Just as Chen Du successfully obtained the antiviral serum, Zhang Hao finally received word from his loyal henchman, Junior.
This was a day he had waited far too long for.
Junior had been traveling nonstop for days, and one particular night, he sent a message:
"Boss Zhang, I'm here. I'm resting at a small store about 500 meters away from you. When should we meet?"
Zhang Hao, who had been on the verge of falling asleep, felt a surge of excitement upon reading the message. He almost leapt to his feet but managed to contain himself.
"Stay where you are. I'm coming over."
Zhang Hao had been sleeping alone on the couch.
At night, Tian Xiaoyu usually locked her bedroom door, so when Zhang Hao slipped out of their shabby little shelter, she didn't notice a thing.
Once he was a safe distance away, he started running and soon arrived at the small store Junior had mentioned.
"Junior?"
Hearing the familiar voice outside, Junior dashed out of the store, excitement evident in every step.
"Big Brother!"
Zhang Hao clapped Junior on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Good, good! With your help, that wretched woman Tian Xiaoyu won't stand a chance this time. I'll have her completely under my thumb!"
Junior forced a sycophantic smile and replied, "Anything for your satisfaction, Big Brother."
"Junior, you've truly come through for me this time. I, Zhang Hao, now regard you as a true brother!"
Junior looked at the elated Zhang Hao and smiled. "Boss Zhang, as long as you need me, I'd gladly risk my life for you."
Zhang Hao made a quick decision.
"Excellent! In that case, Junior, tomorrow we'll deal with that wretched woman Tian Xiaoyu! For tonight, rest well. Once we've subdued her tomorrow, there will be plenty of time for… entertainment."
Junior quickly declined.
"Boss Zhang, I don't require such pleasures. You may indulge as you wish."
Zhang Hao gave him a thumbs-up.
"Smart man! Haha, I'll head back now and return tomorrow."
Junior nodded.
"Alright, Boss Zhang. Get some rest."
Zhang Hao returned to the shelter and glanced at Tian Xiaoyu's tightly shut door, sneering to himself.
The next morning, Tian Xiaoyu was sitting in the living room eating bread when Zhang Hao walked in with Junior.
She had already noticed Zhang Hao's absence earlier and immediately grew wary upon seeing him bring in a stranger.
"Zhang Hao, who is this? I thought we agreed not to bring in random survivors without discussing it first."
Zhang Hao shook his head and chuckled. "Xiaoyu, he's no stranger. This is my trusted brother, Junior. We've simply reunited after a long separation."
"So? What's your point?"
Zhang Hao plopped down on the couch across from Tian Xiaoyu, picked up a slice of bread from the table, and began chewing slowly.
"You still don't understand, do you?"
Tian Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine.
"I honestly don't know what you mean."
Zhang Hao clicked his tongue. "Are you truly that dense, or are you putting on an act? I've wanted you for a long time now!"
"Perhaps you're playing coy. After all, you were practically drooling while chatting with Chen Du, weren't you? Haha!"
Tian Xiaoyu raised her voice, her tone icy. "Zhang Hao, show some respect! Is this how someone of your supposed status behaves?!"
Zhang Hao shrugged, laughing mockingly. "Status? Who gives a damn about that anymore!"
"In this apocalyptic world, my family's probably been eaten by zombies by now!"
"All I care about now is stripping you bare, Tian Xiaoyu, and sending a video to Chen Du so he can witness your humiliation firsthand!"
"Junior, take her down!"
Junior, who had been standing behind Zhang Hao, moved swiftly.
Tian Xiaoyu hadn't expected this unassuming man to be so fast, but she had been prepared.
With lightning speed, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a handgun.
Zhang Hao, sitting directly across from her, was startled.
"A gun?!"
In her panic, Tian Xiaoyu fired a shot without aiming properly. The bullet struck Zhang Hao's shoulder, and he let out a blood-curdling scream.
In that brief moment, Junior had already closed the distance to Tian Xiaoyu.
Caught off guard, her gun was knocked out of her hand and clattered to the floor.
But she didn't hesitate. She rolled off the couch, pulled out a crossbow, and fired an arrow at Junior.
Junior didn't even flinch. Instead, he pulled out a shield and blocked the arrow effortlessly.
Tian Xiaoyu's back was against the wall, and she had nowhere to retreat.
Suddenly, she remembered the combat suit she had scavenged some time ago and quickly pulled it out of her backpack.
Just as she finished putting on the suit, Junior's shield slammed into her with full force.
Zhang Hao, clutching his wounded shoulder, stared in disbelief at Tian Xiaoyu in her armored suit.
"What the hell? Is she Iron Man now?"
Though she was now wearing the suit, Tian Xiaoyu wasn't faring well.
The impact of the shield left her dizzy and feeling sick.
Junior continued to relentlessly batter the impenetrable suit with his shield.
When he finally stepped back, Tian Xiaoyu was barely standing, leaning against the wall for support.
Zhang Hao charged forward and kicked her with all his might, sending her crashing to the ground.
He then grabbed a wooden stick and began beating her mercilessly, eventually knocking her unconscious.
Tian Xiaoyu's vision went black, and she collapsed into oblivion.
Still fuming, Zhang Hao kicked her twice more, cursing under his breath. "Damn bitch, I never would've guessed she'd gotten her hands on a gun!"
"The pain is killing me! That lowlife Chen Du must have given it to her, damn him!"
Junior approached and examined Zhang Hao's gunshot wound.
"Boss Zhang, let me tend to your injury."
Zhang Hao shook his head.
"Not yet. First, bind that wretched woman securely. Don't let her escape."
Junior nodded, took out chains, and tied Tian Xiaoyu up tightly, suspending her arms from the ceiling beam.
Her entire body was hoisted into the air.
Junior then retrieved alcohol and bandages from his backpack.
"Boss Zhang, this might hurt. Bear with it."
Zhang Hao gritted his teeth. "Damn it, hurry up. A short, sharp pain is better than a prolonged one."
Junior nodded, disinfected a dagger with alcohol, and plunged it into Zhang Hao's wound to extract the bullet.
Zhang Hao, having overestimated his own endurance, let out a final scream before passing out.