Chapter 217: The Phoenix Man Who Soared Before the Apocalypse (22)

Shen Xiuyan ignored Huo Shao’s incessant chatter and instead praised Su Mingyue with a smile. “That’s more like it. Don’t open the door for anyone.”

“Mm, I’ll listen to you.”

Huo Shao: “…”

Why did he feel like he’d somehow become part of this little couple’s domestic play?

Whatever. Who cared? It was just a bit of dog food. As long as he could stay alive, he could eat it—by the mouthful if needed!

Huo Shao hugged his weak, helpless self in silent comfort, then quickly urged, “Alright, alright, can we open the trunk now? I need to load up the supplies I brought.”

Su Mingyue nodded with a smile. “Sure.”

The moment the trunk opened, Huo Shao couldn’t help but complain, “Just two backpacks and a barrel of gasoline??? Boss, isn’t this way too little?”

But then he remembered Shen Xiuyan’s strength and wisely shut his mouth.

With someone that powerful, what couldn’t he get along the way?

Truly, the weak complain about their environment, while the strong adapt to it.

Without Shen Xiuyan even needing to lift a finger, Huo Shao efficiently organized the trunk. He stuffed in whatever he could from his own supply boxes, and for what didn’t fit, he opened the boxes and wedged things into every available gap. He was determined not to waste a single inch of space. Looking at the now fully packed trunk, he was thoroughly satisfied. This time, he was sure he’d make it back home safely.

Once everyone got into the car, Shen Xiuyan introduced, “You know Huo Shao. He’s coming with us to S City.”

Huo Shao immediately flashed a sycophantic smile at Su Mingyue. “Hello, sister-in-law. I’ll be relying on you two from now on.”

Su Mingyue quickly waved her hands. “Please don’t call me that, Huo Shao. It feels awkward. If I remember correctly, you’re a few years older than both me and Xiuyan.”

“Aiyo, sister-in-law, don’t say that. Sure, I’m three years older, but Young Master Shen is my big brother now. I’ll follow his lead without question and be totally obedient.”

Huo Shao was very good at reading the room. At a time like this, no one owed him anything. If they helped him, it was a favor. He couldn’t offer much in return, but obedience was the least he could do.

“And don’t call me Huo Shao anymore. Just call me Little Huo or Huazai. I know my place.”

His rapid-fire speech left Su Mingyue struggling to keep up. This wasn’t just self-awareness—this was taking it to the extreme…

How had he adapted so quickly to such a massive shift in status?

Maybe he noticed the shock in Su Mingyue’s eyes, because Huo Shao grinned at her. “I’m naturally optimistic. As long as I’m alive, I’m good. Nothing I can’t accept.”

Su Mingyue said, “No, no, Huo Shao, you really don’t have to be so formal with us. Let’s just get along like we used to.”

“No, no, sister-in-law, that won’t do.”

Shen Xiuyan looked at the two of them, both bowing and scraping like they were terrified of taking advantage of the other, and couldn’t help but feel speechless.

“Alright, Huo Shao, if you keep this up, I’m kicking you out. Didn’t I tell you? We’re all friends here.” Shen Xiuyan gave Huo Shao a light squeeze on the shoulder. “Do friends need to act like this? If you two keep this up, we won’t be going anywhere today.”

Huo Shao scratched his head with an embarrassed grin. “Good brother, you’re the best. Let’s go, let’s go. I’ll remember this favor for the rest of my life.”

Shen Xiuyan shook his head. “No need to keep saying that. Let’s move.”

At his command, the SUV started up and slowly pulled away from the area.

The setting sun cast its golden light across the vehicle, wrapping it in a hazy red glow. The scene carried a quiet, solemn dignity.

After several hours on the road, the moon had already risen into the sky. Its cold light bathed the city behind them as they drove toward the next one.

There were few people and even fewer cars on the highway. Aside from the need to stay alert for abandoned vehicles suddenly appearing on the road, there were no issues.

This was still the early stage of the Apocalypse. Most survivors were still holed up at home, struggling to hold out. Few had taken to the road. You could tell just by the number of cars they passed.

And really, where could people go after leaving the safety of home?

No one knew where was safer.

With Huo Shao now part of the group, Shen Xiuyan had a much easier time driving. The two took turns behind the wheel and quickly covered several hundred kilometers.

The gas stations they passed were all deserted, but the fuel supply was plentiful. This broke Shen Xiuyan’s heart. If Huo Shao weren’t with them, he would’ve loaded up every last drop. But now, he had no choice but to leave it behind.

The sky grew darker and darker. Without streetlights, visibility dropped to nearly zero.

Since no one was repairing or maintaining the power grid, blackouts had already begun in some areas. Unfortunately, the stretch of road ahead was one such zone.

With night blanketing the road, Shen Xiuyan felt it was no longer safe. He said, “Let’s call it a day. We’ll find a place nearby to rest.”

“Got it.” Huo Shao quickly found the nearest highway exit and took it.

Once off the highway, he slowed down, and the group began scanning the surroundings.

Before long, they spotted a village along the national road and sped toward it.

The village was eerily quiet, as if no one lived there. That was odd.

Logically, remote villages like this should have been the least affected at the start of the Apocalypse. And the houses here looked so new—it didn’t make sense for everyone to have moved out.

They stopped in front of one house. Shen Xiuyan leaned out the window and called, “Is anyone there?!”

There was no response. Instead, a zombie was attracted by the noise.

Before it could even reach the car, a thunderclap split the air. A blinding white light lit up the entire village, and the zombie was instantly incinerated into a charred husk.

Huo Shao stared at him in awe. This overwhelming sense of safety—he was in love.

But Shen Xiuyan’s next words shattered that feeling instantly. “Come with me to check things out. Mingyue, stay in the car. Lock the doors and windows. Don’t come out.”

Huo Shao: “…”

Let’s just pretend he hadn’t said anything earlier.

So that overwhelming sense of safety wasn’t for him…

He wiped away imaginary tears of bitterness and followed closely behind Shen Xiuyan.

“Don’t stick so close to me,” Shen Xiuyan said, glancing back at him with mild irritation.

“I’m scared~”

Huo Shao whimpered, but obediently backed off a little. Though “a little” meant no more than a centimeter.

Shen Xiuyan sighed and chose not to say anything more.

He was the one who decided to bring him along. He’d just have to deal with it.

The two of them cautiously entered the courtyard. No people, no zombies. Shen Xiuyan grabbed the door handle and gave it a push. The door swung open.

It wasn’t locked?

They exchanged a glance. Something felt off.

“Here, take the flashlight,” Shen Xiuyan said, handing it over.

Huo Shao looked puzzled but took it obediently.

With the flashlight now in Huo Shao’s hands, what would Shen Xiuyan use?

The next second, a massive pillar of flame shot into the sky. Huo Shao froze in shock, staring at Shen Xiuyan’s outstretched hand in disbelief.

What? The boss had a second supernatural ability?!

This flame was way better than a flashlight—it lit the way and doubled as a weapon.

Holy crap, he’d really latched onto the right thigh this time.

So satisfying.

— Translator’s Notes —

• latched onto the right thigh: A Chinese idiom meaning to have found a powerful patron or protector, literally ‘grabbing hold of a thick thigh’ – referring to attaching oneself to someone influential.