In the boundless darkness, Chen Qichao felt as if he was walking alone on an endless road, with no sound around him. He didn't know why he was on this path, only that he had to keep moving forward. Soon, he reached the end of the road, where he saw a Daoist Priest, dressed in Taoist robes and wearing a Yuan Shi crown, sitting with his back to him.
"I never thought when we met again, you would be such a waste!" A voice of scornful mockery came from the Daoist Priest, filled with deep disdain and hidden resentment.
"Who are you?" Chen Qichao asked suspiciously.
The Daoist Priest paused slightly, then sighed, "I didn't expect that after your reincarnation, your memories would indeed be completely gone."
Chen Qichao became even more puzzled. Just as he was about to ask more, he heard the Daoist Priest utter eight words, and then his vision began to distort. Shortly after, Chen Qichao woke up from his dream in shock.
"Regicide traitor, slave-born brat!"
These eight words resonated in his ears like a grand bell. He felt a heaviness in his chest, and upon looking closely, he discovered a disheveled young woman in flesh-colored stockings lying by his bed, her head pressing against his chest. The young woman's eyes were slightly closed, with a happy smile on her lips—it was actually his landlady, Xu Wan!
"What's going on?" Chen Qichao raised his hands and gently patted his cheeks, trying hard to recall what happened last night. Last night, he was forced by his mother-in-law, Song Xiaoyun, to pay a hefty betrothal gift of five hundred thousand, which put him in a terrible mood. He went out to drown his sorrows in alcohol, and on his way home, he encountered a beautiful young woman in purple. Driven by lust, he took advantage of the intoxicated young woman in purple. Thinking of this, Chen Qichao suddenly felt the morning erection that had risen painfully hard, and the memory of the young woman in purple's plump and tight vagina left him longing for more.
However, what happened next sent chills down Chen Qichao's spine even just recalling it. A golden centipede flew out directly from the mouth of the Purple-dressed Young Woman, crawling onto his face, attempting to force its way into Chen Qichao's mouth. He resisted desperately, only to be cut and left bleeding by the centipede's sharp legs. Wait... Chen Qichao suddenly noticed that his palms and cheeks were completely unharmed, without a single scar. He immediately sensed something was amiss; even stitches at a hospital couldn't leave such flawless skin. Yet, the fact remained that there wasn't the slightest trace of injury on Chen Qichao's body!
Forcing down his fear and suspicion, Chen Qichao recalled how the golden centipede was about to enter his mouth but ended up having its head crushed by his bite. At that moment, he felt a surge of scalding liquid rushing down his throat. Could it be that his recovery was related to that liquid?
Chen Qichao had always been fond of fantasy novels from certain websites, dreaming of stumbling upon a ring housing an old man with cheats or a scroll containing a serpent. He instinctively wanted to believe that the centipede he killed yesterday might actually bring him some extraordinary encounter. However, he was extremely worried about the Purple-dressed Young Woman he had picked up while she was drunk. If his act of taking advantage of her inebriated state came to light, he might end up picking up soap in prison!
At this thought, the joy of possibly gaining a mysterious cheat instantly vanished. After all, such an encounter was illusory, whereas the cold bars of prison were anything but distant! Chen Qichao grew somewhat nervous, and his movements inadvertently woke Xu Wan, the beautiful young woman in stockings, from her spring slumber.
It must be said, the lazy demeanor of a beauty upon waking holds an irresistible allure for men. Chen Qichao, who had been worrying about being thrown into prison to pick up soap, was momentarily stunned upon seeing Xu Wan's drowsy, just-awakened appearance.
Xu Wan quickly sensed something beneath the blanket pressing against her. As an experienced and attractive young woman, she knew exactly what it was. However, she chose not to address it directly. Instead, she said with a hint of helplessness, 'You’re finally awake. How much did you drink last night? You were completely out, lying in the bushes in front of the apartment. If I hadn’t gone out to buy something, you might have slept there until now! I couldn’t move you by myself, so I had to ask some tenants to help carry you back to your room!'
Chen Qichao asked nervously, 'Did you see anyone else in the bushes?'
