A while after they left.
A steel beast drove up, stopping in front of the fallen Strength-type zombie, idling for a long time.
Several survivors waited in the vehicle, looking at the zombie corpse outside, falling into deep shock.
Tu Trach Duong exclaimed, "Big Sis! Old Mao! Sis Van! Did you see that?"
"Saw it."
"Not blind."
"Who did it?"
The four survivors were truly stunned.
The driver, Old Mao, asked, "Is this the one we encountered?"
Tu Trach Duong shook his head, "No, the zombie we encountered, its leg was hit by my arrow, there should be a wound. But this zombie doesn't have one."
The man called Sis Van spoke, somewhat disbelievingly, "I just want to know, who exactly killed this zombie? Looking at the zombie, its head suffered a fatal blow, doesn't seem like it was caused by firearms, feels more like it was pierced by a sharp weapon."
"Impossible! Are you trying to say someone fought this thing one-on-one, head-on?" Tu Trach Duong instantly shook his head, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
No one would believe this.
Humans clashing with this kind of giant zombie? Don't even think about it.
They were most familiar with this type of colossal zombie, having witnessed its terror firsthand.
Previously, some driving survivors were escaping and were blocked by this type of zombie.
When the two collided, the scene of the zombie being crushed into meat paste by the car never appeared. Instead, it was the colossal zombie tossing the sedan aside, pulling the survivors out from the car seats and tearing them apart.
That explosive force was world-shattering, hard to imagine.
They had a deeper understanding of the apocalypse; it wasn't as simple as imagined. There were even more monsters unknown to them in the end times.
Bang!
Bang!
As they lingered too long, the zombies chasing them caught up, surrounding the steel beast, pounding continuously, wanting to tear the steel beast apart, pull out the delicious flesh and blood inside, and tear it viciously.
Big Sis patted the back of Old Mao's seat, "Drive, let's go."
"Okay." Old Mao stomped on the accelerator. The horsepower was immense. The zombies blocking the front of the car were directly pulled under the chassis, crushed into meat paste, sticky fluids splattering all over the ground.
Don't think that just because they had such a steel beast.
If they encountered a colossal zombie, they might not necessarily withstand it.
Duong Quang Apartments.
Security Room.
Lam Pham leaned back leisurely in his chair, looking at the clock on the wall.
10:40.
Having been busy until now, taking a short break was very normal.
"Rest for twenty minutes, go home to cook at eleven."
Lam Pham planned. Waiting for the shift to end while on duty was very normal. Thinking about doing so much work in the morning, resting for a bit was very normal.
He casually picked up the logbook on the table; there was content inside.
I am a security guard. Go to work to get off work. Salary only covers breakfast. Likes to eat Little Bear biscuits.
Looking at the content.
"Such a multi-talented previous security guard, just not very professional."
Eleven o'clock arrived.
Stood up, patted his clothes, tidied himself, left the security room.
Not long after he left.
A steel beast passed by this residential area.
"Such a clean street, looks like it's been cleaned by someone," Old Mao drove, looking at the outside situation through the car window.
Tu Trach Duong said, "Look, this iron gate has been modified. I think there should be survivors inside."
Big Sis said, "Don't bother for now. It's the apocalypse; whether they are human or ghost, it's hard for us to tell. Caution is best. Unless necessary, minimize contact."
Sis Van thought of the survivors they encountered before, very terrifying. A little boy pretending to be an innocent survivor needing help. Under apocalyptic conditions, their kindness still remained, easily deceived. Who would have thought that little boy would reveal a cunning smile, actually stabbing at him with a dagger? Luckily, Big Sis reacted quickly, kicking the boy away with one foot, quickly leaving. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Room 704.
Lam Pham washed rice and cooked, movements skillful. Having lived alone before, he could take good care of himself.
While waiting for the rice to cook.
He took a book to the balcony, crossed his legs,遨游 (áoyóu - roam/travel) in the world of the book.
As the aroma of rice wafted over.
He went to the kitchen to cook.
Scallion scrambled eggs.
Egg drop soup, the kind with only egg.
A bowl of rice, a dish, a bowl of soup.
Life is just that simple. Seemingly not abundant food, yet condensed all his culinary skills.
If not for the phone having no signal, he really wanted to take a picture and post it in the friend group, with the caption:
"Everyone, have you eaten yet?"
According to the past situation.
He could imagine what kind of comments there would be, possibly the following...
[Like! Like! Like!] [Good stay-at-home man!] [Looks very appetizing!]
Thinking of this, Lam Pham, chewing slowly, showed a smile at the corner of his mouth.
