Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

When the group returned to the base fully loaded with supplies, Instructor Lin and several key team members were already waiting at the entrance.

As the convoy approached, Instructor Lin quickly stepped forward to meet it.

His gaze swept over the fully loaded carriages, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

His gaze then shifted, precisely settling on the incongruous white figure in the crowd.

"This is... Dr. Bai Shuliu?!"

His voice rose a few decibels with excitement. He rushed forward, grabbed Bai Shuliu's hand, and shook it enthusiastically.

"Oh, Dr. Bai! We've been waiting for you! Welcome, welcome! It's an honor to have you here!"

Bai Shuliu nodded slightly, subtly withdrawing her hand as she raised her hand to push up her glasses.

His tone remained as unhurried and refined as ever:

"Instructor Lin, you flatter me. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"Not at all!"

Instructor Lin couldn't stop smiling, his gaze sweeping over Liu Yunshu and Qin Zheng with approval.

"Everyone was anxiously looking for you, but unexpectedly, Captain Liu and Captain Qin managed to bring back this 'national treasure' right away! They've truly done a great service!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding team members' eyes were instantly ignited, their gazes flitting back and forth between Liu Yunshu, Qin Zheng, and Bai Shuliu.

Curiosity and exploration almost materialized, and a silent gossip signal floated in the air.

Having forgotten the pain of past wounds, Lin Yang couldn't contain his burning desire to share any longer, and excitedly pushed forward, saying:

"It's more than just bringing him back! Instructor, Dr. Bai is now Captain Liu's fourth wife..."

"The fourth batch of professional materials urgently needs to be organized, right?"

Wang Lu's roar was like thunder, instantly drowning out the rest of Lin Yang's sentence.

He lunged forward and covered Lin Yang's mouth tightly, his arm veins bulging, mentally cursing his "comrade-in-arms" eight hundred times over.

In his past life, he must have been a cat whose curiosity killed him; even nine lives wouldn't have been enough for him to squander like that!

"Don't listen to his nonsense!"

While forcefully restraining the struggling Lin Yang, Wang Lu gave a dry laugh to the crowd.

"He bumped his head on his way back and might still be a little dizzy; he's talking nonsense!"

"Oh, and he insisted he was hungry, so he ate half a mutated cockroach. I guess the toxins weren't completely removed, and it's affecting his brain!"

Lin Yang squirmed wildly in Wang Lu's arms, his eyes wide open:

When did I hit my head?! When did I eat a cockroach?! You're making false accusations!

As expected, everyone's attention was instantly diverted by this even more shocking "revelation," and they all looked at Lin Yang with unbelievable "respect" in their eyes.

"Hey! Lin Yang, I didn't know you liked this!"

"Mutant cockroaches? Those things have shells as hard as steel plates, and they've got pretty good teeth, bro!"

"What does it taste like? Describe it to us guys! Maybe we should try it next time we're starving?"

Lin Yangsheng stopped struggling, his eyes vacant as he gazed at the gray sky.

No! I didn't! You bastard who makes braised noodles! I'm going to sue you for defamation!

Bai Shuliu's eyes behind his glasses flickered slightly as he turned to Liu Yunshu beside him and chuckled softly:

"Team Liu's team is indeed full of hidden talents, and there are many interesting stories."

Liu Yunshu sighed and glared at Lin Yang and Wang Lu, who were still "performing a silent act," before saying to Bai Shuliu:

"Please excuse my poor performance. There are always a few clowns in the team. You'll get used to it."

"It's alright, there's plenty of life in it."

Bai Shuliu responded slowly and deliberately, but his gaze lingered for a moment on Liu Yunshu's slightly reddened earlobe before turning to Instructor Lin.

"Regarding the preparation of the laboratory, Instructor Lin will still need to put in more effort to coordinate."

"Don't worry! I've got your back!"

Instructor Lin patted his chest and gave his assurance, his enthusiasm almost overflowing.

"Most of the equipment has already been prepared according to the list you left. Just let us know if you need anything! We can't guarantee anything else, but our base will prioritize your research in terms of manpower and resources!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Liu Yunshu, giving her a knowing, knowing look and a knowing wink.

The meaning couldn't be clearer—Captain Liu, you're brilliant! You even managed to "recruit" a god-like figure like Dr. Bai. I'm truly impressed!

Liu Yunshu felt uncomfortable under his gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned around decisively: "The supplies haven't been completely inventoried and stored yet, I'll go take a look."

As soon as she finished speaking, her wrist was gently grasped by a warm force.

Qin Zheng had appeared beside her without her noticing, his palm steady, his voice deep: "I'll stay with you."

Li Xin immediately arrived like a butterfly drawn by the scent of nectar, her peach blossom eyes curving into crescent moons.

"How could we do this kind of physically demanding work without my capable helper? Team Leader Liu, I'm a pro at moving things."

Chu Sheng became like a clingy leech, clinging to Liu Yunshu's arm and gently shaking it, his soft, sweet voice filled with dependence:

"Sister, I want to go too! I'm strong, I can carry a lot!"

Bai Shuliu watched with great interest as Liu Yunshu was instantly "surrounded" by three men, adjusted her glasses, and deepened the smile on her lips.

"Looks like I should get familiar with my future work environment as soon as possible. Xiao He, let's go."

"Yes, Doctor."

Xiao He quickly hugged the record board and followed. When he passed Lin Yang, who was surrounded by onlookers, he couldn't help but cast a glance at him with a mixture of sympathy and "take care."

