C14 The Gasoline Supply

"Of course, you're so beautiful. What if someone harbors ill intentions toward you?" Chu Yue said with a teasing tone.

"How am I beautiful?"

"Hmm."

"..."

"Am I beautiful in the way that Mr. Chu Yue likes?"

"Cough!" Chu Yue coughed awkwardly upon hearing this and then turned his attention to studying the motorcycle's functions.

Suddenly, the air was thick with awkwardness.

Seeing that Chu Yue hadn't answered his question, he felt too embarrassed to press on, so he busied himself with packing food into his backpack.

"..."

"Alright, I've finally figured out some of the functions."

"This motorcycle can also carry food or 'non-living' items."

In other words, things that weren't alive.

While talking, he pressed a button on the back of the motorcycle.

"Buzz!"

The motorcycle's rear compartment slowly opened. It couldn't hold much, but it was enough for some food and a few guns.

Chuxue brought over the items, and they packed them in one by one, except for a few that wouldn't fit; the rest were snugly stowed away.

After everything was packed, he pressed the button again, and the rear compartment closed slowly.

He then organized the heavy firearms in the box, selecting a heavy-duty AK47 that was powerful yet easy to carry.

This wasn't your average AK47; it had been modified to be lighter, more stable, and more precise, with bullets that had greater penetrating power and lethality. He also packed several dozen rounds into the small pouch on the outside of his backpack.

By now, the sky had grown darker.

In his excitement, he had lost track of time and momentarily forgotten about his precarious situation.

Only now did he take a good look at the house they had entered. It was relatively tidy: there was a bed with a somewhat clean sheet, a small window at the back, and a kettle in the middle of the room.

Chu Yue tested the kettle and was pleased to find it still worked—it wasn't broken.

"Looks like we can finally enjoy a hot meal today!"

Since leaving the Survivor Base, they hadn't had the luxury of a hot meal, always on the run. Even the villa they'd found a few days ago lacked a working pot or kettle.

He retrieved a few bottles of mineral water from his backpack and began pouring them into the kettle. Once nearly full, he screwed the cap back on the remaining bottle and stowed it away in his backpack.

In this post-apocalyptic world, water and food were the essence of life and not to be wasted. The bit he saved might very well save his life one day.

Chu Yue gathered most of the useful items, feeling reassured that they would last a good while. As the evening approached and the sky darkened, it became clear that he would need to spend the night in the small shop. Venturing out now would only invite more danger. Staying put was the wiser choice, conserving energy for what lay ahead.

The night deepened, and the distinct sounds of Zombies outside grew louder. Ho Lan, lying nearby, was intermittently roused by the eerie noises. Seeing Chu Yue standing watch at the shop's entrance, she began to see him in a different light—not as bad as she had once thought. Without the constant threat of Zombies, she might...

Shaking off her thoughts, Ho Lan closed her eyes once more, drifting back to sleep. The little girl beside her radiated a comforting warmth. Despite her sharp tongue and rebellious demeanor, there was something endearing about her peaceful slumber.

At some point, Ho Lan fell asleep again, her rest undisturbed, likely due to the protection around her.

Ho Lan gradually awoke to find the sun high in the sky, suggesting it was around noon. Chuxue appeared to be busy packing up nearby, while Chu Yue, propped up on the sofa, seemed to be fighting off sleep, having stayed awake all night. He deserved some rest.

After about half an hour, Chu Yue stirred from his slumber. He rose slowly and, with a playful gesture, scooped up Chuxue from behind. She let out a startled yelp, then nestled shyly against him, chiding with a laugh, "Mr. Chu Yue, you're so naughty, scaring me like that! And with others watching!"

Chu Yue smiled down at the young girl. Heeding her playful protest, he gently set Chuxue down. Glancing at the supplies he had gathered from the shop the night before, along with their mode of transportation, he couldn't help but appreciate the newfound convenience.

It was high noon, and the zombies hadn't ventured out to wander the streets, which were eerily deserted and left a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. This city used to be so vibrant, but it didn't take long for Chu Yue to snap back to reality.

