"Delicious cakes and bread have arrived!" To Tieu Hieu carried a plate, hurried in, placed the plate on the table. Seeing these children so famished, she also felt extremely heartbroken. Since coming to Duong Quang Apartments, she truly hadn't expected to still be able to continue running a cake shop within the residential area.
And what was even more terrifying was that she could still have an income.
Lam Pham said, "Tieu Hieu, how much is it? I'll give you the money later."
To Tieu Hieu waved her hand, "It's nothing, just consider it my treat."
"No, this money still needs to be given to you."
"No need, really no need."
After a few back-and-forths, seeing To Tieu Hieu really wouldn't take the money, Lam Pham could only let it be.
Dinh Dinh ran back home, brought over milk, "Little brothers and sisters, drink some milk."
This was milk she kept at home, drinking a bottle every morning and evening, which could make her little head even smarter.
Lam Pham patted Dinh Dinh's head, "Dinh Dinh is truly a sensible child."
Dinh Dinh looked up, giggling, "Uncle, these little brothers and sisters are too hungry. Dinh Dinh feels heartbroken watching them."
Beside her, Phi Phi blinked. Towards Dinh Dinh, she felt both love and hate. Usually, "Phi Phi sister" was called so sweetly, but in studies, she was terrifyingly competitive. Moreover, they were learning dancing with Sis Nhan; Dinh Dinh danced well, while she seemed to have uncoordinated limbs, always something a bit off.
To the point where Dinh Dinh still comforted her, telling her, "Phi Phi sister, it's okay. Teacher praised me for dancing well. I'll teach you later." This, for Phi Phi, was an unbearable blow.
I'm older than you, I'm your sister, yet you always make sister lose face. This is a really bad situation.
You need a good awakening.
The old men looked at these children devouring food ravenously, sighed. When will this era end? Lam Pham could bring back five children; these five children were lucky.
But how many more children died in this disaster? So young, yet hadn't seen more of the world's scenery, then thoroughly sank into darkness.
Disaster descended. The older generation before them risked their lives thinking of creating a beautiful homeland for future generations, such sacrifice without complaint or regret.
But now, turmoil came again. It was no longer a national disaster, but a global one.
At this time, Phi Phi, wanting to perform well, said, "Uncle Lam, Mom, I feel these two little sisters are still very young, definitely can't take care of themselves. How about letting them stay with me? I can take good care of them."
Finished speaking, even raised her head.
As if saying, See? I, Phi Phi, can be very good! I am someone who can take care of two little sisters!
Just say if I'm awesome or not!
Lam Pham smiled, "Phi Phi is truly a child with a loving heart."
Hearing Uncle Lam's praise, Phi Phi's nose almost turned up. But very quickly, as if thinking of some terrifying matter, once praised by Uncle, Uncle would think of buying various test papers. This wasn't something she could bear at this age.
"Uncle, this is what Phi Phi should do. Phi Phi doesn't want Uncle's reward."
Her meaning was very clear: I really don't want a reward.
Lam Pham couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Good, good. Didn't expect our Phi Phi to have such awareness. If you hadn't reminded me just now, I really wouldn't have thought of it. Now Uncle understands. When Uncle has time, will go buy you some gifts."
Hearing these words.
Phi Phi stood dazed on the spot, a mask of pain appearing, wanting to cry out loud.
It's all my fault! Shouldn't have proactively shown off! Many things are because of my talkative mouth, always have to cause trouble for myself! Boo hoo hoo...
She couldn't show it, could only use a smile to hide the sorrow in her heart.
Dinh Dinh said, "Uncle, Uncle! Grandma Liang said Phi Phi sister's math foundation has improved a lot recently! It must be the teaching materials Uncle bought that are effective! I think if Uncle buys some more, Phi Phi sister's math scores will be even better!"
Lam Pham smiled, "Okay, got it."
Waah...
Phi Phi stared dumbfounded at Dinh Dinh. Alright! So you really are the saboteur!(Lão Lục = Old Sixth, slang for a hidden enemy/traitor/someone who secretly undermines others)
Really wanted to sew Dinh Dinh's mouth shut.
Vuong Khai said, "I'll take care of the other three boys. Being alone is also a bit boring. Having children for company, won't be so lonely."
His daily workload wasn't large. Time spent in the residential area was particularly much. Besides going to the water plant with Lam Pham, the rest was spent repairing the fence with Co Hang behind the residential area. Now that those steel materials had arrived, even busier for a long time.
