Chapter 1: Kicked Out of the House
“Taotao, don’t blame Mom for being ruthless. There’s really no other way. There are only two rooms at home, and eight people live here. Since you have the opportunity to join the Pioneer Team, with free meals and accommodation, and I heard they even provide a dormitory—under such good conditions, just go…”
Although Su Tao had anticipated this, it still hurt. “Mom, I don’t have any powers. I’ve never left the base my whole life. If I go out with the Pioneer Army…”
It would mean either death or severe injury.
In the 20th year of the apocalypse, major bases had gradually become well-established. Not only could people find food, but they were also protected from zombie and mutant beast attacks, leading to a surge of survivors flocking to the bases.
To survive, everyone fought tooth and nail to enter the base, causing a population explosion and a severe shortage of space.
Su Tao’s father, being an engineer involved in the early construction of the base, was fortunate enough to be allocated a 60-square-meter, two-bedroom apartment.
Logically, it was enough for their family of three.
However, Su Tao’s parents were a remarried couple. Before Su Tao was born, they each had previous marriages and children.
Her father, Su Yuanhang, felt sorry for his two sons from his first marriage who had nowhere to live, so he brought the two grown men into their new home.
Su Tao’s mother, Li Ronglian, felt it was unfair and brought over her eldest daughter from her previous marriage—Su Tao’s half-sister, Jiang Jinwei.
She also brought along Jiang Jinwei’s husband and their three-year-old daughter.
A small 60-square-meter apartment ended up housing eight people.
Not only did Su Tao not have her own room, but she was also forced to sleep in the cramped bathroom. It was not only dark and damp, but the toilet was right next to her bed.
Every time Jiang Jinwei came to the bathroom, she would scold Su Tao for being in the way, calling her a burden.
With so many people at home, conflicts arose daily, and there was never a moment of peace.
To make matters worse, the government implemented a policy requiring each household to send one adult to join the Pioneer Army, or else they would face losing their home.
Su Tao was thus pushed out.
Li Ronglian’s eyes were red as she said, “Taotao, Mom really has no choice. Your sister has a child. I can’t let her go, right? Your two brothers have stable jobs in the base and provide most of the family’s income. Your dad would never agree to let them go…”
With a broken heart, Su Tao turned and went into the small, dark bathroom. She shut the door, blocking out her mother’s voice.
There was nothing left to hold onto in this family. Even if going to the military meant coming back injured, it would be better than staying here and being betrayed by her closest kin.
She didn’t have much to pack—her belongings were pitifully few. She only took a set of clean clothes.
Just then, a cold mechanical voice suddenly sounded in her mind:
[Energy collection complete. System loaded successfully.]
Su Tao: “?”
What was that? Was she hearing things?
[Would the host like to bind to the ‘Landlady System’? Upon successful binding, you will receive a basic one-bedroom apartment for personal use.]
Su Tao was still in a daze, struggling to grasp the situation. The only thing her mind latched onto was “receive an apartment.”
A house!
She had dreamed of having a place of her own.
A space where she wouldn’t have to sleep in a bathroom, where she wouldn’t be disturbed by others’ noise, a place of peace and stability.
Almost instinctively, she thought—even if this was a hallucination or a daydream, and even if it meant fighting zombies hand-to-hand, she would agree.
[Binding successful. Please receive your reward.]
In an instant, a key card appeared in Su Tao’s hand. At the same time, a transparent panel appeared before her eyes, displaying a 3D model of the one-bedroom apartment.
Su Tao’s eyes widened, as if in a dream.
Was this really not a hallucination or a daydream?
[Please proceed to the property location to receive your beginner mission.]
Su Tao snapped back to reality and looked at the key card in her hand. The address was written on the back.
She focused on it and found the address somewhat familiar—it seemed to be near the Dongyang Base.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
Violent knocking came from outside, accompanied by Jiang Jinwei’s impatient urging:
“Hurry up and pack your stuff to report in. You’re always dragging your feet. Take everything with you, and if you can’t carry it, throw it away. Every time I go to the bathroom, you’re in the way!”
Su Tao held back her anger, put away the key card, and swung the door open.
“Are you done packing? If you’re done, why are you still standing there? You eat so much for nothing, but you never move faster!”
With a cold expression, Su Tao walked over. Under Jiang Jinwei’s stunned gaze, she raised her hand and slapped her hard.
Since she had decided to cut ties with this family—
She might as well get some revenge before leaving!
The crisp “slap” sound not only dispelled Su Tao’s pent-up grievances but also brought an unexpectedly satisfying sense of relief.
She had wanted to do this for so long!
“Su Tao! How dare you hit me!” Jiang Jinwei screamed at the top of her lungs, abandoning her crying daughter, Tangdou, and lunging at Su Tao.
Without hesitation, Su Tao slapped her again.
“Yes, I hit you! Of all the people in this house, you are the least qualified to say I’m a freeloader! If Mom hadn’t been biased toward you since childhood and brought your whole family here, who knows where you’d be wandering now?”
Li Ronglian began to sob, “Sisters shouldn’t say such things to each other…”
Su Tao let out a laugh, as if she’d just heard the most ridiculous joke:
“From today on, I have no brothers, no sisters, and no parents! That’s it. From now on, if we meet, treat me as a stranger. Don’t talk to me.”
Without paying any attention to Jiang Jinwei’s murderous glare, Su Tao quickly grabbed her ID card and her only set of spare clothes, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked out of the house without looking back.
Li Ronglian sobbed uncontrollably, “Is she… is she really cutting ties with us?”
Jiang Jinwei clutched her reddened cheek, gritting her teeth in hatred, “Let her! That ungrateful girl can cut ties all she wants. Just wait and see—without a father or her brothers to look after her, and with nowhere to stay, how will she survive in Dongyang? She’ll end up crawling back to beg us!”
