Noon.
Apartment 804.
The smell of delicious food wafted through the room, making everyone's appetite stir.
Nhan Ny Ny never imagined that such a simple meal with just a few dishes could be so flavorful, so enticing, constantly stimulating her taste buds.
Looking at the dishes in front of her,she couldn't help but want to pick up her chopsticks.But noticing that no one else had moved yet, she restrained herself.She couldn't act impatiently; she had to be polite.There were even four elders here — she must show the well-mannered side of a modern young woman.
Lam Pham smiled and introduced,"Miss Nhan, let me introduce you. This is Sister Ly Mai. She's an excellent cook, and this is her daughter, Phi Phi."
Ly Mai, who was still in the kitchen finishing up the last pot of soup, came over and waved warmly at Nhan Ny Ny with a smile.She knew that life in the apocalypse could drive people to the brink of madness.
If it hadn't been for Little Pham appearing and helping her and her daughter, they might have already perished in this cruel world.
Thus, from the bottom of her heart, she was happy for the girl before her.Because she had also encountered someone as good as Little Pham.Although Little Pham's way of doing things was a bit odd — somewhat out of place in this apocalyptic setting —his behavior would have been completely normal in peaceful times.
She understood:it wasn't Little Pham who had changed — it was the world that had fallen.
Therefore, she had been trying to restore her peaceful-time behavior as best as she could.
Phi Phi sweetly said, "Hello, Sister Nhan. My name is Phi Phi. You're really pretty! Uncle Lam must really like you."
The little girl sneaked a glance at Nhan Ny Ny.
Even a little girl had good taste.
She too thought Sister Nhan was breathtakingly beautiful.
Nhan Ny Ny smiled.She found the little girl's babbling very adorable.As for what was just said, she didn't take it seriously.Children often spoke without a filter.Besides, she was a versatile, talented dance anchor with outstanding looks — she certainly wouldn't blush just because of a single comment.
"Phi Phi, you're really adorable too."
Lam Pham continued introducing,"And this is Tran Hac, and his daughter, Đinh Đinh. Brother Tran is an expert in internet repairs — very skilled."
"Nice to meet you, Brother Tran, Đinh Đinh." Nhan Ny Ny politely greeted them.
Tran Hac and his daughter smiled warmly back at her.
To be honest, Little Pham was slightly exaggerating about Tran Hac.He was just a broadband installation worker.But being trusted by Tiểu Phàm and entrusted with responsibility by the old man,he had been elevated to the rank of "internet expert."At present, though, he was still a total novice.
He had nothing to say about it.
Every day he just carried around thick books, burning brain cells trying to study.Sometimes he thought,"If only I had studied this hard when I was younger... Ah well, better study hard now."
"Soup's ready — vegetable soup!" Ly Mai said, carrying a bowl over.
Lam Pham laughed and said, "Sister Ly, come eat with us."
"Alright."
Ly Mai took off her apron, sat next to her daughter, and lovingly patted her little girl's head, her face full of smiles.Although life was very different now, she was already very content.
"Let's eat!"
Upon hearing the invitation,Nhan Ny Ny, who had been barely holding back, finally got to eat.
She was truly starving.
Back during the time when she was holed up at home, eating nothing but instant noodles and bread had been a torment.She never dreamed she could eat hot rice and freshly cooked dishes again.
"Wah, Sister Ly, your cooking is amazing!" Nhan Ny Ny praised.
Ly Mai smiled and said,"Eat as much as you like. In these times, many things are hard to come by.But just having a meal like this... I'd say it's already very good."
Nhan Ny Ny nodded like crazy.She agreed wholeheartedly.She felt so blessed.She completely relaxed, stopped worrying about everything else.She realized she had been overly cautious and suspicious before.
At the same time, her gratitude toward Lam Pham grew even deeper.
Maybe this was truly a blessing from the heavens — sending Lam Pham into her life.
Old man Vuong asked,"How did you solve the water problem at your place?"
He had been studying this issue recently.
As a retired military officer,he knew that in extreme conditions, food and water were the most critical things.
Nhan Ny Ny answered,"Grandpa, the tap water was still drinkable.At first, when my house ran out of stored water, I was terribly thirsty.I was scared that there might be zombies falling into the water plant and polluting it, but eventually, I made peace with the idea of dying if it was contaminated.I drank the tap water... and found there were no problems at all."
Lam Pham listened quietly.
He didn't know much about this kind of situation.
But even if he didn't, he still listened carefully.
Tran Hac said,"That means the water plant has remained clean.Maybe no zombies fell into the source, or even if they did, it didn't contaminate the water.Either way, that's great news for us survivors."
Old man Vuong thought for a moment and said,"My concern isn't just that.From what I know, water plants draw water from rivers and go through multiple purification steps.If no one were managing it, the water coming out of the tap would be muddy and dirty.But look — when you turn on the shower, clean water still comes out."
"I suspect there are survivors at the water plant who are still working,maintaining the purification process so we can have clean water."
Hearing that, Old man Chu said,"That means someone is still alive at the water plant, keeping it going.But they might not have enough supplies.One day, when their food runs out... they might starve there."
Lâm Phàm swallowed a mouthful of rice and said,"I'll go check it out this afternoon. I know where the water plant is."
Old man Vuong immediately said,"Tieu Pham, could it be dangerous?"
"Dangerous?"Lam Pham was stunned for a moment, then shook his head,"Impossible.Even if there's danger, I'll still go check.Water is extremely important for all of us.If someone's risking their life to maintain the supply,then they deserve better than staying trapped there.At least, they should get to eat a proper, fragrant meal."
He also had another thought.
Maybe the workers didn't have a place to stay.
If that was the case,he could offer them shelter — and maybe make a little money too.A win-win situation.
The old men nodded and continued eating.
Meanwhile, Nhan Ny Ny quietly studied Lam Pham.
She knew he was incredibly strong.
But she just couldn't figure out why he was so powerful.
Could he be... a real-life superhero?
After lunch ended,Lam Pham asked Nhan Ny Ny if there was anything she needed —essentials she hadn't been able to buy.He offered to pick things up for her on his way back from the water plant.There would be a delivery fee of one hundred yuan —a reasonable price for such tough times.
After Lam Pham left,Nhan Ny Ny turned to the old men and asked,"Grandpas, is he a super soldier or something?"
Facing her question,Old man Vuong simply smiled without answering.
As if saying...
"Little girl,some things... you'll have to figure out for yourself."