Chapter 19: Strange Emotions
“Sorry, this is all I have left!” Stephanie Seymour rummaged through the freezer and handed Xiao Yi a pack of toast slices. “If you’re thirsty, just drink from the sink over there. The water system here is independent, complete with a purification setup—no viruses in it. I’ve been drinking it for over half a month now.”
Only then did Xiao Yi realize with surprise that he was standing in a kitchen. And this villa didn’t just have its own independent water supply—it had standalone power generation too!
Because the refrigerator humming behind Stephanie Seymour was still running, its interior light flickering on when the door opened!
“Oh, you noticed. The electricity’s independent as well. There’s probably an emergency generator room downstairs, diesel-powered. Once the fuel runs dry, the lights go out. It’s been over half a month; I’d guess the tank’s almost empty. No power means no water either.”
Stephanie Seymour caught Xiao Yi staring at the fridge light and quickly explained.
Xiao Yi shot her an approving glance. By now, she was already making a name for herself, even gracing the cover of Playboy. No way was she this place’s cook.
She must’ve slipped into the kitchen during the chaos while everyone else fled. That alone told Xiao Yi she was sharp.
Her earlier breakdown revealed two more strengths: reading people like a book and razor-sharp analysis.
From a single glance or expression, she’d guessed his thoughts and laid out the situation with airtight logic. Stephanie Seymour was no airheaded sweetheart.
“How much food you got left?” Xiao Yi casually eyed the fridge—empty otherwise.
“This is it. Just the last bag of toast and a few packs of oatmeal. I’ve been rationing to two slices a day. Once they’re gone… nothing. I’m sorry…” Stephanie Seymour said, her voice laced with self-reproach.
Why apologize?
Xiao Yi eyed her, baffled. Her care felt utterly selfless.
They were total strangers in this world—hadn’t even swapped names—yet she’d spilled everything, offered up her stash without hesitation, and somehow felt in his debt…
Her actions screamed cunning, not naivety.
So why the boundless generosity toward him?
And from that first glance, it was like old family—a subtle, nagging familiarity…
Xiao Yi sensed some ethereal thread tugging at their bond.
But what?
He carried memories from three worlds, recognizing her instantly, even tinged with a faint mother-son warmth from Andy’s life in the second. But she couldn’t cross over—her feelings shouldn’t be swayed…
He mulled it over briefly, then let it drop, rising to scan the room.
Prime kitchen—top-shelf. Fridge, hood, gas range, oven, water heater, full cookware set. Even rarities like a microwave and UV sterilizer for this era.
Solid shelter!
Missing only a toilet and bed, but far better-equipped than his old villa.
“Keep this—it’s payback for saving my ass.” Xiao Yi pulled several packs of compressed biscuits from thin air and thrust them at her.
“Thank you… Then… I’ll hold onto them for you. Grab some from the fridge anytime…” Stephanie bit her full, sexy lip, worry shadowing her eyes as she gathered courage. “My setup’s decent—water, power. If you don’t mind… could you stay with me? Don’t worry, food runs out, we’ll hunt together! I’ve watched the zombies—they pull back at sunrise, get sluggish. Noon’s their weakest. We can climb out the back door then!”