C6 New Members

Chapter Six: New Team Members

Gu Ming arrived at the shopping plaza, where he absorbed two thousand energy points before quickly departing with Lucky in tow.

As they were leaving the urban area, two women suddenly emerged from an intersection. Lucky was eager to leap at them, but Gu Ming promptly intervened, noting that the women were unarmed, each carrying only a bag.

"Officer, we mean no harm. We just want to follow you out of here," Zhang Tine said, smartly raising her hands.

"I'm headed back to my hometown in Deepmoor, not to any survivor's refuge," Gu Ming explained.

He was reluctant to take on companions, but he recognized the value in forming a group with individuals of good character, especially since his hometown, surrounded by mountains and forests teeming with wildlife, was likely to harbor numerous mutated creatures.

"We won't be a burden to you. Please, let us come with you. We have nowhere else to go," Zhang Tine pleaded, setting aside her usual confident demeanor.

Seeing no threat and sensing their good intentions, Gu Ming decided to let them join.

"Okay, do you have a car?"

"Yes, just a moment," Zhang Tine replied, clearly relieved to have secured a strong ally. She had sensed the magnitude of Gu Ming's capabilities from the recent disturbance and surmised that the giant snake was in grave danger.

In no time, Zhang Tine pulled up in a car. They all climbed in—two women, a man, and a dog—and exchanged names and stories.

Zhang Tine had assumed Gu Ming was part of a larger survivor group, not just a family of three with a large dog. Considering the challenges of the apocalypse and the journey to neighboring Deepmoor Province, she realized that without significant skills, such a trek would be impossible.

"Since you're older than me, I'll call you Brother Ming, if that's alright with you?"

Zhang Tine was driving and chatting with Gu Ming, aiming to bridge the gap between them.

"Sure thing."

Truth be told, Zhang Tine was stunningly beautiful, with an oval face, porcelain skin, majestic curves, long legs, and a pert behind. Despite the lack of makeup since the apocalypse, her natural beauty shone through, and her warm, sisterly calls to Gu Ming left him feeling a touch fluttery. However, with a wife and daughter already in his life, any other thoughts were swiftly dismissed. It had only been a week since the world changed, and not every man was entertaining the idea of a harem—though time might alter such sentiments.

"Little Ying's a senior in high school now, isn't she?"

"Mhm."

Zhang Ying had always been on the shy side, but the apocalypse had heightened her sensitivity and left her feeling utterly insecure. She was a bit bashful around Gu Ming, who was quite the looker. It's no wonder he managed to win over Ye Xiaomei in college and make her his wife—Ye Xiaomei had been quite the campus belle.

Understanding her sister's reticent nature, Zhang Tine explained to Gu Ming,

"Brother Ming, that's just how my sister is."

"No worries."

Gu Ming wasn't one to sweat the small stuff. Why would he get upset? He was simply at a loss for words with someone he had only just met.

...

As the car pulled up alongside the armored vehicle, Ye Xiaomei was already waiting outside with her daughter.

Stepping out, Gu Ming took Nannan into his arms.

"Why are you out here? It's safer inside."

"It's okay, I just stepped out for a bit."

Seeing her husband return with two lovely ladies in tow, Ye Xiaomei greeted them with a smile.

"And who might these two be?"

"We ran into them in the city. They're looking to join us in leaving."

Cradling his beloved daughter, Gu Ming replied nonchalantly.

"Hello, sister-in-law, you're absolutely gorgeous."

Zhang Tine snapped back to reality. The sight of the behemoth tank had initially left her speechless. It seemed almost beyond belief—how could such a vehicle exist? The massive gun mounted on top was clearly meant for warfare, which explained the cannon fire they had heard earlier in the city.

"You're quite beautiful yourself. Is this your sister?"

Ye Xiaomei took Zhang Ying's hand, her eyes warm as she admired the blush on her cheeks. She found her absolutely adorable.

The three women chatted briefly but quickly bonded as if they were sisters.

Gu Ming was clueless about the nuances of female friendship. It seemed to him they became best friends in an instant. Yet, the smile on his wife's face told him all he needed to know about her joy. She had been idle for the past week, save for accompanying her daughter on the battlefield. He was aware of her loneliness, so he had made the right decision in bringing Zhang Tine and her sister home.

"Let's continue our chat in the car. Zhang Tine, you can hitch your car to the back of ours."

"Thanks, Brother Ming."

Zhang Tine was well aware of the safety these behemoth war vehicles provided in the post-apocalyptic world. She hadn't expected Gu Ming to offer her and her sister a place inside. She felt reassured that her gamble had paid off; her sisters now had a secure haven.

She quickly parked her car behind the armored vehicle and, after securing it with hooks, she and her sister climbed aboard.

Stepping into the interior, the sisters were awestruck, like country folks entering a grand manor for the first time. They had never before seen such a luxurious and advanced vehicle, and the high-tech fittings only added to their amazement.

Gu Ming directed his wife to show them to the second floor. Lucky entertained his daughter while he headed to the workshop to synthesize gene drugs.

...

"Ting, you and Xiao Ying can share a room, or you can have separate ones. There are three rooms upstairs, after all."

It's curious how people connect. Some may know each other for a lifetime without ever becoming friends, while others click instantly, as if destined. To Ye Xiaomei, Zhang Tine was like a sister from a past life, and she treated her with the same affection.

"Sister-in-law, that's fine. Xiao Ying and I will share a room."

Zhang Tine was considerate and unassuming. She didn't take advantage of Gu Ming's hospitality. It was generous enough that he had offered them shelter. She couldn't overstep, especially since Gu Ming would soon be bringing his parents home, and she didn't know if other relatives might also need a place to stay. It wouldn't be right for her and her sister to take up two bedrooms.

The two women took some time to neatly arrange their clothes in the wardrobe and unpacked their daily essentials. Ye Xiaomei then gave them a tour of the second floor, pointing out the bathroom and toilet, and assured them that water was plentiful and they needn't worry about conserving it. This news delighted Zhang Tine and her companion, who hadn't showered in two days in an effort to save water, resorting instead to a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth. Now, with the promise of unlimited water, they both felt an irresistible urge to bathe.

Ye Xiaomei, ever vibrant, suggested they freshen up with a shower before joining her for lunch downstairs. After the meal was ready in the dining hall, Gu Ming interjected.

"Honey, just a moment. I need to finish this injection," he said, producing the last of the gene drugs. He had exchanged two earlier, administering one to their daughter already.

"Is that the gene drug?" Ye Xiaomei inquired. She was aware that her husband's battlefield system included a feature for exchanging gene drugs, requiring a thousand energy points each. Considering a single zombie only yielded one energy point, she wondered how he had amassed so many so quickly. But since Gu Ming hadn't elaborated, she trusted him implicitly and refrained from questioning, simply nodding in acknowledgment.

Gu Ming administered the gene drug to her swiftly, its effects set to manifest over time. Ye Xiaomei understood it wouldn't take immediate effect and wasn't overly concerned. Truthfully, even with the gene drug enhancing her physical condition, she was confident that her husband would never expect her to confront zombies or mutated creatures head-on. It was merely a safety precaution.