My Girlfriend's a Monster - Chapter 22

Zhong Qingxiao had a dream where he found himself and Luo Ke walking down an endless staircase. It seemed like they would never reach the end, yet he could always see various Monsters lurking in the shadows. Some clung to the windows, staring at them without moving, while others slithered along the walls, occasionally making strange noises. Zhong Qingxiao walked with a heavy heart, but Xiao Ke seemed completely at ease.

He could hear Xiao Ke recounting amusing stories from her school days, but he was so preoccupied with the fear of the Monsters that he didn’t really listen, not knowing what she was actually saying.

Suddenly, a circular abyss appeared in front of them. Just as Zhong Qingxiao was about to warn her, he saw Luo Ke step right into it and vanish into the Abyss.

“Xiao Ke!” Zhong Qingxiao jolted awake. Due to a power outage, the room was pitch black, so he had left the curtains open before sleeping. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting a glow on the empty bed, which was now vacant.

Xiao Ke was really gone! Zhong Qingxiao immediately got up and rushed out to find her.

He had a gut feeling that Xiao Ke must be downstairs. Although he wasn’t sure which floor she was on, he felt certain that going down would lead him to her.

Then, on the 17th floor, he saw a little girl standing with her back to him, her hair tied into three small pigtails.

In that moment, Zhong Qingxiao was almost certain that this girl wasn’t human. He slowed his steps, gripping his knife tightly, full of caution. However, the next instant, the girl turned around upon hearing his footsteps. Her skin was pale, her cheeks rosy, and she looked perfectly normal, indistinguishable from a human.

“Big brother, I can’t find my way home. Can you help me?” the girl asked, looking at him.

Zhong Qingxiao hesitated. He felt that this girl didn’t seem like a normal human child. She appeared to be about five or six years old. How could she not know what was happening in the world now? How could her parents let her wander around without supervision?

He initially wanted to ignore her and walk past, but after taking a few steps, his conscience got the better of him. Besides, if she were some kind of Monster or something strange, she would have attacked him by now, right? If nothing had happened so far, did that mean she was a normal human?

Really? Such a low probability, and he encountered a normal human child in the middle of the night?

“Little girl, where do you live?” Zhong Qingxiao asked.

The girl immediately broke into a smile. “Big brother, I live in Building B, on the 17th floor. But no matter how much I knock, my parents won’t open the door. Can you help me?”

As she spoke, she slowly approached Zhong Qingxiao, her teeth hidden behind her lips gradually becoming razor-sharp, like a meat grinder ready to devour.

Human… food… premium meat… even from this distance, she could smell the delicious scent emanating from this man.

“Alright, I’ll ask for you.” Zhong Qingxiao replied, having observed the girl repeatedly and finding nothing amiss. Moreover, if she lived in Building B on the 17th floor… the Zombie Monster he had lured there earlier might have caused trouble for her parents. Could he have inadvertently caused their deaths?

A foreboding feeling lingered in Zhong Qingxiao’s heart. He was almost certain that something must have happened to the girl’s family. Otherwise, how could her parents leave their child wandering outside, knowing there were so many Monsters around?

He reached out to take the girl’s hand.

Closer… closer… close enough… ready to eat…

Just as the girl was about to let out a raspy, triumphant laugh, she caught sight of a figure at the stairwell corner and abruptly coughed, then sweetly smiled.

“Hello, pretty sister.”

Zhong Qingxiao was taken aback and turned around to see Luo Ke standing at the stairwell entrance on the 17th floor with Curly. She held onto the railing, her expression dark and somber.

“Xiao Ke!” Zhong Qingxiao exclaimed with joy and a hint of anger. “Why are you running around again? Don’t you know I was worried about you?”

Luo Ke raised her eyes. This gentle and kind human male didn’t even realize he had almost been eaten just now. His beautiful eyes were filled with concern for her…

Lies no longer needed preparation. She spoke smoothly, “Curly really wanted to go out. It kept whining, and I was worried something might happen, so I didn’t want to wake you.”

She took a Swiss Army knife from her pocket. “See, I brought a weapon.”

What good is that weapon… Zhong Qingxiao sighed. After hearing Luo Ke’s explanation, he couldn’t bring himself to blame his girlfriend. Xiao Ke was like that-always appearing aloof, but with a heart softer than anyone else’s. She never said much, and although she seemed indifferent to Curly, she was willing to risk her life to take Curly out for a walk.

