The old aunt seemed disinterested as she said. “You young girls don’t understand, other people’s children may always seems adorable, but when you have your own, they cry, throw tantrums and make a mess with their diapers. You’ll feel like you want to die when that time comes.”

“Who says that? My little Le Bao isn’t like that at all, he doesn’t cry or fuss, he’s so well behaved.” Miao Miao retorted, her neck stiff with defiance unwilling to let her dream of motherhood be shattered.

Yun Shuiyao chuckled, “You think every child is as well-behaved as our Le Bao? He’s just exceptionally sweet. Try dealing with any other little one, and I guarantee you’ll be waving the white flag within an hour. If you don’t believe me, next time we’ll find another toddler for you to look after.”

Miao Miao deflated. She had seen other toddlers cry and throw tantrums before, but she had been so enchanted by little Le Bao’s good nature that she had convinced herself all children were like him. Deep down, though, she knew better. She just wanted to keep living in this dream.

Meanwhile, little Le Bao had returned to his mother’s arms and was happily playing with Jiang Xiang, staring into each other’s eyes with delight. The grown-ups’ conversation went right over his head—he had no idea what they were talking about.

After the four of them (and the giant mastiff) finished their meal, Le Bao’s mischievous mother sent him back into the space she controlled.

The night was enchanting, with the occasional growl of a rotting corpse adding to the eerie atmosphere. It was the kind of ambiance that sent shivers down your spine.

He Lian couldn’t help but tremble, her legs shaking as she gripped the watermelon knife Lan Shiru had given her. The weapon provided a sense of security she desperately needed.

With a clear goal in mind, they hurried through the night. By around 2 a.m., they had checked all the factory buildings and, under He Lian’s guidance, were now heading toward the abandoned factory.

The further they went, the more desolate the area became. There were few signs of human life, and thus fewer rotting corpses, but the place was teeming with mutated plants and creatures. The constant rustling and strange noises in the darkness made their hair stand on end.

“Be careful,” Lan Shiru warned. “In places without humans, mutated creatures can appear. Some aren’t aggressive, but others are very dangerous, and they’re not easy to defend against.” She had learned this lesson the hard way in the past, suffering the consequences from seemingly harmless creatures. In two words: really tragic.

No need for further warning; just the sounds alone were enough to keep the group alert and cautious.

“Suddenly, I find the corrupted corpses rather cute,” Miao Miao remarked into the darkness. Surprisingly, everyone else agreed, as the corrupted corpses were clearly visible in front of them, while these unknown creatures lurked in the shadows, hidden everywhere. Even He Lian, with her sharp hearing, struggled to pinpoint their exact positions.

“Still, it’s thrilling. Life needs a little more excitement,” Yun Shuiyao said, shaking her chest with a hint of eagerness.

Miao Miao rolled her eyes even though her sight already strained by the dark. Why did Yun Shuiyao always have to flaunt herself like this?

He Lian’s legs were still shaking but she managed a smile. “Back when I had free time, I used to enjoy some adventurous activities—nothing too reckless but enough to blow off stream. It really helped, you know?”

“Oh, if you’ve got steam to blow off, why not find a man? Why take it out on sports?” Yun Shuiyao teased, sending a flirtatious glance her way.

He Lian froze for a second, her face turning bright red. “That’s not the kind of steam I meant! I meant stress from work, ugh, you’re impossible to explain things to!”

“Sure, sure, I get it. Women, just like men, have their needs,” Yun Shuiyao giggled, her low, sultry laughter sending shivers down everyone’s spines.

Miao Miao leaned in closer, curiosity piqued. “Auntie, did you used to have… needs often?”

Yun Shuiyao flickered her delicate fingers in Miao Miao’s direction her voice dripping with playful arrogance. “Little girl, you don’t understand. Your sister here is stunning and irresistible—men are the ones who have needs because of me, got it?”

Miao Miao pouted, clearly not interested in understanding.

With their playful banter and laughter, made the eerie night in the outskirts feel a little less terrifying.

Suddenly, Jiang Xiang let out a low growl, a clear warning. “Woof, woof!” There are monsters.

He Lian strained her ears, her face paling instantly. “A huge group of something is heading this way, and they’re moving fast.”

