Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]

Chapter 310: Chapter 311 – A Place Called Home

The walk back from the lake burned in Yunfeng’s bones. His skin still carried the sting of fire, his chest the weight of that piercing gaze from the man in the chopper. But as the trees broke and the ruined house came into view, his heartbeat steadied.

Family—that was what mattered.

”Everyone okay?” Yunfeng’s voice was rough, thick with the smoke he had swallowed. He wiped the ashes from his face, blinking through the haze.

”Yunfeng!” Muchen bolted toward him like a shooting star. He crashed into his waist, hugging him tightly. He let out a soft grunt, steadying himself, before resting a hand on his head, his lips tugging faintly.

Not far away, Shao stood tall, his silver eyes watchful even as he carried Jai in his arms. The younger man’s head rested weakly against Shao’s chest, his face pale but calm, breathing slow and steady. By Shao’s side stood his younger brother—Kaien, quiet and sharp-eyed, his stance tense like he expected an ambush even here.

Qui Yue knelt a few feet away, both hands holding a small, metal box with care, like it was glass ready to shatter. His doctor’s coat was torn and dirtied, yet his gaze was steady.

Old Kailun hovered beside him, hunched but stubborn, his wrinkled hands constantly brushing over Jai’s forehead, checking his pulse, muttering under his breath. ”Too thin... this boy, did he even eat anything these past few days?” His voice was gruff, but his touch was careful, almost tender.

Yunfeng exhaled, chest easing a little at the sight of them all.

Then Yuki moved.

Her white shirt was stained with dirt and smoke, her hair tangled, but her eyes—those wide, dark eyes—locked on him with desperation. She ran forward, nearly stumbling over broken wood. ”Did you find them?” she asked, voice trembling with both fear and hope.

Yunfeng stopped, crouched just enough to meet her gaze, and placed a gentle hand on her head. The warmth of his palm made her flinch, her lips parting.

”Yeah,” he said softly, his eyes dark with shadows. ”But they escaped.”

Her shoulders slumped, and her small hand trembled as she slowly uncurled her fingers. In her palm lay the keychain—the signal tool, the lifeline she had once clung to. A symbol of her double life.

Yunfeng’s gaze lingered on it for a moment before he carefully plucked it from her hand. He stared at it, thumb brushing over the cold metal, then clenched his fist. The sound of the keychain cracking echoed in the silence.

It snapped apart, broken and useless.

Yuki’s lips quivered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Her breath hitched, a tiny sob trying to escape—but before it could, Yunfeng pulled her forward.

She collapsed against him, her small body shivering as his arms wrapped around her tight, anchoring her.

”You’re part of the family now,” Yunfeng murmured, his voice low but firm, the kind of voice that carried a promise heavier than steel. ”You must not betray us. Not ever. Okay?”

”I never will,” Yuki whispered into his chest, her trembling fading into resolve. She lifted her head just enough for him to see the determination burning in her eyes. ”Not ever.”

”Good.” His hand lingered on the back of her head, and for the first time, the lines on his face softened.

Hana appeared beside them, her presence calm, though her fingers curled protectively around the child she now held. She lifted the little one easily, balancing him against her hip, eyes narrowing as she studied Yunfeng.

”Where to now?” Shao’s voice came, low and hoarse. He didn’t raise it above a whisper, but it carried like a rumble of thunder. His grip tightened on Jai, as though bracing himself for Yunfeng’s answer.

”Home,” Yunfeng said, almost to himself, his lips brushing the word like it was fragile. ”We shall go back home.”

Shao’s brow furrowed, confusion and bitterness mixing in his deep voice. ”We don’t have a home anymore, Yunfeng.”

But Yunfeng’s gaze didn’t waver. ”We do,” he murmured. He turned, pulling Muchen closer into his side as if drawing strength from his warmth. ”There’s a human military settlement in City S. We can go there. We’ll be safe.”

Muchen’s brows pinched, his voice trembling as he patted his back. ”But... the military is against us. Is it even safe there?”

Yunfeng tilted his head down, a grin tugging at his lips, though his eyes still glimmered with exhaustion. ”Yeah. It’s safe.” His gaze shifted, landing on Jai’s frail form, then to Kailun standing protectively over him. ”Because the one leading that place... is Jai’s father.”

The air stilled. Everyone turned their gaze, one by one, toward the old man and the boy cradled in Shao’s arms.

Kailun froze, then cleared his throat roughly, as though to shake off the sudden weight of their stares. ”Yes, my son,” he muttered, his chin jutting up. His old eyes flicked between them all, sharp despite the wrinkles around them. ”My son is taking care of that place. It’s safe. It’s orderly. And...” He straightened his bent spine with effort, pride slipping into his tone. ”...we don’t take orders from anyone above.”

”good... lets head there now.” Qui yue said with a grin.

Luck, for once, was on their side. Just beyond the highway bend, they found two cars that hadn’t been completely gutted. The first was a battered SUV with cracked windows but an intact engine. The second, a rust-stained sedan, looked as if it hadn’t been touched in years.

”Check them,” Yunfeng ordered, scanning their surroundings while two men rushed forward.

The SUV sputtered but roared to life after a few tense tries. Relief flashed across the men’s faces. The sedan, after a nervous turn of the key, coughed weakly before settling into a steady hum.

”They’ll run,” Muchen said, almost smiling.

”They’re both low on gas,” he muttered. His mind raced, every second ticking like a blade against his throat. Low fuel meant they wouldn’t get far—maybe just a few kilometers before stalling out in the middle of nowhere. That would be as good as signing their own death sentence.

He didn’t waste time. ”let’s start siphoning. Now.”

The survivors scattered, searching the rows of dead cars for anything that still held gasoline. They broke into vehicles with crowbars, knives, even bare hands when desperation demanded it. The air soon reeked of fuel as they worked, using scraps of hose and plastic bottles to draw out every drop they could. Some of the children coughed at the stench, covering their noses.

It was a slow, grueling process. The sun dipped lower as they filled canisters and poured them carefully into the SUV and sedan. Every sound in the distance—the rustling of leaves, the faint groan of a lone zombie—set nerves on edge.

Yunfeng himself helped, prying open a ruined truck and dragging a half-full tank out. He worked silently, but inside, his mind was boiling. The image of the man in the helicopter, the piercing eyes and thin smile, lingered like a curse. Whoever he was, he had already made himself Yunfeng’s sworn enemy. And Yunfeng would find him again. He swore it.

At last, after what felt like hours though it had only been less than one, they had collected enough fuel to keep both cars moving for a while. Not far, not safely, but farther than walking ever could.

”Load up,” Yunfeng commanded, standing tall against the dying light. ”We are going home.”