011 Get her out of here!
Shen Heng’s expression darkened completely. He lowered his eyelids and fixed an inscrutable gaze on Han Zhu.
“Did you see it with your own eyes?”
Han Zhu felt a flicker of fear toward Shen Heng. She wanted to step back, but Gao Li’s hand quietly landed on her lower back, firmly preventing her retreat.
“Boom—”
At that moment, a tremendous, muffled thunderclap echoed through the sky. Everyone instinctively looked toward the window, but the curtains obscured the outside view, leaving them unable to see what was happening beyond.
The thunder rolled once, then quickly subsided.
But Shen Siwei, who had not been sleeping soundly, was jolted awake by the thunder.
Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her breathing grew somewhat rapid.
After a few seconds, Shen Siwei slowly sat up in bed. She instinctively reached for the bedside lamp switch.
The light did not come on.
Only then did she realize that the power and water had been cut off.
Shen Siwei tidied herself up simply, letting her hair fall behind her, and clipped a crystal-studded hairpin just above her ear.
Opening the door, she had barely reached the corridor’s corner when she heard voices—male and female—coming from downstairs.
Gao Li stiffened her neck and said, “Yes, we all saw it ourselves.” She sighed helplessly. “Brother Shen Heng, you must understand Siwei’s character—she’s too headstrong. We only wanted to protect her, but she wouldn’t listen to anyone.”
Shen Heng suddenly chuckled. “Indeed, she’s very headstrong.”
Gao Li observed Shen Heng’s expression. Seeing little reaction, she assumed he disliked Shen Siwei as well. Emboldened, she stepped forward two paces and stopped before him.
The two stood close—Gao Li could almost touch Shen Heng’s face with an outstretched hand.
“Brother Shen Heng, to be honest, I’ve liked you for a long time. If Siwei dies, I can take her place…”
“Take the place of whom?”
A soft, amused voice came from the staircase.
Everyone in the living room turned to look.
The girl wore a simple, form-fitting pink gown. In the dim light, she shone brightly, captivating all present for a long moment.
Gao Li looked as if she had seen a ghost, eyes wide with panic. She took a few fearful steps backward and suddenly collided with a stunned Han Zhu.
Song Yingjun’s eyes widened in admiration. “Truly the daughter of a wealthy family—such poise and grace.”
Lu Sui, however, glanced coldly at Shen Siwei’s feet. Her exposed ankles were swollen and red, quite severe—likely from constantly wearing high heels.
Shen Heng immediately stepped forward, carefully supporting Shen Siwei’s arm, his eyes occasionally flicking to her feet.
“Gao Li,” Shen Siwei smiled at her, “you haven’t answered my question yet.”
Though smiling, Gao Li felt an eerie chill in her heart. She swallowed nervously. “You—you haven’t turned into a zombie?”
Shen Siwei feigned regret. “Sorry to disappoint you.”
Gao Li forced a smile, trying to appease her. “Siwei, what happened during the day was my fault. I was too emotional, lost control. I didn’t mean it—I’m truly sorry.”
Shen Siwei looked puzzled. “What happened? What are you talking about?”
Gao Li hesitated for two seconds. She clearly couldn’t mention the incident in the car here. After a moment, she abruptly changed the subject. “Siwei, I’ve apologized already. Besides, you’re fine now. Stop throwing your spoiled heiress tantrums.”
She bumped Han Zhu’s arm subtly with her elbow.
Han Zhu bit her lip, unsure which side to take. After hesitating, she chose not to speak and slipped behind Song Yingjun, who was watching the scene unfold.
Shen Siwei’s lips curled into a smile, but her eyes were icy. “What, can’t the heiress have a temper? Or are you just too afraid to say it?”
Gao Li looked to Lu Sui.
She instantly looked very aggrieved. “Captain Lu, they’re bullying me. Aren’t you going to do something?”
Lu Sui glanced at her without a word, returning to organizing his gear.
Gao Li was dumbfounded.
Shen Siwei said, “I’m a very vengeful person. You pushed me out of the car, making me sprain my ankle and hit my head. How do you plan to make this right?”
Just as she finished speaking, another chilling thunderclap sounded outside.
Gao Li’s heart raced. “Siwei, can’t we talk about this later? There are zombies outside. Shouldn’t survival come first?”
“I don’t care,” Shen Siwei said. “If you choose to fall down from the second floor now, I might consider forgiving you.”
“You!” Gao Li’s fury flared at Shen Siwei’s calm demeanor. “How can you be so cruel? No one likes someone like you!”
Shen Siwei’s gaze was cold. To her, Gao Li’s words were nothing but impotent rage. She stepped forward and swiftly slapped Gao Li across the face.
The sharp smack stunned Gao Li.
“Get out right now,” Shen Siwei commanded.
“Shen Siwei, are you crazy?” Gao Li was enraged. She raised her palm to retaliate but was caught off guard when Shen Heng grabbed her wrist and forcefully flung her aside.
Shen Heng’s voice was cold. “You have no right to hit my sister.” Then he added, “Why are you still standing there? Didn’t you hear my sister say to get out?”
Gao Li looked incredulous. “Get out? There are zombies outside! Going out is a death sentence!”
Shen Siwei’s eyes hardened, and her voice grew louder. “This is my home. Get out!”
Gao Li stood firm. “Then you might as well just kill me.”
Shen Siwei clenched her teeth. “You think I’ve never killed before?” She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and called out, “Wei Qing, get her out of here!”
Wei Qing, busy in the kitchen, heard his name and immediately turned off the stove, hurrying out.
He glanced at the furious Shen Siwei without a word, then approached Gao Li, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the door.
Gao Li screamed wildly, “Ahhh! Let me go! I don’t want to leave! Captain Lu, Captain Lu, help me!”
Wei Qing found her screams annoying and moved to cover her mouth. At that moment, a commanding voice rang out by his ear.
“Enough!”
Wei Qing was momentarily stunned and relaxed his grip. Gao Li quickly pushed him away and dashed behind Lu Sui, sobbing, “I don’t want to go out…”
Shen Siwei lifted her eyes to meet Lu Sui’s cold gaze.