Chapter 9, Diamond Ring

The old lady remained silent, and after a long pause, she finally spoke a few words indistinctly

Zheng Jieming nodded, turned around to pretend to examine the photograph carefully, and then went downstairs with the knife. The old lady was still crying; she tried hard to compose herself as she saw Zheng Jieming off. The broken pieces of the vase were still scattered all over the entrance. Zheng Jieming closed the door— the sound was equally loud, indicating that the door was simply too stiff.

"Hengji Building? It's not far from here, but it's still a stop away." The old lady sighed, "I suppose it's because of this incident that they came over. Sit down! Why are you standing?"

That is simply wonderful! We are indeed hoping to find another place to live!" Zheng Jieming displayed a look of joy

Of course, I have a spare one! The old lady said with a smile, "You can just open the door yourself when you come back."

Family... My parents... are not in the North Province; they live in the South Province. Zheng Jieming was reluctant to mention that his father died in battle at the age of 12, and even less so to speak of his mother's disappearance. He had never been willing to bring these matters up with outsiders; they were a pain that would forever reside in his heart. He thought of Lei Yang's parents living in the South Province, and thus fabricated a lie. He did not mention his sister, as he felt there was no need to explain his sister's situation to the elderly lady. He thought of Lei Yang's parents living in the South Province, and thus fabricated a lie. He did not mention his sister, as he felt there was no need to explain his sister's situation to the elderly lady.

Zheng Jieming was thinking that his old partner had already turned into a zombie and had been 'killed.' He felt a wave of guilt in his heart, as if he had not killed a zombie, but rather a living person

Zheng Jieming watched her as she examined the ring, laughing and crying at the same time, and he couldn't help but feel moved, tears streaming from his eyes. He said nothing, merely standing guard over this unfamiliar elderly woman, waiting for her to gradually mend the sadness and sorrow in her memories. After a long time, the old lady and the * book * returned to the room, placing her late husband's diamond ring in the jewelry box on the bedside table.

Zheng Jieming regained his composure and attempted to pull his left foot and leather shoe away from the cold claws and teeth of the zombie, but he heard the sound of a door opening on the second floor

A sudden, crystal-clear light flashed before his eyes. He looked down and saw that the zombie's left hand had a diamond ring on its ring finger—almost identical to the one on the old lady's finger, though noticeably smaller.

"What did you say?" Zheng Jieming was very patient

Hahaha, that would be wonderful. This old lady also hopes to have someone to keep her company! Hurry and bring them over, while it's still daytime, so you can return early! The old lady appeared even happier, grinning widely and revealing her gap-toothed smile

"I am sorry... thank you... thank you for the knife you gave me." He is indeed someone who understands how to correct mistakes immediately and knows right from wrong

"Were you helping me or harming me just now?" Zheng Jieming questioned the old lady. He had just gone through a life-and-death struggle, the fear still lingering, and suspicion weighing heavily on him, yet he did not wish to do anything out of line

Anping Lake, Anping Temple, is located at the T-junction of Changchun Street and Huankou Highway

Yes... I have three companions who risked their lives to save me. Zheng Jieming thought of his true mission for coming out, which was to investigate the residence, medicine, or food.

Young man, I apologize. I saw you through the cat's eye and wanted to hand you a knife for self-defense, but accidentally knocked over the vase on the cabinet

The old lady cried for a long time, and finally regained her composure, lifting her head to look at Zheng Jieming

"I am just an old lady, I know nothing. That morning, everything outside suddenly became chaotic." The old lady seemed to recall something and turned to Zheng Jieming, asking, "Where are your family?"

Be careful, and make sure to pay attention to safety. Although this area is not densely populated, one must still be cautious, as those things can move quite fast. The elderly lady reminded, handing her house key to Zheng Jieming

They must be very good friends, right

Zheng Jieming waited for the old lady to continue speaking, sensing that she wanted to confide in him

Her partner has already turned into a zombie, and she probably doesn't know, Zheng Jieming thought

You gave me the key, what about yourself

The iron gate was also opened, and the elderly lady waved for Zheng Jieming to enter the house. Zheng Jieming obediently followed her inside, and the elderly lady gently closed the door, carefully shutting the inner door.

"Are you out there surviving on your own? You came to the neighborhood to look for a place to stay, didn't you?" The elderly lady wiped her tears, walked out of the bedroom, and looked up to ask Zheng Jieming.

This ... ... ring, is on his hand, for you. Zheng Jieming placed the ring into her palm

What is the solution to this predicament? The old lady's tears welled up in her eyes once again

Zheng Jieming felt a tightening in his heart, a wave of sorrow surged up, "She still does not know that he has already been liberated..."

Fever... that's quite troublesome. The hospital must have stopped operating by now. How far is it? Where are they now?

No... it was someone else who hit him, he has a wound on his head, and he is also running a fever

My old companion... I have lost my companion... He went downstairs early that morning, but he has not returned since then. The elderly lady lowered her head and began to cry. Tears quickly filled the wrinkles on her face, making her look worn and sorrowful

Zheng Jieming carefully took off the ring and returned to the old lady's house. The old lady had been waiting at the door, and upon hearing the footsteps, she opened the door.

