“Ha, damn it. Back then, I really wanted to hug you and have a good cry. But unfortunately, you didn’t give me the chance—you turned around and left. No worries, though. When I got home, I cleaned myself up. And you know what? Washing it off made everything better. I pulled myself together and started over. Now? In the industry, who doesn’t call me ‘sister’? Out there, who doesn’t wave my posters and scream my name like crazy fans? So yeah, I remembered you. Looked into your story and found out quite a bit. Honestly, I think you’re a pretty pitiful little girl. Maybe it sparked some maternal instinct in me—before I knew it, I decided I’d protect you. What do you say? Want to give it a shot?”

Lan Shiru’s lips twitched. “Let me make this clear—I don’t remember anything like that happening. But even if it did, it would’ve been purely coincidental. I didn’t genuinely mean to help you.”

“Doesn’t matter,” the woman said smugly. “Either way, I’ve decided I’m sticking with you. Without you, how else would I have ended up living such a thrilling life in the apocalypse, huh?”

Lan Shiru shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Just then, Miao Miao walked in, carrying a knife and looking utterly betrayed. “Sis, you’re so biased! I had to sweet-talk you forever and make so many promises just to get a chance to prove myself. But her? You agreed right away. At this rate, I’m going to lose my spot as your favorite little cutie!”

Lan Shiru glanced at her. “Have I lost you, though?”

“Hehe, as long as there’s good food and drinks, you’ll never lose me.”

“I think losing you would’ve been better.”

“Sis, that’s not fair! Even Little Le Bao is heartbroken for me!”

Little Le Bao blew a bubble and promptly fell asleep in his mama’s arms.

Yun Shuiyao slung an arm around Miao Miao’s shoulder. “Hey, little one, since you call Lan the big sis, shouldn’t you be calling me ‘auntie’?”

Miao Miao eyed the older woman skeptically. “How old are you, exactly?”

“Tsk tsk,” Yun Shuiyao flicked Miao Miao on the forehead with a finger. “Never ask a woman her age. Don’t you know that? If you were a man, I’d have slapped you silly by now.”

Miao Miao turned away with a huff. “Who’s not a woman here? Fine, I won’t ask.”

“Oh?” Yun Shuiyao’s gaze drifted to Miao Miao’s flat chest. “You call yourself a woman?”

“What are you staring at?” Miao Miao snapped defensively. “This is an A-cup, okay? Don’t you dare look down on A-cups—they still count for something!”

Yun Shuiyao shrugged. Fiery little ones like her were best left alone.

“Since it’s quiet for now, let’s eat something and head to the outskirts afterward.” Lan Shiru declared, waving her hand as a pile of supplies appeared out of thin air.

Yun Shuiyao grinned. “So, you’re just playing the clueless rookie, huh? I like it. Got any water? Your big sis here needs a proper bath.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the auntie?” Miao Miao shot back, rolling her eyes dramatically.

Yun Shuiyao swayed her hips and laughed in a high-pitched trill. “Little girl, you’re so clueless.”

Lan Shiru shivered at the grating sound, goosebumps prickling her skin. She pulled out a bathing tub, filled it with water, and said. “Go ahead. Need clothes too?”

“If you’ve got them, of course! Toss in some underwear, largest size you have.” Yun Shuiyao replied, then whistled at Miao Miao.

Miao Miao huffed. “Stop picking on A-cups. A-cups have feelings too.”

After her bath, Yun Shuiyao put on the sultry outfit Lan Shiru had fetched for her, then sat down to her first proper meal in three days. With her energy restored, she radiated the same charisma she had on screen.

“Now this is living.” She let out an unladylike belch and picked her teeth with a toothpick.

Miao Miao’s lips twitched. “Auntie, you’ve completely destroyed the glamorous image I had of a celebrity.”

Yun Shuiyao slung an arm around Miao Miao’s shoulders, her ample chest pressing down like a heavy weight. “Silly girl, you still don’t get it. Celebrities are people too. We eat, drink, sleep, burp, and even snore and fart. Be good now, and try to broaden those horizons of yours.”

Miao Miao sidestepped the verbal gut punch. “Auntie, what’s your ability?”

Yun Shuiyao batted her lashes and blew a kiss. “Naturally, it matches my dazzling charm. Care to guess?”

“What? No idea.”

Yun Shuiyao flicked her long, wavy hair into a graceful arc. “Try again.”

