How to Raise a Baby in an Apocalypse - Chapter 406
The survivors send a brave volunteer ahead to scout the road toward Xiangcheng. Apart from the mutant snakes on this stretch, there are none for a long distance beyond.
It seems these snakes have migrated from somewhere else and just happen to encounter this group on the road. Unable to resist the scent of food, they launch the battle between humans and snakes.
Because Zhan Lian and his team are too powerful, the survivors on the national highway gradually gain some breathing room. But rather than help Zhan Lian’s group, they focus on getting into their vehicles and speeding toward Xiangcheng.
After all, they are strangers.
By around noon, the congestion begins to ease slightly.
The copper-skinned zombies chasing from behind discover new prey and lose interest in the mutant animals lower on the food chain.
The surrounding area gradually comes under An Ran’s quiet control. Before long, no more mutant snakes appear. Zhan Lian and the others are left alone on the road, finally free.
It isn’t that there are no more mutant snakes ahead—it’s just that An Ran’s thornball plants have already multiplied and spread far outward. Before the snakes even enter human sight, they are devoured by her plants.
With the danger temporarily cleared, Yun Tao and Liang Ziyu take three Strength-Type Ability Users and begin scavenging supplies. They search abandoned vehicles left along the road, siphoning gasoline and gathering anything useful from inside.
An Ran observes the survivors. Whether they’ve met now or back on the road earlier, everyone is headed toward Xiangcheng. The only vehicles left untouched are those belonging to the punk man. In his group, ten people have been eaten by mutant snakes.
Despite being such a large team, they haven’t run into any real trouble in the south. But now, before even reaching Tiesi Village up north, they’re stuck here. The punk man is devastated.
And that sorrow becomes his source of strength.
He keeps firing his machine gun until he runs out of bullets. Then he grabs a knife and jumps out with his teammates to fight the snakes directly. He has no thought of retreating to Xiangcheng.
Meanwhile, An Ran is busy—feeding “candy” to her thornball plant and taking care of Doll.
Now over four months old, Doll has grown stronger, and Little Mint can no longer hold her for long. As soon as she wakes, she starts squirming, fussing loudly whenever she realizes she’s stuck in the car.
She doesn’t want to ride in the car. She wants to go out and play!
Fortunately, the area around the car is now safe. As long as she stays within Zhan Lian’s defensive perimeter, everything remains under his control.
Hearing Doll cry hoarsely, as if mourning her parents, An Ran sighs and carries her out of the car.
But where in this wilderness can a child play? All she can do is walk slow circles around the vehicle while holding her.
After a while, Zhao Ru comes by to deliver water. She carries several large sports water bottles—thermos-sized—and distributes water to every vehicle.
This team has enough water, thanks to Zhao Ru’s water-based ability and her obsession with training.
With the situation stabilizing and everyone famished after such a long battle, it’s the perfect time for a break. Luckily, Yun Tao and Liang Ziyu have found a picnic mat, a folding table, and collapsible stools among the supplies.