Lin Yang gasped for breath as Wang Lu finally loosened his grip, watching helplessly as Liu Yunshu was escorted away by the three men, with Bai Shuliu following behind with a composed gait.

He was left surrounded by a group of teammates who loved to watch the drama unfold, bombarding him with questions about the "taste details of the mutated cockroach."

Wang Lu patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother, be more careful. 'Words can be dangerous,' a truly wise saying."

Lin Yang slumped to the ground, slapping his mouth in frustration: "My damn mouth! Why can't I control myself!"

Instructor Lin was secretly overjoyed. Watching Liu Yunshu and her group walk away, he felt increasingly confident about their future.

He stroked a non-existent beard on his chin and remarked to the deputy instructor beside him:

"See that? That's what you call charisma! With Captain Liu on the case, there's no talent he can't handle. If we can keep a top brain like Dr. Bai, our base is set for the future!"

The deputy instructor nodded in agreement, his gaze following Bai Shuliu's spotless white lab coat, and whispered:

"This doctor seems aloof but has a strong presence. I wonder if he can stay in our little temple for long."

"Don't worry!"

Instructor Lin laughed heartily, patted the deputy instructor on the shoulder, and looked resolute.

"With Captain Liu as our 'pillar of strength,' how can we worry about retaining our players?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Time passed quietly, and Bai Shuliu settled down at the base.

During the day, he immersed himself in the increasingly sophisticated laboratory, conducting various precise and mysterious studies.

When night falls or during leisure time, he often appears in Liu Yunshu's room with Qin Zheng, Li Xin, and Chu Sheng for another kind of "relaxing" "card game discussion".

That day, the group had just finished playing cards in Liu Yunshu's room, and the familiar atmosphere still lingered in the air.

Bai Shuliu slowly tidied her slightly disheveled white coat and put her signature gold-rimmed glasses back on.

In an instant, he transformed from a participant succumbing to lust back into the calm and composed researcher.

His fingertips traced the frame of the glasses, his gaze sweeping over the people sitting or lying down, before he suddenly spoke, his voice remarkably clear in the quiet room:

"By the way, recent research has found that Yun Shu's physique may play a key role in post-apocalyptic recovery."

After saying that, he looked at Chu Sheng and said, "Haven't you noticed that you're becoming more and more like a human being?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xin immediately sat up straight, her peach blossom eyes scanning Chu Sheng from head to toe, clicking her tongue in amazement:

"Hey, third brother, this time it's not that your second brother is scolding you, but if I look closely, your complexion has become a bit rosier lately, huh? Although you're still dazzlingly pale."

Liu Yunshu was originally leaning lazily in Qin Zheng's arms, letting him take a warm towel and carefully wipe the thin layer of sweat from her forehead and neck.

Upon hearing this, she and Qin Zheng turned their heads at the same time, focusing their gazes on Chu Sheng.

Liu Yunshu examined him for a moment, then spoke:

"Chu Sheng is a human being, just with paler skin, a lower body temperature, and a heartbeat..."

As she finished speaking, she suddenly stopped, as if struck by lightning, and her astonished gaze shot towards Bai Shuliu.

Bai Shuliu gently pushed up her glasses with her slender, well-defined fingers, a playful smile curving her lips as she met Liu Yunshu's surprised and uncertain gaze:

"It seems Captain Liu has already figured out the key point?"

Li Xin was still clueless, blinking in confusion: "Heartbeat? What's wrong with my heartbeat?"

Qin Zheng had already stopped wiping, his deep gaze like a searchlight, firmly locking onto the silent, head-bowed Chu Sheng, and said in a deep voice:

"His heartbeat was almost non-existent. Or rather... we never noticed that he had a heartbeat from the very beginning."

"That's right."

Chu Sheng, who had been silent all along, finally slowly raised his head. His voice, hoarse from not speaking for a long time, rang out clearly in the silent air, each word striking distinctly.

"I... am actually a zombie."

His dark red eyes stared unblinkingly at Liu Yunshu, filled with unprecedentedly complex emotions.

Uneasy, anxious, afraid, and with a hint of barely perceptible pleading.

"Sister, I..."

"Holy crap?! Third brother, you're a zombie?!"

Li Xin suddenly jumped up from the bedside, her peach blossom eyes wide open, pointing at Chu Sheng in disbelief, as if she were seeing him for the first time.

Chu Sheng nodded expressionlessly and gave a soft "hmm".

"And these aren't ordinary zombies."

Bai Shuliu leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and leisurely dropped another bombshell.

"It is a zombie king who can command low-level zombies and possesses highly evolved characteristics."

Qin Zheng's brows furrowed instantly, and his gaze toward Chu Sheng became incredibly sharp.

But he did not act immediately; instead, he fell into deep thought, clearly weighing the numerous possibilities that the news brought.

Li Xin was too shocked to speak. She looked Chu Sheng up and down, back and forth, trying to find evidence of the "Zombie King" on him.

Liu Yunshu pursed her lips and stared intently at Chu Sheng with a deep gaze.

Chu Sheng lowered his head, his hands on his knees clenching quietly.

In his heart, he had already cursed Bai Shuliu, that talkative human, a thousand times over:

Damn it! It's all his fault! My alternate account! My Dou Dizhu (a card game)! My sister! Oh no, what if my sister gets scared of me? What if she kicks me out?

The room fell into a deathly silence; the air seemed to freeze.

Only the soft or heavy breathing of a few people remained.

Bai Shuliu observed the changes in everyone's expressions with great interest, as if she were watching a wonderful experiment—shock, doubt, wariness, contemplation... It was truly fascinating.