Chapter 9: The Origin of Pao Pei (2)
A Level One Guardian didn't possess much power. It couldn't yet communicate or trade with other Guardians, and its transformation was far from complete. Still, it had enough strength to protect its master—for now.
Xiao Mei noticed Pao Pei falling silent. The little creature seemed to be deep in thought—an odd contrast to its round, fluffy appearance.
"Pao Pei... before I passed out, I remember people acting strange that day. They attacked each other, didn't they?" She recalled that fateful day when two asteroids collided and caused a meteor shower. Some people had become dazed, others aggressive. Xiao Mei hadn't had time to make sense of it before losing consciousness.
"Those were zombies," Pao Pei finally emerged from his thoughts and answered her question.
"You keep mentioning zombies and crystals—why are they so important?" Xiao Mei had always wondered how an asteroid impact could possibly bring about the apocalypse. If it were just a disaster that killed many or destroyed buildings, those things could eventually be rebuilt.
"One of the two asteroids had a ring around it—made up of rocks and ice. A virus was frozen in that ring. When the debris fell to Earth, it dispersed. It's a virus never before seen here—no one has immunity. People got infected. You saw what they turned into." Pao Pei gave a brief explanation.
"If it's just a virus, scientists will eventually find a cure. There's got to be a vaccine one day," Xiao Mei reasoned. She believed the government would figure it out. China was never short of smart people. If she could protect herself and wait it out, things would return to normal.
Pao Pei looked at his master with worry. She had yet to see how terrifying zombies really were. He knew exactly how dangerous the virus was—especially one from space. If it could survive in a vacuum, creating a cure or a vaccine wouldn't be easy at all.
"These viruses form radioactive elements in the brain that crystallize. Those crystals are a powerful energy source—they can enhance abilities. Master... we need to gather as many as we can." Pao Pei wanted his master to grow stronger as quickly as possible, and energy crystals were the only way.
"Alright, alright, I trust you. As soon as we see zombies, we'll go hunting," Xiao Mei said with determination. Crystals were valuable, and she needed to collect as many as she could.
She pulled Pao Pei into a hug and stroked his soft fur.
"Let's sleep. There's work to do tomorrow."
They both slept soundly until gentle sunlight streamed in through the window. Xiao Mei turned to avoid the light, and her movement caused Pao Pei to stir.
The little Guardian climbed up to the windowsill, peering out at a large pickup truck pulling up to chat with Grandma in front of the house. When he saw who it was, he hurried to wake his master.
"Master! Master! That big uncle is here!!" Pao Pei climbed onto the pillow, calling out, but his master didn't move an inch.
He called again, twice more, but still no response. So he began jumping across her head.
"Wake up! Wake up or I'll pee on you!" She was awake, but her eyes remained shut. This woman was ridiculously lazy. In the dramas Grandma watched, people splashed water on each other to wake up. He didn't have water... so saliva would have to do!
Pao Pei stopped jumping and began licking Xiao Mei's face with serious intent, planting his front paws on her head and licking like a cat grooming its fur.
"Enough! Enough! My face is covered in your slobber!" Xiao Mei groaned and finally got up, pushing him aside as she stood next to the bed.
"Master, let's go! That uncle's here to build the wall!" Pao Pei urged her eagerly.
"Give me five minutes for a shower! I can't go down like this—it's impolite!" Xiao Mei rushed off to freshen up and change. But Pao Pei didn't feel like waiting. He transformed into a giant bee and buzzed off to spy on them.
Uncle Ma followed Grandma Li Zhu to the pavilion in front of the farm. He pulled out an employment contract and handed it to her.
"The girl Xiao Mei said she wants a wall built around the farm. Take a look and see if the price seems fair."
Grandma Li Zhu skimmed the document, then looked up to see Xiao Mei approaching from the house.
"Whatever's fine with me—let Xiao Mei decide."
Xiao Mei greeted Uncle Ma warmly and smiled as she jumped straight to business.
"Uncle Ma, are you starting work today?"
"I can start right away, but check the contract first—make sure you're okay with it," he said with a friendly grin.
Xiao Mei read over the contract Grandma Li Zhu handed her. She asked a few questions about the building materials, then added a request—she wanted security cameras installed on all four sides of the wall.
"I'm thinking of switching to solar power, but I haven't decided yet. Do you know any technicians?" she asked, hoping Uncle Ma could refer her to someone reliable.
"Ma Hui Construction does solar too. Want us to take care of it? We've got installers, well drillers, builders—you name it, we've got it." Uncle Ma puffed out his chest proudly.
That was a huge relief. Xiao Mei beamed.
"Perfect! I want to switch the whole farm to solar. Can you have someone come talk to me?"
"I'll call them over today. Better to settle everything in one go." True to his reputation, Uncle Ma worked fast. He phoned a technician to meet with Xiao Mei that day, then discussed the wall in more detail.
Xiao Mei also asked Uncle Ma to inspect the farm's water system and see what needed repair. After chatting for a while, they each went off to tend their own tasks.
Pao Pei, now back in his chubby white tiger cub form, was walking beside Grandma Li Zhu in the cornfield.
"Grandma... Pao Pei and Master bought a bunch of trees. Where should we plant them?" he asked sweetly, plopping down at her feet.
Grandma Li Zhu picked him up. "I saw those trees. You bought so many—do you even have space to plant them all? Don't tell me you're going to ask me for money to buy more land!"
She pretended to scold him with a stern tone.
"No need to buy land. Pretty soon, everything will be unclaimed. Then we'll just take it!" Pao Pei declared boldly, not realizing she was joking.
Grandma Li Zhu chuckled at his confidence and affectionately tousled his fur before heading back to the house.
Xiao Mei, now with a satchel slung over her shoulder, was ready to head out. She bumped into Grandma and Pao Pei on the way, scooped him up and stuffed him into her bag, kissed Grandma on the cheek, and said:
"I'm heading out. I already spoke to Uncle Ma—his team will start work today. Besides the wall, they're also installing solar panels and fixing the water system. See you!"
With that, she drove off with Pao Pei riding shotgun, gnawing on a big Asian pear from her bag.
"Uncle Ma gave me this card. He said this shop will have everything I need." Xiao Mei handed the business card to Pao Pei. She had asked Uncle Ma about buying a gun for self-defense, and he'd recommended someone he trusted.
"It's good Master's getting weapons. We'll need them early on."
Xiao Mei headed back into town and found the gun shop Uncle Ma had told her about. The owner, a petite woman around Uncle Ma's age, greeted her.
"Take a look and pick what you like. Everything we've got is in the display case," she said, gesturing to a three-tiered glass case lined with a dozen pistols.
Xiao Mei handed her the card and dropped Uncle Ma's name—just as he'd instructed.
"He said this place would have everything I need."
The shopkeeper flipped the card over, glanced at it, and handed it back.
"What's your connection to that big oaf? Why'd he give you this?"
"I'm Uncle Ma's niece," Xiao Mei smiled her friendliest smile. Uncle Ma had told her to say she was family...