4: Chapter 4 An Awkward Physiological Crisis

Train No. 9527 restarted, gliding smoothly like a steel python across the desolate wasteland tracks.

Outside the carriage windows, the dark red sunset struggled on the horizon, stretching the shadows of withered trees into long, distorted shapes, like countless ghost hands reaching out from hell.

But inside the carriage, it was a different scene.

The air was filled with a maddeningly delicious aroma—the scent of luncheon meat mixed with grease. Although it was cold, to those who had been hungry all day, it was more tempting than a three-star Michelin truffle.

"Gurgle..."

The sound of swallowing saliva rose and fell, like some kind of symphony.

Sitting in the front row of the carriage was the "Exploration Team" that had just experienced life and death.

Zhao Xiaotang sat cross-legged on the floor, completely unconcerned with her image. She held the half-eaten can in her hand, using her finger to scrape the remaining grease from the walls of the can and sucking it into her mouth, still wanting more.

Her wheat-colored face was stained with a few drops of dried black blood—zombie blood. But in the eyes of the surrounding girls, this was not disgusting; on the contrary, it looked like a dazzling medal.

Su Qingqian was much more elegant. She sat by the window, sipping water in small mouthfuls, her gaze drifting absent-mindedly outside.

The blood-stained iron axe rested by her side, exuding a chilling aura that warned others to keep their distance.

In the back half of the carriage, the thirty or so girls who hadn't gotten off the train were huddled together, looking ahead with longing eyes.

Although they were clean, wearing expensive designer clothes, and even their makeup was still delicate, the haggardness brought by hunger and fear made them look like porcelain dolls that had lost their souls.

This contrast was cruel and stark.

"Class Monitor... um, could you share a little food with us?"

A girl who was usually delicate and pampered in class finally couldn't hold back, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzzing, "I'm so hungry, my stomach hurts..."

Lin Xiao was sitting on a chair by the door of the driver's cab, holding a clean white cloth and meticulously wiping the revolver.

Hearing the voice, he didn't even lift his head, just said indifferently, "Hungry? It's right to be hungry."

He blew the dust off the gun barrel, lifted his eyelids, and swept a cold gaze across everyone: "Back at the mine, I gave you a chance. You chose to stay on the train and starve 'safely'. Since you chose comfort, you must bear the price of comfort."

"But... but we are girls..." another girl retorted with a crying tone, "Shouldn't you boys protect the girls? And there were so many zombies in that mine..."

"Bang!"

Lin Xiao slammed the revolver onto the table.

The girl shuddered in fear and immediately shut her mouth.

"Put away that princess complex you had back at school."

Lin Xiao stood up, his tall figure casting an intensely oppressive shadow in the sunset. "This is the apocalypse. On this train, there are only two types of people: those with value, and the dead. Want food? Sure. Next time we stop, pick up a weapon and come down with me to kill zombies. Or..."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Zhao Xiaotang for a moment, "Or like her, demonstrate your value."

By now, Zhao Xiaotang was well-fed and had recovered quite a bit of strength. Hearing Lin Xiao call her out, she immediately straightened her back; her full chest muscles had a strong visual impact even through her sports tank top.

She walked over to Lin Xiao and, acting somewhat coquettishly, extended her wrist: "Class Monitor~ I used too much force hitting zombies with the chair leg earlier, and I think I sprained my wrist. It hurts so much, could you take a look for me~"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, a wicked smile curled the corners of Lin Xiao's mouth, and he grabbed Zhao Xiaotang's hand without any hesitation.

Although that hand had some thin calluses from years of working out, the skin was still smooth and elastic.

Lin Xiao's thumb gently pressed and kneaded the joint of her wrist, his fingertips grazing the sensitive area of her palm, as if by accident.

"This muscle is a bit stiff; lactic acid has built up."

Lin Xiao spouted nonsense with a straight face, "Come to the driver's cab tonight, and I'll give you a deep massage. I have professional techniques."

Zhao Xiaotang was bold herself. Being squeezed like that by Lin Xiao, she felt a current run up her arm and down her spine, and half her body went limp.

Not only did she not pull her hand back, but she leaned even closer to Lin Xiao, her eyes misty with seduction: "Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Class Monitor~"

This scene left the girls in the back stunned, both embarrassed and annoyed.

