Guided by Lin Tao, the four of them meticulously searched for ground floors, determined to rest here for the night. No one wanted a sudden encounter with undead in their sleep, so they meticulously examined every square inch. Isoted undead were assigned to A Xue and the others; a pair was handed another; for more, Lin Tao intervened, reducing their numbers before assigning the remaining ones to Boss Hu and A Xue.
After two hours, when Lin Tao confirmed the ground floor was entirely cleansed, the group had amassed a collection of trinkets. Boss Hu now had his pockets crammed with premium Cuban cigars, while Cao Mei and A Xue each sported diamond neckces worth six figures. Even Lin Tao wasn’t above it. He exchanged his vintage Tag Heuer pilot watch for a Bulgari dive watch, capable of plunging to depths of 5,000 meters and priced at an eye-watering million yuan.
Seated in a ramen shop named “Weizhen Ramen,” the four slugged down knife-cut noodles crafted by Boss Hu. Despite his tough exterior, Boss Hu unveiled himself as a master chef, initially working as certified top-tier chef, not the mafia leader he was assumed to be, before the apocalypse changed his fate; he became their leader only after seizing a loaded gun.
Regardless of his credentials, his knife-cut noodles were sublime. The ramen ingredients were surprisingly fresh, thanks to wise storage practices, and the propane from the pipes was enough to let roaring fmes dance in the kitchen.
The steaming bowls of noodles, garnished with masterfully blended fvors, almost made the girls forget their forgotten tongues. Even Boss Hu indulged in his own cuisine, and after persistent pleas from A Xue, he cooked four more bowls that left the group patting their bellies, sated to the core.
Leaning back in their chairs, none could have predicted that half an hour earlier, as they scrutinized this moderately upscale ramen shop, they had uncovered over ten zombies crammed in the tiny restroom. Were it not for Lin Tao’s swift reaction, swiftly locking those undead away, one or two might have met an untimely demise.
The unique aspect of the apocalypse? Humanity’s mental resilience had never been higher. Having seen death, people couldn’t care less about what once daunted them. Who could leisurely munch ramen, knowing a dozen smelly zombies were locked just a room away?
“SQUEAK…”
The jarring sound of the gss door swinging open startled Boss Hu onto his chair. Recognizing the intruder, he gasped, “You… You’re not dead?”
“Better you die before I do, you scoundrel!” Mi Gai Le decimed sassily, with feline dignity contrasted by an unusually human speaking ability.
“This… This cat just spoke?” Boss Hu leapt higher, onto the table, knocking over bowls as he stammered in a mix of fear and shock.
Cao Mei, too, turned pale, cowering beside Lin Tao. “Lin… Lin, your cat just… talked?!”
“Speak? Want a song or perhaps some banter, sweetie?” Mi Gai Le sassed towards Cao Mei with sheer feline arrogance, breaking her previous notions of what an unsatisfied feline might behave like with these human theatrics.
Giggling, A Xue beckoned, “Come here, dear cat.”
“No, I’ll let another cuddle me,” Mi Gai Le dismissed staunchly, staring at Cao Mei; it shocked the girl that an animal preferred her company over others, white kept Lin Tao intrigued about his pet’s varied idiosyncrasies.
After devouring five bowls of noodles and resting, the group ventured to a chosen campsite — a boutique named “Dream Lotus,” specializing in bedding. The medley of beds within could comfortably accommodate them; as traditional, they found rexation was better with a sound mattress.
As they entered, A Xue fluttered excitedly, transforming the otherwise dreary dusty sheets to vibrant dispys. “Don’t sit there for it’s filthy!” She scolded Lin Tao, setting diligently to change the sheets promptly, even coerced the disinterested Mi Gai Le to assist in her redecorations.
“Look at all this cash! This shop was thriving,” Boss Hu delightedly excimed, pulling a hefty wad of bills from a drawer and in shockingly raucous dispy, he ignited them all, lighting a robust cigar before blowing a smoky, inky plume. “Never thought I’d live to see myself burning fortunates on luxuries!”
“Cssless as always,” an unflustered Cao Mei retorted, returning with a warm basin to serve Lin Tao with derived glee as she said, “Let me pamper your feet, dear sir, I’ve got skilled hands.”
“Or better, she’s known more for her, heh, varied skills,” Boss Hu chided smugly, sneering behind her back at the bemusement of the environment; but Cao Mei steadily found her pace, unfazed by his veiled jibes, white kept Lin Tao ensconced in the luxe minutiae of their unlikely haven amidst unsettling times.
