Huong Son Film City base.
The thirteen-year-old boy tightly gripped the zombie picture atlas in his hand, his eyes looking blankly at the bustling crowd around him, not knowing where his future lay, or what he could do here.
He once had a warm family.
With the arrival of the apocalypse, everything vanished like smoke.
"You all come with me."
A survivor from the base called out, leading this group of newly arrived pitiful fellows into a spacious room.
The newcomers here were full of curiosity about everything.
Among them, someone curiously asked.
"Big Brother, excuse me, is this place managed by the government?"
Everyone looked on with anticipation.
For them, it didn't matter how things went; the only thing that could put them at ease was knowing if it was managed by the government. If it was managed by the government, they certainly wouldn't be ignored.
The man stopped, looked at this group of survivors, knowing what they were thinking.
"Don't think too much. No one will feed you here; you all have to rely on yourselves. Those who cannot contribute to the base will either leave or wait for death. It's that simple."
After speaking, he paid no mind to what they thought, greeted the people already waiting, casually said a few things, pointed at this group of newcomers, the meaning very clear: the numbers have increased again, and proper arrangements need to be made.
Sitting there was a chubby auntie. The auntie's voice was a bit hoarse, a bit loud.
"Those with a skill, step forward. When I say a skill, I mean something helpful in the current situation."
Everyone looked at each other, frowning in thought, all wondering if they actually possessed a skill.
Then, six survivors stepped forward.
The auntie nodded with some satisfaction, pointed to a relatively young man and said: "What skill do you have?"
"I'm incredibly good at eating chicken."
"Eating chicken?"
"Yes, although I haven't been on a battlefield, I have many years of combat experience in games, and can even operate at night without batting an eye. I think this kind of skill is very suitable for the current situation."
The auntie looked at the young man and cursed loudly, "Scram!"
The young man shrank his head, feeling a bit wronged. Why curse for no reason? If there's something to say, say it nicely.
The auntie continued to ask the other few.
She received accurate answers.
Nodded, acceptable.
The auntie saw there were also females among the survivors and asked, "Are any of you familiar with sewing clothes?"
These few young women looked at each other and generally shook their heads. They, whose ten fingers had never touched spring water (idiom for being pampered), how would they know how to sew clothes? They hadn't even held a needle before.
The auntie shook her head, "Those who know how to cook, raise your hand."
Seeing the auntie was a bit disappointed, a few women, not too confidently, slowly raised their hands. After all, they only knew a few simple dishes. The auntie didn't say much. As a woman herself, she could tell at a glance that these women, in peaceful times, were probably new-era fashionable ladies who wouldn't touch pots and pans year-round.
Appropriately relaxing the standards was considered giving them a way to survive.
The auntie continued: "Here, everyone has to work. There's no meat or fish, no mountain delicacies or seafood as you imagine. Even the white rice you could eat every day in the past might not be supplied daily. Sometimes it's two pieces of bread a day, or two bowls of thin porridge, steamed buns, noodles. And you'll only eat wild mountain vegetables."
"Ah? We only eat this?"
"How can one endure this?"
"Yeah, isn't this a bit too miserable?"
They muttered, complaining. After painstakingly arriving here, they discovered the imagined situation and the real situation were completely different, simply worlds apart.
"Quiet!" The auntie's expression was stern as she said: "What are you thinking? Being able to stay alive is already not bad. If you want meat and fish, then join the base's scavenging team, go out to collect supplies under the leadership of the Sieu Pham gia. The treatment will definitely be as you imagine, but your life will not be guaranteed. Whoever wants to join can register with me now."
As the auntie said this.
The newly arrived survivors all shrank their heads. They had just painstakingly run here from outside; how could they be willing to continue going out to take risks? What they feared most was zombies.
The auntie was used to it and didn't blame them. She understood these survivors too well. They always thought of reaping without sowing, fantasizing about enjoying the supplies others risked their lives to bring back from outside.
That was just dreaming.
Reasoning was useless; only reality could teach them a harsh lesson.
The truth was just that. In past times of crisis, countless predecessors exchanged their lives for peace. But after only a few decades, the descendants, enveloped in comfort, had already begun to forget their roots.
Invaders passed through, moved, beat drums and gongs everywhere, even gaining the support of many new-era young people. They didn't know what the organization's date represented, nor did they know what was next door to the organization's location.
