Today is the 50th day of isolation.

If nothing unexpected happens, tonight's New Year's Eve should be lively and warm.

All the vegetables in my house are completely gone. Even the scallions my mom planted on the balcony have been plucked bare.

Due to the lack of vegetable intake, I've started to have a sore throat and my gums are bleeding. I have no choice but to brew tea leaves in water and eat the leaves, hoping it will help.

Since the last invasion of infected individuals in the neighborhood, many people have been infected, so there are more wandering mutated people downstairs. Although I don't want to admit it, they are indeed zombies. If you want to know how they are different from zombies in movies...

They are even more terrifying. After all, the horrifying scenes that are too scary to be shown in movies are nothing compared to the hell on earth we are experiencing now.

Due to the cold weather, these zombies haven't decayed much. From top to bottom, they still look relatively intact.

Because I made eye contact with a zombie that dropped from upstairs while observing the zombies the other day, even though it was just a momentary glance, that sense of fear still gives me nightmares.

This has made my already existing insomnia worse. I'm starting to lose hair, and tears flow down my face without me realizing it. I know, I'm sick.

The 55th day of isolation.

Today is destined to be different because I saw living people on the screen.

I don't know about the residents in other buildings, but these few people are the first living people I've seen since the outbreak of zombies in the neighborhood.

I wanted to remind them that there's a zombie by the door, but I didn't know how to do it.

Just when I was struggling with what to do, the zombie by their door appeared.

"Damn, there are still more."

The man in front cursed in frustration, then kicked the approaching zombie. That's when I noticed that his legs were wrapped in metal plates.

"What are you waiting for? Let's attack together!"

The man lowered his voice and spoke to the people behind him. Just as they were about to rush forward, another zombie pounced and, before anyone could react, bit the man's neck.

"Ugh... Help me..."

The man struggled for help, but his companions had already taken the opportunity to run upstairs, accompanied by a crackling sound. The man fell silent.

I silently watched everything behind the door. I couldn't make a sound because there was nothing I could do.

Maybe it was a bad start or for some other reason, but I haven't seen any more people in the next few days.

But now there's another infected person in the hallway outside my door.

Today is the Chinese New Year, the first day of the new year.

Today, I made something delicious for myself for the first time in ages. After all, it's the new year!

And after observing for some time, I discovered that the reason the zombies don't come near my door is because of the garbage in front of it.

Yes, since there's no one around, my doorstep has become a garbage dump for the opposite building. Although it hasn't decomposed much due to the cold weather, it still emits an unpleasant smell.

To test my theory, I deliberately made some noise to attract their attention and then poured the sour bamboo shoots soup I prepared along the door crack.

As expected, they stayed even further away. They weren't even interested in the noise anymore.

It turns out they really hunt by scent. At this moment, I sincerely thank the people who threw garbage in front of my door, even though they can no longer feel it.

I cooked some spare ribs for myself and made a self-heating hotpot. Then I enjoyed my meal.

Before, I was afraid of being discovered, so I didn't dare to eat such strongly scented food. Now that I know how to avoid the zombies, I can finally eat.

With the presence of these three zombies, ordinary people wouldn't dare to come up here, making my place a perfect safe haven.

As I enjoyed my warm meal, I was sincerely grateful to the government for ensuring the basic daily needs of the citizens, even in this situation.

We have abundant water, electricity, and gas supply. They haven't been cut off for any reason, which gives me the motivation tocontinue surviving and finding ways to stay safe and comfortable.

Despite the dire circumstances outside, I try to maintain a sense of normalcy within my small sanctuary. I've created a daily routine to keep myself occupied and to preserve my mental well-being.

I start each day with a few minutes of meditation and deep breathing exercises. This helps me calm my mind and gather my thoughts before facing the challenges of another day.

Afterwards, I engage in physical exercise to keep my body active and healthy. I've improvised a small workout area in my living space, using whatever objects I could find to serve as weights or resistance bands.

Next, I dedicate time to learning and self-improvement. I have a collection of books, both fiction and non-fiction, that I acquired before the isolation began. Reading allows me to escape into different worlds and broaden my knowledge even amidst the chaos outside.

During the day, I also take breaks to indulge in hobbies and creative pursuits. I've always had a passion for painting, so I've transformed a corner of my room into a makeshift art studio. Painting helps me express my emotions and provides a therapeutic outlet for the stress and anxiety that often accompany this isolation.

In the evenings, I enjoy some entertainment by watching movies or TV series that I had downloaded before the outbreak. This small escape into fictional stories provides a temporary respite from the harsh reality around me.

In addition to taking care of my physical and mental well-being, I also prioritize staying informed about the outside world. I have a small battery-operated radio that allows me to listen to news updates. Understanding the current situation and any potential developments is crucial for my survival and decision-making.

As the days pass, I've become more resourceful in managing my limited supplies. I've learned to cook simple meals using the ingredients I have, experimenting with different combinations to add variety to my diet.

Despite the hardships, I try to maintain a positive outlook and hold onto hope. I know that this isolation won't last forever, and eventually, help will arrive. Until then, I focus on taking each day as it comes, finding joy in the small moments, and cherishing the things that bring me comfort.

By staying disciplined, resilient, and adaptable, I continue to navigate through this challenging period of isolation, hoping for a brighter future beyond these walls.