Chapter 44: Cannon Fodder
Ji Henghua took out the remaining zombie crystals and wrapped them inside a cloth bag.
"I’d like you to keep these for me. Whenever I need them, I’ll come and withdraw them. These ten zombie crystals will be your storage fee."
The landlord stared at the pile of crystals before looking back at Ji Henghua. A faint smile finally appeared on his wrinkled face.
"You’ve got brains. In this place, carrying money around is asking to be robbed."
Ji Henghua merely smiled.
"As long as people think I’m poor, they won’t waste their time targeting me."
The landlord looked at the gentle doctor with appreciation.
..........
The next morning, Ni Mengxue opened her eyes and immediately checked the daily food section.
[Daily Food Section.]
[Today’s Menu: Compressed Biscuits.
Food Quality: Average.
Limit: 30,000.
Price: 5 System Points per pack.]
Ni Mengxue’s eyes instantly brightened.
Compressed biscuits were not as delicious as bread and butter, but they were easy to store, easy to carry, and far more suitable for long-distance travel, especially when she was already considering leaving her current base.
"Buy all 30,000 packs."
Without waiting for the system to respond, she waved her hand.
[Ding! 150,000 system points deducted. 30,000 packs of compressed biscuits have been successfully stored in the Host’s space.]
Ni Mengxue looked at the number of remaining system points and nodded in satisfaction.
At least now she wouldn’t have to worry about running out of emergency food during the journey.
After washing up, she walked out of her bedroom and immediately saw Lu Yucai sitting in his wheelchair beside the table, carefully arranging several bowls and plates.
His movements were slow, but much steadier than before. The herbs, massages, acupuncture, and constant nutrition had clearly improved his body.
Ni Mengxue quietly walked behind him. Her lips slowly curved upward. She leaned forward, intending to steal a kiss. "Sit down."
Ni Mengxue froze. Lu Yucai didn’t even turn around.
She clicked her tongue in disappointment. "You sensed me."
"You weren’t being quiet."
"That’s impossible."
Lu Yucai finally glanced at her. Ni Mengxue immediately looked away.
"...Fine. Maybe I stepped on something."
A faint smile flashed across Lu Yucai’s face.
Ni Mengxue reluctantly sat down and looked at the food on the table.
There was porridge, a few stir-fried vegetables, and scrambled eggs. Her eyes paused on the eggs.
She knew immediately that Lu Yucai must have exchanged food for them.
Taking a bite, she calmly said, "Stop exchanging food for food."
Lu Yucai paused. "Why?"
"We have enough."
Ni Mengxue continued eating while speaking in a casual tone.
"The vegetables I harvested are more than enough for us right now. Instead of exchanging them for eggs or other food, exchange them for useful survival supplies."
Lu Yucai frowned slightly. "What kind of supplies?"
"Herbs, clothes, batteries, tools, weapons, and fuel, if possible."
He stared at her. Ni Mengxue put down her chopsticks. "Because we will have to leave this base soon."
Lu Yucai’s expression immediately changed. Ni Mengxue slowly leaned back.
"When I was returning from the laboratory, I noticed something strange. Many people were being dragged out of the shanty districts and forced to join the fighting teams."
Lu Yucai’s fingers tightened around his chopsticks. How could he not understand what that meant?
Every large base had shanty districts.
They existed because the upper-class residents needed cheap labour, disposable manpower, and people who could be pushed forward whenever the situation became dangerous.
When zombies attacked, those living in proper residential areas were protected behind stronger walls. But the people living in shanties?
They were often the first ones sent outside. Many saw them as bait and called them disposable lives; however, from his perspective, they were nothing but cannon fodder.
Lu Yucai’s expression gradually became grim.
If Ni Mengxue hadn’t reacted quickly, he might have already been sent out to die.
Because previously, on several occasions, his name was placed on the list.
Fortunately, Meng Xiaoni, Ji Henghua and Bo Yunli had stepped forward and taken his place each time.
He had survived. But others hadn’t been so lucky.
Ni Mengxue, completely unaware of his thoughts, continued,
"The zombie tide that is about to arrive must be extremely serious. Some people in the higher positions probably want to remove us and might play tricks."
Lu Yucai slowly looked up. Ni Mengxue’s expression remained calm.
"So it’s only a matter of time before people like us are thrown outside as bait."
Finally, Lu Yucai opened his mouth. "But travelling outside..."
Ni Mengxue sighed. "I understand."
She looked at him seriously.
"Travelling during the apocalypse is dangerous, but I already have a destination in mind. As for the journey, you don’t have to worry. I will take care of it."
Lu Yucai lowered his gaze. His fingers slowly clenched into a fist.
"I feel incompetent. I am crippled, and I..."
"You can become useful."
Lu Yucai froze. Ni Mengxue smiled slyly.
"As long as you want to."
His expression softened slightly.
However, before he could speak again, Ni Mengxue continued, "Besides, if you let me kiss you a few times every day, it would give me enough motivation to survive."
Lu Yucai: "..."
"Best if you could let me ride you..."
"Mengxue!"
His entire face turned crimson. Ni Mengxue sighed. ’When exactly will I be able to eat my husband?’
Lu Yucai lowered his head, his ears turning even redder. After several seconds, he softly said, "Alright."
Ni Mengxue’s eyes widened. "Really?"
Lu Yucai didn’t answer. His silence was enough.
The next second, Ni Mengxue crossed the distance between them and held his face.
Then she kissed him like she was starving and he was the only remaining food left on earth.
Lu Yucai froze for a brief moment before his hand moved upward, grabbing the edge of her clothes as he responded with equal passion.
The kiss lasted far longer than Ni Mengxue expected. By the time they finally separated, both of them were breathing heavily.
Ni Mengxue stared at him. Lu Yucai immediately turned his face away. Then a familiar notification appeared.