Li Miao'er tucked the dagger into her trouser pocket, hugged her brother's arm tightly with both hands, and scampered toward the house like a tiny, frightened kitten.
When they reached the door, she looked up at him, her voice soft and hesitant. "Brother… do we have to stay inside to avoid the disaster?"
"Not yet," Chen Yi replied calmly. "If too many zombies gather here, we'll have to move sooner."
He closed the heavy iron door firmly and engaged the two safety locks. The solid click of metal gave him a reassuring sense of security.
"Meow, go secure your room's doors and windows. Sort out the clothes you wear most often, and download or store important materials. We'll need them when we move," he instructed.
Chen Yi smiled faintly as he gently removed Sister Meow's little hand from his. She had grown clingier than Xiao Yu'er had been in his previous life.
"Brother… can I sleep with you tonight?" Li Miao'er asked, stretching her small hands toward him, her gaze misted with vulnerability. She seemed to silently plead that if he refused, tears would come.
Ah… Chen Yi shook his head helplessly, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "Meow… tidy your clothes first, and go to bed early tonight."
In this dangerous apocalypse, he thought, it was better for them to depend on each other. Sleeping in the same room meant they could watch out for one another—it was safer.
"Brother! I'm going to pack my things first. Mua~"
Li Miao'er leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before darting back to her room on her fair little feet.
She's braver than before… I remember she didn't dare to do this before, Chen Yi muttered to himself.
He pursed his lips, smiling without a trace of disgust. Despite the weird moral compass of this world, he didn't care. A clingy, cute sister—even one who sometimes took advantage of him—wasn't a bad thing.
Chen Yi wandered through the utility room and picked up a small watermelon from the floor. Twelve early-ripened black-skinned watermelons had been delivered this morning by Aunt Zhang, a comrade of his adoptive mother. He hadn't tasted watermelon in ages.
Not bad, he thought, slicing off a small piece and tasting it. He halved the melon, placed it in the refrigerator to chill, and later scooped it out with a spoon. This was the best way to enjoy it.
Content, he moved to the living room balcony and gazed at the night outside.
Buildings in the distance flickered as if on fire. From afar, the flames licked the sky, smoke billowing from shattered windows.
Woo… Woo… Ah…
Sirens blared, mixed with wailing, vibrating through the thick glass. Chen Yi grabbed a stool, standing on it to see farther.
The outbreak hadn't even fully begun yet—how had chaos escalated so quickly?
On the streets, police cars, trucks, and private vehicles clogged the roads. Drivers had abandoned their cars and were fighting one another. Some recklessly drove trucks forward, crushing those who had stepped out of the way. People had gone mad.
The blood rain, gradually thinning, added a cruel touch to the already tragic scene.
When disaster strikes, protect yourself and your sister. Forget the rest. Chen Yi closed the windows and curtains. He had predicted this escalation. The real apocalypse would be far more merciless than this.
"Take a bath first. Then download the materials you need. If you don't do it now, it'll be too late," he thought calmly.
He returned to his room for clean clothes. Months had passed since he last took a hot bath.
The bathtub was excellent—though lacking a massage function—worthy of a specially allocated house. Far better than a standard community dwelling.
He filled the tub with hot water and dropped in sachets of mint and vanilla anti-fatigue medicine. Fortunately, men in this world didn't have to deal with long hair; washing was simple.
Oh… it's so cool! My skin is too sensitive!
He added cold water cautiously, yet the water still scalded him. His fair, jade-like skin flushed pink instantly.
Dong Dong!
Li Miao'er knocked on the bathroom door, excitement in her voice. "Brother! Are you taking a shower?"
"Yeah, Meow… what is it?" Chen Yi replied softly, luxuriating in the warm water. He had no desire to move.
"It's fine, brother! Let me rub your back for you!" Li Miao'er said, her pretty face full of mischievous determination.
"No! Go back to your room and play games first," he said seriously, remembering that in his childhood she had once helped bathe him—only to be caught by their adoptive mother. She'd been forced to rest for a week afterward, and he had taken care of her during that time.
"My massage skills are excellent! Let me help you!" Li Miao'er pouted coquettishly at the door.
"No! Meow, if you do that again, I'll ignore you," Chen Yi scolded firmly.
"Fine… fine," she said, lips pursed in displeasure, retreating to her room but muttering under her breath, I'll make him ask me next time!
Chen Yi sank into the hot water, eyes closing as steam relaxed his tense nerves. Sleepiness tugged at him, and he drifted into a short, peaceful nap.
Ah… my head is dizzy, but my heart feels much better.
He supported himself on the bathtub edge and slowly stood. The water had cooled, but crystal droplets clung to his body. His fair, handsome face glowed, sapphire-like eyes slightly misted, skin smooth and radiant.
If Sister Meow saw me now… she'd probably pounce on me like a hungry tiger.
So cute… If I wore women's clothes and returned to Earth, any man who saw me would never forget me. Chen Yi admired his reflection with a small smile.
After rinsing with warm, then cold water, he changed into clean clothes and felt fully refreshed.
I wonder if the Divine Phoenix Nation can survive this disaster. Historically, their disaster response is stronger than other races. Chen Yi's affection for the nation ran deep, but he hoped planetary order would be restored soon.
"Meow, what game are you playing?"
He returned to the bedroom to find Li Miao'er sitting at the computer, eyes wide with excitement, slapping the keyboard and mouse as if she were one of those teenagers obsessed with holographic games in his past life.
"Brother! You finished your bath!" Li Miao'er exclaimed, tossing the mouse aside. She leaped onto him, inhaling his scent—his brother smelled so soft, so familiar.