Chapter 6: Things Are Different When You're Taken

Xiao Guang pondered for a long time, trying to understand what exactly he considered a zombie to be—what state of humanity it represented, or whether it could still be called human at all.

After much thought, Xiao Guang found no answer. He wasn’t a medical student and didn’t know how to define it physiologically. Nor was he well-versed in theology to grasp what truly defines a human—whether it’s merely the ability to breathe or the presence of rationality.

“Thank you for sitting quietly with me for so long.”

Pei Zhuyuan didn’t move. Although her red eyes remained fixed on Xiao Guang, she simply sat there without lunging to bite or making any meaningless sounds.

Earlier, the broadcast mentioned that a serum was still being developed. Xiao Guang had no idea what this serum truly was. The only time he had encountered the term was online, where people talked about injecting serum promptly after a venomous snakebite.

So if the serum succeeded, could those zombies return to normal humans?

Xiao Guang couldn’t help but glance at Pei Zhuyuan. If that were the case, it was truly something to look forward to. He had often thought the world was a cruel place, but seeing the current apocalyptic state made him realize how beautiful the world used to be.

On this entire street, Xiao Guang suspected he was the only sane person left. After all, three months had passed without him hearing any cries for help or seeing anyone else strolling around openly like himself.

How much serum would it take to restore the world to its former state? He looked at Pei Zhuyuan again, hoping for some kind of response—at least a nod in his direction.

People said that confinement in a dark room could drive a person mad. Xiao Guang felt that after three months, he was not far from losing his sanity.

“When I don’t want to live anymore, I’ll tie our hands together, and then you bite me, gently. Consider it me taking advantage of you. When others see this, maybe they’ll say this guy died worthily—he even had a stunning beauty as a girlfriend. Don’t worry, I’ll write your name down and keep it in your pocket.”

Pei Zhuyuan bit again. Xiao Guang raised his arm, and she responded just like at the very beginning, though because of the bite guard, Xiao Guang found the motion oddly affectionate.

There were still four bags of flour left at the bakery and some supplies at the supermarket on this street. Xiao Guang let Pei Zhuyuan nibble on him like a little dog while he mentally planned his next steps.

Staying in the apartment indefinitely was impossible; he didn’t know what awaited outside the city. He needed some seeds, some books on farming, and perhaps a gun.

“What do you like to eat?”

He asked Pei Zhuyuan out of habit. She seemed tired of biting and no longer bit hard, just holding onto his sleeve out of habit.

“I heard potatoes are easy to grow. I like cucumbers. Sigh, what about eating meat later? Do we have to raise pigs?”

Xiao Guang couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. After all, he was an overseas student, yet here he was, contemplating pig farming. Truly, human potential was limitless.

“You still need to learn to drive, ideally find a big truck that can carry enough supplies. Otherwise, if you run too far, it’ll be hard to come back. Spend a month preparing; if no rescue arrives by the end of next month, then leave.”

Xiao Guang wasn’t sure if this decision was right. But thinking about the young woman in the corridor with her blackened leg, he felt compelled to act. Not just her—the landlord, whose head he had struck, was clearly showing signs of decay.

This meant that more and more people in the city would become like that. Considering the stench and environment, Xiao Guang was just an ordinary person. Even with a pharmacy downstairs, if he suddenly fell ill, he knew he could only rely on luck to pick medicine.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you rot. I’ll feed you and give you water every day. Promise me you’ll keep your body working and not break down.”

Xiao Guang now enjoyed stroking Pei Zhuyuan’s head. He had washed her silky long hair himself. Running his hand through it brought him a comforting sense of solace, much like pet owners feel.

Pei Zhuyuan kept staring at him. After a few gentle strokes, she suddenly loosened her bite, lifted her head, and pushed his hand away.

“Ah~~~”

Was she trying to talk to him? What did it mean? Xiao Guang studied her eyes carefully—the red irises fixed on him for a long time. Eventually, he gave up.

With no electricity, time stretched long. The room was full of books. Xiao Guang picked one and sat by the window, reading by sunlight to pass the time. As for Pei Zhuyuan, he decided to give her some freedom and observe her zombie habits.

She sat on a chair for a while, then stood up and spun around in place. She walked toward the wall, turning just before bumping into it. Xiao Guang watched as she entered the kitchen, then came out again, followed by the washroom. He even heard the sound of running water.

He walked over, tilted his head, and saw Pei Zhuyuan playing with the shower handle. He reached out and gently pulled her back.

“You’re getting all wet. Step back a little.”

Letting her go, Xiao Guang suddenly wondered if feeding Pei Zhuyuan would make her need to use the bathroom.

What would he do then? Even though he cleaned her nails and body, he had no intention of doing such things for her.

Maybe he shouldn’t feed her anymore. After all, zombies eating was just his own imagination. As he hesitated, the shower turned on again, water spraying down. Xiao Guang saw Pei Zhuyuan tilt her head back and open her mouth.

Was she drinking water? Xiao Guang didn’t move. She stayed like that for a long while, then turned off the shower and walked back into the living room. Xiao Guang followed.

Pei Zhuyuan stood facing the wall, motionless.

This posture was very much like the zombies on the street. Xiao Guang took out a large towel and went over to dry her hair and face, then wiped her clothes.

“Ah~~”

Pei Zhuyuan turned around, seemingly wanting to bite him again. Xiao Guang casually pinched her cheek.

“No biting. If you bite, I’ll hit you. Got it?”

He picked up a motorcycle helmet nearby and gently tapped her head twice, then put it down and waved a baseball bat in front of her eyes.

“Understand? If I hit you, it’ll hurt.”

“Ah~!”

Let’s pretend she understood. Xiao Guang released her cheek. If she wanted to stand, so be it. He would go enjoy the last rays of sunlight.

The room remained in this strange state. Xiao Guang read by the window, bathed in sunlight, while Pei Zhuyuan stood silently against the living room wall. Sometimes he shifted slightly; she remained like a statue.

“I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight, Miss Pei Zhuyuan. Oh, and if you don’t want to stand, you can sleep too, but not in my room—the two rooms over there are bedrooms.”

Bringing Pei Zhuyuan back was the right choice. Although she didn’t respond to him, at least he finally had someone to talk to. Not to mention, she was truly beautiful. Xiao Guang longed to kiss her cheek but feared being bitten by the bite guard on her lips. If that happened, it wouldn’t be a matter of risk but pure embarrassment.

The room plunged into darkness. The Citizen wristwatch on the bedside table had luminous hands. Perhaps he should get some solar-powered lighting. After all, with another person in the house, he need not sleep so early.

Xiao Guang heard some noise outside the room—maybe it was just his imagination. He turned over and decided to sleep well. He had worried too much last night, but now, thinking it over, Pei Zhuyuan wasn’t so frightening after all.