At this moment, Eric and Susan returned home. Eric lay on the sofa, smoking a cigarette, and said slowly, "I didn't expect the virus from animal bites this time to be a new type of virus, not rabies."
"Susan, you should visit Noah's house soon and find out how much of James's potion they have left," Eric suddenly said.
Susan's eyes lit up, instantly understanding Eric's intention. She smiled and said, "Alright, I'll go in the next couple of days. If we can get our hands on that potion, it would be a huge fortune for us. We must get it."
Eric nodded, then laughed and said, "If they cooperate, great. If not, have Alex find some people to intimidate them. Too many people have been bitten this time; we need to get hold of that potion to make big money."
At this thought, Eric could already see a lot of money coming his way, feeling excited. He didn't consider that the well water seemed to belong to James, not his private property.
On the evening of the second day of the apocalypse, the animals had begun initial mutations. A small number of humans who were bitten soon lost their sanity and turned into zombies.
James stood by the window, quietly watching the thick fog outside, vaguely hearing human screams. He thought to himself, "Everything is just like the previous life."
James had well water that could help those bitten, but he did not rush out to save the recently poisoned people.
It's not that James was heartless or inhumane. The main reason was that he had very little well water, not enough to save many people. In the apocalypse, too many people would die, and James couldn't save them all.
"Dad, Mom, go to bed early. The world might get chaotic; we need to be prepared," James called his parents to bed and returned to his room.
Outside, human screams and angry shouts were faintly heard, followed by gunshots. Everyone realized the severity of the situation at that moment, and online public opinion exploded instantly.
The authorities began to take the incident seriously, holding one emergency meeting after another overnight. Fear quickly spread among the populace, and the entire human society seemed shrouded in a layer of gloom.
The next day, upon waking, James heard police sirens everywhere, and loudspeakers repeatedly playing recordings.
"Citizens, please do not go out in the near future. If bitten by an animal, please report it immediately. We will arrange treatment."
"Citizens with pets at home, please contact your community promptly."
The authorities' actions were decisive. Within one night, they had devised a comprehensive response plan and began strong enforcement the next morning.
However, some measures sparked considerable public dissatisfaction.
"My dog is normal; why are you taking it away? This is trespassing and robbery!"
Someone posted complaints online, and malicious replies soon followed: "Typical of China. If this were America, you could shoot these robbers."
Of course, many rational netizens replied: "Animals are going crazy; being bitten is a death sentence. The state is saving you, and you're being ungrateful."
"Take the poster to the hospital to see the bitten victims' conditions. Then they'll beg the state to take their pets."
"Damn, it feels like the apocalypse. People bitten by animals lose their minds and bite others—this is just like zombies." This post quickly topped the trending charts, touching sensitive nerves.
"Help me! I'm at the West City's pig farm. The pigs outside have gone crazy. A black pig has grown taller than a person and has tusks."
James saw this post, and his eyes narrowed. This was the fanged pig, appearing so soon.
"I need to boost my strength. Starting today, I'll drink 70% of the well water, use 20% for irrigation, and store 10%."
"When the food at home runs low, I'll take my parents to the warehouse."
"Now, I can hunt mutant beasts. The fanged pig in the West City has already mutated. Damn, it chased me for over 30 kilometers in my previous life; I'll kill it first this time."
"I can't keep the news about my potion secret for long. Maybe I should hand it over to open a path to the high-level officials in Linhu City."
James quickly devised plans, while the nation urgently issued an animal culling plan.
By the morning, police cars were at every community, sealing off all main entrances, leaving only one gate for entry and exit. Loudspeakers kept playing: "For the greater good, citizens, please hand over your pets voluntarily. Failure to do so will result in charges of endangering public safety."
This plan faced enormous resistance, with many citizens adamantly opposing, believing their pets were normal and didn't need to be handed over.
The plan was executed for two days with little effect. More animals mutated, more people were bitten, and hospitals were overwhelmed. The virus had no cure, causing many deaths in a short time.
Surprisingly, those who strongly opposed the culling plan were left stunned and then desperately begged the authorities to help kill their pets.
One morning, James was about to have breakfast when he heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he found Susan.
Susan exaggeratedly started a friendly chat with Ms. Carol, acting like old friends.
Ms. Carol didn't want to engage but had to entertain Susan awkwardly.
James watched coldly, knowing Susan's true intentions. After much small talk, Susan finally revealed her purpose.
"So, do you still have that medicine you gave your uncle? A relative of mine got bitten, and we're very worried. Can you spare some more?"
"Ah, the fox shows its tail," James thought, and before Ms. Carol could respond, he sighed and said, "The medicine is all gone. Most of it was used on Uncle, and the rest on a neighbor yesterday. There's none left."
Susan didn't believe it, pressing, "Really? None at all? Surely you kept some for yourselves? I don't need much, just enough to save my relative. Eric said we'd pay 50,000 yuan per cup."
"Aunt, it's really all gone," Ms. Carol shook her head.
Susan kept her fake smile, saying, "Sister, the potion is 50,000 yuan per cup. If you have more, you could easily earn hundreds of thousands. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance; don't blame relatives for not helping you get rich."
James was speechless. Help me get rich? I have the potion; what do you have? You just want to take advantage without effort.
"Sorry, Aunt, but we really don't have any more potion," James firmly refused.
Susan's face turned cold, and she muttered "heartless" before slamming the door as she left.