Chapter Six: The Problematic Rain

Chapter Six

When the car stopped at the entrance, Mei and Mo Chen had already packed away the two beds and the table and chairs in the house. Then, they set out enough food in the corner to last three or four days. Mei also placed two blankets and a sleeping bag in the corner.

No sooner had they finished tidying up than seven people came running in from the vehicle, one after another.

The moment the first person entered, Mo Chen positioned himself in front of Mei, taking up a defensive stance. Mei, meanwhile, peeked out with curious eyes at the newcomers, observing that each of them was wrapped up tightly, as if terrified of getting wet in the rain.

Their group comprised five men and two women. One of the women looked especially delicate and was subtly shielded by the others. Among the men, one was tall and imposing; after entering, he cast a cold glance their way, then shifted his gaze elsewhere, projecting utter indifference.

"Sorry for disturbing you," a middle-aged man spoke up, addressing the pair.

"As long as you know it," Mo Chen replied bluntly. "Since you’re inside, we won’t throw you out, but this side is ours and that side is yours. Don’t bother us." He divided the small temple’s front hall decisively, staking his claim.

"Young man, with so many of us, don’t you think this place is a bit small?" The other man tested the waters, glancing meaningfully toward the corner where their food was stored.

Mo Chen gave him a sardonic look. "What does your group size have to do with me?"

"You can’t say that. Out here, it’s best if we help each other," another man chimed in, gazing greedily at their food.

"Help each other? Sure! Our food’s barely enough as it is. How about you help us first?" Mo Chen’s smile turned wicked as he raised an eyebrow.

The man choked on his words, unwilling to back down but clearly wary. Traveling as only two, these strangers must either be truly capable or extremely lucky. Uncertain which, the group dared not act rashly.

"Let’s be clear: don’t overstep your bounds. If something happens, don’t say I didn’t warn you," Mo Chen finished, then ignored them, finally letting Mei out from behind him and leading her back to their corner, tending the only fire to keep it from going out.

Only then did the newcomers notice the figure who had been hiding—just a petite, harmless-looking girl of about fifteen or sixteen, cute and innocent.

Though pulled away, she continued to study them with curious eyes.

The first man who had spoken was about thirty, sharp-eyed and quick-witted, with the habit of tilting his chin slightly as he spoke, his gaze subtly appraising, the manner of someone accustomed to authority before the world changed. But his brows were severe and his temperament narrow; at best, he’d been a minor leader.

The second man was not tall but sturdy, his skin rough and dark, emotions poorly concealed—a thoroughly ordinary person. Yet in these apocalyptic times, even someone so unremarkable seemed to have found a backbone, walking with his chin up and a petty pride in his eyes, clearly emboldened by something. He had shown open greed when eyeing the food, and looked at Mei and Mo Chen as though they were fat sheep.

Of the others who hadn’t spoken, aside from the cold man, they all observed Mei and Mo Chen as the first two talked. The red-haired boy’s expression was one of pure curiosity; when Mei looked his way, he gave her a broad smile. Another youth, wearing large black-rimmed glasses, kept his head down, occasionally sneaking glances without any malice in his eyes.

Of the two women, the protected one appeared fragile and smiled kindly when she caught Mei’s gaze, though there was an odd, probing glint in her eyes, both gentle and speculative. The other woman looked at them with the indifference one reserves for strangers. Though initially startled by Mo Chen’s striking appearance, her attention quickly shifted to the cold man, and she never looked back.

Mei and Mo Chen exchanged a brief, silent analysis of the newcomers, so they both knew where they stood—and then relaxed outwardly.

Mei sat on the sleeping bag, wrapped in a blanket and hugging her bow, continuing to present an innocuous picture as she watched the others make their camp.

"Yuan Yuan, let me help you!" The second man, full of eagerness, volunteered to help Qu Wen Yuan with her chores.

"Thank you, Brother Da Zhuang," Qu Wen Yuan replied politely, smiling.

"Don’t mention it!"

With nothing else to do, Qu Wen Yuan glanced again at Mei, noticing the girl’s interest. After a moment’s thought, she walked over.

