"Tu Thanh, you can pack your things, carry your schoolbag."
Hearing these words.
Co Tu Thanh was a bit puzzled but still did as told.
Pushing the door open, intending to lead them away.
But...
Creak.
The door opposite opened silently.
First appearing was a head; seeing the face clearly, it was a middle-aged man.
Co Tu Thanh saw the other person and was clearly a bit scared; this was the guy who robbed their food.
His name was Tien Nghi, their neighbor. Previously liked to steal, committed some offenses, stayed inside for a period, idled around after getting out.
When he knocked on the door before.
Co Tu Thanh was a bit scared, but the opponent acted very pitifully, just hoping to borrow some rice. Co Tu Thanh, having some compassion, opened the door. Who knew this was like opening the Gates of Hell.
Tien Nghi violently pushed him to the ground, then headed towards the kitchen, robbing their already scarce rice. He went forward to stop him, only to be slapped hard twice by the opponent, falling to the ground.
Young age, thin body, how could he be an adult's opponent?
Could only watch helplessly.
"Don't be afraid," Lam Pham said softly.
He knew the situation; the person before him was the neighbor who robbed Co Tu Thanh's family food.
He detested this kind of behavior.
How could one rob others' things?
Especially at such a critical moment. People willing to help should truly be met with gratitude, not taking advantage of their kindness upon opening the door, revealing one's true nature, preying on them.
Co Tu Thanh heard Lam Pham's voice, not as nervous as just now.
For him.
Having to face such terrifying things at a young age was indeed a bit too much.
"Where are you guys going? Outside can be very dangerous." Tien Nghi's shifty eyes looked around, his gaze landing on the bags Lam Pham carried, looking like they contained many things.
The apocalypse arrived, making Tien Nghi extremely scared.
Don't just see him being brave in front of a child; actually, he was extremely cowardly. If he were truly brave, he wouldn't have robbed Co Tu Thanh's food.
Co Tu Thanh ignored him.
Didn't say a word.
Lam Pham looked at the opponent, "You robbed food from Tu Thanh's place. Don't you feel very ashamed?"
"What? What did you say? I didn't rob anything! That's my own stuff! Don't think you can talk nonsense just because it's the apocalypse now." After speaking, he deliberately raised his tattooed arm, as if wanting to tell Lam Pham, don't think you're awesome just because you carry a sword on your back, I f***ing have tattoos, a society person, not easy to mess with.
Lam Pham looked at the opponent, walked directly towards his room.
"What the f*** do you want?" Tien Nghi was startled, raised his hand wanting to push Lam Pham out. He really hadn't expected the opponent would want to come in. How could he let that happen?
However, he overestimated himself. Pushing against Lam Pham's body with both hands didn't budge him at all; instead, he himself was pushed back continuously.
"F***..."
Tien Nghi raged, picked up a chair from the living room wanting to smash it towards Lam Pham's head.
Lam Pham punched through the chair, his arm passing through. Seeing the fist close at hand, Tien Nghi's eyes widened, completely dumbfounded. He trembled, let go of the chair, retreated backwards, looking at Lam Pham as if seeing a ghost.
He truly hadn't expected someone could punch through a chair with one fist.
This wasn't just any chair.
Lam Pham grabbed the chair, pulled his arm back, then put the chair down.
This matter couldn't be blamed on him. The opponent picked up a tool wanting to smash him; he was merely defending himself. Absolutely no problem. Besides, he felt he had been extremely restrained.
If the opponent held a knife.
That situation would be very complicated. He might momentarily be unable to hold back his hand, just like that person surnamed Zhang or something before, kicked far away by him. (Referring back to a previous incident not detailed here)
Kitchen.
"Tu Thanh, is this the food he took from you?" Lam Pham pointed to the bag of rice, looking towards Co Tu Thanh beside him.
"This is my family's rice," Co Tu Thanh said.
Lam Pham picked up the bag of rice.
Had no other intention, just took the bag of rice and left. He wouldn't take anything else from the opponent's home, just taking back what originally belonged to Tu Thanh.
"Let's go."
In the living room.
Tien Nghi fearfully watched Lam Pham. Who exactly was this guy carrying a sword? How did Co Tu Thanh know him? And where did he come from?
Various questions swirled in his mind.
Always couldn't figure it out.
Could only watch them leave helplessly.
Street.