'Anyone else, your sweetheart?' Xu Wan asked, half-seriously and half-jokingly.
Chen Qichao quickly averted his gaze guiltily and said hesitantly, 'How could that be? I just thought I saw someone lying in the bushes before I blacked out.'
Xu Wan tilted her head and chuckled, 'You must have had too much to drink. When I found you, you had vomited all over the place. There was no one else around.'
Hearing this, Chen Qichao broke into a cold sweat. Xu Wan wouldn’t lie to him, but how could the purple-dressed young woman he had picked up have disappeared without a trace? And where was the body of the golden centipede? A flood of questions overwhelmed Chen Qichao’s just-awakened mind, making him feel as if his head was about to explode.
Meanwhile, Xu Wan, who had been squatting by Chen Qichao’s bedside, rested her chin on her hands and watched with amusement as his face changed colors. Suddenly, she giggled.
'Xu Jie, what are you laughing at?' Chen Qichao asked, looking puzzled.
'Nothing, I just saw your face changing colors like a Sichuan opera mask, turning red and then green!' Xu Wan’s radiant smile instantly brightened the room.
Chen Qichao suddenly asked, 'Xu Jie, have you been by my bedside all night?'
Xu Wan’s face turned slightly red. She twirled her ponytail with her slender, jade-like fingers and said shyly, 'I was just worried about you... worried you might vomit or kick off the blanket... Anyway, go wash up first. I’ll show off my cooking skills for you!'
As she spoke, she got up to prepare a meal for Chen Qichao, who looked at his kind and gentle landlady with mixed feelings. It's often said that when a woman pursues a man, the barrier is as thin as a veil. Xu Wan's interest in him was no secret among the tenants. However, the rumors of her bringing misfortune to her husbands made Chen Qichao extremely wary. Although his parents were staunch atheists, certain events had led him to firmly believe in the supernatural.
"Ah!" Just as Chen Qichao was lost in thought on his bed, a scream suddenly came from the living room. He immediately recognized it as Xu Wan's voice.
"What's wrong, Sister Xu!" Chen Qichao quickly threw off the covers and rushed to the living room in a few strides, only to find Xu Wan sitting pale-faced on the carpet.
When Chen Qichao came to rent the apartment, Xu Wan, to show her affection for him, specially rented him this large three-bedroom, one-living room, one-bathroom, and one-kitchen suite on the eleventh floor at a very low price. The living room was spacious, with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of several nearby streets. But now, the once peaceful streets were filled with billowing black smoke, cars jammed in the lanes turned into piles of scrap metal. Hundreds of pedestrians were fleeing in panic, and from the end of the distant streets emerged hordes of monsters, resembling those from zombie movies—bodies mutilated, movements seemingly slow, but capable of sudden attacks when encountering living humans.
The monsters still retained a human shape but were mutilated and covered in blood, emitting meaningless moans or low growls. Their movements appeared sluggish, but upon sensing living humans, they could suddenly burst forth with astonishing speed, pouncing on the humans before them, then swarming over them like wild beasts hunting, tearing off the person's flesh and devouring it raw...
Chen Qichao felt a wave of nausea, the intense discomfort making him want to vomit, while Xu Wan covered her lips tightly with her slender fingers, tears streaming from her eyes, struggling not to scream.
The tranquility of the streets was utterly shattered by the screams of people being slaughtered, the excited hunting roars of the zombies, and the deafening crashes of colliding cars.
"This... I... am I having a nightmare? I must still be asleep!" Chen Qichao kept forcing himself to swallow his saliva, subconsciously gripping a steel rod in the living room used for arm exercises.
Meanwhile, Xu Wan leaned her trembling delicate body against Chen Qichao, then biting her lip and shaking, she said, "What... what exactly is going on? Are they all..."
The originally virtuous and gentle young woman in stockings could no longer utter a complete sentence, and Chen Qichao wasn't much better off. Just moments ago, he was fantasizing about obtaining a mysterious cheat, only to now face a crisis resembling a zombie siege. No normal person could remain indifferent!
