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“Of course, they’re real. Why would you think they’re fake? Didn’t you personally check when I was injured?” Lin Feng, accustomed to being inspected countless times, was doubtful that the reporter woman hadn’t examined him while he was unconscious. As he contemplated this, he shook his tail slightly.

“We have basic decency, you know. And who knew if touching your ears and tail could be contagious? They do look nice, but for safety, I wouldn’t randomly touch things in a place full of zombies,” the reporter woman replied.

“Hey!” Lin Feng exclaimed, somewhat speechless as he watched her begin to touch them anyway.

“Journalists seek the truth. I can’t believe your tail actually moves; I thought it might be some weird toy,” she said in surprise.

“Could you please clean your hands first before pursuing the truth?” Lin Feng suggested, feeling resigned to being examined frequently. Enjoyment was essential, but cleanliness was a priority.

“Oh,” Li Ying said, quickly wiping her hands before reaching for Lin Feng’s evasive ears.

“How did you rescue me? I don’t see any weapons on you,” Lin Feng asked, noting that the pile of weapons by the fire were all his, and the reporter seemed unarmed.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m quick on my feet, plus I made this. I call it the ‘Little Black Box,'” Li Ying explained, pulling out a small device from her pocket and placing it in Lin Feng’s paws.

“I’m telling you, this thing is my…”

Hmm? What’s this, a button? Let’s press it.

“Hey, you—”

Buzz buzz buzz, it’s New Year in January, big…

“Damn!” Lin Feng exclaimed, hastily throwing the noisy little box to the ground and stomping on it. The box whimpered and then fell silent.

“Um… that was quite a quick reaction,” Li Ying remarked, momentarily stunned, staring at the crushed box on the ground.

“Nonsense, or else I wouldn’t survive as a mutant,” Lin Feng said, relieved, patting his fur and ensuring the device was silent before tossing it aside.

“Mutant, is that how you refer to yourself? Are there many others like you?” Li Ying asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Not many. Maybe one in tens of thousands. We see more here because of the dense population,” Lin Feng replied, stealthily grabbing what appeared to be spare food – a live fish from the box.

“Eat if you want. There’s plenty more by the river. If it’s not enough, I can catch some more for you,” Li Ying offered with a smile, skillfully cleaning the fish Lin Feng had grabbed, skewering it, and placing it over the fire.

“Can I interview you? A formal one,” the reporter asked after petting the cat, glancing at the time.

“An interview? I don’t have much to be interviewed about, so I refuse.”

“Don’t say that. I want to record the real situation in E City. Even if the authorities blow up this place, as long as I can get the information out and make it public, the world will know the truth. Then our deaths won’t be in vain!”

Li Ying’s hands gripped Lin Feng’s shoulders, her eyes shining with a firm resolve and respect for her profession.

Lin Feng straightened up, respecting her dedication.

“Fine, it’s just an interview. I’ll do it,” he said, patting his chest.