Hearing Liu Yang's words, Chen Hao's face instantly paled. He stepped back warily, pulling Zhou Keke behind him as a protective shield.
Flustered, he snapped, "Liu... Liu Yang, what do you think you're doing?! Don't try anything crazy! Zhou Keke is my girlfriend! She's not going anywhere with you!"
"She's just a girlfriend, not your wife," Liu Yang replied casually, his tone indifferent. "And even if she were married, so what? Cao Cao had a thing for married women too. Chen Hao, you can beat it now. Zhou Keke stays with me."
"N-No way in hell!" Chen Hao yelled, his face twisting in rage. "She's my girlfriend! You think you can just steal her from me?! I'm the student council president! My family is worth hundreds of millions! Who the hell do you think you are to compete with me?! What do you have that's better than me?! Keke would never look at a loser like you!"
Although he terrified of the blade in Liu Yang's hand, the thought of having his woman stolen made him blow his top. As student council president, he used to be the king of the campus. Which student didn't greet him with absolute respect?
Not to mention his family owned a company worth hundreds of millions.
He was a genuine, second-generation rich kid.
He used to drive a BMW to class every single day.
Back at school, he flaunted his wealth daily, soaking in the idolizing glares of everyone around him.
And now, a worthless nobody like Liu Yang dared to steal his girlfriend right to his face?
How could Chen Hao swallow this insult?
If Liu Yang weren't holding that deadly blade, Chen Hao would have rushed forward to beat him to death.
"No way in hell? What's so impossible about it?" Liu Yang sneered. "If I want a woman, do you really think you can stop me?"
"Hundreds of millions in assets? Impressive. But look at you-pale, gaunt, and weak as a twig. I bet you can't even get it up anymore. What's the point of having such a hot girlfriend if you can't even satisfy her?"
Liu Yang gave him a mocking look. "You look like you haven't eaten in days. Ever since the apocalypse hit, haven't you found a single bite to eat?"
Hit right where it hurt, Chen Hao froze, his face flushing with burning embarrassment.
He stammered, "S-So what if I haven't found food?! My girlfriend isn't going with you no matter what! Our bond is unbreakable-don't even dream about it!"
"Is that so? Fine by me," Liu Yang said with a shrug. "I was originally planning to take her by force, but since you put it that way, I've changed my mind. I want to see just how 'unbreakable' your bond really is. Hey, take a look at this."
Liu Yang reached into his jacket and pulled out a vacuum-sealed chicken leg. With a flick of his wrist, he tore open the packaging, exposing the glistening meat.
Instantly, the rich, savory aroma wafted straight toward Chen Hao and Zhou Keke's noses.
"Sniff... sniff!"
Chen Hao and Zhou Keke inhaled deeply, greedily swallowing the long-lost scent of cooked food. Both of them couldn't help but gulp frantically.
Hunger-agonizing, gnawing hunger!
They had starved for four full days at school before finally summoning the courage to venture out. Yet after searching for two straight days, they hadn't found a single crumb! All they managed to catch were two sewer rats, which they killed, roasted, and devoured down to the bones.
But two rats were nowhere near enough to fill their stomachs.
While scouring the area for supplies, they had nearly been torn apart by zombies.
Sprinting for their lives had depleted the last of their physical strength.
Now, their stomachs were completely hollow.
The moment the scent of the chicken leg hit them, violent cramps writhed in their guts.
"One chicken leg for your girlfriend. Deal?" Liu Yang asked, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
This guy had just boldly claimed their bond was unbreakable and that they'd never be parted. Liu Yang wanted to see exactly how much this so-called 'love stronger than gold' was worth when pitted against actual food.
Sure enough, upon hearing Liu Yang's offer, a flash of hesitation flickered in Chen Hao's eyes.
However, he quickly shook his head.
"No way! Keke and I have been dating for a whole year! How could I trade my girlfriend for just one chicken leg? Who do you take me for?! My family has hundreds of millions! What kind of luxury haven't I seen..." Chen Hao declared, his expression hardening with righteousness.
Listening to his resolute stance, Zhou Keke's heart welled with deep emotion.
