The truck drove to the police station.
Those two survivors constantly clamored about how strong their boss was, shattering granite with one punch, kicking away terrifying zombies, and at the same time, relentlessly questioning Lam Pham, "Do you know our boss is called Ma Nhat Long?"
A Hai and Vuong Khai sighed.
Even a dog hearing it would die of shame.
They felt sorrow for that survivor named Ma Nhat Long, for having such "valiant" underlings.
Thinking carefully, punching granite, kicking ferocious zombies – it was indeed extremely domineering. At least they couldn't do it. However, compared to Brother Lam, no matter how they thought about it, it felt strange.
They only hoped that survivor named Ma Nhat Long could understand: when terrible things happen to you, perhaps it's not your fault, but rather that your few underlings beside you are a bit too valiant.
History always repeats itself.
They saw Officer Hoang, saw the zombie Dong Dong – the very same pitiful child who had lost his mother, whom Brother Lam had told them about.
Although the apocalypse had progressed to this point, and they had witnessed many strange things.
But zombies that could understand human nature were very rarely seen.
Right before their eyes, they saw Officer Hoang gnaw on two survivors. After they turned into zombies, their heads were then smashed by Officer Hoang with one hand. The scene was extremely shocking, extremely horrifying.
They wondered, what kind of person could receive Officer Hoang's protection?
The answer was clearly very simple.
Ordinary citizens would do.
On the street.
A vehicle was driving.
In the vehicle were a total of four survivors. Apart from the driver Duong Thanh, the other three – besides the mother and child from before, there was also one male survivor – were all people chosen by Duong Thanh.
"Is everything you said true?"
The female survivor held her child, asking expectantly.
The other male survivor looked on similarly.
They had waited in despair on the Hanh Van Hao. When Duong Thanh quietly told them about this situation, their first thought was disbelief, or rather, they felt the other party had some bad intentions.
"Of course, it's all true. The other three survivors are already residing here."
Duong Thanh hadn't gone inside to see, but the expressions of those three were extremely genuine. He believed what they said. Everyone was a pitiful survivor; besides, they had nothing worth being deceived for. Who would go to such trouble for a few insignificant underlings to fabricate a happy shelter?
They looked at Duong Thanh, hope gradually growing in their eyes.
They also didn't want such hope to be shattered just like that.
"You'll know when you go," Duong Thanh finished speaking, not explaining too much. Explaining some things now was extremely troublesome, requiring many words to compensate for the lack of trust.
Very quickly.
The vehicle drove to the vicinity of Duong Quang Complex.
Duong Thanh said, "Look outside, not a single zombie. It's very safe here; the nearby zombies have all been cleared away."
They looked at the situation outside.
It was indeed so.
Somewhat shocked.
Quan Hao waited on the roof of the shop, watching. Seeing that vehicle drive over, he was extremely surprised, not expecting it to arrive so quickly. He knew that survivor who wanted to return.
He had actually said he wanted to tell the other survivors about the situation here and bring them along.
When he learned of this situation, he truly felt respect. Knowing a safe shelter was right before his eyes, yet he could decisively give it up and then continue to brave danger to return.
Putting his hand on his chest and asking himself, he couldn't do such an act.
Very quickly.
Duong Thanh led them inside. He himself had never seen it with his own eyes. As picture after picture appeared before him, he was truly at a loss for words.
That group of survivors was busy with their own affairs while chatting. There was also a group of children running around happily. To them, it was like a paradise on earth, completely out of sync with the situation outside, as if they were two different worlds.
Quan Hao, the guide, said nothing, waiting very calmly.
He knew that any survivor who came here would reveal a shocked expression.
After all, since the apocalypse broke out until now, they probably hadn't seen such a scene for a very long time.
Thinking of this.
Quan Hao felt very pleased, even smug. Although he hadn't created such an environment, being able to survive in such an environment, he truly felt proud.
At this moment.
There was movement behind them.
The iron railings were moved. Everyone looked towards the iron railings. A transport truck slowly drove over. Lam Pham, after moving the iron railings back into place, then jumped onto the truck bed.
"Don't be nervous, that's my Big Brother Lam Pham, returning from buying supplies. He's an especially good person, very friendly to everyone, never relies on his own abilities to demand others do outrageous things." Quan Hao's gaze towards Lam Pham was filled with fervor, his eyes radiating adoration.
As the truck approached.
Quan Hao shouted, "Big Brother, did you buy a lot of supplies?"
Lam Pham smiled and said, "Mm, indeed a lot."
"Haha, I knew Big Brother was the most formidable!" Quan Hao was thoroughly excited.
Duong Thanh and his group looked at the truck bed behind, filled to the brim with supplies, their eyes staring straight. Such a quantity of supplies, if it were them collecting it outside, how much effort would they need to expend, or how much luck would they need to have, to find it?
Also, they seemed to have heard the words "buy," which was very strange, but they didn't think much about it, perhaps they misheard.
