Chapter Seventeen: An Unexpected Gain

Chen Jiahe’s face flushed a deep purple-red as she weakly scratched at it with both hands.

Mu Chen had no time to think.

A flicker of eerie blue light flashed!

In an instant, he appeared behind Wu Han. Channeling all his strength into his right leg, accompanied by the sound of breaking air, he delivered a fierce kick to the back of Wu Han’s heart!

“Bang—!”

A dull sound that made one’s teeth ache.

Wu Han’s entire body was blasted off the ground by the overwhelming force, arching backward and crashing heavily against the opposite wall!

“Rumble!”

The wall shook violently, denting inward in a horrifying, human-shaped pit. Cracks rapidly spread outward.

Wu Han’s body slid limply down the wall, collapsing onto the floor. Blood continuously gushed from his mouth and nose. His body twitched a few times before falling completely still.

The living room fell into dead silence.

Mu Chen took a few steps to Chen Jiahe’s side, reaching out to steady her.

“It’s over,” his voice was slightly hoarse.

“Cough… cough cough cough…” Chen Jiahe bent forward, coughing violently. The pale skin of her neck was marked by several dark purple finger bruises, frighteningly vivid.

After struggling to catch her breath, she looked up at Mu Chen. “You… you took care of all of them?”

Mu Chen nodded, his tone calm and emotionless. “If I didn’t, we’d be the ones dead.”

Chen Jiahe’s breathing was still rapid. She whispered, “Are you… alright? The first time… it must be painful, right?”

Mu Chen shook his head, his voice still flat. “In the apocalypse, to survive, this is the only way.”

Chen Jiahe said no more, pausing for a few seconds.

Then, she took a small step forward, hesitating but gently wrapping her arms around Mu Chen.

“You must be very upset. Don’t bear it alone,” her voice was soft, trembling faintly like a survivor’s sigh.

The warmth of her body pressed against him, carrying a faint fragrance and heat.

Mu Chen’s body stiffened for a moment.

This girl… he had just clawed his way back from death’s edge, yet she still worried about his feelings?

[Ding! Chen Jiahe’s favorability +32, current favorability: 90/100 (True Love)]

The cold system notification suddenly rang in Mu Chen’s mind.

He was utterly stunned.

True love?!

“We should go,” Mu Chen quickly regained his composure and gently pushed Chen Jiahe aside without a trace.

---

He walked straight to the bathroom, where a pot of lush green plants still thrived.

“There’s something even more important waiting for us.”

Mu Chen carefully lifted the entire pot along with the plants.

“This harvest has far exceeded expectations,” his voice finally carried a hint of excitement he could no longer hide.

He held the pot of supernatural fruits and carefully examined the few remaining black berries on the branches.

“There are four left.” He plucked one and studied it in his palm. “Enough for the two of us.”

Chen Jiahe rubbed the bruises on her neck. “Can these really awaken superpowers? The one you ate just now…”

“It was fake. But it unexpectedly triggered a real awakening,” Mu Chen said, carefully storing the fruit in his system space. “The system activated the superpower awakening program while purifying toxins.”

“So these real fruits…”

“The effect should be even stronger.” Mu Chen stood and headed toward the bedroom. “Let’s first scavenge the supplies here, then head back.”

The bedroom was a mess, with the wardrobe half-open and belongings scattered everywhere. Mu Chen crouched to search for useful items.

Chen Jiahe stood at the doorway, looking at two corpses on the floor. “Are we just leaving them here like this?”

“Do you want to give them a proper burial?” Mu Chen didn’t look up as he pulled a box of condoms from the nightstand and casually stored them in his system space.

Chen Jiahe’s face flushed. “What do you need those for?”

“Better safe than sorry.” Mu Chen shrugged, then pulled out a bottle of blue pills. After glancing at the label, he tossed it aside. “Forget it, we don’t need this.”

“You…” Chen Jiahe blushed even more.

Mu Chen stood, clapped his hands, and said, “Let’s go. There’s nothing valuable left here.”

Back in Room 3001, Mu Chen took out two boxes of self-heating hotpot and several hamburgers from his system space, placing them on the coffee table.

“Let’s eat well tonight, celebrate a bit.” He tore open the hotpot package. “Awakening superpowers is a milestone.”

The steaming aroma quickly filled the air. Chen Jiahe couldn’t help but swallow. “Smells amazing…”

Mu Chen took out his phone and snapped several photos of their sumptuous meal before opening the residents’ group chat.

“Mu Chen, you’re posting this in the group?” Chen Jiahe looked worried. “Won’t they…”

“Afraid of what?” Mu Chen’s fingers flew over the keyboard. He sent a message: “Tonight’s dinner: self-heating hotpot and hamburgers. Even in the apocalypse, life needs a sense of ceremony. Good night, neighbors~”

As soon as the message was sent, the group chat exploded.

Aunt Wang: “That bastard! We’re starving to death, and he’s flaunting his wealth here!”

Uncle Li: “Mu Chen, you son of a—! I haven’t had a hot meal for three days!”

Aunt Zhao: “This is unforgivable! How come monsters haven’t eaten him yet?”

Grandpa Liu: “Karma! Karma will come for him!”

One message after another flooded the screen, all curses directed at Mu Chen.

---

Chen Jiahe watched him anxiously. “They seem really angry…”

“Good,” Mu Chen calmly picked up a slice of luncheon meat. “Anger makes people lose reason. Those who lose reason are easier to control.”

“You did this on purpose?”

“Of course.” Mu Chen took a bite of his burger. “I need to know who’s still alive, who has resources, and whose mental defenses are weakest.”

His phone kept buzzing with waves of vicious insults.

Aunt Zhang: “Mu Chen, you scoundrel! I curse you to die a miserable death!”

Uncle Sun: “You beast! If you’re so capable, share some with us!”

Aunt Zhou: “Such a selfish scum deserves to be torn apart by monsters!”

Mu Chen watched with amusement, occasionally liking a comment. “These people sure have vivid imaginations.”

“Aren’t you angry?” Chen Jiahe asked, puzzled.

“Why would I be?” Mu Chen put down his phone. “The angrier they get, the more successful my strategy. Angry people reveal more information.”

Sure enough, some began accusing others in the chat:

Uncle Li: “Aunt Wang, mind your words! Didn’t you still have half a bag of rice hidden?”

Aunt Wang: “Nonsense! We ran out ages ago! It’s you, Old Li, I heard you cooking yesterday!”

Aunt Zhao: “Enough bickering! Instead of arguing, why not think about how to survive?”

Uncle Sun: “By the way, didn’t Pan Guang say he wanted to form a mutual aid group? Why no news on that?”

Mu Chen raised an eyebrow. This Pan Guang was indeed a wild card.

Just then, Pan Guang’s avatar lit up: “Neighbors, I’m now compiling a list of those willing to join the mutual aid group. Please private message me if interested.”

The chat fell silent for a few seconds before responses began pouring in:

“Brother Pan, I’m in!”

“Count me in!”

“I have some supplies at home, I can share!”

Mu Chen sneered. “Looks like my little provocation worked.”

Chen Jiahe bit into her burger. “What do you think of this Pan Guang?”

“He’s capable, organized, and has some influence.” Mu Chen paused. “But people like him often have bigger ambitions—and are more dangerous.”

“So what do we do…”

“Wait and see.” Mu Chen put away his phone. “Let the bullets fly a while longer.”