The sun slowly sank behind the hillside, its afterglow still carrying a touch of warmth. Zhao Yong and Ye Yunyi sat on the rooftop, gazing at the scene.
The scene here is completely different from the city. In the spring of the zombie apocalypse, the world is shrouded in death and despair. Although the land has begun to recover, it has lost its former vitality. On the city streets, dilapidated buildings and abandoned vehicles are everywhere, and the air is filled with the stench of decay. The once bustling metropolis has now become a desolate ruin, with only a few survivors struggling to survive in this post-apocalyptic world.
The countryside didn't have such a strong stench of decay, but it was sparsely populated. Although there were people in the neighboring village, they dared not venture out freely. Many plants were grown on the land outside, but because no one tended to them, they were overgrown with weeds, giving the impression of lush grass and sparse bean sprouts.
At the village entrance, some people were reinforcing the fences that had been repaired earlier, and wisps of smoke were already rising from the neighboring houses.
"Zhao Yong, this place is close to Wangjia Village, I want to go and take a look. Once things are settled here, you should go back to Jiangyue Community and spend some time with my sister and Xixi. It's been quite a while since you've seen each other, I'm so sorry, you've been so busy and adventurous ever since you arrived," Ye Yunyi said earnestly to Zhao Yong.
“Sister, Juanjuan and Xixi will understand. We’re just being pushed along step by step in order to survive and live a better life,” Zhao Yong replied earnestly.
"Yes, I originally just wanted to survive, but there's no way around it in this society. If you don't strive and become strong, you'll die. But since we've come this far, let's keep going."
"Sister, there's something I originally wanted Juanjuan to tell you, but after thinking about it, I think I should tell you myself."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Sis, keep an eye on Zhao Yanran. I feel like she's acting a bit strangely towards your husband."
After hearing this, Ye Yunyi smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Thank you, Zhao Yong."
She naturally wouldn't tell Zhao Yong that her heart had long been closed off. Whatever feelings Zhao Yanran and Wang Zixiang might have, as long as it didn't affect the overall situation, she could turn a blind eye.
For her, Wang Zixiang was more like a partner, someone she could trust and cooperate with. Romantic feelings were of no use to her.
After staying for a while, Ye Yunyi said, "Let's go find Liu Da and ask him about the villages he used to govern, and then take over them."
They then went to find Liu Da, who had already prepared a list, recording in detail the names and conditions of the villages and towns under his jurisdiction.
Ye Yunyi and Zhao Yong took turns looking at the food and asked some questions before the sound of dinner being served came from behind them.
The road into the village has been blocked off, preventing a large number of zombies from roaming around. However, for safety reasons, people are still stationed on guard, and both sides are working together.
Today's meal was very plentiful, with meat, vegetables, fruit, drinks, and alcohol.
Weifeng said generously, "Come on, brothers, let's have a good meal tonight. From now on, we'll eat whatever we can get and be self-reliant." He then raised his glass.
Everyone raised their glasses, and Ye Yunyi drank a few glasses with them. She didn't say anything more and handed over control to Weifeng. She watched them laugh, joke, play drinking games, and gesture.
That's how men's feelings work; friendships can be built quickly through gestures, drinking, conversation, and collaboration.
Looking at them, Ye Yunyi suddenly wondered if she could also establish an all-female team. Women are just as capable as men; if there were an all-female team, women's lives would be easier.
After spending the night there, Wang Weifeng and the rest of the group stayed behind, while Ye Yunyi, Zhao Yong, and Xiao Deng set off for Wangjiagou. The villagers were very welcoming when they saw them return.
The situation in Wangjiagou and Lianhua Village is in stark contrast. Here, the crops are growing very well, the rapeseed flowers are blooming in golden hues, the wheat seedlings are lush and green, and even the fields have been filled with water in preparation for rice cultivation.
There were still plenty of vegetables in the field, more than enough to eat, almost just like before the apocalypse. Puppies ran happily on the road, ducklings swam in the ditch, and a mother hen led her chicks to find insects in the grass. It had a bit of a Shangri-La feel to it, where paths led to each other and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard everywhere.
This time, Wang Zichao and his father looked very different from before. Wang Zichao was in much better spirits, radiating confidence, and his father's energy and spirit had also improved. He no longer seemed so sickly and dejected.
The villagers had all gained a lot of weight, especially the village guards. When they saw Xiao Deng and Zhao Yong return, they all surrounded them, saying, "Instructor Zhao, Instructor Deng, you've become even more handsome!"
"Have you made any progress?"
"You've gotten stronger."
"Tell us what happened this time!"
Everyone surrounded Xiao Deng, chattering and asking questions. Xiao Deng smiled and simply sat down on the ground. People gathered around them, listening to Xiao Deng vividly recount the interesting things happening in the city.
In particular, they learned how they took over the prison, and from then on, they were no longer threatened by Liu Da and Liu Er, and no longer had to pay tribute.
It's rare to hear anything new. It started with the guards, and then the villagers. When they heard about the impending attack on and recapture of the prison, even the clan elders and Wang Zichao stopped to talk.
Xiao Deng wasn't intimidated at all; the more people there were, the more energetic he became. Ye Yunyi listened and realized how eloquent Xiao Deng was. Of course, in his words, they were resourceful, brave, and skilled in battle, and the opposing side was naturally beaten to a pulp. He even praised Wang Weifeng many times.
Wang Weifeng's parents listened, and tears streamed down their faces—tears of pride.
Wu Bohu was also in the crowd. Hearing that the prison had really been wiped out, and even Liu Da and Liu Er had been captured, he was glad that he was still alive. How lucky he was! From then on, he decided to stay in Wangjiagou peacefully.
Then Xiao Deng talked about how they had taken over the neighboring Xingfu Community and had now established Jiangyue Community, but the population was too large and there wasn't enough food.
“That’s easy. Look at all the vegetables in the field, we can’t even eat them all. Let’s take them back this time,” Wang Zichao and the elders said.
"Hehe, that would be best." Xiao Deng had no reason to refuse, nor did he ponder Ye Yunyi and Zhao Yong's intentions. Anyway, with food, everyone's lives would be a little easier.
After lunch, Ye Yunyi gave Wang Zichao some daily necessities and medicines she had brought from the prison, asking him to distribute them to the villagers in need. She then told the villagers, "You can come to the community to work during the off-season and you'll get paid." Giving everyone a glimmer of hope, she returned to Jiangyue Community.
Gradually, they became accustomed to the zombies on the road, treating them like ordinary people, birds, and other plants and animals, no longer panicking or being cautious.
There are very few half-dead virus patients on the road anymore; perhaps they have all turned into zombies without receiving treatment. There are also very few people robbing people on the road.
They soon returned to Jiangyue Community. It seemed that everything had settled down, yet it also seemed that everything was just beginning.
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