Ch 7 : Another One

Shi Xiao woke up in another round of hunger. This time, it's easier to handle, despite passing 2 hours marks. He took the phone habitually and checked the time, 06.18 AM.

He always set the alarm at 6.00 AM, although the time when he come to the office is 8.00 AM. It's because he can prepare foods in the morning, or walk through the morning market near The Squares of his apartment to buy vegetables and meats to cook later. The fresh and all natural ingredients in morning markets are super cheap, unlike vegetables and meat that are labeled fresh and expensive in supermarkets. If he isn't in the mood, he can bring breakfast to his office and eat there.

But the situation like this, although he hoped for better, but it's unlikely that only this place is affected by the disasters.

Luckily, the weather in spring are quite cold, he didn't woke up from heat, so he is in a good mood. Since there's no electricity, he couldn't cook up something, but he have a quick lime, prepackaged, all from buying a big box of instant cup noodles from a certain brand. The brand is locally made, at first it was invented for soldiers to eat during mission, but it didn't managed to reach the high standard because packaging problem. Instead, it was publicized as best food during hiking, because it has those little heating package each box that will start heating up when it meet water.

And the best part? Because of the current technology, it could be reused for more than 3 times if we dried them in sunlight for 3 hours.

Unfortunately, the secret weapon that allowed the reusable quick lime packaging are kept secret, only quick lime is known.

He heated up a bowl of water, then a bowl of instant rice. Today, he won't be try to be cheapskate to himself, in any case, he still can afford several meals. It's better to quickly recover and move faster.

Thankfully, the water system are using filtered rain water tank, and he only have to worry during winter, but it's now spring, rain are always come and go. For example, the sky is completely full of clouds now, a smell of upcoming rain can be feel immediately if you opened up the window. Unfortunately, he is now in middle of fever and not in the mood of appreciating rain.

Although, positively thinking, rain will wash away the smell of blood on the asphalt, also hiding body odour or whatever the zombies uses to detect their preys. Maybe some of survivors can escape outside to another place if they are carefully prepared.

He decided, if in a week he didn't find Qian Jie, he would selfishly go alone to the capital.

First, he have to find a car though, maybe a good hummer, or a truck to load more supplies to bring back. He feels capable enough to protect his supplies, even if someone dare to rob, as long as he isn't facing a gun or a sniper, he can try his best to knock the robbers one by one.

He feels better in third day. The eggs start to smell, so he could only boil all of them into hard boiled egg and spare enough salt (he brought some condiments to the office, especially sugar cubes) and pack them into his backpack.

He is ready for another exploration, his goal is to clear the monsters that occupying the secretary office.

He brought three metal pole this time.

He decided to lure them one by one, with the door which will open for 8 seconds, he will tie up the metal pole to the sides, obstructing their hands range, while cleaning up the corpse so it won't stuck at the door and causing the metal pole to collapse.

His idea is simple, but if he is lucky, he can definitely clean all of them up today and restock his supplies.

Of course, his main concern is to find a car key. It's better to smash all surrounding zombies rather than walking, you could buy time inside the car while if you walk and find yourself in middle of a siege, you couldn't bet on your luck to outrun them by escaping into building.

He ate two eggs as he tied the metal poles to two dispensers, he also added another water gallons in front the dispensers so it would at least ensure that they stay at their place while he kill the zombies.

After that, he simply replenish his energy by resting for 10 minutes, then use a spare cloth to tie his weapon to his arm. It won't be good if he accidentally throw his weapon inside.

Meanwhile....

" We didn't have much more foods left.... "

" Why aren't those guys come back yet..? Did they abandon us...? "

" Nonsense! My brother definitely come back! He won't left me! "

" What if he is dead? Then there's no one who is willing to come back.... "

" Come on, don't be such pessimistic.... "

The crowds that left outside the canteen storage area are restless. It's been third day since their groups went on separate way, there's no news at all. Some braver people cleans up surrounding areas, and collected some more water and foods, but unfortunately, with the current consumption rate, they won't be able to eat anything, unless they go into different floors to look for more foods. If only those people inside kitchen storage willing to open the door....

" Should we try to go up....? " Suddenly, a young woman called Su Mei suggested. " Since the first group went down, we also didn't hear any news from them, isn't it better to go up and look for supplies? "

" Good idea! Since it's still morning, let's go look for a weapon then arrange people to go up! "

" Even so.... "

" Isn't it better to wait here...? "

" No, I don't think we should go up! " This sentiment is echoed by many other people, especially women.

Su Mei impatiently glared at those plastic sisters, but eagerly smiled to please men, because they all equipped with a weapon, and they are her her hope to get better resource!

" How about this. " One man suddenly interrupted, " Who wants to go up, raise your hands. " Immediately, the owner of the voice raised his hand, slowly followed by his usual group of friends, then followed by Su Mei and two braver girl who dare to follow.

There's 9 people in total, and only 3 woman and 2 timid younger man who couldn't be persuaded, including Qian Jie. Su Mei carelessly ignored those people and begin to flatter the 'braver' teams.

At 12 PM, they finalized the plan, which leading them to secretary office. One of the janitor staff saw a chef brought a tray full of foods to the executive office, he might be still at the upper layer.

Thus, they armed themselves and begin their first exploration.