Chapter 6: Stepping Outside

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For dinner, Grandma Lin and Mother Lin steamed a large pot of big buns and stir-fried the most perishable vegetables to accompany them. They also planned to make some dumplings during their free time in the evening to freeze in the refrigerator, so they could last for a long time. Grandma Lin had previously planted a row of chives on the balcony; now that they had been harvested, they could regrow for another crop in about twenty days. Adding some meat, they would make chive and pork dumplings—perhaps a meal they wouldn’t have the chance to enjoy again.

According to their estimates, the electricity supply could last from half a month to a month, making the refrigerator quite useful. Not every household in the building had enough supplies to survive; when others were hungry, the smell of their cooking might draw unwanted attention and make them targets. So, while everyone still had food these few days, it was safer to cook meals, freeze them, and just reheat when eating.

Meanwhile, Lin Wanmei kept following the news online. At first, netizens treated the situation like a joke: some said the long-awaited apocalypse had finally arrived, so they no longer needed to go to work or school; others mentioned their years of preparation of safe houses finally paying off; some even bragged about having bought Tang swords, claiming they would be ahead of everyone else.

But as the number of zombies grew and the infected areas expanded rapidly, people grew fearful. In peaceful times, many felt they had lived long enough and said that when zombies came, they would let the infection happen painlessly by dripping zombie blood into their mouth ulcers and become one of the pursuers. Now, however, everyone feared death, dreaded becoming zombies, and desperately clung to life, praying online frantically for rescue.

Many familiar celebrities and internet stars were devoured by zombies, chaotic scenes captured by shaky cameras, making Lin Wanmei feel more acutely than ever that the past was truly gone and could never be recovered. Not only in the country, but overseas videos of zombie attacks were also spreading—the outbreak was global.

News headlines everywhere read “Zombie Virus Sweeps the Globe,” and corresponding measures were being rolled out one after another. The “Zombie Elimination Plan” was officially declared. The government’s actions somewhat calmed public anxiety. For now, the only thing people could do was hide and survive quietly, waiting for the zombies to be eradicated.

This task would certainly take a long time, so they had to prepare ample food and water to survive longer. But many people’s situations made this impossible, leading to chaos and disorder online. The more Lin Wanmei read, the more anxious and worried she became.

Just then, Grandma Lin called them to eat, so Lin Wanmei put down her phone. The family finished their buns with the fragrant dishes completely. Usually, she skipped dinner to lose weight, but now, having a healthy and strong body was clearly more important.

After dinner, Father Lin continued working, while Lin Wanmei joined her mother and grandmother to make dumplings. They dared not turn on the lights, only lighting a candle on the table, with the curtains tightly drawn. The three sat around chatting and laughing as they worked, reminiscing as if nothing had changed.

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Except for the occasional screams outside. This batch of dumplings numbered over five hundred—enough for the family to eat five or six times. By the time they finished packing them all, it was very late. After bathing, the family prepared to go to bed. Before leaving, Grandma Lin called Lin Wanmei over.

“Dear, if you’re scared, come sleep with grandma.”

Lin Wanmei pressed her lips together. She was indeed afraid. Loving zombie movies was one thing, but facing a real zombie outbreak was terrifying. She didn’t put on a brave front and carried a pillow to join Grandma Lin in her room.

That night, no one slept soundly.

The next morning, Lin Wanmei woke early and rummaged through the storage room. Father Lin, hearing the noise, came to check.

“What are you looking for?”

Covered in dust, Lin Wanmei smiled faintly and pulled out a crushed object from under a pile of clutter. Father Lin took a closer look—it was the woven bag he used for packing when working away from home.

“What do you need this for? It’s full of dust.”

“It’s useful!”

Lin Wanmei kept him in suspense, then wiped the bag clean with a cloth she had prepared in advance. Only after Mother Lin and Grandma Lin came out of their rooms did she confess.

“Mom, Dad, Grandma, I want to go outside and take a look.”

“What?!” The three shouted in unison, making Lin Wanmei’s heart skip a beat. She quickly raised her hand to signal, “Shh… shh…”

“Shh what? Trying to scare us first thing in the morning?” Mother Lin’s eyes were wide and fierce, her gentle image gone.

“Yeah! What nonsense are you talking about? It’s so dangerous out there—what’s so good about it?”

Grandma Lin was equally incredulous. Even with talismans, ordinary people naturally avoided risks and stayed home whenever possible.

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If her second brother and the others were safe, Lin Wanmei would also prefer to stay home and practice talismans quietly, only facing zombies once she was skilled enough. But reality wouldn’t allow that.

She had no choice but to summon her courage and take a gamble.

Using a pre-planned excuse, Lin Wanmei looked innocent and said, “I know it’s dangerous outside, but look, today’s high is 40 degrees. There’s so much food on the streets just left unattended! I bet if we wait any longer, it’ll all spoil—such a waste, dear family!”

So she was after the food?

Mother Lin sighed helplessly. “It’s just some food. Compared to your safety, what does it matter? Sweetheart, things aren’t like before. Life is the most important—listen to me!”

“But Mom, we have talismans to help us, yet we’re still too afraid to take the first step. How is that any different from others? Grandma said talismans need to be used and practiced often. If we don’t even dare to leave the house, how can we get any practice?”

Lin Wanmei’s voice was soft but firm as she pleaded, “Besides, I’ll use the snake talisman to stay invisible and avoid confrontation with zombies the whole time.”

Hearing herself mentioned, Grandma Lin spoke gravely, “Child, the snake talisman only hides your form, but your voice and scent remain unchanged. If zombies detect you, you won’t come back... Movies and reality are very different. You must not act rashly.”

Even the adults hadn’t dared to go out—how could this child be so bold?

“I know, Grandma. I understand what you’re saying.”

Lin Wanmei grasped Mother Lin’s and Grandma Lin’s hands tightly. “But the food at home will run out someday. We either leave or sneak out to find supplies. By then, many others will have been out there already. We might have talismans, but we lack their experience. Is that really good for us?”

Her question left the two silent. Indeed, what she said made sense. Yet how could they bear to let their precious child take such risks?

This was also the second reason the dragon talisman was not given to Lin Wanmei—the strongest warrior must lead the charge and face danger first.

Who could bear to let that happen?

Father Lin had remained silent until now. Suddenly, he said, “I’ll go with you.”

Looking into Father Lin’s complicated gaze, Lin Wanmei felt her heart skip a beat—she immediately realized he had guessed what she intended to do.