This wasn't the time to dwell on the past. He needed to rest briefly before seeking out Zhang Zuosi, who seemed to be the only one with information about his sister. With that in mind, Chu Yue crouched down and tapped into the energy within him. His power had surged unexpectedly from Rank 2 to Rank 3 in dire situations, yet he was still clueless about controlling this inner force. All he knew was that his bones felt peculiar, almost ticklish, and he struggled to find the words to describe it. Emulating Wolverine from X-Men, he managed to project his hand bone outward successfully!

Attempting the same with other bones, he succeeded yet again. Chu Yue was slightly dismayed, feeling his ability was far from cool and even a bit grotesque. Chuxue had once remarked that he looked somewhat frightening, so he resolved to conceal his powers unless absolutely necessary, just like Wolverine.

Besides, with Chuxue by his side, a formidable ally capable of reviving him, he felt nearly invincible. A hint of contentment washed over Chu Yue at the thought.

Rising to his feet, he noticed two girls playfully tussling nearby. It was heartening to see them getting along so well in such a short time, dispelling his earlier concerns about their camaraderie. It seemed they had momentarily forgotten about him, prompting a wry smile from Chu Yue. He approached them and gently touched Chuxue's forehead, saying, "I'm going to check things out. Wait here for me."

Chuxue nodded with her large eyes, and Chu Yue stepped outside. He grabbed a bottle of Ice Red Tea from the cabinet, downing it in one swift motion. Venturing out, he spotted a few zombies in the distance, aimlessly drifting as if in search of their next meal.

Chu Yue couldn't help but smile as he remembered the excellent weapon he had acquired the day before. Eager to test it out, he took out his AK47S and aimed directly at a zombie's head, firing a shot that resulted in an explosive headshot. The noise caught the attention of several other zombies nearby.

Amazed by the gun's power, Chu Yue exclaimed in surprise. Suddenly, one of the zombies let out a loud roar, and several more emerged from a nearby house. Chu Yue inwardly cursed himself for stirring up trouble with these creatures. Why had so many of them appeared?

The leading zombie shuffled toward him, causing Chu Yue to feel a surge of shock. How could there be zombie leaders? Under normal circumstances, these lesser zombies wouldn't evolve; they were the type that mindlessly attacked any living creature they saw, unable to control their own impulses.

Yet now, the situation was clearly different. These zombies were purposefully advancing toward him, even strategically moving through shaded areas. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chu Yue quickly turned to Ho Lan and said, "Get ready, we're leaving."

Ho Lan nodded and began to gather supplies, taking a substantial amount with her. Chu Yue then brought out the capsule motorcycle.

As Ho Lan mounted the motorcycle, she glanced at the zombies closing in, about a hundred meters away. Chuxue seemed unfazed, but Ho Lan felt a twinge of urgency and urged, "Let's hurry."

Chu Yue nodded, ignited the engine, and instructed, "Hold on tight."

With a sudden burst of speed, they shot forward, Ho Lan nearly tumbling off the motorcycle. A bead of cold sweat formed on her forehead, but as they distanced themselves from the zombies, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Chu Yue, where to next?"

Chu Yue pondered their next move. With his current strength, approaching Zhang Zuosi would be suicidal. Moreover, he couldn't risk his own life trying to save his sister. It seemed the only option was to seek safety and enhance his own abilities. In this dog-eat-dog world, power was paramount. He replied softly, "We'll head wherever it's safe, find a secure place to stay."

After about three hours on the motorcycle, they pulled into a small town. They stopped at a gas station to fill up and then picked up some additional supplies from a nearby store.

The sky suddenly grew dim, hinting at an impending rain. It was time to seek shelter and rest for a bit. The two girls trailing behind him were showing signs of fatigue. Chu Yue, on the other hand, felt fine. His primary concern was for the two behind him. Chuxue appeared to be holding up well, but Ho Lan seemed to be struggling. Chu Yue experienced a twinge of regret; bringing them along had indeed become somewhat of a burden, but what other choice was there?

Every time he threatened to leave her behind, it was more out of frustration with the inconvenience than a serious intention to scare her. After all, in this world, how many normal humans remained? How many survivors were left?