In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by mindless zombies, Ling Jiujiu is a unique anomaly: a zombie who retains full human consciousness and intelligence. Having woken up thirty-one days ago with no memory of his past life, he has survived alone in a secluded wooden cabin near a river, avoiding both humans who hunt zombies and the brainless undead who roam the forests. His solitary existence is defined by a desperate need for food and a profound fear of being discovered and killed by humans. One day, while fishing, he pulls a handgun from the water, followed shortly by the unconscious body of Lu Chen, a soldier from a military squad that was wiped out by a zombie horde. Lu Chen has been scratched by a zombie and is in the early stages of infection, facing the grim choice between awakening with supernatural abilities or turning into a mindless monster.
Ling Jiujiu drags Lu Chen to his cabin, initially intending to use him as a source of food or protection, but finds himself unable to harm the unconscious man. When Lu Chen awakens, he immediately recognizes Ling Jiujiu as a zombie but is intrigued by the creature's ability to speak and retain its mind. Instead of killing him, Lu Chen decides to study Ling Jiujiu, binding him and conducting physical examinations to understand the nature of his condition. Despite the initial tension and fear, a fragile dynamic emerges. Lu Chen, who is losing his humanity due to the infection, takes on a protective role, while Ling Jiujiu, terrified of abandonment, tries to prove his worth by performing household chores and fishing.
As Lu Chen's fever intensifies, he falls into a coma for three days. During this time, Ling Jiujiu nurses him back to health, treating his infected wound and feeding him by force. This period of vulnerability deepens their bond, shifting their relationship from captor and subject to reluctant companions. When Lu Chen finally awakens, he has survived the infection and awakened a supernatural ability: Clairvoyance, which allows him to see through objects. He also discovers that he can absorb Crystal Cores found in zombie brains to enhance his powers and create a dimensional storage space.
The pair's secluded life is threatened when two hostile survivors invade the cabin while Lu Chen is away gathering supplies. They capture Ling Jiujiu, recognizing his zombie nature despite his attempts to pass as human. The intruders plan to take him back to their base for research, unaware that Lu Chen is returning. The story sets the stage for a conflict between the growing power of the awakened and the desperate survival efforts of those left behind, as Lu Chen must now protect his new companion while navigating the dangers of a world where humans are often more dangerous than the zombies they hunt.
