The rooftop on Wu Tian’s side had been cleared to a spacious area. Facing away from the residential complex was a sunshade, while the side facing the complex had poles for hanging dried meat, a pile of sundries, and a dozen small potted plants kept to lift spirits.
The space was quite large, enough to store these materials with plenty of room left over for exercise and training.
“Lin Yuan, hurry over and help, damn it, this is so hot,” Wu Tian’s voice came from the stairwell. Lin Yuan had just finished placing the last piece of lumber.
“Coming, coming. I say, how can you, a girl, say ‘damn it’ all day long?” Lin Yuan glanced at the contorted expression on Wu Tian’s face, took over a large pot of tomato soup, and exclaimed, “Damn it, it’s so hot!”
As it turned out, some exclamations were involuntary.
With immense willpower, he managed not to throw the pot, and walked step by step to the constructed stove.
For a moment, Lin Yuan wanted to kick away the drying rack blocking his path. He must have been out of his mind to build a stove here.
Wu Mengyao followed behind, carrying the ingredients. Most amusing was Peiqi, burdened with more than it should have, its little eyes betraying it as a complete victim.
Wu Mengyao had guarded the stove for the entire morning and half the afternoon. The inner walls were already hardened, and the outside was secured with wooden strips, making it stable.
Once the large pot was placed on the stove, they continued to add fuel, as the bamboo had not yet finished burning.
The tomato soup pot began to bubble and boil again. Wu Tian had already brought over a small table that Lin Yuan hadn't chosen, laden with enoki mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, cucumbers, spinach, cabbage, eggplant stuffed with canned meat and deep-fried, and a large plate of sliced fish.
“Are these enoki mushrooms still not spoiled?” Lin Yuan was fiddling with his large radio. He found that this particular radio had better sound quality, so he replaced the batteries and continued to use it.
“No, no. We opened a family’s door today. There’s a freezer at home, and the ice inside hasn’t melted much. These things were taken from it. There were also two large fish, all sliced into fillets. It’s a shame, with such a large freezer, there were only these items. It must have been used before,” Wu Tian reached out and tasted an eggplant pocket, her eyes narrowing in pleasure. She was fully satisfied with her cooking.
Truly excellent, my sister’s cooking is still top-notch.
He pulled out the antenna, adjusted the channel, and turned on the radio. The announcer’s voice immediately boomed out. It was a bit loud, so Lin Yuan quickly adjusted it. The night was different from the day; some zombies were like they’d taken blue pills, best not to provoke them.
“To all survivor compatriots, at 8 PM, the latest news from the Huaxia Anti-Biochemical Command Center will be broadcast. Please ensure your surroundings are safe, wear headphones, or lower the volume to avoid attracting infected individuals. Repeat, please wear headphones or lower the volume…”
8 PM.
“Good evening, all survivor compatriots. We hope everything is safe. Today marks the 4th day since the global biochemical crisis outbreak, July 13th, 2023, the 24th day of the fifth lunar month, a Saturday,” the spokesperson for the Huaxia Anti-Biochemical Command Center began.
“Next, we will broadcast the latest situation in the major safe zones.
First, our five major military base safe zones have occupied 15 target points. Defensive measures are currently being constructed in situ, and various resources are being urgently packed. Air transport delivery to other safe zones is expected tomorrow afternoon, to be used as airdrop supplies for dangerous and biochemically infected zones.
Second, the major safe zones began rescue operations sequentially starting from 8 AM today. Currently, the rescue speed is hindered by zombies, and progress is slow. The civil defense bases within major cities have basically completed their rescue operations. Safe routes are currently being planned to reach the major safe zones, or survivors are setting up camps on-site for production activities.
Third, our maritime military forces have begun combat readiness patrols today to prevent potential biochemical terrorist attacks, and have begun constructing a vaccine research laboratory on aircraft carrier 001, specifically for research into a vaccine for the C-type mutated virus.
The above is today’s safe zone situation report. In five minutes, the latest research findings from the National Biochemical Research Group will be broadcast.”
Biochemical terrorist organizations?
The two exchanged glances, both finding the phrase somewhat strange, like a warning.
However, there was a lot of good news; the major safe zones were all undertaking rescue operations. They hoped all compatriots would be safe.
Five minutes felt very long, and the two started chatting.