Co Tu Thanh pushed the wheelchair.
The surrounding scene made him somewhat unable to believe this was the city he once knew. He knew the terror under the apocalypse, also knew about the appearance of those man-eating zombies. But seeing it with his own eyes, the impact on his heart was unimaginable.
Lam Pham carried a full bag, shouldered the bag of rice, walking beside them.
"Is it a bit hard to accept?" Lam Pham looked at Co Tu Thanh's downcast eyes, knowing he felt a deep-seated fear towards the current city.
"Mm."
Co Tu Thanh was twelve, still a child. But a broken family, taking care of a paralyzed grandpa, made him mature at a young age.
He couldn't act spoiled like other children, make mistakes. Had to be strong, mature, support this broken home.
Had to meticulously care for grandpa, also needed to study hard.
This kind of burden was like a huge mountain, pressing heavily on him. Even an adult might not necessarily bear it.
Lam Pham's smile was warm like sunshine, "It's okay. Take it slow. Everything will get better. The tenants at Duong Quang Apartments are very nice; they will like you, because you are a brave, strong, filial good child."
Language is the most powerful kind of thing.
It can make disheartened people despair, mentally decline.
It can also make despairing people become full of hope.
He didn't want to see a sensible child affected by the apocalyptic atmosphere. A gloomy mood easily makes emotions turn bad. Thought about using encouraging words to reassure the child, make him full of hope for the future.
Looking now, the effect was possible.
He saw a trace of determination on Co Tu Thanh's face.
...
Tien Nghi, standing in the living room, recovered his senses, ran to the kitchen, found the rice robbed from Co Tu Thanh's home had been taken away, wailed, raged.
"F*** your mother! You dog bastards! You want me dead!"
He raged impotently.
That bag of rice could sustain him for a long time. Even drinking porridge daily, could last a long time.
Now gone, that was forcing him to die.
Hurriedly ran to the balcony, looked outside. He saw those figures walking further and further away.
"Damn! How are they so safe? Zombies! Where the hell did the zombies go?"
Tien Nghi just wanted them to be bitten to death by zombies.
That would make his mood much better.
Immediately after.
He thought of something.
Without supplies, he would definitely die. No, absolutely cannot sit and wait for death. Must find supplies. He thought of the supermarket right next door. Those people could leave safely.
That meant the outside environment was temporarily safe.
Zombies might not have wandered here yet.
Thinking of this, he rushed out the door at high speed, just wanting to take the opportunity to move some supplies back.
...
At this moment.
Walking, walking.
Soon arrived at the street of Duong Quang Apartments.
Seeing such a clean street, Co Tu Thanh's eyes lit up, as if seeing the clean city of the past.
"Very clean, right?" Lam Pham said with a smile.
"Mm." Co Tu Thanh nodded, agreeing strongly.
Lam Pham said, "Some things happened here a while ago, many zombies appeared, making blood everywhere. I borrowed a water truck from the Environmental Protection Department to wash it clean."
Arriving at Tan Phong Brokerage.
"Wait a moment."
He went inside the brokerage, found a room for the grandfather and grandson. Because the old man was paralyzed, inconvenient to move, best to live on the first floor. Searched carefully, really found a relatively suitable unit.
Not Unit Two, but Building Two, Unit One. There was a vacant rental property, price not expensive.
Took the key, came outside, led them into Duong Quang Apartments.
The two old gentlemen waited at the entrance chatting. When Lam Pham wasn't in the residential area, they would guard the gate, preventing zombies or ill-intentioned survivors from appearing.
Seeing Lam Pham bring back two survivors, didn't feel surprised. After all, in their hearts, Little Pham had his own thoughts, also his own principles for doing things. Survivors brought back by him were all approved by him.
In Old man Vuong's view, don't believe Little Pham's talk about pitching housing to earn commission. Earning, definitely earning, but he also selected people. Not everyone could live in Duong Quang Apartments.
"Little friend, what's your name?"
Old man Vuong smiled and patted Co Tu Thanh's head. From the opponent's clothes and mental state, could see this little friend hadn't had it easy under apocalyptic conditions. Also seeing the old man sitting in the wheelchair, clearly inconvenient to move.
A long time had passed since the apocalypse outbreak. Still being alive meant this little friend took good care of the old man.
"Hello, two Grandpas. My name is Co Tu Thanh. This is my grandpa, Co Yich Jiang."
