Just as he got downstairs.
He saw Phi Phi carrying a schoolbag, yawning, looking as if she hadn't woken up properly. Dinh Dinh and the others were also carrying schoolbags, holding boiled eggs, and enjoying them happily.
"Uncle Lam, good morning!"
"Uncle Lam, morning!"
The children cheerfully greeted Lam Pham.
Phi Phi, who originally had no energy, forced her spirits up. Her former life was gone and never to return. Although she still had to study, she could still be lazy under Grandpa Luong's watch, such as oversleeping, which wasn't excessive at all.
"Are you satisfied with the new study place?" Lam Pham asked.
He was relatively concerned about the children's learning situation. Lack of knowledge was not acceptable.
Even though it was the apocalypse now, he still had to create a good learning environment for the children. Suffer anything, but not let the children suffer.
Dinh Dinh tilted her head and said, "Uncle Lam, our learning environment is particularly good, much better than before. Now we have language class, math class, physical education, art class, dance class, music class, outdoor survival class, planting class, so many, many courses!"
Hearing Dinh Dinh say these things.
Lam Pham was very shocked.
"So many courses?"
When he was in school, he had never encountered these, especially planting, outdoor survival, and the like. Honestly, he had never experienced them. If he had been exposed to these courses in the past, he would definitely be a Little Expert in planting and survival now.
"Yes, many courses, and they are particularly interesting. These courses were all discussed by the teachers, who said they wanted all-round development. Uncle Co has one class a week, teaching us outdoor survival. Phi Phi's mom teaches us planting, and little Uncle Vo teaches us lockpicking. I especially like these courses."
When Dinh Dinh talked about these courses, her eyes lit up.
It was so interesting, wasn't it?
Especially when little Uncle Vo taught them how to pick locks with a wire.
It was really cool, wah!
Lam Pham felt that such courses were indeed quite interesting.
He very much approved of this kind of development.
The children were all very smart and learned everything quickly.
"Then you must study seriously," Lam Pham said.
"Mm, we definitely study seriously. Sister Van Van is really smart, she learns everything particularly fast. The textbook content, Sister Van Van only needs to read it once to recite it by heart. Such a genius!"
Dinh Dinh looked at Sister Van Van beside her, who was a little shy. Recalling the teachers' shocked expressions, she felt very envious.
Lam Pham knew Van Van's situation: mental powers, able to recite after one read. He thought of various science fiction movies where the brain was developed, thereby gaining astonishing changes. This was one such change.
"Mm, all very good. Phi Phi, are you having any problems?" Lam Pham asked.
Phi Phi said, "No, I'm also very happy, always studying hard."
Before, there was Dinh Dinh, which was tolerable. Now, another Van Van had appeared. For Phi Phi, her "Big Sister Boss" status had received a very serious threat. No... not a threat, but she could be replaced at any time. With her own abilities, it was truly very difficult to perform in front of them.
Dinh Dinh could still be categorized as an ordinary person. Van Van was simply not human; that wasn't something a human could do.
Lie flat?
Did Phi Phi, once the top sister of Duong Quang Residential Area, really want to lie flat like that?
Impossible.
Even if she studied herself to death, she had to protect her status.
Lam Pham stroked their heads and went out with them.
Around the shops, everyone was busy.
He saw people transporting soil to the shop rooftops. This was to spread it on the rooftops for planting vegetables and fruits. Using that area of Duong Quang Residential Area, the planting range wasn't considered large.
As the number of survivors grew.
Large-scale planting was very necessary, as long as it could stably sustain the survivors' food consumption.
"Han Suong's suggestion is really good; everyone has started to operate in an orderly manner."
Standing there, looking around, watching those busy figures, his mood was truly very joyful.
Survivors who had lived until now in such a terrible environment would all think.
What is order?
What is morality?
For them, they might have understood it in the past, but in the current apocalypse, it was truly very difficult for them to think about what those things really were.
Affected by various situations, having seen too much evil, they unconsciously threw away those things that made one human.
But now, at the Duong Quang Residential Area hideout, they had found them again, feeling the joy of being human.
He looked at everyone.
The survivors living here also looked at Lam Pham.
Gratitude showed in their eyes.
To have such a life in the apocalypse, they were very satisfied, and they also understood that this was all given by Lam Pham, without any oppression or exploitation, allowing them to rediscover themselves through work, understanding that to live, one must have a human appearance and human nature.