Thinking of the image: he's busy, the children watching beside, occasionally chatting a bit, also not bad.
Lam Pham said, "Okay, that's good too. Just troubling you all."
Vuong Khai waved his hand, "It's nothing. I have a special affinity with children. Used to be particularly liked by them."
At this time, the slightly older girl from the orphanage asked softly, "Uncle, where is Uncle Uong?" (Uông thúc thúc -> Uncle Uong)
Han Suong and the others looked at Lam Pham, didn't speak, but let Lam Pham answer. That Uncle Uong who went out to find food for you has met with misfortune.
Lam Pham patted her head, "Uncle Uong was taken away by others, said he's going to save the world. When the world is peaceful, he will come back."
The orphanage children, who were eating bread, looked up, their eyes twinkling.
"I know! Uncle Uong is going to be a hero! Just like Sun Wukong, slaying demons and monsters, defeating evil spirits!"
A tender childish voice came; it was the five-year-old boy who had been silent all along.
Lam Pham smiled, "That's right, going to be a hero."
Life is often supported by hope. A life without hope will be like a headless fly, wandering aimlessly everywhere, eventually meeting death.
These children are still young. Their survival is luck, also their protector. So-called heavenly protection is just a despicable way of belittling others' efforts and sacrifices.
When they heard "Uncle Uong," there was light in their eyes, indicating that at the most desperate moment, that Uncle Uong didn't let them contact the terror outside, but was like a great mountain, blocking all dangers outside, shouldering it with his flesh-and-blood body.
Lies are not good, but white lies often give others more hope and expectation to persevere.
"Old Sir, now that the children are gradually increasing, do you think we need to set up a classroom?"
Lam Pham wanted these children to receive a good education.
Studying cannot be neglected.
The apocalypse is indeed dangerous, but he still thought, danger should be faced by them (adults). Children just need to study well. As for life skills, can learn by watching and doing in daily life.
Old man Vuong said, "This matter, you should ask your Teacher Liang."
Lam Pham looked towards Teacher Liang.
Grandma Liang said, "Possible. Setting up a dedicated classroom is also possible. Later, our residential area might have more and more children. Having a spare classroom is also a good thing."
Lam Pham said, "Then leave that matter to me."
Co Hang: "I'll do it."
Tran Hac: "Me too."
Te Thinh: "Me too."
The meaning of these few was very clear: We really don't want to be idle; being idle will make us seem useless.
...
...
Prison.
"Thanks." A man walked to Ha Minh Hien's side and sat down, very grateful. They went out to collect supplies, unexpectedly encountered zombies. Just when he thought he would die, this ugly-looking fat man actually saved his life.
Ha Minh Hien gnawed on dry, hard bread, "It's nothing. All for survival. Encountering it, naturally won't ignore."
He spoke very calmly, seemingly enthusiastic, but was actually trying to win people over, thinking of establishing his own network. He truly felt this prison was dangerous. People like them were just ants, could die at any time.
The man said, "With a physique like yours, too fat, I think you should really lose weight. I used to be a fitness coach. I think I can teach you some methods that can effectively help you slim down."
"You... fitness coach?" Ha Minh Hien looked at the opponent's thin and weak body; this completely didn't match a fitness coach, okay?
The man said helplessly, "The gym was opened by my dad. I wanted to pick up some rich ladies, so learned some fitness routines. The effect is still there."
Ha Minh Hien: ...
The man also gnawed on bread, "I see you're very close with that kid Mieu Dich. Comes to find you to play whenever he's free, also brings you delicious food."
"Mm, what's wrong?" Ha Minh Hien felt Mieu Dich was a good child, a child he could accept. Perhaps a kind-hearted child, no matter how irritable, how evil a person faced, could still use a true heart to enter the opponent's heart.
The man was silent for a while, then said, "I advise you best not to get too close to him. His sister is Tran Chi Dung's woman. When Tran Chi Dung gets tired of her, will throw her to the people below. As far as I know, no woman can survive. At that time, Mieu Dich will definitely also be cleaned up. You're so close to him, I'm afraid it will implicate you. When that kid comes again, think carefully."
Stood up, patted Ha Minh Hien's shoulder, then said again, "Actually, people who just arrived at the prison all received Mieu Yen's food. But no one will stand up. The people here, including me, and you, actually, we can no longer be considered normal people. To survive, will do anything. Encountering anything, can sit idly by."