Zhong Qingxiao thought she was a bit misguided. Curly didn’t need to go out that badly. Was it because his girlfriend grew up in an orphanage, making her especially sensitive to everyone’s emotions, including a dog’s?

He recalled how, when he first encountered a Monster, he was scared out of his wits, while his girlfriend comforted him with kisses. Although her methods were always a bit strange, Xiao Ke was actually very attentive and considerate.

Zhong Qingxiao took a deep breath. Never mind, as long as Xiao Ke was safe. His tone softened instantly, sounding almost like he was coaxing her. To Luo Ke’s ears, it even seemed like Zhong Qingxiao was being affectionate.

“I told you before not to run around alone, didn’t I? You promised. Please don’t do it again, okay?”

Luo Ke nodded. It seemed that ordinary Mental control wasn’t very effective on Zhong Qingxiao. Did she need to use stronger powers against him?

Her gaze shifted past Zhong Qingxiao to the little girl who was trying to sneak away. Luo Ke spoke, “A new kind of kin has appeared.”

Zhong Qingxiao was puzzled and looked at the girl behind him. She still appeared innocent, smiling happily despite claiming to be lost.

Was it because of Luo Ke? Did she like Luo Ke? Did they know each other? Zhong Qingxiao was confused.

“She said she’s lost and lives in Building B on the 17th floor,” Zhong Qingxiao explained.

Luo Ke approached the girl, subtly shielding Zhong Qingxiao behind her, and looked down at the little girl.

Clear eyes, warm skin, indistinguishable from a normal human. It was truly astonishing that the first Advanced Monster she encountered was a five or six-year-old girl.

Luo Ke: “Are you lost, little girl?”

[Time of transformation.]

The girl blinked at her. “I couldn’t find my way home since last night.”

[Last night.]

“A cute girl like you, it’s dangerous to be out alone,” Luo Ke squinted.

[Monsters like you also need humans to feast on. You’re still trash, aren’t you?]

The girl licked her lips. “It’s lucky I met big brother.”

[Human flesh is delicious, especially the one behind you.]

“Do you want me to take you home?” Luo Ke inquired.

[You should know this is my territory, and he belongs to me.]

Zhong Qingxiao was surprised. His girlfriend usually disliked bringing strangers home, but she offered this time. Was it because the other party was a child?

The girl jumped with joy. “Really, pretty sister? But what about my parents?”

[I ate all your family, do you have extra food at your place?]

Luo Ke bent down, pinching the girl’s cheek. It seemed like a gentle and kind gesture, but the force was enough to penetrate the girl’s body. Out of Zhong Qingxiao’s sight, the girl winced in pain.

“You’ve been out for so long, a little longer won’t matter,” Luo Ke said softly. “And we have a little dog at home.”

[Our dog just ran out of food, little brat.]

With that, Luo Ke grabbed the girl’s hand and started walking upstairs. Zhong Qingxiao breathed a sigh of relief. He had been wondering how to explain to the girl that her parents might have met with an accident. Maybe Monsters had invaded her home, and she had just missed the gruesome scene?

In any case, taking her home temporarily was the best solution. It was still the middle of the night, and leaving her alone outside was definitely unsafe. Besides, temporarily sheltering a child wouldn’t consume much food.

Curly followed behind, its dark eyes fixed on this new creature. It didn’t seem like a good sort, but it wasn’t particularly threatening either. Just two hands, how dangerous could it be? Woof woof.

“Ah, sister, sister! I suddenly remembered where my home is!” The girl used all her strength, struggling to escape Luo Ke’s grasp, and ran off quickly, disappearing in a flash.

Zhong Qingxiao didn’t even react. Do kids run this fast nowadays?

He looked over worriedly. “She might get into trouble running off like that.”

“Are you worried about others?” Luo Ke spoke softly. Zhong Qingxiao turned back, meeting Luo Ke’s dark, deep eyes.

He didn’t know when she had gotten so close, but she was very near, her eyes fixed on him. Her lip balm had a fresh peach scent, a soft and gentle color.

Yet Zhong Qingxiao felt a chill run up his spine. He involuntarily pressed his back against the wall as Luo Ke closed in, wrapping her arms around his waist, pulling them together until there was no space between them.

