Chapter 247: The Zhuang Family
The walls of the capital base stood nearly six meters high. The gate was a heavy metal door like an old-fashioned city gate, with a strong retro and robust vibe. On either side was a smaller gate—one for entry, one for exit.
Outside the walls, orderly greenhouses had formed a settled village pattern.
There weren’t many people in line at the entrance. The guards were unarmed but looked tough and unapproachable.
Knowing they were newcomers and had handed over supplies, they had to get off and undergo inspection.
A separate room where ability users would use their powers at full strength to display their level.
“Don’t go all out,” Lu Weiyi quietly reminded everyone.
All who entered maintained B-level abilities. Then Lu Xi entered—no power displayed, but jade space showed up instead.
Lu Weiyi tightened his grip. Zhuang Mingxu patted his hand and pushed the wheelchair inside.
The small space’s size was completely as expected.
When he came out, Lu Weiyi carried Zhuang Ai Yi inside.
The room was pitch black, with only a faint red light in front.
“Little Daddy,” Zhuang Ai Yi hugged Lu Weiyi’s neck tightly as soon as they entered.
“Please release your ability aimed at the device,” the electronic voice said. A device appeared, its purpose unclear but presumably for level assessment.
Lu Weiyi cautiously covered the space with his ability, one hand soothing Zhuang Ai Yi.
After a moment, the voice said, “No abilities detected.”
They came out. Lu Weiyi looked at the nearby display screen, which clearly showed two ordinary people with no abilities or storage space.
Upon entering the base, ordinary people had to stay for two hours to check for zombie virus infection.
Zhuang Mingxu arranged Ning Yuan to report back to the Zhuang family.
When they came out, the family’s old steward Zhou Bo was waiting at the entrance with others.
“Young Master,” Zhou Bo had watched Zhuang Mingxu grow up and had a good relationship with him. He was momentarily stunned seeing Zhuang Mingxu’s appearance. Tears welled in the old man’s eyes. “It’s good you’re back, good you’re back. The old master kept talking about you.”
“Zhou Bo,” Zhuang Mingxu took his hand.
“Master Lu,” Zhou Bo greeted Lu Weiyi, who nodded in return.
“Let’s go home,” Zhou Bo said excitedly and personally pushed Zhuang Mingxu.
*
Inside the capital base was a completely different world.
No ruins, no zombies or mutant plants and animals. The streets were bright with flickering lights and bustling vendors.
Zhuang Mingxu looked out the window as if he’d stepped into a dream—a dream where there were no zombies, no apocalypse.
Zhuang Ai Yi peeked around curiously, asking about things along the way, fascinated by everything.
Lu Weiyi was calm. He had lived here for years and even knew where some famous shops were. He was well aware of the distribution of base factions.
In the passenger seat, Zhou Bo kept telling Zhuang Mingxu about what happened to the Zhuang family after the apocalypse. Lu Weiyi only half listened—it was the usual stuff about how difficult it was with many family members and how much they missed and worried about him.
If they really cared that much, no one would just let it go without looking into it.
And they’d never keep letting illegitimate children into the family.
Lu Weiyi snorted and turned his head to look out the window.
“Zhou Bo, my leg is injured. Can the family contact a doctor? I want to have surgery overnight,” Zhuang Mingxu said without exposing the hidden meaning behind those words, nor did he agree or disagree.
“I’ll tell the old master once we get back,” Zhou Bo replied.
After the hustle and bustle for half an hour, the surroundings quieted down as they entered the villa area, tightly guarded by sentries.
Ten minutes later, the vehicle stopped at a standalone villa. Zhou Bo got out first, took out the wheelchair, and helped Zhuang Mingxu sit down. Then he introduced, “This whole area is where our people live. This villa belongs to the main branch family, next door is the third branch family’s place. The third branch controls some forces over there, and this side is the main branch’s territory.”
“All of them?” Zhuang Mingxu scanned the row. There were fewer than seven villas in total.
“No, mainly the captains’ families and the leadership. The lower-level members have their own residences outside,” Zhou Bo explained. “The partners you brought back will stay in the villa at the far end. How’s that?”
Zhuang Mingxu glanced over and nodded.
He looked at Lu Weiyi, who volunteered, “I’ll take them to get settled, you…”
“Go ahead. I’m fine here,” Zhuang Mingxu said.
“…” Lu Weiyi looked at him, saw no objection, and nodded, “I’ll come find you in an hour.”
“Okay.”
Lu Weiyi led several vehicles and left.
The surrounding villas had similar layouts and sizes. The people Zhou Bo sent along explained the living arrangements of the nearby families, also to avoid conflicts caused by ignorance.
The villa was pitch-dark and empty, like a haunted house. Compared to the brightly lit surroundings, it looked pitiful.
“This entire villa is empty. Feel free to live here. For facilities, you need to apply through the steward. If you need anything, you can come find me anytime—I live next door,” said the guide, a boy named Xiao Liu who looked underage but spoke smoothly and seemed sharp.
Although they said to apply to the steward, Zhou Bo obviously knew Zhuang Mingxu brought people back. If they really cared, everything should have been arranged already. Lu Weiyi guessed this was a way to test their supplies.
In today’s world, supplies are directly tied to strength.
“Who manages the supplies?” Lu Weiyi asked.