Lin Yuan took a bite of the still-steaming fried eggplant. The soft eggplant was stuffed with chopped braised pork. Although it was canned braised pork, the taste was not bad at all. Baked by the oil temperature outside the eggplant, the braised pork had almost merged with the eggplant, making it incredibly delicious.
“Honestly, your cooking is better than mine. My control over oil temperature isn’t as proficient as yours.”
Hearing Lin Yuan praise her cooking, Wu Tian’s mouth split into a wide grin. “Hahaha, it’s not that great. It’s mainly because I cooked for myself in college and at work. My cousin never let me mess around with this stuff.”
“Does your cousin live with you?” Lin Yuan took another eggplant pocket and ate it slowly.
Peiqi and Wu Mengyao beside them were already eating ravenously, like two starving goblins, stuffing things into their mouths. Peiqi couldn’t speak, but Wu Mengyao, while eating, was trying to matchmake Lin Yuan and her sister: “Sister, the eggplant pockets you made are delicious, and the tomato soup is amazing! Lin Yuan brother would be incredibly lucky to marry you!”
After saying this, she winked at Lin Yuan! Meaning, brother, I can only help you this much.
Lin Yuan smiled helplessly. Wu Tian didn’t indulge her, and hit Wu Mengyao on the head. “Can’t you keep your mouth shut even while eating? Lin Yuan, please don’t mind. My sister is a bit… abnormal.”
She then pointed to her head.
“Sister, you hit my head again!” Wu Mengyao clutched her head, almost crying. Of course, Wu Tian hadn’t hit her hard; otherwise, the girl would be rolling on the ground.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. The current situation isn’t suitable for talking about romance. Let’s discuss it after things stabilize. Besides, whether your sister likes me is another matter, hahaha,” Lin Yuan brushed off the topic with a laugh.
“Hey, how could I not like you? Don’t falsely accuse me. Damn, what am I saying? Forget it, forget it. Let’s talk about business. Where were we just now?”
“Oh, we were talking about whether your cousin lives with you?”
“Hahaha, that’s a long story…”
“…”
Chatting away, the five minutes passed quickly. The announcer’s voice from the Huaxia Anti-Biochemical Command Center sounded again.
“Next, we will broadcast the latest research findings from the National Biochemical Research Group.
First, based on research and real-world data, the mutation of biochemical infected individuals is widespread, general, non-directional, and non-artificial.
Second, the National Biochemical Research Group has classified infected individuals with varying degrees of mutation. Please note, the following are laboratory data and may deviate slightly from the actual situation.
Infected individuals whose bodies exhibit abnormalities, such as cracks on the back, head, chest, or other body parts, with yellowish-green or light-green cloudy fluid, capable of photosynthesis, conjunctival congestion in the eyes, limited intellectual enhancement, and necrophagous behavior, are called ‘Fungus Monsters’.
On the basis of ‘Fungus Monsters’, those with one or more mutated organs, forming new organs, abnormal tissues, significantly increased speed and strength, eyes that are completely pure blood red, with red light observable at night, higher intellectual enhancement, and predatory behavior, are called ‘Nightmares’.
We reasonably speculate that more dangerous mutated variants exist beyond the ‘Nightmare’ variant. As there are no reports or records, research is not being conducted at this time.
The birth rate of ‘Nightmares’ from ‘Fungus Monsters’ is approximately 1 in 100,000. Survivors encountering such variants are advised to evacuate immediately. Ordinary handguns and small-caliber rifles cannot inflict effective damage unless they repeatedly hit vital headshots. If you do not possess high-powered lethality weapons, do not engage them in combat.
Third, based on current research results, all ‘Fungus Monsters’ and ‘Nightmares’ have the ability to climb stairs. Some ‘Nightmares’ also possess climbing abilities. Please be extremely cautious.
Fourth, fire and electricity still have strong lethality against all biochemical infected individuals. Do not underestimate the power of fire and electricity.
Fifth, utilize traps and weapons reasonably for clearing operations. Especially note that at night, do not attract the attention of zombies. However, firelight and noises similar to the environment have little attraction to zombies. Survivors are advised to conduct production and manufacturing activities reasonably.
The above is the latest report from the National Biochemical Research Group. Further research will require some time.
Compatriots, survive!
Long live Huaxia!”
The broadcast ended here, but Lin Yuan and Wu Tian were already sweating profusely. They quickly handed the walkie-talkie to Wu Mengyao. “Mengyao, you eat here, your sister and I will be right back.”
They were going to block the stairs; two chairs wouldn’t stop zombies that could climb.