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Chapter 34
Xue Ling and Wen Jiuze hadn’t stopped to rest in any roadside camp since. Over the course of two months, from August to the end of October, they finally made it from Anxi City to what was once Xiu Ze County.
Reaching this area meant they were close to Yu City. If all went smoothly, they’d arrive within a few days. Yu City was the destination Wen Jiuze had always mentioned to Xue Ling, not Andong City.
As they neared, Xue Ling, who had been cooperative all the way, began to feel uneasy as she watched the familiar scenery pass by outside the car window.
Her uncle’s family lived in Yu City, and she’d lived there for many years too. Almost everyone she knew—family, friends, classmates, teachers—was there. She couldn’t help but wonder how her mother and uncle were faring now. Each time she thought of them, she grew anxious, her nerves sparking an urge to bite something.
Noticing her tension, Wen Jiuze had driven slower these past few days and tried talking to her more often, attempting to distract her. But it was no use. Xue Ling was too restless to even write on the small board she used to communicate or watch anything on her tablet.
Adding to her frustration, power was running low. They hadn’t been to a supply base in over two weeks, so their battery reserves were depleted, and only a little power remained on the tablet.
“We’ll have to pass through the Xiu’an Base in Xiu Ze County before reaching Yu City. It’s close to Yu City, and many people there are originally from Yu City,” Wen Jiuze mentioned, trying to remind her that the people she once knew might no longer be in Yu City itself.
Sure enough, Xue Ling turned and looked at him anxiously.
Wen Jiuze chuckled, then handed her a rubber toy. “If you need to bite something, use this,” he said, glancing at the car’s seat where she’d previously left bite marks, exposing the inner sponge.
She didn’t get upset about the dog-toy resemblance or toss it back at him. Quietly, she took it, biting down until it was full of holes and tooth marks. The once-intact toy now looked tattered.
As they drove on, summer gave way to autumn, and the temperatures around Yu City began to drop in October. After two autumn rains, mornings and evenings turned cool, though midday still held a hint of warmth.
As they neared Xiu’an Base, Xue Ling noticed that most people on the roadside were already wearing coats. Wen Jiuze, as usual, parked near the base entrance to gather supplies.
“Do you want to come out and find a spot to sit for a while?” he asked her.
Xue Ling hesitated but shook her head. The first time she’d approached a base, fear had kept her inside the car. However, after passing by several bases without any issues, she grew braver. She’d even begun to get out and sit by the base gates, watching people come and go, feeling comforted that no one suspected she was a zombie.
Real zombies couldn’t sit calmly among people, they would attack on sight. So even though she looked unusual in her layered gear, people merely assumed she was sick, making them keep their distance but not think twice.
Later, whenever they passed a base with less strict management, Xue Ling would get off the car, find a place to sit nearby, and watch people coming and going at the gate of the base.
But now that she had arrived at Xiu’an Base, she didn’t want to get off the car anymore.
Wen Jiuze didn’t push her. He closed the door and went to the trade point at the base entrance.
When he returned, he leaned against the car window. “There’s no battery box here to swap out. We’ll have to wait for it to charge. Also, some of the supplies need to be transferred, so we’ll be here for a few hours,” he said.
“Want to sit outside? It might be too stuffy in the car if you stay inside the whole time.”
Xue Ling hesitated, then finally opened the door and stepped out. Wen Jiuze set up two chairs beside the car, and they sat together, with her hoping to feel a sense of calm just by being near him.
Passersby gave them curious glances, likely because the two didn’t seem to be dressed for the same season.
Xue Ling was bundled up in an oversized, thick coat that hid her hands, wearing a hat, sunglasses, gloves, long pants, and boots with no skin exposed—an outfit only worn in Yu City during winter.
Meanwhile, Wen Jiuze had on a thin long-sleeved shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his arms. Despite the earlier rain and the overcast sky, with a cool breeze still blowing, he seemed unfazed by the chill, as if it were still summer.
Sitting close, Xue Ling could feel the warmth radiating from him. If she hadn’t convinced him to wear a long-sleeved shirt, he’d probably still be in short sleeves. He truly didn’t seem to feel the cold.
Even during the coldest winters, he’d only wear a thin jacket, usually left open. When she doubted if he was trying to show off, he’d take her hand and place it against his chest, letting her feel his warmth.
That winter, they had shared a bed, and she never needed an electric blanket or a hot water bottle as she had in previous years—Wen Jiuze’s warmth was all she needed.
Xue Ling was momentarily distracted, and her tense mood relaxed a little.
She looked through her sunglasses at the people passing by in front of the base. After a long search, she didn’t see anyone familiar—only unfamiliar faces. She felt a mix of disappointment and relief. Part of her feared running into her mother and uncle, but with so many people around, finding them wouldn’t be easy, even if she tried.
As it grew dark, Wen Jiuze stood up, preparing to go to the trading point for supplies. Just then, he felt a tug on his shirt. Turning back, he saw Xue Ling staring nervously in one direction, almost shrinking back. Wen Jiuze, complying with her silent plea, sat back down and followed her gaze.
On the road, a middle-aged woman stood holding a young girl, appearing to wait for someone. She looked like any other middle-aged woman Wen Jiuze had met on the road, with a weathered face, lines at her eyes, and a hint of worry. Though she looked as if she had endured hardships, there was a quiet strength in her expression, suggesting she was managing to get by.
