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41. Apocalypse—Human Nature

Compared to the chaos outside, life was relatively stable for those on the lowest level inside the factory. They didn’t have to worry about zombies, mutated animals, or their own safety. Without the need to work, the idle people began to spontaneously cultivate the land. The food delivered from outside was inedible, but the water from the cave flowed directly underground and was unlikely to be contaminated. They used a photosynthesis device to cover the plots where seeds had been sown.

Zhu Anfu and Yuchi Ankang, now out of work, spent their time in their den, sometimes playing cards with Jin She, or Zhu Anfu would pick up a pen and handwrite novels. Life suddenly grew leisurely, giving everyone time to connect with one another. More and more people sought partners to share their days. Now that even zombies had appeared—though the threat of death had not yet arrived—everyone understood plainly that, should food ever truly run out, starvation would not be far behind. Better to find someone now with whom to lie together in burial, rather than die alone and be solitary even underground.

Zhu Anfu and Yuchi Ankang had heard about the recent pairings among the people, but made no comment. They still distributed cooked food to everyone as usual, though the portions were smaller than when supplies had been provided. Everyone understood, too, that although they were curious about where Yuchi Ankang hid the supplies, no one had any intention of keeping them for themselves; it was just simple curiosity.

Those who left the factory, if they found family, would try their luck bringing them back to the factory—but no matter how they knocked, the great door remained closed. Those who hadn’t found relatives headed for the major bases. They were all strong, robust individuals, and after more than a year inside the factory, their constitutions had improved; some had even developed minor supernatural abilities. These people didn’t care about returning to the factory. But those who brought family weren’t always so lucky. Some, burdened by uncooperative relatives, were bitten by zombies and transformed from humans into zombies themselves. One cannot abandon family to survive alone, yet sometimes, a person finds themselves trapped because of family. There’s no right or wrong—so long as one feels no regret, what do others’ judgments matter? Yet, in the crisis, just before losing consciousness, most people regret: Why did I save that uncooperative relative? Would it not have been better to let them fend for themselves?

Those in regular contact with Zhou Zhi brought news from the outside into the factory. For example, national leaders urged everyone not to panic, promising the state would protect the safety of the people and calling for trust in the Party, the leadership, and the People’s Liberation Army. Meanwhile, some foreign powers, eyeing the situation hungrily, were sending troops under the guise of humanitarian aid to help China clear out the monsters.

The young people below were infuriated, both with their own country and the foreigners—especially after hearing Zhou Zhi describe how many important leaders were holed up in the Aerospace City base. With a rush of angry youth fervor, they were steaming with indignation. But then, reflecting on their circumstances—when survival itself hung by a thread—what was the point of debating national issues? Better to focus on staying alive. As for those “international friends” who had come with ulterior motives: China’s weapons might not be the most advanced, but the gap wasn’t too wide. And yet, China was still gripped by fear, still overwhelmed by ever-increasing numbers of zombies. If the foreigners could clear out some, perhaps they should even be thanked; when their bullets ran out, they’d either be overrun by zombies or forced to seek shelter themselves. The Chinese barely had time to protect their own, let alone worrying about the fate of international guests. With this perspective, the anger underground faded.

Outside, Zhou Zhi was seething. Those leaders ate and drank well every day, all the while pretending to understand things they didn’t, treating him like a fool. If it weren’t for Director Sun, he would never have bothered. All that talk of duty and honor—it was all nonsense. Seeing leaders who abandoned the people, he had no desire to work for them. With a wave of his sleeve, Zhou Zhi left them behind, leaving two mechs for them to play with.

A month after Zhou Zhi’s departure, he returned to the factory, boiling with anger. Those who had received word opened the gates for him and immediately locked them tight behind him. The mechs were transported through the passage to the lab. Yuchi Ankang immediately led people to examine V5.

“Zhou Zhi, V5 is severely damaged. If you’d come back a day later, it might have been scrapped,” Yuchi Ankang said grimly. For researchers like them, the mechs were like children; seeing one reduced to a pile of scrap was infuriating. He was on the verge of lunging at Zhou Zhi to punch him.

Zhou Zhi’s face was dark as well. He cared deeply for V5. He’d been out the entire time, with barely any rest, always cooped up inside the mech, and there was no one outside who could repair it. He briefly explained the situation outside. “Director Sun… has passed away.”

“What?!” Yuchi Ankang, in the midst of devising a repair plan, turned in shock. “When did this happen?”

