Chapter Four: Come With Me
An hour later, Zhou Yu brought the car to a halt.
Looking at the place where he used to come every morning and evening, a faint bitterness welled up in his heart.
He hoped Nian Yu was still alive. Zhou Yu got out, slung the machete over his shoulder, and lit a cigarette.
He ascended the stairs. This area in the eastern part of the city, perhaps because it was near the outer ring and less populated, was eerily empty; not a single zombie could be seen on the road.
Zhou Yu arrived at Nian Yu’s door.
He knocked and called out, “Nian Yu, it’s Zhou Yu. If you’re home, open the door for me.”
After waiting a moment, he heard nothing.
Without hesitation, Zhou Yu forced the door open. The room was empty.
He stood in a daze, remembering how he had once been a frequent guest here.
He slowly surveyed the furnishings; nothing had changed.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Zhou Yu spun around and rushed downstairs.
Cursing himself as he ran, he muttered, “If she’s not home, she’s probably at the hospital working. Damn this apocalypse—hospitals have the highest population flow.”
Once back in the car, Zhou Yu quickly started the engine. Instead of heading to Nian Yu’s hospital, he drove toward the police station.
He understood that, given his current equipment, he stood no chance in a place as crowded as a hospital. The police station was his only hope.
Throughout the drive, Zhou Yu sped recklessly.
If this weren’t the end times, his speed alone would have gotten him arrested.
In just a few minutes, he arrived at the police station, more than thirty kilometers from Nian Yu’s home.
He noticed silhouettes moving inside. He knew there were no survivors—only zombies.
He dared not use fire to burn them out, lest he ignite ammunition and doom himself.
The zombies, hearing the car, shambled outside.
Zhou Yu gritted his teeth and braced himself.
He drew the crossbow Nian Yu had given him, loaded it, and took aim.
A small bolt shot straight toward a zombie’s head, thudding into its skull.
The creature paused only briefly, then continued its slow approach.
“Damn, this thing is only good for shooting birds—not zombies,” Zhou Yu cursed, grabbing his machete and stepping out.
“If I can’t handle these slow-moving bastards, I’ve wasted my life. Let’s do this,” he muttered, charging at the nearest zombie.
He brought the machete down in a clean stroke; with a sickening squelch, the zombie collapsed.
Zhou Yu didn’t stop, running toward the remaining zombies.
He swept his blade horizontally at another’s head—another squelch.
Without looking back, he pivoted, slashed upwards, lifted a zombie, then landed a whipping kick, sending it flying.
He raced toward the last two.
Charging forward, he dropped to his knees, swung the blade in a wide arc—two sickening sounds—the last two zombies were severed at the waist.
Zhou Yu rose and walked over to the zombie he’d kicked aside.
Its torso, from belly to chin, had been split open; viscera spilled out, but it still clung to life, unable to stand.
Zhou Yu approached, and with one final blow, decapitated it.
He then began stripping their firearms.
Checking each, he found only two bullets per gun.
He realized those were meant for warning shots in peacetime.
He tucked four pistols into his waistband, machete in his left hand, gun in his right, and strode into the police station.
He searched for the armory.
But he couldn’t get in—the door was electronically controlled. He didn’t know what would happen if he forced it open; this wasn’t a private home but a police station.
Nearby, he spotted a control room. He wondered if it could unlock the armory.
Whether it could or not, he had to try.
He walked to the control room door and pushed—it didn’t budge.
He pressed the handle—still nothing.
Someone inside? Zhou Yu called out, “I’m alive. If there’s anyone alive in there, open the door for me.”
He waited a while after calling out, but no response came.
Just as he was about to force the door open, a faint voice sounded from inside, “Someone’s there? Do you have any food? I haven’t eaten in ages.”
Hope sparked in Zhou Yu’s chest—there was a survivor.
He shouted back, “Yes, I have food. Open the door and I’ll give you some.”
With a click, the door opened.
A young woman in a police uniform, clearly frightened, opened a narrow gap and peered outside. Once she was sure there were no zombies, she opened the door wider to let Zhou Yu in.
Inside, Zhou Yu was bewildered by the room’s equipment.
He couldn’t make heads or tails of anything—what was he supposed to do now?
As he puzzled over it, the female officer spoke, “Excuse me, could I have the food now?”
Her voice was timid, tinged with fear and concern.
Yet to Zhou Yu’s ear, it sounded oddly familiar. He turned and stared at her in surprise, “Xiao Jie, it’s you.”
She, too, was stunned, recognizing Zhou Yu. “Zhou Yu! I can’t believe it’s you.”
She hadn’t looked at him closely before; only now did she realize the visitor was her best friend’s ex-boyfriend.
“Xiao Jie, I have food. But first, tell me—can you open the armory?” Zhou Yu asked.
Xiao Jie, excitement and confusion written on her face, stared at him.
“Hey, Xiao Jie, answer me,” Zhou Yu said, nudging her.
“Huh? What did you say?” Xiao Jie looked at him blankly.
Zhou Yu, exasperated, repeated himself.
Finally, Xiao Jie told him she could.
She walked to the control panel and pressed a button; the armory door swung open.
Zhou Yu smiled, “Impressive—our top cop knows her stuff.”
“Zhou Yu, you talk too much. Why do you want the armory open?” Xiao Jie snapped.
Zhou Yu sighed, “Turns out I saved an idiot. Never mind, from now on, just stick with me.”
Xiao Jie was taken aback.
Stick with him? What was he planning to do? Wasn’t this all a bit sudden?
Her hands instinctively shielded her chest.
Zhou Yu stared at her, dumbfounded. “You fool, what are you thinking? I just want to get you out of here so you don’t die—I still have to find Nian Yu.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jie blushed deeply and lowered her head.
Zhou Yu walked over, took her hand, and said, “Come with me.”
Xiao Jie’s face flushed even more, but she said nothing and let Zhou Yu lead her away.