Calabash Brother, Jiang Xiaodou, squirmed uncomfortably under Ruyi's gaze, unsure where to put his hands or feet. Just as his awkwardness peaked, the elderly grandmother of the grandson duo spoke up.
"Xiaodou, did you find anything to eat? Little Tian says he wants yogurt. Can you figure something out?"
The boy, Little Tian, lit up at her words, looking at Jiang Xiaodou with hope-filled eyes.
Jiang Xiaodou blinked, momentarily flustered, before glancing around the empty shelves. His shoulders slumped. "Grandma Li, it seems someone already cleaned this place out. Let's hold on a bit longer—once we reach the base tomorrow, I'll find something for him."
Little Tian pouted, his disappointment evident, while Grandma Li scanned the room, her gaze landing squarely on Ruyi.
Ruyi met her stare with icy indifference. "You can look all you want, but it's not going to help. This place was already empty when I got here."
"You're lying. You've definitely hidden the food!" Yellow-Hair, who had been glaring daggers at Ruyi since he entered, seized the opportunity to spit venom.
All eyes turned to Ruyi.
She scoffed, her expression unimpressed. Without her, these idiots wouldn't have the luxury of standing here, safe and sound. She had spent days clearing the area of zombies, and now they dared waste her time.
Ruyi spun on her heel, intent on leaving, but Yellow-Hair grabbed Little Tian and blocked her path.
"You're not leaving until you hand over the food!"
Ruyi froze mid-step, a sharp, incredulous laugh escaping her lips. She surveyed the room, noting the predatory stares directed at her. The timid little girl clung to Jiang Xiaodou, her wide eyes pleading, "Big Brother Xiaodou, I'm hungry."
Jiang Xiaodou shifted awkwardly, caught in the crossfire.
"I believe this lady is telling the truth," he said finally, his voice laden with unease. "Even if she did take the food, she got here first. It's her right to keep it. Let's keep searching—we're bound to find something."
"Are you crazy?" Yellow-Hair barked. "It's almost dark! If you want to play hero, go ahead, but I'm not going out there to die!"
Before the argument could escalate further, Yu-shao interjected, his voice calm but commanding. "Miss Ji, you might not know who I am, but I assure you, helping me now would be a decision you'll never regret."
Seriously? Ruyi was practically vibrating with irritation. Did she have "pushover" stamped on her forehead? Was her face screaming, Please come take advantage of me?
Her hand slipped into her pocket, and with a subtle flick of her fingers, she materialized a handgun from her space. Killing wasn't her style, but if push came to shove, she wasn't about to let herself be anyone's prey.
Before she could make a move, Jiang Xiaodou stepped forward, pushing Yellow-Hair aside with surprising strength.
"She said she doesn't have food, and that's that. Let her go."
Ruyi's gaze shifted briefly to Li Ziyu, whose eyes still seethed with venomous hatred.
"If it's food you want, fine. But first—" Ruyi's gaze sharpened as it landed on Li Ziyu. "What's your problem with me? I don't recall ever wronging you. Unless you count a few sarcastic comments back at the Wen family, but you've been glaring at me like you want me dead. Care to explain?"
Li Ziyu sneered coldly. "A case of instant noodles, a box of water, and a box of canned meat. That's my price for telling you."
Ruyi didn't let her finish. She turned on her heel and strode toward the door. "You're insane—or maybe you hit your head recently. Either way, I'm not interested."
With one swift motion, she kicked Yellow-Hair out of her path, sending him flying across the room. Her smirk widened as she approached the door, glaring down the cowering young boy trying to block her way. Her hand was just brushing the doorknob when the telltale sound of a gun cocking froze her in place.
"Miss Ji, I suggest you—"
Yu-shao's words were cut short by a sharp cry of pain. The gun clattered to the floor as he clutched his injured hand, his face contorted in agony.
Ruyi calmly pushed the door open and stepped outside. She had barely taken two steps when Jiang Xiaodou came chasing after her.
"Big Sister, where are you going? It's almost dark. It's dangerous to be out there alone. Please, don't mind them—they're just desperate. Why don't you hide in my car for a while? I'll find food for them, and once it's safe, you can come back inside. This place is pretty secure—you've seen how quiet it's been."
Ruyi turned to him, caught off guard by the genuine concern in his eyes. Cynicism melted into something softer, an emotion she couldn't quite place.
How can anyone be this good?
Her heart softened despite herself. "Jiang Xiaodou, come with me. Don't stay with those selfish idiots—they'll only get you killed."
As expected, Jiang Xiaodou shook his head. Ruyi sighed, disappointed but unsurprised. Everyone had to choose their own path, and his altruism wasn't something she could change.
After assuring him of her ability to take care of herself, she finally won his reluctant blessing to leave.
Back at her small courtyard, Ruyi washed up and flopped onto her bed, but sleep wouldn't come. Jiang Xiaodou's earnest gaze and his innocent, guileless demeanor replayed in her mind.
The boy was a rare breed—a beacon of goodness in a world rotting with decay. Ruyi had never met anyone like him. Her upbringing had been littered with selfishness and betrayal, leaving her cynical about humanity as a whole. Jiang Xiaodou was a stark contrast to the life she had known.
Unable to shake the thought of his inevitable fate among such a toxic group, Ruyi sprang to her feet. She found an old backpack and filled it with supplies—two bottles of water, three loaves of bread, two packets of noodles, and several sticks of sausage. For good measure, she added a handgun and two boxes of ammunition.
Moving like a shadow, she climbed the wall and slipped out of her courtyard, her movements as light and graceful as a cat.
Back at the supermarket, Ruyi scaled the building with practiced ease. She entered through a second-floor window she'd previously sealed with tape, then crept silently down the stairs.
From her hiding spot near the rear door, she listened to the voices inside.
"Grandma, I'm hungry!" Little Tian whined.
"Be patient, sweetheart. When we get to the base tomorrow, we'll have plenty to eat," the old woman reassured him.
Ruyi scoffed silently. If you think reaching the base will solve everything, you're in for a rude awakening.
"But I'm hungry now! I can't wait until tomorrow!" Little Tian's wails grew louder.
"Xiaodou, do you have anything left?"
After a pause, Jiang Xiaodou's voice answered, tinged with fatigue. "I still have half a piece of bread. Give it to Little Tian."
"Thank you, Xiaodou. You're such a good boy."
"Big Brother Xiaodou, I'm hungry too!" the little girl piped up.
"Be patient, Xiaofei. Once we reach the base, I promise I'll find something for you."
"What are you doing, stealing bread from a kid? You're a grown man—don't you have any shame?" Grandma Li's voice trembled with anger.
"Shut up, old hag!" Yellow-Hair snapped back. "Your brat's growing, huh? What about Xiaodou—he doesn't need to grow?"
"You ungrateful scum! How dare you—ah!"
"Grandma!" Little Tian's voice cracked with panic.
"Enough!" Yu-shao's voice cut through the commotion, silencing the group. Footsteps echoed toward the back.
Ruyi didn't hesitate. She activated her newly discovered ability—her secret weapon: invisibility.