Ch 15: The Farmer Ger in the Apocalypse

Shen Qing was utterly shocked. Even the men in the corners, dressed plainly yet clearly offering themselves for service alongside several scantily clad women—surely, they must be gers, right? But their brows were just as bare, with no sign of a pregnancy mark.

Did this world… have no gers?

Hesitating for a moment, he couldn’t help but tentatively ask Song Kaiji, “Here… is there no one like me, with a red mark between their brows?”

Song Kaiji was puzzled by the question. A natural red mole in the middle of the forehead was rare—he had only ever seen it on the painted baby figures in New Year’s artwork.

So, what did this guy mean by that? Was he flexing?

But since this was probably his future VIP customer, Song Kaiji didn’t hold back his praise. “Of course not! You’re the only person I’ve ever seen with a natural red mark between the brows. It looks really nice, too. When we were kids, some parents would use lipstick to dot a red mark on their children’s foreheads for fun, but I’ve never seen someone born with one. You’ve got a special gift!”

The more he looked at Shen Qing, the more he felt the red mark suited him—it made his already handsome features even more striking, giving him a refined, almost artistic appearance. The only downside was that his skin was tanned, and he looked a little undernourished. At first glance, he wasn’t the type to stun people with his looks, but the longer one looked, the more attractive he seemed—a face that grew on you.

But then again, this was the apocalypse. With people constantly on the move, struggling for food, who did look well-nourished? Song Kaiji ran a hand through his own hair—he certainly wasn’t an exception.

Shen Qing touched his own pregnancy mark with some embarrassment. This was the first time someone had complimented it…

Among gers, his mark was considered dull and not vibrant enough, which meant poor fertility. That was one of the reasons his marriage prospects were so difficult. In his world, a ger’s pregnancy mark determined their ability to bear children, and openly commenting on it was as offensive as a man bluntly remarking on a woman’s curves—it was highly improper.

But if gers didn’t exist in this world, then Song Kaiji had probably mistaken him for a man. That explained everything—why he hadn’t understood why Shen Qing wanted to change clothes in private, and why he hadn’t hesitated to touch him while demonstrating the crossbow.

So that was it. This world truly had no gers. But if that was the case, then… what about those men? Did men here also serve other men?

That thought was something Shen Qing had never encountered in his life. It shook him deeply, but he didn’t dare ask more questions. Still, his gaze kept drifting toward the corners where those men stood.

Song Kaiji followed his line of sight. Normally, he was used to such scenes—they had become so common they barely registered—but for some reason, today, he felt a little ashamed of it. His voice lowered as he explained, “It’s not like this during the day. But, well, it’s getting dark now. I leave as soon as the sun sets.”

He didn’t even know why he was explaining this. Maybe he just wanted Shen Qing to understand that he was a decent man, that despite setting up his stall here, he never got involved with those people. He was a man of principles!

Shen Qing quickly nodded, withdrawing his gaze and suppressing the storm of thoughts in his mind. So what if there were no gers? He was only here to make money. Whether this world had gers or not had nothing to do with him.

And yet… the way those men fawned over passersby with submissive, ingratiating gestures left an uncomfortable shadow in his mind.

“You’re here every day?” he asked.

Song Kaiji nodded. Because he didn’t want to risk missing his family, he never took long-haul jobs—only those he could complete within a day. But thinking about that possibility, he let out a self-deprecating laugh. “If I ever stop coming… I probably won’t be in this world anymore.”

Shen Qing immediately thought of the woman who had been eaten alive by the monster.

A sudden idea took root in his mind—if he and Song Kaiji could establish a long-term trade, it wouldn’t just benefit him. Song Kaiji wouldn’t have to risk his life fighting those terrifying zombies anymore, either.

Recalling Song Kaiji’s kindness in saving him and his fair conduct in trade, Shen Qing felt reluctant to let such a good business partner throw his life away so easily. This was a genuinely mutually beneficial arrangement.

He clenched the straps of his basket. “You saved my life. If we meet again, I’ll repay you.”

After parting ways with Song Kaiji, Shen Qing carried his basket—now filled with gold, silver, and a crossbow—back toward his starting point. The basket was far heavier than before, yet he felt lighter than ever.

On the way, he passed by several other stalls. Some people were trading, which allowed Shen Qing to truly understand how scarce food was in this world—even water could be sold for money!

Now, he understood why Song Kaiji hadn’t accepted his water earlier—he probably didn’t want to take advantage of him. That made Shen Qing appreciate his character even more.

Leaving the southern wall, he glanced toward the base’s main gate before turning back the way he had come. He gripped his crossbow tightly, moving carefully, wary of encountering zombies again.

Although the last zombie hadn’t attacked him, he couldn’t afford to take that for granted.

Instead of returning to the cave immediately, he took the opportunity to loot every open store along the way.

First stop—the souvenir shop where he and Song Kaiji had rested. He grabbed every scattered trinket, stuffing them into his basket. He even took down the curtains—they looked so fancy! Thick and smooth like silk.

Even if they weren’t fit for clothing, they’d make excellent blankets.

Next, he raided the adjacent ice cream and fried chicken stalls. The food had long been taken, but there were still valuable items left behind—delicate porcelain bowls, sturdy chopsticks embedded with some unknown material that made them feel heavier than iron.

If only he could bring a table back with him! The ones in the shop were well-built and perfectly lacquered… but there was no way to hide something that big. With regret, he left them behind.

By the time he had finished looting all the curtains he could find, his basket was packed to the brim. Shen Qing felt like he was floating—this joy of effortless profit, who wouldn’t understand?

Returning to the cave, he assumed the wild boar must have left by now…

Who would have thought it was still there, waiting for him as if it had a personal grudge? Though it no longer rammed the tree, it still lingered below.

The sight snapped Shen Qing back to reality. He changed back into his patched-up old clothes, gripped his new crossbow, and stared down at the beast.

You had your chance to leave. Now you’ve stayed to die.

Before, the wild boar had the upper hand—Shen Qing was nothing but prey.

Now, the roles were reversed.

Using a large rock as cover, he loosed his first bolt. With a whoosh, the arrow embedded itself directly into the boar’s eye socket!

The force of the shot sent the boar crashing onto its side. It let out a horrific shriek, loud enough to startle the birds from the trees. Fearing the noise would attract more boars, Shen Qing quickly followed up with more shots—each arrow piercing deep into the beast’s thick hide, striking its neck, thighs, and flanks.

The boar stumbled forward a few steps before collapsing against a tree—dead.

Only then did Shen Qing descend from the cave. Just to be sure, he slashed its throat several times with his machete, ensuring it wasn’t getting up.

Panting, he leaned against the tree. The warmth of the boar’s blood seeped into his skin.

And instead of fear, exhilaration surged through him.

Power.

With this crossbow, he had the power to kill.

One less thing in this world could hurt him.

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