Fortunately, Chen Qichao managed to keep his cool. He immediately locked all the windows in the living room and drew the thick curtains, which somewhat muffled the screams and growls outside. Taking a deep breath, he knew it was time for him, as a man, to step up. Chen Qichao pulled Xu Wan into his arms, gently stroking the young woman's long hair, and said in the softest voice possible, "Don't worry, I'm here. Don't worry..."
After comforting her for a long time, Xu Wan, who had been trembling like a small animal facing a predator, finally began to calm her terrified heart, as if just having Chen Qichao by her side made everything safe. Yet, Chen Qichao himself was unsure. He urgently wanted to know what had happened in S City while he was asleep. He quickly turned on the living room's TV—thankfully, there was still electricity, and the TV worked.
The TV was currently broadcasting an emergency news segment on a CCTV channel. In the spacious studio sat a young host and two elderly men who looked like scholars.
The young host first introduced himself to the camera, "Hello everyone, welcome to today's emergency news program 'Out of Science.' I'm your host, Hu Shuo. Our two guests are the renowned virologists Mei Benshi and Jia Jiaoshou. Guests, what are your views and insights on the mysterious virus that broke out last night in our country's S City?"
The camera then turned to the balding Mei Benshi, who stroked his sparse beard and said, "The mysterious virus outbreak in S City this time is an extremely rare type of virus, different from any known virus. It can quickly take over the host's body, control its nervous system, and even reorganize the host's genes. Even after the host has died, it can still manipulate the host's corpse to move!"
"Yes, individuals infected by this virus develop a strong urge to consume living creatures, not just ordinary poultry and livestock, but also a fierce desire to attack and prey on humans. Those killed by the infected, whether human or animal, including birds, have a high probability of becoming new carriers of the infection. In this regard, the situation bears a significant resemblance to the zombies in Western horror films. Moreover, even if their jaws are shattered or limbs broken, the infected still retain their instinctual desire to feed! Therefore, everyone must exercise extreme caution!" Jia Jiaoshou added from the side.
The host, Hu Shuo, inquired, "Then, regarding the infected, are there any identifiable characteristics or weaknesses? How long is the incubation period of this virus? And what about its transmission and fatality rates?"
Chen Qichao couldn't help but curse the idiotic host under his breath. Just from what he had seen, there were no fewer than hundreds of infected individuals, and this was only in the more remote suburbs. Humans or other animals killed by them would turn into carriers of the infection. Was there even any need to discuss the transmission and fatality rates?
Mei Benshi then said, "Based on some of the infected captured by the military, the incubation period of this virus is not fixed, generally within a few hours, but the possibility of a prolonged incubation cannot be ruled out. The infected experience significant deterioration in vision, but their sense of smell and hearing become enhanced. They are extremely sensitive to slight noises and the scent of living creatures. Therefore, when encountering the infected, try to stay upwind and avoid making any noise. Additionally, the weakness of the infected lies in their brains. According to observations of some captured infected, destroying the brain tissue under control will result in the immediate death of the carrier!"
Meanwhile, the scrolling news ticker at the bottom continuously broadcast urgent updates, summarizing that an unknown virus had broken out in S City, with large numbers of infected appearing in four districts. The government had dispatched armed police and military forces to maintain order and eliminate the rampaging groups of infected. Furthermore, several special forces teams from the Jianghuai Military Region had entered the infected zones to assist the military in stabilizing the increasingly out-of-control situation. The government had also established several evacuation shelters and would use military transport aircraft to relocate citizens away from S City. The locations of these evacuation points were specifically noted.
"That's great, the government will surely be able to resolve this special incident!" Xu Wan had unwavering faith in the news on TV, and her trembling figure gradually calmed down.
However, Chen Qichao was not as optimistic. He always felt that things were not that simple, and this special incident might be... Yet, he didn't want to dampen Xu Wan's hopes, so he could only force a few dry laughs. Just then, his stomach suddenly growled loudly, causing Xu Wan to burst into laughter. With a bright smile, she said to Chen Qichao, 'Hungry, aren't you? Let me cook for you and show you my skills!'
