43: You wouldn't have any improper thoughts about him, would you?

In the bathroom of a side building on the farm.

Lan Xiaoxi and Yun Lele were taking a shower in the bathroom.

The bathroom was mostly made of wood, with a partition in the middle separating it.

Since the power was out, they were using cold water to bathe.

However, in this sweltering heat that often exceeded thirty degrees, a cold shower didn't make one feel cold; instead, it was very refreshing and comfortable.

Even Xi Xi and Lele hadn't had such a refreshing bath in a long time.

The school's water and electricity supply had stopped just a few days after the zombie crisis broke out.

Even though they had the foresight to fill a few buckets from the balcony faucet.

They didn't dare to waste it, let alone take a satisfying bath.

In the cubicle on one side, Yun Lele hummed a pleasant tune while she bathed.

But on Xi Xi's side...

Letting the cool water slide down her fair skin.

Her deep blue eyes were somewhat lost in thought.

In her gaze, besides worry for her parents, there was also an imperceptible hint of shyness.

In reality, Lan Xiaoxi had never had close contact with any member of the opposite sex since she was a child.

However, just now, Lin Zhi had very intimately rubbed the top of her head.

Even now, remembering that feeling, Xi Xi felt her body tremble as if from an electric shock.

Additionally, ever since Lin Zhi appeared—the military commander, the fully armed soldier, his young and handsome appearance, his approachable and gentle personality... these various labels gave Xi Xi, who had never interacted much with the opposite sex, an extraordinary feeling toward Lin Zhi.

"..."

And just as Lan Xiaoxi was lost in thought while lathering her body with bubbles.

Suddenly, a voice spoke up faintly from above her to the side.

"Hey, Xi Xi!"

Xi Xi was startled and mechanically raised her head.

In the next second, Xi Xi was so startled she almost fell onto the bathroom's smooth wooden floor.

Because that girl Yun Lele had somehow climbed onto the partition, hanging there with her hands and staring straight at her with those large, dark-pupiled eyes!

Coming to her senses, Xi Xi looked at the thick-skinned Yun Lele with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

"What are you doing, Lele? Don't you know you can scare someone to death?!"

However, facing Xi Xi's complaint, a nonchalant and playful smile appeared at the corners of Lele's mouth.

"Hey, hey, you can't blame me for this."

"I made so much noise climbing onto the partition; who else can you blame if you didn't hear it?"

"Besides, Xi Xi, what on earth were you thinking about to be so distracted?"

"I noticed you've changed ever since Brother Lin Zhi rubbed your head."

"Wait..."

As if suddenly realizing something, Yun Lele's eyes widened.

"Whoa~!"

"Xi Xi, you don't have any improper thoughts about Brother Lin Zhi, do you?!"

"I'm telling you, if Xiaoxiao finds out, she'll definitely eat you alive!"

...!!

Hearing Yun Lele say such a thing.

Xi Xi's face immediately turned red.

She hurriedly denied Yun Lele's terrible suspicion.

"How is that possible!"

"Yun Lele, don't talk nonsense! I only feel gratitude toward Big Brother Lin!"

"How could I... besides, how long have we even known each other..."

"Ooh-la-la~ You were just calling him 'Brother Lin Zhi,' why is it 'Big Brother Lin' now?"

Lele continued to be relentless, looking at Xi Xi with teasing eyes.

"Lele, you, you, you..."

For a moment, Lan Xiaoxi was so flustered she couldn't even speak.

Fortunately, just as Xi Xi was about to reach her breaking point.

Yun Lele quickly spoke up.

"Alright, alright, I was just joking with you~"

"I'm almost done washing, why aren't you finished yet?"

"I'm not waiting anymore; I'm going to find Xiaoxiao to play!"

With that, Yun Lele let go of the partition and dropped back into her cubicle.

Only then did Xi Xi finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She quickly stood up and splashed her cheeks with the cool water.

Hoping to use the cold temperature to calm herself down... Time finally reached evening.

As the last glow of the sunset disappeared.

A mouth-watering aroma of food wafted through the entire farm.

This was the dinner prepared by Li Xue and a few soldiers under Lin Zhi's instructions.

Although it was just simple white rice with ham, pickles, and some canned food.

But in this Apocalypse where food was extremely precious.

Even a simple bowl of fragrant white rice was a rare delicacy.

Using simple containers to hold the white rice, they added some sausage and food from the cans.

Being a foodie, Yun Lele couldn't help but exclaim as she looked at the food in her hands.

"Wow! I haven't eaten rice in so long, it smells so good!"

With that, Yun Lele shoved a large mouthful of rice into her mouth and chewed hungrily.

Seeing the way Yun Lele was eating.

Lin Zhi and the others present couldn't help but smile.

It made sense.

When Lin Xiaoxiao and the others were trapped in the dormitory, their food consisted mostly of snacks.

Eating snacks for several weeks straight without any staple food would be unbearable for anyone.

Compared to Yun Lele and the others, the soldiers under Lin Zhi's command appeared much more disciplined.

They all sat upright at the wooden tables. Even with the fragrant food in front of them, without Lin Zhi's order, all the soldiers looked straight ahead, and not a single one picked up their chopsticks.

As the saying goes, "Without rules, there is no order."

In the army, discipline is equivalent to combat effectiveness.

Looking at the soldiers' slightly tired faces, Lin Zhi felt a pang of sympathy in his heart.

Although these people were summoned by the system.

Besides having one hundred percent loyalty to him, they were also living, breathing human beings.

Thus, Lin Zhi never treated them like cold robots.

"Alright everyone, I won't give a speech."

"Let's eat; just don't waste anything."

"Once you're done, return to your respective posts. Those who should rest, rest; those on sentry duty, go on sentry duty."

As Lin Zhi's voice trailed off.

"Understood!"

The soldiers present shouted in unison, then in a synchronized movement, they picked up their food containers, simple chopsticks, and spoons, and began to dig in.

The soldiers ate with great relish.

It was plain to see.

Compared to simple compressed biscuits and energy bars.

Hot white rice was indeed much more satisfying.

By the time they finished eating, it was already past ten o'clock at night.

Lin Zhi gave some instructions and then returned to his room.

However, after returning to his room, Lin Zhi did not go to sleep.

Instead, he took out the [Intermediate Constitution Enhancement Potion] that the system had rewarded him with for completing the mission at noon!

Looking at the test tube in his hand, which was still filled with a shimmering blue liquid.

Lin Zhi was very curious.

A Primary Constitution Enhancement Potion had given him the physique of a special forces soldier.

So, to what extent would this Intermediate Constitution Enhancement Potion improve his physical fitness?

...