Living with My Aloof Ex-Wife After the Apocalypse - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The New Family Table

Qing Meng didn’t say another word.

Outside, the occasional howl of a zombie echoed through the ruins, making the silence inside the car feel even heavier.

Since being reborn, Xing He sometimes felt a slight barrier between herself and the rest of the world; she felt like an observer rather than a participant. Driven by this thought, she occasionally felt that it wouldn’t matter even if she died tomorrow. After all, she didn’t belong to the same world as everyone else; she wasn’t even a “living person” in the normal sense.

When she spoke with Qing Meng that day, Xing He hadn’t expected to pour out the secret of her very existence so easily. There had been no expression of “you’re crazy” or “you’re a monster,” no ripple of shock, not even a surprised glance. Qing Meng was like a calm lake, absorbing all of Xing He’s secrets.

She fit the stereotype people had of her: no matter what strange thing happened, she always maintained a flat, stoic expression. Xing He didn’t know if Qing Meng’s inner depths were as calm as her exterior. But at that time, Xing He was like a drowning person, trapped in rapids and whirlpools; reaching up, she couldn’t touch the sky, and beneath her feet was only bottomless water. The more she struggled, the deeper she sank. She desperately needed to grab onto something to stop the fear.

From that day on, Qing Meng became Xing He’s only link to this world.

Having experienced a series of events, Xing He had gradually adapted to her reborn life. She was no longer as unstable as duckweed, nor as full of hesitation as she was at the beginning. She realized she wasn’t truly that selfless; she no longer wanted to worry about whether humanity survived or perished. She didn’t know how her body had changed whether she would live longer or die soon.

From the moment Qing Meng suddenly appeared to save her, she had only one wish left: she hoped Qing Meng would live, at least longer than herself.

The group returned to the courtyard without further incident. Before getting out of the car, Qing Meng shared some good news with Xing He.

“Auntie Chen is awake.”

It was because of this that Qing Meng could leave Doudou in her care and come find Xing He alone.

Surprise flashed in Xing He’s eyes. “I thought it would take her at least half a month to wake up.”

In truth, Auntie Chen’s quick recovery was largely thanks to Qing Meng reading the news to her at fixed times every day; auditory stimulation helps patients regain consciousness sooner. However, Qing Meng had no intention of using this as a tool to gain favor, so she didn’t mention it.

Xing He excitedly began planning the division of labor. “Auntie Chen can look after Doudou at home, and we can go out together to find supplies.”

Qing Meng looked at Xing He, her eyes filled with a tender, lingering affection, and a smile she didn’t even notice touched the corners of her mouth. Xing He was always a person who wore her heart on her sleeve; her happiness and displeasure were clear to see. From those raised eyebrows alone, it was clear she was very happy. To Qing Meng, she was very easy to read.

A soft chuckle came from beside her, but when Xing He looked over, Qing Meng’s expression hadn’t changed; it seemed not a single muscle in her face had moved. Just as Xing He thought she was hallucinating, Qing Meng spoke.

“Mhm. We’ll go together.”

As soon as they entered the yard, a small figure rushed forward. “Sister Xing He, you’re finally back!”

Xing He knelt and picked up the fragrant, soft Deng Doudou. “I’m back, Doudou. Did you miss me?”

Doudou nodded vigorously. “I missed you!”

“Xiao Meng and Xiao Xing are back?” Auntie Chen walked out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and holding a spatula. She looked perfectly at ease, as if she were in her own home. She smiled at Xing He. “Doudou was so worried about you; she sat at the door all day waiting for you to return.”

Doudou was shy; having her secrets revealed by Grandma Chen made her blush. “Sister Qing Meng was also worried about Sister Xing. She stayed at the door to wait with me.”

The topic suddenly shifting to her caught Qing Meng off guard. She said dryly, “It’s nothing. I was just afraid Doudou would be bored, so I accompanied her.”

Xing He rubbed Doudou’s head and made a serious promise to Qing Meng: “I made you worry. I won’t be so impulsive again.”

Beside them, Fan Hua had finally recovered from the state of nearly losing her life and immediately resumed her “career” in gossip. Her round eyes darted back and forth between Xing He and Qing Meng. The atmosphere between these two is so thick… Tsk, who said my ‘ship’ sank!

