For the several survivors on the boat in the apocalypse.
It was truly terrifying.
That terror stemmed from the threat of zombies. The zombies they saw were beyond imagination: fast, strong, with keen hearing. Upon seeing living flesh and blood, they would swarm, wanting to outrun zombies on land with two legs was impossible.
The scene before them, for them.
Was very shocking.
When they saw zombies lunging towards this young survivor, they only had one thought: the opponent had no hope of survival. The only hope of staying alive was to jump into the water.
But what about now?
Damn!
A fierce man!
It even made them think of a saying.
I originally thought the God of War in my daughter's doghouse was already invincible under heaven, didn't expect someone to be even more valiant than him. Where is this God of War from?(Translator Note: This is a humorous, likely pop culture reference, implying extreme impressiveness.)
Lam Pham, on the riverbank, holding Frostmourne, faced the charging,暴躁 (bàozào - irritable/frenzied) zombies, maintaining calmness from beginning to end. Towards this very unfriendly zombie horde, he truly had no other way.
He tried to persuade them softly, hoping the zombies could maintain rationality.
But the effect was too minimal.
The only thing that pleased him was encountering the uniformed zombie.
That was truly good.
Even now, he still thought about it, wondering where that rational uniformed zombie was. Perhaps still on patrol, protecting a peaceful corner of Hoang city under the apocalypse.
One of the zombies approached Lam Pham, twitching its head and roaring. The sticky fluid from the corner of its mouth was nauseating to look at. Pfft! A sword light flashed, the zombie's head flew high, spun in the air, fell to the ground, sticky blood splattering open with a squelch.
In the eyes of ordinary people.
Zombies were exceptionally fierce. A frontal impact, even with a weapon to resist, would be accompanied by being knocked back.
But in Lam Pham's eyes, the zombies' speed wasn't fast, their strength even weaker. A casual swing of the sword could kill a zombie.
The three survivors at the bow watched in horror.
"Holy sh*t, awesome!"
This was their only thought.
From the descent of the apocalypse until now, they had never seen anyone kill zombies so easily. If they really saw zombies, they would only flee, run as far as possible, absolutely not daring to stop for a moment.
Just as they were stunned and dazed.
The scene had ended.
In their eyes, that young survivor gently swung Frostmourne in his hand, flicking off the沾染 (zhānrǎn - stained/contaminated) sticky blood, sheathed the sword, and looked at them with a smile on his face.
"It's okay, I'm very strong."
He said this with no other meaning.
Just wanted to tell them, the zombie threat wasn't high.
The three survivors looked at each other. Having witnessed Lam Pham's strength, the previous thought of inviting him to go to the island together vanished instantly.
With such strength, who could handle him?
If he was really brought to the island, even adding the one in the cabin, a total of four people wouldn't be his match.
As for following him, seeking protection?
They didn't have such thoughts. There were truly too many zombies in the city. They had traveled along the waterway, seeing many terrifying scenes. In some places, zombies were in swarms, wandering everywhere. If survivors lived there, they could probably only die in despair.
They also saw survivors on the bank shouting loudly for help, being tackled by chasing zombies, torn apart, finally becoming one of the zombies.
Various tragic events deeply impacted their souls, scaring them.
"Truly very formidable," the middle-aged man exclaimed in fear.
"Are you planning to live on the island?"
Lam Pham liked communicating with friendly, rational survivors. Only then could he feel that Hoang city hadn't turned into a barbaric, brutal city due to the apocalypse.
The middle-aged man said, "Yes, the city has fallen, no longer suitable for our survival. We want to go to Li Island to see; there shouldn't be zombies there. Once there, we can have a chance to survive." (Assuming Lê đảo -> Li Island)
Surviving on an island, like primitive life. No phone, no electricity, many, many things unavailable. The boat's fuel wouldn't last long. Reaching the island, the remaining fuel could support electricity supply until the fuel was exhausted, then return to true primitive life.
Lam Pham said, "Hope you can be safe."
From the other party's eyes, saw a trace of vigilance.
Despair towards the city.
Also that kind of anticipation of leaving the city and rushing to the island.
The middle-aged man said, "Thank you. I advise you to also leave Hoang city as soon as possible. There's no hope here. As the apocalypse drags on longer and longer, zombies will become more and more numerous, supplies also scarcer. If you have the ability, it's best to go deep into the mountains; there won't be zombies there, there's hope of survival."
Lam Pham smiled.
Said no more.
He knew this was the other party's kind intention. Therefore, he didn't refute, but pretended: You're right, I think I will consider it carefully.
The boat traveled far.
They left.
The apocalypse was extremely unfriendly to everyone. Those with the ability to escape had long fled; those without could only wait for death in the city.
Watching the departing figure of the boat.
Hope they have good luck.
