Seducing and Flirting with Boss O While Stockpiling in the Apocalypse (GL) - Chapter 49

Zombies had begun appearing everywhere, and the speed of transmission was incredibly fast. Massive numbers of people were being assimilated into the same kind of monsters after being bitten. With the water levels on the roads still too deep, rescue operations were becoming increasingly difficult.

The zombies had appeared so recently that the source of the virus was still unknown. A neutralizing serum could not be developed in such a short time—or rather, the authorities did not know if it was even possible for those already infected to return to normal.

They captured many live zombies and kept them in research labs, where experts worked day and night on experiments, solely to develop a serum to eliminate the virus as soon as possible. Even though these zombies had once been their compatriots, at this point, these bloodthirsty monsters could no longer be viewed as human.

Official shelters were established in various cities. Given the current rate of transmission, survivors had to be concentrated; if left unmanaged, humanity might truly face a cataclysmic end.

As for those who had turned from ordinary citizens into zombies, under these emergency circumstances, authorities had no choice but to use firearms to clear them out. Until a serum was developed, the only option was to kill them on sight.

The whole world was plunged into a state of misery, and Luo Sheng could only stay in this old house for the time being. Their group had lived here for nearly another week; with no one to disturb them and no zombie attacks, they had managed a few days of peace.

She performed her daily sign-ins in the space. Besides picking and planting vegetables as usual, she studied the “Materialization” feature. On the villa’s screen, she could see the miniature models of the three materialization tools.

Luo Sheng had already seen the yacht she summoned. The “Villa” was likely the exterior of the house she was currently living in. Looking at the model, the “Car” appeared to be an ordinary small vehicle—but perhaps the interior was bigger on the inside, just like the yacht?

Luo Sheng guessed that was likely the case. During yesterday’s sign-in, she had unknowingly reached the 90th day. This time, she added a point to her Speed. Her Strength was sufficient for now, and after all, speed was vital when fleeing from zombies.

Everything in the apocalypse seemed to be going relatively smoothly, yet Luo Sheng still felt a sense of melancholy. This was especially true over the last few days, and she felt the primary reason was Nan Shuwan. For some reason lately, this woman seemed a bit unwilling to pay attention to her…

On the surface, Nan Shuwan didn’t show anything. She still greeted her and met her with a smile, but she was as polite as if she were receiving a client back at the company.

Exactly. That was the problem! Polite—far too polite!

Beneath the veneer of that warm smile was a sense of distance. She even started calling her “Miss Luo.” This was a title Luo Sheng had rarely heard even at the company, except for a few times back at the apartment building when Nan Shuwan was deliberately trying to get close.

Luo Sheng was certain: Nan Shuwan was doing this on purpose.

But why? She couldn’t quite figure it out—or rather, she didn’t dare think in that direction. Those illogical, awkward emotions seemed to point toward a hidden, yet not-so-hidden, answer.

Luo Sheng didn’t consider herself thick-skinned. On the contrary, she was quite sensitive, but this kind of emotional sensitivity could easily be labeled as narcissism, so she tried her best to restrain herself while waiting for a better opportunity.

However, Luo Sheng had overestimated herself. Being treated with such hot-and-cold indifference by Nan Shuwan was hard to endure—it was a gnawing, restless feeling. Rather than bottling it up, maybe she should find a way to… coax her?

But Luo Sheng didn’t know how to coax people, especially when the subject was Nan Shuwan, and she couldn’t make it too obvious. She mostly just wanted to talk to her, any excuse or reason would do.

She never expected to fall into this kind of predicament, especially in the middle of a struggle for survival. Luo Sheng wondered if she was being too childish. If so, then Nan Shuwan was being even more childish than her.

Many weeds had grown along the edges of the soil in the space. Luo Sheng cut some of them down. As a child, she had learned some weaving tricks, so she sat on the sofa in the space and silently wove a little fox.

Well, it was a bit crude, but it was the best she could do.

For lunch, they made a large pot of braised pork along with a few simple vegetable dishes. With the sauce drizzled over the rice, everyone had more than one bowl. Luo Sheng caught Nan Shuwan just as she was about to return to her bedroom. After struggling for a reason, she simply invited her frankly, “Want to sit in the mezzanine for a bit? To get some… light?”

She had instinctively wanted to say “soak up the sun,” but there was no sun in this weather, so her excuse sounded even more clumsy.

However, Luo Sheng remained outwardly composed, as if it were just a simple invitation for a chat. Fortunately, the other didn’t make things difficult for her; after a few seconds of hesitation, she nodded and readily agreed.

Luo Sheng boiled a pot of hot tea and poured a cup for Nan Shuwan. The small wooden table in the mezzanine was perfect for this. But having prepared no opening lines, she only said very seriously, “The temperature has dropped further these days. Keep yourself warm and don’t catch a cold.”

This was true, as the rain had largely stopped and was now turning into drifting snow. A thin layer of ice had even formed over the stagnant floodwaters—not enough to walk on, as a small pebble would shatter it instantly.

But the topic seemed too random. Did she call her up here just to talk about such boring things?

