Chapter Sixteen: The Long Road Ahead

Page 1 of 3

Jiang Qiyu helped Zhou Yun sit down on a bench inside the store. “Rest here for a moment.”

Zhou Yun nodded, looking at Jiang Qiyu’s back with gratitude.

This clothing store was modest in size but had a decent variety. Jiang Qiyu first picked up a lightweight sun-protective jacket from the shelf. The jacket featured a special coating that effectively blocked ultraviolet rays, very useful under the harsh sunlight of the post-apocalyptic world. She then found several fleece-lined outdoor jackets, which were excellent for warmth and suitable for cold winters. Next, she grabbed a few sets of camouflage clothing; these were not only durable and resistant to dirt but also provided some concealment, reducing the chance of being spotted by zombies during outdoor excursions. Lastly, she selected some comfortable cotton garments and underwear, which were breathable and absorbent, ideal for daily wear.

Beyond clothing, Jiang Qiyu gathered other practical items: wide-brimmed hats for sun and rain protection; several pairs of sturdy high-top military boots fit for long treks; multifunctional belts for carrying small tools; as well as essential survival kits like sewing kits, lighters, and flashlights.

She stuffed all these supplies into her spatial storage and returned to Zhou Yun’s side. “Let’s go. We’re heading back.”

“Th-thank you…” the woman stammered, her eyes full of gratitude and awe.

Jiang Qiyu gave a faint hum of acknowledgment and turned to leave the clothing store. She needed to quickly find the others and discuss the next move.

In the supermarket on the mall’s first floor, Zhang Qiang, Wang Yu, and Zhao Hu were busy moving supplies from the shelves into shopping carts. They worked with seamless coordination, each with a clear task: one carried goods, one kept count, and one stood watch.

“There’s too much stuff,” Zhang Qiang said as he stepped outside the mall, scanning the surroundings for suitable transportation. He needed a vehicle to haul more supplies back to the base.

Several vehicles were parked along the street, but most were severely damaged and unusable. Some had doors wide open and were empty inside, clearly abandoned by their owners during the escape. Others were mangled beyond recognition, the bodies twisted and deformed, obviously incapable of starting.

Zhang Qiang walked slowly down the street, his gaze sweeping over the vehicles. Suddenly, his eyes settled on an SUV not far off. Though dusty, the body was intact, and the tires fully inflated, suggesting it was still operable.

He hurried over to the SUV and inspected it carefully. The doors were locked, and no keys were inside. He tried pulling the handles, but they didn’t budge.

At that moment, he noticed the trunk was slightly ajar. Curious, he walked over and gently opened it. Inside were some miscellaneous items, along with clothing and food. It seemed the owner, in their haste to flee, stuffed some important things into the trunk but forgot to close it properly.

Zhang Qiang scanned the trunk and suddenly his eyes brightened. In the corner, he found a set of car keys. He picked them up and pressed the unlock button. With a click, the doors unlocked.

He opened the door, slid into the driver’s seat, inserted the key into the ignition, and turned it. The engine roared to life without a hitch.

Page 2 of 3

He drove the SUV to the supermarket entrance, calling Wang Yu and Zhao Hu to load the supplies onto the vehicle.

Seeing Jiang Qiyu approach, Zhang Qiang immediately stepped forward.

“Boss, we’ve nearly moved all the supplies from the first floor. We also found a few shopping carts to carry things.”

“Well done,” Jiang Qiyu nodded with approval. “How’s the second floor?”

“Almost done too. Li Dalin and the others are clearing out zombies.”

“Good. Load the first-floor supplies into the vehicle, then head up to join them. Move quickly—we need to leave before dark.”

“Yes!”

Jiang Qiyu pulled out a battlefield electric scooter and turned to the woman slumped on the ground. “Get on, I’ll take you away.”

The woman hesitated but then steadied herself against the wall and slowly climbed onto the back seat of the scooter.

Jiang Qiyu pressed the accelerator; the scooter shot forward like an arrow. The woman gripped Jiang Qiyu’s clothes tightly, afraid she’d be thrown off.

Along the way, Jiang Qiyu drove while shooting at scattered zombies with her gun. The woman watched Jiang Qiyu’s swift and precise actions, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration.

“You’re… amazing…”

Without turning her head, Jiang Qiyu said, “Hold on tight.”

Suddenly, Jiang Qiyu’s attention was drawn to a toppled truck by the roadside. It was a delivery truck loaded with barrels of water.

She stopped the scooter, quickly gathering all the water from the truck bed into her spatial storage.

Page 3 of 3

“These waters…” the woman pointed at the overturned truck, puzzled, “How did you…”

Jiang Qiyu interrupted, “This must be a delivery truck for the villa district.”

“That’s strange…” the woman said suddenly. “The license plate doesn’t look right, and… look at this.” She pointed to a work ID lying on the ground. “The driver’s ID says… Lab 38.”

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Qiyu’s mind, and a wave of unease surged within her.

At that moment, a faint sound came from a nearby shipping container. It was soft but distinct—like someone groaning, or a beast growling low.

The woman’s face turned pale with fear, clutching Jiang Qiyu’s arm tightly. “What’s that sound? It’s terrifying…”

Jiang Qiyu patted her hand gently, signaling her not to be afraid. Drawing her crossbow, she cautiously approached the container.

The container door was slightly ajar. Jiang Qiyu pushed it open gently, a heavy stench of blood rushing out. She frowned, covering her nose and stepped inside slowly.

Inside was dim, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through cracks. Jiang Qiyu squinted, surveying her surroundings carefully.

Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a dark shape huddled in a corner. The figure was motionless, resembling a pile of tattered rags.

She moved closer, using the faint light to make out the figure’s true form.

It was a man, drenched in blood, barely clinging to life. His limbs were twisted and deformed, as if forcibly broken by something cruel.

He was thin, with a gaunt face and high cheekbones that made his features sharper rather than harsh. His complexion was deathly pale, almost paper-thin, as if a light touch might shatter him. Thick black lashes cast shadows over his pale face; his messy black hair covered his forehead, with strands matted to his cheeks by blood, making him look utterly miserable. Yet even so, it was clear that, despite his grave injuries and unconscious state, he was a strikingly handsome man.