"My name is Qu Wen Yuan. What’s your name, little sister?" She stopped three steps away, crouched to Mei’s level, and smiled gently.

"My name is Mei, sister!" Mei replied with innocent cheer.

"Mei? That’s a unique name. Is that your brother?" she asked, glancing at Mo Chen.

"Not at all. Ah Chen is just Ah Chen, not my brother!" Mei shook her head, then changed the subject. "Sister, do you know there’s something wrong with the rain?"

"Why do you ask that?" Qu Wen Yuan’s heart skipped, but she kept her face neutral.

"Because you all seem so scared of getting wet," Mei replied, tilting her head in earnest logic.

"You’re very observant, Mei. But I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with the rain. It just looks dirty, so we don’t want it on us," Qu Wen Yuan said, relieved to find a convenient excuse.

"Is that so? The rain really is filthy—pitch-black and disgusting!" Mei made a face of distaste, perfecting her innocent act.

"It is. Can you shoot a bow?" Qu Wen Yuan asked, noticing the bow in her arms.

"Yes! I’m really good at it! I’ve even helped Ah Chen kill zombies!" Mei puffed up with pride, her large, bright eyes looking expectantly at Qu Wen Yuan as if waiting to be praised.

The more she behaved like this, the less seriously anyone would take her words.

Sure enough, Qu Wen Yuan responded in a deliberately exaggerated tone, as if humoring a child: "That’s amazing, Mei!"

Mei feigned mild annoyance at being patronized, then quickly asked, "What about you, sister? You must be great at killing zombies!"

Qu Wen Yuan was instantly at a loss for words.

"Why won’t you answer, sister? Don’t you want to tell me?" Mei’s face fell, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, the picture of wounded innocence.

"No, no! I just can’t kill zombies, so I was embarrassed to admit it. Please don’t cry," Qu Wen Yuan rushed to explain, flustered—children’s tears being her weakness.

"Really? You’re not lying?" Mei asked seriously, tears still trembling in her eyes, making her look utterly pitiable.

"No, I’m not lying, I promise. Ask the others if you don’t believe me!" Qu Wen Yuan said quickly.

Mei immediately turned her gaze to the red-haired boy. From her earlier observations, she’d guessed he was a straightforward, honest sort, and sure enough, as soon as she looked his way, he smiled and walked over.

"It’s true, Yuan Yuan can’t kill zombies. But she’s still awesome!" he declared cheerfully.

"See, sister? He says so too!" Mei accepted the answer at once, looking at Qu Wen Yuan with a sympathetic expression.

Qu Wen Yuan relaxed, relieved that Mei didn’t catch the second part of Lin Shaojie’s statement, and quickly changed the subject. "Where did you two come from?"

"The city. What about you, sister?"

"We’re from the city too. There are so many zombies there—how did just the two of you make it out? Your— I mean, Ah Chen, must be very skilled, right?" Qu Wen Yuan tried to draw out information.

"Yes, Ah Chen is amazing. He brought me all the way here. And with so many of you, you must all be very capable too, especially since you have to look after someone like sister, who can’t do anything!"

The words had barely left her mouth when a derisive snort came from across the room—a woman’s voice.

Qu Wen Yuan’s face stiffened, but seeing Mei’s clear eyes, she couldn’t take offense.

"My brother is awesome! He can kill zombies!" Lin Shaojie quickly interjected to smooth things over.

Mei, seizing the cue, shifted her attention to him, showering him with praise and continuing her flawless portrayal of a naive young girl.

They chatted until Mo Chen called Mei over for a meal, at which point the three parted ways.

With outsiders present, Mei and Mo Chen kept their meal simple: a can of luncheon meat, two pieces of bread, and a bottle of hot milk—the entirety of their lunch. The milk was for Mei; Mo Chen drank only water. Even so, compared to the others who had nothing but plain water with dry biscuits, their meal was enviable.

As they ate, the two conversed in a way no one else could understand. That little chat earlier had revealed much to Mei.

There really was something wrong with the rain.