Surviving the apocalypse with a wife and a system! [GL]

They could use water here, and the child would not have to suffer through the heat without a proper shower. Bai Li knew that if she kept delaying it, she would only keep thinking about it and make herself even more restless. So she decided to stop overthinking and just go do it. That was usually how she handled things anyway. Once the thought was clear enough, she moved. Simple as that. Even when her heart felt a little tangled, she could still act when it mattered.

While she stood under the shower, Bai Li also thought about how to say it. She did not want to sound like she was pitying them. That would be bad. She did not want Yan Cijin to think she was offering help because she looked down on them or because she wanted to show off. That was not the point at all. She wanted to help because she genuinely thought it was the right thing to do, and because Lili was still so small. The little girl should not have to stay hot and uncomfortable. She also did not want Yan Cijin to feel embarrassed. If the woman was anything like Bai Li thought she was, she would probably feel a little awkward accepting help directly. So Bai Li would have to phrase it gently. She would need to keep it casual, simple, and natural. That was not really her strong point, but she could try.

The system, which had clearly been listening in like an overexcited commentator, suddenly rang out again in Bai Li’s mind just as she was rinsing off the soap.

"Congratulations, darling! A new achievement has been unlocked."

Bai Li blinked. "Huh?"

The system sounded very proud of itself. "Achievement unlocked: Zombie Hunter Level One. You have also earned the title: Core Collector. Passive bonus activated. Current effects: slightly improved strength, slightly improved stamina, slightly improved reaction speed, slightly improved fear resistance. Additional bonus: low level zombies now experience a faint pressure effect when facing darling."

Bai Li stared for a second, then burst out laughing right there in the shower. "You are making it sound like I am a game boss."

"Darling is indeed very impressive," the system said in a sparkling tone. "Another bonus has also been granted. Title effect active: Your presence now feels a little more intimidating to weak zombies. They may tremble. They may hesitate. They may regret being born."

Bai Li shook her head, still laughing. "Regret being born? That is a little dramatic."

"Only a little?" the system asked.

Bai Li snorted. "Okay, a lot dramatic."

"Correct. But darling deserves dramatic praise."

Bai Li could not stop smiling. That whole announcement was ridiculous, but it also felt weirdly good. There was something satisfying about seeing her hard work translated into a title and actual effects. She could even feel a little difference in her body, as if her limbs were lighter and her reactions were a touch sharper. It was subtle, but it was there. Bai Li lifted one hand and flexed her fingers, testing the feeling. She could not deny that it gave her a small burst of confidence. Four hundred and thirty five cores, a title, and an effect boost. Not bad. Not bad at all.

"Are you trying to make me feel proud of myself?" Bai Li asked the system.

"Yes, darling."

Bai Li laughed again. "That is working."

"Of course it is working," the system replied. "Darling is very amazing."

"Stop sounding like a hype person."

"I refuse."

That only made Bai Li laugh harder. She had to pause for a second before she could keep washing her hair. The system really did make things more fun sometimes. Without it, a lot of her days would just be fighting, scavenging, and thinking about supplies. With it, at least there was some silly entertainment mixed in. And right now, that silliness was actually helping her feel lighter. She had just finished a good fight, gotten a good core count, and unlocked a reward. That was the kind of thing that made a person walk a little taller. Bai Li liked that feeling. It made her feel like she was moving forward instead of just surviving.

Bai Li thought about the next interdimensional market again and smiled to herself. If Yan Cijin agreed to draw, then maybe the rewards could be better this time. She had already imagined a weird result like bottled drinks or random everyday items, and that thought still made her want to laugh. But if she had more cores, maybe the system would be more generous. Maybe there would be something useful. Maybe there would be something that could help them all. She did not know yet. All she knew was that she was finally getting enough of an advantage to make the next draw feel exciting instead of uncertain. That alone was enough to brighten her mood.

Bai Li lathered herself one more time and quickly rinsed away the soap. Her mind was now moving in two directions at once, one part still amused by the system and the other part focused on Yan Cijin. She thought about the house over there, the little girl, and the fact that the water had been cut off. She thought about how Lili might react if she heard they could come over. The child would probably be happy right away. Kids were simple like that. If something sounded fun or comfortable, they did not overcomplicate it. She imagined Lili asking if she could take a bath first, or maybe asking if she could play with water for a little while. That image made Bai Li smile again. A clean, happy little girl seemed much better than a hot, sticky, uncomfortable one.

She also thought about Yan Cijin herself. She had already seen enough of the woman’s temperament to know she would probably not accept the offer easily without a little hesitation. Yan Cijin was the type to worry about bothering people.

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TO BE CONTINUED.

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