Chapter 17: It Learned to Speak

Zhang Xinrou glanced back at the zombies digging the pool. "I'll put them to rest right now."

Tang Miao simply smiled faintly and said no more. She closed her eyes and began analyzing the electronic map in her mind.

Over the past two days, as the farm development progressed, new functions had unlocked on the illustrated guide.

Some green dots flickered, occasionally radiating a circle of golden ripples—these indicated individuals with potential for awakening supernatural abilities.

Could she track them? Could she recruit them before their abilities fully emerged, turning them into members of the farm responsible for security?

As Tang Miao pondered this, a special green dot dimmed briefly, then brightened again. A small black dot appeared at its center.

[Lu Qingyun, female, age 27, real-time tracking activated.]

Not only that, but besides tracking, the guide also provided real-time updates on the target’s vital status, alerting Tang Miao if their life was in danger.

Currently, the system could only track ten targets simultaneously.

Tang Miao selected several promising potential ability-awakeners to track mentally, just as she was about to tap a green dot on the farm’s outskirts.

Suddenly, a few irregularly shaped dark gray markings popped up on the map, accompanied by several chimes in her mind.

The guide explained these were newly formed human safe zones—groups of survivors banding together to claim better resources and establish territories.

Outside these safe zones, countless small green dots streamed in, while many others ventured out.

The power supply system in this area remained intact; some might still be using phones to contact the outside world.

Tang Miao began to devise a plan: these safe zones would be potential clients. Once the farm was fully operational, she could establish long-term cooperation with them.

But this depended on the farm’s ability to defend itself. If those groups turned to violence and plunder...

When Jiang Nanxing returned from clocking out after tending to the zombies, Tang Miao was already asleep.

The boy’s gray pupils trembled slightly as he lowered his eyes and opened his palm, revealing several small gray stones shaped almost like hearts.

He had found them in the soil while watching the tall, skinny and chubby ones work.

Tang Miao liked stones; the first time they met, she took the one hanging around his neck, so Jiang Nanxing collected stones whenever he saw them.

The little creature seemed to sense Jiang Nanxing’s mood and quietly climbed out from under the covers.

The two huddled together, whispering softly.

Zhang Xinrou finished her shower, yawned deeply, and returned to bed, her voice heavy with fatigue.

“What are you two scheming over there?”

Tomorrow, Tang Miao would fix a wall for their bedroom. Without cement, they could piece together a wall from fences and hang sheets over it—it would suffice.

Knowing Zhang Xinrou and Tang Miao needed rest, Jiang Nanxing picked up the little creature and left the resting area.

---

In the following days, the zombies not only dug wells and pools but also turned over the soil in the designated planting areas.

Tang Miao didn’t work with them but was far from idle.

She continuously studied the mental map, marking key locations, flipping through the market and storage spaces, and contemplating how food affected the zombies.

“Today is August 2, 2025, the 19th day since the apocalypse began, Saturday, 5:48 PM. One week has passed since work started.”

“The three wells in the operational area are completed, each four meters deep and about 1.5 meters in diameter. The fruit planting area’s reservoir is finished, capable of holding around 200 cubic meters of water.”

“In addition, all designated farm areas have been tilled and are ready for planting. Three extra water reservoirs have been dug in the undeveloped parts of the farm.”

“The black-boned chickens are growing rapidly; each weighs about four pounds and can be slaughtered for food.”

At this point, Zhang Xinrou swallowed hard without realizing it; she hadn’t tasted fresh meat in over half a month.

Tang Miao plucked a handful of green beans, observing and responding to Zhang Xinrou: “Let’s kill one tonight and stew the chicken. The Class A carrots and potatoes are ready to eat.”

Not only the potatoes and carrots but all Class A crops were yielding bumper harvests.

The Class B control group had just started to bear fruit, and although the Class C crops, hastened by psychic energy, didn’t match Class A’s yield, they too had a good harvest.

The little creature in Tang Miao’s arms was impatient, snatching a green bean from her hand and stuffing it into its mouth.

Seeing this, Tang Miao picked several more green beans and placed them into the creature’s palm.

Zhang Xinrou paused for two seconds, sensing something was off.

Never mind, she thought. First, she’d put the fish fry Tang Miao had given her into the pond.

“Jiang Nanxing, gather everyone to help pick the crops. Remember to separate Class A and Class C. There’s a bumper harvest today; let the dorm manager prepare a good meal for everyone.”

This meal might be their last feast—better to set off on the road well-fed.

“Okay...” The boy’s voice was hoarse and slow.

The creature paused and exclaimed, “Abba abba!” Brother succeeded!

Tang Miao stuffed another handful of green beans into Jiang Nanxing’s hand. “Try saying a few more words, anything at all!”

Jiang Nanxing’s heart leapt. Clenching the green beans, he tried again: “Miao, Miaomiao.”

“Good, good! Just like that, keep it up!”

Seeing Tang Miao smile, Jiang Nanxing’s lips curved unconsciously. He took out a heart-shaped stone he had been hoarding in his jeans pocket.

The little creature opened its tiny hand, reminding Tang Miao that this was something the boy had treasured for a long time, secretly polishing it whenever he had free moments.

Tang Miao’s smile faltered for a moment, then quickly returned to normal as she accepted the stone.

The sky gradually turned orange-red, the sunset stretching shadows long.

Lin Chaofeng was loading usable items from the supermarket onto the SUV, while Song Mingchen leaned against the vehicle, lighting a cigarette.

“Brother Chen, how’s your leg feeling?”

Perhaps due to discomfort, Song Mingchen’s voice was hoarse. “It’s not too bad. We need to move quickly.”

He frowned deeply as he glanced at the warnings in their group chat.

They had been forced to stop and go repeatedly while searching for Tang Miao. Someone had tried to rob them, leading to a scuffle.

Only after killing the attacker did they learn he was the captain of the security team in a newly established safe zone nearby.

Song Mingchen still had battery on his phone and searched online; someone had exposed the Chihuo Safe Zone.

Arson, murder, and looting—ruthless and vicious acts.

They had killed one of their men and wouldn’t get away with it. Their photos were posted online with bounties.

Song Mingchen had never imagined he would one day become a wanted criminal.

The safe zone’s people were now conducting a thorough search along this road. From photos secretly taken by others, many had already set out.

Song Mingchen stubbed out his cigarette and slid into the passenger seat. “Let’s go. Before it gets completely dark, we should move to a new location.”

At night, headlights were more likely to expose their position.

Lin Chaofeng buckled his seatbelt and muttered, “Damn safe zones! They’re nothing but beasts. I wonder how Tang Miao and Zhang Xinrou are doing. I’ve seen many stores looted along this route. They should be ahead of us, right?”

Song Mingchen said nothing, instead watching their surroundings.

Starting the engine, Lin Chaofeng still worried about Song Mingchen’s leg. “Brother Chen, keep an eye out for pharmacies on the way. The anti-inflammatory medicine we found earlier is all gone.”

Song Mingchen’s gaze settled on a dense forest in the distance. “It’s fine.”

“We shouldn’t have trusted that punk with the rooster haircut. He betrayed you to join the safe zone, causing your injury. Now that he’s been taken by the safe zone, he’s getting what he deserves.”

Song Mingchen’s eyelashes twitched twice. Looking out the window, he avoided the topic. “Chaofeng, has that place always been a mountain?”

He asked to change the subject but was surprised when Lin Chaofeng responded seriously.

“Did you misremember too? I’ve traveled this road several times with my family, and I always thought that spot was a university. Seems the stress of the apocalypse is messing with our memories.”

The sky darkened as the vehicle moved forward.