Chapter 99: The Ex-Husband's Knife
Chapter 99: The Ex-Husband's Knife
“Sister Yuan?” An Ran forces a smile as she calls out, feeling fortunate that her neighbors have not turned into zombies and that there are others besides Wang Xin and the security guards still alive in the community.
But Liu Yuan does not share An Ran's relief. She stands blankly at her door, staring at An Ran with reddened eyes, tears streaming down her face for no apparent reason. Then she turns, slams the door shut, and hides inside her house.
It is not a good time for neighbors to meet and cry tears of joy.
An Ran curses herself for being foolish, shakes her head, and opens the fingerprint lock on her door, stepping into her home, which is now covered in a layer of dust.
Her house has been well-decorated, styled in a heavy European aesthetic. Zhan Lian purchased it, and the paperwork is completed on the same day An Ran moves in. Although she was once satisfied with the décor, Zhan Lian has always expressed his dislike for it, claiming he would change it to a Chinese style upon his return.
An Ran used to be bothered by the prospect of redecorating, but eventually, she lets him have his way. Now that they are divorced, she feels it is no longer her concern what style the house takes. At this moment, she has no intention of decorating at all; it is uncertain whether Zhan Lian will even survive!
After putting down the bags, An Ran sits on the sofa, feeding the baby. Once the child is coaxed to sleep, she gently places the baby in the nursery she has prepared long ago. Then An Ran climbs up to the attic to search for the items Zhan Lian has left behind.
The attic is a feature provided by the developer, along with a large terrace. With two households sharing one staircase, the extra space is a bonus. An Ran has once planned to grow vegetables on the terrace, and she has even prepared the soil, but following her divorce, she abandons that idea.
Now, the attic and terrace sit idle. An Ran hasn’t moved anything from the attic except to clean, including the large suitcase Zhan Lian has left behind.
She retrieves the inconspicuous suitcase from a corner of the attic. Upon opening it, she discovers a saber nestled in the corner. The weapon is housed in a cowhide scabbard and wrapped in red velvet. Alongside it is a special belt designed to secure the scabbard and allow the saber to be worn at the waist.
Also inside are military medals and certificates, all belonging to Zhan Lian. He seems to have received many commendations. How can a man only thirty years old have so many achievements?
An Ran has never been particularly interested in these things. When cleaning the attic, she occasionally stumbles upon items Zhan Lian has stored, but she only feels a brief moment of surprise before recalling how enigmatic his work has always been.
He frequently speaks of peacekeeping missions and deployments, though she has never known whether those stories are true. Usually, an officer named Luo Feifan conveys updates about Zhan Lian to her.
Zhan Lian is different from other soldiers; he doesn’t merely reside quietly in a military base. The medals and sharp sword he keeps at home are a testament to his accomplishments.
Now, looking at Zhan Lian's belongings, An Ran feels a sense of luck wash over her. She is fortunate to have married such a man. The small things he left behind in life are enough for her and the baby to survive in the end times. If Zhan Lian has not turned into a zombie, he would surely thrive in this new world.