Chapter 8: An Oscar-Worthy Performance (Best Actress)

Tang Shiyang sighed and brushed past the two, reaching for the main door.
Zhang Ming lunged to stop her. “What are you doing?!”
Tang Shiyang turned, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes shimmered piteously—she looked utterly heart-wrenching.
In a quivering voice, she pleaded: “Let me be the decoy. While they’re on me, you two run. Just… just forget about me. I’m just dead weight anyway.”
Then, she gazed at Zhang Ming with doe eyes and whispered:
“Ming-ge… you’re so much better than I deserved. I see that now. Please… live a good life. I’ll go on ahead.”
Zhang Ming’s mind went blank.
He’d chased Tang Shiyang for two years—and this was the first time she’d ever hinted at liking him!
She was like a rose on the verge of blooming in this godforsaken apocalypse.
How could he let her be destroyed?
Zhang Ming slammed his palm against the door, teeth gritted:
“Shiyang—you have to survive.”
With that, he wrenched the door open.
Chen Xiao, watching from the rooftop, lost it.
He couldn’t help but give a slow, mocking clap from the shadows. “Holy fucking shit. Now that’s a performance! Give her the Oscar! Best fucking actress!”
Of course he could tell—the girl’s acting was flawless, and she was using this idiot.
Truth be told, Chen Xiao hated seeing this.
Not because he felt sorry for Zhang Ming.
But because it felt like looking in a mirror.
In his past life, he’d been just as much of a simp for Cheng Youyou.
The two simps’ fates seemed destined to align.
Zhang Ming stood in the doorway, breath ragged.
“The wind is bleak, the Yi River runs cold…” he thought dramatically, echoing the famous last words of a doomed ancient assassin.
Then terror hit—he chickened out.
The second the door opened, every New Human locked onto him.
Their milky-white, lifeless eyes stared in unison.
Under that eerie gaze, Zhang Ming’s legs turned to jelly.
But there was no time to hesitate—
A boot slammed into the small of his back, sending him tumbling down the stairs.
Monsters swarmed toward him instantly.
Li Li!
Zhang Ming couldn’t believe how vicious she was!
But there was no time to process—New Humans were faster than he’d ever imagined, a tidal wave of twisted flesh and milky eyes flooding toward him.
A final, bitter wave of rage and hatred crested inside her—but it was too late. She never got the chance.
Pure, cold despair flooded his veins, crushing his lungs.
This is it. I’m dead.
He glanced toward Tang Shiyang, heartbroken.
A flower in the apocalypse… and I tried to protect her.
But as he watched, Li Li and Tang Shiyang exchanged grins of relief.
Then he saw a foot shoot out from behind Li Li—
It sent her flying seven meters through the air, a spray of blood arcing behind her like a crimson ribbon as she crashed down the stairs.
Zhang Ming’s jaw dropped. This was getting weird.
“I fucking hate backstabs.”
Chen Xiao hadn’t planned to interfere… but he snapped.
After all, Cheng Youyou had backstabbed him yesterday.
He wasn’t about to let history repeat itself.
Reborn, he’d do as he pleased.
Whoever he marked for death would die.
Li Li’s body flew like a ragdoll, drawing fire away from Zhang Ming.
She grit her teeth, glaring at the doorway—
And saw that face again.
The hospital gown freak!
“Why does he have to meddle?! Why?!”
“I just want to live—what’s wrong with that?!”
New Humans descended, their shrill laughter echoing.
She felt her stomach split open, flesh peeling…
Zhang Ming, with his [Bull’s Hoof] talent, barely outran a few New Humans.
No time for thanks—he sprinted toward a narrow path.
Chen Xiao and Tang Shiyang didn’t waste words; Li Li’s distraction wouldn’t last.
With most New Humans focused on Li Li, the trio met in the overgrown path.
It was narrow and weedy… and safe.
The Evolutionary Cache had lured all other New Humans to the library.
In the safe zone, Zhang Ming punched Chen Xiao’s shoulder:
“Thanks, man—I don’t even know your name!”
“Chen Xiao.”
“Xiao-ge, without that kick, I’d be dead. Name a favor—anything, and I’ll do it.”
Chen Xiao waved him off. “Don’t thank me. I didn’t save you for your sake.”
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Wang Qi’s crowing made Zhang Ming gulp. He steeled himself and continued:
“Xiao-ge, I’m Zhang Ming. My [Bull’s Hoof] is B-rank—strong enough to take on three or four monsters.”
He hauled Tang Shiyang over. “This is Tang Shiyang. Her talent’s A-rank [Water Ball]—weak in combat, but A-rank’s got potential!”
Chen Xiao’s normally stoic eyes flickered.
“Oh? Tang Shiyang?”
The name jogged a memory.
If he recalled… this girl was no ordinary damsel.
In his past life, she’d been far more powerful than him.
One of Jiangbei City’s top goddesses—known as the “Fish Spirit Queen”.
A boss with both looks and strength.
And her talent? Not some measly A-rank [Water Ball]—but an S-rank creative talent, [Water Source].
With it, she’d built a massive faction in the apocalypse’s later stages, when water was scarce.
Was Tang Shiyang hiding her talent?
Chen Xiao didn’t call her out. He nodded, studying her.
In his past life, they’d met briefly—she’d left a mark.
Too alluring; any man would be drawn to her.
Even when he’d been obsessed with Cheng Youyou, Tang Shiyang had made him falter.
Back then, she’d been untouchable—so his fleeting crush had felt normal.
Snapping back, he noticed Tang Shiyang looked roughed up…
But the glimmer of a future goddess was still there.
As he thought, his body tensed.
Forcing down the urge to unleash his “flame knife” aura, he turned and declared:
“I’m taking over a supermarket.”
Zhang Ming and Tang Shiyang, quick on the uptake, chimed in:
“We’re coming too!”
Chen Xiao smirked faintly, ignoring them as he headed for the exit.
Zhang Ming noticed Chen Xiao’s shift and winced.
Please don’t let this guy hit on Shiyang…
After all, Tang Shiyang had “confessed” to him—he’d already pictured them surviving the apocalypse together.
Tang Shiyang stayed silent, laying low.
Zhang Ming’s [Bull’s Hoof] was B-rank and still that strong…
Her own talent was S-rank—the thought was chilling.
In the apocalypse, trust was a luxury.
If her talent got out, things would get messy.