Wen Jiuze studied her carefully, searching for any resemblance to Xue Ling in her eyes, nose, or face, but he saw none. She looked nothing like Xue Ling, yet Wen Jiuze instinctively knew—this was her mother.
The moment Xue Ling saw her, she was gripped with fear. Even with her mask on, it was clear she wanted to hide, though she tried not to make any movement that might attract attention. In her panic, she pulled up Wen Jiuze’s T-shirt and ducked under it like an ostrich burying its head.
Wen Jiuze: “…”
She felt cold against him and shivered slightly. If zombies could cry, he would have guessed she was silently shedding tears while hiding under his shirt.
Their odd posture drew curious glances from onlookers, including her mother, who glanced their way. But since she didn’t know Wen Jiuze and had no reason to wonder about his strange appearance, her attention quickly shifted back to the road as a car pulled up beside her.
Two people got out—one took the sleeping girl from her arms, while the other, a middle-aged man, placed an arm around her shoulders, spoke briefly, and then helped her into the car before they all drove into the base.
Wen Jiuze watched until they were out of sight, then patted the trembling figure hiding behind him. “They’re gone, you can come out now.”
Xue Ling cautiously peeked out from under his shirt. Wen Jiuze adjusted his baggy T-shirt and asked, “Was that your mother?”
She nodded, eyes fixed on the now-empty roadside.
“Should we stay here tonight and leave tomorrow?” he suggested gently.
Xue Ling, surprised, looked at him. Typically, they didn’t linger near the base for long, usually leaving within a few hours. Though Wen Jiuze wanted her to rest near the base for a while, he also worried about the potential dangers if they stayed too long.
Under her questioning gaze, Wen Jiuze offered a reassuring smile. It was as if he understood every unspoken thought in her heart.
“Let’s stay just one more day. This way, you can see her again tomorrow.”
No one entered or exited the base at night, so they spent the night in their car. Rain drizzled quietly outside, and Wen Jiuze reclined his seat as they prepared to sleep.
There was a blanket in the car, which Xue Ling had found after the temperatures dropped. Wen Jiuze, always warm, only used a corner of it, mostly covering Xue Ling, who, though now immune to the cold, still found comfort in the warmth.
Lying next to Wen Jiuze, she absentmindedly bumped her forehead against his chest. She thought Wen Jiuze was asleep, but he suddenly turned her over and changed her position to lie on her side. He said in a faint voice, “You’re poking me—try the other side.”
Xue Ling: “…”
He then asked, “What’s your mother’s name?”
Xue Ling lifted the blanket and climbed up, carefully writing the three words “Xue Pingying” on the writing board.
The next day, she refused to get out of the car. Instead, she cracked open the passenger window and kept watch, hoping for another glimpse of her mother.
All morning, she saw no sign of her. Then, as Wen Jiuze leaned against the car eating a biscuit, he suddenly spotted someone.
He quickly finished his biscuit, dusted off his hands, and called out, “Ms. Xue Pingying!”
Bang! A loud noise came from the car. It was unclear if Xue Ling had accidentally knocked into something in her panic or if she was furious at his sudden call.
Xue Pingying, looking puzzled, turned and walked over to the car. Inside, Xue Ling froze, not daring to make a sound.
“Do you know me? Who are you?” Xue Pingying asked, still puzzled as she looked at the young man.
“Are you Xue Ling’s mother? I was her college classmate. I’ve seen photos, and you look a lot like her,” Wen Jiuze replied smoothly.
Upon hearing her daughter’s name, a wave of sorrow washed over Xue Pingying’s face, and her eyes reddened. She didn’t question his flimsy story.
“Yes, I’m Xue Ling’s mother. You were her classmate in college, right? Nice to meet you,” she replied, her voice shaky with emotion.
Looking at her sad, bewildered expression, Wen Jiuze then asked softly, “Where is Xue Ling? How has she been? Is she with you?”
Tears immediately streamed down Xue Pingying’s face, and she hastily wiped them away. “She… she passed away. She turned into a zombie three years ago.”
Playing the part of an old classmate, Wen Jiuze offered a few condolences, speaking softly and with regret.
After a brief conversation, Xue Pingying excused herself, wiping her reddened eyes as she walked away.
Once she was gone, Wen Jiuze opened the car door. Xue Ling sat inside, clutching her clothes tightly, her face tense and expressionless.
Suddenly, she glanced around the car, grabbed the unfinished bottle of water Wen Jiuze had left, unscrewed it, and tilted her head back, pouring the water into her eyes.
Manually creating tears, she held a bottle of water and blinked as droplets slid down her face, dripping off her chin.
Still, it wasn’t enough. She raised her head, opened her mouth, and mimicked an ugly crying expression in silence.
Wen Jiuze: “…”
He knew she couldn’t cry and felt uncomfortable, so she was trying to convey her emotions in this way.
But watching her attempt, he struggled to hold back a laugh, thinking she looked adorable.
Barely stifling his laughter, his expression grew a little strained. After a couple of deep breaths, he composed himself, adopting a solemn look that suited the somber atmosphere. Wen Jiuze stepped forward, hugged her gently, and patted her back twice.
“Poor thing… go ahead, cry. Want me to pour you more water?”
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Ayalee[Translator]
。˚🐈⬛.𖥔 ݁ ˖
This guy..🤣