Dawn light filters over the survivor camp. The food truck sits at the perimeter, steam rising from its vents. Lin Shu walks toward the truck carrying a chipped tin cup.

Lin Shu approaches the truck window. Mo Yan is visible inside, preparing ingredients. She holds out the flowers.

Mo Yan takes the flowers. He examines them closely, turning the cup in his hands. His expression shifts — something unreadable.

Lin Shu reaches for Mo Yan's hand. He flinches and pulls back sharply. The moment freezes.

Lin Shu studies Mo Yan's face. She asks directly about his hands. Mo Yan's expression is guarded.

Mo Yan deflects with a shrug and a dismissive answer. Lin Shu watches him, not believing.

Lin Shu departs, glancing back. Mo Yan watches her go, then looks at the flowers.

Time transition to evening. The survivor camp gathers for the meal. The commander stands at the front of the line.

Mo Yan cooks for the survivors. His movements are precise and practiced. Steam rises from his pots.

Survivors receive their food and leave five-star ratings. The System HUD shows the accumulation.

Mo Yan watches the survivors eat and smile. His internal thought about what they don't know.

Night falls. Mo Yan drives the truck away from the camp toward the opera house. The road is dark.

The truck arrives at the ruined opera house. Candlelight glows from within. Mo Yan prepares to enter.

Inside the opera house. The zombie court is seated at a long table. Madame Qing at the head. The child zombie sits nearest the door.

Mo Yan serves the court. The child zombie watches him from her seat near the door. She's young, perhaps eight.

The child zombie approaches Mo Yan. She looks up at him with those ancient-young eyes and asks her question.

Mo Yan answers. His expression is controlled. The child sees through him.

The child responds. She sees through his lie but acknowledges his food is true.

The meal continues. Five-star ratings float up from the zombie court. The System HUD shows the accumulation.

Mo Yan examines the new tool. The bone saw is clinical, precise, unsettling in its purpose.

Mo Yan drives back to the camp. Dawn is breaking. The wildflowers sit in their tin cup on the truck counter.

The camp comes into view. Survivors are already stirring. Mo Yan's hands rest on the wheel.

Lin Shu spots the truck returning. She's already walking toward it with her bowl. She notices something different.

Final beat. Mo Yan looks at Lin Shu, then at the flowers, then at his hands. The System HUD glows faintly.