Chapter 15.2 - Li JingHua's Past (Part 1)

When Li JingHua said this, her aura seemed to have undergone a drastic change, and her expression turned more complex. Her brows creased, taking several deep breaths as she tried to calm herself.

"This epidemic led to changes which turned the world upside down. Humans across the world started having fevers of varying degree depending on their constitution. The weaker ones... had a hard time surviving. The world was in panic, people clamored for safety. It was devastating to listen to the news especially when you find out that people you know… people close to you… friends…family… " her voice trailed off, memories of the night their mother turned into a monster suddenly came flooding into her mind.

Li JingHua's tone was solemn as she remembered the night when their mother turned into a monster. She closed her eyes as she bit back the tears that threatened to fall just as the memories came. There were so many things that she regrets doing during the time of the apocalypse, and her dying wish had been to be given another chance to amend everything. Now that she was given that chance, she plans to make full use of it. The only unfortunate thing was that, she could not change her mother's fate. No matter what she did, she knew her mother would not survive the transition. Her old age wouldn't allow her to survive the fever.

The first incident of a human turning into a zombie was recorded in the Republic of Burundi in Africa. The epidemic later spread across its neighboring countries, hitting Rwanda next, then news of the epidemic was announced in Tanzania, then the Republic of Congo. A few days later, several doctors who did humanitarian aid in one of the African countries mentioned who had continued their work in their respective countries, turned. As if triggered simultaneously by something and it accelerated the spreading of what they call the zombie virus. Even the remote islands in the Pacific were completely overrun.

Millions of people around the world became infected. Countries were completely shut down, especially the smaller ones which did not have any military and financial power to fight the epidemic. Cities that were once bustling and teeming with life transformed into wastelands overnight. Buildings and houses all over were abandoned, vehicles littered the roads. Those who survived and were uninfected locked themselves in. The epidemic spread so fast that a great majority were unprepared. People fought for resources, especially food and water. The rations provided by the military and the government did not last long. Military bases in some cities which quarantined infected individuals also did not escape the epidemic. In the end those who were charged to protect the uninfected also turned.

It was exactly three months after the apocalypse began. The Li household managed to hold off with the assistance of Xue Rui. Their house in the suburbs had been fortified and they were provided with supplies to last them for another three months. There was no electricity and water supply had long since stopped running in the pipes. It was fortunate that the family was able to store ample water supply before the complete shutdown of the treatment and water distribution facilities.

Li JingHua and Li XinWen were in the basement of their home doing an inventory of the remaining items that Xue Rui had provided them in the past three months.

"Ah'Wen have you finished checking whether we still have enough of the water purification tablets? The water we stored might not last until Rui sends us more… I wonder what he's doing right now…" there is a hint of worry within Li JingHua's tone as she stared at the book containing their inventory lists.

Li XinWen who noticed her sister's worry glanced at her and wanting to comfort the older woman, he gave her a smile. "Yes Hua-jie… we still have ten boxes in the shelf. And you shouldn't worry too much about Rui-ge, I'm sure he's safe."

"Hmmmm…"

Seeing his elder sister worry did not ease up, Li XinWen walked up to her and held her at arm's length. "Hua-jie, Rui-ge will be okay. I know that you miss him and want to be with him at this time but you know how dangerous it is outside. He'll come when it's safe. I'm sure you're also always on his mind. So cheer up and stop worrying okay?"

"Yes… you're probably right…"

Sensing that his sister was still worried Li XinWen was at his wits end when he finally came up with an idea which he thought might put his sister's heart at ease.

"Hua-jie, I have an idea…since the world has come to this and you and Xue Rui were unable to hold your wedding ceremony why don't we hold a simple ceremony for the two of you? Just the two of you exchanging vows? You can wear the white long sleeve lace mini dress you have hanging in your closet! I'll fix up the living room and make it all fancy!" as an actor, Li XinWen managed to say all of this with a big grin on his face. His eyes were also shining with excitement, making even Li JingHua felt that they were currently not living in the apocalypse, but instead, a normal world. It took her a few seconds before finally returning to reality.

"You're so silly Ah'Wen… Rui would never agree to something so embarrassing…" as she let out a demure laugh.

"The world is about to end I'm sure Rui-ge will make an exception! I'll convince him!" Li XInWen responded and they both laughed like children, once again, forgetting for a moment that the world outside was already in ruins.

"Ahhh… thank you Ah'Wen…" Li JingHua said with a smile on her face and Li XinWen can't help but held his sister in a gentle embrace, his heart aching at the thought that he had betrayed her and that Li JingHua was never going to have the perfect wedding with the man she loved.

'Forgive me Hua-jie…' he whispered quietly in his mind.