“Wow, Sis, you’re stunning—so soft, so sweet. I just want to take a bite.” Miao Miao gushed, her eyes glazed over as drool started dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Yun Shuiyao giggled. “Little one, you really know how to speak from the heart.”

“Huh?” Miao Miao wiped her mouth, suddenly snapping out of it. “Wait, what the heck? Was I drooling? What’s going on?”

Lan Shiru, cradling Little Le Bao, gave Yun Shuiyao a pointed look. “An illusion?”

“Well, well, sharp as ever, Lan Shiru.” Yun Shuiyao teased with a smirk.

Lan Shiru’s face remained emotionless. “Don’t use it on your own people.”

“Relax, big sis. I was just messing with the little one. Won’t happen again.”

Lan Shiru nodded lightly, her expression unchanged.

Miao Miao finally caught on. “Wait, what? Auntie’s ability is creating illusions? You just messed with my head?”

“How about it? Doesn’t it perfectly match my vibe?” Yun Shuiyao teased.

“So, is that what you use to fight zombies?” Miao Miao asked skeptically.

Yun Shuiyao pursed her lips. “Nah, this thing doesn’t work on zombies—only on people.”

Miao Miao wrinkled her nose in disdain. “Wow, you talk a big game about protecting my sis, but you can’t even protect yourself.”

Yun Shuiyao didn’t take the jab to heart, laughing softly. “Silly girl, you don’t get it. Zombies aren’t the scariest thing out there—people are. And your big sis here is the perfect counter to the most dangerous species.”

Fair enough, Miao Miao thought, reluctantly conceding the point.

Lan Shiru chimed in. “What weapon do you use?”

“I know!” Miao Miao shot up her hand, grinning mischievously.

Yun Shuiyao raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Oh? What is it?”

Miao Miao waved her hands excitedly and waggled her eyebrows. “A little whip!”

Yun Shuiyao laughed so hard her ample chest bounced. “Well, well, the little girl got something right for once. Sure, let’s go with a little whip. Got one?”

Lan Shiru had already given up on trying to deal with these two. “I do. But are you sure? Cracking heads open with a whip isn’t exactly easy.”

“No worries. Sis knows her way around a whip.”

Lan Shiru didn’t bother arguing. Though there weren’t any “little whips” on hand, she pulled out a few commonly seen riding crops and long whips from a sporting goods store. Yun Shuiyao picked out a nine-section iron whip. With a bit of help from Jiang Xiang, she had it fitted with barbs, boosting its damage—though it looked just as likely to harm the user.

“Not bad, little cutie. If we weren’t different species, I’d definitely hit on you.” Yun Shuiyao teased. Even dogs weren’t safe from her antics.

Jiang Xiang, oblivious to the flirting merely noticed her gaze—much like the looks he used to get from female dogs in heat back in the day. He wasn’t a fan. With a huff, the handsome pup turned his disdainful back to her.

Lan Shiru pinched the bridge of her nose. Their team was bound to be lively, if nothing else. “Let’s go. North outskirts.”

The northern outskirts of City B were an industrial zone, packed with factories producing everything from food and clothing to building materials and vehicles. The southern outskirts were a vast farming region, sparsely populated but with fertile land and abundant water making it one of the largest agricultural hubs in the country. To the east lay the canal, and to the west, a critical railway and air transport corridor. City B, as a whole was a self-sufficient international metropolis.

The trio hopped on their motorbikes—good old-fashioned gas-powered ones. Jiang Xiang sat in front of Lan Shiru, and the three Harley-style bikes roared to life. They sped through the city with a deafening rumble, cutting an impressive figure. Though the noise was considerable, they made no stops, ensuring they wouldn’t be ambushed on the way.

As for living humans, their motto was simple: If others don’t mess with me, I won’t mess with them. Peace is best for everyone.

Upon reaching the outskirts, both people and zombies became noticeably scarcer. Nearing the industrial district, they stowed away their motorbikes and switched to quieter bicycles.

“Tsk tsk, now this is living on your own terms. I like it.” Yun Shuiyao said, slipping off her sunglasses and hopping onto a bicycle. In an instant, her commanding queen-like aura from the Harley was gone, replaced by the approachable vibe of a girl-next-door. Miao Miao couldn’t hide her envy. “An award-winning actress is truly on another level. You’ve got the vibes down to perfection.”

Yun Shuiyao struck a seductive yet playful pose. “Ah, darling, charisma isn’t something you can learn. Don’t waste your time, little one.”

Miao Miao turned her face away, clearly annoyed. She didn’t want to hear it.

>>>