Nighttime.
A refreshing wind swept clean, making the two people shiver.
The sound of footsteps came, very light. If one listened carefully, it could be heard.
But for the two who were in high spirits, external sounds were already unimportant. Just wanted to quickly get to work, in the wonderful atmosphere, attain enlightenment and ascend, take it a step further, together reach the human limit.
This truly was the spiritual fusion and sublimation between people.
Suddenly.
A voice came.
"What are you two doing?"
The two, who were enjoying themselves, heard this voice. Scared Ah Long until he instantly had a cramp. Hurriedly stood up. The woman beside him similarly rushed to put on clothes.
Caught! So exciting! Really scary!
The woman could clearly feel Ah Long instantly tremble for a moment.
Preliminary estimate: two minutes.
Stepped back.
The flashlight beam shone on their bodies.
The female bodyguard said, "Middle of the night, doing this kind of thing here, aren't you afraid of surrounding insects and snakes biting you? If you want to do it, go back and do it. Now you are assigned to patrol, not to let you do these things."
Ah Long originally wanted to say, You talk and talk, but can you not shine the flashlight on my girlfriend? You doing this makes it very difficult for me, okay? But hearing the opponent's female voice, it didn't matter. Shine casually, look casually. Woman looking at woman, what loss could there be? Besides, as a man, being looked at by a woman is also very normal, no problem at all.
"Yes, yes, we know." Ah Long, properly dressed, quickly replied.
The female bodyguard said, "It's the apocalypse now. You know the dangers outside. The island is Mr. Duong's island. He can take you in, give you food, already considered utmost care and help. Arranging some work for you isn't ordering you around, but everyone needs to consider their own safety. If zombies float over from the lake surface, the consequences will be extremely severe."
Ah Long and the woman nodded.
Indeed, it was like this.
Arriving on the island, this richest man of Hoang city, Mr. Duong, was still very friendly. Although the food wasn't extremely abundant, what they ate was fragrant white rice paired with some vegetables.
Anyway, better than eking out a cowardly existence outside.
Ah Long said, "Our place here is surrounded by water on all four sides. Zombies can't swim, so they probably can't get over, right?"
Finished speaking, he even looked towards the lake surface.
In his view, this was impossible. How could zombies swim?
Wait a minute.
What is that?
The lake surface was illuminated by lights. Saw black shadows floating one by one. In an instant, his pupils suddenly constricted, as if seeing a ghost. Turned his head, pointed to the lake surface for the female bodyguard, "Big... Big Sis! There's something floating over there!"
The female bodyguard hurriedly looked towards the lake surface, her expression suddenly grave, "You quickly go back and notify everyone! Zombies are floating over on the lake surface! Quick..."
"Oh, yeah..."
Ah Long, with his girlfriend, quickly ran towards the manor.
The female bodyguard was shocked by the situation on the lake surface. Roughly looking, could clearly see about ten of them. Listening carefully, seemed to hear the zombies' soft "Ugh ugh" sounds. Some faced the lake, some faced the sky, quiet, motionless, drifting with the current.
"What should be done?" The female bodyguard calmed herself. Absolutely cannot panic. The zombies were still several meters from the shore. This group of zombies floated motionlessly. Do they know how to swim, or not?
Thinking of this.
She picked up a rock from the ground, threw it towards the lake.
Splash! Water splashed.
Just as she was about to run away first, saw an astonishing scene. The zombies, alerted by the disturbance, thrashed in the water. Seeing the female bodyguard standing on the bank, let out bursts of roars, reached out their arms, wanting to grab the delicious flesh and blood.
The female bodyguard, wanting to run, didn't run, but watched helplessly as the zombies sank to the bottom of the lake.
"Zombies indeed don't know how to swim. They can only float on their backs, drifting with the current. Encountering sound or movement, will erupt with instinct, thereby sinking under the water."
Thinking of this.
She hurriedly ran towards the manor.
At this time.
The manor was in a flurry. Those who ran back immediately notified the manor bodyguards. Other survivors, hearing this, were completely dazed. Didn't expect to have already run here, yet still have to face the zombie menace. Is this f*ing ever going to end?
