The delay meant it was already afternoon. After Zhang Qilin's twelve-woman team joined us, they kindly informed us that the houses near the chief's home were sturdy enough for overnight stays. Having hidden here long with no zombie appearances, the village was relatively safe.
Since nightfall approached, we decided to stay in the village.
To the left of the chief's house stood a row of connected single-story homes—six households, unlike the chief's standalone building. Probably to assert status—in small places, officials flaunt authority. As the saying goes, "Don't treat the village chief as a mere cadre!"
Or, "Don't treat village cadres as mere bean buns!"
I introduced Zhang Qilin's team to the group. The bachelors' eyes lit up—all twelve women were attractive; no wonder they were excited!
"Hey, don't be shameless! Survival first, romance later!" I whispered to the lingering men as Zhang Qilin's group mingled with the women and children. Hmph, I saw through their schemes! But I understood—men always seek pretty partners, regardless of circumstances.
"Your duty is protecting the elders, women, and children. Only then can we reclaim peace and happiness. Rest now, no fooling around!" As the men lingered, I warned them off. They chuckled and left to stand guard.
Elders, women, and children were prioritized for the sturdiest row of houses—thick walls zombies couldn't scale or topple, with lockable courtyard gates.
We assigned men to guard each courtyard.
Rural homes had two or three bedrooms, each with large kangbeds sleeping multiple people side-by-side.
Paolo and the six other infected men were laid on the floor of the farthest bedroom. Sixth Brother, A-Ze, my husband Jianan, Yan Quan, and others squatted worriedly before the unconscious companions.
Sixth Brother gently stroked Paolo's grayish face, silent, tears falling soundlessly onto the dusty ground.
Paolo's eyes snapped open, coated in a gray-white film. Expressionless, he turned toward Sixth Brother.
"Son, I've failed you…" Sixth Brother choked up, seeing Paolo had turned.
The other six began twitching, emitting low growls. Jianan, A-Ze, and Yan Quan leaped up, weapons aimed at the struggling zombies.
Bound by ropes, the six struggled fiercely, nearly snapping the restraints.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Seeing Sixth Brother immobile, the three reluctantly put down the six zombies.
Paolo, bound in thick chains, struggled violently but couldn't break free. Snarling, he twisted toward the nearest living human—Sixth Brother—who remained calm, watching intently.
After a long pause, Sixth Brother grabbed Jianan's arm, weeping. "Brothers, help me! I can't kill my son! I'll keep him—if this virus exists, a cure must come someday! Only if I'm infected or dead… then end Paolo… Please? I beg you!" Sobbing, he left the trio no choice but to nod silently.
Relieved, Sixth Brother crouched, stroking Paolo's hair. Paolo snapped at his hand, growling hungrily, but Sixth Brother easily evaded, continuing his touch, though his tears stopped.
"Son, I never acknowledged you, let you live as an orphan, never gave you a good life. I thought I'd leave you wealth eventually… Now I regret it! You stayed by my side as a servant—I never let you call me 'Dad'! Hold on, I'll find a cure, save you, hear you call me 'Dad'! Then you and Jin Di will be brothers—we'll rebuild together!"
Then, shocking the others, Sixth Brother drew his knife, cut a chunk of flesh from a dead zombie, and fed it to Paolo! Though zombie meat, it was freshly turned—and Paolo accepted.
Paolo gnawed the stale flesh greedily, but his eyes still fixated on the living humans.
Jianan felt a chill—keeping a zombie was terrifying! But thinking of Shuai Shuai, he understood: if his son needed human flesh, he'd cut his own without hesitation. Suddenly, he empathized with Sixth Brother deeply.
Silently, he crouched, cut a thigh piece from another zombie, and handed it to Sixth Brother, who gave a grateful look.
Zombies were insatiable. Soon, Paolo devoured two adult thighs, still growling and twisting. As Jianan and A-Ze moved to cut more, unable to stomach carving intestines…
"Enough. Zombies are never full. This sustains Paolo's functions. We've done enough." Sixth Brother waved them off.
"Wonder if zombies feel cold at night…" Sixth Brother murmured, gazing at Paolo.
"Sixth Brother, I'll get a blanket for Paolo." Jianan understood.
After covering Paolo, the zombie gradually calmed, perhaps satiated by the meal, ceasing its frantic struggles.
"Thank you," Sixth Brother said softly, not looking up.
"I'll stay with Paolo tonight—in case he breaks free and harms anyone. You rest." Sixth Brother sat on the floor, refusing to leave.
Jianan thought: if it were Shuai Shuai, he and Duo would stay too, infected or not. He didn't protest, fetching a thicker blanket for Sixth Brother before leaving.
The trio exited the isolated house, returning to our courtyard.
I was feeding Shuai Shuai dinner. Jianan swept up our son, kissing him fiercely. Shuai Shuai, puzzled, giggled joyfully—a happy child who adored his father.
Meeting my gaze, Jianan said nothing, but I understood. "Take food to Sixth Brother—it's ready in the outdoor kitchen."
Rural kitchens had large coal-and-wood stoves. Our group had lit fires, cooking hot meals—a rare luxury! We made rice and a canned stew (beef, peas, pork mixed with water—thick but fragrant). Hot food was a treasure now!
Jianan packed a large box of food with a clean spoon for Sixth Brother.
Sixth Brother ate ravenously. As Jianan left, he said, "We'll care for Jin Di. Don't worry."
Sixth Brother had twin sons, Jin Di and Yin Di. During the school zombie attack, Yin Di and Sixth Brother's wife were torn apart. Now losing another son, he was near breaking point—no surprise he acted unusually.
Sixth Brother nodded silently, eating while watching Paolo.
Jianan slipped away.
After a few bites, Sixth Brother offered food to Paolo—but Paolo ignored it, only growling at Sixth Brother's approach. Disappointed, Sixth Brother ate alone.
Jianan had brought a large portion. Though grieving, Sixth Brother forced it down, unwilling to waste food. After eating, he washed the box neatly in the kitchen.
He checked the other bedroom—a dirty kangwith bedding. He laid Jianan's blanket there, then inspected the courtyard walls (thick, high brick with a ladder) and gate (sturdy wooden with a thick bolt). Satisfied, he returned to Paolo's room.
Seeing Paolo calm, Sixth Brother hesitated, then silently shut the bedroom door and lay on the kangin the other room, exhausted from the day's battles and Paolo's infection. He was drained.