In peaceful times, the group members were all very friendly.
The only one he wasn't sure about was Qiu Dao Zhan Yu. He might post something like *eating your mom's *** like he used to.
Truly low quality.
Thinking about it, maybe that guy was living better than himself.
Eat when it's time to eat.
Don't think about those complicated things in mind.
After all, eating is a very sacred matter, requires emptying the brain, enjoying the aroma of food, letting the taste buds achieve a perfect experience.
Finished eating, then washed the dishes. This must be done. Many people like to leave the lunch dishes until evening to wash; this habit isn't good. Things of that time should be resolved then, only then can one orderly arrange the next matter.
Knock knock!
A knock on the door sounded.
Opened the door.
"Little Nhan, is something the matter?"
He originally intended to address her as Miss Nhan, but she had mentioned before he could call her Ny Ny or Little Nhan.
Of course, calling her Ny Ny wasn't appropriate.
Duong Quang Apartments already had Phi Phi, Dinh Dinh, Manh Manh, Jiujiu; adding another Ny Ny really felt strange.
Nhan Ny Ny standing at the doorway had recovered her spirits well, her appearance back at its peak, figure extremely nice. Wearing jeans, she had an indescribable charm.
"Bro Pham, can I come in to talk?" Nhan Ny Ny's face blushed red, as if having some unspoken difficulty.
"You may." Lam Pham stepped aside, making way for her to enter, "You are the second young woman to come to my home. The first was my neighbor, but she was chopped dead by me."
Nhan Ny Ny, having just stepped into the room, heard these words, her expression startled, clearly frightened.
"Bro Pham, you really speak interestingly," Nhan Ny Ny said with a laugh.
She didn't believe Bro Pham would do such a thing.
Despite not knowing him long, Nhan Ny Ny could feel that Bro Pham was very warm inside, a good person with enthusiasm.
Lam Pham smiled, didn't explain. Some things are better left unsaid; the more explained, the murkier it gets. Since the other party thought his words were interesting, let's just treat it as interesting.
Living room, sofa.
Lam Pham brought over tea. A guest arrived, nothing good to entertain with, basic hot water was still necessary. Then sat aside, maintaining a safe distance from Nhan Ny Ny.
"Little Nhan, is something wrong?" Lam Pham asked.
Finding him right after lunch, probably not just for chatting. Could tell from her expression. Of course, even if it was just chatting, he still had the patience to chat casually.
After all, under apocalyptic conditions, except for himself, others seemed somewhat depressed, mentally having some issues more or less.
Thinking, should he go to the library to borrow some psychology books to read? When he learned something, set up psychology counseling courses, maybe could also earn some part-time fees to subsidize the household.
Nhan Ny Ny said shyly, "Bro Pham, could you help me buy something? That... my relative is here."
"Relative..." Lam Pham was slightly stunned, suddenly, instantly reacted, "Oh ah, understood, I know. Also forgot to purchase these supplies. What style and brand do you need?"
He wasn't a fool; hearing this, how could he not understand? Women always have the trouble of Aunt Flo visiting, bleeding, stomach pain. In the apocalypse, it truly is a very troublesome matter.
"Any... anything is fine," Nhan Ny Ny hadn't expected Bro Pham to ask so directly. Although it wasn't anything embarrassing, her relationship with Bro Pham was only two days acquainted. Speaking so directly always felt strange somewhere.
Lam Pham said, "This is something personal. Casual definitely can't be too casual. Comfort is most important. If it's not comfortable, there's no point. I've seen former colleagues use, seems like they used Sophie. How about Sophie?"
"Okay," Nhan Ny Ny nodded.
"Alright then. Rest assured, I have to go out this afternoon, will bring it back for you then."
Lam Pham thought of Sis Li and Duong Tue's situation; they definitely needed it too. As for the two old grandmas, definitely not needed. Judging by their age, shouldn't have this need.
"Thank you, Bro Pham." Nhan Ny Ny was grateful. The apocalypse is truly too unfriendly to women, still getting periods. Without sanitary pads, didn't know how to get through. Logically, the apocalypse came, but at the minimum, should let women not have periods anymore; only then would it be fairest.
"No need for thanks. I am Duong Quang Apartments' security guard. Besides protecting the community, running errands is also possible. The errand fee, 50 yuan is fine. Mainly, it's on my way," Lam Pham said with a smile.
He thought about the one hundred yuan reward he gave Nhan Ny Ny before, instantly earned back 50. Felt pretty good.
"Okay, okay." Nhan Ny Ny somewhat understood Bro Pham's line of thought. Old man Vuong had briefed them on how to understand Lam Pham's way of thinking. Reasonable, no problem.
