Chapter 81: Hitting (Saving) Someone

Zhang Yiming sat slightly awkwardly in the corner of the sofa, his hands properly placed on his legs.

The living room of the bus was warm and cozy, with many photos on the walls.

There were the most photos of Xiao Niu.

When Zhang Yiming looked up, he saw a photo on the opposite wall, which was from Xiao Niu’s middle school days.

Xiao Niu had a youthful smile on her face, wearing her middle school uniform, with the words ’City No.1 Middle School’ embroidered on the pocket.

Zhang Yiming felt a bit dazed, as if he had returned to those youthful middle school days when he was also a student at City No.1 Middle School.

Now, the beautiful alma mater was filled with... zombies.

"Xiao Ming, why aren’t you eating?"

Liu Jing served Zhang Yiming a bowl of boiled vegetables and meat rolls and placed it in front of him.

"Thank you, Grandma!"

Zhang Yiming smiled gently, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating from the bowl.

Bite after bite, Zhang Yiming ate with appreciation, occasionally praising the hotpot for being delicious and flavorful.

"Hiss—"

Bai Yifan and Bai Anhai ate the hotpot, their faces turning red from the heat.

The men of the Bai family couldn’t handle spicy food as well as the women.

"Brother Xiao Ming, don’t you find it spicy?"

Bai Yifan looked at Zhang Yiming eating bite after bite and expressed his admiration.

The hotpot base was insanely spicy, favored by his mom and grandma. Even after washing the vegetables in water, it was still spicy!

"I like spicy food; this hotpot is delicious."

Zhang Yiming continued eating the meat rolls in his bowl, his expression unreadable.

"Brother Xiao Ming, you’re amazing!"

Bai Yifan gave a thumbs up to Zhang Yiming.

Liu Jing and Wang Yiyun also glanced at Zhang Yiming, impressed that this difficult-to-handle spicy hotpot didn’t bother him.

Zhang Yiming noticed everyone’s gaze and smiled warmly.

"I’ve loved spicy food since I was young, so I’m used to it."

Zhang Yiming tidied his slightly messy sleeves in a refined manner, looking scholarly and polite.

"Even if you’re not afraid of spice, don’t eat too much of it. It might upset your stomach; try some sesame paste to ease the heat."

Liu Jing, smiling, served a dish of sesame paste to Zhang Yiming.

Zhang Yiming quickly reached out with both hands and accepted it cautiously.

"Thank you!"

Zhang Yiming smiled politely, dipping his chopsticks in the sesame paste dish a couple of times before eating.

"Indeed, it’s not as spicy, and the sesame paste tastes great."

Zhang Yiming smiled warmly, seemingly enjoying the sesame paste’s flavor, dipping his food in it every time.

Shy or not, Zhang Yiming never stretched his chopsticks into the hotpot; it was always Liu Jing and Wang Yiyun who scooped food for him.

After the meal, Liu Jing didn’t stop Zhang Yiming, who took his bowl and chopsticks and washed them thoroughly.

Following that hotpot meal, Zhang Yiming and Bai Yifan’s relationship significantly improved.

Mainly because Bai Yifan now had a good impression of Zhang Yiming, having been treated to a yogurt stir-fried with milk powder by him.

It was his first time having it, and it was delicious!

Since that day, Bai Yifan felt that this guy was not bad at all!

"I have to leave now, thank you for the hospitality—and for saving my life."

Zhang Yiming bowed gentlemanly to everyone.

"No need to be so polite, child. When you come to the Fire Phoenix Safety Base in the future, let’s have hotpot together again!"

Liu Jing looked at Zhang Yiming with a smiling face, finding him more pleasing to the eye the more she looked.

She loved kids who could eat spicy food!

Bai Zhengxuan, Bai Anhai, Bai Yifan, and Leng Yebai never enjoyed the joy of eating chili; every meal lacked enjoyment.

