Apocalypse Escape: Day One of Survival

Song You’ai couldn’t help but complain. "You have no idea—he doesn’t even know how to overtake. It was driving me crazy."

"Don’t let the blond hair fool you. He drives so cautiously, like he’s in a mobility scooter for seniors!"

Xiao Huang Mao’s face flushed red. Gripping the steering wheel, he said awkwardly, "Ma’am, I’ve only had my license for a little over three months."

Song You’ai laughed and picked up the kitchen cleaver she had by her feet. "No problem. I’ll take over the driving in a bit."

Xie Ning glanced at the cleaver in her mother’s hand. An idea suddenly struck her. She secretly began to condense metal in her palm, slowly shaping it according to the design in her mind.

Soon, Xie Ning had created a metal longsword. It was about eighty centimeters long and vaguely resembled a Tang dao.

After fashioning a flat, long hilt that was easy to grip, Xie Ning held the sword and gave it a gentle swing.

"Mom, let me see that," Xie Ning said, taking the cleaver from her mother’s hands and lightly tapping it with her sword.

SNAP.

Xiao Huang Mao’s hands trembled on the steering wheel. He had clearly seen the stainless-steel cleaver snap in two with just a light graze from the longsword in Ms. Ning’s hand.

"Uh... Ma’am, was that a Xiaoquan-brand cleaver?"

’Who cares what brand it was! The point is, the metal knife my daughter made is incredibly sharp!’

’It cut through a cleaver like it was slicing tofu. Amazing.’

Xie Ning was a little surprised herself. A smile touched her lips as she handed the metal longsword to a stunned Song You’ai. "Uh, Mom, just forget about that cleaver. Here, use this for self-defense."

"So a Gold Ability can even make swords, huh." Song You’ai took the weapon, turning it over and over in her hands, unable to put it down.

"Be careful you don’t cut your fingers on the blade."

Xie Ning scratched her cheek and pointed to a brightly patterned blanket stuffed by the rear window. "Mom, I can’t make a matching scabbard yet. How about you cut off a piece of that blanket to wrap the sword in for now?"

Song You’ai quickly shook her head. "No way! That’s too ugly! I’d look so powerful and intimidating carrying this sword. What would people think if it’s wrapped in a gaudy blanket?"

’Wouldn’t that just ruin my whole image?’

Xie Ning cleared her throat.

Song You’ai chuckled. "Relax. You think I’m dumb enough to cut myself? Don’t underestimate your mother!"

Xie Ning had no choice but to let her be.

"Let’s go. Out of the car." Song You’ai brandished her new sword. "Mom’s going to kill a zombie for you, just watch!"

Xie Ning froze for a second, then a smile slowly lit up her eyes.

’Mom’s trying to show me, with her actions, that she can stand on her own two feet—that she can even protect her Ningning.’

While Gu Chen’s men were still moving the vehicles, the mother and daughter got out of the car and headed straight for a row of clothing stores by the roadside.

"Tai Xian!"

"Yeah, Sis? Coming!" Ji Taixian heard the call and scurried over to the mother and daughter.

"Stick with us and pack any clothes, shoes, and socks you find into your Space."

"Don’t take too much. No frilly things like dresses. Just grab some casual wear, and preferably some winter clothes." It was already September; though it was still hot, there was no telling when the temperature might suddenly drop.

"You got it, Sis!" Ji Taixian said with a grin, trailing after them.

Just as they opened the door to a clothing store, an elderly zombie came staggering toward them.

Song You’ai took the lead. With a swift swing of her sword, she aimed to pierce the elderly zombie’s skull. But to her surprise, the single strike lopped off half its head at the neck.

She froze for a second before rushing forward to punch a large hole in the zombie’s cranium, putting a stop to its chomping jaw.