With that, Xu Wan casually picked up an apron, tied it skillfully, and walked into the kitchen. Chen Qichao, however, was not as optimistic as she was. He immediately turned on his computer. Fortunately, the internet was still working. Opening a browser, he found that the headlines of major websites were dominated by the mysterious virus in S City. Theories about the virus's origin varied widely, ranging from aliens to natural punishment to poisoning by a certain country. Chen Qichao found a map of S City and a marked diagram of the military evacuation points, which he promptly printed and made several copies of.
After a moment of hesitation, Chen Qichao logged into a certain VPN software and accessed a famous overseas social media platform. As expected, the internet, which was already extremely hostile towards China, was now celebrating China's encounter with the mysterious virus, gleefully adding insult to injury. However, amidst a sea of mocking and sarcastic comments, he accidentally stumbled upon a video filmed in a rural farm in a certain state in the middle of the United States.
In the video, the distant sky was filled with countless white, dandelion-like fluffs, covering the mountains and fields and blotting out the sky. The filmer seemed to be indoors. Soon, those fluffs attached themselves to the cattle and sheep leisurely walking in the pasture. At first, the animals just flicked their hooves and tails slightly, as if they were a bit itchy. Then, something horrifying happened—vines stained with blood and pieces of organs suddenly burst out from inside the livestock, turning the cattle and sheep into piles of bloody mush! At this point, the filmer let out a scream, and the camera shook violently, apparently terrified by what had happened.
Once the vines had absorbed the flesh and blood of the cattle and sheep, they would burrow into the ground, transforming into what appeared to be withered plants. These plants somewhat resembled oversized tulips, except they were entirely ashen, with a swollen bud at the top! Although they were temporarily inactive, Chen Qichao couldn't shake off the feeling that once the time was right, those buds would likely release countless terrifying flocculents capable of instantly absorbing the flesh and blood of living creatures!
This video was listed under the keyword 'China Virus,' seemingly recorded by an American farmer seeking help from the local government, but to no avail. In desperation, the farmer uploaded the video to this social media app, hoping for assistance from social groups. However, when Chen Qichao opened the comments, he found them filled with sarcastic remarks like 'Wow, dude, your special effects look so real,' and 'Is this another variety show?'
Chen Qichao, however, realized a terrifying possibility. He searched for similar videos on the international internet and indeed found similar cases emerging across several continents. Each was different; for example, European countries reported monsters with pitch-black bodies, no facial features except for a mouth full of sharp teeth. These monsters didn't eat people, but any creature they touched would rot, with internal organs exposed, then turn into the same kind of infected, reminiscent of the Black Death. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania saw a surge in mutated fish, amphibians, and insects, though these incidents were still isolated and hadn't garnered effective attention from local governments.
After shutting down his computer, Chen Qichao had come to realize that a virus crisis capable of sweeping across humanity was quietly unfolding. Yet, governments around the world hadn't taken it seriously. It was then that he accidentally discovered the phone left under the bed. Liu Qichao turned on the phone to find countless missed calls and messages flooding in like a tide.
'Good grief, sixty-five missed calls! Let me see...' As soon as Chen Qichao opened his phone, he was bombarded with sixty-five missed calls. Among them were calls from his former colleagues, his childhood friend Liu Daguo, five from his aunt Chen Ruyue, over a dozen from his girlfriend Yu Xiaofei, and the remaining forty-plus were all from his mother, Yan Tingyue!
Chen Qichao quickly pressed the call-back button. The ringtone hadn't even played for three seconds before the other party answered his call.
'Hello, son, are you okay?' Yan Tingyue's voice carried a hint of anxiety and fear, trembling as she asked the question.
Chen Qichao felt a warmth in his heart, realizing that his mother still cared for him. He quickly explained, 'Last night I got drunk and ended up passing out at the entrance of the apartment building. Luckily, the landlord was kind enough to have someone carry me back to my room.'
'Did you not encounter any of those infected?' Yan Tingyue immediately asked.
Chen Qichao quickly shook his head and said, 'No, no, but now the outside is full of infected people. I'm afraid we won't be able to leave until the army arrives. By the way, Mom, how are things on your end?'
