"City Q Morning Broadcast—"

"Welcome to City Q’s personal channel, founded by Xingxing-chan. Note: This isn’t official. Always trust official sources."

"Yesterday, Xingxing-chan spotted via drone that some Zombies mutate further after eating humans. Their speed and strength skyrocket. Some even turn into non-humanoid monsters. Let’s call them Elite Zombies for now."

"These things are hyper-aggressive and deadly. They survive even with hearts destroyed. Xingxing-chan almost got killed—so stay clear of unknown monsters. Don’t fight unless you’ve got five people minimum."

"Of course, killing Elite Zombies gives great stats~ To get stronger, hunt Zombies hard—That’s today’s update. My frequency is 114514XX. Message me if you wanna help run this channel."

"Wishing everyone a fun Apocalypse. Don’t die."

————

"What the…"

Blinding sunlight slipped through the curtain gap onto her face. Outside, blue sky and fluffy clouds stretched peacefully.

The noisy radio jolted half-asleep Bai Ling awake. She blinked drowsily, barely managing a glance…

Only after confirming no idiot had dumped her on the balcony did she slowly close her eyes again…

*Wait? No!*

Bai Ling snapped her eyes open mid-snooze!

Her hands were tied above her head. Her feet were strapped tight together with a belt. She lay stretched flat on the bed like a ribbonfish.

Duan Heng stood bedside, face dark with exasperation. He glared at disheveled, half-dressed Bai Ling with deep resentment.

"Hey! What’s this now? Untie me!"

Bai Ling’s sleep vanished instantly. She shrieked furiously, thrashing her pale legs and body, baring teeth like a hissing kitten ready to bite Duan Heng dead.

Duan Heng kept his stern face, voice icy:

"You fell asleep yesterday without waiting for me. Zero worry for my safety?"

"Who—Who told you to come back so late!"

Bai Ling rolled her eyes hard, nearly choking on rage—last night, Duan Heng swore he’d just step onto the balcony for air. Who knew if he even left?

Before her anger peaked, Duan Heng’s expression soured again:

"And why skip breakfast prep after sleeping early? Third day now. Zero initiative!"

"I—I overslept! Next time, I promise! Next time’s fine, right?"

"Next time?"

A cold smile spread on Duan Heng’s lips—pre-Apocalypse, all those online "likes," "coins," "monthly tickets," and "tips" were always "next time." But what happened?

So… he’d never trust Bai Ling’s empty words.

Duan Heng grabbed the item in hand, slowly approaching Bai Ling with a sinister grin:

"Sorry. No next time. People like you need punishment."

He yanked the belt taut. A sharp *snap* echoed through the room—the crack of leather!

"Eeek! No way!"

Bai Ling screamed in terror, twisting wildly against the belt’s grip.

Useless! Duan Heng’s knots were handcuff-tight. He stepped closer. Panic flooded Bai Ling’s eyes as he raised the belt, aiming at her butt.

Bai Ling finally wailed desperately, voice shrill:

"No! My dad spanked me with this as a kid—it hurts like hell! I’m sorry! I’ll cook breakfast! I’m sorry!"

Her pitiful cries filled the room. Terrified, she squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face in the pillow.

Her body trembled slightly. Her legs curled tight, bracing for pain.

But…

A full minute passed. Nothing happened.

Bai Ling cautiously peeked sideways…

Duan Heng was covering his mouth, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter! It’d all been a joke.

After all, how could Duan Heng ever hurt Bai Ling~

"You… you bastard!"

Seeing his infuriating grin, Bai Ling’s fury exploded. She wanted to bite him raw!

"I’ll kill you, you little worm! Joke like this again, and I’m done with you!"

Bai Ling howled, squirming on the bed like an earthworm.

Duan Heng doubled over laughing, sitting down and gasping between chuckles:

"Who told you… who told you to be so lazy! Making breakfast’s easy. Look—I rise early."

"You’re a freak! Not even human!"

Dizzy with rage, Bai Ling could only spit insults.

Duan Heng narrowed his eyes, lifting the belt slightly with an enigmatic smile:

"What was that?"

"Nothing! I said nothing!"

The dark-gleaming belt made Bai Ling shudder. She quickly backed down.

Their joke finally ended. Duan Heng untied her limbs, satisfied. Bai Ling shot him death glares after freedom.

Luckily, he’d prepped breakfast: hot milk, bread, and fresh lamb chops from the oven. They barely cooled half her anger. Otherwise, she’d have punched him hard.

"Tch. Smart move."

Bai Ling grabbed bread at the table, growling through gritted teeth.

Soon, she blinked curiously at Duan Heng:

"Hey Duan Heng, that broadcast earlier? I heard it yesterday too."

"Oh, that."

Duan Heng sipped milk leisurely before replying calmly:

"Just a survivor’s broadcast. Useful stuff. I tune in regularly."

"Hmm?"

His vague answer sparked suspicion in Bai Ling. His calm face felt… off.

She casually pressed:

"Is she your prophetic dream’s soulmate?"

"Pfft—cough! Cough cough…"

Duan Heng spat out milk, coughing violently, flustered:

"You… what? I don’t know her! You’re imagining things!"

"Hmm? Your reaction’s weird."

Bai Ling probed suspiciously. Duan Heng turned away, voice guilty:

"Really!"

Bai Ling didn’t care if she’d guessed right. But his reaction annoyed her. She pursed her lips.

She didn’t know Duan Heng’s heart had raced moments before:

*Xingxing-chan was Bai Ling’s and my past-life friend. Same constitution—they bonded deeply once.*

*But she chose another man later. Our trio split—I thought Bai Ling might feel lonely this life without a girl friend. I’d planned to find Xingxing-chan…*

*But forget it now! Misunderstandings would be messy. Besides, her past-life husband hasn’t met her yet. I might ruin their fate.*

Cold sweat dotted Duan Heng’s forehead. He thanked his quick reflexes…

Meanwhile, Bai Ling had forgotten the topic. Eyes wide, she grabbed her phone, excited:

"Duan Heng! Check the neighborhood group chat!"

"A powerful Zombie’s appeared!"