Staring at the small supermarket that still had quite a lot left, Zhu Yuan was a little incredulous — the goods in this store hadn’t been completely picked clean.

Although most of the packaging dates had passed their shelf life, in this special situation, as long as they hadn’t gone thoroughly bad, they were still edible.

The items in the supermarket already counted as a considerable fortune.

“My grandpa found it,” Bianbian said, bending to put a dishwashing ball that had fallen to the floor back on the shelf.

Just one simple sentence made Zhu Yuan understand: it was precisely because there was this supermarket nearby, and because the food inside hadn’t been completely searched and there was still plenty left, that Grandpa Biānbiān had settled here.

Even after settling, he hadn’t moved all the food from the supermarket into his home, so that if someone passed by they could take some.

This is also why Biānbiān only mustered the courage to go out looking for food after finishing what was at home and being really hungry — she knew where food could be found.

Zhu Yuan picked up some packaged dried wood ear mushrooms and vermicelli, thinking he could combine them to make a stir-fried vermicelli dish or something similar.

Bian Bian stuck to his side, never more than a step away; whenever Zhu Yuan picked something up, she glanced at it.

There were still quite a few cans of luncheon meat on a row of shelves; Zhu Yuan took a lot — rare meat dishes like these.

Bianbian wanted to take some yesterday, but it would have been useless; she couldn’t open them.

The little one only grabs things she can actually eat.

Even opening a bottle of mineral water takes her a lot of effort.

“Minced meat with glass noodles, that’s a good one,” Zhu Yuan said, making the little girl’s eyes light up.

Then Zhu Yuan noticed the little girl staring at the single remaining bag of chips on the shelf, her eyes full of longing.

Bian Bian had wanted to reach for it yesterday, but it was placed too high—given her height she couldn’t possibly get it.

At the time she thought one of the adults would take the bag of chips down for her, but none did, and now the chips were still there.

Bianbian was somewhat pleased, but she didn’t immediately ask Zhu Yuan to help her carry it.

She remembered the times when her grandfather used to take her to this supermarket to pick things up.

When Lu Yu and Bianbian were living here, the little supermarket had a lot of goods. Occasionally, when he confirmed there was no danger, Lu Yu would take Bianbian into the store with him, and the grandfather and granddaughter would enjoy the pleasure of grocery shopping together.

Back then, little Bianbian’s favorite thing to do was pick out all kinds of snacks, then look at Lu Yu with longing eyes, waiting for her grandfather’s approval.

Although it had been five years since the apocalypse, the old man still clung to some stubborn pre-apocalypse ideas.

For example: potato chips are junk food, too many additives, not suitable for children to eat often.

He would instill this “knowledge” into Bian Bian, and besides, since their supplies were ample, there was no need to let Bian Bian eat a lot of junk food.

If others found out he raised Bian Bian like this, they’d just roll their eyes and call him crazy.

The apocalypse still cares about these things? How ridiculously picky.

So, when Little Bian Bian picked snacks, she would ask Lu Yu’s opinion. If Lu Yu disagreed, she wouldn’t plead—she would just blink her big eyes and obediently look at him.

How could Lu Yu resist? Time and again he indulged his granddaughter.

There had originally been more than ten bags of chips on the shelf; by the end, only this one remained—the rest had all gone into Bian Bian’s little belly.

Back then, Bian Bian loved nothing more than clutching a bag of potato chips at home and crunching away; Lu Yu would even make flatbreads for Bian Bian from chips, instant noodles, and flour.

Even when it came to junk food, Lu Yu would vary the recipes to make tasty treats for Bian Bian. Of course, that didn’t stop him from preaching to Bian Bian that they were junk food.

He peeled off a chip with one hand, tried a piece first to make sure it hadn’t gone bad, and only then handed the bag to Bian Bian.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhu Yuan.” Bian Bian paused as he took it, his eyes curving into crescent moons toward Zhu Yuan.

Zhu Yuan’s big hand lightly stroked the little girl’s tousled hair.

Without Lu Yu to braid Bian Bian’s hair, she always tied it crooked herself.

Zhu Yuan noticed that although the girl’s hair was messy, it wasn’t dirty. Even though children’s metabolisms differ from adults’, if hair goes unwashed for days it inevitably gets dirty.

But Bian Bian’s hair was very clean, not like it hadn’t been washed for a long time.

There’s no electricity, and Bian Bian can’t boil water herself—how does she keep her hair clean?

Zhu Yuan asked, “Bian Bian, do you wash your hair yourself?”

Bian Bian stuffed a chip into her mouth; the familiar snack taste made her miss Grandpa all the more, but she didn’t show it. She nodded, “Grandpa used to wash it for me. Later I learned to do it myself.”

“How… do you wash it?”

“It’s very simple.” The little girl was a bit pleased with herself, proud that she could wash her own hair. “Turn on the faucet, fill a basin with water, wet your hair, pour in shampoo, rub until it foams and rinse it out, then dry with a clean towel — that’s it.”