Zhang Yiming was a good kid with a talent for eating spicy food!

"Sure, thanks again for the hospitality!"

Zhang Yiming smiled warmly, his sunny and handsome face as warm and pleasant as ever.

He resembled the gentle big brother next door.

He swung a long leg over the motorcycle and smiled at everyone, ready to leave.

Vroom—

Before Zhang Yiming could leave, he saw a green garbage truck rushing towards them.

Zhang Yiming squinted and immediately saw Uncle Wang driving, motionless.

The green garbage truck stopped in front of the bus.

The truck’s door opened, and out came three elderly men.

One, looking very refined.

Another, appearing slightly chubby.

The third, seeming rather casual.

Zhang Yiming looked expressionless at the last man getting off the driver’s seat.

"Oh, young man, we meet again!"

Uncle Wang, completely unashamed, patted Zhang Yiming’s shoulder.

A hint of sharpness flashed in Zhang Yiming’s eyes.

"Where have you been, Grandpa?"

Bai Yifan’s voice came through.

Zhang Yiming suppressed his hostility, turning to look at Bai Yifan.

"We went looking for supplies," the refined elder told Bai Yifan.

He was probably Xiao Niu’s grandfather.

"So where are the supplies?" Bai Yifan asked again.

"Didn’t take any!" Bai Zhengxuan, with a calm face, said, "Squeezing the three of us into the cab wasn’t easy, too lazy to get down and move supplies. We hit some zombies, took one look at the supplies, and came back!"

Not lacking in supplies, too lazy to carry them, just having fun~ Just having fun~

Bai Yifan: ...

Alright then!

As long as Grandpa is happy!

"Why aren’t you talking, young fellow?" Uncle Wang patted Zhang Yiming’s shoulder again, "Don’t you recognize me? I saved (hit) you with my truck in M City before!"

Zhang Yiming snapped back to reality, his face returning to a gentle smile, "I remember, thank you, Uncle Wang, for saving (hitting) me last time!"

"No need to thank me, no need! Just a small effort!" Uncle Wang boasted, "My garbage truck is sturdy; despite all those zombies back then, they couldn’t even dent it! They looked fierce, but really weren’t any trouble. I didn’t get a scratch!"

Uncle Wang spoke with pride, having an air of invincibility.

Zhang Yiming smiled gently, not replying.

"Who’s this young chap?"

Bai Zhengxuan looked at Zhang Yiming.

"Hello, Grandpa, I’m Xiao Niu’s classmate. My name is Zhang Yiming."

Zhang Yiming smiled gently at Bai Zhengxuan, politely stepping off his motorcycle.

"Oh, you’re my Xiao Niu’s classmate! You look like a good student!"

Bai Zhengxuan smiled gently as well.

With his years of teaching experience, he could tell this refined, good kid must be a top student!

"What a coincidence, good thing I floored it back then!" Uncle Wang laughed heartily.

He felt good for the deed he did.

Saving a classmate of his friend’s granddaughter was quite decent!

Zhang Yiming kept his habitual smile.

After a few simple pleasantries, Zhang Yiming took a long look at the bus before preparing to leave.

"I have to go now, thank you for your hospitality."

Zhang Yiming bowed once more to the Bai family’s elders, getting back on the motorcycle.

"Goodbye!" Bai Yifan waved at Zhang Yiming, "Brother Xiao Ming, be careful on your way back and avoid being chased by zombies again!"

"Were you chased by zombies again? Drive faster, stop being so slow, and move quietly to avoid attracting zombies." Uncle Wang earnestly shared his insights with Zhang Yiming.

To avoid being chased by zombies, one must keep a low profile.

Uncle Liu’s mouth twitched at Uncle Wang’s words.

So, Old Wang did know that driving discreetly wouldn’t attract zombies!

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Wang."

Zhang Yiming smiled, departing.

The motorcycle sped away around the zombie corpses scattered on the ground, heading swiftly in one direction.