Chapter 20

Before the apocalypse, Xue Ling had a collection folder on a video app filled with motivational videos.

There were beautiful female voices narrating life lessons over a backdrop of flute and erhu music.

There were deep-voiced male narrators reading classic literary excerpts against picturesque landscapes, accompanied by stirring music.

There were clips of lectures from a well-known scholar from the last century, inspiring everyone.

There were calm Daoist priests in robes, teaching how to face difficulties.

There were university professors giving lectures on Buddhist philosophy.

There were animated characters sharing quirky and humorous tips for young people on how to cope with life.

There were tarot readers spreading out cards and telling viewers what kind of luck they would encounter in the future.

From elegant to trivial, from ancient philosophy to Western metaphysics, the collection was chaotic and all-encompassing, with a single theme: motivational quotes.

Wen Jiuze had seen her collection before and had mockingly teased her about it.

This book, “The Soul Food Young People Need Most Today,” was definitely a deliberate jab from him!

Fine, Xue Ling admitted some of the videos in that collection were a bit strange.

However, she didn’t watch those videos to learn profound truths. She had only one purpose.

She wanted to hear someone tell her that as long as she persevered, life would improve, all the current pain would pass, and many good things would happen in the future.

In her past life, during many tough moments when she felt overwhelmed, she didn’t know who to confide in, and no one could console her. She could only silently digest her emotions.

When emotions piled up too much, there would come a time she couldn’t release them, and she would watch those videos.

Some of the points made were nonsense, but they could make her laugh.

Some toxic positivity would anger her, and she would argue back in her mind. No, it’s not like that.

Some humorous and cute content would brighten her mood.

Some gentle reassurances would have her nodding along, saying, Yes, that’s right, good things will happen next!

She managed to live into her twenties relatively healthy and happy using this method.

But Wen Jiuze had a strong sense of hostility and vigilance toward everything around him, coupled with a hint of pessimism.

His first reaction to “motivational quotes” was to kick it aside, refusing to listen to what others had to say.

Due to his background and environment, he was more mature than most of his peers, yet he still had his immature sides.

Even though he made fun of her, Xue Ling didn’t bother with him – just treat him as a dog.

If she really got mad, she could punch him a few times since he wouldn’t fight back anyway.

Xue Ling sat in the passenger seat, calmly flipping through the “motivational quotes” book Wen Jiuze had handed her. The first line that caught her eye read: “As long as you’re alive, there is hope.”

Xue Ling: “……”

You really brought up something irrelevant. The person was already dead.

She closed the book and set it aside.

Wen Jiuze asked, “Why did you stop reading so quickly?”

Oh, forget it, the versions were incompatible.

Feeling down, Xue Ling wrote on her writing board: “Because your taste is terrible, and I don’t want to read it.”

What kind of good advice could a bad cook provide?

As they spoke, they passed the First Hospital of Yuanhu City.

This large hospital had nearly half of it reduced to rubble. Inside, there were no densely packed zombies, just collapsed buildings that looked like they had been violently cleared.

Xue Ling leaned against the window, looking out at the hospital ruins and wondering how massive a force it must have taken to break into the most formidable hospital dungeon of the apocalypse.

With so few people around, they must have needed significant firepower.

The explosions would attract nearby zombies, so it was no wonder the hospital and several surrounding streets were mostly zombie-free.

However, as they moved closer to the city center and more bustling streets, the number of zombies increased again.

Quite a few zombies trailed behind their car, and Wen Jiuze weaved through abandoned vehicles on the street. The group of pursuing zombies grew continuously.

He was already used to being chased by zombies. He scanned his surroundings, sharply turned the steering wheel, and crashed through a barricade at the entrance of a luxury community, entering the neighborhood.

As he cut through the community and reached the back gate, Wen Jiuze didn’t get out. Instead, he raised his gun and skillfully unlocked the door before bursting out and shaking off the large group of zombies.

By constantly changing routes to avoid the zombies, they finally saw Yuanhu City.

Yuanhu City was named after the beautiful Yuanhu Lake, known for its clear waters and the dozens of miles of lotus flowers planted along its shores. In spring, the blooming peach and apricot blossoms attracted many visitors.

Although it wasn’t the peak season for enjoying Yuanhu Lake, it was still quite nice.

As the car approached Yuanhu, they could see the lively scene along the lakeside from a distance. At first glance, it seemed no different from before the apocalypse.

However, as they got closer, it became clear that the “pedestrians” near the lake were moving slowly, their movements stiff and awkward.

The many stalls lining the shore were in disarray, their once-vibrant signs faded by the wind and rain.

Wen Jiuze found a spot with fewer zombies to park the car and got out with Xue Ling.

Xue Ling hesitated. Did he want to go too?

“Wait for me in the car.”

Before she finished writing, Wen Jiuze said, “No.”

He stepped ahead of her.

The lakeside was shaded by lush trees and willow branches, the only sound being the chirping of cicadas.

Numerous pink and white lotus flowers bloomed, vibrant against the green leaves, alongside many green seed pods.

But upon closer inspection, Xue Ling noticed several zombies lurking beneath the lotus leaves.

—There really should be railings along the lakeside. Zombies wandering aimlessly could easily slip and fall in!

Xue Ling glanced at a warning sign by the lake: “Beware of falling into the water. Stay safe.”

