Xiao Han paused his chewing of the egg, a flicker of alertness in his eyes, which quickly returned to his usual carefree demeanor.
"A doctor? No," Xiao Han replied nonchalantly. "He died on the way here."
He put down his fork and wiped his mouth.
"That poor fellow was the chief surgeon at the military hospital, with first-rate skills. His tire burst when he was passing through the suburbs of S City, and when he got out to change it, he was bitten by a zombie ambushing under the car."
Xiao Han's tone was understated, as if he were recounting a trivial matter.
"He got infected on the spot, so we could only—" He made a gun gesture, "—take him out before he mutated."
Su Wan listened to this conversation and breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.
Lu Shiyan gently put down his knife and fork, his gaze lingering on Xiao Han's face for a moment.
"A pity," he said only that one word, his voice as cold as ice, yet it sent a chill down Su Wan's spine.
His tone wasn't just regret for the innocent doctor who sacrificed himself; it was more... regret for being unable to immediately verify the truth of her pregnancy.
"Indeed, a pity," Xiao Han chimed in, but his eyes darted towards Su Wan. "But it's the apocalypse; no one can say when it'll be their turn."
He put down his napkin and stood up.
"Speaking of which, Miss Su's situation, if she really is pregnant, it won't do without a doctor."
Su Wan felt Lu Shiyan's gaze fall on her, sharp as a knife.
"Coincidentally," Xiao Han continued, "I remember there's a private clinic nearby in this area. That place is quite remote; maybe it wasn't completely ransacked."
He stretched languidly, as if nothing was amiss.
"Want to organize a small team to check it out? Medicine and medical equipment are more valuable than gold right now. Maybe we can even find a pregnancy test kit or something."
Xiao Han emphasized the last sentence, his gaze moving between Lu Shiyan and Su Wan.
Su Wan's fingers almost deformed the napkin she was clutching. If they really found a pregnancy test kit, then she... though she also suspected she was pregnant, she dared not gamble.
"No need," Lu Shiyan's voice suddenly rang out coldly.
Su Wan abruptly looked up, unable to believe her ears.
"It's too dangerous to go out now; it's not worth it," Lu Shiyan said calmly, as if merely discussing a regular strategic issue.
He stood up, looking down at Su Wan's pale face.
"You go back to your room to rest first. Zhang Ma will send up some easily digestible food."
As she walked out, she couldn't help but wonder, if he was trying to get rid of her, what secret did they need to discuss?
But then, she thought again and found it amusing. What did Lu Shiyan need to hide from her?
He was the one who held her life in his hands. Taking her life was just a matter of a word; there was no need for stealth.
Back in her room, Su Wan immediately locked the door, leaning against it, breathing heavily. She felt like an acrobat walking on a tightrope, ready to fall into an abyss at any moment.
Why didn't Lu Shiyan seize the opportunity to expose her? Was he giving her more time to prove herself? Or... did he have other plans?
Just as her thoughts were racing, a soft knock sounded at the door.
"Miss, have some porridge," it was Zhang Ma's voice.
Su Wan took a deep breath and opened the door. Zhang Ma was holding a tray with a bowl of steaming white porridge and some light pickled vegetables.
"Mr. Lu specifically instructed me to, saying you don't have a good appetite and need something light," Zhang Ma's eyes held obvious curiosity. "He also said to rest well and tell him if you feel unwell at any time."
Su Wan took the tray, her heart churning. Was Lu Shiyan... caring for her? No, it was impossible. How could the man who wished her dead care for her?
Putting down the tray, Su Wan walked to the window, looking out at the gloomy sky. In the distance, several hungry zombies wandered along the wall, emitting terrifying roars.
Inside and outside the house, danger was inescapable.
Su Wan stirred the white porridge in the bowl with her spoon; the rising steam blurred her vision.
Why?
She put down the spoon and cupped her face. How could the man who wanted her dead possibly care about her?
It had only been two days since Lu Shiyan burst into her room. And the man who had sworn to kill her in front of her now told her to "rest well"?
This was too abnormal.
Footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door, not Zhang Ma's light steps, but heavy, firm male footsteps. Su Wan tensed, staring at the door that could be pushed open at any moment.
The footsteps stopped in front of her door, but there was no knock. She only heard a faint "click," as if something had been placed on the ground.
The footsteps gradually faded away.
Su Wan waited a full five minutes before cautiously pulling the door open.
Outside the door, on the floor, was a cardboard box containing several bottles of mineral water and some medicines—vitamins, calcium tablets, and... folic acid tablets?
Su Wan's hands trembled. These were clearly nutritional supplements for pregnant women!
She quickly looked around to confirm no one was present, then picked up the box and retreated into the room, locking the door. Her fingers trembled as she picked up the folic acid bottle, which read "Essential for Pregnancy."
Su Wan felt a wave of dizziness. Had Lu Shiyan... believed her?
No, impossible.
Su Wan shook her head. This was either Lu Shiyan's delaying tactic, or... he truly believed her lie about being pregnant, but only because of the "child," not because of her.
She pulled out a piece of paper and began to seriously consider an escape plan. The villa was surrounded by zombies; a hasty escape would be suicide. She had to wait for an opportunity, or... create one.
In the evening, the sky completely darkened, leaving only the occasional shadows and low growls from outside the window by the wall.
A sharp emptiness gnawed at her stomach.
The light porridge from dinner had long been digested, and coupled with a day of tense nerves and secret physical recovery exercises, her hunger was particularly intense.
She pressed her lower abdomen; it was still flat.
The folic acid bottle was still on the bedside table, like a silent mockery.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, two soft taps, neither light nor heavy.
Su Wan's heart skipped a beat, her body instantly tensing.
Who could it be? Zhang Ma? Or...
"Please come in."
Zhang Ma pushed the door open, carrying dinner.
"Mr. Lu said you need a light diet, so I made chicken noodle soup," Zhang Ma put down the tray, her gaze lingering on the supplements on the table for a moment, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. "Do you need me to open the folic acid bottle for you?"
"No need," Su Wan replied without changing her expression. "I'll do it myself."
Zhang Ma hesitated, about to speak.
"Anything else?"
"It's just..." Zhang Ma lowered her voice. "Are you really... pregnant with Mr. Lu's child?"