"I mean no harm."
Lam Pham explained. He didn't want the other party to misunderstand the situation and commit suicide. Life was extremely precious — accidents might be unavoidable, but taking one's own life was truly unacceptable.
"My name is Lam Pham, a real estate agent from Tan Phong Agency. I happened to pass by this apartment complex and saw your SOS signal written on the window, so I came to check."
"As for the condition of the door... I'm really sorry. I knocked but got no response and thought something might have happened to you inside, so I had no choice but to act this way."
He felt he'd explained everything clearly. Anyone capable of thinking should be able to understand what he meant.
Indeed.
Nhan Ny Ny was still enveloped in fear, her mind blank, but she could still think somewhat rationally.
Real estate agent?
SOS signal?
Something happened?
Her mind was a mess, yet she kept a close eye on Lâm Phàm. He genuinely gave off an air of harmlessness. However, in the middle of the apocalypse, it was hard to trust anyone.
Even more importantly — he punched right through the security door. Was that even humanly possible?
Lam Pham noticed the subtle ripples in her gaze and realized he still had a chance to gain her trust. Having seen too much betrayal and horror in the apocalypse, he deeply understood her wariness.
Anyone would be cautious around strangers — especially now.
"I swear to heaven, I'm truly just here to take a look... and maybe promote some apartments. From what I see, your current living condition doesn't seem too good. Have you thought about moving somewhere better? If so, I'd recommend Duong Quang Complex. Although it's a rather old community, under my management, it's clean, quiet, and safe. You can definitely rely on it."
"There are medical workers, teachers, decorated veterans, retired military-industrial experts, and even internet repair technicians living there."
"There's a full gym on the ground floor, plus self-cultivated farmland."
"And most importantly... the rent is very affordable."
As Lam Pham talked about the complex, he noticed Nhan Ny Ny's expression gradually change — shifting from terror to surprise.
This was a good sign.
It meant that under his relentless persuasion, she was beginning to lower her guard and slowly accept his presence.
As he spoke, he carefully approached the stunned Nhan Ny Ny.
"I can understand your fear... You're a beautiful young lady, facing this ruined world. It must be hard. But humanity still holds kindness and hope. We must move toward the light..."
"Come now, put the knife down."
Lam Pham gently pried the knife from her hands and tossed it aside. Then he pulled out a promotional flyer and waved it in front of her face.
"Take a look at the flyer. Maybe you'll find something you like."
Nhan Ny Ny stared at the flyer in disbelief, feeling an overwhelming sense of absurdity. Finally, under Lam Pham's relentless efforts, she spoke.
"Who... who exactly are you?"
Lâm Phàm smiled warmly. "Like I said, I'm Lam Pham, a real estate agent from Tan Phong Agency. If you're not satisfied with your current living conditions, you can move to Duong Quang Complex."
"Come, sit down. I'll explain it to you properly."
His voice was gentle as he led Nhan Ny Ny to the sofa and pulled out a chart — a list of available rental units in Duong Quang.
He placed it on the coffee table and pointed at it.
"Take a look. Unit 504 on the first floor, two bedrooms and one living room, about 60 square meters, rent around 1,500 a month, with an elevator and easy access."
"But since you're a young lady, probably with lots of clothes and stuff — I recommend Unit 703, Second Building. It's slightly bigger, perfect for you."
"The previous tenant was also a young woman who just moved out a few days ago..."
Lam Pham spoke in a soft, unhurried tone.
Nhan Ny Ny turned her head and stared dumbfounded at this endlessly talking mysterious man.
"Are you crazy?"
Hearing this, Lam Pham immediately stopped talking, looking at her with slight dissatisfaction.
"I'm kindly introducing a good place for you. Why are you insulting me? If you don't want to rent, just say so — I'll leave."
He began packing up his things, ready to go.
"Wait! I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," Nhan Ny Ny quickly apologized. She had just been overthinking — realizing that staying here would surely lead to death.
She had to leave.
Even though the guy in front of her seemed weird, he didn't seem dangerous.
After all, if he had malicious intentions, he would've acted already.
The door was open.
"Alright, I accept your apology," Lam Pham sighed. Going out to make a living really required a good attitude. "So, do you want to rent a place?"
"I'll rent. The one you recommended."
"Good, then pack your things," Lam Pham said cheerfully.
Nhan Ny Ny hesitated, "Pack?"
"Yeah," Lam Pham replied. "You're moving out. You should take your important belongings — like your bank cards and cash. Don't forget your ID either. The rent is 1,800 a month."
He was overjoyed.
After all his hard work, finally a deal!
The commission was 1,800; after splitting it, he'd get 900.
Even if he had to split half, it was worth it. After all, running a business wasn't easy. Even though the handsome boss didn't lack money, he still bore the risks of opening a company.
Nhan Ny Ny still didn't fully understand what was happening.
But she didn't want to think anymore.
She just wanted to leave.
Would money matter if she died here?
She looked at Lam Pham and gave a bitter smile. "Can we really leave this place safely? There are a lot of terrifying zombies outside."
Lam Pham smiled confidently. "Don't worry. I'm very strong. You won't have to worry about anything. Go pack your things. The sooner we leave, the better. And don't forget your ID."
Soon after.
Nhan Ny Ny came out carrying a backpack. Her mind was in chaos — confused by Lam Pham's rapid speech — and had no idea what she was doing anymore. She just muddleheadedly followed along, packed her bag, and prepared to move.
She had a fleeting thought.
If she ever turned into a zombie, would she be a backpack-wearing zombie?
"That's all you're bringing?" Lam Pham asked when he saw her light luggage.
"Yeah, that's it. But there are other survivors downstairs. They might be dangerous. I'm afraid we'll have trouble leaving," Nhan Ny Ny said nervously.
She was genuinely scared.
Hearing about survivors downstairs, Lam Pham got a little excited.
Another potential deal?
But hearing they were dangerous instantly dampened his enthusiasm.
If it were someone else, he might've needed to assess the situation more carefully.
But this was Nhan Ny Ny — a kind and polite streamer he once supported with just a hundred yuan worth of gifts, and she had personally thanked him.
Others gave thousands, and he barely scraped together a hundred. He couldn't compare.
Lam Pham said confidently, "It's fine. I'm very strong."
Same line again.
Nhan Ny Ny looked blankly at him.
Strong?
Maybe.
After all, he did punch through a reinforced security door.
But she still found it hard to believe.
At that moment—
Lieu Binh, who had been sitting by the door with a cleaver, peered through the peephole. When he spotted movement outside, he suddenly threw the door open.
"Nhan Ny Ny..."
Lieu Binh immediately sensed what was happening.
Then he saw Lam Pham.
However, to him, that wasn't important. What he wanted was Nhan Ny Ny.He brandished the cleaver in his hand, staring fixedly at Lam Pham.
"Brat, you'd better hand over that woman to me and get lost, or else I'll make you regret it."
As he spoke, he waved the gleaming cleaver in front of Lam Pham.
Clack!
Lam Pham moved with lightning speed, snatching the cleaver right out of his hand and holding it firmly.
Liu Binh was stunned.
Damn it!When the hell did he steal my cleaver?