Zhang Yi comforted Uncle You for a while. At this moment, Uncle You held a different significance for Zhang Yi. Uncle You's body had mutated, and although the specific abilities were still unknown, based on Zhou Ke'er's description and current observations, it seemed to enhance his physical abilities. This was crucial for Zhang Yi! What he needed was someone reliable—well, it might sound harsh—a strong laborer and a meat shield.
"Take your time recovering; you don't need to worry about other things right now," Zhang Yi comforted.
Uncle You, sounding weak, said, "No, I feel like I have no strength at all right now. I can't even lift my arms. If this continues, I don't know how long I'll be a burden to you."
Zhang Yi knew it was the muscle relaxants taking effect. "Don't worry, just focus on getting better. I'll handle everything else!"
Uncle You looked gratefully at Zhang Yi and nodded.
Overhearing this, Xie Limei quickly chimed in, "Zhang Yi, you’re so good to my husband. Our family doesn’t know how to thank you! From now on, we will rely on you!"
Uncle You blushed and weakly said, "Amei, we can't always trouble him. Once I'm better, I'll take care of you."
Xie Limei placed her hand on his shoulder and, sounding aggrieved, said, "It takes a hundred days to heal from bone injuries, and you were shot! Who knows how long it will take for you to recover? Even when you do, your body won’t be the same. What can you do?"
Uncle You's face turned red. Being naturally inarticulate, he didn't know how to refute Xie Limei's words.
Zhang Yi smiled slightly and said, "Sister Xie is right. I will take care of your family."
Xie Limei's eyes lit up, and she excitedly said, "Zhang Yi, you promised! You can't go back on your word!"
Zhang Yi smiled and nodded. "Of course, I never go back on my word."
Uncle You, feeling extremely embarrassed, stammered, "Zhang Yi, I... I..."
Zhang Yi stopped him. "Just focus on recovering!" With that, Zhang Yi stood up to leave. As he reached the door, he mentally counted down: 3, 2...
Before he reached 1, Xie Limei's voice called out, "Zhang Yi, wait a moment. I need to talk to you!"
Zhang Yi curled her lips slightly. Xie Limei had been confined in this room for a day. Although he provided food and hot water, people always wanted more, and she would undoubtedly have more requests. When she came, she hadn’t brought any personal belongings for herself or the baby.
Turning around with a smile, Zhang Yi asked, "Sister Xie, what do you need?"
Xie Limei said, "Zhang Yi, we've been here all day. My phone’s out of battery, and the baby needs a diaper change. Could you get some things for us?"
Zhang Yi smiled wryly. "Sister Xie, I've been busy all day and am really tired. You know, my days are filled with fighting and killing, which is physically and mentally exhausting."
"Besides, I'm not familiar with your place or Uncle You's. I don’t know where anything is. Why don’t you go get it yourself?"
Xie Limei hesitated, glancing at the bedridden Uncle You for reassurance. Pretending to joke, she said, "Just make sure you let me back in when I return!"
Zhang Yi laughed, "Come on, do you think I’d do that? Uncle You is still here. If I didn’t let you back in, what would that make me?"
Xie Limei slyly smiled, suddenly placing the baby in Zhang Yi's arms. "Alright, you take care of the baby for a bit. I'll be back soon!"
She thought Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke'er couldn’t handle a baby, so by leaving the child, Zhang Yi would have to let her back in. Zhang Yi saw through her little scheme and laughed internally.
You think I can't abandon this child?
Outwardly, he smiled and said, "No problem. But make sure to come back quickly. I’m not good with kids."
Xie Limei beamed, "Don't worry; I won't stay out long. It's such a nice place; I wouldn't want to leave!"
She glanced around the comfortable apartment, satisfaction evident in her eyes, as if she were inspecting her new home. Zhang Yi opened the door, letting her out.
After closing the door, Zhang Yi looked down at the swaddled baby. The child had fair, tender skin, cool to the touch, like a piece of delicate jelly. Zhang Yi felt a rare pang of tenderness. He touched the baby’s cheek, feeling the cool, soft skin.
Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "I'll find someone to take care of you later."
He then took out his phone and messaged Xu Hao. With the baby in his arms, he returned to Uncle You's room to chat.
Leaving Zhang Yi's apartment, Xie Limei was hit by a bone-chilling cold. She shivered, quickly putting on her hat and shoving her hands into her pockets.
"So cold! It's freezing out here!" She glanced back at Zhang Yi’s sturdy door, her eyes filled with jealousy and longing.
"It’s so warm inside. Compared to this, outside is like an ice hell!" she thought.
"For my baby to grow up healthy, we must live here. We can’t leave!"
Imagining her child's future in that warm apartment, Xie Limei smiled contentedly. However, the biting cold soon snapped her back to reality. Hugging herself, she hurried downstairs.
When she reached Uncle You's apartment and took out the key, a shadow appeared behind her. Xu Hao raised a blood-stained kitchen knife and swung it at her neck.
Blood sprayed like a fountain. Xie Limei collapsed to the ground, her eyes wide with fear and reluctance. Xu Hao delivered a few more blows to ensure she was dead. Satisfied, he quickly left the scene.
Back at Zhang Yi's place, he held the baby and chatted with Uncle You. "I've decided. Let Sister Xie and the baby stay here. Once you're fully recovered and the baby grows up, they can move back."
Uncle You nodded, touched by Zhang Yi’s kindness, unaware of the sinister plot unfolding outside.