"This... must be a matter of luck..."

Seeing Bai Ling’s puffed-up cheeks and jealous glare, Duan Heng scratched his cheek and laughed it off—he couldn’t possibly admit this skill came from slaying tens of thousands of zombies in his past life. He hadn’t even dared to tell her about spatial storage or other abilities yet.

"Alright, we’re here!"

Duan Heng announced. The car stopped smoothly in an underground garage compartment. Instantly, Bai Ling froze in shock—the entire space was armored in alloy, stocked with gas masks and fire extinguishers, and held three modified vehicles.

Inside stood a password-locked elevator, clearly the direct route to the safe house. How had he managed all this with just ten million?

*Could he have taken out loans?*

*Before the Apocalypse hit, he must have maxed out every loan app and mobster’s high-interest scheme...*

*Duan Heng really went all out, didn’t he?*

"You’ve prepared... so thoroughly!" Bai Ling blurted out. Only after confirming the garage door sealed shut did Duan Heng gallantly open her car door.

"After all, it’s the Apocalypse," he said calmly. "Better to over-prepare. We’re not just guarding against zombies."

He led her to the elevator, entering the password 9XX225 without hiding it from her view.

This made Bai Ling, who’d been on the losing end all day, suddenly smug. She patted Duan Heng’s shoulder and grinned. "Hmph, as expected—you’re still young! Entering passwords with zero caution? I saw everything... Wait. Was that my birthday?"

Bai Ling snapped out of it, slightly stunned. Her smug smile vanished.

Duan Heng stiffened. After five frantic seconds of mental calculation, he turned his head awkwardly. "R-right! If all passwords used my own details, someone might guess them. Makes sense, right?"

"?????"

Bai Ling found this utterly baffling.

Duan Heng now raised his arm sincerely, gesturing "please enter" toward the elevator’s dark void—only cold walls and a flickering screen were visible, hinting at the unknown beyond.

"Come on, step in," he said with a bright smile.

Bai Ling shivered involuntarily.

*Why... why do I feel like I’m being trafficked?!*

*Wait—am I even a girl now? His invitation upstairs is totally suspicious! Are those clothes meant for me?*

A cold sweat dripped down her forehead.

She shook her head firmly.

*No... impossible! We’re good brothers. Our friendship is pure! Priceless!*

*Besides, he just saved my life. Doubting him is inhuman.*

*Right—I’ll trust him. If he tries anything, I’ll fight back. I’m plenty strong, hmph.*

Confidence returned to her smile. She stepped resolutely into the elevator.

The elevator carried them to the second floor. As the doors slid open, a luxurious scene greeted them.

"WOW----"

A warm fireplace, elegant paintings, vibrant carpets—Bai Ling gasped instantly.

This two-story villa held exercise gear, VR goggles, PS consoles, and barbecue tools straight from viral videos. Sizzling steaks hung perfectly medium-rare. Even more alarming, two sniper rifles sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, aimed at the street below where zombies roamed like targets.

Leisure, weapons, daily comforts—it had everything. Even the bedroom featured plush red bedding, smooth and inviting, waiting for its occupants.

*Hold on—isn’t this the Apocalypse?*

*This is basically a vacation!*

Bai Ling’s heart raced. She couldn’t imagine how wonderful the coming days would be.

Just then, Duan Heng cleared his throat lightly, adopting a serious tone. "Ahem. Now that you’ve seen it all... I think it’s time for you to leave."

"Huh??!" Bai Ling froze, dumbfounded.

Seeing he wasn’t joking, she stepped back cautiously. "W-what? You brought me here to be Apocalypse teammates, right? Why else save me?!" Her voice trembled with panic.

Duan Heng suppressed a smirk, keeping his face stern. "What joke? I spent my hard-earned cash on this! I only saved you out of goodwill—Apocalypse rations are scarce. One extra mouth halves everyone’s share. Don’t you get it, idiot?"

"Ugh..."

Bai Ling felt utterly wronged but had no rebuttal. The safe house was his. He’d saved her. He’d warned her about the Apocalypse—her unpreparedness was her own fault.

Yet...

She’d skipped breakfast, starving all morning. Her weakness against zombies earlier was pure hunger. Now, warmth enveloped her, the air thick with roasting steak and a glimpse of wine bottles in the kitchen corner.

Who could resist this?

Bai Ling clenched her trembling fists. Under Duan Heng’s expectant gaze, she snapped her head up, grabbed his collar, and shook him wildly. "Why, Duan Heng?! Aren’t we good brothers?! It’s the Apocalypse—can’t I stay two days?! I want steak! Waaah..."

*Gurgle----*

Her stomach growled traitorously mid-sobs, making her look even more pitiful.

Duan Heng smiled faintly. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Of course you can~"

"Eh?"

Held close, Bai Ling’s wide eyes brimmed with gratitude.

But Duan Heng smoothly pulled something from his pocket, holding it before her. "On one condition: wear these black stockings and obey me obediently."

"Why?!!!"