Someone once said:
Eating too full easily breeds useless people.
The auntie saw the thirteen-year-old boy, "Child, what's your name?"
The boy holding the zombie picture atlas looked up at the auntie, "My name is Chu Chu."
The auntie nodded. She was relatively caring towards pitiful children, but the base's rule was that everyone had to work; this could not be broken. So she thought of arranging a relatively relaxed job for this child named Chu Chu.
At least ensuring he could survive.
Duong Quang residential area.
Room 804.
Phi Phi and Dinh Dinh, their mouths full of grease, ate the golden egg fried rice before them. Don't even mention how fragrant it was.
Ly Mai and Tran Hac were a combined family.
Not that kind of relationship.
They just lived together to save on rent and conveniently take care of each other.
"So delicious." Dinh Dinh especially loved eating egg fried rice, especially Auntie Ly's egg fried rice; it was her favorite.
Phi Phi said proudly: "My mom's cooking is good, right?"
"Mm, Auntie's cooking is the best," Dinh Dinh said.
Ly Mai smiled, "Dinh Dinh, Phi Phi, what do you want to eat for lunch today?"
She used to be a housewife before, and now it was even more so. As the number of survivors in Duong Quang residential area increased, many more people had things to do, thinking back to when there wasn't enough manpower.
She not only had to take care of the children but also farm, and even look after the fish pond.
But now, she could wholeheartedly take care of the children, and in her spare time, go to the vegetable garden to check on the vegetables.
Chives grew the fastest.
Often, after cutting one batch.
In twenty-four hours, a lot more could grow.
Phi Phi thought and said, "Mom, I want to drink fish soup, want to drink delicious fish soup."
"Okay."
Ly Mai replied with a smile.
She was very satisfied with her current life. Her gratitude towards Lam Pham was always buried in her heart; a thousand words could hardly describe it.
Dinh Dinh said: "Auntie, I want to eat spicy tofu."
"Okay, no problem."
Ly Mai smiled. Making tofu was a very simple matter. There were quite a few soybeans in the shelter. Sometimes, a group of them women would use soybeans to make some tofu.
The elderly were not in good health and needed to eat softer things, unlike young people who could casually enjoy simple hotpot, instant noodles, etc.
Tran Hac also smiled, very grateful to Ly Mai. At least she prepared three meals a day for him and his child.
"Eat quickly, you still have to go to school later," Ly Mai urged.
"Oh."
"Got it."
Dinh Dinh was still very interested in studying. Conversely, Phi Phi was a bit helpless. Until now, she had never thought she would still have to study after the apocalypse.
Tran Hac curiously asked: "Dinh Dinh, how is that classmate Dong Dong in your class?"
He knew Dong Dong was a zombie and also knew the danger of zombies.
But all their trust in Dong Dong was built on Lam Pham. They trusted Lam Pham, so they trusted that zombie Dong Dong would not harm others, just like that Officer Hoang.
Dinh Dinh thought very seriously, "Classmate Dong Dong is very good. He never fidgets in class, loves listening to the teacher's lecture. It's just that he's unwilling to answer questions, always sitting there without moving. Some classmates want to invite Dong Dong to play together, but classmate Dong Dong just glances at us, then stares at the blackboard."
Hearing his daughter say these things, Tran Hac felt a little nervous in his heart.
Damn, indeed, the children are brave enough. If it were any adult, facing such a situation, they would probably have been too scared to say anything.
Phi Phi said: "Sister Dinh Dinh, little brother Dong Dong is listening very attentively to the lecture. Even after class, he's thinking about the knowledge the teacher explained."
"Mm, Sister Phi Phi, you're right."
Gaining Dinh Dinh's approval.
Phi Phi's mood was extremely joyful. In a few bites, she finished the egg fried rice, pulled Dinh Dinh, grabbed their schoolbags, and ran out of the house. When they reached downstairs, they were called by To Tieu Hieu, who asked them to take some bread to share with their classmates in class.
In the room.
Tran Hac and Ly Mai looked at each other and smiled, hoping, "We just hope this pair of little sisters can grow up happily and healthily."
Ly Mai said firmly: "They will."
Hanh Van Hao.
"Mr. Lam, do you think I can go over?"
Ha Khanh asked expectantly.
