Edge of the Apocalypse
Chapter 21 - 19: Senior, Here... We Can’t, Not Here.

Chapter 21: Chapter 19: Senior, Here... We Can’t, Not Here.

’Wait a minute, what she said... sounds like my line.’

Yu Dong read Liu Ye’ye’s note again in disbelief.

Yu Dong even frowned, wondering if he had overtrained the day before, causing him to fall into such a deep sleep that he was still dreaming.

’Liu Ye’ye wants to lure me over with food?’

’This is too weird.’

Yu Dong felt like his analysis of Liu Ye’ye had never once been correct.

’So strange. I’ll take another look...’

Yu Dong looked at the words written on it, "I have a lot of food here," and couldn’t help but grin.

’It feels like Liu Ye’ye isn’t so smart after all...’

’How can this woman be so smart one moment and so silly the next?’

’Or... does she have something else in mind...’

There was no point in overthinking it. Yu Dong had already been planning to go find her, so now was the perfect time to head down.

He had planned to bring a can of Spam as a gift to lower Liu Ye’ye’s guard, but now it seemed... Liu Ye’ye wasn’t short on food.

He put the can of Spam back among his row of canned goods boxes.

After checking the fire door several times and confirming the hallway was still clear of zombies today, Yu Dong opened the fire door on his floor, the fourth, and crept softly down to the third floor.

He discovered that the third-floor fire door’s automatic closing mechanism was broken and no longer closed on its own.

’No wonder those damn zombies could get into the third floor...’

Yu Dong quickly reached Liu Ye’ye’s apartment. Before he could even knock, the security door swung open from the inside.

A delicate, fair hand reached out and pulled Yu Dong inside.

"Senior, come in quick."

Yu Dong allowed himself to be pulled into Liu Ye’ye’s home.

When Liu Ye’ye saw Yu Dong’s expensive-looking, charcoal-black tactical gear, which had him armed to the teeth, a curious look appeared in her eyes.

"S-Senior, I’m..."

"Shh!"

Without rushing to speak with Liu Ye’ye, Yu Dong scanned his surroundings. The room was painted pink, and the furniture and other items were very feminine. It was clearly the home of a young woman.

The layout of the apartment was identical to his.

Holding his spear, Yu Dong pushed open the doors to each room one by one, checking for any other signs of life...

He had never forgotten... Three days before the apocalypse broke out, Liu Ye’ye had told him her ’dad’ was coming over.

Yu Dong didn’t know if her ’dad’ had left or not.

When he reached the master bedroom, Liu Ye’ye quickly blocked the doorway.

"Senior, here... you can’t go in here."

Yu Dong’s eyes narrowed, and his hands tightened on his spear.

"Why not?"

"This is a girl’s bedroom..."

"Sorry, I need to ensure it’s secure. Please open it."

Yu Dong stared into Liu Ye’ye’s almond-shaped eyes.

Liu Ye’ye hesitated for a moment, then had no choice but to open the door for Yu Dong.

Inside, a clothes rack held several pairs of cartoon-character panties, along with two binders and some regular clothes.

Yu Dong gave the room a quick scan, also checking inside the closet, before confirming that no one else was in Liu Ye’ye’s apartment.

By now, Liu Ye’ye’s face was completely flushed with embarrassment.

She shut the bedroom door.

Then she returned to the living room, hugging her large stuffed dog, her lips pouted.

Yu Dong put down his spear, took off his helmet, and extended his hand.

"Liu Ye’ye, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Yu Dong."

"I... Hello, I’m Liu Ye’ye."

Liu Ye’ye wanted to say she wasn’t pleased, but when she thought about how her senior was just being careful for safety’s sake, she found herself thinking he was very thorough... and that little bit of resentment vanished instantly.

"I was a bit out of line just now. My apologies."

"It’s okay. At a time like this... staying alive is what’s most important."

After saying this, Liu Ye’ye just hugged her big stuffed dog and looked at Yu Dong, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes blinking.

Only then did Yu Dong notice that Liu Ye’ye was dressed quite formally today. Her hair was up in a bun, held by a silver, traditional-style hairpin that gave her a very elegant air.

Seeing that she wasn’t speaking, Yu Dong took the initiative.

"You’re very skilled with that drone. Coming up with that plan so quickly yesterday was..."

"Senior, have you eaten? Let me get you some cookies."

Hearing Yu Dong bring up what happened yesterday, Liu Ye’ye’s toes began to curl in embarrassment.

She quickly pulled out a box of cookies, eager to change the subject.

He took them. This time, they were little rabbit-shaped cookies, and they smelled wonderful.

He didn’t eat one just yet, asking thoughtfully,

"I ate a little while ago... Do you have a lot of food here?"

At this topic, Liu Ye’ye, who was usually a bit socially anxious, suddenly brightened up.

"Mhm!"

"I’m really good at baking! Even better than I am at playing the piano!"

"A few days ago, I just happened to go to the supermarket and stock up on supplies. Now I have tons of flour, and the fridge is full of butter... fresh milk... cream... cheese... and so on!"

"I’ve calculated it. If we eat freshly baked bread and cookies every day, this will be enough for the two of us for a whole month!"

Seeing that Yu Dong’s expression was a little off, Liu Ye’ye quickly added,

"Senior, I know I’m not a food science major, but these are all high in calories and very filling!"

She was quite confident in her supplies.

Yu Dong mulled it over for a moment.

"I have three questions. First, what if... and I’m just saying what if... the power and water go out? What then?"

The moment Yu Dong finished speaking, every appliance in the apartment shut off.

The power grid in Yanhai City had only lasted for less than two days before a total blackout.

Liu Ye’ye froze for a second. The light in her eyes gradually faded as she slowly buried her head in her stuffed dog...

After a long pause, a muffled voice came from beneath the stuffed animal:

"Senior, you should go. I’m... not feeling very well today..."

Yu Dong found her instantly deflated look somewhat amusing.

"Don’t worry, I still have two more questions."

"Second question. If... just hypothetically... the power and water didn’t go out, shouldn’t your food supply be enough for you alone for two months? Why would you offer to share half with me?"

Liu Ye’ye peeked out from behind the stuffed dog, only her eyes showing.

"Because... I’ve been really scared being alone these past couple of nights. I can’t even sleep well. I thought it would be better to find a partner so we can support each other. Besides, if you were to live with me, even without power, I have other ways to get more food!"

Liu Ye’ye regained a bit of her energy. She still had a Plan B!

Yu Dong nodded.

"I’ll have to think about the ’sleeping together’ part. I still have a third question."

"Hey, you!"

"Third question. How did you know I was a fourth-year student from the Food Science department? Liu Ye’ye, do we... know each other?"

Yu Dong looked into Liu Ye’ye’s eyes, trying to find the answer in them.

Liu Ye’ye was a celebrity at Yanhai University. Everyone knew she was a third-year, so that wasn’t surprising.

But Yu Dong was just an ordinary person.

Why was Liu Ye’ye so sure he was a senior and not a classmate or an underclassman?

And just now, Liu Ye’ye had even mentioned the ’Food Science department’. That was a little too much information.

Yu Dong had a reasonable suspicion that Liu Ye’ye might know him, or perhaps... had investigated him.

Facing Yu Dong’s somewhat intimidating gaze, Liu Ye’ye buried her head in her stuffed dog again.

"Senior, can I... not answer that...?"