Chapter 63

After Xue Ling returned, the team held a brief meeting. A squad, armed and accompanied by two specially invited doctors, set out for the ancient city of Long’an.

Their mission was to provide full emergency treatment for Professor Ji Shiping and ensure his safety.

Wen Yi also expressed a desire to join the squad. She was eager to meet Professor Ji’s research team and discuss the new discoveries related to meteors and the zombie virus.

It would be helpful to review relevant materials in advance.

However, her request to accompany the team was rejected by the team’s commander. He understood her urgency but believed this was not the right time.

Currently, adding another person to the ancient city of Long’an would only increase the danger.

Another researcher, Yang Luo, who was from a different faction, criticized Wen Yi.

“Dr. Wen, it’s not good to be too eager. If you rush over now, do you really think Professor Ji can get up and answer your questions?”

“I suggest we wait here for a few more days. Once Professor Ji’s condition stabilizes, we can leave the ancient city and go to a safer place to conduct our research. Doesn’t that sound better?” Yang Luo said firmly.

Wen Yi didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, she continued speaking to the commander, saying, “If we need to stay in Long’an for an extended period, then I request to be allowed to enter the city no later than two days from now.”

The commander was in a difficult position. The researchers came from two factions, and he had to treat both sides equally, ideally allowing them to work together. One side wanted to enter the ancient city, while the other wanted to stay behind at the base. It wouldn’t be fair to send only one group to meet Professor Ji’s research team.

So, he didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, he said, “We will wait for the team to return and assess the situation. Both of you are senior researchers, and I must take responsibility for your safety. I cannot allow you to put yourselves in danger recklessly.”

When Wen Yi exited the temporary tent, she saw Xue Ling wandering nearby.

As Xue Ling approached her, she showed her tablet, which displayed a message: “Sister Yi, if the commander doesn’t agree, I can take you there in two days. I know the way well.”

She was confident that if it were just Wen Yi, she could safely escort her into the city.

The tent had poor sound insulation, so Xue Ling overheard everything said inside.

Although they hadn’t known each other long, Xue Ling quickly understood Wen Yi’s personality. Once Wen Yi made up her mind, no one could stop her. She had the same kind of determination as Wen Jiuze and wouldn’t hesitate to drive into Long’an city herself.

Xue Ling felt it was necessary to smooth things over. Sure enough, upon reading her message, Wen Yi’s cold demeanor softened a little.

However, Yang Luo, who had been following them, was completely oblivious. He peered at Xue Ling’s tablet and began pointing out faults.

“Xue Ling, I have to talk to you. You can’t just take advantage of your own achievements to blatantly go against the commander’s wishes. Even zombies need to follow rules…”

Suddenly, Xue Ling made a terrifying face and lunged toward Yang Luo, snarling like a beast.

Yang Luo recoiled in horror, his face pale as he shouted, “You! What are you doing? Are you trying to attack me? If you dare attack me, that’s a crime. Wen Yi can’t protect you!”

Xue Ling, seeing how terrified he was, withdrew her hand and poked her tablet, sending a message: “I was just joking with you. Why are you so scared? Do you have a problem with me?”

Yang Luo’s face turned an unpleasant shade of green.

He had always seen Xue Ling as a quiet and obedient person, diligently completing her tasks and staying out of trouble. Though she was a zombie, she gave off an almost harmless vibe. He didn’t expect this side of her.

Wen Yi calmly added, “If you happen to turn into a zombie, who knows which zombie infected you, with so many around the camp? It certainly wouldn’t be Xue Ling. Don’t you think?”

Understanding the subtle threat in her words, and noticing there weren’t many people around, Yang Luo quickly turned and fled, distancing himself from them.

Watching him flee, Xue Ling raised her tablet and chuckled, typing several “haha” responses.

Wen Yi gave a faint smile. “Let’s go. Next time, stay far away from this fool. His stupidity is contagious and harder to cure than any virus.”

That evening, half of the team returned from the ancient city of Long’an with the latest update: Professor Ji’s condition was critical, and it was not safe to move him. The journey would worsen his condition, so he needed to remain on medical equipment for monitoring.

The team would have to stay in Long’an for at least two more weeks. Whether they could leave afterward depended on the situation.

Since their current base was not a suitable long-term location, the commander had to consider relocating the main force to Long’an. He would need to send people to clear the zombies in the area.

Wen Yi had gotten her way, but Yang Luo was not pleased. He tried to suggest something to the commander on his own, but it was rejected. Reluctantly, he joined Wen Yi and the others to enter the ancient city.

The main force was moving into Long’an.

Xue Ling didn’t participate in the zombie-clearing operation inside the city. Instead, she stayed at the temporary base outside the city with a few soldiers.

Before Wen Yi left, she reminded Xue Ling to wear her soldier’s uniform properly and avoid wandering inside the city. If a soldier mistook her for an ordinary zombie during the cleanup, it would be disastrous.

Xue Ling: “…”

What an unlikely scenario.

Still, Xue Ling obeyed and stayed out of the way. When not on duty, she valued her rest and often found a quiet spot to lie down.

Because she was so quiet in the camp, she often startled others. So, Xue Ling chose a more secluded, scenic spot further from the base to relax.