She recited the steps for washing hair seriously and meticulously.

“It’s just a bit cold, but I’m used to it.”

The water was cold.

Even though it’s summer now, it’s still cold.

But grit your teeth, and after getting used to it, it’s fine.

In a short time, Bianbian had already learned a lot about “enduring.”

“Grandpa taught Bianbian to be clean; just because Grandpa isn’t here doesn’t mean you should stop washing your hair when it’s dirty.”

Zhu Yuan felt a bit bitter inside, yet also relieved — luckily the girl was an ability user with a body stronger than ordinary people; otherwise, by her own account, she would likely have fallen ill already.

And in the apocalypse, a simple cold could easily mean death.

From the supermarket, Zhu Yuan took back ingredients and cooked wood ear mushrooms stir-fried with pork, minced pork with vermicelli, wood ear and vermicelli soup, plus a pot of plain white rice.

Ingredients were limited, but fortunately Zhu Yuan knew how to cook before the end times and was fairly skilled. Once the two dishes and a soup were ready, the aromas wafting out made the little stomach at the edge of the bed rumble.

During that time Zhu Yuan fed the little girl several slices of luncheon meat; watching her eat like a tiny hamster filled him with a warm satisfaction.

The little creature was so skinny, hardly like a five-year-old at all, he thought.

By the time the dishes were finished and set on the table, night had already fallen. Bianbian had long since lit the candles, and had lit a few extra for better lighting.

The little girl felt a bit pained—usually she only lit one candle, and one could last a long time.

Zhu Yuan saw through the little girl’s hidden thoughts, patted her head, and comforted her: “Uncle’s here. Use it first, and we’ll go find it afterwards.”

Bianbian relaxed and began to laugh happily.

In the little girl’s mind, Uncle Zhu Yuan cooked just as deliciously as Grandpa, so he must be just as capable — finding the candles was nothing to worry about.

“We can eat now.” Zhu Yuan knew Xiaobian had been nagging a lot.

Bian Bian took out an empty bowl: “For Grandpa.”

She hadn’t forgotten what she’d said earlier — she’d also brought the cooked meal to her grandpa.

Zhu Yuan was silent; he understood this was Bian Bian’s filial piety toward her grandfather, but he didn’t know how to explain to the little girl that delivering food was a dangerous act.

Moreover, leaving everything else aside, even if you delivered food inside, ordinary food is useless to zombies—they won’t eat it; what zombies need to consume is flesh and blood.

Fresh flesh and blood.

“Uncle Zhu Yuan?” Bian Bian was clever; recalling how Zhu Yuan had gone downstairs so quietly earlier, she immediately understood and obediently said, “I’m not scared. Yesterday I even brought Grandpa water and food. Just put the meal on there and it’s fine—Grandpa will take it himself if he’s hungry.”

Hearing the girl’s innocent words, Zhu Yuan sighed inwardly, despising his own timidity in his heart. Even if Grandpa Bianbian was a high-level zombie, there was that metal wall after all.

“Give grandpa some more meat.” Zhu Yuan took the empty bowl and, under Bianbian’s sparkling gaze, pressed the food down again and again until it formed a tall mound.

Bianbian held the candleholder, Zhu Yuan carried the bowl; the tall and the small walked into the stairwell. It was utterly quiet around them, with only the dim light cast by the candle.

Zhu Yuan tried his best to ignore that bone-chilling, terrifying pressure and listened carefully to the floor above—there was no sound at all.

Those few steps felt to Zhu Yuan like walking on the edge of a knife, whereas Bianbian was completely unaffected.

If she were alone, she might have been a little scared, but with another person beside her and Huihui accompanying her, she wasn’t afraid at all.

She actually wanted to take the bowl herself, but Zhu Yuan worried she might not hold it steady and would drop it.

Besides, how could he just stand by and let Little Bian go deliver it by himself?

The bowl, filled with food, fit perfectly on the small opening.

Footsteps sounded, and in the quiet space such noises were amplified—when Zhu Yuan heard them, his scalp prickled.

There was no time to think; at the terrifying thud he grabbed Bian Bian, and at top speed returned to the room.

Even with the door closed he could hear the impacts outside; fortunately, after a while, the sounds faded.

As his heartbeat calmed, he noticed Bian Bian’s silence and hurriedly said, “Alright, we’ve delivered grandpa’s supper; it’s time for us to eat too.”

“Mm.” Bian Bian nodded heavily. The candleholder in her hand had already been extinguished; Zhu Yuan didn’t notice the little girl quietly wiping her eyes.

Children’s feelings flare up quickly and fade just as fast. The two of them, one big and one small, sat on the chairs and enjoyed a rare, lavish meal.

Bian Bian ate two bowls, her belly round and full before she put her bowl down contentedly; the rest was swept up entirely by Zhu Yuan.

Perhaps because the meal was so good, the two of them both forgot about the large apple.