Vuong Khai, sitting in the truck, glanced at Quan Hao from the corner of his eye, understanding in his heart: this one is also a strong person, not the kind of strength in hands and feet, but his thigh-hugging skills are absolutely superb.
The industry competition is too fierce; the involution is too severe.
Quan Hao looked at the departing truck, "See? This place is truly unbelievably good. Since you've arrived, then stay and take a look. After you gradually interact, you'll know how good it is here."
"I was the first group to reside here. Tonight, I'll welcome you all. Let's have hot pot, really simple and good."
The few survivors brought by Duong Thanh looked at the truck driving into the residential complex.
A light that hadn't been there for a long time flashed in their eyes.
As for Quan Hao mentioning a welcoming hot pot, it was probably just simple noodles.
...
Duong Quang Complex.
Co Hang looked at the truck full of goods and said with a smile, "If this were peacetime, and others saw this, they would think we were about to open a supermarket."
Tu Trach Duong said, "I was wondering what Brother Hang was doing building those few small iron sheds in the residential complex. It seems this is for storing various supplies."
During this period, he had seen Co Hang leading a group of people welding iron blocks at the back, and also welding many storage shelves. Now it seemed there was indeed a necessity.
Co Hang smiled, "Prepare early, prevent future trouble. Everyone, help unload the goods. Sort and store them in an orderly manner. The number of survivors in our Duong Quang Complex is increasing; the more goods, the better."
Lam Pham watched as everyone in the residential complex gathered around, rolling up their sleeves and preparing to work. He couldn't help but reveal a smile. Then he jumped down from the truck bed and walked up to Old Man Vuong.
"Old Sir, this time's shopping list is all here, take a look."
Shopping must have a list; this time, it was the Old Sir who spent the money.
To say who among us in the residential complex is the wealthiest group, apart from superstar Ha Nha and internet celebrity Nhan Ni Ni, Old Man Vuong and Old Man Chu's group are the richest. They have huge retirement pensions and also all sorts of benefits.
Recalling the comments he often saw when scrolling through videos in the past.
He kind of understood.
Why so many old sirs' comments were always so confident. If he also had such retirement benefits when he got old, his comments would similarly be full of confidence.
"It's nothing. When you do things, how can I not be at ease? In the future, you don't need to show me these," Old Man Vuong said with a smile.
Lam Pham felt Old Man Vuong's deep trust in him.
He was very moved.
But...
"Old Sir, please take a look. It was your money spent. Rules can't be broken," Lam Pham said.
Old Man Vuong understood Lam Pham's meaning, took the paper, "Alright, then I'll take a look."
Currently, Duong Quang Complex was truly on the right track. The nearby shops were already inhabited by survivors. He had also taken a stroll around and felt it was really not bad, as if the once-bustling city was gradually returning.
To say what change was most palpable, it would be Doggi and Thuy Hoa; they had many more places to play.
Lam Pham smiled, then inspected the situation in the backyard. The vegetables in the vegetable garden had already grown and could provide a continuous supply. Although the quantity wasn't large, it was already developing in a good direction.
Sister Ly and the others had reclaimed another piece of land and were also planting vegetables.
The fish pond situation was also very good. The aquatic products inside were consumed daily, but with Trieu Ha supplying, it could be ensured that the aquatic products in the fish pond were always abundant.
"The fish pond can be expanded."
Lam Pham thought.
...
Hoang City, a certain shelter.
Boom!
Boom!
A naked man swung his fists, fiercely bombarding a survivor's abdomen. This survivor was bound by his hands, suspended in mid-air.
This bare-chested man had a strong physique, his coffee-colored muscles full of explosive power. Looking at the image outlined by the moving muscles on his back, it was like a demon's face.
The beaten man screamed miserably, fresh blood at the corners of his mouth. Each time he was punched, his abdomen churned as if moving rivers and filling seas, as if he would vomit at any moment.
"Speak, where is your shelter?"
The man twisted his neck and asked in a calm tone.
The beaten survivor opened his swollen eyes and stared at the other party, not opening his mouth.
"Such a tough mouth, huh?"
Ma Nhat Long waved his hand towards a lackey. The lackey standing there understood in an instant, hurriedly moved over a block of granite, somewhat expectant, somewhat excited. They loved watching Boss showcase his skills the most.
They knew that in peacetime, Boss had performed breaking granite in short videos. Before, if they could have swiped for Boss, they would have definitely swiped a "Cloud-Piercing Arrow" or a "Dragon Head" for Boss.
"Do you know what this is?" Ma Nhat Long asked, not waiting for the other party to answer. "This is granite. You should have a good idea of its hardness in your mind. I just want to know, is your body harder, or is this granite harder?"
After speaking, Ma Nhat Long was seen to let out a low roar and shatter the granite before him with one punch.
"Good! Boss is badass!"
"Too strong, too strong!"
"Damn, if I had thirty percent of Boss's power, I'd be satisfied!"
The lackeys frantically flattered him, watching and calling it brilliant, really wanting to give Boss a shoulder massage.
Ma Nhat Long raised his hand, gently blew on it, his expression extremely confident, extremely domineering.