Since Lam Pham came to Hanh Van Hao and told him that the Sunshine shelter had expanded, enough to accommodate tens of thousands or even more people, his mind had become active.
Reaching this kind of situation now, if he still couldn't see reality clearly, then he was truly clumsy enough, even beyond being described as clumsy. When Lam Pham didn't exist, he indeed had his own ideas.
But now, he had thoroughly seen clearly.
Integration was the wisest choice.
During this period, Ha Khanh had thought a lot about the future. Perhaps the future would be based on Lam Pham, forming a huge human civilization system, where rules and regulations would be thoroughly established.
He thought that he, Ha Khanh, definitely couldn't become the ruler of the entire shelter, but he would absolutely have a corresponding status. To put it simply, he had organizational ability, leadership ability, and considered himself capable of being a leader of no small significance.
It was just that now, the only thing that worried him was whether he could go to Duong Quang residential area. After all, there was an Officer Hoang there who knew both black and white (good and evil).
Lam Pham smiled and said: "Mr. Ha, you have changed a lot during this period."
Ha Khanh smiled. Of course, there were changes. He was now wholeheartedly turning over a new leaf; no need to think about other things.
He hadn't even thought that he himself could do such a thing.
To put it bluntly, it was a loss-making business.
"Mr. Lam, I've navigated the business world for decades and always remembered: who you follow is who you become. I myself know that in the past, I only thought of benefits. But since becoming acquainted with Mr. Lam, my thinking has undergone an earth-shattering change."
Ha Khanh spoke with utmost sincerity.
Tu Dung, standing beside Ha Khanh, also felt Ha Gia's changes were quite significant.
However, in his heart, the direction of Ha Gia's change was correct. Using Ming Dynasty history as an example, if Zhu Biao had lived, Zhu Di would not have had designs on the imperial throne, and indeed all the princes would have been the same.
If any had truly gone mad and wanted to be emperor, Zhu Biao wouldn't even need to act; the other brothers would have captured him, brought him before Zhu Biao, and told their big brother, "This little brother has gone mad, he needs to be treated with molten gold."
"Mr. Ha, I think you are doing very well now. I believe Officer Hoang, upon seeing you, will absolutely protect you like an ordinary citizen," Lam Pham said.
Ha Khanh just loved to hear Lam Pham say such things.
He indeed had no superfluous thoughts now. Ambition was built on the premise of having capabilities. When one didn't have enough ability to support one's ambition, it was better to be honest and down-to-earth.
"If I can truly be accepted by Officer Hoang, for someone like me, it would be a tremendously joyous event," Ha Khanh sighed.
Lam Pham said: "When do you plan to bring them to my place? Now, or after some time?"
Ha Khanh said: "Let's wait a while. The number of survivors on Hanh Van Hao is a bit large, and some among them might not meet the requirements of the Sunshine shelter. I plan to have a good talk with them during this period, to let their mindset gradually change. If we go over now, it might cause some unnecessary trouble."
He knew Officer Hoang's situation; that one could distinguish good from bad.
Were there good people among this group of deck survivors?
Definitely.
There were also good people turning towards darkness, not because they wanted to change, but because reality forced them to change their minds. So all of this needed time to adjust.
He believed that as long as there was enough time, everything could be changed.
"Okay." Lam Pham nodded.
After Lam Pham left.
Ha Khanh went to the railing, took the megaphone from Tu Dung's hand, "Everyone, please put down what you are doing and listen to me for a few words."
Now, the survivors were extremely grateful for Ha Khanh's benevolence.
He wasn't like before, making them go out and risk danger to find supplies, but was willing to give them some supplies. Some survivors understood that in the current era, supplies were extremely precious.
It wasn't that they wanted to reap without sowing, but the dangers outside were not something people like them could deal with.
Everyone looked up at Ha Khanh there.
"You all saw just now, that was Mr. Lam Pham from the Sunshine shelter. He is a person who hopes everyone can continue to live in the apocalypse. He came here to tell me that the Sunshine shelter has expanded and can accommodate tens of thousands or even more people. The meaning is that everyone can go.
However, I just refused. It's not that I don't want to take everyone, but the primary prerequisite for going to the Sunshine shelter is that everyone can maintain their initial heart from peaceful times, to be an outstanding ordinary person.
The apocalypse is terrifying, but human nature is even more terrifying. In the past, I was a black-hearted capitalist, never getting up early if there was no profit. But under Mr. Lam's guidance, I have found the correct direction.