Watching the opponent's departing back, Ha Minh Hien was silent, then couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. What does it have to do with me? I, Ha Minh Hien, am just a Shotgun, just someone who finds everyone annoying. How could I...
"Bro Minh Hien, for you." Mieu Dich smiled and handed the milk in his hand to Ha Minh Hien, "My sister gave it to me. I drank half, still half left."
Ha Minh Hien looked at Mieu Dich standing before him, then at that milk, "Why give it to me? You drink it yourself."
"I just want to give it to you." Mieu Dich's smile was extremely brilliant.
"Why just want to?"
Mieu Dich said, "Because you look like my brother-in-law. Fat, very cute. Although a bit greasy, but really look alike."
F**!*
Thu Dao Tram Ngu Ha Minh Hien's heart ached terribly. Why, before and normally, Lao Tzu never met you guys? Could it be I watched too many hot dance videos on the app, leading to not paying attention to people outside?
Ha Minh Hien took the milk, drank it down, thought of what that guy said just now. This milk in hand might have been exchanged by his sister. Drank it all in one go, directly stood up, F**... Patted Mieu Dich's head.
"Go play aside. I'm going to lose weight."
He really wanted to lose weight.
He didn't want to continue like this. The next supply collection was in five days. During this period, he just wanted to lose weight properly. Since the apocalypse arrived, his heart had quietly changed, restrained a lot, much more low-key. No one is a block of wood; even a block of wood, after being fiercely educated by the surrounding environment, would become much more obedient.
Touched the dagger at his waist.
Felt slightly more at ease.
...
...
Duong Island.
Outside the manor compound, were all residences for the survivors who returned with Duong Giai Vu.
Duong Le didn't let them live inside the manor.
This group of survivors was a mixed bag. Not to mention now is the apocalypse; who knows what ideas they might have?
Duong Le's plan for them was: Giving you food is possible, but must do things. Use this small island as a development area, each发挥 (fāhuī - exert/display) their own abilities. Don't think about sitting around waiting for death; no one will raise useless people.
Outside residences.
A young man, his name was Ruong Dung, was one of those who returned with Duong Giai Vu. (Ruong Dung - 田用)
Regarding the current living environment, somewhat dissatisfied in his heart.
He wanted to live inside the manor, eat well, drink well. Always giving him white rice and green vegetables, what nutrition could that have? But every time thinking of heading towards the manor, was stopped by bodyguards.
He also didn't know what this group of bodyguards was thinking.
You all have such martial power, why not just rebel? Duong Le's family of three, what threat can their combat power pose?
But how would he know?
This group of bodyguards were all carefully selected, and their loyalty to Duong Le was very high.
When Duong Le selected personal guards, would always investigate their family situations. Being a soldier was the first choice. If the opponent's family had difficulties, also his definite choice.
He would pay to take good care of the opponent's family situation.
The bodyguard stopping Ruong Dung was one who had received Duong Le's kindness. His mother was critically ill. Duong Le, after knowing, without saying a word, first thing was to admit his mother into the best hospital, find the best experts for treatment. Just that that illness was already too severe, but still extended his mother's life by several years.
This bodyguard's mother, before passing away, held his hand, repeatedly叮嘱 (dīngzhǔ - exhort/warn) again and again, must protect Mr. Duong's safety, even if sacrificing life, must protect well.
Therefore, in terms of loyalty, naturally wouldn't have problems.
Even though now is the apocalypse.
This group of bodyguards still didn't have any deviant thoughts, just wanted to protect Duong Le's family's safety well.
In the room.
Duong Giai Vu, having returned to her parents' side, her tense heart finally calmed down. Yesterday, after returning, she took a nice bath, ate her fill, then went to sleep, sleeping until now.
Before, she wasn't a sleepy person. But under apocalyptic conditions, being able to sleep one or two hours was already considered good. Mental state always tense, never able to relax.
"Dad, Mom."
Duong Giai Vu entered the living room, greeted her parents.
Duong Le looked at his daughter, "Come, sit down. Dad wants to ask you some things. Yesterday you returned too tired, Dad didn't ask much."
"Dad, what matter?" Duong Giai Vu asked curiously.
Duong Le said, "Yesterday you gave the satellite phone to that young man, what was the situation? Tell Dad properly."