The wind blew gently, very comfortable. Besides the fallen zombie corpses on the bank, there was nothing else.
He moved the zombies into the trash can. Although this trash wasn't thrown by him, it had some relation to him. Good thing there weren't few trash cans around.
Just enough for him to stuff the corpses in.
Time was still early.
He came to fish.
Not to stand by the bank dazed.
Holding the fishing rod in hand, leaning on the railing, quietly watching the ripples on the water surface.
He was a novice in fishing, didn't understand many techniques. Had heard people say fishing requires chumming the spot. Regarding this, he could only say, how would I know how to chum?
Before, he watched videos. Many men liked fishing. What they fished for wasn't fish, but a kind of process, enjoying the battle of wits and courage with the fish during angling, enjoying the joyful feeling of a fish biting the hook.
But now, as a novice angler, what he looked forward to most was being able to catch fish.
The sound of a car came from afar. Saw a car speeding on the distant road, with zombies trailing behind.
The number of zombies in the city was very large.
They wouldn't just stay foolishly in place. When no prey appeared, zombies didn't remain motionless, but limped forward. Perhaps not walking fast, but their mobility was very strong.
"The number of survivors is quite large."
Lam Pham watched the departing car, didn't take those zombies to heart, nor did he think of shouting out, for example, a "Hello there." He didn't want to actively greet zombies.
Quietly fishing was very good.
The zombies chasing the departing car didn't even notice his situation here. Besides, the distance between them was quite far. His spot on the bank was separated from the road by a wide flower bed, also shielded by many lushly growing trees.
If by any chance he attracted the zombies, it would be extremely troublesome. After chopping them, still had to clean up the zombie corpses, too time-consuming. He was here to fish, not to chop zombies.
If someone saw this current situation.
Absolutely stunned.
Just how big a heart must one have to fish so calmly, utterly disregarding whether zombies were there or not.
After a while longer.
He felt a slight vibration in the fishing rod in his hand. For an ordinary person, this kind of touch is extremely faint, fundamentally imperceptible. But Lam Pham's current strength was very formidable, his senses very keen. Joy gradually appeared on his face. Then, a pulling force from a fish transmitted through. He hurriedly started to lift the rod.
Didn't feel any weight.
Could only say this fish wasn't very big.
Lifted the fishing rod. A palm-sized grass carp spun in the air. Sunlight shone, fish scales reflecting silver light. Seeing a fish hooked, he finally couldn't help but speak out.
"Awesome!"
He smiled happily.
Although the hooking was a bit slow, finally seeing a fish bite the hook, this was an extremely joyful event.
Moved the grass carp before him, unhooked it from its mouth, prepared to continue fishing.
Suddenly.
His ears twitched slightly; he heard zombie roars.
The distance was a bit far.
He turned his head towards the road.
The zombie horde just now had already chased that car away. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any zombies. But this sound was real, not deceiving.
A fat zombie appeared in Lam Pham's line of sight. This zombie's physique was at least three hundred jin, all over fatty meat, short small legs. Running on the road, its speed was very slow, a night-and-day difference from other zombies. (300 jin = 150 kg / approx. 330 lbs)
"So fat!"
Lam Pham exclaimed in surprise.
This might be the fattest zombie he had ever seen. Estimated three hundred jin might even be an understatement.
The fat zombie was originally chasing the main group, wanting to catch the car. But its companions ran too fast, instantly甩 (shuǎi -甩 shuǎi - to swing; to throw; to fling; to cast off; to leave behind; to dump (sb)) him far behind. Originally thought of walking aimlessly, suddenly heard a sound, immediately attracting the fat zombie's attention.
Lam Pham observed meticulously.
The fat zombie's arm was missing a chunk of flesh. The clothes on its body were so dirty their original color couldn't be seen, but always felt like a patient's gown.
"Ugh ugh... Roar."
The fat zombie saw Lam Pham in an instant. Its pale eyes rolled back and forth. Savagely roaring, it waddled its short fat legs towards Lam Pham. Its running speed wasn't fast, could even be said to be extremely slow.
Observing meticulously.
When the fat zombie ran, the fatty meat on its abdomen was like a fluttering hula hoop, shaking. Every time its foot stepped on the ground, a dull sound transmitted out.
"Already eaten until so fat, still want to eat me?"
Very helpless about this.
He just wanted to fish peacefully. Since the apocalypse arrived, the zombies became extremely irritable, extremely ferocious.
During the waiting process.
The fat zombie was very close to Lam Pham. According to zombie habits, at such a short distance, they usually charge madly. There's another type, which is pouncing. The fat zombie before him chose the latter, suddenly leaping towards him.
A large black shadow covered the ground.
