Chapter 38 - 35 I’ll Chop You Down Now

Words : 1696 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 38: Chapter 35 I’ll Chop You Down Now The roar of fireworks was especially piercing in this silent city. The surrounding survivors heard the roar and initially tensed up, not knowing what was happening, but after listening carefully, they realized it was the sound of fireworks. Surprisingly, who was so bold to set off fireworks at this time? The zombies that heard the sounds still hadn’t completely gone mad. As expected. While they were observing, screams of zombies came from all around, and the zombies surged toward the source of the sound from every direction, running wildly. The overwhelming wave of zombies left them shaking with fear. If covered by such a horde of zombies, could there still be a chance to live? Many survivors suddenly felt that now was a good moment to act. They had been tormented by the apocalypse for so long and supplies were scarce. There were stores just downstairs, but the fear of zombies kept them tightly hidden at home, not daring to go out. Now that the surrounding zombies were attracted by the sounds of the explosions, wasn’t this an opportunity? Good people. They had already regarded the person setting off the fireworks as a once-in-a-lifetime good person. If not a good person, who else could do such a thing? Not even a dog would do it. That building, the rooftop. "Fuck your mom, fuck, fuck..." A middle-aged man stood on the rooftop, furiously raising his arms, yelling at the sky with heart-rending anger. The fireworks bloomed behind him, exploding in the sky, but the loud explosions couldn’t drown out the man’s screams. The man’s eyes were blood red as he gripped the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the crowded and clawing zombies below, furiously yelling. "Why, why must it be like this." "Fuck..." He kept screaming "fuck your mom" over and over—perhaps, in moments of such anger, only these words could truly vent the rage in his heart. His name was Jiang Hai. He had a happy and full family and came to Huang City at the age of eighteen to make a living. Though he suffered many setbacks, he had never given up on striving hard. He married at the age of twenty and had a lovely daughter at twenty-five. Thirty years had passed since then. His life had greatly improved, with his own career and happy family. Even with the apocalypse, he was not afraid as long as he could be with his loved ones. But today, everything was gone. All was gone, not only taking away his happiness but also his hope to live. He had severe diabetes, needing daily injections. During these apocalyptic days, he had run out of medicine. His wife and daughter, taking advantage of his fatigue and sleep, went out to find medicine for him. When he woke up, he saw a note. [Dear husband, the baby and I have gone to find medicine for you. Wait at home for us to come back. Love, your darling.] Seeing the content, he crazily went out to search and finally saw a shredded corpse downstairs. He recognized the pink dress; it was his wife’s. And his daughter, who had been turned into a zombie with her legs chewed off—he rushed up to her and, unwilling to let her continue like this, choked his daughter to death while crying and wanting to scream. At that moment, Jiang Hai climbed up and looked at the horde of zombies below, filled with hatred for the zombies. He spread his arms, intending to end his own life. "Wait..." A voice came through. Lin Fan climbed the outer wall to reach the rooftop since the door downstairs was locked, and not knowing the code, and unwilling to damage public property, he had to climb the outer wall. Upon reaching the top, he saw someone about to jump off. For such behavior, he had to intervene; he couldn’t stand by and watch someone commit suicide, not being the type who’d encourage a quick jump as a spectator. Jiang Hai heard the voice, turned around, and looked at Lin Fan, his eyes showing some astonishment, possibly perplexed at how the other had gotten up here, but these were no longer important to him. Nothing could stir his heart anymore, not even if the world were destroyed. "Jumping off the building won’t solve anything. If you have problems, you can talk to me, and I think I can help," Lin Fan said softly, trying to soothe him. He noticed that the other’s mental state was not good. Very abnormal. There was a sense that he could explode at any moment. Jiang Hai smiled calmly—when one’s sadness reaches its peak, there will be no expression left. "Help? You can’t help. I just want to know why there has to be this damn apocalypse, why these damn zombies exist, and why I must have this damn disease. My wife, my daughter, they both died because of me. "My wife was always so timid, and my