Today was a bright, sunny day.

A gentle breeze carried birdsong and floral scents—while cars stalled roadside and zombies howled in the streets. The city radiated perfect peace.

More or less.

—

Back at the villa, breakfast had ended. Duan Heng, having annoyed Bai Ling, was stuck washing dishes. Bai Ling lounged on the sofa, dozing off.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window, gilding the girl’s flawless silhouette—long yet plump thighs, round yet proudly lifted curves, skin so pale and tender it seemed to drip water at a touch. Only her elbows and lips held a faint pink hue.

She wore a crisp white short-sleeve top and tight jeans. Her silky hair cascaded like a sunlit waterfall. Her delicate features were set in a stern expression as she strained… to lift her own right leg upward?

Yes. Bai Ling was bending her thigh.

Hands gripping her calf, she slowly raised it. Her slender leg—and dainty foot—rose higher until it stretched parallel to her torso, knee nearly brushing her chin.

Still, she didn’t stop. She straightened her calf, her tender toes pointing skyward… until her right foot arched past her head, both legs forming a perfectly straight line.

Even after such an extreme stretch, Bai Ling showed no strain. Her expression remained utterly relaxed.

*Huh? So my body’s this flexible?*

Her pale, nimble toes wiggled in midair.

She reached out—barely stretching—and touched her sole. Her body was absurdly supple. Even a snake would envy her. Honestly, she was like soft, chewy human mochi!

The Perfect Body maximized all physical attributes beyond ideal proportions. Extreme flexibility was only natural.

*Does that mean I can pull off high-difficulty moves too?*

*Of course—I mean combat moves.*

Bai Ling’s mind flashed with scenes from movies and shows: Black Widow, Yor Forger, female characters from *Naraka: Bladepoint*…

But though these heroines were fierce, efficient warriors or assassins… the *real* highlight was obvious.

*So… lewd!*

*I do like girls like that,* she thought.

*But that doesn’t mean I want to become one! Losing my manhood is basically extinction! Can’t you change me back? Sob sob sob…*

“Uh… what are you doing?”

Duan Heng had finished the dishes just as Bai Ling, still grumbling about the Perfect Body’s “side effects,” contorted herself into a bizarre split-legged pose. *Thank goodness she’s wearing jeans. A skirt would’ve been disastrous.*

“None of your business.”

Bai Ling dropped her leg, snapping upright. She shot him a glare, cheeks flushed with indignation. *We’re both surviving the Apocalypse. Why does this kid get all the skills? Unfair!*

*If only I could swap abilities… I’d definitely be stronger than Duan Heng ┭┮﹏┭┮.*

She already pictured herself wielding an energy sword, slaughtering zombies, standing atop a throne surrounded by admirers—

“Snap out of it. Time to shoot zombies,” Duan Heng cut in. “Fifty more today should level you up. Then you can buy new gear from the shop. You’ll get stronger.”

“Fine…” Bai Ling replied flatly.

As she stood, she blinked, suddenly curious. “What exactly *can* you buy in this shop?”

“Well…” Duan Heng rubbed his chin. “Weird stuff. Armor, weapons, healing potions… hard to explain. I don’t have the shop function. Just level up and see for yourself.”

“Ugh… alright.”

Bai Ling trudged toward the balcony, sliding open the glass door to set up her rifle.

*The system has thousands of functions. Usually, you pick one of three when you level up.* In her past life, inexperienced Bai Ling had chosen poorly. Later, she learned the shop was priceless—hoarded like treasure by warlords and survivor factions.

*And I clearly remember… the shop was one of my first three options!* She’d regretted it for years.

*But this time, no problem. I’ll make sure Bai Ling picks the best choice every single time.*

Duan Heng smiled warmly at the thought.

The smile vanished instantly.

He’d just spotted Bai Ling unmounting her sniper rifle from its stand. Instead, she lay prone on the balcony floor, aiming through the railing gaps like a sniper.

“Wait! Is this how you aim when I’m not around?!” he yelled in horror.

“Huh? Yeah.” Bai Ling twisted her head, blinking innocently. “What’s wrong with it? I hit my targets.”

“Ugh, my fault for not explaining…” Duan Heng waved her up, face darkening. Bai Ling obediently stood.

But when she placed the rifle back on its stand, Duan Heng waved again, serious. “Take it off the stand. Hold it with your hands.”

“By hand?” Bai Ling stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “It’s heavy! The recoil’s brutal! Without the stand, I’ll miss!”

“You idiot!” Duan Heng pinched his brow, exasperated. “That’s *why* you practice! If you only shoot from comfy positions, you’ll panic in real danger. Bullets aren’t scarce—stop hoarding them! From now on, you shoot standing. No stand. Master it first.”

“Mmph…”

Duan Heng meant well, but his harsh tone made Bai Ling puff out her cheeks, sulking. She said nothing, just lifted the rifle as instructed—aiming at a zombie’s head, finger on the trigger.

*Thud—*

The suppressor coughed. Smoke puffed from the barrel as the bullet flew…

And missed.

*Crash—*

The shot shattered a car window. The noise drew a swarm of zombies. Luckily, no survivors were nearby.

Bai Ling’s cheeks puffed out further. She turned slowly, shooting Duan Heng a look that screamed *See? Told you.*

Before she could speak, Duan Heng strode over, face grim.

“H-Hey?! What are you—?!”

Bai Ling flinched as he closed in. But Duan Heng ignored her panic. One hand steadied her rifle arm; the other circled her neck to lift the scope. His chest pressed against her back.

His expression was all business—a teacher correcting a student’s form. He’d show her the quickest way to master the rifle.

Yet Bai Ling’s face burned crimson the moment he touched her. Her lips trembled. Her pupils shook like wind-tossed grapes. Her whole body quivered.

*Too… too…*

*TOO CLOSE!*