They stood foolishly in the manor, watching the bodyguards run back and forth, somewhat at a loss, not knowing what to do next.
Encountering this situation, they also wanted to help.
But really didn't know how.
Duong Le's face was serious. Didn't expect that kid was right; zombies actually came from the water surface. This situation, indeed, he hadn't thought of.
When building the manor before, there was a perimeter wall. But the wall's height was just ordinary. If encountering a rather large number of zombies, might not necessarily be able to defend.
The female bodyguard hurried in, "Master! Latest discovery! Zombies can only drift with the current! Hearing sound, will thrash in the water, finally sinking! The manor has a broadcast room! Broadcast sound, disturb them, let them thrash in the water, sink to the bottom!"
Duong Le couldn't think that much, "Quickly go!"
"Yes!"
The female bodyguard hurried towards the broadcast room.
This broadcast room was prepared by Duong Le for his wife. His wife, who loved plaza dancing, often liked to turn on the broadcast to play music. Didn't expect at such a moment, it could actually be useful.
Immediately after.
Passionate, high-pitched music broadcasted from the radio.
"The Vast Horizon is My Love..."(A famous Chinese pop song often used for plaza dancing)
Passion spread in all directions.
Those zombies floating in the water heard the sound, each one releasing its primitive ferocity. Their pursuit of music had reached the extreme.
This kind of pursuit ignored the surrounding environment. Even if the environment was extremely harsh, still couldn't stop their sincere heart from pursuing music.
Thrashing.
Calm.
The female bodyguard held a walkie-talkie, communicating with companions on the yacht.
"Check if the zombies have already sunk into the water."
"Sunk. However, several zombies have already reached the shore, hearing the sound, running towards the manor."
"Received."
The female bodyguard knew the manor's main gate was already sealed. With few zombies, very easy to resolve. Looking down from above, occupying an advantageous position, smashing the zombies' heads was enough.
"Ugh ugh!"
Zombie roars came from outside the perimeter wall.
The bodyguards climbed onto the perimeter wall, holding iron tools. Looking at the savage zombies, their expressions also extremely grave. Swung the iron tools fiercely, smashing them onto the zombies' heads.
Pfft!
Pfft!
Smashing out bloody holes. If couldn't kill with one blow, then hit a few more times. Iron tools stained with sticky blood. Without firearms, this kind of iron tool was best.
Manor.
"Master, zombies all cleaned up. I think we can let them play music on the yacht, in case zombies sneak onto the island," female bodyguard Little Chu said. (Tiểu Chu -> Little Chu, a name for the bodyguard)
Duong Le said, "Tough work for you all."
...
...
Duong Quang Apartments.
"Got a missed call."
Lam Pham looked at the satellite phone; this was given by that Miss Duong. Besides calling yesterday, he hadn't touched it, usually just placed it at home.
Thought the other party calling might be for something.
So called back.
Beep beep beep...
Connected.
"Hello. Phone was at home earlier, didn't pick up. Excuse me, is something the matter?" Lam Pham always spoke like this when calling people; he also didn't know if the other party encountered some matter.
"You're still alive?" The voice on the other end of the phone was somewhat disbelieving.
Lam Pham was slightly surprised. What do you mean still alive? Isn't it very normal for me to be alive? If someone with a bad temper heard this, would definitely curse furiously.
Thought of former client Thu Dao Tram Ngu. If that guy received the call, would absolutely curse the opponent until they couldn't even tell which way was up.
Thinking about it also felt very terrifying.
Lam Pham said, "Mm, alive. Always been alive. Thanks for your concern."
Perhaps sensing his own way of speaking was somewhat not good.
"Sorry, young man. Thank you for your reminder. What you said about zombies being able to swim is true. Thanks for the reminder. If not for your reminder, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Lam Pham said, "It's okay, just a small effort. Excuse me, is there anything else?"
He didn't know who the opponent was. Hearing the voice, it was a man's voice. That must be someone from Miss Duong's side. For Miss Duong and her group to reach a safe place, truly happy from the bottom of his heart.
