Coach Wang's expression subtly changed, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Lin Yebai had never seen Coach Wang show such a complex expression.
His eyes reddened, tears glistening in them, his lips trembling slightly, as if he had a lot to say but remained silent in the end.
"Mom?" The little spider's voice was soft and confused.
Why wasn't Mom speaking?
The seven little spiders spoke with slightly different voices, some soft, some crisp. They all spoke in babyish tones, so cute that it made one overlook their furry bodies and the terrifying, colorful markings on them.
Coach Wang took a moment to gather his thoughts, initially planning to scold the little spiders, but in the end, he spoke to them in a tone of reluctant acceptance.
"Don't call me 'Dad,' just call me the big monster."
He sighed deeply, his back slightly bent, as if completely resigned to the situation, making him look much older than before.
Perhaps, this was fate.
The little spiders stared at Coach Wang, expecting him to say more.
"The big monster was killed by your Uncle Lin," Coach Wang said, recalling when he found the traces. By the time he arrived, the giant fish had already died, and Lin Yebai was facing off against Zhang San.
The giant fish was decapitated. From the wound, it seemed it had been killed by Lin Yebai's blade.
Even though Coach Wang knew Lin Yebai was highly skilled, seeing the headless giant koi still left him feeling an indescribable shock.
"The monster was so big... it was like a mountain, with long, sharp teeth... really scary. Is it really dead?"
One of the little spiders tried to mimic the size of the big monster with its eight short legs, but no matter how hard it tried, it was hopeless.
The little spiders looked at Lin Yebai with longing and some fear in their eyes.
"It's dead," Lin Yebai said gently, especially soft when speaking to children.
"Wow! Uncle Lin is amazing!" one of the little spiders immediately raised its front legs.
"Uncle Lin is a big hero!" another little spider mimicked and clumsily began to clap.
"I like Uncle Lin!"
"I like Uncle Lin too~"
The little spiders surrounded Lin Yebai, joyous and excited like it was New Year's, though they kept their distance, not daring to touch him. Their instincts told them that Uncle Lin was very dangerous, like he could eat people at any moment.
"Uncle Lin, how did the big monster die?"
One little spider, who hadn't yet gotten an answer, asked again, almost saying "Dad" before quickly correcting itself under Coach Wang's complicated gaze.
"Electric shock," Lin Yebai explained the monster's death.
For creatures of their kind, not knowing how to read was a huge disadvantage. If the giant fish hadn't encountered the high-voltage electrical station, it would have taken more effort to deal with it.
"Ah?" The little spiders didn't understand.
"You know there are sockets at home, right? Don't stick your little feet in them, because electricity is dangerous," Coach Wang patiently explained.
"But it has magical uses, like when the computer is powered on, you can watch cartoons..."
At the mention of cartoons, the little spiders became excited, crawling all over Coach Wang, even climbing onto his head and stacking themselves into a seven-layer spider tower.
"Mom, I want to watch Peppa Pig!"
"I want to watch Little Lamb."
"Where does Peppa live? I want to play with her..."
"We'll watch it tonight," Coach Wang responded with extraordinary patience and tenderness.
"Uncle Lin, have you watched Peppa Pig?" one of the little spiders asked, a look of admiration in its eyes.
"No."
"Wow~ We can watch it together tonight!"
"Okay."
"Pinkie swear." The little spider reached out a leg.
Lin Yebai extended his pinkie and linked it with the spider's leg.
"Uncle Lin, we want to do a pinkie swear too..." the other six little spiders lined up, waiting their turn.
Coach Wang shot Lin Yebai an apologetic look, worried the little spiders might have bothered him.
"Okay." Lin Yebai agreed, performing the pinkie swear with each one.
He slightly leaned forward, pushing a few strands of hair behind his ear, revealing his delicate brows. His pale fingers brushed against the black spider legs, and despite the eerie crimson beast's gaze flickering outside the car, the scene held a certain gentleness.
[I am a little green dragon]: I also want to pinkie swear with Yebai!
[Crispy Shark]: awsl, what is this divine contrast?
[Strawberry Yakult]: Yebai, do you know what Peppa Pig is?
[Super Rich Orange Seat]: One day, I will find Yebai and take enough of him!
"I also want to do a pinkie swear. Can I..." Zhou Yuan, who was driving, saw this warm scene through the rearview mirror, and his heart filled with longing.