Ok, tôi sẽ dịch phần nội dung bạn đã gửi cho Chương 79 (phần 2). Tôi cũng thấy ghi chú "bị thiếu rồi" của bạn, có vẻ nội dung bạn dán chưa đầy đủ. Tôi sẽ dịch phần đã có nhé.
Water Plant.
Lam Pham didn't rest long at home before taking Vuong Khai to the water plant for inspection. This was something to be done daily. The water plant's resources continuously supplied the entire city; this was extremely important to any survivor.
Lam Pham and Doggi followed beside Vuong Khai.
With Bro Pham's protection, Vuong Khai wasn't scared at all.
Stood before the machinery, slowly tinkering, also carefully inspecting, seeing if the machinery had any unnoticed problems. Anyway, no rush, had time.
After a while.
"Bro Pham, okay, can go back," Vuong Khai said.
Only at the water plant could he feel his own usefulness.
No one wants to be useless trash.
Previously at the water plant, he also liked to slack off. But now, the only one who knew the water plant equipment technology, understood the water plant process was him. If he didn't do it, who else could? This wasn't just supplying Duong Quang Apartments' water resources, but also supplying other survivors' water resources.
On the way back, reached the previous bridge.
Music sounded from under the bridge.
Very explosive.
Like having a party. (Literally: opening a prone body/party)
Stopped his beloved Emma electric scooter, stood at the bridgehead looking down. A yacht was cruising on the river surface. Could see people dancing on the yacht, also people sitting by the side fishing.
"They are survivors," Vuong Khai said.
"See them. Five people in total, three women, two men," Lam Pham nodded. This was the first time he saw survivors on the river surface.
Vuong Khai asked, "Bro Pham, can zombies swim? They turned the sound up so loud, aren't they afraid of attracting zombies?"
Although the apocalypse had progressed until now, for many survivors, they still weren't familiar with zombie characteristics. The only things known were their fast speed, strong explosive power, strong bite force, and their terrifying craving for the living.
Lam Pham watched the gradually departing yacht, the joyful dancing figures of those survivors. Seeing it, didn't know how long they could persist. If zombies couldn't swim, they could really persist for a long time.
River water filtered and boiled could be drunk.
There were also fish in the water, could temporarily fill the stomach.
"Let's go back."
A handsome electric scooter, two people and one dog on the journey home. The desolate road wouldn't be congested. Except for occasionally hearing zombie roars, everything else seemed extremely quiet.
Currently, the vicinity of Duong Quang Apartments was safe. Attracted by the Screaming Zombie before, surrounding zombies were all lured over. The possibility of existing zombies was very low. But as time passed, when the limping zombies wandering the whole city would roam nearby, no one could say for sure.
Returning to the residential area.
According to the previous situation.
Definitely would be riding the Emma electric scooter carrying flyers, going out to find suitable tenants. But he still had things to do, accumulated from yesterday and today.
When leaving the residential area, Co Hang stood before the iron railing gate, looking left and right.
"Bro Hang, what are you looking at?" Lam Pham asked.
Co Hang said, "Checking where the railing gate needs improvement. When the zombie tide erupted that day, I was thinking, if zombies gather at the entrance, pushing the railing gate, how long can this gate hold?"
"Bro Hang, no need to look, actually can't block them," Lam Pham said.
Co Hang looked at Lam Pham in surprise, then heard Lam Pham continue, "A small number of zombies might be blocked. When the number gets large, zombies will push each other, like stacking Arhats, continuously increasing the height. Unless this railing gate can be as tall as a building floor... no wait, no matter how high, it's useless. When the zombie number reaches a certain quantity, they can still reach the corresponding height multiple times."
Lam Pham had also watched zombie films.
The zombies he faced were much more formidable than those in movies.
Plus there were super giant zombies. That kind of zombie's strength was really immense. This iron gate felt like it would be smashed instantly, fundamentally unable to withstand. Only useful for blocking some stray, few zombies.
"This..." Co Hang understood Lam Pham spoke the truth, but he didn't want to give up just like that. Duong Quang Apartments was their shelter. He had no other talent, just wanted to continuously enhance Duong Quang Apartments' defensibility, bring changes to the community, exert his own faint light.
"Bro Hang, what you told me yesterday, adding barbed wire to the fence wall is a very good idea," Lam Pham noticed Co Hang's expression was a bit downcast, instantly understood. He just told the truth. He understood, the people brought here by him were all very good people. Even if old, also wanted to bring help to the community, didn't want to become a burden.