Sure enough, in the next second, Luo Sheng saw Nan Shuwan’s half-smiling eyes looking over with an unreadable, searching look. She merely replied in kind, “Thank you for the concern. I’ll be careful.”

Tsk. That tone again.

Luo Sheng let out a soft sigh. She really couldn’t find a proper “bridge” to bring out the gift she wanted to give, so she decided to just produce it directly. But then, Nan Shuwan suddenly asked her, “Are you this nice to everyone?”

Her tone was flat, lazy, and casual, as if she were truly just asking about her character.

But Luo Sheng knew the question wasn’t as simple as it appeared. It had a deeper meaning, laden with traps and probes, meant to fish for something else.

At that moment, Luo Sheng fully understood where this awkwardness was coming from—or rather, she was finally certain that Nan Shuwan actually cared. She cared whether Luo Sheng’s treatment of her was unique.

She felt a bit happy but also a bit anxious—anxious that Nan Shuwan would mistake her for that kind of person. To put it bluntly: a “central air conditioner” (being nice to everyone).

But she was clearly someone with a strong sense of boundaries. All her interactions with others were within the range of reasonable politeness. Luo Sheng felt a desperate need to prove that all the broken boundaries, the ambiguity, and the intimacy were for her alone.

So, Luo Sheng finally pulled out the little grass fox she had woven that morning. It had been pressed a bit flat in her pocket. She pinched it back into shape and gently placed it in Nan Shuwan’s palm, like releasing a butterfly from her heart.

“No… it’s not like that. If you mean normal interactions, then yes. But if you mean certain…” Luo Sheng paused. “Like making me spend an hour just to weave a little fox, that would probably only be for you…”

The last few words grew smaller and smaller. Nan Shuwan could sense her shyness, and it felt as though she had been struck by a soft yet powerful arrow. Her heart and breathing began to quicken slightly.

Luo Sheng’s urgent explanation and pure-hearted, shy blush were exceptionally gratifying. It meant that just as she cared about Luo Sheng, Luo Sheng cared just as much about her.

Nan Shuwan’s mood instantly brightened. She held up the little grass animal to examine it, looking a bit puzzled. “Why a fox?”

“Don’t you think it looks like you?”

“Oh, so you’re saying I’m cunning.”

Uh. Luo Sheng was a bit choked up. She didn’t mean it like that at all; it was clearly a compliment… though Nan Shuwan was right; she was cunning. And a bit black-hearted, too.

Seeing Luo Sheng silenced by her rebuttal, Nan Shuwan felt even more satisfied, flashing that familiar smile again. “Then I’ll accept it. Next time, remember to make a kitten or a little rabbit. After all, I’m so gentle and cute, right?”

Tsk. The way this woman praised herself was a bit much, but it sounded pleasant enough. The fake politeness was gone, replaced by joking. Was she successfully coaxed?

Luo Sheng didn’t dare cross her now; she only nodded and agreed with a smile.

District C was currently a mess. Many bodies—both zombies and humans—floated in the water alongside numerous trash bags.

Luo Hong, living on the thirteenth floor of a remote area, was already emaciated from hunger, his hands covered in chilblains. With his sunken cheeks and large dark circles, he looked like a zombie himself.

Having hidden here for so many days, he was at his breaking point. He had heard there were monsters outside and seen many people die through the peephole. With the streets flooded, Luo Hong had nowhere to go!

Was he really going to starve to death at home? He peered out the window. By chance, a human head floated by in the water, nearly scaring him out of his wits.

But besides the corpses, he seemed to see two inflatable rafts. The people on board wore hats and uniform-like clothing in a conspicuous neon green.

If he wasn’t mistaken, that badge was… the Rescue Team!

Luo Hong was instantly revitalized, fearing it was a hallucination. After looking closely, he realized it was real! The agony of these many days was finally going to end!! It seemed his effort to survive until now hadn’t been in vain!

Excitement brought some color back to Luo Hong’s face. He opened the window and waved frantically, shouting, “I’m here!!! There’s a survivor here!!!”

The rescue team on the boat saw him and immediately turned in his direction.

Luo Hong waited excitedly in the apartment. Within minutes, there was a knock at his door. He checked the peephole; it was people in uniforms wearing masks.

Luo Hong didn’t think twice before opening the door. At least a dozen people stood outside. The woman in the lead had a sweet voice and eyes that curved into crescents as she smiled. She said to him, “Hello, we are from the rescue team. Please take all your remaining supplies and come with us.”

Luo Hong nodded immediately, but then he realized: what supplies did he even have left? He was nearly starving. So he said frankly, “Comrade, I finished everything long ago. I don’t have anything left to use. I was just waiting for you to save me. Let’s hurry…”

Before he could finish, there was a loud thud. Luo Hong fell heavily to the ground, completely unconscious.

The woman pulled down her mask slightly and withdrew the rod in her hand. She had long black hair with straight bangs and a dimpled smile. She reported the situation to the tall, muscular woman behind her. “Sister Tao, it seems he’s another ‘starving ghost.’ Nothing to take. Let’s move on to the next house.”