In the apocalypse, survivors being able to live is truly an extravagant hope. Now being able to have a safe place, truly very good. Only by surviving is there hope; death means nothing left.
"I am Duong Giai Vu's father, Duong Le. Heard from Giai Vu that your Duong Quang Apartments still has other survivors. Don't know if you need to come to Duong Island? Supplies here are not lacking, much safer than outside."
Duong Le felt Lam Pham was a capable young man. Able to live until now, also not like him hiding on an island, but surviving by his own ability.
Survivors in the apocalypse were already few. If could unite, gradually grow stronger, perhaps really could have great hope of surviving until the end.
"Thank you, Mr. Duong, for the invitation. I am Duong Quang Apartments' security guard. Everyone here lives very well, so won't disturb Mr. Duong."
According to Lam Pham, such exchange had no problem whatsoever. He and everyone in Duong Quang Apartments lived, don't even mention how happily. Although busy every day, but such busyness made him extremely satisfied, an indescribable joy.
"Alright then. Since it's like that, then won't force. Hope we can keep in touch often in the future."
"Okay, no problem. Goodbye."
Hung up the phone.
Manor side.
Duong Le and his group had already eliminated the zombies. The number wasn't large, just a few. Occupying high ground advantage, plus having perimeter walls blocking, under circumstances with extremely few zombies, very difficult to break through.
"Dad, isn't he truly very amazing?" Duong Giai Vu said.
Duong Le said, "Mm, very amazing. Still not very good to guess until now. But he can live until now, indicates very capable. If not for inconvenient transportation, really want to go to Duong Quang Apartments for a look. As I see it, the apocalyptic situation might last for a long, long time. Past social systems will completely collapse. Rebuilding the system will be a diversified system. This kind of system is manifested in the apocalyptic zombie siege."
Duong Giai Vu asked, "In the future, circulating currency will no longer be money, gold, diamonds, etc., but various kinds of supplies?"
Duong Le said, "Yes, no mistake. Just various kinds of supplies. And among them, edible supplies and medical supplies are most precious. Because without production capability, existing supplies will only become scarcer. But saying this is still a bit early. Using the manor to survive can last for some time. Most important now is to properly renovate the manor. What we face isn't just zombies, but also other survivors."
For Duong Le, as long as this island can be held, blocking zombie harassment, in the future he surely must walk this path. Just a pity, the wealth earned before has no use at all.
As for other survivors, he knew well the dangers within. Once forced to a desperate situation, what ethics, morality, all will vanish. As long as can obtain benefits, all sorts of methods can be devised.
The easiest to use is a kind of pity tactic: women bringing children, still that kind of child. Anyone with a conscience would probably take them in.
But once that woman harbors ill intentions, it's leading a wolf into the house.
He cannot overlook these problems.
...
...
Early morning.
A beautiful day began again.
A sedan slowly parked at Duong Quang Apartments' entrance.
Five people in total in the car.
They were the ones who saw Lam Pham before, heard about Duong Quang Apartments, that group from the pyramid scheme.
To survive, risked running down from upstairs. Encountered zombies on the road. Through various escapes, deceptions, finally only the five of them ran out.
Thinking of the escape scene also felt very terrifying.
The slightly chubby Little Vuong ran slowest, tripped by them, let zombies bite and tear, buying them time to escape. (Tiểu Vương -> Little Vuong)
That desperate, tragic scream still echoed in their ears even now.
But they didn't feel anything wrong with this place at all.
Able to buy them time to escape.
Death then has value.
"One look at this Duong Quang Apartments and knew it's very unusual. Look at this surrounding environment, also this reinforced iron gate. Damn! Absolutely a trustworthy shelter!"
"This adventure of ours was worth it! As long as can join this shelter, definitely can live on!"
"What now? Should we wait here?"
"Nonsense! Definitely wait! Can we still honk the horn? If attract zombies, let alone us wanting to escape, maybe the survivors here will even think we did it intentionally!"
They hid in the car seats, waiting quietly.
They were filled with an indescribable terror towards the apocalypse. That fear enveloped them. They were like hiding in a mouse hole, afraid of encountering a chasing cat upon going out.