daughter was always terrified, but one was torn apart, and the other lost her legs. I can only imagine, before they died, how much pain, how much despair they endured, thinking, ’Husband, daddy, come save us quickly. I’m scared, it hurts so much.’" Jiang Hai said to Lin Fan, as if he were also speaking to himself, simulating the situation then. Lin Fan listened quietly, acting like a faithful audience, absorbing the stories the other shared. He knew the apocalypse had driven many to despair. Due to zombies, and also due to people. Lin Fan said, "Mourn with restraint - the dead cannot be resurrected. I think they would also expect you to live well, carry their hopes, and no matter what, keep living, because hope is always present. You set off fireworks, drawing so many zombies here, it is to provide others a chance to survive, right? Why not keep striving like this, We can restore Huang City to what it once was." Jiang Hai, as if ignoring Lin Fan’s consolation, continued to chuckle to himself. "I’m not that great. Today is my thirtieth wedding anniversary with my wife. I had been preparing for a long time. I just wanted to bring her to the rooftop today to watch the fireworks I carefully planned. We had just met back then. I was so poor, still striving hard, yet she never despised me but continuously encouraged me. Although she didn’t work or cook, she always tried her best to learn how to cook. You know, my wife is really wonderful, but sometimes she infuriates me to the point of laughter." When I was still desperately earning money, she spent ten days of my salary on a dress, just to ask me if it looked pretty. I was furious, scolded her for spending recklessly, not caring for our home. She immediately clung to me, acting all sweet, saying she wanted to look beautiful for me, that it would motivate me, and I was so amused and angry at the same time back then. But don’t think she’s clueless; in fact, she’s very sensible. Once we had a child, she always struggled on her own, handling the child alone, never disturbing me at night when the child cried, always taking the child out to comfort and rock them, sometimes for an hour or two. I understood, she knew I was tired from making money to support the family, so she never bothered me. Later, as things got better, I had my own business and made money, and she was the same, still loving to shop. I’d tell her she was already at such an age yet dressed like a young girl." When I said this, she would cuddle in my arms and coo at me, saying no matter how old, she would always be your little baby, and I was again so amused and angry." Jiang Hai, speaking to himself as if he were a host speaking to an endless audience below, shared his warm stories with his wife. Whenever he reached a funny part, a smile would appear on his face. Suddenly, Jiang Hai grew emotional, his face contorted, and he hysterically roared. "But why, why must there be an apocalypse? It took everything from me, all my most precious things, and my will to live. How much I wish this were just a dream, but it’s not, it is the actual hell on earth. ######ing apocalypse, I hate this da##ed apocalypse." Taking a deep breath. Jiang Hai left his last smile for Lin Fan. "Sorry for telling you all this, and venting my anger and resentment at you. Look, my arm was bitten; I will turn into a zombie. Don’t blame yourself for not persuading me otherwise, in any case, the end result is the same. Don’t be in a hurry to leave. Once the fireworks end, the zombies will disperse. Farewell, hope this apocalypse ends soon." As his voice faded. Jiang Hai opened his arms, leaned back, looking at the sky, as if he saw his wife and daughter there, and smiled a relieved smile. Bang! Bang! Bang! The fireworks continued to bloom, as if celebrating Jiang Hai’s reunion with his family. And celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Lin Fan stood there, gazing at where the other had disappeared. Listening to the booming sound of fireworks. Looking up at the sky. Talking to himself. "I hope the apocalypse ends soon too." "Safe travels, may you reunite with them in heaven." He sighed deeply. The apocalypse was truly annoying. He truly hoped that Huang City could return to its original state. Bang! The door to the rooftop was broken down. Zombies streamed in, seeing Lin Fan, they opened their mouths and roared. "What the hell are you roaring for, you destroyed someone’s home and life, you shamelessly roar? You’re really a bunch of beasts." "I really want to chop you all down." "No... I’m going to chop you all down right now." Lin Fan drew his sword and cursed, his voice mingling with the fireworks, unsure if these damned creatures could even hear.

Chapter 38 - 35 I’ll Chop You Down Now

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