30 Back Home (1/2)

Chapter 30: Back Home

Translator: _Min_Editor: Lis_, Rundi

[Apocalypse, I'm back.]

The familiar but grimy air occupied Jiang Chen's nostrils as he stepped back onto ground. He took in a slow, long breath and looked at his surroundings—the abandoned cars, cracked roads, collapsed buildings, and the mindless zombies.

This was the place he had left.

He glanced at the cage in his hand where the cute but ignorant hamster lied silently in the cage. Jiang Chen poked its soft belly only to confirm that it had passed away. He let out a sigh.

The nut had been its last dinner.

The idea of traveling with another human was unrealistic for now. Jiang Chen felt a little upset.

He followed the familiar street. Jiang Chen was careful not to disturb the powerless zombies that wandered the street as he approached the mansion.

During the day, the zombies were not frightening at all. He would even go so far as to describe them as harmless. But once night settled, even the nearly invincible Death Claw would have to think twice before entering a zombie-filled street. Without the limitation of sunshine, the zombies were as crazy as someone on drugs. They utilized every single mutated cell in their body to chase anything alive.

The mansion looked the same, but the iron gate was reinforced with steel wires. Sun Jiao must have done this while he was gone.

He walked up to ring the doorbell. Soon after, he heard steps from inside before the iron gate was flung open.

.

A graceful figure crashed into his chest. Jiang Chen anticipated the hug with both his arms extended. He welcomed the warmth he had longed for since he had left.

A wet sensation covered his lips.

”You’re finally back.” She gasped to gather her breath as she ruefully looked at Jiang Chen.

”I missed you dearly, my honey.” Jiang Chen slapped the firm butt as a grin appeared on his face.

”Come in.”

Jiang Chen stepped into the mansion as Sun Jiao skillfully locked the gate behind her.

He noticed that though it looked the same from the outside, the mansion's interior had been upgraded. The small decorative forest was chopped down to create watchtowers by the wall that were equipped with barbed wires and lined with hidden trenches. Even the mansion building itself was reinforced with the windows fitted with steel bars.

”What did you do to my mansion?” A bitter smile appeared on Jiang Chen’s face. [This is no longer a mansion anymore, it's a fortress.]

”It is going to be safer this way,” Sun Jiao proudly said. ”The mansion wasn’t protected at all before. I gathered some materials from the area and reinforced the place.”

”I think anyone would notice if we didn’t do anything.” Jiang Chen sighed.

”But this is our home after all. We can't pretend that no one lives here. There will be survivors that notice this place eventually and spread the news.”

”You’re right. Thank you.” Jiang Chen realized he had underestimated the situation and how crucial the problem was.

In the apocalypse, zombies were not natural protection. They were pretty much decoration during the day time. The survivors were not the friendliest people either. The absolute neutral Sixth Street was considered to be the most sympathetic force on the wasteland. If people discovered that there was food here without any protection, floods of people would rush to this place. Regardless of Sun Jiao’s strength, there was no way she could guarantee the safety of this place.

The most dangerous creature in the apocalypse weren’t the zombies but the humans.

”But why did you break the marble statues at the front door?” Jiang Chen directed a pained gaze at the mansion. The mansion had been luxurious before, but now it had no aesthetics whatsoever.

”It occupied too much space. There was no need for cover within the wall. It would just prevent me from shooting intruders,” Sun Jiao reasoned with him.

[Okay fine, you are right.] Jiang Chen sighed and accepted the idea.

He pulled open the mansion's security door.

”Where's Yao Yao?”

”That girl missed you a lot too.” Sun Jiao glanced at Jiang Chen with a puzzled look. She fixed his collar for him. ”Go to her room. She’s been tinkering around with some small equipment to help you out.”

”Mhmm.” Jiang Chen nodded and walked to Yao Yao's room.

He slowly pushed open the wooden door, the hinges squeaking loudly. The room was dark. If not the rhythmic breath, he would have thought the room was empty.

[This girl, is she still in bed?]

Jiang Chen could not help but smile. He knew too well that this timid girl was always a bit dizzy in the morning due to her malnourished body.

A light, metallic scent filled the room which made Jiang Chen sniff the air. The delicate wooden desk most likely once belonged to an equally adorable girl, but the table now was filled with electronic equipment and gadgets. The full-sensory computer Jiang Chen had purchased for her was on it as well as some other unknown devices. There was a silicon board that looked as though it had come straight out of a science fiction novel on the table corner, but half of it was broken. The exposed wires were fused to another piece of circuit board.

Although he was curious, he didn't have the bad habit of touching other people's possessions without permission.

He moved his feet only to feel an obstructive force. He picked up a programming book full of professional terms and notes, reminding Jiang Chen of the ”study gods” back in university.

Although he passed his computer level two examination [1], he did not understand the book contents at all.

[Is this a more straightforward and concise programming language?]

Yao Yao curled under her bed sheet as if in a sweet dream. She looked like a cute squirrel and her slightly pouted mouth like soft candies. Her hands hidden in front of her chest gave Jiang Chen a strong desire to protect her.

[Looks like she’s been eating well.] Jiang Chen kneeled down and indulgently rubbed her soft hair. Although the room was dark, her slightly chubbier face indicated her improved body condition. The gentle and soft snores made Jiang Chen not want to disturb her sweet dream.

But he really wanted to hug her.

”Yao Yao, Yao Yao,” Jiang Chen lightly called.

”Huu... Heehee.” Yao Yao dazedly rubbed her eyes as she sat up. With her sleepy eyes, she stared at Jiang Chen and smiled.

Then like a koala, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Chen's neck and closed her eyes again.

”Hehe, big brother, don't leave anymore. Yao Yao has been trying very hard. Yao Yao is excellent now.” She murmured the words before it turned into a light snore again.