Chapter 042 Surviving The Apocalyptic Era

　　"Hehe, Uncle Ye, why only today? Won’t you help us tomorrow too?" Youyou asked playfully.

　　"Silly girl, our shift ends tomorrow. Have you forgotten?" Uncle Ye replied.

　　"That’s right! I’ve lost track of the days lately. It’s already time for the rotation at the livestock farm..." Youyou scratched her head sheepishly.

　　"Who will lead the next team on duty here tomorrow?" Curious, Youyou asked. Uncle Ye was easy-going and told her frankly, "Word comes that it’ll be Wei Haoran..."

　　The name rang no bell for Youyou. "Wei Haoran who? I’ve never heard of him."

　　"He joined the city defense battalion just a year ago. He’s energetic and sharp-minded," Uncle Ye explained with a smile. "He single-handedly arranges all sentry posts and duty rosters across the camp. Also, he takes charge of registering every survivor here. He’s extremely capable with administrative work!

　　Still, he’s never joined combat or search teams and has no remarkable feats to his name, so not many people know about him..."

　　Hearing that, Youyou nodded, "I see. No wonder the name sounds unfamiliar..."

　　Uncle Ye glanced at them and grinned, "Off you go to see Dabai then. But be careful. The horse has been in a foul mood lately. It nearly kicked one of our young lads today!"

　　Youyou smiled and nodded, "Hehe! Dabai has grown more unruly these days. I’ll talk some sense into it, Uncle Ye!" After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Youyou led Chu Mufan toward the stables.

　　Away from the main camp, these guards had not been influenced by Liu Meimei’s gossip. They merely stole a few glances at the gaunt Chu Mufan, without prejudice or sneers. This made Chu Mufan grow quite fond of this peaceful, picturesque farm...

　　The barbed-wire fence encircling the vast farm stretched all the way to the edge of the sloped plain, where dense woodland began. Surrounded by tall trees, the place felt like a hidden paradise, quiet and serene.

　　A mountain road ran along the edge of the woods. Further down near the foot of the mountain, the road had been blown up and blocked with barricades. Faint figures could be seen wandering aimlessly in the distance. Before Chu Mufan could take a closer look, Youyou guided him toward the largest wooden shed on the grounds...

　　She pushed open the wooden door, which was unlocked and only secured with a wooden bolt. The interior of the stable came fully into view. The floor was covered with straw and dotted with hay bales, and a long trough filled with clear water stood in the center. A tall, sturdy and elegant white horse was lowering its head to drink.

　　Spotting Youyou entering, the horse let out two soft whinnies as a greeting, then went back to its water without further ado.

　　"Wow, what a haughty fellow! Is that all the greeting we get?" Chu Mufan spoke up before Youyou could say a word.

　　"That’s just how Dabai is with everyone. Don’t take it to your heart." Youyou explained it to Chu Mufan.

　　"I never thought the Lord would keep such a proud steed." Chu Mufan pictured the portly Hu Gao riding this graceful white horse and couldn’t help teasing.

　　"Dabai wasn’t always like this. It’s grown increasingly arrogant over the past two years. I suppose I’ve spoiled it too much."

　　"Even so, it ought to show you some respect. I heard it nearly kicked someone today. Looks like it’s time we teach it a lesson!"

　　"What are you planning to do, Brother Chu? It has a fierce temper and rarely lets anyone mount it. You haven’t fully recovered yet—you could get thrown and hurt!!" Youyou grew alarmed when she saw Chu Mufan reach for the saddle and bridle hanging on the wall. She cried out in panic as he prepared to put the gear on the horse!

　　"Shhh! Keep your voice down. I’ll be fine. Let me give it a try." Chu Mufan held up a finger to his lips and murmured. Skin and bones as he was, no one could tell where he got the boldness to tackle the camp’s most temperamental steed.

　　Youyou stared in disbelief as he crept slowly toward the white horse. Dabai had spotted the stranger with the saddle long ago. It rolled its eyes and edged backward, body trembling with growing agitation and letting out irritable whinnies time and again!

　　Undeterred, Chu Mufan pressed forward step by step. Dabai retreated until it was trapped against the corner of the stable.

　　With the horse cornered, Chu Mufan slowly stretched out his left hand, fingers spread, and moved it gently toward Dabai’s nose.

　　The moment his palm rested against the horse’s muzzle, Dabai calmed at once. It stared straight into Chu Mufan’s sunken eyes, and he met its gaze unwaveringly...

　　Man, and horse locked eyes, as if time itself had ground to a halt...

　　After a while, Dabai’s breathing steadied. Chu Mufan then fitted the bridle and saddle onto it, patted its snowy white neck softly, and led the horse out of the stable. Youyou stood rooted to the spot, hands clamped over her mouth, utterly stunned...

　　She quickly hurried after them. Outside the shed, Chu Mufan was fumbling awkwardly with the saddle, while Dabai stood quietly beside him, flicking its tail now and then to swat away bugs.

　　Youyou could not believe how docile the usually arrogant horse had become. Dabai hated harnesses and saddles more than anything; even she could only put them on after much coaxing.

　　Seeing Chu Mufan struggle, she stepped forward and secured the saddle properly for him...

　　Once everything was ready, Chu Mufan planted his left foot in the stirrup, hoping to mount the horse gracefully like the swordsmen he had seen on screen...

　　Yet he had overestimated his strength. His leg went weak and shaky. He failed to swing himself up and nearly tumbled over. Luckily, Youyou reacted swiftly and steadied him, helping him clamber onto the saddle! Chu Mufan flashed an embarrassed smile down at her...

　　Seated atop the tall horse, he found his view vastly expanded! His spirits lifted instantly, and he cast aside all self-pity. He flicked the reins, and the pair galloped joyfully across the pasture.

　　"Haha, Youyou! Dabai isn’t nearly as wild as you said. It’s quite obedient!" Chu Mufan, who was on cloud nine, called out cheerfully as he rode.