"Xiao Lu, what about you?" Liu Neng asked me.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

Liu Neng was not reassured by this and continued, "It's not that I don't trust you, but you two have seen what's going on outside. If you get bitten by those monsters, you're doomed. So, just in case, I'd like you two to take off your clothes so I can check them."

"Isn't that unnecessary?" Zhang Jianzhou said reluctantly.

“Dr. Zhang, we’ve worked together for so many years, you should know what I mean. I’m not at ease with either of you without certainty.”

I had no objection to what Liu Neng said. I took off my blood-stained white coat, then my green work clothes, then my close-fitting cotton undershirt, and then my pants.

Seeing my actions, Zhang Jianzhou reluctantly began to take off his clothes.

Because it's winter, it was very cold after I took off my clothes, and I couldn't help but start shivering.

“Take a turn around,” Dr. Liu said to me.

I spun around shirtless, and Zhang Jianzhou followed along.

"Alright, put them on now," Dr. Liu said with relief after checking them over.

I was trembling and quickly put on my clothes.

Liu Neng continued, "Dr. Zhang, and Xiao Lu, I don't know what happened between you two before this, and I don't care. But here, I hope you two can keep quiet, understand? Zhou Yang is dead, and no one can change that, but we are still alive!"

I nodded.

"I understand." Zhang Jianzhou glanced at me, his eyes holding an indescribable meaning.

I clenched my fists, suppressing the anger in my heart.

Liu Neng then asked, "Alright, next I'll ask you, what's the situation outside? Besides you, are there any other living people outside?"

(Happy Valentine's Day to all my fellow single folks!)

(End of this chapter)