'Current System Coins: 5223. Please use them wisely.'

"Huh? That's so much!"

---

Night fell. Outside the villa, darkness swallowed the world. The earth sank into deathly silence. Only the biting wind and low zombie moans echoed through the city. Everything felt eerie and cold.

After dinner, Duan Heng and Bai Ling spent an hour clearing corpses. It was simple: pile them up, burn them, spray disinfectant.

The neighborhood group chat quieted down afterward. Only a few still asked about the residents' committee. No one could explain the current situation. Duan Heng had eliminated all the bold and malicious ones. The rest hid in their homes.

Even those who knew the truth stayed silent after seeing Duan Heng's terrifying slaughter. They didn't want to be his next target.

'Hey, where did the mutual aid team go? Any supplies today? I'm gonna puke! Ate plain rice all day!'

'You still have rice? My family's starving! My wife and I finished all instant noodles. We'll have to scavenge soon.'

'Please! Any kind soul spare food? I'll pay! One thousand per noodle bucket! No—three thousand!'

'Idiot, money's useless! Who wants your cash? — Handsome, spare some food? Take me zombie hunting to level up. I'll sleep with you—any position!'

The neighborhood group, once uniting people, became a marketplace of complaints. Auntie Li, Gai Yanlong, Liu Ming—they were petty before the Apocalypse. None could guide survival.

Naturally, the community crumbled. From tonight, more would sink into famine despair. They'd venture out for food or rob others.

As for the safe house...

Dim light bathed a soft bed. Bai Ling lay on her stomach, her little white feet kicking up. She wore cute fluffy pajamas, munching chips while scrolling her phone. Utterly relaxed.

'Tsk, this family's pitiful. The wife starves with him.'

'Only plain rice? I couldn't stomach one meal...'

'But...'

'Even if you're suffering, I can't help. Everything here is Duan Heng's. I have no reason to give his stuff away.'

Strictly speaking, Bai Ling was relatively kind-hearted.

But she only reached 'chaotic good.' She was sensible—if she'd had prophetic dreams and stockpiled tons of food, she might share with the pitiful.

As for now?

'Not my problem. Everyone, fend for yourselves!'

Thinking this, Bai Ling ate another cucumber-flavored chip. Beside her bed sat Duan Heng's milk tea, chocolate donuts, and cream puffs. Her cozy life contrasted sharply with the outside hardship.

Unlike lazy Bai Ling, Duan Heng trained in the living room. Wearing a black tank top, he did push-ups meticulously on the floor. His gaze was icy, face stern. He muttered:

"Three hundred eleven. Three hundred twelve. Three hundred thirteen..."

His arms seemed boundless. Each push-up was swift and precise. Muscles contracted and relaxed—full but not exaggerated, smooth yet powerful like resilient steel. Sweat beads adorned them, showcasing perfect human physique.

He resembled a Greek sculpture bathed in spring rain—elegant, sublime. Defeating him seemed impossible. An ordinary girl would shiver at the sight.

Yet Duan Heng never slacked. Leveling up by killing monsters brought quick growth, but physical strength was crucial. What if he faced stronger, higher-level opponents later?

Bai Ling truly didn't need training. Her skill made her body perfect. Eating distributed energy evenly to muscles and fat, blending strength and beauty. Training was useless—better to eat more.

"By the way, Duan Heng," Bai Ling called sweetly from the bedroom, "we have so many System Coins now. Can we rest tomorrow~?"

Duan Heng didn't stop his push-ups. He replied seriously:

"Absolutely not!"

"Mmph..." Bai Ling pouted. Duan Heng continued earnestly:

"Don't be naive. Who knows the next S Tier Artifact's price? What if it costs tens of thousands after discount? You'd waste the 20% off! You were too naive with zombies—"

"Fine, fine! I get it! You're annoying!"

Duan Heng's serious tone made Bai Ling impatient. Constant lecturing felt stifling.

Strangely, a faint, unreadable smile curved on her lips. She watched him stand after four hundred push-ups. She sat up quickly, calling excitedly:

"Done training? Good job. Shower and sleep. Since you made my milk tea, I brewed tea for you in the kitchen. Try it if thirsty~"

"Got it."

Duan Heng replied without suspicion. Bai Ling's smile widened. She peeked through the door crack. He walked to the kitchen, grabbed the cup, and downed the black tea.

Gulp—gulp—gulp—

His Adam's apple bobbed as he drained it completely.

Bai Ling grinned slyly, eyes sparkling. She tiptoed out of the bedroom. Before reaching the kitchen, Duan Heng paused—then collapsed!

Thud————

"Wow~ Worked so fast~"

Bai Ling hurriedly dragged the unconscious Duan Heng toward the bed.

'Duan Heng! You've finally fallen into my hands!'

'The spanking grudge is unforgivable! Three days of humiliation—I'll repay it twofold today!'

'I'll tie your hands and feet. When you wake, you'll be helpless on the bed, facing my wrath! Just like you did to me!'

'Ahahahaha~~~'

Her smile grew smug. She eagerly awaited tomorrow morning's play. For two days, Duan Heng had teased her like a fool. Now it was her turn.

However...

Bai Ling didn't notice...

Duan Heng, being dragged, had already opened his eyes. He sighed silently, a look of grievance and helplessness in his gaze.

'Can you drag me gently? It hurts...'

'Sigh, Bai Ling, you fool. You don't know I have toxin resistance. Against immune enemies, you'd be counter-killed easily.'

'Tonight, I'll have to educate you properly again.'