Chapter 318: Bribed by a Bucket of Ice Cream
Xiao Yu returned home, carrying two large bags with extreme caution.
Granny Yu lifted her eyelids to glance at him. “What did you bring?”
Caught in her gaze, Xiao Yu stammered, “I-I don’t know either. Miss Su shoved them into my hands. I swear I didn’t ask for them! I wanted to return them, but they ran off. If you’re not happy, I’ll just leave them here and return them in a few days…”
He placed the bags on the ground, but they were packed so full that some items tumbled out—a tub of chocolate ice cream and several bottles of chilled beverages, rolling across the floor in colorful disarray.
One bottle even rolled right to Granny Yu’s feet.
The grandmother and grandson both fell silent.
Xiao Yu tried to recall whether he had imagined Su Tao’s words: “They’re not worth much.” Had he misheard? Or had she really said that?
Definitely misheard.
Granny Yu’s expression was unreadable. “Open them and show me.”
Xiao Yu quickly squatted down and opened the bags. The left bag contained snacks, daily necessities, sweets, drinks, toothbrushes, towels—everything one might need.
The right bag was filled with staple foods: rice, flour, oil, and seasonings.
Xiao Yu jerked his head up, nearly in tears. “Grandma—I really didn’t know these were in there! If I had known, I would’ve stopped her no matter what and forced her to take them back!”
Ever since he was little, Grandma had taught him that in the apocalypse, whenever someone offered you something, it always came with strings attached.
The more they gave, the more they expected in return.
Even though some of these things were unfamiliar to him, he could tell at a glance that they were luxurious, rare commodities—things money alone couldn’t buy.
Granny Yu didn’t scold him immediately. Instead, she asked, “Who did you say they were from?”
“Shi Zijin, Major Shi of Dongyang.”
Granny Yu clearly didn’t trust Shi Zijin either. She said firmly, “Find a chance to return them. We don’t accept handouts. Remember that—no matter whose favor it is.”
Xiao Yu nodded rapidly.
Granny Yu turned away and went back to her workshop to tinker with her projects.
But before long, Xiao Yu called out in alarm, “Grandma—it’s melting!”
She stomped out, annoyed. “What are you wailing about now?”
Xiao Yu was holding the melting ice cream, looking completely lost.
“It’s melting and leaking. H-How am I supposed to return it?”
A sweet, cold scent filled the air, wrapping around the grandmother and grandson.
Xiao Yu was nearly dizzy from the aroma. His mind was swirling: Smells so good. Never had it before. What flavor is it? No, wait, Grandma’s gonna scold me.
Granny Yu took one look at his dumbstruck face and knew exactly what he was thinking. She clicked her tongue, then sighed.
“Useless brat. It’s too melted to return now, so just eat it.”
Then she turned and rummaged through her shelves, pulling out an unassuming water cup. Tossing it to Xiao Yu, she said, “When you give the stuff back, give her this too. Consider it payment for the ice cream. I don’t like owing people.”
Xiao Yu obediently took it.
This wasn’t an ordinary cup. Though it looked like it could only hold 500ml, it could actually store three to four liters of water.
The base even had a slot for an energy crystal.
If a water-type crystal was inserted, the cup could provide an endless supply of drinkable water. If an ice-type or temperature-related crystal was used, it could chill, heat, or even boil the contents.
It was extremely practical—just one of Granny Yu’s many custom-made creations.
“Eat before it turns into a puddle,” she grumbled. “Hopeless kid. Never even had ice cream before.”
Xiao Yu was genuinely thrilled. He eagerly unwrapped the packaging.
Only the outer layer had melted a little. Su Tao had been generous, giving him a full two-pound family-size tub.
Inside were several mixed flavors, topped with cookie crumbles, almond slices, and crushed peanuts.
Chocolate chips and freeze-dried fruit were embedded within.
Xiao Yu didn’t know the names of these things. He only knew they tasted amazing.
His cold demeanor was just a survival tactic. Grandma had told him that appearing aloof made them harder to approach, harder to manipulate.
But the ice cream was too delicious—he couldn’t help letting his guard down.
Granny Yu watched her grandson squinting happily as he ate. She felt both exasperated and heartbroken.
The brat had never had real friends. She had sheltered him too much, keeping him from seeing the worst of the apocalypse. He was still too naive.
A single bucket of ice cream had won him over.
In the end, it was her fault. She had deprived him of too much.
But she quickly steeled herself again.
In the apocalypse, just surviving—without becoming someone’s pawn or prey—was already enough.
There was no room for luxury.
No one was there to protect them. For the sake of safety and freedom, some things had to be sacrificed.
Xiao Yu took two more bites, then quickly switched to a clean spoon and scooped out a big chunk. Holding it up to Granny Yu, he said, “Grandma, try some.”
He opened his mouth, as if expecting her to do the same.
Granny Yu smacked him on the head. “Eat it yourself. I had this stuff decades ago. I don’t care for it.”
While she was talking, Xiao Yu seized the moment to shove the spoonful into her mouth.
The cold, creamy sweetness melted on her tongue, cutting off her scolding.
Xiao Yu grinned brightly.
*
By the time Su Tao and Qian Lin returned to their apartment, it was already past midnight.
They were utterly exhausted, but Su Tao still forced herself to stay awake to feed a few little ones.
Little Flame’s eyes had fully opened now—just like its mother’s, they were a striking shade of blue.
Rong Rong had mentioned that Song Yuebin still hadn’t given up. After seeing Little Flame’s blue eyes, he seemed even more determined. He was so obsessed that he didn’t even care about tomorrow’s auction anymore, convinced that Little Flame was the most beautiful creature in the world—irreplaceable.
But Su Tao didn’t care how much he coveted the kitten. It was in her hands, and she was the one who had saved it. No matter how much he wanted it, he had to keep dreaming.
After feeding the cats and dogs, the little crow Lingyu tilted its head and repeated, “Lingyu is hungry. Lingyu is hungry.”
Su Tao gave it some fruit, but after two bites, it started chanting, “Meat, meat, meat.”
Su Tao groaned. “Be patient. I’ll catch a zombie for you on the way home in two days.”
Lingyu pecked at the window glass. “Go out. Eat outside.”
Su Tao raised a brow. “You want me to let you go hunt on your own?”
Lingyu fluttered its wings—it was a correct guess.
Su Tao hesitated, then asked, “Will you come back?”
Lingyu tilted its head left, then right, as if it didn’t understand the question.
“…Forget it. Go on, then. If you don’t want to return, I won’t force you.”
She opened the window, and Lingyu joyfully took off, disappearing into the night.
Would it come back?
Su Tao put herself in its place. If she were a bird, she wouldn’t want to be caged either.
The world was full of zombies. It didn’t need humans to find food.