“Run!” Without hesitation, the four women and the mastiff bolted, sprinting for their lives. But no matter how fast they ran, they couldn’t outpace the approaching swarm. A dark, seething mass was closing in, visible even in the pitch-black night.

“Faster!”

After more than a month of intense training, Lan Shiru, Miao Miao, and Yun Shuiyao had significantly improved their stamina. He Lian, however, was struggling. Having spent the past month in hiding, her body had grown soft, and after running for most of the night, she was at her limit. Barely two minutes into the sprint, she was gasping for air, her lungs on fire. “I… I can’t… go on. You guys run… don’t worry about me.”

Lan Shiru frowned. “You two, drag her along. Jiang Xiang and I will hold them off to buy some time. Hurry!”

The other two hesitated for a split second but quickly grabbed He Lian, pulling her forward as they raced ahead. Lan Shiru and Jiang Xiang stayed behind, ready to face the approaching threat.

He Lian, though utterly exhausted couldn’t help but feel deeply moved. After all, they were little more than acquaintances—strangers bound by circumstances rather than blood.

Jiang Xiang’s ears stood erect, his fur bristling, and his violet eyes glowed brightly in the darkness. His sharp claws were out, and his body was crouched low, ready to pounce at any moment.

Lan Shiru tightened her grip on the long blade in her hand, her mind racing. She needed a plan to wipe out the swarm, but sacrificing herself wasn’t an option. She had Little Le Bao to raise and Le Bao’s father to wait for.

The most effective way to annihilate the swarm was fire. She didn’t have time to worry about collateral damage. Quickly, she dragged out several barrels of gasoline and prepared a makeshift flamethrower with a lighter and arrows. “Jiang Xiang, let’s go. We need to find the upwind position.”

“Woof, woof!” Jiang Xiang swiftly turned and urged Lan Shiru to follow.

The monsters were closing in fast. The woman and the mastiff didn’t have to run far before finding a large rock to crouch behind. They waited, ready to ignite the gasoline as soon as the swarm reached the barrels.

As the creatures drew closer, Lan Shiru’s eyes narrowed. Something felt off.

Jiang Xiang grew anxious, letting out a low growl. “Woof, woof!” Hurry, shoot the arrow! The monsters are here!

Lan Shiru clenched the lighter in her hand but hesitated, her finger hovering over the trigger.

At a critical moment, his master faltered leaving Jiang Xiang with no choice but to take the initiative. Baring its claws, it suddenly lunged forward.

Monsters swarmed in, and despite Jiang Xiang’s incredible speed, after sweeping through a wave of them, it was quickly overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Lan Shiru watched calmly until the tide of monsters receded, revealing a battered Jiang Xiang and couldn’t help but twitch her lips slightly as she go over to comfort it. “I’m sorry, Jiang Xiang. You were too fast, I couldn’t stop you in time. Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

Jiang Xiang gave a death glare. As expected, his master was unreliable.

“Woof, woof.” It hurt, it hurt so much. And its fur was ruined.

“Good boy, I was wrong. I won’t let it happen again, okay? I’ll make sure to stop you in time next time. Let me pat your head, and when we rest, I’ll have Miao Miao stew more meat for you.”

“Woof.” You’re temporary forgiven.

After comforting Jiang Xiang, Lan Shiru turned to looked at her three companions. Well, they didn’t look any better and she felt a tiny bit guilty. But she really didn’t mean it, in a panic and so much time had passed, she genuinely hadn’t remembered that mutated frog, aside from it’s size and speed was still a good forg, it ate pests.

“Are you all okay?”

“Not really.” Being pelted by things the size of two fists constantly, how could they possibly be okay?

“Luckily, my assets are the real deal, or I’d have been stomped flat,” Yun Shuiyao said with frustration. “Big assets, big problems… I’m about to die here.”

Miao Miao, on the other hand, had suffered a different kind of setback—her bottom. She was sure that it was now bigger and perkier than ever. “Sis, what were those things?”

“Mutated frogs. They love making a contribution at night. Nothing to worry about, just a false alarm. Everyone, take it easy for now. We need to keep moving.”

“Thank goodness it was just a false alarm. Otherwise, we’d all be done for. That was terrifying.”

>>>