refrigerator was fully stocked, thanks to the things Uncle Zhang had brought, which gave him some peace of mind.

If things worsened, he could at least survive here for a while.

He ate the noodles absentmindedly, pondering. The news had concealed many things, such as whether the bitten individuals could transmit the virus, or the initial mode of infection…

No matter how calm Lin Mu tried to be, he still felt somewhat lost when faced with the unknown situation.

Finishing the noodles absentmindedly, Lin Mu started inspecting from the gate of the courtyard again.

The main gate was made of aluminium alloy, with a surveillance camera installed outside.

There was no other place to reinforce during this rainy day.

He found a relatively thick piece of wood in the courtyard and propped it against the door latch. Then he went back to his room and fetched some iron wire and pliers to tighten the latch on the main gate.

The courtyard wall was built relatively high, initially for the purpose of protecting the glass flower room in the yard.

At that time, Lin’s mother was busy, so she entrusted the construction of the small courtyard to Lin’s father for supervision.

Lin’s father had a straightforward aesthetic sense and emphasized stability, so he chose to build the courtyard wall with concrete cement.

At this moment, the sturdy courtyard wall undoubtedly provided the most powerful protection. Lin Mu thought, perhaps his parents had unknowingly protected him…