Looking at the zombies bobbing in the water, she saw they hadn’t drowned but couldn’t get up either.

Wen Jiuze stepped on the head of a zombie floating in the water, muffling its roar, and casually tore off a lotus leaf to wipe his knife.

Behind him lay two headless zombies.

Xue Ling had been too focused on the lake to hear him dispatch the zombies.

This section of the lakeside had fewer zombies, but they were still present.

In addition to the two on the ground, others had already noticed the living and were coming closer.

As a new group of zombies approached, Wen Jiuze put his arm around Xue Ling’s shoulders and urged her forward. “Let’s move quickly.”

Xue Ling: I want to take a walk by the lake, not race by the lake?

Wen Jiuze was different from her. He was playing Plants vs. Zombies by the lake.

It really was quite similar. At the beginning, there were only one or two zombies coming over, and he easily dealt with them. But as time went on, there were more and more zombies, and it became too late to deal with them.

Seeing the crowd of zombies closing in, Xue Ling pushed on his back. “Don’t kill them. Just hurry up! Let’s go!”

With a short knife in one hand and gripping her arm with the other, Wen Jiuze leaped over the flower bed at the lake, effortlessly pulling Xue Ling along.

Avoiding a group of zombies to the left, he kicked one that lunged at them from a side path.

Xue Ling pounded Wen Jiuze’s back, urging him to get back to the car.

When he turned to see her trying to kick another zombie, he couldn’t help but laugh. He pulled her back and hoisted her over his shoulder.

Before the large group of zombies could reach them, they escaped through a side path and ran back to where they had parked.

The plan to enjoy the lake ended abruptly due to the enthusiastic presence of the zombies.

Once the car started and left the lake, Xue Ling sat in the passenger seat, looking out.

She had never felt such a jolt of fear from being surrounded by zombies before.

Wen Jiuze’s boldness was astounding.

“Puff, puff.” Looking down, Xue Ling realized she was holding several lotus pods she had hastily snatched from the lake.

Out of nervousness, her fingers pressed into the lotus seed pod’s skin, making a soft popping sound.

A hand reached over and took the lotus pods from her, peeling one open to eat.

Wen Jiuze chewed on the lotus seeds, started the car, and casually asked her, “Where to next? Duyun Ancient Temple?”

Xue Ling waved her hand dismissively.

No, there’s no point in going. There are too many zombies. Wen Jiuze insists on following.

Having spent so much time in the countryside, she had almost forgotten just how many zombies were in the big city.

At her insistence, their brief trip to Yuanhu City came to an end. They changed direction and drove onto a more secluded road.

This highway connected two provinces and had a long stretch passing through the mountains. After driving for several kilometers, the houses by the roadside disappeared, and they didn’t see a single abandoned vehicle.

The once fairly wide asphalt road was now flanked only by trees.

The endless green on both sides made it feel as though they were driving into a tranquil green tunnel.

As the sky darkened, it looked like rain was on the way.

In the gentle patter of rain, Wen Jiuze parked the car inside a tunnel, planning to spend the night there.

Since Xue Ling didn’t rush him to get out and cook, he quickly grabbed a simple meal and then lounged in the car to pass the time.

With the window slightly open, the sound of rain grew louder, cooling the stifling summer heat.

Wen Jiuze switched on a dim yellow light inside the car.

The sound of pages turning caught Xue Ling’s attention.

He was reading the motivational book he had picked up earlier and suddenly began to read aloud a passage.

“Life’s difficulties can also be seen as a part of life’s growth… Life is an experiential class where we perceive the world through our bodies and explore meaning with our souls…”

He read lazily, with no hint of agreement or sarcasm in his tone, simply reciting the words. Yet, perhaps due to the pleasant quality of his voice, this ordinary passage sounded surprisingly insightful.

It seemed much better than the motivational videos she had collected.

Listening to Wen Jiuze read this calming material amidst the sound of the rain, Xue Ling felt a long-lost sense of peace.

She rested her hands on her stomach, closed her eyes, and listened quietly, lying back in the reclined passenger seat, feeling a serene sense of acceptance.

After reading several passages, Wen Jiuze suddenly stopped.

He leaned closer and tapped Xue Ling’s shoulder.

She remained still, peacefully keeping her eyes closed.

Not seeing her move, Wen Jiuze dropped the book and leaned in closer, momentarily holding his breath as he pried her eyelids open with his fingers.

Xue Ling: “…”

She rolled her dark red eyes and pushed his hand away.

Seriously, he just had to disturb her peace.

He was the best at ruining the mood.

Wen Jiuze pulled his hand back to the driver’s seat and relaxedly chuckled, “You startled me. I thought I accidentally read a prayer for you.”

Did he really think he was reciting a Buddhist scripture?

She shifted her position but didn’t close her eyes again. When Wen Jiuze glanced her way, she nonchalantly moved her fingers, signaling that she hadn’t been “prayed for.”

They spent the night listening to the rain, and by morning, the sky cleared and the sun emerged.

The dim tunnel brightened, with the entrances glowing as the car started moving forward into the vibrant greenery washed clean by the rain.

As Wen Jiuze looked at the sign ahead and prepared to turn left according to the map, Xue Ling suddenly handed him a writing board.

It read, “I want to see the Terracotta Warriors.”

Wen Jiuze: “…”

The Terracotta Warriors were located far from Andong City, with one being to the south and the other to the north.