With a traditional hairstyle known as "Heavenly Buddha," and a headscarf adorned with a hero's knot pointing skyward, a string of amber beads or silver earrings in the left ear, wearing wide, skirt-like pants, and adorned with silver bracelets.

Under the yellow lantern, he slowly walked out, his eyes open with authority and might, saying, "Little Adong, I've told you so many times not to shout after dark, but you never listen. Sigh, I'll have to talk to your father to keep you in check."

The young man named Little Adong scratched his head, a pleading look on his face, imploring, "Big Apu, please don't tell my father; he'll whip me to death. By the way, someone has come from outside, many people have come. They say they're looking for Zhang Rufen."

"Many people came, did you notify Ghost Head? Let him take people over first. Did you say Zhang Rufen?"

"Yes, I've notified, Brother Ghost Head has gone over. Those people said Zhang Rufen invited them over," Little Adong said.

The chief fell silent.

A few months ago, indeed, a filthy outsider came here.

He captivated the heart of his most beloved fourth daughter.

In the end, he had no choice, but to take him into his family.

This young man Zhang Rufen was actually not bad, in looks, height, character, all quite good, and had recently been quite liked by his family.

Zhang Rufen did mention once that his family and friends were in another place, persecuted and forced to flee.

These people might be the family and friends Zhang Rufen mentioned.

So he said to Little Adong, "Wait a bit, I'll have Zhang Rufen come out soon."

Then, he walked steadily, showing no sign of being an elder.

A few minutes later, a fair-skinned young man came out of the room, dressed almost indistinguishably from the locals.

Beside him was a woman wearing an eagle hat and silver ornaments hanging from her ears.

Zhang Rufen's face shone with delight, his pupils full of surprise.

He never imagined that the invitation he left would actually bring both Zhou and Liu families here.

Since fleeing the Western Alliance, he wandered to this place.

In these few months, he successfully ingrained himself into the chief's family.

But he found it extremely difficult if he wanted to take revenge on the Western Alliance and the Gan Family.

Moreover, through subtle probing, he realized that the people here dislike conflict and prefer a secluded life.

Disheartened, he had to seek help from the other two families of the Western Alliance.

No wonder these people preferred avoiding external conflicts; they had long known about the zombies outside.

But relying on the terrain and advantageous geographical position here, they could comfortably maintain peace at a corner.

Despite the fickle weather, as long as it stabilizes a bit, they can live well within the stone-walled refuge built years ago, growing food to sustain themselves.

"Rufeng, have your family and friends arrived?" The petite but exquisitely featured woman beside Zhang Rufen said.

Her tone carried an inexplicable sentiment, fearing the possibility of her husband leaving her.

Zhang Rufen heard her voice and smiled gently, "You Amu, rest assured, I won't leave. I want to be with you and the child forever."

The woman touched her slightly bulging stomach, and a blissful smile spread across her face after hearing Zhang Rufen's words.

"Rufeng, let's go check together, see if it's them. If it is your family and friends, and it's already late, let them come inside to avoid the zombies," the chief said.

They were naturally more cautious during Doomsday.

If it were before Doomsday, with their hospitable and warm nature, even strangers would receive a cup of thin wine.

Zhang Rufen felt a slight joy upon hearing it.

He felt some gratitude to be living in Doomsday.

When the Zhang family met with misfortune, everyone avoided them like a plague, wandering and nearly being consumed as food himself.

Fortunately, he collapsed under this village, unconscious.

When he woke up, he found he was saved by a woman, who's now his wife.

Living here for some time, recovering, he discovered that the people here seemed to have no real contact with the outside.

Unaware to what extent human nature had deteriorated outside, nor that humans could resort to cannibalism.

Which is why they saved such an unknown outsider like him.

On the other hand, perhaps because almost everyone in here is related by blood, they are very united.

Facing zombie hordes, they actively and bravely protect their families.

But a month later, he started having nightmares.

Dreamt of his dead family, massacred by the Gan Family, which gradually became his inner demon.

Revenge became a long-lasting unresolved obsession in his heart.

.....

Hearing the chief father-in-law's words brought Zhang Rufen back from his thoughts, he nodded and said, "Apu, let's hurry and take a look."

The group put on raincoats and headed for the village entrance. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Meanwhile, there were already hundreds gathered at the entrance.

They held various homemade guns, spears, and cautiously eyed the outsiders.

Among them, a robust man with a hero's knot and a scar at the corner of his eye scrutinized the outsiders.

He said, "How could Zhang Rufen have so many family and friends? I think you're all impostors."

Liu Cunyi, hearing this man's words, started guessing.

Family and friends?

So that's how Zhang Rufen explained it?

Thus he said to go along, "Yes, we are quite a large family. Haha. How should I address you?"

"Ghost Head!" The man didn't show a trace of a smile, extremely stern, clearly not someone to mess with.

He always disliked Zhang Rufen, not only did he steal the woman he liked.

But also acted so nobly, clearly not a good person.

But he couldn't convince the chief, nor You Amu, the thought brought him deep pain.

Seeing these outsiders, he instinctively resisted, saying, "You're not welcome here, please leave."

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man beside him said, "Ghost Head brother, if they really are Zhang Rufen's family and friends, it wouldn't be right for us to do this."

"Hmm? So my words carry less weight than some pretty boy's?" Ghost Head glared with his bulging eyes, the scar at the corner twisted, the whole face looked commanding yet ferocious, like a demon.

The young man's face turned pale upon seeing Ghost Head's angry face, immediately lowered his head, not daring to speak.

But the young man, with a high spirit, was not quite pleased with his previously weak display, wanting to save face.

He muttered softly, "So fierce, no wonder Sister You Amu doesn't like you."

Though quiet, Ghost Head heard it.

This was a thorn in his heart; obviously, he laid eyes on her first, and he was the bravest in the village, yet beaten by a pretty boy.

Moreover, a pretty boy he despised.

Angrily, his face turned more ferocious, and he said to the young man, "Repeat that if you dare!"

"I didn't say anything, Brother Ghost Head," the young man quickly lowered his head, seeing Ghost Head's anger boiling over.

Knowing when to bow down; otherwise, he'd get beaten.

This was his experience.

........