Yan Tingyue sighed and said, 'Not optimistic. The first known infected person was a middle-aged man selling barbecue on the beach. He was the first to show signs of infection or zombification, then he attacked customers and his family who were helping. After that, a larger-scale infection occurred in the hospital.'
'Mom, are you okay?' Chen Qichao's heart tightened as he quickly inquired.
'Fortunately, when the infection broke out, I had just been relieved and was resting at the temporary camp at the First Middle School. I avoided the first wave of infection at the hospital, but several of my colleagues...' At this point, Yan Tingyue choked up a bit, but being a doctor accustomed to life and death, she quickly composed herself and continued, 'This virus infection is no small matter; it's almost like something out of a Western zombie movie! Even with over twenty years in medicine, this is the first time I've seen such a powerful virus! In just half a night, hundreds of thousands of citizens have turned into zombie-like infected, and the numbers are still rising. Four out of the six districts in S City have already fallen!'
Chen Qichao suddenly heard a low growl from his mother's end, identical to the sounds made by the infected outside. He quickly asked, 'Mom, don't tell me your side is also...'
'Yes... my district was the first to be infected and is currently the most severely affected area! Fortunately, we have a team of armed police helping to maintain order, barely repelling the zombie horde, but we're also trapped in the school's cafeteria building. However, you don't need to worry; we still have some food reserves here, and the water and electricity haven't been cut off. We can hold out until the army arrives. It's you who shouldn't go outside! These infected have twice the strength of a normal person, and there are even some strange mutants. Stay put and wait for rescue, understand?' Despite the grim situation, Yan Tingyue tried to remain calm, not wanting her son to feel despair.
Chen Qichao naturally didn't want to go out and be surrounded by those infected. He quickly nodded in agreement, and only then did Yan Tingyue hang up the phone.
"Dr. Yan, have you spoken to your son?" A calm and powerful voice suddenly came from behind Yan Tingyue. She turned to see a short-haired, spirited, and capable woman smiling at her.
"Yes! Captain Yu, have the attacking infected been repelled?" Yan Tingyue quickly asked, looking at the tall, heroic female armed police captain in front of her.
Captain Yu nodded, took off her dirty police cap, scratched her sweat-drenched short hair, and said with a bitter smile, "I'd rather describe them as a tide of corpses. They're just like the zombies in horror movies. Unless you take off their heads, they keep moving. Even the Japanese weren't this ruthless!"
"Yes, this virus is truly beyond belief! In just half a night, it has infected four districts, hundreds of thousands of people! And it has made the infected so terrifying, it's like a biochemical crisis!" Yan Tingyue said with lingering fear.
Captain Yu looked at Yan Tingyue, who was as beautiful as a young girl, with a fiery gleam in her eyes. She seemed to hesitate before suddenly changing the subject: "Your son must be about the age to get married, right? My sister is too. She's been getting along famously with some guy lately, and they're said to be almost engaged. But is it so easy to enter my Lin family? If he wants to be my sister Yu Xiaosha's brother-in-law, he'll have to see if he can pass my test!"
As she spoke, she clenched her delicate fist tightly, causing a series of cracking sounds from her knuckles. Yan Tingyue could only pray for the future brother-in-law, knowing that despite being a woman, this armed police captain had once wielded a military machete to slash through seven infected in a row when the tide of corpses was about to breach the defense line, saving them from a desperate situation!
"Ah...choo!" Chen Qichao, who was still trying to call his girlfriend Yu Xiaofei, suddenly sneezed violently. He muttered, "Must have caught a cold from lying outside yesterday. I remember there's some isatis root in the house... Hey, Xiaofei..."
"Why did you only reply now! I was so worried about you!" Yu Xiaofei's tearful voice immediately interrupted him. His girlfriend's concern moved him deeply. Even in such a dangerous environment, having someone who cares about you is undoubtedly the happiest thing.
Chen Qichao quickly replied, "I had a bit too much to drink when I went out for dinner yesterday, ended up blacking out, and my phone was on silent."
There was a sudden silence on the other end. Just as Chen Qichao was beginning to wonder, Yu Xiaofei quietly asked, "Is it because of the 500,000 yuan bride price my mom asked for?"
