The room felt excessively warm. Zhou Keh Er found herself clad in a down jacket, akin to being roasted inside a furnace, making her uncomfortably hot. Regardless of Zhang Yi's gun aimed at her, she swiftly shed the thick down jacket, yearning for some relief.
She panted heavily, tears welled up in her eyes, signifying the excitement within her. The warmth was overpowering, the ideal environment for human survival. She had been deprived of this ordinary bliss for far too long.
"Have you forgotten something? Such as the fact that this is my home, and you have not yet completely passed my test," said Zhang Yi coldly. It was only at this moment that Zhou Keh Er recalled the presence of a man in front of her. Zhang Yi's gun remained pointed at her.
In a feeble attempt to smile, Zhou Keh Er remarked, "You're truly cautious. I've followed your instructions, eliminating your enemies. Isn't that sufficient to earn your trust?"
Zhang Yi replied indifferently, "Those people were a considerable nuisance to you as well. Your actions weren't solely for my sake; you have your own need to survive. Eliminating them merely proves that you have some utility, meeting the basic conditions to become my ally. However, next, you must demonstrate your harmlessness."
Zhang Yi pinpointed the crux of the matter. After enduring a prolonged post-apocalyptic life, he was unwilling to easily trust anyone. Regardless of their past, people could lose their humanity in such dire times. He could only trust himself to ensure survival in the apocalypse.
Feeling somewhat helpless, Zhou Keh Er had already followed Zhang Yi's instructions, unsure how to convince him of her harmlessness. However, she was adamant about not leaving the warmth of this room.
"What exactly do you want me to do to prove that I am harmless to you?" Zhou Keh Er gazed at Zhang Yi, her eyes filled with pleading, almost bordering on humility.
Zhang Yi, maintaining a vigilant expression, inquired, "You don't have any concealed weapons on you, do you?" Zhou Keh Er raised her hands in response, indicating her seemingly harmless state. "Look, in this condition, it's impossible for me to conceal any dangerous weapons."
Zhang Yi's expression remained indifferent as he gestured for her to raise her hands. He intended to conduct a search to ensure Zhou Keh Er had no hidden weapons. Zhou Keh Er felt a bit awkward, but she understood that she currently had no room for negotiation. She had no bargaining power in Zhang Yi's home, which was exceptionally warm compared to her previous living conditions.
"Alright, I understand," Zhou Keh Er said with courage, complying with Zhang Yi's request. She was a clever woman, aware of what she should sacrifice to gain something in return. Zhang Yi kept a cautious eye on her, not for any ulterior motives, but merely for safety.
Zhou Keh Er slowly raised her hands and pressed her body against the door, as depicted in television dramas. Zhang Yi, careful not to miss any detail, walked over to conduct the search.
"Can I lower my hands now?" Zhou Keh Er asked after Zhang Yi completed the search.
Zhang Yi confirmed that Zhou Keh Er carried no weapons and glanced at the medical kit on the floor. He advised, "I suggest you take a bath now."
Blushing, Zhou Keh Er acknowledged the long period since her last bath. She might carry a faint odor, but there was no alternative. Shyly, she hurried into the bathroom.
From the alternate space, Zhang Yi retrieved women's clothing and tossed it outside the bathroom. "There are some clean clothes here. Try this set; I selected it based on your size. If it doesn't fit, I'll find another for you."
Having honed his skills through extensive warehouse management, Zhang Yi could discern Zhou Keh Er's clothing size with a single glance. Inside the bathroom, Zhou Keh Er responded with a soft "Mm," and soon, the sound of rushing water filled the air.
Sitting on the sofa, Zhang Yi carefully opened Zhou Keh Er's medical kit, inspecting it thoroughly. Finding it depleted of medicines, he discovered a few nearly empty rolls of gauze and two unopened syringes. Deciding to keep the syringes in an alternate space, Zhang Yi closed the medical kit.
He calmly sat, awaiting Zhou Keh Er's completion of her bath before continuing their conversation. In the bathroom, Zhou Keh Er, with wet, tousled hair, emerged, clad in pajamas. Zhang Yi, holding a gun, remained indifferent to her captivating beauty. Until he was certain of her reliability, he maintained his cautious vigilance.
"Thank you, Zhang Yi. I haven't bathed in a long time, and I might have wasted your water. Will you... blame me?" Zhou Keh Er's expression conveyed a hint of embarrassment. In a stranger's home, she felt reserved, especially considering her lack of knowledge about Zhang Yi's character.
Expressing his approval, Zhang Yi spoke, "Frugality leads to extravagance, but extravagance leads to frugality's difficulty. Having experienced the beauty of a safe house, who would willingly return to the icy wilderness?"