Chapter 13: No Longer in Need of His Protection

Watching the two fall silent, Lin Wanmei found herself momentarily at a loss for words. They must be deeply disappointed. Yet, it was fortunate that no grave consequences had arisen; realizing early in the apocalypse that not everyone was worth saving helped prevent the fatal cost of misplaced kindness later on. It was, in a way, a gain amid loss.

She could tell both men were struggling, likely exhausted in body and mind from the past few days, merely pushing themselves to keep going. Softly, she said, “This place isn’t safe. Let’s get out first, then talk.”

“Alright!”

The two quickly composed themselves—no point letting rotten people spoil their mood. A lesson learned, and wisdom gained. Stepping over the gruesome corpses, the three ran down the stairs without looking away.

They dashed down two flights, but both men lagged several paces behind Lin Wanmei. Aside from a slight surge of her strength talisman, she hadn’t used any other charms, and being naturally averse to running, she wasn’t particularly fast. Despite their apparent all-out effort, they couldn’t catch up.

A sudden thought struck her. “Have you two eaten anything?”

Sheng Anyu and Gu Chenyi faltered, embarrassed expressions on their faces. Over the past two days, they had been living off tap water alone. It was only because someone tried to find food in the ward that morning that they accidentally stirred up the horde of zombies, triggering a deadly escape.

Were they being scolded for moving too slowly? Judging by their faces, Lin Wanmei already knew the answer.

She untied her green snakeskin pouch, reached inside, and handed them two pieces of bread. “We still have to fight zombies later. You won’t have the strength if you don’t eat something first.”

Sheng Anyu and Gu Chenyi took the bread, their eyes fixed on her as they appraised her from head to toe. Amid the tension and shock at a young girl so decisively slaying zombies, neither had noticed her unusual attire. Now they realized that, despite the summer heat, she was covered head to toe in long sleeves and pants, with a green snakeskin pouch tied at her waist, and wielding a fireman’s axe. It gave off a strange vibe — like a makeshift wandering swordsman.

“Hey, little sister, what’s that pouch for?” Gu Chenyi asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

Lin Wanmei blinked, glancing down at the incongruous snakeskin bag, then said, “It’s my purse. A mix-and-match style.”

“Ah?”

Gu Chenyi hadn’t expected that answer and gave an awkward laugh. “Ah, looks good. Pretty trendy.”

Sheng Anyu shot him a peculiar glance, as if to say: Are you serious?

Unfazed, Gu Chenyi kept his expression steady. Whatever—he’d compliment her to avoid seeming out of touch with youth culture.

Their exchange drew a small smile from Lin Wanmei. “Alright, actually, it’s where I keep supplies.”

Throughout the journey, she had been collecting fruits, bread, snacks, and whatever else she found in the wards, following the principle of not leaving anything behind. These took up about a sixth of the pouch.

She then activated her strength talisman, testing the force. By now, she had a clear sense of how much power to use. Normally, two-tenths of her talisman’s strength was more than enough to fight zombies and carry supplies. If she unleashed the full power, she could even split a mountain or cleave a building in two. But she hadn’t yet mastered such overwhelming might.

The power of the talisman was closely linked to the user’s own combat capability.

“Thanks, little sister! I was starving!” Gu Chenyi didn’t hesitate to praise her, already tearing into the bread. The bread was moist and soft, deliciously sweet and easy to swallow—perhaps because they were so hungry, it tasted extraordinary.

Being surgeons accustomed to grisly scenes, they still had appetites amidst the chaos. Even the ever-elegant Sheng Anyu abandoned finesse to finish his bread quickly.

After they ate, Lin Wanmei handed over two bottles of water. After a brief pause, the three resumed moving.

As they walked, Sheng Anyu reached out to take Lin Wanmei’s fireman’s axe. “This axe is too heavy. Let me carry it.”

With food in their bellies, their weakened limbs soon felt relief. How could he keep hiding behind his little sister and let her protect him?

But the moment he lifted the axe, Sheng Anyu was slightly surprised by its weight. Seeing Lin Wanmei handle it so effortlessly, he had assumed it was light... When did his little sister become such a strongwoman?

“Let me take it back, big brother,” Lin Wanmei smiled and reclaimed the axe. “You’re tired. Just follow me closely from behind.”

Her confidence silenced Sheng Anyu. It seemed his little sister no longer needed his protection.

In truth, once someone took the first step to kill a zombie with their own hands, their spirit grew immensely! After dispatching three zombies under pressure moments ago, Lin Wanmei felt as if she had suddenly unlocked a deep reservoir of energy. With her talisman at her side, there was no need for her brother to risk himself upfront.

Suddenly, agonized screams pierced the air from upstairs. The two men froze instantly.

Lin Wanmei’s smile faded as she watched them quietly.

Sheng Anyu lifted his head. The hoarse, intense cries echoed sharply, accompanied by hurried, chaotic footsteps that seemed to shake the floor. It was the same group from before—no doubt, in panic and confusion, they had run into a lone zombie.

Tightening his lips, Sheng Anyu’s normally gentle eyes turned icy cold. “Let’s go.”

Without another word, he grabbed Lin Wanmei’s hand and headed down the stairs, Gu Chenyi following with determined strides.

Had those fleeing people thought, as they abandoned their comrades, that they could escape this hospital? They were mistaken.

...

The closer they drew to the first floor, the clearer the zombies' howls became. The three unconsciously softened their steps, slowing down cautiously to peer out.

The dim corridor lights flickered unpredictably, and the corners remained unseen, yet no zombies blocked their path. They could hear the commotion at the hall’s far side—it was obvious that the horde drawn down from the twentieth floor had gathered there.

Fortunately, the emergency exit of the surgical building was just a hundred meters to the right.

Sheng Anyu mouthed to the others: “Go.”

Then he led the way forward.

Lin Wanmei followed closely, Gu Chenyi brought up the rear. The three formed a line and quickly approached the rear door.

But just as they were mere dozens of meters from the glass door, a low, hoarse “hoo hoo” sound came from the bathroom on their right.

Sheng Anyu froze, rooted to the spot, instinctively raising his arm to shield Lin Wanmei.

The three halted, tension prickling their foreheads with sweat.

Lin Wanmei gripped her fireman’s axe tightly, heart pounding like thunder.

Relying on invisibility had made them feel unsafe on this path.

Sheng Anyu signaled for the others to let him check ahead first.

Though they nodded, Lin Wanmei and Gu Chenyi kept their steps close.

Step by step, they cautiously approached the bathroom wall and peeked inside.