The Absolute Favorite in the Apocalyptic Rebirth

Lin Baobao ran swiftly, finally shaking off the horde of zombies pursuing her. Expertly, she found a secluded spot to hide.

Ten years of struggling in this apocalyptic world had taught even the clumsiest person survival tricks, gleaned from countless battles, enabling them to survive outside the safe zones.

Clutching a Tang Dynasty saber reinforced by a metal-type Esper, Lin Baobao didn't relax despite the apparent safety and seclusion. A drop of water condensed at her fingertip as she vigilantly scanned her surroundings. In an inconspicuous corner, a puddle of water lay still.

From the corner of her downcast eyes, she saw a reflection in the puddle, a water mirror she’d deliberately created. As a figure rapidly approached in the reflection, her saber whirled behind her, perfectly blocking the incoming zombie's claws.

Clang! The saber and claws clashed with a piercing screech.

Lin Baobao eyed the zombie warily. A ninth-tier zombie, nearing the tenth tier. Her heart tightened, increasing her vigilance. As time passed, both humans and zombies developed their own survival methods. Now, ninth and tenth-tier zombies were common, becoming prime targets for elimination. Humans had to prevent them from disguising themselves and infiltrating the bases to carry out assassinations.

Although the emergence of zombies could be considered the birth of a new species, evolving intelligence made them a new race. However, this race and humanity were locked in a life-or-death struggle. Their craving for human flesh made peaceful coexistence impossible. It was a fight to the death. The highest-level zombies were called Zombie Kings. One was born every year, and humanity had learned to face them, albeit with heavy casualties among the strong during each extermination. It was a necessary evil.

Within seconds, the woman and the zombie exchanged several blows. The experienced water-type Esper found the zombie difficult to handle. The creature roared in frustration, its red eyes blazing even brighter.

Another distinction between zombies and humans, regardless of how human-like their appearance became or how much their putrid odor faded, was language. No matter how high their tier, zombies couldn't control their stiff, thick tongues to speak like humans.

Just as Lin Baobao blasted the ninth-tier zombie back with a water bullet and her saber, a faster figure darted in. The zombie's arm was cleanly severed at the shoulder.

Seeing the stern-faced man who appeared, Lin Baobao's tension eased. He crouched, pouncing like a cheetah, a cold glint flashing from his raised hand. The zombie's other arm was also sliced off, spraying black, foul-smelling blood into the air.

Even for a zombie, losing both arms drastically reduced its combat effectiveness. The ninth-tier zombie, surprised by this unexpected intervention, prepared to retreat. But the newcomer gave it no chance, pressing the attack, his hands swiftly slashing across the zombie's neck, leaving two intersecting bloody marks.

Knowing it would die if it didn't escape, the ninth-tier zombie lunged towards the window. A sudden water barrier blocked its path.

"Roar—"

With a final, frustrated roar, the zombie's head was separated from its body, flying high and rolling to a stop at Lin Baobao's feet. She shattered its skull with a water bullet and extracted the beautiful crystal core.

"Sister~" a cheerful voice called out.

Lin Baobao calmly pushed away the head that nuzzled against hers, sheathed her saber, and pulled him away from the scene.

As they left, several figures silently entered. The "people" examined the corpse on the ground, then bared their teeth, emitting low growls, unlike any human.

Lin Baobao, sensing the situation in the room through her remaining water mirror, curled her lip. She wasn't a terrifying freak like Lou Dian, capable of escaping while surrounded. Leaving immediately after killing the zombie was the right move.

After leaving the city, they found shelter in a village before nightfall, scattering a powder derived from mutated plants. This powder masked the scent of fresh human blood, concealing them from pursuing zombies—an invention of the Southwest Base.

The village, a waystation on the east-west route, frequently housed travelers. It was relatively clean. They only needed to choose a room and set up security measures. Lin Baobao took out a matchbox-sized device from her backpack, pressed a button, and placed it in a corner, concealing it with a stone. It would emit an alarm if zombies or mutated creatures approached, giving them time to prepare—an essential item for travel.

After setting up, Lin Baobao sat down, exhausted.

"Sister, blood~"

Lin Baobao looked up to see Tan Mo innocently offering his injured arm. She reached out, covering it with a gentle flow of water. After a few minutes, the wound vanished. After treating all his flesh wounds, Lin Baobao absorbed a crystal core to replenish her Esper energy and then tended to her own injuries.

Finished with her wounds, she saw Tan Mo staring intently at a chunk of mutant beast meat with a serious expression, causing her to momentarily lose focus.

This serious demeanor sometimes made her think his mind wasn't damaged, that he was still the well-mannered young master of the Tan family.

