"Ren Youbei?"
Looking at the heavily made-up, plump woman on the second floor, calling her name.
A name surfaced in Mingyue's mind: the original owner's stepmother.
Seeing this woman, Mingyue remembered that the Mingyue of this world was named He Mingyue and had a family.
Her mother died in a car accident when she was eight, and the following year, her father, He Si, married Ren Youbei.
She not only gained a stepmother but also a stepsister with no blood relation.
To please He Si, Ren Youbei had her own daughter change her surname to He and named her He Shi.
When Ren Youbei first married into the He family, she behaved well towards Mingyue, at least fairly, without showing favoritism to her own daughter.
But ever since He Si's business failed, she revealed her true stepmother's nature and began to bully Mingyue.
From then on, Mingyue never had a full meal or wore new clothes.
Conversely, He Shi became the little princess of the family, and Mingyue was her errand girl.
The original owner's timid personality was cultivated during that time. Fortunately, although He Si was incompetent, he didn't let Mingyue give up her studies.
However, Ren Youbei adamantly refused to pay tuition, and all of Mingyue's tuition fees were earned through her own part-time jobs.
As long as she could go to school, she could endure any hardship, because it was her only chance to leave this home.
But even after she started working, Ren Youbei didn't let her off, claiming she had raised her.
She had to hand over one thousand yuan to her every month, or she would cause trouble at her company.
The original owner had no choice but to agree, leaving herself in dire straits.
However, ever since Mingyue transmigrated, she had automatically ignored this matter, and with the apocalypse approaching, she had almost forgotten this family.
Now seeing Ren Youbei appear, she was quite surprised. He Si and his family lived in a city far from here.
How did they manage to get here in such a dangerous post-apocalyptic environment?
"Old He, hurry over here and see who I've found!
This unfilial daughter hasn't given the family money for months, and you said she must have encountered some difficulties. Turns out she's alive and well."
While calling for He Si, Ren Youbei ran downstairs and blocked Mingyue's path, as if Mingyue could escape.
"I don't want money. In this world, money is useless. Just give me supplies.
Looking at your rosy complexion, you must not be lacking in food and drink.
Your father and sister are starving to death, and you don't care about their lives. You truly are an ungrateful wretch."
After the apocalypse broke out, the He family of three stayed at home, afraid to go out.
It wasn't until the food at home ran out and they were starving that they ventured out to gather supplies.
As a result, they almost met their demise at the hands of zombies and were saved by an ability user team, the Fierce Tiger Team led by Di Yihu.
He Shi had some looks and managed to hook up with Di Yihu, becoming his lover. With this connection, the family of three joined the Fierce Tiger Team.
The situation grew more severe, and Di Yihu decided to seek refuge at the Vermillion Bird Base, so he led the team to migrate.
Supplies were limited along the way, and food was distributed to ability users. The He family of three had no abilities.
He Shi was somewhat better off, as Di Yihu would take care of her. He Si and Ren Youbei had a harder time.
They hadn't eaten a full meal since they set off. Seeing Mingyue's ruddy complexion, it was clear she hadn't starved. Ren Youbei reached out to snatch Mingyue's backpack.
"I'm dying! Murder! Old He, come out quickly!
This unfilial girl is trying to kill me! Don't you fear divine retribution, you unfilial daughter!"
Mingyue dodged Ren Youbei's hand with a flicker of movement, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. Ren Youbei immediately let out a pig-like scream.
"Mom, what's wrong? He Mingyue, you little slut, how dare you hit my mom! I'll have Brother Hu kill you!"
"Mingyue!"
Two people ran down the stairs. One was a girl, dressed provocatively, with some looks. She helped Ren Youbei up and glared at Mingyue.
The other was a middle-aged man with graying hair and a troubled expression. He looked at Mingyue excitedly, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Dad, are you okay?"
Mingyue recognized both of them. The girl was her stepsister He Shi, and the man was her biological father, He Si.
Because he was the only blood relative Mingyue had in this world, she still called him Dad.
"Child, I'm fine. Weren't you in Linhai City? How did you end up here? It's very dangerous outside. You shouldn't wander around alone, a girl. Protect yourself."
He Si had seen too many defenseless girls being bullied while following the Fierce Tiger Team on the road.
Even He Shi following Di Yihu, he didn't approve, but Ren Youbei supported her daughter's actions.
Otherwise, how could the three of them, ordinary people, survive in the apocalypse? Since it wasn't his own daughter, He Si didn't say much.
He let the mother and daughter fuss, but he couldn't help but remind his own daughter.
"He Si, you useless good-for-nothing! Didn't you see that brat hit my mother? Hit her! Teach this unfilial thing a good lesson."
Seeing He Si chatting with Mingyue and not caring if she was injured,
Ren Youbei started to throw a tantrum again, as usual, instigating He Si to hit his daughter.
"Youbei, what kind of world is this now? Can't we talk nicely when the family is finally reunited?
Besides, I saw it from upstairs. You fell yourself. It has nothing to do with Mingyue. Why are you hitting her?"
The usually timid He Si, having always cared for his daughter, was now reunited with her and was so emotional that he unexpectedly retorted to Ren Youbei.
"Fine, He Si! Since the apocalypse, if it weren't for us, your mother and I, could you have survived until now?
You would have been eaten by zombies or starved to death. Now you dare to talk back to me? Are you tired of living?"
"Yeah, Dad. If it weren't for me, could you, an ordinary person, have been kept in the Fierce Tiger Team by Brother Hu?
Now that you've seen your biological daughter, do you not want me and Mom anymore? Fine, I'll have Brother Hu kill this little slut right now."
Hearing the threats from He Shi and her mother, He Si looked at Mingyue, his hands trembling, but he didn't raise them.
Mingyue looked at him expressionlessly. If He Si hit her, she wouldn't fight back, considering it repayment for the kindness of raising her, and they would be quits.
"What are you yelling about so early in the morning? If you attract zombies, I won't let you off."
Di Yihu stumbled down the stairs, still groggy, cursing He Shi and Ren Youbei.
If it weren't for this woman's looks, and if he hadn't gotten tired of her yet, he would have kicked the family of three out of the Fierce Tiger Team long ago.
"Brother Hu, I've been bullied. Hurry and stand up for me. It's this little slut. Help me kill them."
As soon as she saw Di Yihu, He Shi immediately clung to him like an octopus, pouting and coaxing Di Yihu to kill Mingyue.
Seeing Mingyue and the others, especially Jin Xi, Di Yihu's eyes lit up. He pushed He Shi away.
"Two little beauties, I am Di Yihu of the Black Tiger Team, a level three fire ability user.
How about joining us? Follow me, and I guarantee your safety and that you'll never lack food or drink."
It had been over a month since the apocalypse. The women who survived were either disheveled or gaunt.
Beautiful women like Mingyue and Jin Xi, who were radiant, were rare. Di Yihu's lust was ignited, and he said with a lewd grin.