Zheng Jieming walked out of the corridor, thinking to himself that if he had told her at that time that her old partner had already been sent away by him, the elderly lady would probably feel even more distressed. He decided to weave a kind-hearted lie for her

I... I live in the West City District and work at Hengji Building. I was originally working at Hengji Building. I hid from the zombies... I came here to avoid that group of people outside" Zheng Jieming replied

The elderly lady asked with concern, "What kind of injury is it? Is it a bite?"

That old lady! She gave me a knife and made a noise; is she helping me or deliberately trying to trap me? Zheng Jieming was filled with anger amidst his confusion, as the noise she made nearly cost him his life in the bellies of three zombies! He took off his shoes and then pulled them out from the zombies' mouths to put them on, drawing the knife to sever the zombies' thumbs, finally breaking free. He then quickly ascended the stairs with the knife in hand.

"Are you thirsty? Have some to eat. The water has stopped, just eat directly!" said the old lady, sitting beside.

He must be dead. Moreover, he has turned into those strange monsters downstairs. The old lady looked up at Zheng Jieming, her eyes glistening with tears. She pressed her lips together, trying to control her emotions, but she could not manage it at all. He is no longer the person he was in life; he cannot come back. I can feel it.

He looked closely at the face that had been beaten into an unrecognizable shape, feeling a pang of sorrow in his heart. These zombies, who among them had not once had their own lives? Who among them had not once had their own stories? Who among them had not once had their own loves?

This ring ... ... '' A glimmer of happiness flashed in the old lady's eyes, a happiness intertwined with sadness, like a blooming flower of the other shore. '' He wore our wedding ring every day ... ... every day he would go out wearing it, for so many years, it was always the same.

The old lady seemed to pay no attention to the *picture* book; her legs trembled as she brought out a bowl of fruit from the kitchen: apples and seasonal lychees. The apples had already gone soft, and the lychees had turned black, clearly having been stored for too long

Oh, over there, that is very close. People usually don't like to go there; there is no square and there are many mosquitoes. The old lady thought about the location, "Can you move over? How will you live over there? My house here is a bit old and small, but it can accommodate five or six people. There are enough blankets and quilts, and I have stored some medicine."

You said. "Zheng Jieming replied without hesitation

"He has already left; when I found him, he had already gone. Very peacefully." Zheng Jieming spoke that well-calculated kind lie, simple yet obscuring all the harsh realities.

"Young man, where are you from? Are you from our neighborhood?" The elderly lady sat on a wooden chair beside the dining table, gazing at Zheng Jieming

With this shift in perspective, Zheng Jieming felt a sense of shame himself

Zheng Jieming sat on the sofa behind, feeling that the old lady was actually quite kind. "Do you know the ins and outs of the matter?"

That is wonderful... The elderly lady covered her mouth with her hand, trying to suppress her feelings of sadness

"Young man, can you help me with something?" Her eyes were filled with hope and pleading

Creak.

Zheng Jieming nodded repeatedly; this was the best news for him! Being able to sleep in a house within the community was infinitely better than sleeping in a desolate temple!

"Can you help me ... ... help my partner ... ... " The elderly lady hesitated to continue her words

Zheng Jieming stood up and walked in front of her, taking hold of the old lady's hand. Her hand had little flesh left, the skin clinging to her thin bones like paper. On her left hand's ring finger, she wore a beautiful diamond ring. Her tears fell upon it, casting waves of translucent light.

Zheng Jieming walked back to the fitness equipment area and found the limping zombie corpse.

A sudden surprise

The elderly lady heard the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs. Peering through the railing of the security door, she saw Zheng Jieming rushing upstairs, staring at her

"Nansheng is a good place, I hope nothing has happened in Nansheng." The old lady's expression seemed to change slightly, her lips began to move. "My old partner... he is from Nansheng."

Thank you! Zheng Jieming embraced the elderly lady, preparing to set off

The interior was very clean. Zheng Jieming noticed that there was a photo of an elderly couple hanging on the living room wall. He felt an indescribable sense of eeriness. After carefully examining the photo for a while, he suddenly discovered a problem— the old man was none other than the limping zombie he had sent to the cycle of reincarnation with a single blow downstairs

Zheng Jieming quickly began to examine his body thoroughly, especially paying close attention to his left leg and left foot, confirming that there were no injuries, and shook his head at the elderly woman.

Zheng Jieming was taken aback, suddenly feeling a heavy weight in his heart. How could he have let anger cloud his judgment? Was he really going to take it out on an innocent old lady? The old lady did not intentionally make a sound; she could have simply ignored him. What if he hadn't entered the hallway and the old lady hadn't knocked on the door? The knife was given to him by the old lady; if she hadn't given him the knife, what would have happened when he went up? He would have probably been bitten to death long ago. The knife was given to him by the old lady; if she hadn't given him the knife, what would have happened when he went up? He would have probably been bitten to death long ago.

Zheng Jieming did not extend his hand, and the elderly lady did not insist further, placing the fruit on the coffee table

"Young man, are you hurt?" With a flushed face, the old lady spoke again. She was not wearing her dentures, and her voice had a whistling sound.

"No... we... met by chance... one of them was seriously injured." Zheng Jieming was very worried