"Dream on! Don't even think about it! You bunch of scum! In the apocalypse, you don't unite; that's just giving zombies a chance to wipe us out! You were born human, yet you don't help other survivors, support each other mutually, but instead think of all sorts of harm! You damn scoundrels are just villains!"
This suspended survivor was not frightened by the other party. He knew the other party's thoughts. If the other party knew their shelter's location, it would absolutely lead to a devastating attack.
That group of people were all heinous and wicked beings.
They had no convictions whatsoever, already viewing the apocalypse as a playground. They wouldn't care about the lives or deaths of others, wouldn't have any compassion. They did whatever they wanted, with no morality whatsoever to restrain them.
"Haha."
Ma Nhat Long let out a sinister laugh, circled the other party once, and when he came to the front of the other party, his five fingers clenched, and he threw a punch, hitting the other party's abdomen. But this time, the force was even more terrifying than before; it actually directly punched through the other party's abdomen. Viscous blood slowly trickled down his arm.
"Ah..."
A miserable, mournful scream.
The surrounding lackeys' mouths hung open, their eyes all filled with terror and fear. Boss's methods were truly ruthless enough. Just now, their flattery was extremely loud, but now they only felt a deep sense of awe.
In their eyes, Boss was like a god.
Ma Nhat Long slowly withdrew his hand, his arm bright red. He licked a mouthful of blood, then spat it out, "Truly a disgusting taste. Movies are all fake; it's definitely tomato juice."
He just wanted to try out that kind of perverted, cold-blooded killer behavior from the movies. The behavior was indeed perverted, just a bit of a pain. One couldn't casually lick other people's blood; what if the other party had some disease?
Speaking of strange things, his previous performances of breaking granite by hand in short videos had fake elements. But at the moment the apocalypse broke out, he only remembered suddenly trembling all over, his body temperature scarily high. Afterwards, when he woke up, he felt his body was filled with strength.
He couldn't fly, couldn't jump very high, just had immense strength, and his body's toughness was greater.
"Boss, that fellow talked!" A lackey hurriedly ran over. Seeing the survivor with his abdomen punched through, he swallowed, thinking to himself, "Boss truly isn't human; his methods are getting more and more cruel."
"Where?"
"In the bomb shelter at Quan Vui Plaza. There are twenty-three people in total, among them eleven adult males, four children, and eight females. Supplies are alright. No firearms, only shovels, axes, and club-type weapons."
"Hehe, females. Haven't encountered female survivors in a long time. Didn't expect that place to actually have eight. Seems like heaven is very good to us; when we are lacking something, it will eventually send it our way." Ma Nhat Long revealed a vile smile.
The surrounding lackeys emitted similar laughter.
It was truly so.
Some time ago, there was still a young sister, but unfortunately... that young sister actually jumped off a building. Damn it, driven to jump off a building! If you can't stand it, just say so; you can take a break. Why choose such a way to go on strike?
This is really bad behavior.
The female survivor who jumped off the building was called Lieu Hong. They had captured her some time ago. She even told them she used to be Nhan Ni Ni's agent. Nhan Ni Ni, they knew of; she was Hoang City's top dance and beauty streamer, with a figure and looks that were damn good.
Knowing Nhan Ni Ni was alive, they were extremely excited. If they could capture her, that would be exhilarating. It was just a pity that Hoang City was too large, and Nhan Ni Ni had actually been taken away by a male survivor.
Thinking... after such a long time had passed, Nhan Ni Ni was probably already "developed" enough to accommodate a mother-ship.
Ma Nhat Long said, "Tell him, cooperate with us to enter the bomb shelter. Give him what he should be given. Also, let him eat well, drink well, and become one of us."
"Yes, Boss."
...
Hanh Van Hao.
"You returned alone again?"
The strong man checking supplies on the gangway, his gaze towards Duong Thanh flickered with a trace of fear.
Duong Thanh sighed and said, "Mm, encountered zombies. Only I managed to run back. I wanted to save them, but it was too late."
The strong man looked at Duong Thanh, endured for a long time, then slowly said, "You really are a ruthless character."
He didn't believe Duong Thanh's words.
In his mind, it was absolutely this fellow who, for the sake of supplies, had abandoned those few survivors. This kind of behavior was already extremely common. He really couldn't see that this person before him, in a short period, had destroyed two groups of companions. Whoever went out with him would probably die without even knowing how.
Not thinking much.
"Why is it instant noodles again? Can't you find some other supplies?"
"No choice, instant noodles are really convenient."
Strong man: ...
...
Early morning.
On the street.
"Cleared another batch."
Lam Pham smiled.
Nowadays, his mood was getting better and better, possibly related to more survivors entering Duong Quang Complex. When he went out, a group of people would greet him. Seeing that group of survivors gradually fill with hope for the future, and slowly recover their humanity, he truly felt happy for them.
In the hearts of that group of survivors.
Lam Pham was a ray of light in the darkness. Although it couldn't dispel the darkness, it could illuminate the path forward for them, guiding them forward on the correct path.