Carrying the two large water jugs, Tang Cheng walked to the entrance of the steakhouse and set them down.
“You can come get them yourselves,” he said calmly.
“He actually brought the water over?”
“Doesn’t he hate us…?”
Everyone stared in stunned silence at the boy outside. They had been the ones to throw Tang Cheng out, yet now he had returned and even shared the only remaining water with them.
The woman who had collapsed earlier also looked toward him with guilt. She had completely regarded Tang Cheng as a zombie before—but now, with water to drink, her shame began to surface.
“Go back to your store, kid. Once you’re inside, then we’ll come out and get the water,” Zhang Pi barked nervously, unwilling to approach in case Tang Cheng suddenly turned into a zombie and attacked them.
“I’ll get it.”
Tang Wanyue, who had always been grateful to Tang Cheng, stepped forward. Though still a little frightened, she opened the door and walked outside.
“It’s a bit heavy. Be careful.”
Not wanting to scare her, Tang Cheng turned to walk away toward the book café.
“Um… classmate, what’s your name?”
Her voice trembled with both nerves and gratitude as she called out to him.
“I’m just a zombie now. There’s no need to know my name, is there?”
Tang Cheng continued toward the café. He had once written a love letter to Tang Wanyue. But now, with his disfigured, monstrous face, where would he ever find the courage to say his name aloud again?
“Then… thank you, classmate. Thank you for saving me earlier. Really, thank you…” Tears welled in Tang Wanyue’s eyes as she spoke with heartfelt emotion.
“If you need anything, just call me from the door,” Tang Cheng said, turning his face slightly to glance back at her. “Of course, if I’ve already turned into a zombie by then, pretend I never said that.”
But when Tang Wanyue saw the rotting side of his face, she instinctively took a step back in fear.
“…So you’re afraid of me too. Sorry for scaring you.” Tang Cheng said softly, his voice filled with bitterness. Then, he turned away and walked back into the book café.
“N-No… it’s not that, classmate…” Tang Wanyue murmured under her breath, watching his retreating figure disappear through the café door.
“Hey! Hurry up and bring the water inside! What if a zombie runs in while the door’s open?” Zhang Pi snapped impatiently from behind the door.
“O-okay!” Tang Wanyue responded quickly. Her slender hands struggled to drag the heavy water containers left by the door. Each bucket weighed around 40 jin—about 20 kilograms—and for a girl like her, it was no small burden.
Still, she gritted her teeth and moved them one by one. The exertion brought a soft blush to her pale face beneath her flowing black hair, making her look adorably flushed.
Inside the book café, Tang Cheng sat quietly on a chair, silently watching her from the doorway.
Tang Wanyue was one of the most admired beauties at Saint Sakura Academy. Her long black hair and pure, elegant features exuded a gentle grace. As an executive member of the student council, her calm and confident speeches on the school stage had captivated many hearts.
Compared to the spoiled and brash heiress Chu Ruoyun, Tang Wanyue was the textbook example of a gentle goddess. Tang Cheng had once mustered all his courage to leave a carefully written love letter in her locker… but he never knew if she’d read it.
Sigh… I’m nothing more than a hideous zombie now. There’s no point in telling her my name…
Tang Cheng touched the decaying skin on his left cheek, his hope slowly slipping away.
Maybe he still had human consciousness today, but by tomorrow… he might be just another soulless monster, driven only by the hunger to devour.