Co Tu Thanh greeted the two old men very politely. Just arriving at the residential area, felt a bit constrained, but Old man Vuong's head pat eased his tense mood.
Lam Pham said, "Two Old Sirs, when I went out shopping, met Tu Thanh at the supermarket. This child is very brave, very filial. Seeing their living environment wasn't very good, brought them back. Our Duong Quang Apartments is about to gain two more tenants."
"Haha, good! Lively is good! I see Tu Thanh child is a good kid. Old Brother Yich Jiang, you look over sixty this year?" Old man Vuong asked smilingly.
Co Yich Jiang said, "Sixty-seven."
Old man Vuong smiled, "I, your old brother, am seventy this year. He's sixty-nine. From now on, we're family. My name is Vuong Trung Quoc, he's Chu Ai Quan. Just call us Old Vuong and Old Chu."
Then, he looked towards Lam Pham, "Little Pham, have you arranged a place for them?"
Lam Pham took out the key, "Arranged. Old man Co has mobility issues, so arranged for Unit One, first floor, convenient for going out."
"Mm, very good." Old man Vuong nodded, feeling this arrangement was very reasonable.
Then Lam Pham led them to the residence. Looking at the room before them, Co Tu Thanh felt ripples in his heart, as if not expecting such a huge change would happen in just half a day.
He settled the grandfather and grandson, some daily supplies would be sent over later.
...
Room 704.
Lam Pham told Old man Vuong and Old man Chu about the grandfather and grandson's situation.
After hearing.
Old man Vuong sighed, "Such a hard-fated child, sensible and filial. Luckily met our Little Pham, otherwise in this apocalypse, might suffer even greater hardships."
Then looked at Lam Pham; he understood Little Pham definitely had something to say to him.
"Little Pham, do you have something else? It's okay, between us, there's nothing that can't be said," Old man Vuong chuckled.
He felt very secure staying here. This security was transmitted to him by Lam Pham. If the person who saved them was a tyrant, using Duong Quang Apartments as a base, declaring himself king, then even if saved, he wouldn't smile daily.
Zombie threat and tyrant oppression, no difference whatsoever.
Things violating conscience, he wouldn't do.
Lam Pham said, "Old Sir, Tu Thanh and his grandson's situation isn't good, life isn't wealthy. I was thinking of advancing the rent money for them first. But I haven't saved any money from my work over the years. So I want to borrow some money from you, Old Sir. Do you think it's okay?"
"Okay! Absolutely no problem! The bank card is in your hand; you can go get it later," Old man Vuong knew Little Pham's way of thinking, agreed without hesitation.
Beside him, Old Chu watched calmly, his admiration for Old Vuong like the endlessly flowing Yellow River.
He also understood how to talk with Lam Pham: just follow the rules of peacetime. Just that under the descended apocalypse situation, seemed somewhat out of place.
"Thank you, Old Sir. I will repay that money," Lam Pham said gratefully.
Old man Vuong waved his hand, "It's okay, just small matters. I also know about the grandfather and grandson's situation. The money for the supplies you bought for them, count it on my head. Consider it letting me do a good deed."
"Old Sir, you are truly a good person."
"Ha ha ha, Little Pham, you are the good person," Old man Vuong said laughing.
He just liked communicating with Little Pham, because communicating with Little Pham felt like living in peaceful times.
...
Knock knock.
Standing at Nhan Ny Ny's door, knocked gently.
Creak.
After the door opened, seeing Nhan Ny Ny instantly, Lam Pham handed her the bag in his hand.
"I bought you Sophie, daily use, night use both included. See if it's okay," he said softly.
Women's matters, sometimes unavoidable. Not like if you don't think about it, it won't come.
Nhan Ny Ny took the bag, "Thank you. When my relative comes, my stomach always hurts unenergetically. Really want to be refreshed, don't want relatives."
Lam Pham said, "Really? Then drink more hot water. Besides, wanting to stop relatives, only happens during pregnancy."
The first half sentence made Nhan Ny Ny think Bro Pham was a straight man (clueless/insensitive). The second half left her speechless, momentarily not knowing what to say.
"If uncomfortable, rest well. If anything comes up, you can find me." Lam Pham waved, turned and left.
Nhan Ny Ny watched Bro Pham's departing back, lowered her head looking at the bag in her hand, lost in thought.