Not to survive like wild beasts.
At this moment.
Quan Hao came over and said, "Big brother, someone is looking for you."
"Oh."
Following Quan Hao to the iron gate entrance, he didn't know who this person before him was.
"You're looking for me?" Lam Pham asked.
The man was a bodyguard of Master Ha from the May Man Hao, Tu Dung.
"Hello Brother Lam, my name is Tu Dung, a bodyguard for Master Ha of the May Man Hao. Master Ha sent me to invite Brother Lam to the May Man Hao for a gathering," Tu Dung said very respectfully.
When he came, Ha Khanh had instructed him to lower his posture, just like seeing Ha Khanh himself, and absolutely not to cause any trouble. Otherwise, never mind if the other party didn't blame him, Ha Khanh himself would have to kill him.
He had never seen Master Ha value someone so much. He could even see a kind of fear in Master Ha's eyes.
Quan Hao, hearing the other party was from the May Man Hao, immediately said, "Excuse me, have you seen Brother Sieu?"
"Brother Sieu?"
Tu Dung looked at Quan Hao in surprise. This fellow, who was just a small fry in his eyes, dared to interrupt in front of Lam Pham. If this were at Master Ha's place, his teeth would definitely be broken, and he would be severely taught a lesson, making him understand that when the big brother speaks, the little brother must wait obediently.
"Yes, Brother Sieu, Vuong Sieu. He went to the May Man Hao some time ago."
Quan Hao eagerly wanted to know how Brother Sieu was doing. Seeing the other party's blank, unacquainted expression, he always felt that Brother Sieu wasn't doing well.
If he were doing well, it would be impossible not to know him.
Could Brother Sieu have "turned into water"?
Tu Dung thought, and a familiar figure came to mind – the guy who was thrown to feed the fish by Master Ha. He remembered what Master Ha had told him before he came.
You are smart, and also trusted by me. Before you go there to do business and talk, first run it through your head, then decide how to answer.
He always kept this in mind.
This person before him called the one fed to the fish "Brother Sieu."
It also showed that their relationship was not bad.
If he said, "Your Brother Sieu has been fed to the fish by Master Ha," he was afraid it would cause trouble.
"Never seen him, don't know him. There's no such person on the May Man Hao."
Tu Dung's ability to tell lies with open eyes was no problem; his skill was profound.
Quan Hao blinked. Could Brother Sieu have changed places again, not gone to the May Man Hao? Forget it, it was just a casual question anyway, not anything important.
As for his relationship with Brother Sieu, it was just ordinary.
Tu Dung smiled and gestured at Quan Hao, then looked at Lam Pham, "Brother Lam, is it possible?"
"Alright," Lam Pham agreed.
The May Man Hao was already a hideout with certain development in Hoang City. It housed many survivors. According to the current development, it was merely providing a refuge for the survivors.
Receiving an affirmative reply, Tu Dung was secretly pleased, not expecting it to be so smooth.
On the way.
Tu Dung drove the car, cautiously, occasionally glancing at Lam Pham sitting in the passenger seat.
"How are the survivors on your May Man Hao lately?"
Lam Pham looked at the empty street and asked casually.
Tu Dung said honestly, "Very good. Master Ha has already let all survivors eat congee. Although it's not very rich, it can simply fill their stomachs."
Lam Pham looked at Tu Dung in surprise; it seemed different from what he had seen before.
Tu Dung focused on driving, not meeting Lam Pham's eyes.
"Master Ha has his management methods. He wanted to get things running but encountered some difficulties, so he could only provide free congee first to let them fill their stomachs."
According to Tu Dung, Master Ha was like an official from ancient times. The common people under his rule were about to starve to death, but when a high official from the imperial court came, superficial efforts still had to be made.
Nearly two thousand people on the May Man Hao, waiting for Master Ha to feed them every day, how much food would that consume?
Tu Dung could understand Master Ha's actions. The May Man Hao providing you with a safe place to sleep was already very good. If you still expected Master Ha to raise you, it would be too much. How much food could withstand such consumption?
Once they got used to idling around, just waiting to die on the May Man Hao, then the final result would be the May Man Hao running out of resources, and everyone would GG.
"You are very loyal to him."
Lam Pham thought of the boss of his former design company, who had always brainwashed them: the company is your home, your loyalty is not to me, but to the company. You must brave smoke and fire for the company, even if there are sacrifices, you will not hesitate.
