Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, illuminating the vibrant flowers in the courtyard, a stark contrast to the dark apocalypse.
Several zombie corpses lay scattered in the garden, their blood from last night already dried.
Lin Butler's body was gone.
Su Wan couldn't imagine his final fate.
She forced herself to finish breakfast, then slowly walked out of the dining room.
Passing the kitchen, she heard several servants whispering.
"It's too horrible... Lin Butler..."
"Shh, lower your voice! He'll hear you..."
"Why is Young Miss so naive? Isn't she..."
"Stop talking! Staying alive is what matters..."
Su Wan's footsteps were heavy as she shuffled back to her second-floor bedroom, the hushed voices of the servants in the kitchen still echoing in her ears: "He'll hear you..." and "Staying alive is what matters..."
With a gentle push, the door opened, and she closed it behind her.
Sunlight streamed in through the large French windows, spilling onto the soft carpet, making the place feel like a beautiful birdcage.
Su Wan could no longer hold herself up, her body went limp, and she collapsed onto the soft bed, burying her face deep into the fragrant bedding.
The clean scent lingered at her nose, but it made her feel a wave of nausea.
The breakfast she had just swallowed churned in her stomach.
He wouldn't touch her for now.
This realization brought her a slight sense of relief, but it was quickly followed by deeper despair.
How long could a fake pregnancy be hidden?
Her belly would flatten day by day, and the lie would be exposed sooner or later.
What would become of her then?
Would her fate be even worse than Lin Butler's?
Escape?
The thought had barely surfaced before she crushed it.
The distorted zombie corpses outside the window were the best warning.
If it was like this outside the villa, it could only be worse outside.
Rushing out rashly, she might not even wait to be dealt with by "him" before becoming dinner for those monsters.
Better to die early than...
Than what?
Su Wan suddenly sat up from the bed, her long hair falling messily on both sides of her face.
She couldn't just sit and wait for death.
Damn it!
Su Wan cursed fiercely in her heart.
Exercise!
Yes, exercise her body!
No matter what she had to face in the future, whether it was escaping or playing for time, a strong physique would always be better than her current frail appearance.
Improving her physical fitness, strength, and endurance would at least give her a better chance of survival if she really had to run, allowing her to run a little faster.
She threw off the covers and stepped barefoot onto the cold floor.
Her room was large enough, with a treadmill and fitness equipment.
Basic physical training was completely fine.
Doing something was better than doing nothing!
She decided to get started immediately, so she started running!
But after only a few minutes, she felt breathless, and her legs began to weaken, feeling as heavy as if filled with lead.
Sweat quickly soaked her thin pajamas, sticking uncomfortably to her body.
Damn it!
This body was truly pampered into uselessness.
She was like this after just a few steps; how could she even think of escaping?
It was a joke!
Damn it, running herself to death was better than being scared to death or crushed to death!
She stared at the flickering numbers on the treadmill screen, as if competing with it, and also as if competing with herself.
Until her body completely gave out, collapsing onto the floor, without even the strength to lift a single finger.
She lay there, her chest rising and falling violently, sweat soaking the carpet.
Until Zhang Ma's voice came through the door, with her usual deference: "Young Miss, lunch is ready."
She quickly got up to eat, otherwise that madman would come to call her soon.
She pushed herself up from the floor, her arms trembling violently, almost falling back down several times.
It took a long time for her to barely stand up, leaning against the wall, inching her way into the bathroom.
Hot water poured down, washing away the sticky sweat, and temporarily numbing the soreness in her muscles.
She quickly dried off and changed into clean clothes.
She held onto the stair railing, slowly descending.
Each step down pulled at her aching muscles, causing a dull pain.
She gripped the cold, carved railing, her knuckles white from the effort.
Almost there.
A rich aroma drifted up, tempting her empty stomach.
It was the scent of chicken, stewed until tender.
Her stomach let out a clear, untimely rumble.
Only two sets of chopsticks and bowls were laid on the long table.
Today, it was an exquisite Chinese lunch, with several small dishes and a bowl of soup, replacing the usual bread and cold meals.
Oh, finally no more bread.
He was already there.
He sat at the head of the table, as quiet as a statue, an invisible pressure enveloping the entire space.
Her footsteps instinctively paused at the dining room entrance.
He didn't look at her immediately, silence pervading the air: "Come here."
She hurried to her seat, sitting across from him at the long table, her legs still trembling slightly.
"You're late."
His voice was low, flat, without any inflection.
"I took a nap this morning, got a little sweaty, and took a shower."
He didn't speak further, picking up his chopsticks and putting a piece of tempting chicken into his mouth.
She quickly picked up her own chopsticks.
Her stomach was empty and aching, and the strong scent of stewed chicken filled her nostrils.
The food was tender and soft in her mouth.
It tasted so good.
She ate in small bites, trying not to make a sound, only hearing her own slightly hurried swallowing.
The bowls and chopsticks were gently placed down, making a faint sound.
The man opposite did not wipe his mouth with a napkin, but simply put down his chopsticks quietly.
A silent gaze fell upon her, with a scrutinizing meaning.
"Your appetite is good today," he said, his voice even, "Eating so much."
Just then, a series of urgent, muffled thuds suddenly came from outside the villa!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound was loud, accompanied by several hoarse roars that didn't sound human!
Su Wan's heart jumped, and she quickly walked to the living room window.
The sturdy villa gate was being violently impacted by something outside.
It was zombies!
The servants in the living room also heard the commotion, their faces turning pale, huddling together nervously.
He looked at the several zombies frantically slamming against the door outside, his eyes cold, his face devoid of any expression.
"You're pregnant, your body is precious," he slowly began, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching Su Wan's ears, "Those things outside are too noisy."
He gestured towards the main door with his chin.
"Go, deal with them."
Su Wan's blood seemed to freeze instantly, her face turning deathly pale!
He... he wanted her to fight zombies?
Those things outside could make the iron gate bang loudly!
How could she...
"I..." She looked at him in terror, her lips trembling uncontrollably, "I can't do it..."
Lu Shiyan's eyes suddenly turned cold, the murderous intent that had just been suppressed resurfacing.
"Oh? Can't do it?" His tone was flat, yet it held a deadly danger, "It seems that this thing in your belly isn't as precious as you say."
He began to walk towards her step by step, the oppressive feeling emanating from him making her almost unable to breathe.
Su Wan was forced to retreat repeatedly until her back hit the cold wall, with nowhere left to go.
His eyes clearly told her: either go out now and face the zombies, proving that you and that "child" are worth him temporarily keeping; or die here now.