For safety, the windows of the white car were covered with a layer of newspaper.

Captain Zhu sat quietly in the back seat, his figure obscured by the newspaper, with an ominous and terrifying expression in his eyes.

Like a beast ready to hunt, his patience was at its peak at this moment.

Captain Zhu glanced at the decorations inside the car, and his gloomy gaze fell on a photograph.

It was a family portrait of a happy family of three.

The pretty little girl looked to be only six or seven years old, and the parents appeared young, likely born in the ’80s.

Once considered the most fortunate generation, they now created a world for their child.

Looking at the photograph, the bloodthirsty desire in Captain Zhu’s eyes became increasingly evident.

As a zombie, he didn’t feel warmth, just a stronger wish for the family of three to return.

To comfort his empty stomach.

The inner conflict against his bloodthirst contrasted with the rampant bloodlust impulse in his mind.

Ultimately, instinct triumphed over reason, and he didn’t leave the car but just waited quietly for the prey to return.

After an indefinite period, Captain Zhu’s sharp ears detected movements outside.

He gently lifted a corner of the newspaper to look out the car window.

In the distance, a young couple was hurriedly walking toward the car, holding a little girl by the hand.

"Roar――"

The sudden appearance of flesh and blood excited the nearby wandering zombies, who rushed angrily toward the family of three.

Fiery flames burst from the young father’s hand, landing on the zombies’ hideous heads.

The little girl stood obediently by her young parents, her eyes scared upon seeing the zombies but bravely silent.

She had adapted to the apocalyptic environment.

The young mother watched cautiously, gripping the little girl’s hand tightly to ensure no other zombies snuck in while the young father fought them off.

The zombies were quickly incinerated through the temple by the young father.

The young father crouched down, quickly searching inside the zombie’s head with a dagger.

Finally, he wiped the blade clean and sheathed it, looking slightly disappointed.

This ordinary zombie’s brain had no crystal core.

It seemed he needed to hunt a few more zombies to afford the "toll" when returning to the safe base.

"Daddy."

The little girl softly called out to her father at this moment.

"Don’t be afraid, it’s okay, the monster has been defeated by daddy." The young father lifted the bag he was holding, wearing a gentle smile. "We found quite a lot of food, you can eat a bit more today, Xiao Xiao."

Inside the bag were some moldy bread loaves. The vacuum packaging only extended their shelf life, not preventing them from expiring.

A small bag of bread was enough for the family of three to eat once, with two slices left over for when they couldn’t bear hunger anymore.

The little girl beamed with a radiant smile and softly cheered, "Daddy, you’re awesome!"

The young mother looked at her delighted daughter, also wearing a gentle smile.

The family of three was considered very lucky.

Following the city residents’ evacuation attempts after the apocalypse broke out, they even escaped from a swarm of mutant rats, thanks to the husband’s quick reflex to drive away.

They didn’t perish by zombie attacks or die in the mutant rat swarm.

Compared to those killed by zombies at the apocalypse’s onset, they were considered rather fortunate.

Survival must continue as long as one hasn’t died.

They lived at a nearby safe base, which provided no food if they stayed within, so survival meant venturing out for food.

Women and children found it hardest to live safely within the secure base.

Some people in the safe base eyed women and children, ready to sell them for crystal cores at opportune moments.

To protect them, the family stayed together whenever they went out searching for food.

The young father’s superpower wasn’t very strong, not even reaching First Rank Superpower User status.

In a zombie-infested world, he had to protect his wife and child while scavenging for supplies.

Thus, the family only visited places already cleared by superpower user teams.

The few zombies left meant they could still find some food if they searched carefully.

These supplies weren’t sufficient to satiate but could barely sustain their survival.

Such a place was safe; he didn’t fear death but feared failing to protect his wife and child, unable to take them on dangerous excursions.

Holding hands, the family of three once more ran toward the car.

The little girl’s legs were short, making her slow, but she didn’t complain about tiredness.

Her fair face bore a seriousness beyond her years, with some gray smudges contrasting starkly with her pale skin.

It didn’t seem messy; instead, it offered a little kitten vibe.

The young father reached the car’s back door and opened it, intending to put the little girl inside first, only to see Captain Zhu sitting in the backseat.

"Captain Zhu?"

The young father paused in surprise, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

They followed Captain Zhu together out of S City, losing contact due to the mutant rat swarm. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

There had been no news of Captain Zhu in the apocalypse since.

Seeing Captain Zhu again was initially a joyful surprise.

Captain Zhu helped them escape S City, virtually a lifesaver for them.

"Wow――Uncle Zhu has come to see us!"

The little girl beamed brightly at Captain Zhu, reaching her little hand out to hug him.

In her heart, Captain Zhu was a superhero like in cartoons, a great hero.

Her dream was to see the superhero uncle again.

Unexpectedly, her wish came true.

Captain Zhu was momentarily puzzled by the smiling little girl.

He couldn’t recognize who this family of three was or confirm if they were truly from S City.

The day he led S City’s people to safety seemed ages ago, so long that he barely remembered the way home.

"Xiao Xiao, don’t disturb Uncle Zhu."

The young father wore a gentle smile, pulling the little girl back to hold in his arms.

His eyes accidentally lingered where Captain Zhu’s feet rested.

From his angle, he couldn’t see Captain Zhu’s black-bloodied arm but noticed several drops of black blood dripping near his feet.

Clearly fallen from a wound.

They always took care of their car, the family’s sanctuary in the apocalypse.

No matter how dirty they got, they never let the car interior bear any black blood.

It was their daughter’s only place to play carefree.

A jolt went through the young father’s heart, but he restrained himself and calmed down.

"Bad daddy! Xiao Xiao wants to stay with Uncle Zhu; he’s so amazing, more amazing than daddy."

The little girl pouted, looking displeased.

The apocalypse had taught her to temper her behavior and act mature beyond her years.

Yet, no matter how wistful, she remained quietly in her father’s warm embrace.

"Captain Zhu, please excuse us. Xiao Xiao idolizes you, so she’s a bit lively." The young father maintained his gentle smile, "Where did you want to go? If you need it, you can have this car."

The young father appeared utterly sincere.

He noticed something wrong yet could only remain composed.