The meager salary made Lam Pham feel like crying.
Occasionally, he would even be intimidated by the boss.
He vaguely thought of the company's Wind Chime that swayed with the wind.
Tu Dung, thinking about what to say, said, "Mm, Master Ha is a good boss. It was like that when he was at the company before. He never treated those who followed him badly."
Lam Pham smiled faintly.
Comparing Ha Khanh with Duong Le, both were successful entrepreneurs in Hoang City. Successful entrepreneurs were often very decisive, knew when to advance and retreat, and were very generous to those who followed them.
Thinking about his own former boss, perhaps this was the difference.
May Man Hao.
Still the same as before.
In the air, the smell of congee wafted.
Watching that group of survivors holding congee and drinking it happily, it was as if they were savoring some kind of worldly delicacy.
Lam Pham's arrival didn't attract too much attention. Compared to him, the congee in hand was still more delicious.
Ha Khanh and his bodyguards had welcomed him early. Seeing Lam Pham arrive, he approached with a smile on his face.
"Welcome, welcome."
Lam Pham smiled faintly, nodded at Ha Khanh in greeting.
Ha Khanh could be very arrogant towards anyone, but towards this person before him, he really couldn't be arrogant at all. He deeply understood that there was a huge gap between them.
That fellow who came to pledge allegiance earlier, the strength he displayed was very domineering. The key was that he had strong ambitions, and the look hidden in his eyes was like a hungry wolf, the kind that couldn't be tamed by feeding.
He could only decisively open fire, but the other party jumped ship and escaped.
As for Lam Pham, according to his subordinates' reports, he was a pervert who surpassed ordinary people. Having malicious intentions was a foolish act. It was like starting a company; a mere company worth millions thinking of acquiring a publicly listed company – this was simply ridiculous to the extreme.
Just thinking about it felt terrifying.
They went to the top floor of the ship.
"Please sit."
Ha Khanh personally cut a cigar for Lam Pham, respectfully presented it to Lam Pham with both hands, and even thought of lighting it for him.
"Thank you, I don't smoke," Lam Pham waved his hand with a smile.
Although he was very strong, when others showed him respect, he would also respect others.
Respect was mutual.
Although he hadn't read many books, he understood such principles.
"Not smoking is good. Actually, I don't smoke much either, but in the past, when chatting with friends and talking business, if I didn't smoke this thing, it always felt like something was missing. Gradually, I got used to it," Ha Khanh said with a smile.
Lam Pham maintained a faint smile from beginning to end. He was a bit curious, not knowing why Ha Khanh was looking for him. Looking at the situation on the May Man Hao, everything was operating normally; he didn't see any problems.
If it was being entangled or targeted by some very formidable zombie.
He was naturally willing to lend a hand.
Ha Khanh continued, "Recently, I heard from my men that there are fewer and fewer zombies nearby."
Lam Pham said, "I cleared them."
If it were anyone else saying such words to him, he would definitely smash their head. Even bragging has to be within reason, okay?
But he knew Lam Pham's formidability.
Formidable beyond ordinary people.
"Impressive. I think other survivors who know of your actions will all loudly praise your behavior."
"Not at all, this is just the work of an ordinary citizen."
He always presented his identity very properly.
Just a citizen of Hoang City.
He never thought of himself as a savior; that was a very tiring thought. Being weighed down by an undeserved reputation would make one feel very unnatural.
Talking with Lam Pham, for Ha Khanh, there was no need to worry about the other party suddenly flaring up and killing him. It was just that he understood one thing: with the other party in Hoang City, no matter what he did, he needed to exercise reason and couldn't act arbitrarily.
This was a kind of suppression.
It had advantages as well as disadvantages; it just depended on how one thought about it.
The surrounding bodyguards watched.
They had never seen Master Ha so friendly, cautious, and conversational with someone.
This was strength.
They had all heard reports from the trackers. This person was a猛人 (meng ren - fierce/ formidable person), jumping onto skyscraper rooftops, then jumping down to kill zombies. How domineering, how astonishing! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a god.
Previously, they thought the other party was carrying a game weapon for no good reason, feeling there was something wrong with his head, that he liked to show off. Now it seemed, truly awesome people were often quirky.
They chatted simply, talking about some trivial matters, mainly about the apocalypse or prospects for the future. It was originally just casual talk, but Lam Pham gave him a stern lesson, making Ha Khanh feel as if hope was right before his eyes, already radiating light.
