Rotting Land: Survive

After taking half a pill, Zhao Lina’s condition improved noticeably, and the once feverish forehead gradually cooled down.

Hearing Demmi say the girl had fallen asleep, Old Xu felt a bit relieved.

But Old Xu knew this was only temporary. If the "Japanese" students weren’t dealt with, even if they survived this crisis, Zhao Lina’s current health might still lead to other problems.

Time ticked away second by second. On a campus besieged by zombies, one could truly feel the boredom and monotony.

Old Xu actually admired Derek and the others for lasting in this environment for so long. In this aspect, these three young people possessed a strong survival instinct that others of their age didn’t.

Around five thirty in the afternoon, Derek went out, saying he was going to gather supplies.

But upon returning, Old Xu took a look and found it was more like donated trash than actual supplies.

As usual, it was instant noodles and rice. The noodles were crumbs in the bag, and Old Xu could count the grains of rice with the naked eye. Combined, they probably amounted to no more than the size of his palm.

Seeing this almost negligible food, Old Xu felt a pang of distress, putting aside the resentment between the two nations and despite different nationalities. He genuinely couldn’t understand how these Japanese "brats" could be so malicious.

"Sigh!" Demmi sighed helplessly. He had initially hoped that Watanabe would consider Old Xu and Lei Tong and give them some more food.

But now, Watanabe had added nothing at all, leaving Demmi confused about whether Old Xu and Lei Tong should stay.

Their presence could indeed share Derek’s risks and help gather more supplies for the base.

But if Watanabe’s gang didn’t increase the supply quantity as a result, the already scarce food would be consumed by two more mouths.

Demmi was very reluctant about this.

Because undoubtedly, food itself was insufficient to quell hunger, and with Lei Tong and Old Xu adding two more mouths, then...

Seeing the love of his life hesitating, Derek thought that she must feel like a skilled cook without ingredients. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep kiss, then squeezed a smile and said, "Demmi, don’t worry. Tomorrow, when Old Xu and I return with supplies, we’ll have a better time."

To alleviate Derek’s worry, Demmi smiled and said, "Yes, I’m worried, but as long as you’re by my side, I’ll do anything."

Then another whirlwind of passionate kissing ensued, making Old Xu and Lei Tong, the two bachelors, somewhat embarrassed.

Fortunately, Old Xu and Lei Tong weren’t old academics steeped in prejudice, and they didn’t interrupt the young couple’s intimate moment.

After all, in the apocalypse, no one knows what the next second will bring, so cherish the present, and spend as much time with your loved ones as possible before it’s too late to regret.

After kissing for about a minute, Demmi pulled away contentedly, gazing into Derek’s eyes with a voice only he could hear, "I’ll go make dinner for everyone. You have injuries; don’t move.

Nodding, Derek reluctantly released the "warmth" in his arms.

After Demmi left, she went to the operating area.

Although called an operating area, it was actually just a table.

Scattered on it were a few small items, the most valuable being an alcohol burner.

Alcohol these days was extremely expensive, but there was no choice. To avoid attracting the zombies’ attention, they could only use this natural harmless resource to cook.

Carefully extracting some solid alcohol from the burner, all of which Derek had fought hard to obtain, Demmi cherished it greatly.

Considering Old Xu and Lei Tong would be joining them tonight, Demmi had to add more water to the pot.

There was no choice; as the food was insufficient, she had to make do with water. Tonight promised to be a waterless feast.

As the water gradually boiled, Demmi added all the rice noodles to the pot, then sprinkled in some salt to give the broth a bit of extra flavor.

Watching Demmi’s cautious operations, Old Xu couldn’t help but feel deep emotions.

Once, they thought their lives were tough, but looking at Derek, Demmi, Old Xu now realized their past lives were actually quite good.

Soon, the cooked broth and rice were served, but due to a lack of tableware, Demmi could only serve Derek, Zhao Lina, and herself separately first, before handing the remaining broth to Old Xu: "I’m sorry, you arrived suddenly, and we don’t have extra tableware, so today you have to make do with eating from the pot."

Lowering his eyes to glance at the iron pot before him, the weak broth contained little substance, with occasional grains of rice like the discovery of a new land in the ocean, giving a feeling of joyful excitement.

Picking up the ladle, Old Xu took two sips, then handed it to Lei Tong. Seeing Old Xu’s actions, Lei Tong immediately understood his intention, also taking just two sips. After drinking, he casually wiped the moisture off his lips and pushed the pot back to Demmi.

Seeing the two return the pot so quickly, Demmi was a bit astonished, thinking to herself that these people were a bit too rough with their dining, finishing most of the broth so quickly.

It should be noted that to show some hospitality as a host, she had specifically left some "good stuff" for Xu and Lei. But when she peered into the pot, her brows furrowed tightly: "Are you guys... done eating?"

"Yes, we’re done!" Lei Tong replied bluntly.

"But this..." Pointing at the barely touched broth, Demmi said somewhat displeased, "There’s still so much left."

Old Xu chuckled lightly, "You guys drink the rest!"

Upon hearing this, Demmi’s expression grew more awkward, and her sensitive nerves made her intuitively feel that the two were disdainful of this broth.

Thinking to herself: to be picky in a place like this, fine, if you don’t drink it, it’ll serve you right if you get hungry at midnight.

Nonetheless, despite thinking this inwardly, Demmi’s outward demeanor remained consistent. She kindly advised, "Although this may seem like just broth, it still fills the stomach. I’m telling you, we only have supplies once a day here, and we don’t have reserves. So... you should drink more to avoid tonight... I’m afraid you won’t last."

Listening to the girl say "won’t last," Old Xu and Lei Tong looked at each other and laughed.

If Demmi had the chance to see the training Old Xu and Lei Tong underwent, she probably wouldn’t utter such harsh words.

Special forces soldiers behind enemy lines must endure hunger and cold as essential survival training.

First, it trains the special forces’ survival skills; second, it builds their willpower.

So, let alone not eating for a day, two days, three days pose no problem for Old Xu and Lei Tong.

Of course, the premise is that the water source must be guaranteed. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)