Reborn as the Doomsday Tycoon: My Zombie Apocalypse Harem

Mu Wanqing was once again stunned by the voice that suddenly echoed in her mind.

The words were crystal clear, and she knew Xiao Yang hadn't opened his mouth.

"You just thought, 'Sister You's cooking is amazing,' right?" Mu Wanqing pressed for confirmation.

"Holy shit! That's insane!" Xiao Yang gave her a thumbs-up. "Spot on! Congrats, Wanqing—you've awakened an ability too, and a special one at that."

Xiao Yang had heard of and seen many abilities, most falling into combat or spellcasting categories.

In the apocalypse's later stages, strength-based survivors often mastered blade or sword techniques—classic combat skills.

While these fighters were powerful, their reliance on weapons became a double-edged sword.

Those who conjured lightning or fireballs belonged to the spellcasting class.

Then there were rarities like Xiao Yang's spatial ability, and now Mu Wanqing's mind-reading—a privacy-shattering gift that placed her among the elite special-class awakeners.

Xiao Yang couldn't contain his excitement. Stumbling upon someone like Mu Wanqing was a jackpot.

With her, he could vet recruits' loyalties when building his faction. Game-changer.

"Wait, are you two pulling some prank? Abilities? Seriously?" Lu You scoffed, utterly clueless about supernatural powers.

"Sister You, why not test it yourself? Let Wanqing read your thoughts," Xiao Yang suggested with a grin.

"Deal!" Lu You's curiosity overpowered her skepticism.

Mu Wanqing focused on Lu You. Moments later, her cheeks flushed crimson.

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow. What dirty thought did Sister You have?

"Well? Spit it out!" Lu You demanded when Mu Wanqing stayed silent.

Mu Wanqing hesitated. "You... you thought, 'Xiao's one lucky bastard to land a beauty like Wanqing.' Am I right?"

"Hot damn!" Lu You slammed the table, beaming. "Word for fucking word!"

She turned to Xiao Yang. "That magic trick you did earlier—was that an ability too?"

Seeing no reason to hide it, Xiao Yang explained his powers (omitting his stockpile's true scale) and spun his rebirth as a prophetic dream. Lu You gasped through the tale, hands clapped over her mouth.

"Xiao, if that's true... part of me regrets being saved. Surviving that hell sounds worse than death."

"Relax, Sister You." Xiao Yang's gaze turned steel-steady. "With me, you'll live like queens. Trust me."

The conviction in his eyes melted Lu You's doubts. This villa's warmth and feast were proof enough of his promises.

She raised her glass. "A toast. From now on, I'm leaving myself to you!"

Xiao Yang froze. The phrasing—"I'm yours now"—felt dangerously ambiguous. Was she teasing him?

"You're in good hands," he clinked her glass, his reply layered.

"Oh, and Sister You," Xiao Yang downed his drink. "We need a favor."

"Shoot."

"Wanqing and I can't cook. Mind taking charge of the kitchen?"

Lu You thumped her chest. "Xiao, cooking's my damn superpower. You saved my life—this is the least I can do.

I'll fatten you two up like prize hogs! Just keep the ingredients coming."

"Guaranteed," Xiao Yang mirrored her gesture.

Scene Transition: Midnight Tensions

Snowflakes thickened into a blizzard outside.

Upstairs, Mu Wanqing collapsed into bed—her meager time energy drained from ability overuse. Like a Level 1 character trying to cast 100th-level spells, Xiao Yang mused. Harvesting more time energy from the incoming zombie outbreak was critical.

Lu You chose a first-floor bedroom despite Xiao Yang's offer of the third floor. "Easier to cook breakfast," she insisted.

But sleep eluded her. The villa's comfort clashed with the day's trauma—murder, apocalypse prophecies, everything.

Pacing to the living room, she stared at the storm... until those sounds drifted downstairs.

Thump... gasp... creak...

"Kids these days," Lu You smirked, leaning against the wall. "No concept of conserving energy."

10 minutes...

30...

50...

How is he still going?! Her throat went dry, yet she couldn't stop listening.

When silence finally fell 90 minutes later, Lu You's face burned. As a divorcee who'd sworn off men, she'd never encountered such... stamina.

Her body betrayed her, imagination conjuring Xiao Yang's chiseled frame.

Slap! She mentally chastised herself. Disgusting! Poor Wanqing...

Rushing back to her room, she collided with a shirtless Xiao Yang hauling coal for the furnace.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked, squinting in the dark.

"Bathroom run!" Lu You lied, fleeing from the heat radiating off his bare torso.