Luo Ke reached out, gently brushing her fingertips against Zhong Qingxiao’s face, her voice ethereal and soft. “No answer?”

Zhong Qingxiao swallowed instinctively.

In front of him was his girlfriend of over three months, someone he had been living with for a while. By all accounts, Luo Ke was someone he knew well. Yet at this moment, Zhong Qingxiao felt an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity and eeriness.

This unsettling feeling reminded Zhong Qingxiao of a previous time, also in the stairwell when he went to find Xiao Ke. He heard a strange scream, and Luo Ke explained it was Bai Lan’s voice.

But after interacting with Bai Lan these past few days, Zhong Qingxiao felt she wasn’t the type to scream about dieting. And because that scream was so eerie, Zhong Qingxiao remembered it well, thinking-it didn’t sound like Bai Lan.

“Xiao Ke, I was just asking her a few questions,” Zhong Qingxiao explained, sensing his girlfriend might be a bit upset.

But his girlfriend had just been very enthusiastic in asking the child questions herself.

“Of course, of course,” Luo Ke nodded. “Zhong Qingxiao, you’re always so kind-hearted.”

Why did someone like him wake up from her Mental control twice? He seemed so ordinary now; would he pose a threat to her in the future?

Should she kill him? Or… possess him and then kill him?

She wasn’t like the low-level Monsters used for parasitism at first. Even if an Advanced Monster appeared now, it couldn’t surpass her. Luo Ke didn’t think she should use the term “Monster” to describe herself. She was omnipotent, a god in a different form.

Keeping humans was no challenge for Luo Ke, but nurturing a flower required some effort. She didn’t want her chosen bride to become a weapon against her.

Zhong Qingxiao, why did you escape my control twice? Luo Ke was puzzled.

But she sensed her little wife was a bit scared. Maybe she had been too harsh; it was just a child, and it wasn’t like Zhong Qingxiao had approached her first… But Luo Ke had seen it, Zhong Qingxiao had reached out to touch someone other than her.

He dared to touch anyone but her.

His ignorance and escape made Luo Ke a bit angry.

However, at two in the morning, even if she was angry, she should let her little wife go back to sleep instead of standing in this eerie stairwell.

Zhong Qingxiao listened to her words, a bit confused. Xiao Ke’s reaction seemed a bit like-jealousy? Was she jealous because he had spoken to a little girl?

No, not at all.

Luo Ke immediately wanted to explain something. She kissed Zhong Qingxiao’s cheek, instantly retracting her intimidating gaze, her voice returning to its normal tone. “Don’t come out looking for me alone in the future. I’ll come home myself, okay?”

Zhong Qingxiao unknowingly breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to many unknown possibilities, Zhong Qingxiao preferred to believe in the current reality-Xiao Ke was just his ordinary girlfriend. They were trying to date and planning to get married, and both their families were good people.

Seeking benefits and avoiding harm was human nature.

Zhong Qingxiao completely forgot he had just asked Luo Ke to promise not to go out alone. Now, under Luo Ke’s influence, he began to explain, “I dreamt you were in trouble, and when I woke up and found you gone, I was startled.”

Luo Ke’s eyes widened instantly. He dreamt of her? Was it because of her that he escaped control and came looking for her?

He cared so much about her… really?

Her mood, which had just dropped to freezing point, slowly warmed again. She gently took Zhong Qingxiao’s hand, leading him back home, once again appearing harmless.

Zhong Qingxiao instinctively looked at Curly. He was still concerned about the earlier issue. Animals should be sensitive to their owner’s presence, but Curly showed no signs of distress. His girlfriend should be fine, right?

“What are you looking at?” Luo Ke asked.

Zhong Qingxiao hesitated for a moment before answering, “Curly has been very well-behaved lately. It even uses the toilet on its own.”

“Yes,” Luo Ke nodded. “I taught it that.”

“Really?” Zhong Qingxiao was pleasantly surprised. He didn’t expect his girlfriend to have such skills. It seemed she and Curly got along well in private. Curly just didn’t seem very affectionate towards Xiao Ke on the surface.

Luo Ke was Luo Ke. Maybe he had been too paranoid because of the Monsters.

Seeing his happy expression, Luo Ke continued, “Actually, there’s something else I think is even more worth celebrating.”