Finally shook her head and returned to her room.
Between the fields.
Sis Li and Grandpa Tu inspected the vegetable garden.
As the vegetables sprouted, this made them relieved. Before, many people liked to plant some vegetables in their own yards, not necessarily needed, just planting something to kill time.
Now in the apocalypse, these are their essential life items, naturally need careful tending.
"Sis Li," Lam Pham called out.
Sis Li turned her head, "Little Pham, what's the matter?"
"Here."
"This is?" Sis Li showed a puzzled expression. What was inside the black bag? Opened it for a look, conversely making Sis Li somewhat stunned.
Lam Pham smiled, "These are sanitary pads. Didn't think of it before. Xiao Nhan's relative came, told me about it. So I went out to buy some pads for her. Thinking of Sis Li's situation, also brought some along. Don't know if the size is suitable."
Sis Li's mouth opened wide, then smiled; "Thank you."
Grandpa Tu said, "Our Little Pham is truly a considerate boy. Whoever becomes Little Pham's wife in the future will be very happy."
Lam Pham said, "Grandpa Tu, with my condition and situation, who would take a fancy to me? Ah, right, I still have things to deliver, will go first."
Finished speaking, waved his hand, parting with Sis Li and Grandpa Tu.
As Lam Pham left.
Sis Li looked at the bag in her hand. As a woman, indeed needed these things.
She hadn't thought about mentioning these things to Little Pham before. After all, it was already the apocalypse; some things didn't need too much trouble. Being alive was good enough. Who knew Little Pham, when buying these for Xiao Nhan, could think of her.
Moved, besides being moved, still moved.
Lam Pham delivered the baby's necessities to Duong Tue. Because she just gave birth, her body was very weak, needed good rest. Seeing Duong Tue's complexion wasn't very good, he also felt somewhat helpless about this.
Many dishes weren't available.
Vegetable markets deserted, no chickens, ducks, geese sold. Ingredients for replenishing body nutrition were much fewer.
Towards Lam Pham and this group of kind-hearted people's help, Duong Tue was moved to tears. Her life didn't fall into despair because the apocalypse arrived. When her husband abandoned her and left, that was her most despairing moment.
If not for Co Hang's company and protection, perhaps she would have taken the child in her belly and left this terrible world together.
Coming to Duong Quang Apartments.
She felt like she was protected by a group of suns, warming her thoroughly wounded heart.
"Thank you."
Thousands of words of gratitude condensed into two words, sincerely spoken to Lam Pham.
Lam Pham replied with a silent smile.
Life might be full of chicken feathers (trivial matters), but what supports us often are the bits and pieces of care from people around us. This is the hope supporting many people living on.
He hoped everyone was well.
Everyone saying this world is good easily.
Room 603.
Inside the room.
Grandma Liang was tutoring the two children's studies. Don't just look at Phi Phi being serious; actually, her thoughts had already started wandering. Only Dinh Dinh was seriously scribbling on paper, studying the problems.
"Grandma Liang, didn't disturb you, right?" Lam Pham walked over carrying a bag.
"Hello, Uncle." Phi Phi instantly became energetic. Someone came, meaning could slack off (desert). She really looked forward to such opportunities.
"Hello, Uncle," Dinh Dinh greeted.
Grandma Liang smiled, "No, definitely not. Little Pham, is something the matter?"
Lam Pham placed the bag on the table, "Yesterday, Old man Vuong said he wanted to reward the two children. I also want to reward the two children. Just went out shopping, bought them back for them. All are some test papers."
For Lam Pham, studying was a very important matter.
The loss he suffered was from not studying well before.
Therefore, he didn't want the two children to lose at the starting line. Although it's the apocalypse now, seemingly studying isn't that important, but thinking carefully reveals, studying is most important at any time.
"Wow! Thank you, Uncle! I love studying the most!" Dinh Dinh said happily. She especially loved studying. Under Grandma Liang's teaching, her fear of the apocalypse had long vanished without a trace.
Lam Pham patted her head, "Good that you like it."
Beside her, Phi Phi's mouth opened wide, face dumbfounded, feeling an indescribable fear.
Society's darkness unintentionally fell upon her small, weak shoulders.
Her eyes nervously watched Uncle Lam, fearing the most terrifying thing in her heart would happen.
Finally...
The terrifying thing happened.