They were embarrassed because the two were flirting in public, and annoyed because... they wanted their hands squeezed too! Getting a massage meant having meat to eat; that was a great deal!

Just as the atmosphere was ambiguous and awkward, a commotion suddenly broke out in the crowd.

A girl wearing a floral dress, with a sweet and pure appearance, walked out, clutching her stomach, her face pale.

She was the class art committee member, Chen Yuanyuan. She usually spoke softly and was a typical gentle girl.

At this moment, Chen Yuanyuan's expression was even more terrified than when she encountered zombies. She shuffled over to Lin Xiao, clutching the back of her skirt tightly with both hands, her eyes red, and her lips trembling.

"What? Were you bitten by a zombie?" Lin Xiao frowned, immediately alert as he placed his hand on the gun handle.

The first rule of the apocalypse: the infected must be dealt with immediately.

"No... it's not..." Chen Yuanyuan was so anxious she was about to cry. She glanced around, then looked at Lin Xiao, her face flushing as if it were dripping blood, "Class Monitor, I... I... I'm bleeding..."

"Bleeding? Where are you hurt?" Lin Xiao looked her up and down, but didn't see any wounds.

Chen Yuanyuan was so anxious she stomped her feet. Finally, with no other choice, she leaned into Lin Xiao's ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, with a crying tone: "It's... it's Aunt Flo... my period is here! Wuwuwu..."

Lin Xiao was stunned.

Aunt Flo?

Chen Yuanyuan's crying was like knocking over a domino.

Several other girls in the crowd raised their hands, blushing.

"Class Monitor... I also feel uncomfortable in my stomach, I think I also..."

"Me too... the date hadn't arrived yet, maybe it was because I got scared earlier..."

Lin Xiao felt his scalp tingle.

If it were a zombie siege, he could just grab his gun and fight. If it were a shortage of supplies, he could stop the train and loot.

But this... thirty-eight girls, all having their periods simultaneously in this enclosed carriage?

This picture was too beautiful; he didn't dare to imagine it.

In this wasteland world without running water, supermarkets, or toilet paper, this was simply a nuclear-level disaster!

Not to mention the hygiene issues, that strong smell of blood was, to the sensitive noses of mutant beasts and zombies, practically a billboard saying "There is a buffet here!"

"Does anyone have any... sanitary pads?" Chen Yuanyuan looked at her sisters with her last shred of hope.

Dead silence.

Everyone was in class when they transmigrated; who would carry that kind of thing around? Even if they had one or two spare pads in their bags, who would be willing to take them out?

In this world, the value of a single sanitary pad absolutely exceeded that of a gold brick.

Looking at Chen Yuanyuan's desperate eyes, and the way the girls in the back were awkwardly squeezing their legs together, Lin Xiao took a deep breath.

As the only man, and also the Conductor, although this matter was awkward, he had to handle it.

Otherwise, this carriage would soon become a petri dish for bacteria.

"Don't panic."

Lin Xiao said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a reassuring calmness, "I will handle this matter."

"You?" Zhao Ji snorted coldly from the corner. "Great Class Monitor Lin, you're a man. Don't tell me you can conjure up sanitary pads? Don't be ridiculous."

Lin Xiao didn't even glance at her and turned to walk toward the driver's cab.

"Shen Man, maintain order. No one is allowed near the driver's cab."

"Yes!" Shen Man quickly replied. She actually also felt a dull pain in her lower abdomen and was panicking inside; at this moment, she could only pin her hopes on this magical man, Lin Xiao.

Returning to the driver's cab, he locked the door.

Lin Xiao sat down on the leather seat and opened the system panel.

Although he had [Daily God-Level Check-in], today's check-in quota had already been used up, and he had obtained an S-rank core and a strengthening potion.

Such daily necessities could only be obtained through another channel—trading.

He clicked on an icon that had been unlocked not long ago: **[Regional Trading Channel]**.

This was a platform where all Conductors in the same region (within a 1000 km radius) could communicate and trade.

At this moment, the channel was already exploding, with messages scrolling by at an extremely fast speed.