Ha Khanh muttered to himself, such conviction and determination, what a waste not to be in telemarketing.
He took Lam Pham to the May Man Hao's research lab.
Very simple, without any high-end equipment.
A group of people were bustling about.
Ha Khanh got straight to the point, speaking of important matters.
"These are crystals. Some time ago, the survivors from the bank side made a deal and learned that the energy in the crystals can be absorbed by metal. It's just that I think, although the effect of being absorbed by metal is great, compared to zombies, it's still somewhat insufficient."
Ha Khanh said with a serious expression.
He felt the use of crystals was far from just this. The meaning of inviting Lam Pham over was that it would be best if he could learn about other uses.
How was that inhuman power formed?
It definitely couldn't be innate.
During peacetime, he had never seen anyone so awesome.
It definitely appeared after the apocalypse.
The only plausible explanation was crystals. The energy of crystals could not only be absorbed by metal, perhaps even humans could absorb it.
"You're right. There are many types of zombies nowadays, posing a great threat to humanity. Even if metal absorbs crystals, the effect isn't that obvious. When encountering some evolved zombies, it's still impossible to deal with them."
Lam Pham said slowly. Ha Khanh listened intently, wondering if there were other secrets.
"But for humanity, it's already a great improvement. Technology combined with crystals will burst forth with dazzling brilliance."
Thinking of those battle armors, it was truly a kind of progress. They could deal with many zombies; it was just that some particularly abnormal zombies couldn't be dealt with.
"Then is there a possibility that humans can absorb the energy within crystals?"
Ha Khanh observed Lam Pham's expression, hoping to see the slightest change, even a little would do. At least it would indicate it was possible. But unfortunately... Lam Pham's expression was very calm, without any ripples.
Lam Pham shook his head and said, "I don't know. Whether humans can absorb it, I haven't encountered it yet."
Regretful.
This wasn't the result Ha Khanh wanted to know.
He wasn't resigned. He knew the first use of crystals, but it wasn't to enhance one's own abilities. If it could enhance oneself, that would be much more useful than other situations.
"What a pity. If we could find a way to enhance the human body, we could end this chaotic apocalypse sooner," Ha Khanh lamented.
"Yes, I think so too."
Lam Pham's expression was calm and composed. He knew Ha Khanh's thoughts, but he really didn't know if crystals could affect humans.
"I have an presumptuous request, I wonder if you would agree."
Ha Khanh's expression was solemn as he asked somewhat apprehensively.
"You say it."
"I wonder if you could sell me some crystals? I want to continue research on crystals, hoping to develop something new."
Saying those words was framed in the name of righteousness.
Everything was for fighting the apocalypse.
Lam Pham smiled and said, "No need. You should have confidence in the future. There are already professional experts researching. They have advanced technology, professional knowledge, all top-notch in the country. We don't need to act recklessly."
Ha Khanh was slightly stunned, not expecting there were actually experts researching.
This kind of situation could only be the national team.
It was already the apocalypse, yet such an organization still existed. For Ha Khanh, this could be said to be good news, and also bad news.
The good news was that the experts were truly capable.
The bad news was, if the experts really created something to end the apocalypse, then what he had now would become nothing.
"Is that so? That's really great then," Ha Khanh said with a smile.
"Yes, very good."
A hopeful reply.
He could see that Ha Khanh was an ambitious person. Crystals were indeed easy to obtain, but he wouldn't give them to others for no reason. Even if he wanted to give, it would be to those who could genuinely help humanity's survivors.
Such as Hung Uong, Professor Ha, Officer Hoang, and others.
Afterward.
Watching Lam Pham walk on water and depart.
Ha Khanh gripped the railing, his gaze fixed on Lam Pham's retreating figure.
"I really don't believe crystals are useless to humans."
...
Duong Dao (Sugar Island).
A figure walked on water. When he entered the range of Duong Dao, a cheerful song reached his ears.
"You are my little, little apple..."
It wasn't like this song before.
Perhaps the survivors living on Duong Dao had gotten tired of hearing the old one and deliberately changed the song.
"What is that?
The bodyguard patrolling the mansion, seeing that approaching figure, was shocked speechless, as if he had seen a ghost, until that figure appeared on the shore.
He looked at the other person's appearance, and also the sword on his back, such familiar, iconic things.