Chapter 14 Leaving Together

As the sky gradually brightened, when Lin Mu woke up, Fu Jingmo was no longer in the room.

He got up and changed his clothes, putting on short sleeves and long pants, and then added a thin long-sleeved shirt on top.

Compared to the summer heat, he was more afraid of being bitten by zombies with just a light touch.

After a simple wash, Lin Mu opened the door and went out. The air in the mountains was mixed with moist mist and the scent of plants.

The sun was slowly rising over the distant mountain, and Fu Jingmo was standing on the second-floor corridor, with his back facing the backlight.

He had changed into his own clothes: a black short-sleeved top, camouflaged military trousers, and the heavy military boots still on his feet.

Leaning on the railing of the second floor, his body slightly arched, the evenly toned muscles on his back were exposed, and he looked in the direction of the road.

“Morning,” Lin Mu said, walking up to him.

“Morning,” Fu Jingmo replied without turning his head. “There are a few wandering zombies on the road, probably coming up from the town.”

Following his gaze, Lin Mu looked at the road, and even in the woods on the side, there were zombies staggering around.

Not many in number, only about a dozen or so in sight, scattered around.

With no living people around, they aimlessly roamed, already becoming walking dead…
Fu Jingmo turned around, checked out his outfit, went into the room, took his own jacket, and handed it to him, saying, “Change your jacket.”

Lin Mu hesitated, waved his hand and said, “No need, you wear it yourself.”

Fu Jingmo’s clothes and pants were a set, both made of military-grade material, definitely more durable and protective than what Lin Mu was wearing.

“It’s hot, I won’t wear it.”

Fu Jingmo frowned, threw the clothes over, and Lin Mu had no choice but to take them.

“…Thank you.”

He reluctantly accepted Fu Jingmo’s kindness, put on the clothes, and secretly thought to himself that he must learn to use his abilities earlier, and not rely solely on Fu Jingmo’s care…

Fu Jingmo was half a head taller than him, and more solidly built, so the clothes were a bit big on Lin Mu.

He zipped it up, burying his chin in the collar, and had to roll it down a bit. He carefully tightened the cuffs.

Downstairs, Zhang Qiang heard their voices and happened to walk out, looking up at the two. “Big Brother Lin Mu, you’re up. I’ve made breakfast, come down and eat.”

Lin Mu responded, and then went downstairs with Fu Jingmo.

Living room, only three people. Auntie and Li Tingting are tidying up the living room, and Lin Mu asked, “Where are the others?”

“The Liu brothers left at dawn, they asked me to thank you and went to the city to find their daughter. Huang Mao went with them, saying they have relatives in the city.”

Lin Mu nodded in understanding, served a bowl of noodles for himself and Fu Jingmo, and sat down at the table to eat. Zhang Qiang looked at Lin Mu and Fu Jingmo’s attire, and asked in confusion, “Lin Mu, are you going out too? I saw more zombies outside, it’s too dangerous.”
After he finished speaking, Auntie and Li Tingting also came over to look at them. The few of them were very grateful and concerned for Lin Mu, who had saved them.

Upon hearing this, Lin Mu put down his chopsticks, “We are also ready to leave. I have a friend in the city. We agreed to meet after the rain stopped. I am very worried now.”

He didn’t mention Fu Jingmo’s situation and asked, “Do you have any plans?”

Zhang Qiang was stunned, his eyes red, shaking his head, “My dad is gone, people in the town have turned into zombies. It’s just the few of us left, I don’t know what to do. There are zombies outside, we…”
Auntie and Li Tingting’s eyes also turned red. Auntie said cautiously, “Mr. Lin, it’s too dangerous outside, so many monsters. How will you manage if you go out?”

Lin Mu smiled and glanced at Fu Jingmo, who was eating noodles, “It’s okay, there are still things we need to do. We have already made our decision.”