**[Conductor - Wang Dachui: Help! My train is stuck on the tracks! Does anyone have a shovel? I'm willing to trade my wife's photos for it! Private message me!]**

**[Conductor - Zhang San: Does anyone have food? I'm starving to death! I have a box of gold bars here, I'll trade them for one bun!]**

**[Conductor - Li Si: Is the guy above an idiot? Gold bars are useless! I just looted a small supermarket, and it was all moldy flour, bad luck!]**

**[Conductor - Zhao Ritian: Haha, I awakened a D-rank strength talent! I just tore a zombie apart with my bare hands and it dropped a bottle of cola, awesome!]**

Lin Xiao looked at these messages, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Most people were still struggling for a bite to eat, while he was already starting to consider how to solve the physiological hygiene problems of his harem group.

He entered the keyword in the search bar: **[Sanitary Pads]**.

Instantly, a dozen sales messages popped up.

**[Seller: Sneaky Development]**

**[Item: Sofy Extra Long Night Use x10 packs, Whisper x5 packs, Space 7 x8 packs...]**

**[Description: Damn it, I'm a grown man, I fought like hell to break into a convenience store, and all I found was this stuff! Even a pack of cigarettes would have been better! Can this thing be eaten? Or maybe used as shoe insoles?]**

**[Demand: Water! Only water! Or food!]**

There were a few other similar sellers, mostly male Conductors who had grabbed them while scavenging supplies or just had bad luck and only found these. In their eyes, besides taking up space, this stuff was worthless.

Lin Xiao immediately clicked on the avatar of the seller named "Sneaky Development" and initiated a private chat.

**[Lin Xiao (9527): Brother, I want all of your sanitary pads.]**

**[Sneaky Development: Holy crap! Boss! You want them all? Do you have that much water? I have several big boxes!]**

**[Lin Xiao: 10 bottles of mineral water. Do we have a deal?]**

The other side was silent for three seconds.

**[Sneaky Development: 10 bottles?! Deal, deal, deal! Dad! You are my real dad! I'm putting it up for trade right now!]**

For that seller who was dying of thirst, 10 bottles of water were life-saving nectar. But for Lin Xiao, who possessed the [Infinite Water Bottle] gifted by the S-rank check-in (although limited to 100 liters per day, it was enough to drink), this was just a drop in the bucket.

**[Ding! Transaction successful!]**

**[Lost: Mineral Water (500ml) x10]**

**[Gained: Assorted Brand Sanitary Pad Mixed Gift Pack x50 packs (approx. 500 pads), Period Panties x20.]**

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the pink packaging filling up his backpack.

But this wasn't enough.

He browsed the trading area again and found people selling down jackets and thermal underwear.

In this heater-less wasteland night, hypothermia was a major killer—especially for girls on their periods, who were even more sensitive to the cold.

So, he spent another 5 bottles of water to trade for seven or eight thick down jackets and a pile of heat pads.

"That should do it."

Looking at his bountiful loot, Lin Xiao marveled inwardly: in this market of information asymmetry, this was a total dimensionality reduction strike.

Water was the hard currency. And he was the money printer.

...

Ten minutes later.

The door to the Conductor's cab opened once more.

All eyes snapped toward him. Chen Yuanyuan clutched her stomach, looking at Lin Xiao pleadingly, her gaze a mix of hope and fear.

Lin Xiao walked out expressionless, carrying two large black plastic bags (system-provided packaging).

He walked to the iron table in the middle of the carriage and dumped the bags out.

"Clatter—"

A small mountain of colorful packaging instantly piled up.

"Ah! It's Sophie!"

"Oh my god! There are liquid pads too! Those are my favorite!"

"Those are period pants! No need to worry about side leaks tonight!"

"My god, am I seeing things? So many?"

The carriage erupted in screams even higher in decibels than when they had seen the canned meat.

For these girls, such a lifeline at a critical moment was more precious than anything. The fear of impending embarrassment and social death vanished instantly.

Chen Yuanyuan was so moved that tears burst from her eyes. She wanted to rush forward and grab a pack regardless of everything.

"Thank you, Class Monitor! You're the best!"

"Hold on."

Lin Xiao reached out a hand, stopping everyone.

His deep eyes scanned the room, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"When did I ever say these were being given out for free?"

