How to Raise a Baby in an Apocalypse - Chapter 365

In Zhao Ru’s palm lies a very ordinary crystal core, about the size of a pomegranate seed. She stands completely still, focusing as if she’s pouring her entire life’s attention into absorbing it.

This is how most people absorb crystal cores—slowly and inefficiently. It usually takes two or three attempts to fully draw out the energy. Even then, the remaining powder particles are large and coarse, as if the absorption is incomplete.

By now, the sun is setting. Behind Zhao Ru, Liang Ziyu and the others have already started preparing food. An Ran, holding the humming baby, looks down at Zhao Ru’s open palm. After a moment’s thought, she says, “You’re showing me this, but I don’t see the difference. If you really want to know how I did it, then try it yourself: drink more water, hydrate daily, absorb crystal cores nonstop—twenty-four hours a day—and overdraw your powers every time. Do it a few more times, and maybe then you’ll get the results you’re looking for.”

Zhao Ru looks at An Ran quietly. Her expression is calm, but a flicker of shock crosses her face. Then, suddenly, she asks, “You said you and Yun Tao have nothing going on, right?”

“Why are you bringing that up?” An Ran frowns.

“No, it’s just that… I didn’t believe it at first,” Zhao Ru says with a small smile and a touch of admiration on her pale face. “The distance from Xiangcheng to Tiesi Village is just too far. But now… I finally believe it. An Ran, with your level of perseverance, what kind of man could you possibly need to rely on?”

Overdrawing one’s powers is worse than death. No one willingly chooses to go through that kind of agony unless they’re desperate or determined. But An Ran has done it—absorbing and releasing energy around the clock. It’s no wonder her powers are so strong now. Hard work is always rewarded by the heavens. It all makes sense.

An Ran hasn’t yet figured out why Zhao Ru is suddenly praising her when Zhao Ru suddenly turns and shouts toward the others, “Do you all want to take a bath today? Go ahead! Baths every day—three times a day! Morning, noon, and night!”

Liang Ziyu and the others, halfway through their biscuits, freeze in place. After a moment, Liang Ziyu asks faintly, “Zhao Ru, why are you being so generous all of a sudden? Did you take the wrong medicine?”

It’s clear Liang Ziyu has long known Zhao Ru is a water-type ability user.

An Ran, standing behind Zhao Ru, can’t help but laugh when she sees the look on their faces—it’s not surprise, but fear. Clearly, Zhao Ru has always been stingy with her water.

Zhao Ru ignores Liang Ziyu and walks toward the residential area beside the national highway, apparently intending to find a bathtub to fill with water for the men.

An Ran shakes her head and carries the humming baby into the watchtower. She sits down and begins feeding the child.

She doesn’t remember exactly when the sun comes up. By the time she notices the sky again, it’s dark—another day has passed, but Zhan Lian still hasn’t returned.

There have been several waves of mutant mice and cats, but before they can draw the attention of the others inside the barrier, they’re all handled by An Ran’s sea of cacti.

After feeding Doll, An Ran begins to feel uneasy. She holds the child and paces back and forth in the tower, gently patting her for a burp.

Outside, in the cactus-lined perimeter, the sound of running water comes from one of the residential buildings. It’s followed by the noisy voices of the men inside, laughing and splashing as they bathe.

They’re loud and carefree, seemingly unaware of the danger lurking just beyond the barrier.