“You crazy old hag, you looking to die?” Zhang Pi snarled as he viciously kicked the woman. She let out a pained cry as she was sent flying, collapsing hard to the ground, unable to get up.
“Auntie, are you okay?” Tang Wanyue rushed over to help the woman up. “How could you do this? The water used to be shared equally by everyone!”
“Shared? That was before,” Zhang Pi scoffed, showing no concern for anyone’s wellbeing. “Now there’s not enough to go around. I’m not dying of thirst because of you people. If you want water, go find your own!”
“You…” Tang Wanyue glared at the two young men in front of her, shaking with anger, but there was nothing she could do.
“Please, I’m really thirsty. Can’t you give me a little more?” The veterinarian, Wu Mei, pleaded as she stared longingly at the half bucket of water behind Zhang Pi.
“I already gave you your share,” he replied indifferently.
“That little bit isn’t even enough to drink!” Wu Mei cried out, clearly frustrated.
“Not our problem. You drank yours. As of today, your food portions are being halved too. There’s barely anything left in the freezer.”
Zhang Pi wasn’t just hoarding water now—he was claiming the remaining food as well, acting like he was the undisputed leader of the group.
The balding middle-aged man from earlier had been beaten within an inch of his life just for trying to take a bit of water.
With flesh-eating zombies swarming outside and only scraps of food and water left inside, it wasn’t surprising that some people were starting to show their true, ruthless selves for the sake of survival.
Tang Cheng observed quietly from the café. It was clear that the two young thugs had begun monopolizing the water and food.
Inside the room, there was an injured man, a feeble middle-aged one, two women, and a young girl—none of them stood a chance against those two who were now armed.
Tang Cheng calmly knocked on the glass at the café entrance.
The people inside jumped in fear, thinking a zombie had found them.
Tang Wanyue looked toward the door, nervous at first, but then her eyes lit up slightly when she realized the boy outside was still human.
“Ahem. If you’re looking for water,” Tang Cheng said casually, “you’re welcome to come over to my side. I’ve even got coffee. Care for a taste?”
“Coffee?” Everyone looked a little envious, but when their eyes fell on the boy at the door and his zombified left face, none of them dared to step forward for a taste.
Compared to the seemingly close water source, their lives were obviously more important. Who would want to sit in the same room with a zombie and sip coffee?
Seeing that no one was willing to approach, Tang Cheng sighed helplessly.
“I’ll just bring the water to the door, then. You can come get it yourselves.”
“Is that guy really that kind-hearted? He’s actually willing to share his water with us?”
“But we were the ones who kicked him out!”
“Could he be tricking us?”
The group stared suspiciously at the boy as he turned back into the store to fetch water.
Tang Cheng entered the freezer room behind the book café. There was actually a decent stock of bottled water inside. He casually grabbed the handle of one large bottle, but as soon as he lifted it—
“Huh? So light?”
He had effortlessly lifted a huge bottle of water with just one hand. It was as if his strength had suddenly increased dramatically! He had no idea why.
Thinking it must be his imagination, he grabbed another bottle with his other hand—and once again, he lifted it just as easily.
“What the heck? When did I get this strong?”
With both hands, he hoisted two large water jugs, each weighing about 40 pounds, onto his shoulders without feeling the slightest strain!
He could clearly feel it—his strength had increased drastically. It was a powerful, overwhelming sensation he’d never experienced before.
There was no doubt about it anymore: ever since he was bitten by that zombie, his body had started to change.