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Zhang Feng and his lover Luo Shaobao grew up in the same courtyard. One was a diligent student, while the other was mischievous and often caused trouble. Luo Family's parents frequently used Zhang Feng as a model to discipline their son, which made Luo Shaobao dislike Zhang Feng, viewing him as an enemy. Consequently, Luo Shaobao beat Zhang Feng up, who was innocent and thus developed a hatred for Luo Shaobao. From then on, they became rivals. Zhang Feng would often shift the blame for his misdeeds onto Luo Shaobao, feigning innocence and causing Luo Shaobao to receive many beatings from Father Luo.
During their youth, the two competed in academics and sports, vying for each other's girlfriends, engaging in all sorts of rivalries. When they reached college, an unexpected event opened their eyes to the fact that their previous conflicts were rooted in love. Once they realized their feelings for each other, their affection erupted with intense passion. However, both families were not ordinary; they could not allow two boys to be together, so they devised ways to separate them. Luo Shaobao was sent into the military by his family, while Zhang Feng was forcibly sent abroad by the Zhang Family. They understood the Bai Family's stance and knew that their families could not afford any "scandals." They did not unite against their families nor elope. Instead, they each worked hard in different fields without meeting each other. Their only insistence was to reject any arranged marriages set up by their families. For over twenty years, they lived separately. The elders of both families knew they had not forgotten each other but helplessly did not allow them to be together.
When the apocalypse arrived, Luo Shaobao witnessed his former companions dying one by one and could no longer suppress his worry and longing for Zhang Feng. He feared that his beloved would turn into a Zombie or die. Therefore, upon seeing the living Zhang Feng, Luo Shaobao finally did something he had not done in over twenty years—he brought Zhang Feng back to his home.
Naturally, the two ended up together, and their families no longer opposed it. Now that the apocalypse had come, who knew when one might die? Being able to be with a loved one before death was a happy thing. Moreover, after the apocalypse, the number of women drastically decreased, leading to a severe gender imbalance. Men who could not find women and did not want to live alone had no choice but to be with other men. So let the children be! In this apocalypse, who cares about family reputation? The unfortunate part is that the two were destined to have no children. Sighing at the research institute's advancements in soil-less cultivation and Energy Guns, one wondered if they could also develop technology for male reproduction.
"I know Director Zhao from the research institute; I can mention it to him," Bai Tang said with a glint in his eyes as he recalled various stories about reproduction. The Future World was also researching male reproduction technology, though it was still incomplete. Perhaps he could copy some information back for Zhao Nan to study; it might benefit many homosexual couples!
"Thank you, Bai Tang!" Sheng Qingxi sincerely thanked Bai Tang. Although he knew that developing male reproduction technology wouldn't be easy, it at least gave Second Uncle and others some hope.
Bai Tang waved his hand dismissively: "Hehe, I just want to see Uncle Zhang with a big belly."
Sheng Qingxi and Cao Xue imagined Zhang Feng with a big belly and couldn't help but feel awkward.
"Pfft!" Cao Xue laughed out loud. "That image is a bit hard to bear!"
Sheng Qingxi held Cao Xue's hand: "I’d rather see you with a big belly!"
Cao Xue shot Sheng Qingxi a glare and blushed.
"Did you two get together?" Bai Tang asked with his fists clenched and thumbs bent toward each other.
Sheng Qingxi proudly said, "Of course, we are a legitimate couple!"
Before the apocalypse broke out, Sheng Qingxi and Cao Xue had already decided to get married. Naturally, they returned to the Zhang Family's base city to hold the wedding banquet. Not only did they bring Cao Xue's parents to the city, but they also summoned Zhang Feng, the uncle, back from Kyoto. The suburban area had an Underground Base, with stationed troops, and given the status of the Zhang Family, this family was quickly protected by the military except for those who turned into Zombies at the beginning. Moreover, Zhang Family's uncle held a high position in the base, which ensured that the Zhang Family received excellent care. However, there were also regrets; Zhang Family's matriarch, Cao Xue's Mother, and Zhang Family's aunt did not survive the transformation due to health reasons and turned into Zombies right away.
"Congratulations to you both!" Bai Tang sincerely expressed happiness for them and marveled at their luck in obtaining their marriage certificate just before the apocalypse broke out. She raised her right hand and snapped her fingers, prompting a handsome waiter to approach and ask what service was needed.
"Bring me a bottle of Jian Nan Chun."
"Sir, a bottle of Jian Nan Chun costs thirty thousand Crystal Cores." The waiter noticed that Bai Tang and her companions were not regular customers and assumed they were from out of town. He reminded them about the expensive brand of liquor, thinking they might not be able to pay after drinking.
Bai Tang pulled out a fifth-level Zombie's Crystal Core and tossed it to the waiter: "Is this enough?"
"That's more than enough!" The waiter nodded repeatedly while holding the Crystal Core, quickly retreating to fetch drinks for Bai Tang and her companions. A fifth-level Zombie was considered a high-level one and very difficult to deal with; this young woman could easily produce a fifth-level Zombie Crystal Core, indicating she was quite skilled—he had underestimated her.
The waiter soon returned with a bottle of Cave Milk Wine. As Bai Tang opened the cap, a rich aroma wafted out.
