Chapter 40: Ramen (1/2)

Chapter 40: Ramen

“It’s the brave model! It can transform in helium suspension mode!” Dong Dong yelled as he excitedly opened his toy. He took the toy airplane out of the box, while imitating an actor’s lines from the TV series playing on the screen, in self-amusement.

“Dong Dong, oh, why did you open your gift? Opening the birthday present is supposed to wait until after eating the cake!” Li Zhu Liang went over to Dong Dong and confiscated it.

“Eat the cake!” Dong Dong threw himself at his father Li Zhu Liang and got carried off the ground, before being lowered onto the seat next to him. Li Zhu Liang placed the airship on the table by the window and proceeded back to the dinner table.

“Happy Birthday…”

As the birthday song started, the family atmosphere suddenly changed to a soft and heart-warming one. Outside the tightly closed windows, the sky had already darkened. It was so dark that one’s hand couldn’t be seen even if it was placed right in front of oneself. The torrential downpour outside added to the nightmarish setting of the world. The puddles on the ground grew steadily darker and darker and more and more crimson.

…

After the first night passed and by the next morning, the torrential rain had stopped. The sky had already brightened up.

Dong Dong woke up extra early. After waking up, he first spotted the airplane right by his bedside. Uncontrollably, he revealed a big smile as he quickly got out of bed and ran around his room with the airplane for his own amusement.

After running awhile, Dong Dong felt hungry. Pushing open his door, he walked out to the living room.

His parents had yet to get out of bed; however, Dong Dong heard some strange noise coming from their room… It sounded like someone eating something.

[TN: Perhaps it’s nuts and the ‘crack crack’ noise it makes]

What are they eating? It must taste good. Dong Dong started salivating—he couldn’t guess what it was, so he walked over silently. Leaving his toy plane on the floor, he quietly pushed open his parent’s door.

After pushing open the door, Dong Dong witnessed a scene that left him dumbfounded. His dad Li Zhu Liang was on top of his mom Xu Qing—his teeth gnawing at her face. Half her face remained intact while only the bones were left on the other half.

Their bed at the far end of the room was full of blood.

“Ah!” Dong Dong shrieked, with his face pale white from fright. It was clear that due to his young age, he wasn’t able to comprehend what was happening.

After hearing Dong Dong’s sharp scream, Li Zhu Liang lifted his head, and his crimson eyes landed on Dong Dong by the door. He released a monstrous roar before charging towards Dong Dong with his blood-filled mouth wide open.

Seeing the pale face and crimson eyes, Dong Dong clearly didn’t believe that this man was his father. Releasing a loud scream, he turned on his heels, grabbed his toy off the floor, and ran back to his room to hide. He immediately dove under the bed and watched the door from underneath.

With a jarring ‘Boom!’, Li Zhu Liang ran into the door and it swung wide open, rebounding off the wall. Following Dong Dong’s path into the room, he hadn’t discovered Dong Dong hiding underneath the bed. Adopting a weird posture, he walked aimlessly around the room and would periodically release a terrible cry.