Duong Giai Vu said, "Dad, didn't you ask Sis Chu?" (Referring to the female bodyguard as "Sis Chu")
"Dad wants to hear you say it."
Duong Giai Vu thought, images from that time appearing in her mind, "He gave me a very strange feeling. At that time, the bus was heading towards the pier. I saw him alone, carrying a sword, walking on the main road... Reaching the pier, he said he wasn't going with us, said there were people at Duong Quang Apartments. I thought, Duong Quang Apartments still has survivors, so gave him the satellite phone, let him take the people to the pier himself, call me, I'll send a boat to pick them up."
Hearing his daughter recount the situation then, indeed not much different from what Little Chu said.
Duong Le said, "Mother and daughter, tell me, someone like that, able to walk alone on the road, still alive, don't you feel it's very strange?"
Duong Giai Vu thought, "Seems somewhat impossible."
Duong Le said, "Not just somewhat impossible, but extremely impossible. Your bus came, encountered so many zombies. Yet he was completely fine. I think that young man is not simple."
"Dad, how can this not be much simple? All ordinary people. Can he fly to heaven and burrow into earth? Encountering a horde of zombies, fundamentally cannot stop. Those zombies are terrifying; speed and strength both very horrifying. Sis Chu told me, even her, if without any weapon in hand, chance of death reaches seventy percent. If encountering two surrounding, not even a ten percent chance of survival."
Duong Le took out the satellite phone, "Dad will call him now, see if he's still alive."
Dialing the satellite phone.
Calling...
And at Duong Quang Apartments, the satellite phone was still placed by Lam Pham in his own room. That thing was annoying to carry. The number displayed, yet no one answered.
As for Lam Pham, still continuing to chat with everyone, don't even mention how happy.
"No one connected." Duong Le looked at his daughter.
Duong Giai Vu said, "He didn't die, did he?"
"Perhaps I really thought too much." Duong Le sighed, then said, "Among this group of survivors you brought back, is there anyone who makes you feel relatively bad?"
Duong Giai Vu pondered, "Ruong Dung."
"Mm, same as what your Sis Chu said." Duong Le already had an idea: just eliminate Ruong Dung. Someone with ulterior motives staying on Duong Island, he felt was a danger. This kind of danger slowly ferments. If not nipped in the bud, very easy for trouble to occur.
The current situation was no longer so simple to think about.
In the apocalypse, human hearts are hard to fathom.
"Little Chu."
A female bodyguard walked over, "Master."
Duong Le nodded towards her.
The female bodyguard instantly understood, turned to walk outside. Before even going out, Duong Le's voice came from behind.
"Have that group of well-rested survivors patrol various shores of the island. See if any corpses are floating on the lake surface. If any, report back immediately."
"Yes, Master."
Nighttime.
Survivors on the island all found someone seemed to be missing.
It was that young man, Ruong Dung, who always complained.
They didn't take it to heart. For them, being alive was a good thing.
Just that this group of bodyguards ordered them to patrol the shore. This made them somewhat not understand what it meant. What's there to patrol? Or are they afraid other survivors will appear?
But if other survivors really appeared, with the strength of you guards, surely can resolve in an instant.
Pity, no way.
Even if extremely puzzled in heart, under this situation of needing others to feed, still have to obey.
Lights flickered on the shore, illuminating the situation in the water.
Although the island wasn't considered too large, but with current manpower, wanting comprehensive observation, still easy for manpower shortage to occur.
"Ah Long, this place is really safe," a woman said to her boyfriend beside her. (Ah Long - a name)
Ah Long hugged the woman, "Yeah! Rich people are just good! Separate island, isolated. Even zombies can't get through. I think we might stay here for a lifetime."
Walking, walking.
The two sat down on a patch of grass, looking at the dark night far away, then looked up at the moon in the sky, a special emotion welling up in their hearts.
Gradually.
Ah Long's hands also became a bit restless.
The woman said, "They asked us to patrol; isn't this not very good for us?"
Ah Long said, "It's okay. This is an island; zombies can't get through. What are you afraid of?"
The woman thought, felt it made some sense. Besides, she knew Ah Long's speed. With sufficient preparation, also just three minutes. Continue patrolling later.
"Ah Long, you said could it be like before, we on the grass, your butt got bitten into welts? There's no ointment to apply here."
Ah Long: Hehe...
In the river.
Several zombies quietly floated on the water surface, slowly moving with the current. Under circumstances with no movement, they seemed to have entered hibernation.