Chapter 350: Apocalypse Version of a Charlatan
Chapter 350: Apocalypse Version of a Charlatan
An Ran listens to what Zhao Ru says and recalls what she mentioned before—that the essence of the world is composed of the five elements, which mutually reinforce and restrain each other. She suddenly feels like she’s met an apocalypse version of a charlatan: Zhao Ru.
Is Zhao Ru crazy or what? Her ideas are so absurd and ridiculous. She doesn’t seem like someone who’s received advanced foreign education or reached some higher plane of thought beyond the secular world.
“Do you think I need to see a psychiatrist?” Zhao Ru looks into An Ran’s eyes. An Ran doesn’t answer, so Zhao Ru sneers, “You really think I need to see a psychiatrist, don’t you?”
“I...” An Ran hesitates. “I just think it’s hard for humans to survive now. Your idea is too grand—how should I say it—too fantastical. What do you want to do? Gather metal, wood, water, fire, and earth and then summon a dragon? Well, I... I can only wish you success.”
“Thank you.” Zhao Ru shrugs and accepts An Ran’s blessing somewhat indifferently. Her realm of thought isn’t something a petty city woman like An Ran can understand. Of course, Zhao Ru doesn’t expect to become close friends with her either.
Everyone walks their own path in the end times. Zhao Ru chooses to side with An Ran, and An Ran only needs to remain cautious.
As they’re talking, Zhan Lian comes up from the first floor with a box of supplies in his hands.
An Ran stands up from the ground and greets him, asking, “What’s wrong?”
“These are some rice, oil, noodles, and snacks from the convenience store next door.”
The supplies in this small county aren’t abundant, but there are many convenience stores. Each store has a small warehouse. If you clean out any convenience store, you can fill up an SUV.
“Thank you.” An Ran takes the cardboard box handed over by Zhan Lian, looks inside, and sees ham sausage, slim vacuum-packed cooked food, and more. Then she looks up, glances at Zhan Lian’s face, and asks, “Are there a lot of zombies outside?”
She hasn’t gone out, but just from the lingering howling of zombies around, she feels something is wrong. Curiously, she asks again, “When we came, many zombies were locked up at home. This is just a small county town. Are there really so many zombies?”
“Zombies have evolved.” Zhan Lian lowers his head and looks at An Ran with some displeasure in his eyes. Whenever she says “thank you” for what he does, it feels too polite and distant. But what can he fuss about now? He continues, “The dim light in the hall last night attracted a lot of visual zombies. Most zombies have evolved vision. There are more than ten copper-skinned zombies in this batch.”
“Ah???” An Ran’s face turns pale. “Copper-skinned zombies—are they the kind with copper skin and iron bones?”
“Yes. What’s wrong? Have you been attacked by them?” Zhan Lian sees how pale she looks and feels distressed.
An Ran nods, frowns, and whispers, “Our neighbor across the street, Sister Yuan, was bitten to death by that kind of zombie.”
She doesn’t describe how terrible it was—it’s too heavy to talk about. To her left is the ward where Hengheng is. An Ran is afraid Hengheng might hear.
Zhan Lian looks at An Ran quietly for a long moment. He doesn’t say anything or ask further. Instead, he raises his broad, steady hand, places it on An Ran’s shoulder, gives it a reassuring pinch, and clears his throat.
“Don’t worry. Luo Feifan is a fire-type mutant. It’s easy to deal with this kind of zombie.”