Chapter 75 – Apocalypse Arc: Zombie Siege: Rebirth in the Apocalypse—My Secret Lover (13)
Bai Tang hugged his squirrel plushie, stubbornly fighting off sleep as he clung to Shao Licang, insisting on hearing the bedtime story he had missed last time.
Shao Licang turned on the dim nightlight, wrapped an arm around Bai Tang, and began speaking in his deep, soothing voice:
“The little squirrel was forced to leave its home when the forest was developed. It wandered into the human city, starving. But no one on the busy streets noticed the tiny squirrel, and it was nearly hit by a passing car…”
“And then?” Bai Tang drowsily tugged at Shao Licang’s hand, eager to know what happened next.
“Then, the car that almost hit the little squirrel braked just in time. A tall man stepped out, picked up the exhausted and hungry squirrel, and took it home to care for it…”
“Will the little squirrel be thrown out?” the boy asked in his soft, childish voice, anxiously concerned for the fate of the fellow squirrel.
Shao Licang closed the storybook, tucked Bai Tang in, and kissed his forehead. “No, the man really liked the little squirrel. From then on, the squirrel lived happily with him.”
Satisfied with the answer, Bai Tang finally settled down and drifted off to sleep.
Outside, unnoticed by them, the sky quietly filled with thick, heavy clouds. Silent lightning flickered within the dense storm, and an indescribable, foul stench spread through the air. Those who inhaled it collapsed one by one. The once vibrant and lively night fell into eerie silence.
The city, like a newborn child, slumbered.
Inside the villa, the clock ticked steadily.
“DONG—DONG—DONG—” The heavy grandfather clock struck the hour.
It should have been lunchtime. But instead, everyone remained in their rooms, deep in sleep, their faces flushed and brows furrowed, as if trapped in painful dreams.
Bai Tang woke up, feeling unbearably hot.
He pushed away the feverish Shao Licang beside him and sat up, drenched in sweat.
Reaching out to check Shao Licang’s forehead, he quickly withdrew his hand after barely a second.
So hot… Ah Cang has a fever.
Just as Bai Tang was about to call for help, the system suddenly stopped him.
“Tang Tang, there’s no need to go. Everyone in the villa has fallen into a deep sleep—actually, the entire city is in the same condition. They’re awakening. Those who succeed will gain a special ability, while those who fail will turn into zombies. The ones who don’t awaken will remain ordinary humans.”
“But Ah Cang has a fever,” Bai Tang said anxiously.
“Don’t touch him. Let him go through the awakening process. The male lead will definitely succeed. Tang Tang, while everyone is still unconscious, you need to hurry and lock all the doors and windows in the villa. Make sure the outer gate is secured as well. Once people start turning into zombies, they’ll be attracted by the scent of the living.”
Bai Tang nodded, jumped out of bed, and rushed outside barefoot to lock the main gate. Worried it wasn’t secure enough, he even wrapped a chain around it for extra reinforcement.
Following the system’s advice, he went to each room and locked the doors from the outside. He would only unlock them once he confirmed the occupants had successfully awakened without turning into zombies.
By the time he finished, Bai Tang was drenched in sweat again.
The villa was eerily silent. The ticking of the clock echoed in the empty hall, making the atmosphere all the more unsettling. Feeling uneasy, he hurried back to the bedroom and nestled beside Shao Licang, finally feeling a little more at ease.
But Shao Licang’s expression remained twisted in pain, making Bai Tang feel terrible. He wiped Shao Licang’s sweat, fanned him, and silently prayed for him to wake up soon.
Being the only conscious person in the villa… was terrifying.
Author’s Note:
I wrote this chapter on my phone while out. I really did my best. Today’s extra updates will only be two chapters—when I get home, I still have to write tomorrow’s chapters.
This is the last moment of warmth. Tomorrow, the apocalypse begins. Your ruthless female lead is about to make her grand entrance~~