Therefore, I hope everyone, like me, maintains their initial heart, not to be affected by the apocalypse. I hope that when the time comes, we can go to the Sunshine shelter together.
To welcome a beautiful new future."
Ha Khanh spoke with utmost sincerity, and the crowd listened very earnestly.
That's right.
Many survivors at the scene had noticed Ha Khanh's changes during this period were quite significant.
They hadn't expected it to be like this.
Some survivors whose hearts had gradually darkened due to the pressure of the apocalypse looked at Ha Khanh, as if the glimmer of light deep in their hearts that was about to extinguish was dancing again, flickering, ready to shine like the dazzling sun at any moment, dispelling the darkness.
Tu Dung was excited and wanted to applaud Ha Gia.
This was the Ha Gia in his heart! He always believed Ha Gia was a sensible person. Why was Ha Gia like that in the past? It was because reality was like that; he had no choice but to protect himself this way.
Now, meeting someone like Lam Pham, it completely released the sincerity in Ha Gia's heart.
Good, truly too good.
Ha Khanh looked at the gradually calming crowd on the deck.
He made up his mind.
Just don't overthink, properly follow Lam Pham in the apocalypse, and properly develop the shelter.
Feeling all sorts of situations.
Awakened ones.
Super-strong various types of zombies.
This was not something he could play with.
Lam Pham also went to Duong Dao.
The richest man, Duong Le, when he first saw Lam Pham, also asked if he could go to Duong Quang residential area to live. At that time, Lam Pham refused him. Now he could go; this was all due to changes after interacting with Lam Pham.
However, the importance of Duong Dao was self-evident.
The land value was very high.
The Duong Quang residential area side could indeed be cultivated, but compared to this side of Duong Dao, it was completely incomparable.
Unexpectedly, Duong Le and his group were not going to Duong Quang residential area but wanted to stay here to cultivate supplies. In Duong Le's words, the current cities had been replaced by industry, cement ground was everywhere, impossible to cultivate. To survive long-term in the future, there must be a place for cultivation.
In the past, at the very beginning, Duong Le would absolutely not even think about these things Lam Pham said and would have taken his family to Duong Quang residential area. But now, I understand my mission and responsibility; this piece of land must be utilized.
Duong Giai Vu also had to stay here.
"Brother Lam, you have a satellite phone. If there's danger here, I'll just call you directly. The land here needs to be cultivated. If, by any chance, the apocalypse lasts for a year, two years, or even longer, we can't just sit and eat away our reserves. Also, those supplies all have expiry dates. We can't wait until there's nothing left to panic. So, continuously reclaiming land now is a must."
Duong Giai Vu spoke very reasonably.
Lam Pham thought about it and agreed with what he said. It was indeed so. Duong Dao was in the middle of a lake, far from the city. Ordinary zombies might drift over.
But that would also be a small number.
Safety could be guaranteed.
If they really encountered danger, Duong Giai Vu could contact him, and he could also reach here in an extremely short time.
Two days later.
Huong Son Film City base.
Outside the base, three Awakened ones were besieging a Tyrant. Among them, Dam Thanh held a steel spear, his moves domineering and fierce. Every time the spear thrust out, the steel spear seemed to be able to spin out a whirlwind, cutting the zombie's body.
Survivors stood on the city wall.
Watching with amazement, admiration, and shock.
Especially when seeing the Sieu Pham gia group fighting back and forth with the zombie, each one only felt their blood boil, their hearts beat fast, wishing they were the ones below, grappling with the zombie.
Chu Chu looked at that zombie's appearance.
Instantly knew what that zombie was called.
"Tyrant."
After a while.
The Tyrant was killed. Five Awakened ones, apart from Dam Thanh, the other four Awakened ones carried some injuries. One of them was even sent flying by the Tyrant, only feeling as if the bones in his chest were broken.
Supported, they walked towards the inside of the city wall.
The围观 (onlooking) survivors excitedly ran downwards, wanting to welcome the heroes' return.
Chu Chu also wanted to see the style of the Awakened ones. Just as he was preparing to leave, he suddenly saw a zombie standing there in the distance.
He stared, looking carefully.
That zombie looked just like an ordinary zombie, but he discovered that zombie was actually standing still, just like an ancient scout.
Meanwhile.