Chapter 101: Liu Yuan
Chapter 101: Liu Yuan
“What happened?”
Anran frowns as she looks at Liu Yuan. She notices that both Liu Yuan and Hengheng appear very thin. Although they aren’t dirty or smelly, their pale and gaunt faces are a stark contrast to their usual rosy and plump appearance.
Outside the door, Liu Yuan stands trembling and crying, shaking her head. Anran, worried that Wang Xin might show up at any moment, pulls Liu Yuan into the room and quickly closes the door behind them.
Once inside, Liu Yuan clutches Anran’s arm, her voice trembling as she says, “Did Wang Xin’s people come to find you? Did they tell you to go to the security room to get food tomorrow morning? Don’t go, Anran. They’ll bully you.”
She glances at Hengheng, who is sitting silently nearby, and hesitates to say more. But Anran quickly pieces things together.
Wang Xin and the two security guards seem to have taken control of all the survivors in the community, seizing everyone’s food and using it to wield power over them. They act as if they are kings, ruling over the desperate.
Anran thinks back to how Wang Xin looked at her earlier that day, telling her to “clean herself up” before going to him. Now, it’s clear what has happened: Wang Xin and his men knocked on Liu Yuan’s door with ill intent and were going to do something to her.
Because of Hengheng’s presence, Liu Yuan tells them she’ll go to the security office later, sending them away for now.
Earlier, when Liu Yuan stepped out, she had intended to go through with the degrading deal, but seeing Anran return makes her retreat in shame.
Perhaps she finds the whole situation revolting. Seeing Anran reminds Liu Yuan of her shame, intensifying her self-loathing.
It is despicable. Terrifying. How has humanity sunk to this?
Anran’s entire body trembles. She isn’t sure if it is anger or fear, but fear undoubtedly weighs heavier. Her mind wanders to Chen Jiao, who has even abandoned her own son. If a mother can do that, then what limits are there to the depravity of others?
It seems that as the world crumbles, so does humanity. The worst parts of human nature begin to surface.
Anran feels a chilling realization: in the end of times, there will be more of this to come.
“I... I have no choice,” Liu Yuan stammers. “Anran, please help me take care of Hengheng for the afternoon. I’ll… I’ll come back once I’ve gotten the food. I don’t want Hengheng to see his mother like this. I’m sorry, Anran. I’m really troubling you.” Liu Yuan sobs as she pushes Hengheng towards Anran.
The boy clings to his mother, crying loudly, “I don’t want Mommy to go! I don’t want Mommy to go! Don’t leave, Mommy!”
But if Liu Yuan doesn’t go, what will she and Hengheng eat?
Anran doesn’t ask where Liu Yuan’s husband is. She doesn’t need to. If a wife is forced into this kind of situation, her husband is either dead or has turned into a zombie.
In her memories, Liu Yuan and her husband are a model couple, deeply in love and admired by all. Hengheng is adorable, and when Anran is pregnant, Liu Yuan often helps her with daily chores. Hengheng visits often, saying he will help take care of Anran’s baby siblings once they are born.
The day before Anran gives birth, Liu Yuan even insists on accompanying her to the hospital, if not for the labor pains striking in the middle of the night, forcing Anran to go on her own.
But now... everything has changed.