Chapter 64: The Night Attack of the Zombie Dogs

  Cao Mei’s body grew hotter, her movements almost melting into Lintao’s embrace as she sat in his p. Yet, every action of Lintao’s seemed to be guided by her deliberate touch. Her small hands had already found their way to his back, gently caressing and expertly locating the spots that aroused him most. As his breathing grew heavier, she couldn’t help but smile faintly through their kiss, her delicate hand subtly slipping to his waist and unzipping his pants with practiced ease.

  Lintao’s body tensed, his eyes snapping open as he stared at Cao Mei, who was now emitting soft, seductive sounds. Seeing the triumphant glint in her eyes, he abruptly pushed her away, his face contorted with anger as he stood up, gring down at her.

  “L-Lin Ye, what’s wrong? I just thought you needed to rex. Is there something wrong with that?” Cao Mei stammered, falling to the ground and looking up at him with fear.

  “You were smiling. What were you smiling about? That I’m just another man easily led by your charms?” Lintao’s voice was icy, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her.

  Cao Mei’s face turned pale. She shook her head frantically. “No, I wasn’t! Lin Ye, you’ve misunderstood me. I was just… happy that you finally accepted me. It was genuine joy!”

  “Cao Mei,” Lintao said coldly, his voice low and stern, “can I ever trust a word you say? I’ve treated you as a woman with a conscience, but I hope you’re not pying with fire by exploiting the little respect I’ve given you. That will only burn you in the end.”

  “No, I’m not! Please believe me!” Cao Mei pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she looked at him with desperation. “Lin Ye, I’m not heartless. My feelings for you are real. I swear to the heavens, please don’t misunderstand me!”

  “Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, there’s no need to expin. In a few days, when we find a settlement, we’ll go our separate ways. What’s true or false can be left for others to figure out.” Lintao waved his hand dismissively, his expression impatient. “Go to sleep. I’ll take the watch for the rest of the night.”

  Seeing the resolute look on Lintao’s face, Cao Mei covered her face and sobbed quietly. But Lintao made no move to comfort her. After what felt like an eternity, she staggered to her feet, her legs unsteady.

  She wiped her tears, staring at Lintao’s back as she spoke softly, “I was smiling earlier, but it wasn’t directed at you. If I was feeling triumphant, it was only because you accepted me, and maybe a little vanity as a woman. I wanted to show off to Bai Ru. That’s all. I know you’ve already judged me in your heart, and no matter what I say, you’ll think I’m acting. So I won’t expin anymore. I’ll prove my sincerity through my actions. Lin Ye… maybe you’ll never love me, but you can’t stop me from loving you.”

  With a heavy heart, Cao Mei bit her pale lips and whispered for Lintao to take care in the cold before dragging her weary steps back toward the camp.

  Her mind was a mess. What should have been a beautiful moment had turned into a disaster because of her own carelessness. But as she walked back, lost in her thoughts, a sudden gust of wind rushed at her from behind. Before she could scream, she was tackled to the ground.

  The familiar scent told her it was Lintao. Her heart leaped with joy, and she didn’t resist, closing her eyes in submission. Even if he only wanted to use her as a tool for release, she would be content as long as he forgave her.

  “Run! Now!” Lintao’s urgent voice shattered her fantasy.

  Cao Mei’s eyes snapped open just as a deafening gunshot rang out. A zombie dog, barely a meter away, was sent flying by the bullet, its body tumbling across the sand with a blood-curdling howl.

  “Run! Get to the car!” Lintao scrambled to his feet, firing his gun wildly into the darkness.

  Cao Mei realized her mistake—Lintao hadn’t tackled her out of desire but to save her from the zombie dog’s attack. Without a second thought, she bolted toward the camp. Dozens of zombie dogs had silently surrounded them, their numbers far beyond anything she’d ever seen. These creatures were faster, smarter, and far more dangerous than ordinary zombies, and they moved with terrifying coordination.

  The zombie dogs were relentless. Lintao’s shots weren’t always accurate, and the creatures were quick to exploit his blind spots. Just as he aimed at one, another would charge from a different direction. In moments, he had emptied two magazines, but only a few of the creatures y dead. The rest were closing in, their cunning making it nearly impossible for Lintao to keep them at bay.

  “Ahhh!” Cao Mei screamed as a rotting bck zombie dog lunged at her from the slope, its gaping maw inches from her face. She froze, her earlier confidence gone, reduced to a helpless girl crouching in fear, clutching her head and screaming.

  *Bang!*

  The zombie dog’s head exploded just as Cao Mei felt its foul breath on her skin. Blood and gore spttered across the ground.

  “Stop staring and run!” Lintao shouted, his gun still smoking.

  Cao Mei snapped out of her daze, her heart pounding as she sprinted toward the camp.

  The gunfire had woken everyone. The women, still in their underwear, scrambled out of their sleeping bags, panicking as they looked around the pitch-bck camp, unsure where to hide.

  “Get in the cars! All of you!” Bai Ru’s voice cut through the chaos. Her quick thinking reminded them that the vehicles were their only refuge.

  The group surged toward the cars, but the situation was worse than anyone had imagined. The zombie dogs weren’t just numerous—they were overwhelming. As the women ran, another wave of the creatures surged up the slope, their glowing red eyes fixated on the panicked humans.

  Ah Xue, trailing behind, tripped over a sleeping bag and fell to the ground. Before she could cry for help, a yellow-furred zombie dog, its body oozing bck blood, pinned her down. Its grotesque mouth, filled with rotting flesh, lunged toward her face…