Apocalypse Survival Guide for a Beta [GB] - Chapter 13

“Big brother.” Xi Ya’s voice still carried the softness of a child, sounding innocent and tender.

Lou Tiannan looked at her. “Do you need something?”

Xi Ya nodded seriously and asked, “Big brother, can you teach me how to make my ability stronger?”

She wanted to be strong; strong like her mother.

When Li Meng saw that she had an ability, even though she was only seven years old, he didn’t dare provoke her, especially after she helped Peter fight him. That was the first time she had truly felt how abilities inspired fear and respect in others.

She didn’t want to only scream in terror when facing zombies and bad people. She wanted to fight back, just like her mother.

She wanted to protect her mother, to become someone useful instead of always being the one protected or living in constant fear of being abandoned. She had to get stronger.

The tall man in front of her was a fire ability user like herself, only much more powerful. He was also the captain of a federal military squad. Learning from him had to be the right choice.

Lou Tiannan was a little surprised by Xi Ya’s words, but he showed no trace of condescension. “You want to be stronger?”

“Yes!” Xi Ya nodded firmly.

“Release your ability. As much as you can,” Lou Tiannan instructed.

Xi Ya tucked her doll at her waist and focused. Soon, a flame of orange-red color rose in her small palm. It was slightly larger than the fire she had first summoned in front of Lin Bai and she could maintain it for a bit longer.

But in less than three minutes, she began to struggle. About seventeen or eighteen seconds later, the flame flickered out.

Breathing heavily, Xi Ya looked up at Lou Tiannan, nervous.

“A newly awakened ability?” he asked.

“Yes.” Xi Ya nodded.

“Very weak,” Lou Tiannan said bluntly.

Xi Ya bit her lip. She knew he was telling the truth.

Lou Tiannan thought for a moment and then took out some paper and a pen. He quickly jotted down a few instructions and handed the paper to Xi Ya. “Having a strong ability isn’t enough. You’re too young right now. You need to strengthen your body first so you can handle your power and use it for longer periods. Follow these three exercises for a few days to build up your endurance. Your ability will improve, too.”

“Thank you, big brother.” Xi Ya’s eyes lit up as she took the paper with both hands.

Lou Tiannan gave a small nod. “Go back to camp.” He then picked up a map to study it, only to feel a tug on his sleeve.

He looked down again.

It was still Xi Ya. She hesitantly asked, holding up the paper, “Big brother… what does this say?”

Lou Tiannan: “?”

Xi Ya pointed at the words, struggling to read them aloud. “One… something-something sit… The second line says running, right? What about the third line? And the last line?”

Lou Tiannan: “…”

He opened his mouth to say something but then stopped. She was only seven; just six before the apocalypse. It made sense that she couldn’t read much yet. But that wasn’t his problem. He replied in a neutral tone, “Ask your mother to teach you. She can also show you the correct posture.”

Lin Bai’s combat skills were no worse than his.

“Okay.” Xi Ya nodded, clutching the paper, and didn’t forget to thank him again. “Thank you, big brother.”

Lou Tiannan watched her small figure as she left. Thinking about how Lin Bai raised Xi Ya and the harsh reality of the apocalypse, he frowned slightly.

When Xi Ya returned to camp, she saw Lin Bai lying on a wooden bed. She hesitated, deciding not to disturb her mother. But then she looked at the paper in her hand and frowned in frustration.

Zhou Yu happened to walk by and noticed her expression. Curious, he asked, “What’s wrong, Xi Ya? Your face is all scrunched up like a steamed bun.”

Xi Ya remembered Zhou Yu, the one who gave Lin Bai the metal pieces. He was a kind brother. She held out the paper and asked, “Big brother, can you teach me to read some words?”

Zhou Yu took the paper from her and joked, “Oh? Xi Ya is a little illiterate? Don’t tell me your mom can’t read either. Let me see—”

Before he could even get a clear look at the paper, Xi Ya leaped up and snatched it back. Puffing up angrily, she huffed, “I don’t want you to teach me anymore!”

Bad guy!

“Hey!” Zhou Yu was stunned. “Xi Ya, I was just joking!”

Xi Ya turned away, clutching her paper and doll tightly.

Just then, Song Yan walked over and asked, “What’s going on? Xi Ya, did he bully you? Tell me and I’ll make sure he pays for it!”

Zhou Yu quickly caught up and explained, “No, I was just joking!”

Lu Jia, who had overheard the exchange, chimed in, siding with Xi Ya, “Xi Ya asked Brother Yu to help her read and then he called her a little illiterate.”

Song Yan rolled her eyes at Zhou Yu. “She’s just a kid and you’re showing off to her?” She then crouched down and softened her voice. “What words do you want to learn? I’ll teach you.”

Her tone gave Zhou Yu goosebumps. Song Yan, without missing a beat, subtly kicked him aside.

Xi Ya hesitated for a moment before pulling out the paper and showing it to Song Yan.

Song Yan immediately recognized the strong, forceful handwriting on the paper as Lou Tiannan’s. “Captain Lou wrote this!”

“Huh? Captain Lou wrote it?” Zhou Yu and Lu Jia widened their eyes, leaning in to see what he had written.

“Yes.” Xi Ya nodded obediently, her slightly messy braids swaying. “Big brother wrote this note for me to train my body.”

