Chapter 10: This Goddamn Talent

When Long Ge saw the shopkeeper’s wife kill herself, he flew into a rage. “You fucking bitch!”
But what met him next—
Was a fist so fast it left afterimages!
“BOOM——”
Long Ge’s body was hurled backward like a ragdoll, not even having time to scream.
Another wall of the supermarket was obliterated.
He was launched through the air like a human cannonball, pulverizing every barrier in his path, and crashed onto the street’s concrete.
The New Humans feasting on the streets instantly locked onto this new target.
Chen Xiao stood there, staring at his fist, a hint of helplessness in his heart:
Well, that was overkill.
This supermarket was no longer safe—would probably fall soon.
“Xiao-ge, what now?”
“Find another spot.”
…
Leaving the now-broken supermarket,
Chen Xiao, Zhang Ming, Tang Shiyang, and Liu Mingqing quickly found another small supermarket.
This one was similarly sized and laid out, but with a crucial difference: it was deep in the boonies.
Liu Mingqing, a local, had led them here.
From the outside, it looked untouched—no signs of looting.
Chen Xiao extended his [Dragon’s Breath] senses—the place was empty. A safe bet.
A quick application of brute force to the lock later, they were inside and taking stock.
Chen Xiao stripped off his blood-soaked, drenched hospital gown,
then grabbed a clean set of clothes from a rack—
A sleek black utility jacket, perfect fit.
Zhang Ming and Old Liu worked together to barricade the door with a giant shelf, then started observing New Humans through the glass.
With Chen Xiao around, they felt invincible.
A perfect chance to study New Humans up close.
Chen Xiao, now changed, sat in a boss’s chair, chowing down on a self-heating hotpot (a convenient apocalypse meal):
“Old Liu, if I remember right, you live in this neighborhood, don’t you?”
Liu Mingqing nodded, tentatively saying:
“The outbreak doesn’t seem as crazy as when it first broke out. I want to grab some food later—my wife and kids are waiting for me…”
Despite their teacher-student bond, Liu Mingqing knew the score.
Even with all this loot, he had to ask the real boss before taking anything.
After all, Chen Xiao wasn’t the same kid he used to be.
No idea what talent he had, but that kind of power he’d just unleashed? Chen Xiao was destined for greatness.
Chen Xiao checked the time—already past four.
Less than two hours till dawn.
Outside was still pitch-black as ink,
but Chen Xiao knew: at six, the [Nightfall] rule would break.
The sky would burst into light.
“Sure. You can head back at five.”
On one hand, for Liu Mingqing’s safety—by five, the danger level would be similar to daytime.
On the other, to give him enough time to stock up for his two kids.
By apocalypse standards, Chen Xiao had more than squared his debt with Old Liu.
Liu Mingqing clasped his hands together, humbly bowing twice to Chen Xiao—the sight leaving Chen Xiao with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Fed and watered, Chen Xiao sent Old Liu off, then returned to the supermarket’s inner room.
Zhang Ming stood guard at the door, desperate to prove his worth.
Chen Xiao was more than happy to have a volunteer for the night watch. He waved at Tang Shiyang:
“Come sleep in my room tonight.”
Tang Shiyang’s heart twitched, but she’d seen this coming.
No one helps you for nothing.
This moment had arrived.
“Xiao-ge, Shiyang and I…” Zhang Ming started, the words a desperate reflex. He couldn’t stand this—but one look at Chen Xiao’s icy gaze froze the protest in his throat. He chickened out, completely and utterly.
He’d seen Chen Xiao slaughter his way from the cafeteria to the supermarket.
A guy like that would kill him for mouthing off.
Plus, Chen Xiao had saved his life…
Zhang Ming never finished his sentence. Standing at the supermarket door, he looked ten years older.
Tang Shiyang wore a red bodycon skirt and sheer high-heeled sandals.
Bathed in the hellish, blood-red light, she was a vision of devastating allure—a perfect icon for this new world.
Chen Xiao had called her over to talk—just talk.
Yep… talk.
This woman would be huge in the future—the goddess of countless Jiangbei men!
Her terrifying talent would make her a prize for any faction.
Tang Shiyang didn’t say yes or no—she just sauntered toward Chen Xiao.
Zhang Ming watched her tall, sexy figure, his heart bleeding.
In his mind, they were supposed to be the pair!
Tang Shiyang had confessed to him!
But now, they had no choice.
Zhang Ming clung to hope: even if she wasn’t his now,
she’d be his later.
Maybe it was self-hypnosis, but his mood lifted a bit.
He turned away, refusing to look at Tang Shiyang’s enchanting back.
After Tang Shiyang entered the room, Chen Xiao glanced at Zhang Ming standing guard seriously, thinking:
Ming, you can’t handle this woman. Without me, you’d be dead back there.
Of course, he’d never say that to Zhang Ming. Instead, he locked the door behind him.