Chapter 1: The Conductor’s Log
The two iron rails gleamed brightly, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.
A train thundered past, and the “crowd” wandering through the fields and villages suddenly surged forward, running and jumping with excitement.
In a few of the carriages, some passengers seemed infected by this “enthusiasm,” each leaning out the windows, shouting loudly in response.
The rest of the carriages were packed tightly with people, yet they remained silent and indifferent.
...
“There are 1,226 people on this train, 670 men and 556 women.”
“But only two people can stay in the locomotive; the remaining 1,224 must live in the rear carriages.”
“You say you want to join us, but on what grounds?”
Su Huan smiled faintly, unabashedly sizing up the girl before him.
She wore a gray T-shirt, small-sized and fitted at the waist, paired with deep blue jeans that hugged the curves of her legs. The pant legs flared gently over her shoes, like a simple yet elegant flower.
The girl analyzed calmly, “I’m pursuing a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical and electronic engineering and am currently in graduate school. My father is a railway engineer. If you need help maintaining or modifying the train, I can assist. Besides, I exercise regularly and am healthy—I won’t be a burden.”
Su Huan was quite surprised. He hadn’t expected there to be real talent among these people. Though somewhat inexperienced, his armed train plan definitely needed such skills.
“You may tell me your name.”
“Yu Jing.”
“Alright, Yu, you’re hired.”
“Wait!” the girl interrupted Su Huan. “I have one condition.”
Su Huan frowned. He disliked bargaining, but since she was talented, he endured it.
“A condition?”
“To bring someone with me.” Yu Jing pulled a woman from a nearby carriage. The woman’s brows were furrowed with worry, and she looked at him nervously.
“My mother is a nurse and can handle some basic medical issues.”
Su Huan’s eyes brightened.
The woman before him resembled Yu Jing about seventy percent—like a mature version of the girl. She wore a beige knitted sweater, her long hair cascading over her rounded shoulders, exuding a gentle temperament. Her pale lips parted, and her soft voice trembled slightly with shyness.
“Mr. Su…”
She was very beautiful but not particularly useful for the plan.
However, having endured the apocalypse, Su Huan’s standards were much lower than most.
“No problem, Yu. Come to my room tonight; I want to test your professional knowledge.”
Yu Jing raised an eyebrow. Though she found his words a bit odd, she thought nothing more of it.
But the woman, experienced in life, sensed something amiss. Holding her daughter’s arm, she pleaded softly, “She’s still a child...”
Su Huan nodded in understanding. “Then you come along with her tonight.”
“Next.”
The crowd grew noisy for a moment before a greasy, overweight middle-aged man squeezed forward.
Su Huan’s appetite vanished instantly. He waved his hand. “Enough for today. Go back.”
The middle-aged man’s eyes widened. He shouted, “Why stop when it’s my turn? You’ve only interviewed five people!”
Thinking of returning to the cramped, suffocating space with a crowd and the constant threat of zombies from the rear carriages, his voice grew shrill and agitated.
“You picked two ‘good-looking’ people out of five and called it an interview? Just pick all the pretty women then!”
The people behind him grew restless.
“If you want something, just say it!”
“You want money? I’ve got a gold necklace.”
“I’ve got some food; can I stay at the front?”
“I’ll sleep with you tonight!”
The pleasant smile on Su Huan’s face vanished abruptly, replaced by a chilling coldness.
He raised a finger to his lips, his voice grim: “One last chance. Go back.”
The middle-aged man, feeling the confrontation had escalated beyond repair and weighed down by the pressures of the apocalypse, gave up all restraint. Pointing at Su Huan, he cursed, “Who the hell do you think you are, hogging the locomotive while over a thousand of us are crammed in the back? I hope you rot!”
“And you two sluts, this bastard only wants you. He’s practically handed himself to you, and you’re still smug? When he’s done playing, he’ll feed you both to the zombies. There are so many women on this train—you think you’ll be safe for even a few days—”
His voice was cut off abruptly as a hole appeared in his forehead.
His bloodshot eyes still burned with anger and hatred.
—
“Bang.”
The body collapsed to the ground, but no blood spilled from the wound.
The crowd gathered in the corridor between the two carriages took a large step back.
Feeling a slight burning sensation at his fingertips, Su Huan said coldly, “Drag him back.”
After a moment’s hesitation, and intimidated by Su Huan’s ruthless authority, two people stepped forward to drag the body away.
Su Huan locked the corridor door firmly and looked at the furious but silent faces behind the glass, twisting into a cruel smile.
He pulled out a notebook and wrote:
“The first week of the apocalypse, people are still obedient.”
The page turned, revealing bold words:
“Train Conductor’s Log.”
...
Su Huan turned and noticed no change in Yu Jing’s expression, which raised his opinion of her somewhat.
“The last carriage is yours. Do not leave until called. Inside is a pack of biscuits and a bottle of water—your food for today,” he said coolly.
The woman hesitated to speak but was pulled inside the soft sleeper cabin by Yu Jing. The door clicked locked behind them.
Su Huan covered the glass on the corridor door and walked forward to the deluxe sleeper carriage.
Just as he pushed open the compartment door—
“Bang!”
A dull thud came from the window.
A large splash of crimson blood spread across the glass, a shadow flung aside by the speeding train.
This horrific scene did not stir Su Huan in the slightest. For others, it was the first week of the apocalypse, but for him, it had been four years and one week.
The first thing he did after being reborn was not to gather supplies or build a safe houseI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.