“What is it?” Zhong Qingxiao asked.

“I discovered a group of new survivors on the 13th floor, about a dozen of them,” Luo Ke squinted, satisfied to see Zhong Qingxiao’s astonished expression.

When they contacted the remaining dozen or so residents of the building again, it was already nine o’clock the next morning. This time, Bai Lan and Zhong Shuping went out to find and contact them, with Curly in tow. The journey was smooth, and by noon, they had gathered everyone on the 18th floor.

Zhong Qingxiao and Luo Meihua were in the kitchen preparing lunch for the family. Luo Ke came to inspect, observing these survivors with varying mental states. The oldest was a 66-year-old woman who looked very capable, wearing a light gray Zhongshan suit, her hair neatly tied.

From her posture and gaze, it was clear that this woman must have been in the military when she was younger. She was indeed the oldest, but also the calmest and most composed among them.

The youngest was a seven-year-old boy, his face dirty, eyes hollow, and he didn’t speak.

A woman noticed Luo Ke’s gaze on him and explained, “His grandparents were just killed by Monsters.”

Luo Ke recognized the middle-aged woman speaking to her as the one who had explained the slender Monster could only hear human voices last night. She was 38, with short hair, slightly plump, and had permed wavy curls.

Eaten by Monsters? Luo Ke asked the boy, “What kind of Monster appeared in your home?”

The boy’s face turned pale, his lips trembling, but he remained silent.

A 45-year-old man spoke up, “Didn’t you hear his family just died? Can’t you have some empathy?”

“Do you want to die?” Luo Ke shot him a cold look, her aura suddenly chilling. Her dark eyes stared directly at the man, scaring him into silence.

“Know your place,” Luo Ke said, glancing at the door. The door was closed, and Zhong Qingxiao was in the kitchen, unable to hear the commotion here. Good.

“The 18th floor is my territory. If you seek shelter, be ready to beg for it. Answer whatever I ask, or get out,” Luo Ke said coldly.

She was still wearing a dress, the cherry blossom pink dress making her look like a delicate flower bud. But her aura made it impossible to associate her with weakness. Standing there, everyone had no choice but to obey her.

“It was… my dad,” the boy choked out, “killed by a Six-Eared Monster. It was very powerful. The first time I saw it, it only had four ears.”

Luo Ke was surprised. The evolution speed was astonishing. Monsters had just started appearing, meaning it evolved two ears in a day and two hands the next day?

Interesting, Monsters.

“Now, tell me about the Monsters you’ve seen and the number of deaths. Start,” Luo Ke ordered.

There were sixteen people in total. They exchanged glances, and after understanding Luo Ke’s intent, they began speaking all at once. The noise was chaotic, but Luo Ke could collect all the information.

“A Spider Monster, seen many times, but it always stayed outside and never came in. I live alone.”

“My neighbor’s entire family died, I saw it myself… but I didn’t see any other Monsters.”

“I want my mom, what’s happening to this world…”

“My daughter, my poor daughter.”

The Monsters had been around for less than a week, and many people’s emotions were already breaking down. Perhaps the long-held tension finally found an outlet, and many people cried loudly, while others were filled with fear.

Luo Ke listened to them all but didn’t gather any useful information. This human catastrophe had just begun, and there was a long road ahead.

In the midst of the desolation, the door suddenly opened, and everyone looked towards the source of the sound, seeing an incredibly handsome and refined man standing at the door, the number 1801 on it.

Even after just three or five days, these survivors looked very disheveled. Some hadn’t bathed in days, but this man was immaculate from head to toe, even his hair exuding refinement, as if he belonged to a different world.

“Xiao Ke, can you come back for a moment?” Zhong Qingxiao called.

His eyes held a hint of worry. Zhong Qingxiao wasn’t just a naive person who offered kindness. He understood what the apocalypse meant for humanity. Even if humans survived the Monsters’ attacks, if resources were scarce, humans would turn on each other.

That was inevitable.

The household had a good stockpile, but he didn’t know how long this situation would last. Zhong Qingxiao didn’t want to expose their resources, so he wouldn’t openly call Luo Ke back for a meal.

Luo Ke responded, her gaze still fixed on these people. Some looked at Zhong Qingxiao with calm eyes, while others were unfriendly.

Banding together was human nature, but so was jealousy.

