Chapter 36: Gunshots

The daily training routine was both fulfilling and monotonous, always in need of something extra to act as a counterbalance, preventing the mind from becoming too stifled.

For Yan Mo, who had undergone specialized training since childhood, and Mu Qimai, who had been through rigorous drills, their current lifestyle was anything but dull. Compared to their past training, this was practically paradise.

However, Shu Xin and Bu Xiangwen required occasional breaks, so they had one rest day each week.

On these rest days, the various entertainment facilities Shu Xin had hoarded and the movies and TV shows she had downloaded finally came in handy.

Whether it was card games, e-sports, or puzzle-based activities, Yan Mo was always the most sought-after teammate. As long as someone managed to be on Yan Mo’s team, their victory was already 80% secured. The remaining 20% chance of losing only existed in the first round of a new game when Yan Mo was still unfamiliar with the mechanics—then, and only then, did anyone stand a chance of beating him.

In the evenings, the four of them would wrap up their games and cook dinner together while a projector played various apocalyptic movies in the background.

At first, Shu Xin and Bu Xiangwen were strongly opposed to watching gory horror films while eating. Scenes of flesh and blood flying, accompanied by intense and eerie background music, nearly made them lose their appetite. But by now, they had adapted so thoroughly that they could casually enjoy their meal while critiquing the zombie actors’ makeup.

The adaptability of humans was truly terrifying.

Bang—

Early in the morning, a gunshot shattered the peaceful silence of the neighborhood.

Lying in bed, still not fully awake, Yan Mo and Shu Xin instantly snapped their eyes open. Yan Mo swiftly rolled out of bed and pulled back a corner of the curtain to observe the situation outside.

Shu Xin had opened her eyes, but her mind was still lingering in her dreams, groggy and unfocused. It wasn’t until the second gunshot rang out—this time accompanied by a woman’s painful screams—that her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Her mind instantly cleared as she bolted upright in bed, instinctively turning to look for Yan Mo.

Seeing him standing by the window, her racing heartbeat gradually slowed, and her thoughts started to catch up.

“What’s going on?”

“Looks like some thugs from outside have wandered into the community. They’ve got guns. Judging by the sound, they’re still some distance away from our building. It’s hard to tell how many people are left in the neighborhood. Get up and get ready—just in case they come this way, we don’t want to be caught off guard.”

Yan Mo let the curtain fall back into place, walked over to the bed, and leaned down to press a soft kiss against his wife’s cheek as he relayed the situation.

Shu Xin, following his movement, buried her face against his firm abs and rubbed against him contentedly before getting up to dress.

Hehehe. Since Yan Mo spoiled her and never really got mad at her, Shu Xin shamelessly took full advantage. Living together, she had plenty of opportunities to steal little touches here and there, and since Yan Mo indulged her, her actions only became bolder over time.

When Shu Xin and Yan Mo went downstairs, they ran into Bu Xiangwen and Mu Qimai, who had just stepped out of their room fully geared up. The four of them exchanged a glance before heading to the armory in sync to grab their weapons before stepping outside.

Most of the residents in their building were already gone. People had long since come to understand that the world had changed. Unlike before, when they moved around cautiously to avoid drawing attention, there was no longer any need for such restraint.

Gunshots continued to ring out intermittently across the neighborhood. After confirming the direction, Yan Mo and his team quickly and silently made their way toward the source of the commotion.