The Mad Scientist’s Domesticated Little Zombie 5

Chapter 5: How Can Someone Be More Cold-Blooded Than a Zombie?…

After the great Zombie Emperor made his announcement, he prepared to strike first and lunged straight for the bed.

But in the next second, the human grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back.

Strangely, though, the human didn’t immediately say no. He just stared at him with a furrowed brow, looking very conflicted and hesitant to speak.

“What’s wrong?”

Lin Ling tilted his head up to meet the other’s gaze.

This was the first time he had stood so calmly and closely beside this human. Only now did he realize the man was a whole head taller than him.

…Am I really malnourished?

The great Zombie Emperor couldn’t help but start to reconsider.

“No getting on the bed without bathing.”

Finally, the human made his decision. His mysophobia won out, and he dragged the little zombie to the bathroom door.

Lin Ling looked at the shower, drew out a long “Ohhh,” and understood.

This was another key point he had seen in the pet-rearing guide. A new cat shouldn’t be bathed on its first day home, or it might have a stress reaction.

“I’m not a cat. I can totally take a shower.”

The little zombie grumbled. He peeked into the shower room and, noticing there was only one set of toiletries, looked back at the human behind him.

“Hmph, I knew it!”

This is just an excuse. The human doesn’t want his only bed to be taken over.

However, before he could say this out loud, there was a knock on the front door, and a small robot delivered a complete set of supplies.

“Knew what?”

Shi Changyuan handed Lin Ling a set of perfectly sized pajamas.

“N-Nothing. I’m very clean too.” The little zombie felt a rare sense of embarrassment. He took the pajamas and scurried into the bathroom.

The sound of running water soon filled the shower room.

Seeing that the stray little zombie was quite adept at using human plumbing and electricity, Shi Changyuan was about to return to his study to work when he noticed that the water heater wasn’t running at all.

He frowned and knocked on the bathroom door.

“Come out.”

“Now what?”

The little zombie, wrapped in a towel with a head full of unrinsed foam, opened the bathroom door a crack. He squinted one eye, as if soap had gotten into it.

“You’re using cold water.”

Shi Changyuan glanced at him for only a second before looking away and pointing it out.

“I always use cold water for my showers.”

And here I thought it was something important.

The little zombie thought nothing of it, slammed the door shut with a “bang,” and went back to rinsing the foam out of his hair.

“Even though the water and power are out in the ruined city, we have a well and a small lake in our backyard, you know.”

Amidst the sound of running water, the little zombie’s voice came through the glass door, sounding distant and slightly distorted.

“I’m the cleanest zombie for miles around.”

Hearing Lin Ling’s explanation, Shi Changyuan’s frown only deepened.

It was already autumn. Although it wasn’t cold yet, all ordinary humans had already requested hot water service.

“Turn on the hot water valve.”

Shi Changyuan knocked on the glass door again, giving direct instructions. “Find the red valve, push it up to the first setting, then turn the cold water valve to the fourth setting.”

After rinsing the foam from his hair, the little zombie could finally open his eyes properly. He looked around the bathroom and turned the valves as Shi Changyuan had instructed.

Instantly, a stream of warm water cascaded over Lin Ling’s body. It was a very comfortable temperature.

For a human, this water temperature wouldn’t be considered warm, but for a zombie, whose body temperature was naturally lower than a human’s, it was perfect—as comfortable as a human soaking in a hot bath.

The little zombie had never been washed with such perfectly tempered water before. He happily squinted his eyes and couldn’t resist showering for a few extra minutes.

When he came out with dripping hair and opened the door, he was startled to find Shi Changyuan still standing guard outside.

“The water temperature could be adjusted before the apocalypse. Why didn’t you adjust it?” Shi Changyuan spoke first.

He stood at the door for so long just to ask this?

Lin Ling didn’t quite get it. He dried his hair with a towel, shaking his head as he explained, “It’s too much trouble. I could never get it right, and it would waste a lot of time and water.”

Ever since the little zombie discovered the difference in body temperature between himself and humans, he had rarely had skin contact with them.

Compared to spending time adjusting the water temperature before every shower and then secretly changing it back, the little zombie found it much more convenient to just use cold water.

Besides, little zombies don’t catch colds, hehe.