She had always assumed this rich boyfriend of hers was just playing around. That was why, despite dating for an entire year, she had kept him on probation, never letting him touch her or cross the line.
But now, it seemed...
Chen Hao's feelings for her were genuine!
Even in a state of starvation, he refused to trade her for such a precious chicken leg.
It was no exaggeration to say that the instant she smelled that roasted chicken, even Zhou Keke herself had felt a sudden impulse to throw herself at Liu Yang.
Seeing Chen Hao's unwavering loyalty made her realize how shameful her momentary weakness had been.
How could she even think of selling herself out for a piece of meat?
She needed to be like Chen Hao-unyielding to hunger!
Just as Zhou Keke resolved to stay by Chen Hao's side through thick and thin, Chen Hao suddenly held up five fingers toward Liu Yang.
"If you want my girlfriend, you gotta raise the price! Five! Unless you give me... five chicken legs, no deal!"
Hearing this, even Liu Yang froze in surprise.
Seeing how righteous the guy had acted, Liu Yang thought he'd actually refuse. It turned out he was just haggling for a higher price.
As expected of President Chen Hao!
Even in the apocalypse, he never forgot to drive a bargain!
"Three! Take it or leave it," Liu Yang said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"D-Deal!" Chen Hao blurted out instantly, terrified that Liu Yang might back out.
Liu Yang pulled two more vacuum-sealed chicken legs from his inner pocket and tossed all three to the ground at Chen Hao's feet.
Chen Hao scrambled down like a dog, grabbing the chicken legs and shoving them into his jacket with ravenous speed.
Zhou Keke stood frozen beside him, completely dumbfounded.
Three chicken legs... and her boyfriend had sold her off?
She had just been moved to tears by his devotion, only to realize she had wasted her emotions on a pathetic coward!
"Chen Hao, you...!" she gasped, her voice trembling with anger.
"You what?!" Chen Hao snapped back furiously. "If I don't eat something right now, I'm going to starve to death! Do you want to watch me die?!
"Besides, women in the apocalypse are just tools for men to vent on anyway! What difference does it make who you end up with?!
"I spent over a million on gifts for you during the year we dated, and you wouldn't even let me take you to a hotel! Playing all pure and innocent-I've been sick of your act for a long time!
"A few days before the outbreak, I was already planning to force myself on you, but who knew you'd be stronger than me?! These past few days, I was so hungry I almost wanted to eat your flesh! If you weren't an athlete and I couldn't beat you in a fight, do you think I would've kept you around until now?!
"Being able to trade you for three chicken legs proves you actually have some value! You should be damn grateful!"
With that, Chen Hao clutched his chicken legs tight and scrambled off toward a safe zone nearby, terrified that Liu Yang might regret the deal.
Listening to his cruel tirade, Zhou Keke felt her heart shatter into pieces. She had never imagined that in her boyfriend's eyes, she was nothing more than disposable garbage.
At the same time, a sense of relief washed over her. Luckily, she had guarded her purity fiercely over the past year and never let him touch her. Otherwise, she would have been used and tossed aside long ago.
This wealthy playboy had never cared about her.
She finally saw Chen Hao for the monster he truly was.
Completely devastated and dead inside, Zhou Keke walked toward Liu Yang, step by heavy step.
"See that? That's your boyfriend," Liu Yang said with a faint smirk. "Sold you out for three chicken legs."
This was the apocalypse.
This was reality!
One moment, vows of everlasting love and loyalty.
The next, traded away for three pieces of chicken!
"Give me three chicken legs too, and I'll sell myself to you," Zhou Keke said, her eyes completely hollow. "I'll do whatever you want."
Having been betrayed by her lover, the light in her heart had died out completely. She no longer cared what fate awaited her-she just wanted to fill her stomach first.
At worst, she'd end up dead. At least she wouldn't die on an empty stomach.
"Here." Liu Yang handed her a chicken leg and smiled reassuringly. "Relax. As long as you follow me, you'll have endless chicken legs. Not just three-300 if you want them. I don't sell off my women. Now, let's go loot this supermarket together."
With that, Liu Yang led Zhou Keke toward the entrance. Before stepping inside, he commanded a controlled zombie to stand guard at the doors to keep any unwelcome guests out.