Total silence.

Chen Yuanyuan's hand froze in mid-air, looking lost. "Class... Class Monitor? But..."

Lin Xiao picked up a pack of night-use pads and tossed it in his hand. "To get these things, I consumed extremely precious strategic resources—water. You should know that outside, a bottle of water can buy a life right now."

"So, if you want these, you have to follow the rules."

He held up three fingers.

"First, sanitary pads and hot water are classified as 'strategic materials.' To get them, you must exchange labor points or combat points."

"Second, combat personnel—those who just got off the train with me to kill zombies: Su Qingqian, Zhao Xiaotang, and you three—each get two packs of pads for free, plus a down jacket."

With a wave of Lin Xiao's hand, several brand-new down jackets appeared on the table.

"Third, everyone else. Want them? Fine. The carriage is very dirty and needs cleaning; everyone's clothes are torn and need mending; we need people to take turns on night watch. For every task completed, you earn 1 point. A pack of day-use pads is 2 points. A pack of night-use is 3 points. A cup of brown sugar ginger tea (hot water + ginger powder) is 5 points."

"Now, those who want to work, go register with Shen Man. Those who don't, use your own clothes or scraps of cloth to figure it out."

As soon as Lin Xiao finished speaking, the carriage broke into an uproar.

Although some felt it was harsh, more people saw hope in their eyes.

Compared to the despair from before, being able to trade labor for such 'luxuries' was an absolute steal!

"I'll sign up! I can mop the floor! I used to mop all the floors at home!"

"I can sew! I'm a fashion design major!"

"I'll sign up too! I can do the night watch, just give me a cup of ginger tea!"

The girls scrambled to surround Shen Man. The previously lifeless carriage was instantly filled with vitality.

Just then, a hand suddenly reached for the pads on the table.

It was Zhao Ji.

She tried to sneak a pack of period pants while everyone was crowded around Shen Man. She was also a pampered young lady who couldn't stand the unhygienic feeling, but she couldn't bring herself to do menial labor.

*Slap!*

A powerful hand slammed down, knocking her hand away.

Zhao Ji screamed in pain, clutching the back of her hand as she glared at the other person. "Zhao Xiaotang! What are you doing?! You already have two packs, what's wrong with me taking one? We're all classmates, why are you so selfish!"

Zhao Xiaotang was currently wearing the black down jacket Lin Xiao had just issued, holding a pack of 'loot' in her hand. The warmth gave her plenty of confidence.

She looked at Zhao Ji like she was an idiot. "Classmates? Zhao Ji, has your brain not woken up yet? The Class Monitor risked his life for these. You didn't kill zombies, and you haven't done any work. What right do you have to take them? Do you want to be a thief?"

"You!"

Zhao Ji trembled with rage, turning to Lin Xiao, attempting to use her old moral kidnapping tactics.

"Lin Xiao, are you just going to watch her bully me? My family might not be able to transfer money to you right now, but once we return to civilized society, I can give you a million! No, ten million! Is that not enough to buy one pack of pads?"

Lin Xiao was sitting in a chair, holding a cup of steaming water (just boiled), slowly blowing on the steam.

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, he chuckled softly, his eyes full of mockery.

"Ten million? What a grand gesture."

He took a sip of hot water and then said slowly, "Unfortunately, here, your ten million is too stiff even to wipe your ass with. Zhao Xiaotang did the right thing. For those who dare steal supplies: first time is a warning; second time, you're thrown off the train."

After speaking, he looked at Zhao Xiaotang with appreciation in his eyes. "Well done. I'll credit you for this. These period pants are your reward."

With that, he tossed the pack Zhao Ji had tried to steal directly to Zhao Xiaotang.

Zhao Xiaotang caught it, her face breaking into a wide grin. "Thanks, Class Monitor! You're the man!"

She gave Zhao Ji a provocative look and intentionally rubbed the pack of period pants against her cheek. "Oh, so soft, so comfortable. Unlike some people who just have to suffer with their legs squeezed together."

"Aaaaah! Lin Xiao! Zhao Xiaotang! Just you wait!"

Zhao Ji screamed in a breakdown and ran back to the corner crying. But this time, not a single person went to comfort her.