Song Yan understood. “No wonder. The first line says to do sit-ups, the second is running, and the third is push-ups. It also includes the basic time and repetitions. You should gradually increase them based on what you can handle, but don’t overdo it.”

Xi Ya now understood the contents of the note and politely thanked her. “Thank you, big sister!”

“You’re welcome! Keep it up!” Song Yan smiled and gently patted Xi Ya’s head. She really liked the little girl, so young yet so sensible, and so sweet. Besides, ever since the apocalypse began, young children have become increasingly rare.

Now, both Omegas and children were considered precious resources of the Federation, prioritized for protection.

After thanking Song Yan, Xi Ya passed by Zhou Yu and, still holding a grudge, deliberately turned her face away. Zhou Yu was left speechless.

Song Yan laughed at him. “Serves you right for teasing a little kid! She’s only seven. Of course she doesn’t know how to read yet!”

“I was just joking. Who knew she’d be so small but have such a big ego?” Zhou Yu muttered in frustration.

“Just wait until tomorrow. Kids forget things quickly. She’ll probably wake up and not even remember it,” Song Yan said.

“Hopefully. You should get some sleep.” Zhou Yu didn’t forget his duty. “I’m heading off to switch shifts with Brother Liang.”

As night deepened, everyone except the sentries went to sleep. Xi Ya carefully tucked away her note before lying down next to Lin Bai.

Meanwhile, in Lisa’s temporary base, she was speaking with Qiu Tu.

“Tyke is dead.”

“I heard. Who was that woman? What kind of ability does she have?” Qiu Tu’s voice was low and cold, clearly in a bad mood.

“She’s a Beta. No abilities.”

“Does she really have no abilities, or did you just not see her use them?” Qiu Tu recalled the voice he had heard over the radio. It was unfamiliar but… Tyke’s reaction before he died made it seem like he knew her.

If Tyke recognized her… was she someone from the Law Enforcement Department?

Lisa thought for a moment. “She probably doesn’t have abilities. When the zombies first approached, none of them actively went for her. They all went toward Lou Tiannan’s group instead. But when she killed Tyke, I was fighting Lou Tiannan and didn’t see exactly how she did it.”

“What’s her name? Is she one of Lou Tiannan’s people?”

Lisa glanced at Sun Yuan beside her, signaling him to respond.

Sun Yuan respectfully replied, “Her name is Lin Bai. She was a survivor from the mall. She also has a daughter. It seems like she’s following Lou Tiannan’s group to reach the safe zone.”

“Going to the safe zone? Fine, let’s see if she actually makes it there.” Qiu Tu’s tone turned sinister, like a poisoned hook.

***

Zhou Yu had assumed that kids had short memories and that after a night’s sleep and a cookie, everything would be forgotten. But the next day, Xi Ya was still puffing her cheeks at him. Clearly, two cookies weren’t enough to smooth things over.

Lin Bai overheard the whole story from others but didn’t interfere. She ignored Zhou Yu’s grumbling and sat in the corner, calmly watching Xi Ya do sit-ups.

Every now and then, she used a stick she had picked up to tap Xi Ya’s shoulder or back, adjusting her posture to be more standard.

The weather was decent today. It was cloudy all morning but no rain or snow. Since they were in the remote wilderness, there were fewer zombies.

Lou Tiannan’s team found a small supermarket in the suburbs. Because of its isolated location, there were only three or four zombies inside, which were easily taken care of.

After confirming there were no immediate dangers nearby, the group decided to stop and restock supplies. Thanks to finding the supermarket, lunch was significantly better than usual. Li Meng, who had been starving the whole day before and had nearly died of fright, ate like a man who had just been resurrected from starvation.

Lou Tiannan’s gaze swept subtly toward a small book section in the corner of the supermarket. He remembered Zhou Yu talking to Lin Bai about Xi Ya’s literacy problem earlier that morning. Surely, Lin Bai should take the hint.

But as he watched her slowly finish a pack of biscuits without making a move, his brows furrowed slightly.

When most of the food had been taken by the survivors and the crowd thinned, he finally saw Lin Bai get up and head toward the supermarket. Judging by her route, she seemed to be going toward the book section.

Lou Tiannan withdrew his gaze, feeling slightly satisfied. At least she had some awareness.

Just then, Zhu Liang approached him. “Captain Lou, we’ve ensured every survivor received some food. If the weather stays like this, we estimate reaching the Western District One’s border in two days. We need to start preparing in advance…”

Western District One was a necessary passage to the safe zone. Before the apocalypse, it had been a highly developed and bustling area. But the more prosperous the area had been, the more dangerous it was now. And with over forty survivors in their group, ensuring their safety was a top priority.

Lou Tiannan nodded. “Understood. Before we arrive, we’ll find a temporary base to stay at for two days. I’ll lead a team to scout the Western District One in advance… As for you, Brother Liang…”

Lou Tiannan and Zhu Liang discussed plans for a while. Once everything was settled, it was time to prepare for departure. Lou Tiannan subconsciously glanced toward the book section but it was empty. He was slightly surprised.

Did she already get a book?

Then his eyes swept across the supermarket and his expression immediately darkened.

Inside the store, several survivors were still scavenging through the empty food aisles. A few others were rummaging through the clothing section.

And Lin Bai?

She was standing alone in the cosmetics aisle, carefully picking out lipsticks and foundations from a fully stocked shelf…