Dinner was ready, and Auntie Chen called everyone to wash their hands and eat. Chen Xia politely thanked Auntie Chen.

As they sat at the table, being mostly strangers, Xing He took the lead in introductions. “My name is Xing He. I used to serve in the military; now I’m unemployed. It’s dangerous out there, and it wasn’t easy for us to find each other. Please treat this place as your home from now on. Don’t be formal.”

Qing Meng followed: “I am Qing Meng, a medical researcher from Northern City. I was in C-City on a business trip. Please look after me.” She wasn’t used to such social scenes, so her words sounded more like a formal report.

Fan Hua was very supportive: “Sister Qing Meng is so amazing! You do scientific research!” Cool, aloof scientist x gentle, mature veteran… This setting! The ‘shipping’ is getting even better!

Qing Meng had received many compliments from strangers, but most were for personal gain. Fan Hua clearly wasn’t that type, and Qing Meng didn’t hesitate to signal her friendliness. With a slight lift of her brow and a tug at the corner of her mouth, a faint smile appeared. Yet even while smiling, she maintained a sense of distance.

Fan Hua screamed internally. This is exactly the perfect ‘cool beauty’ from my dreams!

Chen Xia sensed something was off and turned to see Fan Hua staring intensely at Qing Meng, eyes practically overflowing with pink bubbles. Smells like my wife is about to ‘climb over the wall’! Chen Xia squeezed Fan Hua’s finger to show she was annoyed, and Fan Hua responded by playfully scratching her palm. That’s more like it.

“I’m Chen Xia. I used to be a police officer at the South District Station. Since the main force evacuated and I didn’t keep up, I’m out of a job now. I can find food, scavenge supplies, and fight zombies. My girlfriend and I will be intruding on your hospitality for a while.”

Find food and fight zombies… how is this different from a primary school job speech? Fan Hua couldn’t help but laugh. Chen Xia turned her head in a panic, shooting her a “help me” look. What? Did I say something wrong? Fan Hua suppressed her laughter and shook her head solemnly. No, you said it perfectly.

It was Fan Hua’s turn. She cleared her throat theatrically. “Hello everyone, my name is Fan Hua. You can call me Xiao Hua! I’m a self-media creator. I don’t have many fans, but I love the industry. My latest project was ‘experiencing a hundred lives,’ and I was working as a hotel receptionist, which is how I met Sister Xing and Sister Qing.”

Fearing Auntie Chen wouldn’t understand, she added, “Basically, I make videos for platforms like TikTok. I don’t know much, but you can count on me for logistics like picking vegetables or moving things! I hope we can help each other through these hard times!”

Fan Hua’s lively personality made the room feel warm and bustling, like a real large family. Auntie Chen smiled. “I don’t have much to introduce. I was in a car accident a few days ago, and my head isn’t very clear. I can’t remember the past. Just call me Auntie Chen.”

Xing He hadn’t known about the memory loss. “Is it serious? Does it affect your daily life?”

Auntie Chen shook her head. “Not serious. Xiao Qing says my constitution is good and I have no injuries. I just can’t remember things; it doesn’t hinder me. Xiao Xing, don’t treat me like a patient. I haven’t even had the chance to thank you for saving me. I can at least cook for you youngsters; it keeps me active.”

How can having no memory be ‘fine’? Xing He thought, remembering Auntie Chen had a daughter. But she kept the thought to herself.

Finally, everyone’s gaze fell on the smallest member of the group. Doudou, still shy, stirred her rice with a spoon. “I…”

Xing He gave her an encouraging look. Doudou mustered her courage. “My name is Deng Baobao, but my nickname is Doudou. I’m five years old and in the middle class at Blue Sky Kindergarten. My mommy and daddy are busy with work, so I’m staying at Sister Xing He’s house for now.”

The adults understood the subtext. No parents are “busy with work” during the apocalypse. Doudou’s parents were almost certainly gone.

In the world of adults, it’s hard to talk about life without including harsh reality. They felt deep sympathy for the child and wanted to give her special treatment. But their gaze was different from simple affection; it was a heavy, almost pitying love. Even a five-year-old could feel the unspoken weight of that kind of attention.

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