Fu Jingmo finished the noodles in his bowl, wiped his mouth, and said coldly, “You are a mutant. Practice more, you can handle these zombies.”

Lin Mu took over, “If you have nowhere to go, just stay here for now. Anyway, I don’t know what will happen if we go out. There are few people here, and we can figure out a way to get food. Apart from the zombies in town, it should be a relatively safe place to stay.”

After pondering for a moment, he continued, “You can stay in my room, but the room on the second floor that’s locked belongs to my parents. Let it stay locked, as you are helping me take care of this home now.”

Zhang Qiang rubbed his red eyes, filled with gratitude.

As Lin Mu said, this is indeed a very good and safe place to stay.

With few people around, they can figure out a way to get more food when supplies run out. The yard is fenced, and he is strong enough now to handle any zombies that come.

Zhang Qiang expressed his gratitude, “Lin Mu, we will stay on the first floor, and I will keep an eye on the second floor for you. You can still stay there when you come back.”

Lin Mu nodded in agreement. He was used to being alone, and very few familiar people visited this yard even in normal times.

It’s ironic that in this apocalyptic world, he has actually felt some gentle goodwill.

After finishing their meal and making some plans, they prepared to go to town first to find a car, as the journey to the city from here is over an hour away…

After speaking, Fu Jingmo went upstairs to prepare.

Zhang Qiang said that his father’s small truck is still parked at home. He drew a map for Lin Mu, and luckily, the key was still on him and he gave it to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu did not refuse. Everyone knew that perhaps there would not be another chance to meet.

He went upstairs, where Fu Jingmo was sitting at the table, playing with a gun. When he saw Lin Mu come in, he handed it to him and asked, “Can you use it?”

“I’ve only used it at the shooting range,” Lin Mu replied.

Lin Mu didn’t reach out. He indeed didn’t know how to use it. Z country is a gun-free country, and the use of firearms is strictly regulated.

In times of peace, Lin Mu had only used a gun once or twice when playing at the shooting range.

Fu Jingmo reached out and placed the gun in Lin Mu’s hand. “Try it.”

A cold sensation spread through his hand. The gun was a dark silver color, small and delicate in appearance, but surprisingly heavy when held.

Lin Mu didn’t know what model it was, and he held the gun with a hint of nervousness.

“This gun is custom-made, with very precise ballistic performance. The recoil is a bit strong, so be careful when using it,” Fu Jingmo explained.

Fu Jingmo took Lin Mu’s hand and placed his fingers on the trigger, correcting his grip on the gun. He leaned in close to Lin Mu, teaching him how to aim.

They were close, and the warm breath spilled over Lin Mu’s ear, making it feel a bit warm.

He always felt that Fu Jingmo had the scent of snow-capped pine trees on him, cold and sharp.

After teaching Lin Mu, Fu Jingmo casually tucked the gun into Lin Mu’s lower back, “It’s convenient to have it here, just in case.”

Lin Mu nodded, trying to get used to the gun on him, and the two of them headed downstairs with their bags.

Zhang Qiang and the others were still waiting downstairs. Auntie had prepared some food for the journey. Lin Mu took it and put it in his bag, then went to the utility room to retrieve the hatchet he had used to chop branches earlier.
He was not good at goodbyes, and Fu Jingmo was a solitary figure, so they didn’t say much.

Lin Mu took a deep look at the small courtyard…
There were too many memories belonging to his parents here. Even if he left decisively, he would still be reluctant.

Fu Jingmo patiently waited, watching as Lin Mu’s expression softened slightly compared to usual.

Lin Mu took a deep breath, turned around, and said, “Let’s go.”

Fu Jingmo pushed the door open, and Lin Mu followed him.
He watched Fu Jingmo walking ahead of him, each step seemed so determined, heading towards his destination with firmness, seriousness, and fearlessness…

Lin Mu’s heart strangely calmed down, and he ran forward to walk side by side with Fu Jingmo.