The next day.
Xiang An brought Shen Xia to Room 702 to dismantle the security door.
Seeing him carrying hydraulic shears, Shen Xia finally couldn't hold back her curiosity: “Xiang Ge, what are you going to use this for after dismantling it?”
Xiang An concisely said: “To strengthen our defenses.”
After clearing out the zombies yesterday, he had been planning to collect building materials—metal security doors were common materials for constructing fortifications.
Shen Xia's eyes suddenly lit up: “The metal door downstairs was indeed installed by you! But how did you manage to do that…”
Before she could finish, Xiang An interrupted: “It's just special equipment, not available on the market.”
This explanation was a contingency plan he had meticulously thought over last night, and he delivered it with remarkable naturalness now.
Shen Xia hesitated for a moment but still pressed on: “When I was doing my settings, I researched a lot of information, and I never heard of such a thing…”
“It's a new development by the country, and this model is still in the confidential stage,” Xiang An said without batting an eye, “If it weren't for this disaster, it would only be civilianized two or three years from now.”
“…Xiang Ge, you can even access national secrets?”
“I work in the community, you see. Some things need to be tested by us at the grassroots level.” Xiang An gestured for Shen Xia to cooperate, “Pry the door seam open a bit more.”
Although Shen Xia found it far-fetched, she didn't press further. She exerted force to widen the door seam, making it easier for the hydraulic shears to operate and cut the hinges.
Despite their unpracticed method, they successfully removed the security door.
While Shen Xia went inside to search for supplies, Xiang An used the interim to bring up the system interface—the 【Night Watcher】 mission completed last night was flashing with a redeemable icon.
After clicking to claim the reward, he began browsing the list of buildable defensive fortifications.
【Metal Grid Zombie Fence】
(Materials: Metal guardrail × 6 sections, Rebar × 8 pieces, Iron chain × 2 pieces)
This fortification was his initial preferred option: it met the current material collection conditions and could effectively fill the defensive weak points of the apartment building.
9:01 AM.
Shen Xia searched every corner of Room 702, only finding two buckets of instant noodles, an unopened large bottle of Pepsi, and a few perfectly packaged braised eggs in the empty room.
She laid the supplies out in the living room and said helplessly:
“Food reserves are almost zero. Basic supplies like rice, flour, grain, and oil are completely nowhere to be found.”
Hearing Shen Xia return, Xiang An tossed her the backpack he had prepared beforehand.
Shen Xia caught it steadily, a look of confusion in her eyes: “Are we going now?”
“The longer we wait, the more complications there will be.”
He pulled out a larger professional hiking backpack from the storage cabinet: “According to the plan we made last night, you're responsible for luring away the zombie horde with music from your phone.”
Shen Xia was about to nod, but then she recalled the layout of the community and frowned slightly, “The phone's volume alone won't cover a very far range. The zombies downstairs aren't difficult, but what about the group at the community entrance?”
The convenience store was on the street, not far away, but if they were to leave the community, there were over a dozen pale figures densely wandering on the essential path.
“There's a small door behind the convenience store; we'll go that way.”
Xiang An pointed out the window; the opposite building's withered branches obscured the view, making it hard to see clearly.
The door was blocked by shelves and was only wide enough for one person to pass sideways. Moreover, the inconspicuous iron door outside was also piled with miscellaneous items. Unless one paid special attention, even residents who had lived there for years might not know there was such a door.
He only knew about this door because of the nature of his work, which required him to understand all kinds of situations and hidden dangers within his jurisdiction.
Shen Xia understood and nodded, then began to check her equipment.
The shortage of drinking water had become an urgent problem: although there was still water stored in the rooftop tank, in the state of no water, electricity, or gas, it was impossible to ensure water quality safety or boil it for sterilization. Obtaining bottled water was imperative.
Half an hour later, Xiang An observed the external environment through the protective window one last time.
He adjusted his self-made protective gear, confirmed that the entrenching tool was secured to his waist, and the empty hiking backpack was adjusted to the optimal carrying position.
Outside the building, the piercing buzz of an alarm clock sounded, and Shen Xia successfully lured the zombie horde to the west. This created a temporary safe passage towards the convenience store.
Two minutes later, Shen Xia came downstairs, her weapon a crowbar assembled into two sections, a perfect length for her.
The two exchanged a nod in front of the protective door. Xiang An turned the bolt and pushed open the heavy metal door.
The phone hanging on the outer wall of the third floor continuously produced sound, providing cover for their actions.
Xiang An was the first to step over the tripwire he had set up yesterday, slightly hunched, he quickly moved to the flower bed, using its greenery to avoid being discovered by zombies as much as possible.
The convenience store was less than a hundred meters in a straight line from them, but as they approached, the zombie density sharply increased, forcing their progress to slow.
Using the cover of the greenery in the flower bed, the two reached their destination without major incident.
The faded iron door almost blended into the wall, and the old cardboard boxes piled in front of it formed a natural cover.
Xiang An moved the obstacles and tried pulling the doorknob; the hinges made a slight scraping sound—the lock was open.
He turned sideways and exchanged glances with Shen Xia, confirming that she had assumed a vigilant stance, then he abruptly pulled the door wide open.
The store was still quite bright; light streaming in from the main entrance illuminated two hunched figures, and the blood-stained necks of two zombies twisted in unison.
Xiang An launched his attack before the zombie claws could strike, a powerful side kick sent the zombie in front, along with its counterpart behind it, crashing out the back door.
A horizontal strike from the entrenching tool combined with a kick to the chest sent both bodies tumbling down the steps.
The metallic scraping sound of the roller shutter being rapidly pulled down pierced the silence. Xiang An locked the bolt with a reverse grip.
The zombies that had gotten back up began to ram the roller shutter, the noise attracting other zombies, but they were not a significant threat, so there was no need to pay too much attention.
“The situation is good.” Shen Xia's gaze swept around the store. “No one else has been here, and the zombies haven't caused any damage. Most of the supplies can be taken back.”
Xiang An walked towards the small room in the store used as a warehouse: “My backpack will be filled entirely with water. You decide what to put in your backpack, but prioritize the essential items first.”
Shen Xia knew time was short and immediately began selecting items from the shelves.
Ten minutes later, Xiang An had not only filled his hiking backpack to its limit but was also carrying two bags of sports drinks in his left hand.
Xiang An returned to the counter and briefly looked at the supplies Shen Xia had taken: flashlight, batteries, gauze, alcohol, rope, fishing line, lighter, fruit knife, waterproof tarp…
“You might want to take two more packs of sanitary pads; they can stop bleeding in an emergency,” he reminded her, “These types of supplies will probably be very scarce in the future.”
Shen Xia nodded, then took a few more packs from the shelf and pressed them into the bottom of her bag.
“Let's go.” Xiang An picked up his entrenching tool again and turned to walk towards the back door they had come from.
Due to the added weight, the return journey was even more dangerous than the trip there; they had to be extremely vigilant.
Shen Xia put on her backpack and took one last look around the store. After a moment of hesitation, her hand swept across the cash register, placing something into her pocket for safekeeping.
“...Little brother!”
As soon as Xiang An emerged from the back door, a hushed shout suddenly echoed above his head.