"I'll do the pinkie swear with you." Coach Wang extended his large, calloused hand.
"Not 'Dad'!" Zhou Yuan was startled, quickly looking away and focusing on the road.
Coach Wang almost swore but stopped himself, knowing the kids were present.
The car continued to move into the residential area and stopped downstairs. The entire community was pitch black, not a single light was on.
Zhou Yuan rolled down the window and looked out, confused.
"The power's out?"
"Why does it smell like smoke? And there's firelight?"
"Which house is that? Is there a fire?"
"That's your house." Lin Yebai's gaze fell on the faint firelight on the third floor. He quickly recognized that it was where Zhou Yuan lived.
"Ah?" Zhou Yuan was frozen, letting out a high-pitched scream, "Ah! My wife is gone!"
"Peppa Pig... woo woo..."
"Mom, mom, is Peppa Pig gone?"
The little spiders looked at the direction of the fire, their eyes full of tears.
"Maybe it's still there. I'll go upstairs and see if I can grab the USB drive," Coach Wang said, instructing the little spiders to stay with Lin Yebai while he went to check the fire.
Lin Yebai quickly closed the car window as the fire grew larger, the smoke becoming thick and blurring his vision.
Zhou Yuan followed Coach Wang, but just then, a black, heavy object suddenly fell from the sky. He dodged it just in time, and the object let out a chicken's cluck:
"Cluck-cluck!"
It flailed helplessly in the air, feathers falling.
By the time it hit the ground, Zhou Yuan had grabbed its neck.
The feathers fell away, leaving only a bald chicken, covering its rear, looking dazed, as though it had lost its soul.
"Did you start the fire?" Zhou Yuan tightened his grip on the chicken's neck.
A single egg rolled out of its rear.
"Even if it lays a golden egg, I'll twist your head off."
"Wait, kill it later. First, we need to save the fire. The room has a gas cylinder," Coach Wang urged.
Zhou Yuan casually tossed the chicken into the cargo box and followed Coach Wang upstairs.
Lin Yebai stayed in the car, keeping alert.
The fresh scent of blood from the giant fish attracted the mutant creatures in the neighborhood. The blood's aroma called to them, and though they feared the light, they couldn't resist the temptation.
The blood moon hung in the sky, glowing fiercely.
The mutated plants in the neighborhood stretched out under the moonlight, growing new branches and leaves rapidly, looking completely different from how they appeared during the day.
The shadows of the buildings turned red under the moonlight, casting a blood-like glow. The whole world seemed like a hellish landscape.
With the power cut, the mutants avoided light, but the car's headlights offered no deterrence.
The scent of blood continued to emanate, becoming irresistible to the creatures. As time passed, the bloodlust overpowered their caution.
One by one, the mutant creatures emerged, moving silently, their blood-red eyes reflecting the eerie light of the blood moon.
Lin Yebai immediately sensed the danger and knew they had to move to a lit area soon.
"Mom!"
"Come down quickly!"
"Mom, there are so many monsters watching us!"
"Mom, I'm scared!"
The little spiders huddled together, looking at the fire in the distance, their voices trembling.
Lin Yebai was about to speak when suddenly a loud explosion rang out.
In that instant, the world seemed to shake.
The fire blazed into the sky, the walls collapsed, and the windshield cracked from falling bricks. The little spiders cried out in unison.
At that very moment, the mutant creatures, seeing the chance to strike, no longer hesitated. They surged toward the cargo truck.
At a glance, there were so many of them, some humanoid, some beast-like, their blood-red pupils reflecting the crimson moon. Their forms were grotesquely altered.
Lin Yebai quickly moved to the driver's seat and started remembering the steps for starting the car.
[Uchiha Boob Milk Tea]: First, start the engine, then press the clutch.
[I'm a Little Green Dragon]: Oh my God! There are so many monsters! Crib, hurry up and run!!!
[Sexy Spider Louis]: I hope Old Wang and Little Zhou are okay...
[Super Rich Orange Seat] gives a tip of 10,000 Star Coins.
[Super Rich Orange Seat]: Praying for the kitty! š
Lin Ye Bai was confused about which pedal to press, trying both. With the live stream audience guiding him, the truck slowly started moving, charging forward with incredible force.
"Uncle Lin! Have you ever driven before?"
The little spider was clinging to the others, too scared to even cry.
"No."
"Then what about QQ Speed?"
Another little spider sniffled, eyes full of hope.