Like Grandpa Tu, when no one was sick, she would farm with Sis Li.
Grandma Liang (Luong Yen) taught the two children to read, passing on knowledge.
Co Hang nodded, "The main purpose of the wire mesh is to prevent dangerous survivors from sneaking in. But its effect against zombies isn't significant. What you just said about zombies stacking Arhats, I think is very likely to happen. I have to think about what methods can solve this."
"Little Pham, if you have things to do, go ahead first. I'll continue thinking."
Co Hang had stubborn thoughts regarding this aspect, also a habit from being a soldier. Knowing where the dangerous situation lay, how could he sit idly by? Even if he racked his brains, had to think of a solution.
Watching his departing back, Lam Pham showed a gratified smile. The most terrifying thing in the apocalypse wasn't zombies, not morally corrupt survivors, but being enveloped by loneliness, having nothing to do, one's own psychology twisting, eventually transforming into a pervert.
Now having things to do could make one's mood happy, comfortable. So he also hoped Co Hang could have things to do, things to think about.
...
Xinhua Bookstore.
Children's matters cannot be forgotten. Dinh Dinh and Phi Phi so eagerly wanted his gift, wanted test papers. This small request, even if the wind blew and rain fell, thunder struck, had to satisfy them.
He selected at the bookshelf. Fifth grade was already a very important stage; the learning content often started becoming somewhat difficult. Even adults might not necessarily think of the answer immediately.
Grandma Liang had chatted with him, saying Phi Phi was a very smart child, also very polite, but... her math foundation was the weakest. Other subjects could only be considered average. Fortunately, some subjects learned by rote were still very easy to catch up on. Math required doing more exercises, needing some insight.
Math is the most important subject among all subjects; no other subject can rival the importance of math.
Someone once said.
[The vastness of the universe, the minuteness of particles, the speed of rockets, the ingenuity of chemistry, the changes of the Earth, the mysteries of biology, the complexity of daily life – nowhere is math not needed.]
The person who said this was a great mathematician from our country – Hua Luogeng.
Super strong figure.
For Lam Pham, post-apocalyptic civilization and construction, he couldn't help much. What he could do was pass on hope to the next generation in the apocalypse, let them inherit hope and the future, restore the past prosperity.
He wasn't shirking responsibility; he also wanted to play a role. But his academic performance was terrible. Chopping zombies, watching movies, posting in friend groups were his best skills, but these would have minimal use later on.
"Ah, this is?"
He unintentionally discovered a type he hadn't seen before among the fifth-grade math test paper category.
"Fifth Grade Math Olympiad Competition Practice Problems Encyclopedia"
Picked it up.
Glanced through, there was content introduction.
Classic problems, develop intelligence, make learning math simpler.
"Phi Phi isn't good at math; perhaps this can make up for her shortcomings."
Selected the teaching materials. Also had to buy Dinh Dinh's gift. Adding Old man Vuong's promised gift for them, buying four practice books in total should be enough.
Paid, left the bookstore.
He hadn't come to the bookstore before but knew it was very lively. Many parents hopeful for their children would buy practice books for them to study.
This atmosphere was very good.
Could let the children happily roam in the ocean of knowledge. As knowledge continuously grew, for the children, it must be an extremely happy thing.
Walking on the street, occasionally encountering stray zombies, he would just simply swing his sword, easily killing the zombie. Regarding zombies, he always thought, your existence perhaps has your reasons, but you shouldn't release malice towards me.
If there is malice, then he could only use his sword for self-defense.
Maternal and Child Store.
There was enough milk powder at home. He thought of Duong Tue's newborn child, knew the difficulties of mother and child. Ultimately couldn't bear to watch. Thought about buying some essential items like milk powder for the newborn child.
He didn't have much ability, nor much wealth, just an ordinary person in society. But he had the thoughts of every ordinary kind citizen. Clearly living poorly himself, yet always couldn't ignore the difficulties among people.
Some things he couldn't do, but some things, he could. He was willing to lend a hand.
Perhaps when others fall into despair, simply extending a hand, or simply asking kindly Are you okay? could pull the desperate person out of the mire.
These are all things within one's ability; the important thing lies in whether you are willing to give that trace of warmth.
Selected, same as Manh Manh's.
Feihe milk powder, feeding bottle, constant temperature warmer, diapers.
Buying these cost several hundred yuan, equivalent to Lam Pham's basic income for a day's opening all invested.
He didn't feel heartache. Money was indeed very important, but it depended on what aspect the money was spent on. Some things lost will never return, but some things lost, conversely, can bring happiness, peace of mind. As long as one works a little harder, lost things can still return, even more.