“The third branch’s Second Master,” which meant Zhuang Mingxu’s second uncle, Zhuang Mingze’s biological father.
Lu Weiyi burst out laughing, half-smiling as he looked at Xiao Liu. “The Zhuang main branch isn’t that useless, right? Even supplies have to come from the third branch?”
Xiao Liu kept his head down, silent.
“Truly useless,” Lu Weiyi summarized. “Take them to the parking lot and find a cook to come over. Priority to one who can cook baby food.”
“Okay,” Xiao Liu nodded. Xu Sa grabbed Xiao Liu and went to find the villa parking area.
When they returned, the villa was brightly lit, no different from the others.
Xu Yi was released and sat on the sofa with a look of despair.
Everyone else was sprawled out, even Zhuang Ai Yi imitating adults in a lazy recline.
“A lousy parking lot, took a detour, and still had to pay with crystal cores—ridiculous,” Xu Sa complained as he and Gu Qingyue and Gu Qingji entered, sitting near the door. “I told him to find someone to cook first.”
“Come on, Lu Xiaoyi, tell everyone what the Zhuang family’s situation is. They made a tough entrance, what’s going on?” Xu Sa asked.
“The Zhuang family?” Lu Weiyi sneered, not interested enough to elaborate. “They’re all disgusting inside—things wearing human skin. Don’t be fooled by them. These people either go into politics or the military. Be careful not to get trapped.”
“They don’t accept you,” Li Zhuang said bluntly.
“The entire future of the Zhuang family depends on Zhuang Mingxu. I ruined that. Do you expect them to treat me like an honored guest?” Lu Weiyi said, feeling a bit proud of himself, chuckling a little.
“Aren’t you in danger then?” Xu Sa, who knew how ruthless these powerful families could be, asked.
Lu Weiyi shook his head. When Zhuang Mingxu had power in the past life, no one dared to cross him. Now that Lu Weiyi himself had strength, even without Mingxu’s protection, no one dares to speak badly about him. Maybe the Zhuang family now has to try even harder to please him.
Lu Weiyi thought of the scene and found it amusing.
After chatting for a while, Xiao Liu brought in a middle-aged woman, the new cook, named Aunt Liu.
Lu Weiyi stared for a while and realized she was Zhou Bo’s daughter-in-law. In the previous life, she cooked for their team. Back then, Zhou Bo was under Zhuang Mingxu, but now who knows whose man he is.
They really had full surveillance in place.
Lu Weiyi ignored it and happily let her prepare a large spread of dishes.
Finally, the group relaxed and ate until full.
After the meal, Lu Weiyi estimated it was time to pick up Zhuang Mingxu. Before leaving, he glanced at Xu Yi and gave the others a subtle signal.
The villa district’s streetlights were about ten meters apart—just enough to clearly see the road underfoot.
The road was repaired and showed no signs of damage.
From every villa came sounds of lively chatter and activity—a vibrant, bustling scene. Except for the Zhuang family.
The Zhuang estate was still as brilliantly lit as before the apocalypse. The lamps in the courtyard outnumbered the others, illuminating the entire yard clearly.
Probably a small layout, no home cooking—servants pushed dining carts up and down two floors, bowls and dishes upside down as they entered the yard, the grand scene as before.
Seeing Lu Weiyi enter, someone opened their mouth to stop him, but realizing it was more proper for him to come in first, fell silent.
Zhuang Mingxu sat on the sofa in the hall, with Old Master Zhuang beside him. His eldest uncle Zhuang Chengye and father Zhuang Chengli sat opposite. Cousins Zhuang Mingwen and Zhuang Mingwu sat on either side.
In the far corner sat a young boy—Zhuang Mingxu’s illegitimate younger brother, Xia Mingzhi.
Such a warm three-generation family gathering—if not for Zhuang Mingxu’s silent expression.
For the first time, Lu Weiyi realized that he, too, could have moments of vulnerability and loneliness.
Lu Weiyi’s entrance broke the silence. Zhuang Mingxu looked over, and the faint trace of fragility immediately vanished. Even sitting in a wheelchair, he was still the man with a straight back and proud posture.
Lu Weiyi walked straight to Zhuang Mingxu’s side, took the hand he offered, and asked, “When is the surgery?”
“…” Zhuang Mingxu hesitated, then said, “I’ve contacted them. I’ll have the checkup after dinner.”
“Ahem,” Old Master Zhuang cleared his throat, unnoticed by Lu Weiyi, but catching the attention of the maid bringing the food.
Lu Weiyi nodded, “Going back?”
“No, I’ll go straight after eating,” Zhuang Mingxu replied.
“Oh,” Lu Weiyi responded, then sat on the sofa next to Zhuang Mingxu. He took out a phone and opened a game.
Slow, familiar music played. Everyone in the living room exchanged glances. Zhuang Mingxu lowered his eyes and smiled faintly without a sound.
In the dining room, Zhuang Chengyan was setting the table with her son, daughter, and Zhuang Chengli’s new “wife,” Xia Xiaorong, along with the servants.
“Big brother, are you playing Plants vs. Zombies?” a little girl’s voice asked.
Lu Weiyi focused on the phone screen, tapping and clicking occasionally.
“Can’t you hear someone talking to you? Are you deaf?” Xia Mingzhi, sitting nearby, frowned and said impatiently, full of youthful energy.