Lin Ling thought he was very clever. He had been hiding in the human world for so many years without ever being found out!

Looking at the zombie who was still grinning foolishly, Shi Changyuan fell silent. He took out a hairdryer, handed it over, and then returned to his study.

Sensing the human’s serious expression, the little zombie sat in the living room, drying his hair while secretly peeking into the study.

He hadn’t used a hairdryer in a long time; he usually just let his hair air-dry. He was about to stop after just a few moments, but as soon as the sound of the hairdryer stopped, the human’s gaze shot over.

“Keep drying.”

Shi Changyuan’s voice, grim but exceptionally clear, came from the study. “If you don’t want me to do it myself.”

The little zombie shook his head frantically and quickly turned the hairdryer back on.

Since the apocalypse, Lin Ling had to learn to cut his own hair, but a few snips had left it a complete mess.

The great Zombie Emperor, concerned with his status and image, had worn a hat for several months, even in the deserted city ruins.

Now, it seemed his hair had grown long again.

Lin Ling measured it with his hand and found a small string to try and tie it up. But while the string was easy to find, a hand to tie his hair was not.

After debating whether to tie the knot first or tie his hair before knotting it, Lin Ling tried several times. Either a few strands were left out, or it came undone as soon as he tied it.

“I’m getting angry!!”

The great Zombie Emperor’s patience finally ran out. Just as he was about to rip the string in two, he heard a soft chuckle from behind him, and the string was taken from his hand.

As his hair was being handled, the little zombie felt uncomfortable and tried to pull away, but a hand held him firmly in place.

“Don’t move.”

The little zombie took a deep breath, silently repeating to himself, I have to get along with him. I have to pretend to be his best friend. I have to gain his trust, before he managed to calm himself.

It’s just tying my hair, just tying my hair.

Don’t be nervous.

But when fingertips threaded through his hair, feeling the human’s body heat, the little zombie couldn’t help but tense up warily.

The warmth was fleeting, however, followed only by a slight rustling at the ends of his hair. When the movement stopped completely, the little zombie finally relaxed.

“So good, Lingling.”

Shi Changyuan seemed to let out a soft sigh, then gave the little zombie a gentle push on the back. “Go to sleep.”

Lin Ling successfully occupied the human’s only bed without being rejected. Everything went smoothly, yet he felt that something was a little strange, though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

He lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

It was quiet, and the bed was soft, just like sleeping at home, but it was also completely different.

Especially the sliver of light seeping from under the door, which made him acutely aware.

Over there, was the human world.

**

The next morning, the little zombie was woken up by a fragrant aroma.

The familiar peppery scent of meat, mixed with the sweet freshness of blood and flesh. The little zombie pushed open the bedroom door and saw a large steak on the dining table.

The little zombie’s eyes lit up, and he sat down without any ceremony.

He had to admit, delicious seasonings and a medium-rare steak were humanity’s greatest inventions! And the human had prepared a hot meal for him first thing in the morning and had really let him have the only bed. The great Zombie Emperor felt that his decision to get along with the human was absolutely correct.

Lin Ling’s plan was proceeding smoothly. He smiled, his eyes curving happily, and his gaze swept over to a tray next to the dining table, where a set of clean, folded clothes lay.

“What’s this good stuff?”

The little zombie cheerfully picked up the clothes and shook them out. When they unfolded, he saw it was a lab coat!

In addition, he also shook out a work ID. It had his photo, his name, and his job title was clearly stated as Shi Someone’s personal assistant.

As if afraid Lin Ling wouldn’t understand, Shi Changyuan had even left a note listing the little zombie’s food expenses for the month, the personal supplies he had been given, and the compensation for the damaged lab.

At the bottom, it was noted that an assistant’s salary would just happen to cover all of the above.

Lin Ling: …

The little zombie looked at the steak in front of him, then at the lab coat and work ID in his hands, and it was as if he was looking at a massive scheme of exploitation.

This—

Nobody told him that being a human’s pet wasn’t just about acting cute and charming; he had to earn his own keep too!

Look at this! Are these the words of a human?

How can someone be more cold-blooded than a zombie?!

***

Author’s Note:

Here! [Bunny ears] Don’t worry, the great Zombie Emperor won’t let himself be taken advantage of. [Laughing hard]