Oh, this maiden’s body!

Soft, sweet-smelling, and porcelain-white.

Her hair carried a fresh scent, her wandering hands like playful kittens. A slight lift of the arm could embrace her slender waist; a gentle dip of the head could kiss her hairline—how could anyone not cherish such a beauty draped over them?

So… cut the crap! Who has time for this nonsense now?

“Awooo—”

Before the two on the ground could rise, the muscle-bound zombie charged over with roars and stomps. Trapped in this position, neither could fight back. If it reached them, danger was certain.

In desperation, Bai Ling’s eyes hardened. She braced against the ground and sat straight onto Duan Heng—only this would let her stand fast!

*No, I can’t get Duan Heng hurt. That brat would mock me for life!*

Her mind set, Bai Ling steeled herself to face the zombie alone.

But… halfway up, she saw Duan Heng—still lying down—suddenly raise his right hand toward the zombie, his gaze icy. Purple energy swirled rapidly in his palm, just like the empowered energy he’d shown her in the car earlier.

Instantly, the energy shaped into a five-meter-long sword! Before the muscle-bound zombie closed in, Duan Heng slashed casually—decapitating it in one stroke!

Whoosh—

Thud—

The purple energy blade sliced far sharper than any knife. The tough zombie crumpled headless, trembling before collapsing.

Bai Ling froze, still straddling Duan Heng, her face slack with shock as she stared at the corpse…

Until Duan Heng’s muffled grumble broke the silence:

“Hey, how long you planning to sit there? Get off!”

“Ah!”

Startled by his complaint, Bai Ling scrambled up.

Strangely, the usually calm Duan Heng flushed slightly after standing. He turned away abruptly, back to Bai Ling as if hiding something, and snapped in a forced harsh tone:

“How could you be so careless? It’s dangerous! Don’t wander off again, got it?”

“Ugh…”

He scolded while brushing dust off his clothes.

Bai Ling, hearing this, lowered her head sheepishly, looking ashamed…

But quickly, her eyes flashed—remembering something. She darted forward, grabbed Duan Heng’s shoulders, and gritted her teeth:

“Wait, that’s not fair! You never told me about elite zombies! Or the plan! You bitch!”

“Hah? Isn’t that obvious?”

Fuming at her defiance, Duan Heng turned back, exasperated:

“If only regular zombies existed, would this even be the Apocalypse? The army would’ve wiped them out! And keeping quiet while killing zombies is basic sense, dummy!”

…

“Damn it! That’s twisting words! Face me when you talk! Dare to look me in the eyes!”

“I am looking! I like standing like this—got a problem, noob?”

“Hmph! You’re the noob!”

With that, Bai Ling squatted down, pouting and turning away, clearly upset.

Duan Heng stood rigid nearby, unmoving—until after a long pause, he truly calmed down.

He turned to see Bai Ling alone on the ground, head bowed pitifully like she was crying. His heart ached with guilt.

*Right… the Apocalypse hit suddenly. Society collapsed. She’s stuck at a friend’s house, scolded daily. Anyone would crack under that pressure.*

*She has no memories from the last life. She doesn’t know much. I’ve been too harsh on Bai Ling…*

*Sigh. I should apologize.*

Silently, Duan Heng approached. He crouched, placed a hand on her shoulder, and softened his voice:

“Alright, sorry. I should’ve warned you earlier. I’ll be careful next time, okay?”

He tilted his head slightly, blinking sincerely at her.

But…

When he saw her face…

Bai Ling wasn’t crying at all!

She peered curiously at a distant spot—a zombie she’d just shot in the forehead.

Spotting Duan Heng, she grinned and pointed:

“Heh—look at that zombie’s brains. Like a dung ball…”

“You little…”

Dumbfounded by her absurd thoughts, Duan Heng’s eyes went blank—torn between laughter and tears.

The next second, his face twisted fiercely! He grabbed Bai Ling’s collar like a hamster and yanked her up.

“Stop gawking at brains! Get up and move corpses!”

“Okay, okay! Don’t yank my neck!”

—

Thus began the most “thrilling” corpse cleanup.

Duan Heng must’ve expected this—he’d prepared a handcart. They loaded zombies one by one, wheeled them across the street to dump, then swept and sprayed disinfectant to kill lingering smells.

The work wasn’t heavy, but after two trips, Bai Ling’s eyes held utter despair.

*No Apocalypse story mentions moving corpses! Protagonists just slaughter monsters and leave bodies! Novels are all lies!*

Ten minutes killing zombies, three hours cleaning up! Bai Ling never guessed the hardest Apocalypse job was cleanup.

Still, teamwork made it lighter. After three hours, the villa courtyard looked pristine.

Now, side by side on wooden chairs, they sipped cola through straws, smiling happily.

Bai Ling’s hands were muddy with bloodstains, yet her cola-sipping grin glowed. Barefoot in black stockings, her feet swung playfully under the sun, radiating youthful charm.

“By the way,” Bai Ling said, swinging her feet, “I lost that match earlier.”

Duan Heng glanced at her, surprised, then chuckled:

“You realize that? So what’ll you do about it?”

His eyebrows lifted, eager.

Unexpectedly, Bai Ling narrowed her eyes, sneering:

“Best two out of three. You had an extra skill—that round doesn’t count. Once I learn a strong skill, we’ll rematch.”

“Oh? Fine by me.”

Unbothered, Duan Heng propped his chin, admiring her face with a smile:

“I won unfairly anyway. Let’s call it a draw.”

“Mm! I’ll make lunch~”

Relieved by his quick agreement, Bai Ling beamed. Both looked content.

But as Bai Ling reached for her shoes to head back…

Shadows appeared at the courtyard gate. Bai Ling and Duan Heng froze, snapping their gazes over—there, a middle-aged woman led several burly men past the gate, staring at them in shock.

“You survivors hunting zombies too? We’re a neighborhood mutual-aid squad! Want to join us?”