Lam Pham didn't draw his sword, but shifted a few steps to the side. Clang! The fat zombie's abdomen slammed hard against the railing. Just when it was thought the fat zombie was about to fall to the ground, an unexpected thing happened.
Clang!
The railing tilted, one connecting to the next, splash splash splash, falling into the water. Even the fat zombie plunged headfirst into the water.
Lam Pham stood by the bank, dumbfounded.
Stupidly looking at the situation before him.
This probably has nothing to do with me, not even half a dime's worth. I was just standing by the bank. The fat zombie charged towards me. I quickly shifted my position, dodging the zombie's pounce...
That's right.
That's how it was.
No witnesses around, but there was a camera. He gestured towards the camera, intending to explain that what just happened had nothing to do with him. It was that fat zombie hitting the railing; he was just standing by and did nothing.
After gesturing for a bit.
He felt if someone was on the other side of the camera, they should be able to understand his meaning.
Couldn't continue fishing.
Raised his head, looked towards the water. That fat zombie splashed in the water for a bit, then slowly sank towards the depths, until turning into a black shadow and disappearing without a trace.
Carrying the fishing gear, having harvested one grass carp, happily rode the electric scooter towards the residential area.
Duong Quang Apartments.
He first returned the electric scooter to the brokerage, then carried his things back to the residential area.
"Bro Pham, this getup... you went fishing?"
Vuong Khai was extremely surprised. He also used to like fishing. Later, because of work being busy, lost that spirit, to the point of neglecting it for a long time.
"Mm, passed by a fishing gear shop. Thought there should be fish in the Chao River, so went to try my luck. Luck wasn't bad, successfully caught one fish."
Lam Pham smiled. Fishing is a gradual process. Initially, problems with technique would definitely lead to insufficient harvest. But as long as he could persist, he could have a huge harvest.
"Possible."
Now in the apocalypse, still able to go fishing so leisurely, probably really only Bro Pham. He never quite figured out why Bro Pham was so valiant, no different from a super-soldier. Could it be Bro Pham injected some kind of gene drug, or touched a cosmic meteorite, thus undergoing gene mutation, obtaining super strength?
This question... Worth pondering.
Lam Pham said, "Will take you to the water plant later. I have quite a few things this afternoon."
"Go."
Vuong Khai nodded, then looked for Doggi. Didn't know where this dog went. They came downstairs together earlier, in a blink, ran off and disappeared.
He had a terrifying thought.
Doggi didn't go looking for poop to eat, did it?
When surviving at the water plant, he and Doggi ate, drank, slept all in that small, narrow room. Sometimes Doggi would secretly eat his excrement.
He knew this was Doggi protecting him. After all, the environment is very important. Doggi hoped he had a clean environment.
Just thinking about after Doggi finished defecating, came to his side, rubbed against his leg, occasionally looking towards the dog poop. Thinking back now... Doggi's meaning might very well be...
I ate yours.
It's not too much for you to eat mine, right?
Xin lỗi bạn rất nhiều! Đúng là tôi đã nhầm lẫn và không cung cấp bản dịch tiếng Anh.
Đây là bản dịch chính xác của Chương 81 (phần 2), áp dụng tất cả các quy tắc đã thống nhất:
Chapter 81: (2) Do You Think He's Really Just an Ordinary Person (2)
Room 204.
Sis Li stayed in Duong Tue's room, holding Manh Manh and chatting casually with Duong Tue, all about matters between women.
Ly Mai was worried about Duong Tue's emotions. Postpartum women always have a sense of anxiety and loss, easily developing postpartum depression. This situation needed to be taken seriously, absolutely not underestimated.
There had been cases where pregnant women, after giving birth, committed suicide by jumping off a building due to postpartum depression. Such news wasn't uncommon.
Ly Mai was thinking of this situation.
Therefore, after finishing her busy tasks, she would come here to chat with Duong Tue, talk about happy things, not wanting her to always dwell on unhappy matters.
"Sis Li, can my child really grow up healthy and strong?" Duong Tue's tone was very calm, looking at the baby lying beside her, an unspeakable worry in her eyes.
Clearly, nothing had happened yet, but she always felt there was no hope for the future.
Ly Mai observed Duong Tue's condition.
Once, she too was a young girl. When she first became pregnant, she joked with her husband, "What if I get postpartum depression?"
She had even researched online.
Three symptoms of postpartum depression: feeling down and unhappy, loss of interest, lack of energy.
Also accompanied by anxiety, tension, insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss, and situations with psychotic symptoms.
Ly Mai sat by the bed, holding Duong Tue's hand, "Little sister, what are you saying? How could he not grow up healthy and strong? Look at Manh Manh in my arms; her experience is very upsetting. I heard Little Pham say, her mother, to let her survive, tied the child to her chest, and finally hanged herself upside down."
"So no matter what, you must be strong, must be full of hope for the future."