"Sister, hungry!"

The words snapped her back. Lin Baobao patted his head, took a small pot and fire starter from her backpack, and decided to make some meat soup.

After a simple meal, Lin Baobao checked their supplies. Their rations were gone, only two boxes of zombie antivenom remained, and other supplies were depleted. It was time to return to the base.

The thought of returning brought relief. "Tan Mo," she said, "let's go back to the base tomorrow."

Tan Mo, eating the boiled meat—cooked but still not very palatable—brightened at the mention of returning. "Okay! Let's go see Lou Dian! See Ding Ding!"

Hearing his words, Lin Baobao's expression softened, and she nodded with a smile.

They passed the night uneventfully. The next day, they rose early, ate a quick breakfast, and headed west.

The wind whistled past her ears. Lin Baobao tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and rested her head on Tan Mo's shoulder, watching the mountains fly by.

With gasoline scarce and solar vehicles not always reliable, most Espers on missions traveled on foot. With their enhanced physiques, a day's walk was merely tiring, especially for speed-type Espers who were faster than cars. Sometimes they preferred walking.

Tan Mo, with his excellent physical condition, could run swiftly even while carrying someone. Lin Baobao, wanting to save time, let him carry her.

They had traveled quite far this time. Even with Tan Mo's increased pace, it would take two days to return to the Northwest Base.

Along the way, they killed several Espers who tried to rob them. Lin Baobao ruthlessly manipulated the water and blood within their bodies, killing them without a flicker of emotion. She tossed their bodies into a ravine, where mutant beasts would soon devour them.

Lowering her eyes to conceal the lingering ruthlessness, Lin Baobao continued on her way with Tan Mo as if nothing had happened.

Arriving dust-covered at the base, they reported their mission at the Esper Hall. It was already evening. They went directly to an ordinary apartment in the inner city.

Lin Baobao carefully retrieved a key from a hidden pocket in her backpack, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she unlocked the door under Tan Mo's curious gaze.

"Auntie~~" a childish voice chirped.

They looked up to see a two-year-old child sitting on the sofa across from them, blinking large, grape-like eyes and beaming at them. His voice was soft and sweet, heartwarming to hear.

The sizzle of cooking and the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Lin Baobao's eyes softened at the sight of the busy figure in the kitchen. Tan Mo, following the scent, edged closer, first checking for the presence of the terrifying overlord. Finding him absent, he cheered, "Sister Ling, I'm hungry~~"

Lou Ling emerged, carrying a plate of stir-fried meat in sauce. Seeing them, she smiled. "You just got back? I'll make a couple more dishes."

Lin Baobao's eyes crinkled in a smile, and she responded with a cheerful "Okay!" She washed her hands, scooped up the little one from the sofa, kissed his soft cheek, and followed Tan Mo to the kitchen.

Seeing the three of them crowded in the kitchen, Lou Ling shook her head, shooed Tan Mo to the dining table to set the places, and turned to Lin Baobao. "You were gone for half a month. Are you injured?" She opened a simmering clay pot and offered her a piece of stewed meat.

Lin Baobao happily ate the braised cabbage and meat, shaking her head. Looking at the woman bustling around the kitchen like an ordinary housewife, a sense of warmth and tranquility filled her. Even holding a little bun who didn't resemble Lou Ling didn't bother her anymore.

Just as she finished cooking, the sound of the door opening echoed.

Lou Dian entered and saw Tan Mo casually setting the table. His eyes darkened momentarily, then he spotted the man clinging to his woman like a shadow, holding his son. The pleasant anticipation of coming home to his beloved's cooking soured.

"Papa~" the childish voice rang out, full of joy.

Lou Dian washed his hands, took his son from Lin Baobao's arms, and subtly distanced himself from her. He loathed this guy who coveted his woman and child. If he could just get rid of him…

The two-year-old bounced in Lou Dian's arms, showering his face with kisses and tugging at his clothes. "Papa, meat, want meat!"

Lou Dian placed his son on a chair, set a stainless steel bowl in front of him, and filled it with tender meat and cabbage. He let the child clumsily wield his spoon.

Lou Ling served everyone rice, delighted by Lin Baobao and Tan Mo's return. She chattered, asking about their trip. Tan Mo, focused on eating, couldn't respond. Lin Baobao recounted their journey lightly, omitting the robbery and murders, simply mentioning encountering some difficulties, earning Lou Ling's concerned gaze and making her smile happily.

Lou Dian's eyes grew darker. A faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood clung to Lin Baobao, likely from the killings in the past two days. Glancing at Lou Ling, happily chatting with Lin Baobao, he pursed his lips and wiped his son's messy face with a damp cloth.

