NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 42
Chapter 42: A Necessary Trade
The spike in his attributes was no surprise, but the leap in his Fitness skill level was truly unexpected. A jump from Level 4 to Level 7 in one go! It was a massive improvement.
Lost in thought, Lu Ming realized something deeper. Fitness wasn’t about a rigid routine; it was woven into the fabric of daily life. Chores, walking, and even stretching when tired—all contributed to his physical well-being. It was a return to basics, a simpler way of understanding fitness.
Elated, Lu Ming grabbed his bow and arrow, commencing target practice. “Isn’t this fitness too?” he muttered as he fired off arrows.
On his attribute panel, the words Fitness Lv7 (0/700) shimmered and settled at Fitness Lv7 (3/700). By noon, his archery practice had pushed his Fitness skill to Level 8 (0/800), with a corresponding increase of 0.8 points in Agility. Notably, the proficiency of his Fitness skill had also climbed to Level 7 (20/700). Discovering this additional avenue for boosting his fitness skill proficiency filled him with joy.
After a hearty lunch, a realization struck Lu Ming. He opened his second-floor window, his gaze settling on the survivors diligently toiling outside. By morning, they had already cleared over a fifth of the scattered zombie corpses—a commendable feat. He focused on the closest figure.
“Hey, big brother! Yang Guan, right?”
Yang Guan, upon hearing Lu Ming’s call, hurried to the window. “Yes, Brother Lu! What’s the matter?”
“No worries. Have you had lunch yet?”
The mention of lunch brought a grimace to Yang Guan’s face. He subconsciously rubbed his stomach. “N-no…” he stammered. Supplies were already scarce, and there wasn’t much food left to begin with.
As planned, Wang Xiong and the others were supposed to head back to the Zhang family’s place for more food that morning. However, Lu Ming’s training session with Zhang Chengcheng threw a wrench in the schedule. Zhang Chengcheng was still fast asleep after exerting herself during the workout, and Wang Xiong was busy helping Lu Ming organize his new fitness plan. Naturally, finding food wasn’t on their agenda.
Hearing Yang Guan’s reluctant reply about lunch, Lu Ming understood. He called everyone over, intending to provide them with a meal. Taking advantage of others wasn’t his style. He appreciated everyone’s contributions: Zhang Chengcheng for assisting with gravity manipulation during his training, and Wang Xiong for his expert fitness advice that even boosted Lu Ming’s attribute panel.
While Wang Xiong’s help came freely, Lu Ming wasn’t comfortable simply receiving without giving back. He may not have been a master of social interaction, but he grasped the basic principle of reciprocity—helping those who help you.
Recalling Zhang Chengcheng mentioning a food run earlier, Lu Ming realized their supplies were running low. Since they had helped him in the morning, it was his turn to offer a solution: food.
He carried five bags each of flour, rice, and canned goods from the second floor, leaving it practically bare. A pang of concern flickered within him, but it was quickly overshadowed by his innate optimism.
Downstairs, he found Zhang Lixin, Yang Guan, Qin Lie, and Wei Jiming. “Here, take this and eat,” he instructed, offering the provisions. “Let me know if you need more.”
Relief and gratitude washed over their faces as Lu Ming handed over the supplies. Zhang Lixin expressed their appreciation: “Thank you, Brother Lu. This food will be a big help.”
Lu Ming simply nodded in return, his usual reserved demeanor returning as he closed the door.
After a refreshing lunch that replenished his attributes, Lu Ming was ready to resume his archery practice in the afternoon. However, the doorbell interrupted his plans. Approaching the electronic screen, he saw Wang Xiong standing outside.
“Brother Lu,” Wang Xiong began, a look of sincere thanks on his face, “thank you so much for the food.”
With his enhanced physique of a Level 2 Awakened, Wang Xiong naturally had a hearty appetite. In fact, he hadn’t eaten a proper meal in two days, the last one being at the Zhang family’s gathering place. This afternoon, Lu Ming’s supplies came as a godsend. He devoured a staggering ten pounds of rice, leaving him feeling revitalized and energized.
“No worries,” Lu Ming replied nonchalantly.
While parting with his supplies was a blow, the assistance he had received from Wang Xiong and Zhang Chengcheng easily outweighed the cost.
“Speaking of which, Brother Wang,” Lu Ming began, transitioning to the topic of his fitness plan.
“It’s not quite finished yet,” Wang Xiong explained. “A personalized plan is crucial. A rigid one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. I spent the morning thinking, and here’s what I propose: how about I train with you every morning instead of just giving you a set routine?”
This was the hallmark of professionalism. A mere workout plan wasn’t enough; personalized guidance, with meticulous attention to detail, was the optimal approach.
Lu Ming’s face broke into a wide grin. “That sounds fantastic!”
He was about to end the call when Wang Xiong spoke up again. “There’s one more thing, Brother Lu. You gave us quite a feast at lunch. Are you running low on supplies yourself?”
Lu Ming paused in thought, then nodded. “There’s not much left.”
He had roughly half a year’s worth of provisions remaining, based on his current needs. However, as his strength grew, so would his appetite. So, when he said there wasn’t enough food, he was being truthful—no exaggeration or false modesty.
“That’s what I figured,” Wang Xiong said. “So, Brother Lu, are you free this afternoon? Perhaps you’d like to join us on an excursion?”
“Going out?”
“Yes,” Wang Xiong elaborated. “We’re heading to the Zhang family’s gathering place. They have significant food supplies.”
Inside, Lu Ming was lost in contemplation. It was a recurring dilemma. Food—a monumental concern. His rising appetite meant a food crisis was inevitable. Relying solely on his home supplies to endlessly grind his attributes wouldn’t be sustainable. He had known this day would come, the day his home reserves dwindled and venturing out became a necessity.
However, he hadn’t anticipated leaving the safety of his home so soon.
There was the issue of evolving zombies. The longer he delayed venturing out, the stronger and more dangerous they would become. Additionally, most foods had expiration dates. It was currently less than a month into the apocalypse, making access to edible food relatively easy. With time, the remaining food would likely spoil, further shrinking their options.
He wrestled with the conflicting ideas of staying put and venturing out. In the end, Lu Ming struck a compromise.
“Give me a week, alright?”
End of Chapter 42