Waited for a moment.
A figure appeared in their line of sight.
That figure didn't come out from the main gate, but leaped over from within the main gate. Such an entrance method truly shocked them.
"It's him! It's him! Carrying a sword! The guy we saw that day is this one!"
"If can join his team, with our coordination, seize the opportunity, perhaps can turn things around, occupy this place, make it bigger and stronger!"
The survivors in the car revealed joyful expressions.
All excited.
As if seeing some kind of beautiful future.
Lam Pham, as usual, came out to clean surrounding shops, earn some meager hard money. Originally intended to bring Vuong Khai, but Vuong Khai said those few children always have nightmares when sleeping at night, seem to be frightened by the apocalypse, so wanted to take them to play a bit in the community area.
Regarding this, he could understand. Vuong Khai was a truly friendly person.
Lam Pham looked towards the car parked by the roadside, saw people inside.
Since the apocalypse arrived, he found recently survivors were slightly more numerous.
Walked towards the vehicle.
"He's coming towards us! What should we say later?"
"Let me do the talking! With my eloquence and ability, absolutely can persuade him!"
Among the five survivors, the short-haired man said with utmost certainty.
Everyone pinned their hopes on him.
Walked before the car, lightly tapped the car window, asked with a smile, "Is something the matter?"
He didn't see the opponent.
Knocked through the glass.
In the apocalypse, being gentle a bit has its benefits. Can calm the opponent's agitated and tense inner heart, can converse under calm and amiable circumstances.
The car door opened.
Five survivors got out.
"Big Brother, hello! My name is Cung Hao! We've been pushed by the apocalypse to the point of no return! Begging Big Brother to let us stay here! We are willing to work like horses and oxen in the shelter, absolutely no complaints!"
Cung Hao was sincere, earnest, discarded dignity, let go of face, just wanted to display his lowest side.
He had status in his organization, eloquent, extremely thick-skinned. At such a life-or-death moment, just thought about hugging a thigh first. As for the situation later, that also had to be considered under circumstances where life could be preserved.
The other four survivors looked at Lam Pham with expectant faces.
Appearance looked extremely pitiful.
Lam Pham said with a smile, "That you can live, I am very happy. But you are also not suitable for Duong Quang Apartments. The survivors living here are all people full of hope for the future."
Duong Quang Apartments is a residence for a group of hope-filled survivors.
The people here are all approved by him.
Friendly, kind, full of hope for the future.
He didn't hope for people not meeting requirements to stay here. Often many things, are due to selecting unqualified ones, finally leading to the entire situation losing control.
"Big Brother, where are we not good? We are also people full of hope for the future!"
Cung Hao didn't expect the opponent would refuse, instantly upset inside. But this kind of upset could only be buried in the heart, face revealing a humble smile.
"From your eyes, I see unfriendliness," Lam Pham said.
Cung Hao's mouth twitched, somewhat dazed, somewhat surprised.
God damn it! Saw unfriendliness from eyes?
He felt the opponent was playing them.
Thump!
"Big Brother..."
The man kneeled as he said, without hesitation, submitting before the opponent.
Just wanted this kind of effect, to give the opponent a sense of conquest. Such a sense of conquest very easily gives a young man a kind of pleasure. He grasped Lam Pham's psychology tightly. This sword-carrying man before him was a young person. What do young people need most? That's definitely style, being respected, revered style.
What young man doesn't like to be flattered?
Based on scientific demonstration, the effect of men flattering men is often better than women flattering. Women flattering men, for men, means you damn well want my money, want me to sleep with you. But for men, that is... still brother understands me, brother invites me, we are inseparable good brothers.
He made eye contact with the four companions behind him.
Meaning very clear.
Kneel!
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Five survivors simultaneously kneeled before Lam Pham, raised their heads, eyes teary, looking at Lam Pham.
"You really are not suitable. Go on."
Lam Pham shook his head, also not pleased with their behavior. Eyes are windows to the soul; what can be seen from the eyes absolutely won't be wrong.
He trusted his own eyes.