"Every survivor in Duong Quang Apartments will help you."
She spoke softly, hoping Duong Tue could understand that even in crisis, one must live on strongly, for oneself, and also for the child.
Duong Tue seemed to feel the strength of these words, "Thank you, Sis Li, I know."
Ly Mai nodded happily. She was experienced. Before, she too was extremely desperate, also thought about ending it all by dying. But thinking of Phi Phi, she knew she couldn't die, had to take good care of her child.
Finally... Heaven took pity, letting her meet Lam Pham. In Little Pham, she saw hope, foresaw the future, saw the brilliance of humanity in the apocalypse. Thus, she strengthened her own heart, cherished Duong Quang Apartments, grateful for everything Little Pham provided.
If danger arose, she would use her life to protect the safety of the residential area, because this was no longer just a safe haven, but also the starting point of her hope-filled future.
Footsteps approached.
"Little Pham, you're here."
Ly Mai smiled. Seeing Lam Pham also made her feel very at ease. This ease wasn't the kind with other intentions, but a kind of peace. She always believed Little Pham possessed a power that could infect the depths of others' hearts.
Lam Pham smiled, "Sis Li, I caught a grass carp, brought it for her to make some nutritious soup."
Ly Mai said, "Put it in the kitchen. I'll make it for her at noon."
"Okay." Lam Pham headed towards the kitchen.
Ly Mai looked at Duong Tue, "See? Everyone is very concerned about your physical condition. You must be strong. In the future, we can contribute to the residential area."
Little Pham arrived at a good time.
She also hadn't expected Little Pham to have such a thought, knowing Duong Tue's body was weak, deliberately going to find a fish. This moved Ly Mai in an indescribable way.
Now is the apocalypse; the difficulty of getting a fish can be imagined.
"Sis Li, Duong Tue, you two chat. I still have some things to do, so I'll go first."
"Okay, go to work, be safe," Ly Mai said.
...
Rooftop terrace.
Tran Hac and Co Hang stood together, looking into the distance. The desolate city gave them a huge shock. There was also thick smoke drifting up from distant buildings.
"Do you think there's a way to raise the safety of the residential area to the highest level? For example, is there any way to prevent zombies from stacking Arhats and thus breaking into the community?" Co Hang said.
Tran Hac held a thick book, heard Co Hang's words, looked at Co Hang with a puzzled face, as if saying, Are you kidding me? You're a professional soldier, I'm just a broadband installation guy. Why do you all have such high hopes for me?
"That seems very difficult to achieve," Tran Hac could only reply this way.
Co Hang said, "The Old Chief said you are an internet expert, high level. You can help me think about it."
Tran Hac: ...
Speechless, Tran Hac always felt helpless, as if there was no way back.
High level?
If I were high level, I wouldn't possibly just be a broadband installation guy.
Tran Hac said, "Thinking about it is a bit difficult. I've observed the situation of these zombies. If the number truly reaches a certain level, stacking Arhats wave after wave, it definitely cannot be stopped."
Co Hang said, "Indeed. Movies have shown scenes of stacking Arhats, countless zombies piled together. The current height of the residential area's iron gate cannot stop it, neither can the perimeter wall."
Hearing Co Hang say these words to him.
Tran Hac's head cleared. He didn't know why he followed Co Hang to the rooftop. It was just when they met downstairs, Co Hang waved at him, asking him to come up to the rooftop together for a look.
Who knew coming here, the topics of conversation were all his blind spots.
The book in hand was hard to chew, but this kind of topic was even harder to understand.
Thinking, thinking, still felt the book in hand was more appealing.
Co Hang always had the thought of preparing for danger in times of peace. Duong Quang Apartments was very safe now, but as a soldier, he knew safety wasn't eternal. Danger would always strike when you were most relaxed, hitting you hard, delivering a fatal blow.
...
On the desolate street, an electric scooter sped along.
Lam Pham carried Vuong Khai and Doggi towards the water plant. This task needed to be done daily. Whether the water plant could operate safely depended entirely on Vuong Khai.
Looking at the surrounding environment, even if seeing zombies, Vuong Khai could face them calmly. Even if chased by zombies from behind, he wasn't flustered at all. Perhaps this was the mindset a qualified survivor should have.
Don't panic when things happen; we have Bro Pham.
Bro Pham draws his sword, a flurry of slashes, and can chop the zombies into mush.
For Lam Pham, his daily workload was already packed. These last two days, he hadn't cleaned the fellow villagers' shops, earning much less money.
This couldn't be helped. Could only postpone for two days, resolve recent busy matters, then would have time to clean the shops.
Escorting Vuong Khai to the water plant, encountered several zombies, also easily killed them. Seems the zombies really were just wandering aimlessly, appearing haphazardly inside the water plant.