After the meal, Zhu Yuan went to Lu Yu’s bedroom and took out the iron box filled with crystal stones. “Bianbian, you have to keep this safe. Don’t take them out casually, understand?”

Bianbian looked puzzled. By the candlelight he picked out a wind-element crystal and said, “Uncle Zhu Yuan, you don’t want this green stone?”

Zhu Yuan didn’t know how to explain. Of course he needed crystals of the same element; they could be used for cultivation, and now crystals were also the currency circulating in the post-apocalyptic world. As for the pre-apocalypse money, it had long since become worthless paper.

But these belonged to Bianbian. He was a normal man with hands and feet; even if deep down he felt tempted by such a huge fortune, he couldn’t simply take it as his right.

Otherwise, how would he be any different from Du Mingyu.

“Biānbiān,” Zhu Yuan said, “you know what these stones are, right?”

Bian Bian nodded.

“So these stones are very precious; you can’t casually take them out and give them to others. They are yours, you must keep them safe.”

Biānbiān seemed to understand vaguely, but she has always been obedient. When Zhu Yuan told her to keep them safe, she put the lid back on the box.

When Uncle Zhu Yuan needs it, she’ll give it to him later, the little girl thought.

That night, with Zhu Yuan there, Bian Bian finally took a fragrant, steaming hot bath.

Zhu Yuan boiled a kettle of hot water for Bian Bian, filled a large basin, and arranged everything. To make the bathroom bright, he placed three candles in it; although they couldn’t be as bright as daylight, they were enough to see by.

“Bian Bian, if there’s anything wrong, call Uncle.” Zhu Yuan naturally wouldn’t bathe the little girl himself; he stepped out of the bathroom and closed the door.

Thinking back to the little girl’s delighted expression when faced with the hot water made him feel even more heartbroken.

He sat on the sofa and began to consider his plans going forward.

The base was a place he absolutely had to go.

At the thought of Du Mingyu, a cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He was no saint—Du Mingyu had treated him that way, and since he had survived the ordeal, it was not in his nature to leave this grudge unavenged.

Bian Bian saved him; she did him a great favor. He couldn’t possibly leave the young girl here by herself—he had to take her to the base with him.

But…

Zhu Yuan frowned. Once Bian Bian’s identity as a psychic-type esper was exposed, as soon as they reached the base the higher-ups would certainly take her away.

—All the major bases recruit powerful individuals to consolidate their strength, and they especially cultivate special espers to serve the base.

Bianbian might receive better care.

But the more likely scenario was that she would be forced to train, her potential endlessly mined — possibly even… Zhu Yuan pushed that thought down.

He recalled the advanced zombie upstairs that had mutated from Bianbian’s grandfather. From what Bianbian had said, she didn’t know what the base was, which showed that her grandfather had never taken her to live at the base.

From this it follows that Bianbian’s grandfather did not want her to go to the base, likely in order to hide her special ability.

This is for Biānbiān’s sake.

She can’t leave Biānbiān behind; if she continued living alone, once Zhu Yuan learned how the little girl was surviving, how could he bear to let her stay on her own?

Taking Biānbiān to the base—he’s only a C-rank esper, and the base is full of powerful people; how could he possibly protect her there?

Yet he must go to the base.

Zhu Yuan rubbed his brow, for a moment unsure of what to do.

“Uncle Zhu Yuan, I’m done washing.” The bathroom door opened and Bian Bian walked out holding her teddy bear. Zhu Yuan immediately set those thoughts aside, led the little girl into the bedroom, and couldn’t help but smile when he saw her obediently crawl into bed.

“Should I leave the candle burning?”

Bian Bian shook her head, let out a sleepy yawn, and Zhu Yuan said no more. He blew out the candle and walked out of the bedroom.

“Good night, Uncle Zhu Yuan.” A little girl’s soft, sticky voice came from behind.

“Good night, Bianbian,” Zhu Yuan said gently.

He had decided: once his injury healed he would take Bianbian with him to the base. Maybe his strength wouldn’t be able to protect her for long, but at least he would fight with everything he had to keep her safe.

It was still far better than her living alone in this cold house at such a young age.

When she heard the door close, in the dark, Biānbiān pressed the little bear to her face and whispered, “Huīhuī, Uncle Zhù Yuān is a good person.”

“……”

Xiū Jǐn, who had sneaked into the game, arrived just in time to hear his precious daughter’s verdict on Zhù Yuān. Staring at his -45 intimacy points, he glumly bit his handkerchief!

One is a good person.

One is a bad guy.

A stark contrast.

Baby, aren’t you being too biased!

Just then, a system notification suddenly popped up on the screen: [Attention! A level-3 corpse beast has appeared outside Bian Bian’s bedroom window! Danger level: three stars!!!]

“Zombie beast? What the hell is that?”

[Zombie-like monster.]

???

You actually sent a monster to harass my precious daughter?!