Both Bai Tang and Cao Xue sniffed the air filled with the nostalgic scent of wine. Cave Milk Wine is a specialty of S Province, renowned as one of the four treasures of Qingcheng, boasting a history of over twelve hundred years. Made primarily from "fruit king" kiwifruit and unique mineral water from Qingcheng Mountain, it is meticulously brewed according to Daoist traditional methods. Its color resembles jade, its texture is creamy like milk, with a rich fruity aroma and elegant fragrance; it is deliciously smooth with an excellent balance of flavors (fruit, sourness, sweetness, alcohol, aroma), rich in nutrients, serving both medicinal and culinary purposes for tranquility. Brewing wine has long been a tradition in Sichuan, steeped in Daoist culture for millennia, resulting in today's famous brew "Eight Caves Milk Wine" from Qingcheng. The "Saint of Wine," Du Fu, praised "milk wine" in poetry: "Mountain bottle milk wine descends from Qingcheng, its fragrance is thick and fortunate to encounter."
Bai Dad can be considered a Daoist layman at home, familiar with the hosts of temples on Qingcheng Mountain. Every summer vacation, he would spend some time at Qingcheng Mountain. During those times, young Bai Tang would accompany him; after growing up and starting work, it became retired Bai Ma who accompanied him instead. Bai Tang has vivid memories of those days spent at Qingcheng Mountain, recalling them fondly. Back then, she lived and ate with other Daoists, reciting various Daoist scriptures for morning and evening classes; she had practically become a Daoist herself. The only thing that young Daoist Bai Tang found difficult was the food—it was too bland without meat or even much oil since Daoists emphasize health preservation by keeping food as natural as possible. One can imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for a meat-loving child! People from S Province enjoy spicy chili sauce; during summer and autumn when chilies ripen, they make chili sauce using them. The Daoists on Qingcheng Mountain were no exception; they made what was called bright sauce: crushing chilies mixed with salt, Sichuan peppercorns, and cooled vegetable oil before spreading it evenly in wide-mouthed jars to sun-dry it before storing it in cool places. At mealtime, young Bai Tang would sneak out with several other Daoists holding rice bowls; each would scoop up some sun-dried oily spicy chili sauce into their bowls—one bowl of plain rice could be devoured completely. The adults had long known about their antics but pretended not to see.
Older Daoists were accustomed to having a drink or two while eating vegetables; they drank precisely the Cave Milk Wine's Lao Jun Jiu. Cave Milk Wine comes in five varieties: Lao Jun Jiu, Jin Dan, Silver Dan, Zhen Dan, and Yu Dan. Lao Jun Jiu is light jade green in color, transparent with luster; its aroma is subtle yet rich on the palate with an excellent aftertaste—nutritious and uniquely flavored—with an alcohol content of fourteen percent. For nearly twelve hundred years, this wine has only been consumed by Daoists for health benefits or served to guests as tribute to the court. Jin Dan has a light jade green color; its taste is fresh and mellow with crystal clarity—refreshingly smooth with rich fragrance—leaving an endless aftertaste; its alcohol content is twelve percent. It contains yin-yang energy, primordial essence, life source qualities—elegance from jade purity—a protective treasure from earth's spirit. Silver Dan has a light yellow-green body with crystalline clarity; it is sweet-sour refreshing with rich flavor—deliciously fragrant—with an aftertaste that lingers; its alcohol content is twelve percent—promoting health uniquely. Zhen Dan has a light jade green body; its taste is fresh and mellow with crystal clarity—refreshingly smooth with rich fragrance—leaving an endless aftertaste; its alcohol content is twenty-two percent. Yu Dan has a light jade green body; its taste is fresh and mellow with crystal clarity—refreshingly smooth with rich fragrance—leaving an endless aftertaste; its alcohol content is twenty-eight percent.
Sometimes, Bai Tang would share half a cup of Lao Jun Jiu with Bai Dad. This milk wine does not intoxicate like regular alcohol—it’s as enjoyable as drinking juice—even children love it very much. Every time they left Qingcheng Mountain, Bai Dad would buy a large box of Cave Milk Wine to take home for personal consumption or gifting. During university days, Bai Tang brought Cave Milk Wine back to her dormitory where Cao Xue first tasted it. Consequently, all her classmates who tried Cave Milk Wine fell in love with its flavor and often asked her to bring them some back—naturally opting for reasonably priced Silver Dan since Lao Jun Jiu was unavailable for purchase.
The bottle served by the waiter is Zhen Dan, with a higher alcohol content, but its flavor is not inferior to other varieties.
"Try it, Dongru wine is really delicious!" Cao Xue poured a glass for Sheng Qingxi. "Thanks to Bai Tang, this local tycoon, we can enjoy such authentic milk wine!"
Sheng Qingxi had never tasted Dongru wine before. Following his girlfriend's suggestion, he immediately raised the glass and took a sip. He found it fresh and smooth, with a refreshing taste, soft and rich aroma, and an endless aftertaste.
"Delicious!" Sheng Qingxi gave a thumbs up!
Karen Adrian also drank it with bright eyes, filling his own glass, which piqued the curiosity of Cao Xue and Sheng Qingxi.
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