“The day before yesterday. He’d been in poor health for some time, and then those so-called leaders provoked him—he suffered a stroke and they couldn’t save him. That’s also why I insisted on leaving. The other two mechs were assigned by the ‘leaders’ to their security guards. I didn’t bring them back.” Zhou Zhi grew angrier at the thought. Damn, this country really raises such beasts.

“Did anyone try to come here?” Yuchi Ankang was more concerned about this. “If they do come, could we…” He made a throat-slitting gesture.

“I’m with you. If they dare show up, I’ll kill them myself,” Zhou Zhi replied, looking murderous. He hadn’t had a good rest in a month, constantly struggling among zombies, forced to protect a bunch of trash. The fact that he hadn’t killed them already was the limit of his restraint.

“There’s no supplies here—they’re unlikely to come, even if it’s much safer here.” Zhu Anfu, who had finished recording all of V5’s damage with the others, interjected into the conversation.

“Life is more important. This place has a natural barrier. Those officials put themselves on a pedestal. When the time comes, they’ll probably order us to go out and fetch food for them.” That was why the zombies in Aerospace City kept increasing: the leaders had hoarded all the food, and those seeking refuge had to venture out to find something to eat, never returning… The thought made Zhou Zhi clench his fists and grit his teeth.

“If they want to come, they’d better be prepared not to return. Zhou Zhi, how are their forces?” Yuchi Ankang was concerned about the soldiers. Typically, soldiers were the most reliable people; though there were bad eggs in the military, compared to the local, strutting officials, soldiers were far more likable.

“Forces? Those fools aren’t even thinking about conserving their strength. It’s a pity for the warriors who protected them all the way out. To die for such people—it’s not worth it.” Zhou Zhi’s voice was laced with bitter sorrow.

Yuchi Ankang patted Zhou Zhi on the shoulder. “What you need now is a good rest. When they come knocking, take revenge for the worthy soldiers. There are no leaders anymore—now, it’s all about ability.”

Zhou Zhi nodded and went to rest. Yuchi Ankang immediately got to work, checking the factory’s materials to see if they could build more mechs. After a survey, there were enough materials for two or three more units. Yuchi Ankang called Wang Fei and Zhao Long, relaying Zhou Zhi’s account—especially the part about those officials still acting high and mighty. Wang Fei and Zhao Long’s faces turned green with rage. Yuchi Ankang then shared his plan: speed up production, work day and night, and try to make at least two more mechs before the officials arrived, for there would surely be a hard battle ahead.

Wang Fei agreed at once and went to mobilize the workers, warning that anyone unwilling to work would be sent to the Aerospace City base.

“Will the leaders really come?” Zhu Anfu asked Yuchi Ankang, surprised. He’d thought they were safe here, beyond the reach of outside troubles—but it seemed there was no true escape.

“There’s more than a fifty percent chance. Those people aren’t so stupid as to wait for everyone at the base to turn into zombies before fleeing,” Yuchi Ankang replied coldly. “Remember the mayor, now Minister of Department X?”

Zhu Anfu’s eyes widened. He remembered Yuchi Ankang had once considered exposing that man, but had lacked the evidence; after that, he’d dropped the matter. Now, was he saying… “He’s at the Aerospace City base?”

Yuchi Ankang lowered his head and focused on his work. Zhu Anfu felt uneasy. With Yuchi Ankang’s current ability, killing someone wasn’t difficult. They’d learned as much in the future, and upon returning had trained with Wang Fei’s crew—if they hadn’t stood out, it was only because they hadn’t wanted to. Still… Zhu Anfu didn’t want Yuchi Ankang to dirty his hands for someone like that. It wasn’t worth it. Better to let that man experience total loss, to live in fear outside, or to fend for himself, or even end up a zombie.

Yuchi Ankang sensed Zhu Anfu’s concern and soothed him with a shake of the head. “Let’s get to work.” He knew what to do; he was no longer alone—Zhu Anfu was by his side, and he wouldn’t recklessly endanger him.

Zhu Anfu started to speak, then swallowed his words. First, he needed to find out what grudge Yuchi Ankang bore toward that minister. He didn’t want Ankang to be left with a knot in his heart; that was not something he wished to see. Glancing at V5, Zhu Anfu resolved to carefully ask Ankang when things were less busy. If it truly was serious, he’d do whatever it took to help Ankang fulfill his wish—whether the target was official or civilian, strong or weak.

After a month’s pause, the factory roared back to life. The workers toiled with heavy hearts. Previously, they had built mechs to fight mutated beasts or zombies. Now, they would have to use them against people…