Ice Apocalypse (Season 1)

Chapter 69: Fresh and Refreshed

This night was destined to be exceptionally long. By the time it ended, it was already the early morning of the next day. Zhou Keren lay limp on the bed, utterly exhausted. Zhang Yi covered her with a blanket, and she fell into a deep slumber.

Zhang Yi locked the door from the outside, keeping the only key for himself. Business was business, and certain principles needed to be upheld. Even though Zhang Yi knew Zhou Keren was a kind person, allowing her in and letting her survive was already going above and beyond.

For a short period, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. After a quick shower, Zhang Yi returned to the bedroom to rest.

Having slept for half a day, Zhang Yi woke up feeling refreshed and clear-headed. The principles of Daoism proved trustworthy; harmonizing yin and yang was beneficial for one's health. Such exercises should be continued for the future.

Checking the surveillance feed, Zhang Yi saw that Zhou Keren was still sound asleep in her bed.

Realizing that he might have been too demanding the night before, Zhang Yi, dressed and energized, made his way to the living room. As he passed the sofa, he noticed a bloodstain and recalled the pain-filled expression Zhou Keren wore last night, feeling somewhat surprised.

A 26-year-old medical doctor and still a virgin? Zhang Yi found it unexpected. From the supplies ordered in advance from fast-food chains like KFC and McDonald's before the apocalypse, he brought out some food and placed it on the coffee table.

Then, he approached Zhou Keren's door and unlocked it, politely knocking. Even though Zhang Yi knew every detail inside the house, courtesy demanded a knock. After all, if they were to coexist for an extended period, basic respect was necessary.

Zhou Keren's soft voice came from inside, tinged with fatigue, "Alright, I'll be there in a moment."

Zhang Yi went to the dining table, picked up a beef and cheese hamburger, and began eating as he walked to the window. Overnight, the large chunk of ice on the neighboring balcony had grown even bigger, covered in a layer of fresh snow. Faint outlines of ten twisted bodies could be discerned inside.

As Zhou Keren emerged from her room and saw Zhang Yi, a subtle blush colored her face. A medical Ph.D. from a prestigious university, she had always been proud and reserved, not showing any interest in men. Now, in the apocalypse, she had traded her most precious possession, not to her husband or lover, but to a relatively unfamiliar man.

Yet, looking at Zhang Yi's tall and attractive figure, his cold and rational face somehow put her at ease. Women always harbored special feelings for their first man.

Zhang Yi liked Zhou Keren because she was beautiful – who wouldn't appreciate a beautiful woman with a great figure? However, love was currently out of the question. Perhaps, in the future, once he completely trusted her, he might start investing emotions. Living alone in the apocalypse was exhausting, and some emotional support was necessary.

Zhang Yi motioned toward the table with food. Zhou Keren looked over and found hot hamburgers, fried chicken, and fries—items Zhang Yi had ordered in bulk from fast-food chains before the apocalypse. Due to the preservation capabilities of his spatial dimension, they were still warm.

Zhou Keren's mouth watered uncontrollably as she approached and grabbed a hamburger, taking large, satisfied bites. Fast food she used to disdain now made her emotional.

Not even ten minutes later, she had devoured the entire pile of food. Lying back in the chair, she let out a satisfied burp. Seeing Zhang Yi's half-smiling expression, she shyly covered her mouth, feeling embarrassed.

Zhang Yi, indifferent to such matters, asked, "Finished?"

Tilting her head, Zhou Keren replied seriously, "Not yet. But it's not advisable to eat too much at once. It could lead to gastrointestinal problems."

"So, you're done? Come help with something," Zhang Yi pointed outside.

Obediently, Zhou Keren walked over. Zhang Yi took out two sets of cold-resistant suits from his spatial dimension. Zhou Keren's eyes widened in amazement; although she had seen it before, it still seemed magical.

Her determination to follow Zhang Yi strengthened even more. In the apocalypse, surviving was a rare feat. Following a powerful figure increased one's chances of survival.

Zhang Yi tossed a set to Zhou Keren and wore one himself. "What are we going to do?" she asked curiously.

Zhang Yi pointed to the icy lump on the neighboring balcony. "Go smash that block of ice!"

Zhou Keren shivered. Those bodies were already fused with the ice. Breaking the ice would tear the bodies apart.

"They're surely dead. Why do we need to do this?" she questioned.

Zhang Yi shrugged. "Maybe because I really dislike them. In this building, almost everyone wants me dead, hoping to take over my room and supplies."

"I need to do something to let them know I'm not easy to mess with."

He smirked. "Initially, they thought I was just a homebody. Of course, I don't mind their opinions."

"But over time, it gets annoying. Let them learn a lesson."

There was another reason Zhang Yi didn't mention and didn't bother explaining to Zhou Keren. He was a person who sought revenge. Chen Zhenghao had repeatedly tried to kill him, and it infuriated Zhang Yi. However, letting them freeze to death felt too merciful.

Zhou Keren seemed to catch on and pointed to her own nose. "You... don't tell me you want me to do it again?"

She was exasperated. From start to finish, it seemed like she was the one doing all the work in killing Chen Zhenghao and the others. Now that they were dead, was Zhang Yi still acting so cautious?

Zhang Yi, serious, declared, "It's called being cautious!"

Naturally, if he went over, closed the window, and Zhou Keren was left outside, what would he do?

Although Zhang Yi's supplies were in the spatial dimension, he didn't want to experience hunger. Zhou Keren rolled her eyes, utterly speechless. How could there be such a cautious person?

She couldn't be foolish enough to do something harmful to others but not herself. Ignoring Zhang Yi's over-cautiousness, Zhou Keren took the baseball bat he handed her and climbed over the balcony railing to the adjacent balcony.

Zhang Yi took out his phone and started recording.