I've been so focused on getting back to G City lately that I've unknowingly ended up back there.

Lin Xi stood once again in the middle of the gate of the G City safe zone, her mood much calmer. Unlike the tension of her last hasty escape, she now had enough strength and walked with more ease.

"Brother Long, Yue Shan accidentally bumped her waist just now, so we'll go ahead and apply some medicine." Yan Xiangxiang smiled.

Zhao Yunlong knew that she and Lin Xi were competing openly and secretly. Although he disliked her behavior, he also knew that separating the two of them was the best decision under the circumstances, so he nodded in agreement.

That evening, Lin Xi had already prepared a pill. This was a strange pill she had obtained by trying to win a special medicine in the lottery while completing system tasks, hoping to get lucky.

However, there are still some benefits.

She can only indulge in a self-destructive craving occasionally. It's no wonder she's acting crazy; there's just too much delicious food and too much temptation for her to resist!

She hadn't eaten anything good for over half a year; it was either beef or medicine. She'd almost forgotten what salt tasted like.

Uncle Jiang lay on the bed, wearing glasses, squinting as he read a book.

“It’s not good to read in bed. I’ve told you so many times, but you just won’t listen,” Jiang Yuan said helplessly.

Uncle Jiang chuckled, "What's the big deal? I've lived like this for most of my life, and I haven't had any problems."

"Your eyes are like this, and you're still being stubborn!"

Uncle Jiang ignored these words and continued to concentrate intently on his book.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuan could only sigh and let him go.

Suddenly, the door lock started rattling.

Uncle Jiang adjusted his glasses and peered towards the door. "Looks like Yunlong and the others are back. Yuanyuan, go and see them."

Jiang Yuan muttered, "Your ears are suddenly so sharp now."

However, despite saying that, she still obediently went to look at the doorway.

Upon seeing Zhao Yunlong, Jiang Yuan said, "Uncle Jiang has been nagging all afternoon. He heard there are mid-level zombies in that place, and he was worried you might encounter danger. Luckily, you're all alright."

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Zhao Yunlong smiled strangely. "Look who's behind you."

Zhao Yunlong had a loud voice, and Uncle Jiang, who was engrossed in reading a book, naturally heard what he said. So he couldn't help but put the book aside and crane his neck to look out the door.

"Who is it? Who's here?"

Lin Xi's face peeked out from behind the door...

Around 8 p.m., the aroma of chili oil wafted through the air.

Even those who originally only ate the clear broth couldn't resist reaching for their chopsticks a few times, only to gasp from the spiciness.

Uncle Jiang was moved to the living room and laid on a recliner. He had just burst into tears, and his eyes were still red.

He Chao would occasionally stuff a few pieces of meat into his mouth, which he would gladly accept with his mouth open.

"Speaking of which, in just six months, the calves and piglets raised in the safe zone of G City have grown so well! The meat quality is no worse than before."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Uncle Jiang, you know what, the food here is much better than it was a few months ago."

Zhao Yunlong's subordinate moved quickly and picked up another piece of beef. "It's a pity that no one makes hot pot base yet, so we have to stir-fry it ourselves."

"Your skills are excellent!" Jiang Ling gave him a thumbs up, praising him sincerely.

Zhao Yunlong smiled and said, "That's right, nothing more than practice makes perfect."

"I want meatballs, the kind with meat filling." Uncle Jiang lay on the recliner, one leg still dangling, pointing with a hint of urgency in his voice.

Seeing where he pointed, He Chao quickly grabbed it.

Uncle Jiang smiled with satisfaction. He opened his mouth, waiting to be fed, but the next second, he saw the meatball he had been longing for swallowed whole.

"Whoosh...it's hot!"

Uncle Jiang's expression changed. "You little brat, are you kidding me? You think you can take this lying down?"

He Chao quickly explained, "Uncle, these pills all have additives in them. It's not suitable for a patient like you to eat them. Let them harm us strong and healthy young people!"

"Pah!" If he weren't immobilized, Uncle Jiang would have given him a good whack on the head with a chopstick. "Shameless!"

But at this moment, all he could do was sulk, his face turning red. He could only vent his anger verbally.

Everyone burst into laughter at the scene.

The once cold room was instantly filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

"I feel like something's missing?" Jiang Yuan said, sipping the tripe in the hot pot. After taking it out, the bright red broth dripped onto the white dining table. She took a bite and mumbled something indistinctly.

"Is this it?" Zhao Yunlong suddenly brought out a cardboard box.

Only then did everyone realize that Zhao Yunlong had gotten up and walked away at some point, even though they had just been chatting and laughing together.

He threw the cardboard box on the ground, and everyone then saw that it contained a small bucket of fireworks.

"My God! Bro, where did you get this?" He Chao's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Zhao Yunlong clapped his hands. "Have you forgotten? Last time we went out to fight zombies, we rescued someone. His family lives here, and he happens to be in the fireworks business, so he gave me one."

After everyone had finished eating, they all pressed their faces against the window, watching Brother Long excitedly carry the fireworks downstairs to set them off.

Thud—

A dazzling flower burst open in the sky, and everyone couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

The commotion was quite loud. When the second and third fireworks went off, many heads popped out of the windows of the surrounding buildings.

Cheers erupted one after another.

Brother Long was downstairs, looking at the sky with a bright smile.

As the last firework faded, he turned around and shouted to them, "Happy New Year!"

After they all responded with "Happy New Year," those four words echoed in the air.

The voices rose in waves.

It's as if we're saying goodbye to the painful year before.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

Suddenly, something else crept in amid the blessings.

"Fuck this shitty world!"

"Fuck these damn zombies!"

...

Then a new round of cursing began.

The people inside the room burst into laughter.

But as I was laughing, I suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.

Everyone is a victim of this disaster; no one is spared.

"Sooner or later, we will rebuild the home we remember..." Uncle Jiang's eyes welled up with tears again, but this time he smiled as he looked at everyone present.

"You're right. One day, the zombie virus will be defeated by humans, and then we can go back to our busy, fulfilling, and simple lives."

Jiang Ling frowned. "Then I don't want to be a worker anymore, I want to be a boss!"

“Okay! Then we’ll all go work for you, Boss Jiang, don’t treat us badly!” He Chao agreed.