The Apocalyptic Evolution.

Xia He's fingers were noticeably trembling as she attended to her responsibilities.

She made a concerted effort to stay awake, quickly patted her face, wiped the sweat from Bai Yi's body with a towel, and then covered him with a light blanket.

After completing these tasks, Xia He found herself breathing heavily. She sat on the edge of the bed, observing Bai Yi, whose breathing was gradually slowing due to the medication, lost in her thoughts.

Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to be in a position where she would be undressing a boy she had known for less than five days. The situation felt overwhelming.

Prompting herself to regain her composure, she patted her flushed cheeks, which gave her a distinctly attractive appearance. 

Once she calmed down, a wave of concern washed over her. She wondered what had caused Bai Yi to suddenly fall ill. Did he sustain a serious injury during the encounter with the advanced zombies the previous day? Or was this a side effect of the medicine he had taken?

The more she pondered, the more anxious she became. Apart from preparing soup for Bai Yi throughout the day, she had been vigilant in attending to his every need.

Fortunately, due to her own recent bout of illness, she had ample supply of antipyretic medications. She consistently monitored the time to ensure he received his doses, and by the afternoon, she finally relaxed upon checking his temperature with the thermometer.

As Bai Yi began to regain consciousness, he felt somewhat disoriented, as if he were revisiting memories, watching his past with Li Mei from a distance.

Reflecting on his actions over the past two years, he realized how foolish he had been. Many situations that were blatantly obvious had gone unnoticed, even despite the warnings from his high school friends.

He noticed a throbbing pain in his throat and a pressing ache in his head.

Looking around, he recognized he was not in his own bed but rather in Xia He's. Confused about how he ended up in this situation, he sat up and saw Xia He lying next to him on the floor.

Startled, he briefly feared something was wrong with her until he noticed the antipyretic medications beside the bed along with a basin of dirty water and a towel.

A moment of realization struck him: Could it be that he was the one who had been ill?

He instinctively pressed his forehead, confirming it was still warm.

At that moment, Xia He stirred awake. Upon seeing him sitting up, she stood up with relief. "You woke up! I was so worried! Why didn't you inform me you were feeling unwell? If I hadn't discovered it in time, you could have suffered significantly!" 

Her tone conveyed a hint of playfulness, as though anticipating his gratitude.

He attempted to respond, but his voice emerged hoarse.

Xia He quickly offered him a bottle of water. "Drink some water first; don't try to speak too soon."

Seeing her apparent concern touched Bai Yi. Despite having faced the disillusionment of past relationships, he found genuine friendship in her care.

After sipping water and easing the discomfort in his throat, he tried to rise, but as he lifted the blanket, he was momentarily taken aback and glanced at Xia He in disbelief.

Realizing what she must have forgotten, Xia He hesitated and quickly exited the room. "Just a moment! Change your clothes first while I fetch some water for you," she called out, clearly flustered. 

Though his mood was still sour, Bai Yi couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her reaction.

Reflecting on his circumstances, he felt naïve for falling ill due to an unfulfilling relationship during such trying times. It became evident to him that he was not as resilient as Xia He.

However, observing his minimal attire left him feeling somewhat vulnerable.

Xia He cautiously peeked back into the dormitory and observed Bai Yi, now dressed, packing his things at the table. She approached with a smile. "Why are you up? Come wash your face!" 

Bai Yi chuckled. "Were you planning to put clothes on me if I hadn't gotten up?" 

Xia He blushed and retorted, "Don't act so ungrateful; it's clearly me who put in all the effort! What's impressive about your physique anyway? I worked hard to care for you, yet here you are blaming me?"

As she spoke, her slender fingers playfully teased his hair.

Bai Yi smiled at her energetic demeanor. "You're correct! Thank you, Xia He!"

Xia He froze momentarily, then quickly covered his eyes, exclaiming, "Hey, we're just having a conversation. There's no need to get flirty! You're not my type!"

Her response surprised Bai Yi. He scoffed inwardly at her claims, reflecting on the peculiar situation.

Despite his recent heartache, Xia He's personality wasn't typically his preference. If anything, he felt admiration for her strength.

However, he dismissed any romantic notions; after all, she was not only formidable in her capabilities but also someone he regarded as a protective figure.

Bai Yi playfully dismissed her comment. "Let's not overthink; I appreciate your help, and since you've seen my less-than-flattering state, we're even!"

Xia He erupted in indignation. "Please! What's remarkable about your physique? I have no interest in it! Stop annoying me!" With that, she playfully kicked him.

Bai Yi deftly evaded her gesture and proceeded to wash his face, and together they enjoyed a lighthearted meal while playfully teasing each other.

He realized he had missed another day due to his illness.

However, Xia He had made the most of her time; she had packed her belongings while he was unwell.

Feeling compelled to regain focus, Bai Yi set aside his earlier irritability and organized what he could not take with him, hiding it under the bed.

The two resumed their watch. Outside the dormitory, most of the zombies had dispersed, and those remaining posed little threat. It seemed the dawn would herald their departure.

Predictably, the medication induced drowsiness in Bai Yi despite having slept all day. He switched places with Xia He and rested once more, while she kept a watchful eye, ensuring his condition remained stable.

Thankfully, night passed without incident, and Bai Yi awoke restored and ready for action by dawn. His unique physical capabilities allowed for a quicker recovery compared to an average individual.

After a light breakfast, the pair gathered their gear and prepared to leave. Xia He glanced back at her dormitory with a touch of nostalgia before closing the door, cognizant that this departure might be permanent.

Nonetheless, she was resolute and invigorated, ready for the challenges ahead. Clad in a leather jacket and jeans adorned with diamonds, she embodied strength and wildness.

Bai Yi, dressed in casual sportswear, appeared less imposing in comparison. The contrast was evident as he wielded a distinctive black knife.

In the lobby, Xia He was slightly taken aback as Bai Yi casually tossed the knife's scabbard onto the ground.

"Are you ready?" he inquired.

Xia He beamed with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! I've memorized everything!"

Bai Yi nodded in affirmation, removing the wood that had secured the door, pushing it open to reveal the outside world.

A chorus of growls welcomed them as a group of zombies noticed the noise and charged forward.

Given their limited mobility, even a small number of zombies were hardly of concern to the capable duo.

Without hesitation, Bai Yi swiftly exited the door, expertly kicking one zombie aside while using his blade to dispatch another without breaking stride.

Xia He followed suit with her axe, valiantly fighting off the undead, clearly envious of Bai Yi's weapon.

Their teamwork demonstrated a natural synergy, and within moments, fewer than ten zombies had been defeated. Both exchanged satisfied smiles, reveling in the thrill of their cooperation.