Lying there all day, she felt as if she had returned to those three years spent alone—no tasks to do, no one looking for her, just idle time spent watching ants crawl on trees.

Her peace was only broken when the sound of approaching vehicles shattered the silence.

People had arrived at the camp, and from a distance, Xue Ling could hear the commotion.

There were quite a few people who had arrived. Xue Ling stood up and walked over, immediately spotting someone by the car.

He was looking around the camp, as if searching for something.

It was Wen Jiuze.

According to the plan, he should still be in Donghai City completing his mission at this time. How did he end up here so soon?

Wen Jiuze noticed her as well and walked straight toward her.

His expressionless face and the way he was approaching her without saying a word made him seem somewhat intimidating.

Xue Ling quickened her pace, but she deliberately veered away from Wen Jiuze, heading straight for the car where she had been earlier.

Wen Jiuze thought, What does this mean? Why is she running away?

If zombies could smile, he might have laughed in frustration. He quickly changed direction and followed her toward her car.

Just as he reached the car, Xue Ling came out holding something in her hand.

It was a red flower pin. She waved it in front of him, almost showing it off, then pinned it onto Wen Jiuze’s chest.

Wen Jiuze’s frustration was immediately replaced by confusion over her odd behavior.

He stared at the red flower on his chest for a moment, then pulled out his tablet, asking with his usual flat tone, “A groom’s boutonnière?”

“What does this groom’s boutonnière mean? Are we getting married now?”

Xue Ling: “…”

“This is something I received as a reward after completing a mission. It represents honor, not a groom’s boutonnière!” Xue Ling explained, a bit helplessly.

She knew from the moment she saw Wen Jiuze that he was likely angry, so she decided to use this to cheer him up.

Wen Jiuze, hearing her explanation, felt somewhat disappointed, and his interest in the flower pin faded significantly.

“They tricked you into doing all that work with just a little red flower?” Wen Jiuze remarked.

Xue Ling shrugged. “There were other rewards too, like rice, flour, oil, sugar, canned goods, and such.”

“And where are the things?” he asked.

Wen Jiuze crossed his arms, his expression showing that he was clearly displeased with how she had been taken advantage of. Xue Ling didn’t dare mention that she had given the goods to Wen Yi.

“How about you? How was your mission in Donghai City? Why are you back so soon?” Xue Ling quickly changed the topic.

Wen Jiuze’s tablet read aloud: “The mission was too easy. I finished it and came back.”

Captain Shen Zhang, who had been walking over to speak to Wen Jiuze about some arrangements, stopped in his tracks upon hearing this and wore a complex expression.

Xue Ling waved and greeted him. She could tell that the mission probably wasn’t as simple as Wen Jiuze claimed. Captain Shen, compared to before, now seemed ten years older.

Captain Shen said, “We’ll rest for half a day and then head into the ancient city. Wen Jiuze, what are your plans?”

Though he already knew Wen Jiuze would stay with Xue Ling, he still asked.

Wen Jiuze responded succinctly through his tablet: “Stay.”

Captain Shen didn’t understand why he was choosing to stay silent despite being able to speak, but he didn’t push it. He nodded and left.

Throughout the journey, they had been rushing nonstop. If the whole team weren’t made up of physically strong soldiers, several of them would have collapsed halfway.

Even so, Wen Jiuze still thought they were moving too slowly.

Xue Ling leaned closer to Wen Jiuze, lowering the volume of her tablet, and whispered, “Did you get your medal?”

Wen Jiuze: “… No.”

He hadn’t even thought about it until she brought it up.

But as he looked at Xue Ling again, he quickly understood her intent. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Are you trying to trade your boutonnière for my medal?”

Xue Ling widened her eyes in disbelief. “Of course not!”

If he weren’t so familiar with her, Wen Jiuze might have believed she didn’t want it.

But looking more closely, he saw a hint of guilt in her eyes, as she glanced away from him, her gaze drifting from his nose to the side of his ear.

“I don’t have the medal for now, but I do have this.” Wen Jiuze pulled out a small red box. “I brought this back from Donghai City.”

When he had been in Donghai City, besides the items on his mission list, the only thing he had brought back was this.

Xue Ling hesitated before reaching for the box.

It looked too much like a ring box.

If a box looked like a ring box, then it was most likely to contain a ring.

Xue Ling: “…”

She glanced from Wen Jiuze to the small box he was holding, then slowly extended her hand.

When she opened the box, she expected to see a ring. However, inside was a ruby necklace.

Xue Ling: “…”

Wen Jiuze waited for a while, noticing that she was just staring at the necklace, and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

Xue Ling quickly replied, “Of course I like it! Wow, it’s so beautiful. Thank you!”

The voice from her tablet has never been so flat.

Wen Jiuze asked, “You didn’t think it was a ring, did you?”

Xue Ling, suddenly annoyed, punched him. She had already suspected it, but there was no need to confirm it!

Wen Jiuze grabbed her hand, saying, “The rings over there weren’t nice. This necklace is the most expensive one.”

He had spent quite a bit of time looking at rings at the counter, but he kept thinking about how delicate her fingers were getting.

If he had slipped a ring on her finger, he could clearly see how the small circle would gradually loosen on   her finger.

So he had left the ring counter and chosen this necklace instead.