Even the girls who used to hang out with her were now busy finding Shen Man to sign up for mopping.

At this moment, the rules were completely established.

Not through violence, but through absolute control over essential supplies.

...

Half an hour later.

The atmosphere in the carriage had become more harmonious than ever before.

Several girls were vigorously scrubbing rust and bloodstains off the walls with rags.

A few dexterous girls had taken down the damaged curtains and were patching up torn clothes.

Shen Man held a small notebook, carefully recording everyone's points.

In a corner of the carriage, Lin Xiao had set up a simple alcohol stove (scavenged), with a stainless steel pot on top, where water was bubbling and boiling.

He had specifically thrown in a few brown sugar ginger cubes he'd exchanged with spare points from the Sign-in Mall.

A sweet and spicy warm fragrance wafted through the air.

"Alright, the first batch of hot water is ready. The five people who worked the hardest just now, come and get yours." Lin Xiao tapped the side of the pot with a spoon.

Chen Yuanyuan was the first to rush over. She had just been responsible for cleaning up three bags of vomit. Although it was disgusting, for this mouthful of hot soup, it was worth it.

She held the stainless steel cup with both hands, looking at the deep red liquid inside as tears uncontrollably welled up again.

"Thank you... thank you, Class Monitor."

She took a cautious sip. The scalding ginger tea slid down her throat into her stomach, its warmth instantly spreading to her limbs. The dull ache in her lower abdomen seemed to ease significantly.

She looked up at Lin Xiao through the swirling steam.

Lin Xiao had taken off his coat and was wearing only a tight black T-shirt while adding water to the pot. His focused profile looked exceptionally resolute and charming in the firelight.

A sense of security she had never felt back at school made Chen Yuanyuan's heart skip a beat.

It was as if in a blizzard, he was the only hearth.

Not just Chen Yuanyuan, but all the girls holding their cups looked at Lin Xiao with different eyes.

He was no longer just 'the only male laborer,' but someone they looked at with dependence, admiration, and even a hint of a certain longing.

"Class Monitor," Su Qingqian walked over.

She had changed into the down jacket Lin Xiao gave her. The white fur trim around the collar added a touch of softness to her cold face. She still held the pencil sharpener blade, remaining vigilant.

"Luo Yao said earlier that there might be a Mist Zone ahead. I'll take the first half of the night watch."

Lin Xiao looked at her, smiled, and handed her an unopened bottle of water from the side. "No need to be so tense. I'll take the first watch; I have night vision. Go rest, that's an order."

Su Qingqian was stunned for a moment. As she took the water, her fingertips accidentally brushed against Lin Xiao's.

The warm contact made her flinch like she'd been shocked, and she immediately lowered her head.

"...Okay. Then be careful."

This cold 'ice mountain' campus belle showed a trace of girlish shyness for the first time in front of Lin Xiao. She turned and walked to a corner, sitting down with her knees hugged to her chest, a faint curve appearing at the corner of her mouth.

Night deepened.

The train continued its journey across the endless wasteland.

In the carriage, most of the girls had fallen asleep, some covered with down jackets, others huddled together for warmth. The faint sound of breathing and occasional sleep-talking gave this steel monster a touch of humanity.

Lin Xiao sat in the driver's seat, watching the surveillance monitors.

Shen Man wasn't asleep. She was draped in a coat, sitting on a small stool next to Lin Xiao, needle and thread in hand, helping him mend the T-shirt that had been torn by a steel pipe during the day.

Under the light, her gentle profile looked exceptionally serene and beautiful.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Lin Xiao asked softly.

Shen Man looked up with a gentle smile, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm not sleepy yet. Besides... you're the Conductor. If even you collapse from exhaustion, our whole carriage of sisters will really be finished. I want to... at least keep you company."

Lin Xiao felt a stir in his heart.

He reached out and gently took Shen Man's hand that was holding the needle and thread.

"Shen Man."

"Yes?"

"In the future, you won't need to mend these clothes. I'll find you better ones."

Shen Man's face flushed, but she didn't pull away. She just nodded gently and said softly, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

In the cold night of the wasteland, ambiguous feelings quietly sprouted within the steel carriage, binding this group of formerly pampered art students firmly to Lin Xiao's war machine.