"Papa, want want~"

The little bun poked his spoon into his bowl. Lou Dian's brow twitched. He poured the food from his own bowl, now contaminated with his son's saliva, into the child's bowl. "Ding Ding, if you don't finish this, no fruit tonight."

The little bun frowned, picked up a piece of meat, then beamed at his father and began to eat. Lou Dian patted his head and started his own meal.

Lin Baobao, catching the scene from the corner of her eye, paused and said to Lou Ling, "Ding Ding looks like Dian, but his personality is like yours," especially that sunny, warm smile.

After dinner, Lou Ling cleaned the kitchen, packed the trash, handed it to Lou Dian to take downstairs, and then conjured a cantaloupe, slicing it for dessert.

Placing the seeded and sliced cantaloupe on a plate, Lou Ling instructed her son, "Ding Ding, take a piece for Uncle, a piece for Auntie, and a piece for Papa. Where's Mama's?"

The little bun scurried around, making everyone laugh. Finally, after distributing the melon, he received a small piece for himself, pouting until his mother promised him a larger piece if he served everyone again after they finished.

Lou Ling chuckled. "Having a child is fun. You can order him around without guilt~~"

"…"

Tan Mo ate his melon in silence. Lin Baobao and Lou Dian smiled, but their true thoughts remained hidden.

Realizing she was the only one amused, Lou Ling shrugged, deciding not to bother with these people on a different wavelength.

After dessert, they sat for a while before Lin Baobao dragged a reluctant Tan Mo—reluctant to leave Lou Ling's cooking—away. While they could often come for meals, if they hinted at wanting to stay, Lou Dian would undoubtedly throw them out.

"Ding Ding, bath time!" Lou Ling called to her son, who was playing with a mutated vine on the balcony.

The little bun ran over, tugging at her clothes. "No, down~~" He pointed down from the balcony, wanting to play outside.

Having finished dinner, the little bun, eager for a stroll, refused to bathe first, insisting on playing before washing up for bed.

Lou Dian strolled over, took his son's hand, preparing to go downstairs for a walk, and casually draped his arm around Lou Ling's shoulders, pulling her along. One destination for their walk was, of course, the Lou family mansion.

"Mama, brother, brother…" the little bun pointed towards the Lou mansion, wanting to visit his cousin, Lou Ye.

Lou Ling smiled, deliberately pulling him in another direction, making him stamp his feet and yell "Mama bad!" before appealing to his father. As Lou Dian led the little bun towards the Lou mansion, Lou Ling rolled her eyes. She was the bad guy, and he was the good guy.

Arriving at the Lou mansion brought another round of boisterous greetings. The adults fussed over the little bun who looked just like Lou Dian. The child, good-natured and cheerful, beamed at the attention. Seeing the child, the image of Lou Dian, Lou Tang sipped his tea, feeling content and that he had honored Lou Ran's memory. He couldn't help but recall the time, seven years into the apocalypse, when he helped Lou Ling conceal from Lou Dian their attempts to conceive using the serum. The result was perfect. Before the child grew up, they wouldn't disappear on missions again. They had a home.

They returned home at nine o'clock. Lou Ling immediately rolled up her sleeves to prepare a bath for the little bun.

The little bun, disliking baths, slipped away naked, wrapped in a small blanket, yelling, "Papa, Papa…"

Lou Dian, emerging from the doorway, caught the slippery little creature, tucked him under his arm, and handed him to Lou Ling, who was waiting in the bathroom. The little bun, splashed with warm water by his annoyed mother, started crying, prompting Lou Ling to pat his bottom, which only made him cry louder, calling for "Papa."

"Lou Dian! Come get your son!!" Lou Ling yelled towards the doorway, handing the clean child over. Every bath time was a crying fest. She didn't know who he took after.

Lou Dian caught his son, wrapped in a towel, and seeing his red face, carried him back to the room to dress him and soothe him.

After Lou Ling bathed and hung the laundry on the balcony, she returned to the room to find her son nestled in the man's arms, rubbing his eyes sleepily, while Lou Dian read documents under the lamp.

Seeing her, Lou Dian handed her their son. "Your son. Put him to bed." He got up to retrieve clean clothes for his own bath. At the door, he turned back. "Don't put him in our bed."

The little bun, still rubbing his eyes, snuggled into his mother's embrace, drowsy. Lou Ling, supporting his bottom, understood the man's implication and felt exasperated. While seemingly gentle and indulgent towards their son, Lou Dian was actually somewhat indifferent, although he hid it well. Everyone who saw him with the child thought he was a good father.

Well, let him pretend. If he could keep it up for a lifetime, it meant he had reservations, a need for a mask.