However, it didn’t matter. Let them be jealous. She was the ruler of this building. Even if she killed all sixteen of them, it would be effortless.

Luo Ke turned and walked home, her half-inch patent leather heels making her back look particularly captivating, drawing countless eyes.

People don’t fear scarcity, but inequality.

“What’s the matter?” Luo Ke asked.

“It’s time to eat,” Zhong Qingxiao said softly.

He wore a plaid shirt in autumn leaf yellow, looking casual and gentle. His homey appearance always made Luo Ke’s Tentacles tingle, and… she could smell her favorite steak from the doorway.

“Zhong Qingxiao, I really like you,” Luo Ke couldn’t contain her excitement, throwing herself into his arms, taking the opportunity to inhale his scent. The familiar body lotion fragrance was faint but strong for a Monster.

“Xiao Ke…” Zhong Qingxiao felt a bit embarrassed. He quickly pulled his girlfriend inside and closed the door.

Several wolf-like eyes stared at 1801.

“Hey, you haven’t had a full meal in days, right? There’s a ready-made warehouse right in front of you, aren’t you tempted?”

Most people retained their sanity, saying, “That’s their home. Are you going to break in? That’s illegal, you know?”

These troublemakers were like peas in a pod, treating others poorly, and many disliked them. But due to the Monsters, no one stood up to them. Recently, they had recruited a new member, turning their trio into a quartet.

“Illegal? Hahaha,” a crew-cut man laughed. “So what? Are you going to call the police? Huh?”

Communication was completely cut off, and terrifying Monsters continued to roam. Some people fell silent, while others ignored them.

Among these four, three carried knives, and the other held a hard steel pipe with rust on it.

No one wanted to provoke them without reason. These ordinary residents had no weapons for self-defense and no experience in fighting, making them easy targets.

“It was more peaceful when there were Monsters…” someone muttered, sensing trouble as they watched the four huddle together, whispering.

Luo Ke responded with a soft sound, but her gaze remained fixed, scrutinizing the people around her. Their expressions as they looked at Zhong Qingxiao varied-some appeared calm, while others carried traces of hostility.

Humans are naturally inclined to band together, but jealousy is just as instinctive.

Still, it didn’t matter. Let them be jealous. She was the true master of this building. Sixteen people-if she wanted to kill them all, it would be an easy task.

Turning away, Luo Ke walked toward her home, each step deliberate. Today, she was wearing a pair of patent leather half-cut heels, and her silhouette was exceptionally striking. Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on her.

People don’t suffer from scarcity; they suffer from inequality.

“What’s wrong?” Luo Ke asked.

“It’s time to eat,” Zhong Qingxiao replied softly.

Today, he was dressed in a plaid shirt in autumn-leaf yellow, a casual and gentle look that made him appear so homely and warm. This always made Luo Ke’s hands itch with desire. Moreover… she could already smell her favorite dish-steak-right from the doorway.

“Zhong Qingxiao, I really like you,” Luo Ke exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement as she threw herself into his arms. She took the opportunity to inhale his scent. The familiar fragrance of his body lotion carried a delicate sweetness that was overpowering to a monster like her.

“Xiao Ke…” Zhong Qingxiao murmured, slightly embarrassed. He quickly scooped his girlfriend into his arms and carried her into the apartment, closing the door behind them.

Several pairs of predatory eyes remained fixed on Apartment 1801.

“Hey, it’s been days since you last had a proper meal, hasn’t it? Isn’t the warehouse right in front of you? Aren’t you tempted?”

Most people retained some semblance of rationality and said, “That’s their home. Are you seriously going to break in? You do know that’s against the law, right?”

The four troublemakers snickered at the response. Their leader, a man with a buzzcut, laughed and said, “The law? Hahaha. So what? Are you going to call the police? Hmm?”

Communication systems had completely broken down, and terrifying monsters still roamed the streets. Some people fell silent, while others maintained blank expressions and ignored the commotion.

Among the four troublemakers, three carried knives, while the fourth wielded a sturdy steel pipe, rusted and menacing.

No one wanted to provoke them unnecessarily. Most of the ordinary residents lacked any weapons for self-defense, nor did they have any experience in fighting, making them easy targets for bullying.

“It was almost better when the monsters were around,” someone muttered quietly, watching the four men huddled together, whispering about something ominous. Their unease was palpable.