Chen Qichao let out a bitter laugh. Indeed, it was hard to fool a smart woman. Of course, he couldn't speak ill of his future mother-in-law, so he casually said, "No, it's just that a friend dragged me out to drink..."
"Don't lie to me. When I couldn't reach you earlier, I called all your friends, and none of them had seen you. You haven't touched a drop of alcohol since that year in high school when you went back to your hometown to pay respects to your ancestors. Given your habit of never speaking up when you're upset, you must have been pushed to your limit to break your sobriety. And lately, the only thing that could trouble you enough to drink would be the 500,000 yuan bride price!" Yu Xiaofei said, her voice trembling.
If he weren't the one in the situation, Chen Qichao would almost applaud his girlfriend's analysis. Indeed, he couldn't keep anything from this girl. With a bitter laugh, he admitted, "Yes, that bride price is indeed a bit much. But discussing it now is pointless. Let's get through the current crisis first. Hey, I remember your family lives in the northwest district, right? That area is still safe, isn't it?"
"Um... According to my parents, they're planning to take me to the evacuation point protected by the military in the next few days." Yu Xiaofei sounded nervous, as this, in a way, meant abandoning her boyfriend to save herself. However, Chen Qichao didn't see it that way. With danger lurking everywhere in S City, he hoped his girlfriend would reach safety as soon as possible. "It's fine," he said. "You leave this dangerous place first. I'll wait for the next batch."
"But..." Yu Xiaofei was still worried about her boyfriend and wanted to say more.
But Chen Qichao cut her off. "No buts. Do as your parents say. I'll be fine. Don't worry, I'll definitely stay alive to marry you!"
Yu Xiaofei was deeply moved by her boyfriend's words. The young couple continued to exchange sweet nothings, completely unaware that Xu Wan was standing behind him, holding a steaming pot of soup. It wasn't until Chen Qichao hung up the phone that Xu Wan, with a hint of jealousy in her voice, said, "So, still whispering sweet nothings to your little girlfriend at a time like this?"
Chen Qichao was a bit embarrassed by her words and let out a few silly chuckles. Xu Wan was also amused by his demeanor and let out a light laugh, teasingly saying, "Why don't you go to the kitchen and get a bowl?"
"Sure thing!" Chen Qichao shouted and headed towards the kitchen. However, in a place where Xu Wan couldn't see, his brow slightly furrowed. He had tried calling his aunt Chen Ruyue several times, but no one answered. Chen Qichao didn't immediately think the worst, knowing that due to her police duties, her phone was often busy or turned off. With the large number of infected people appearing in S city, the police were surely working in shifts to maintain order. So, he didn't pay it much mind.
Xu Wan's cooking skills were unparalleled, with two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup, all perfectly presented and delicious. Yet, for some reason, Chen Qichao felt that the usually delightful meal lacked something today. It wasn't that the taste was off or the texture was wrong. Even though Chen Qichao managed to eat two large bowls of rice, he still felt something was missing. Moreover, Chen Qichao always enjoyed watching Xu Wan's sweaty collarbone and snow-white neck as she cooked, finding the sweat on them more appealing than the feast on the table.
"Hmm..." Chen Qichao unconsciously swallowed, as if he had caught a whiff of a sweet scent, triggering an instinctive physical reaction. Xu Wan, mistaking his reaction for him peeking at her, blushed deeply. She gently pushed away her finished bowl and said coyly, "Carrying you back last night left me drenched in sweat. I'm borrowing your shower now. No peeking! You can clean up the dishes yourself."
With that, Xu Wan took some change of clothes she had brought from somewhere and went into the bathroom. Chen Qichao, however, was lost in thought about the earlier incident. After washing the dishes and cleaning the table, as he was about to return to his room to rest, he suddenly noticed a set of large purple-red lace bras and black transparent ice silk panties prominently placed in the laundry basket by the bathroom door!
"This... this is..." Chen Qichao's gaze suddenly fixed on Xu Wan's discarded purple-red bra and black transparent panties, unable to look away.