Lou Ling carried her son to the next room, laid him in his crib, tucked him in, and let him hold her hand, gently patting his chest until he fell asleep. She withdrew her hand, kissed his cheek, and smiled as she got up.

She was very pleased her son resembled Lou Dian. She could never tire of looking at his adorable face.

Back in her room, warm arms embraced her from behind, and as she looked up, warm lips met hers.

She responded with a smile, murmuring against his lips, "Baobao and Tan Mo are back. They'll probably rest for a while. Let's go out in a few days."

"Can you bear to leave Ding Ding?" His voice was muffled, laced with desire.

"It's fine. Just ten days to half a month, not a year or two."

Her decision pleased him, and that pleasure was communicated through his touch, making her inwardly congratulate herself. Sometimes, a man needed to be stroked the right way.

Fifteen years into the apocalypse, after fifteen years of arduous struggle, humanity finally eradicated the last zombie, ushering in a new era.

People returned to the cities they had abandoned for over a decade, rebuilding their homes.

In a bright café, a man sat by the window, composed and serene, watching the passersby with a faint smile. His handsome features, mature aura, and the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes made him incredibly charming.

Two children ran past. The younger one was about seven, the older one fifteen. They looked like family, sharing similar features—the features of the Lou family.

They entered the café. The younger boy hopped onto a seat, looking around curiously. "Brother Ye, no bitter coffee. Juice and a banana split sundae."

The older boy rolled his eyes. "I know, coffee is ridiculously expensive. I'm not buying you any." He muttered about how his allowance was smaller than his cousin's, yet he was always dragged out to buy him things. This cousin was born to be a mooch.

The waiter brought their order. The younger boy took a bite of the banana split, his face breaking into a radiant smile, as warm as the sun, infectious and heartwarming.

"Brother, can I skip school tomorrow? Can you excuse me and take me to hunt mutant beasts outside the city? School is so boring! The mutated plants they cultivate at school are so weak. I just use a little mental power, and they wilt."

"No."

"Aw, Brother Ye, don't say no so fast! Aren't you participating in the school's field exercise to identify mutated plants tomorrow afternoon? Just take me along. I'll be good!"

"You'll be good? Ding Ding, good children don't clamor to leave the city to face dangerous mutated plants. And Auntie will scold me."

"Just don't tell Mama." came the cheerful reply.

"If Papa finds out, he'll skin me alive. And there's no way Papa won't find out."

"…Can't beat Papa. Seeking solutions!" the child asked plaintively.

"No solution!" The teenager was unmoved, urging him to eat faster so they could go home.

As they finished and called the waiter for the bill, the younger boy whispered, "Brother, that uncle over there keeps looking at us. Is he a zombie-turned-creepy-uncle who likes to snatch children?"

Lou Ye had noticed the man, but he hadn't seemed to intend anything harmful. His gaze seemed friendly and nostalgic, not malicious, so Lou Ye hadn't paid him much mind, only remaining cautiously alert.

As they prepared to leave, a voice laced with amusement spoke, "I'm not a zombie-turned-creepy-uncle. Your mother shouldn't teach you to talk like that."

Lou Ye eyed the man by the window warily. He was strikingly handsome, with the air of authority—someone used to being in charge. His aura was as immovable as a mountain, the mark of a powerful individual. Lou Ye didn't dare let down his guard.

His clueless cousin, however, poked his head out, asking with a bright smile, "Uncle, do you know my mama?"

The man stared at the little face, momentarily stunned, then tilted his head, smiling. "Yes, I do. You look like your papa, but your personality is like your mama's."

The little boy gasped. "Lots of people say that! So, Uncle really does know my papa and mama!"

Lou Ye wanted to facepalm. Don't be so foolishly adorable, little brother! You're Uncle's child. You should be strong and cunning, not a little bunny. The muttering Lou Ye failed to notice the cunning glint in his cousin's eyes as he subtly probed the stranger.

When the exchange between his cousin and the man progressed to exchanging contact information, Lou Ye quickly pulled his cousin away.

The man watched the boy turn back, wave, and bid him farewell with a radiant smile. He saw an echo of the girl he first met in his past life, covered in blood but smiling with unwavering brightness. The nostalgia in his eyes deepened.

It had been seven or eight years since he last saw them. He wondered how they were doing. Probably well, at least the child seemed happy.

As the sun began to set, the man picked up his suit jacket and left the café.

Several people waited for him outside, respectfully ushering him into a black car. As the car headed towards the capital, he finally detached himself from his past life memories, picked up the stack of documents, and immersed himself in work.

The author has something to say:

And so, the side story ends~~ Actually, this side story is the real ending, right? =。=

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