Guo Fei was surprised for the first time to discover that Nan Muran actually possessed such a sharp political instinct.
“Ouyang Ying.”

“The Ouyang family has a problem.” Nan Muran didn’t hide anything from Guo Fei and told him in detail about her encounter with Ouyang Feng in the industrial park.

“The Ouyang family would have that kind of ability? No way. They don’t have the power to control the WJ,” Guo Fei said. No matter how strong the Ouyang family had once been, at the end of the day, they were a political family.

Having a few strong bodyguards wasn’t unusual, but if it involved commanding WJ squads, the Ouyang family simply didn’t have that kind of pull.

Guo Fei stood up, deep in thought, and then suddenly his eyes lit up.
“I thought of someone—he used to be the commander of the West City WJ main force.”

“Do I know him?”

“You don’t. His name is Lin Weicheng. I heard from Chen Jianguo that he’s extremely capable. Before the apocalypse, he often worked with the military’s special operations teams to handle emergencies.

If it’s him that’s the problem, then we might be in trouble.”

“He’s at the base too?” Nan Muran frowned slightly.

Guo Fei nodded. “Not only is he here, he’s in charge of base security.

Aside from Chen Jianguo and the military personnel who won’t take his orders, all other armed forces are under his command.”

Hearing that, Nan Muran paused to think. “How’s his relationship with Chen Jianguo?”

“The two sides have been wrestling for control lately—both want complete authority over the base. So naturally, the relationship isn’t great.”

Nan Muran nodded, unsurprised. After all, power struggles never truly end.
“They’re not on good terms, but we don’t have enough leverage either.”

“That’s true.” Guo Fei had closer ties with Chen Jianguo.

Everyone at the base said Chen Jianguo was Guo Fei’s backer. But Guo Fei knew in his heart—it still wasn’t enough. His current value wasn’t enough to disrupt the delicate balance between the two sides.

“Fei-ge, what do you think is the most important thing if we want real influence in the base?”

“Strength and public support—both are indispensable,” Guo Fei answered directly. Ever since agreeing to Nan Muran’s plan, he’d thought long and hard about what needed to be done.

“Have any ideas?” Nan Muran knew Guo Fei well. He was the type to think three steps ahead, plan ten moves out. He’d never speak without purpose.

Guo Fei nodded. “I have a rough idea.”

“Then go for it. Let me know what you need from me.” Nan Muran didn’t doubt him in the slightest.

“I’ll finish planning soon. Then we’ll talk in detail,” Guo Fei said plainly.

Nan Muran nodded in agreement.

Then she suddenly added, “Fei-ge, I want to try awakening powers for you and Jiajia-jie.”

Guo Fei froze in surprise. “Awaken powers?”

“You never have to use them. But when it really matters, you need a way to protect yourself.” Her voice was serious.

“The base calculated it once. The odds of awakening powers are less than one in ten thousand. I’m probably not that lucky.” Guo Fei was calm about it.

“Wu-ge, keep watch downstairs. We’re heading up for a bit.” Nan Muran didn’t explain further and took Guo Fei and Lin Jiajia upstairs to the second floor of the villa.

After realizing that Nan Muran could help others awaken powers, both Guo Fei and Lin Jiajia were utterly stunned.

“This ends here. Don’t awaken powers for anyone else—not even us,” Guo Fei said firmly. If people around Nan Muran all started awakening, it would attract too much attention from those with ulterior motives.

He wouldn’t let her take that risk.

Lin Jiajia nodded repeatedly. “We don’t leave the base anyway, and life is still decent. Having powers doesn’t really change much for us.”

Nan Muran looked at the couple, her tone unwavering.
“I know you’re thinking about my safety, but this must be done.”

“Ranran…”

“Fei-ge, in this world, I only have you, Jiajia-jie, and Dudu left as family.” She cut Guo Fei off. “I have a lot to do. I won’t always stay here. Your safety must be guaranteed.”

Guo Fei looked at Nan Muran, her resolve clear, and finally gave in.

Nan Muran took out over three hundred crystal cores she had collected while saving people in the library last time.

After a few attempts at helping others awaken, she had roughly figured out the pattern.

About a hundred crystal cores were enough to help someone awaken.

Unexpectedly, Guo Fei awakened a rare psychic ability.

Lin Jiajia looked at Nan Muran helplessly. “I think I can hear people’s thoughts… and, how should I say this…”

“You can also tell if someone is lying?” Nan Muran guessed with pleasant surprise.

Lin Jiajia nodded.

Even the heavens seemed to favor them. The couple had awakened abilities that were practically perfect for navigating a base full of complex interpersonal dynamics.

Nan Muran spoke solemnly to Lin Jiajia.
“Once we go downstairs, say you didn’t awaken. And never tell anyone about this.”

“I understand.” Lin Jiajia wasn’t stupid.

Even if her power wasn’t offensive, it was still more terrifying than an offensive one—especially in the eyes of powerful figures.

When they told Jiawu that Lin Jiajia hadn’t awakened, he didn’t find it strange.

After all, his own wife, Bai Mei, had eaten Xiaobai’s fruit and still hadn’t awakened either.

The largest room on the second floor was given to Nan Muran. It had a walk-in closet, a private bathroom, and a balcony filled with flowers and greenery, with a lazy sofa perfectly placed.

After washing up and changing into loungewear, Nan Muran curled up on the sofa, gazing toward the villa’s entrance, feeling a little down.

Guo Fei walked in with a smile, holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
“Ranran, your favorite—gold-roast latte.”

Nan Muran turned to look at the coffee in his hands and couldn’t help but smile.
“Fei-ge really is the best.”

“That could be misinterpreted. Compared to who, exactly?” Guo Fei sat down directly across from her.

Lawyers were sharp like that. But Nan Muran didn’t hide anything from him.
“Not something I need to say right now. When the time comes, I’ll tell you.

Fei-ge, once the military establishes the security base, will villa owners still be allowed to live here?”

“The base offers compensation points to buy back properties, but yes, you can stay. Still, the offers are tempting enough that most have already moved out. Can’t really starve to death just to hang onto a villa.”

“Then you staying behind—won’t people talk?”

Guo Fei chuckled. “You’d hate the conditions in the apartment blocks. Plus, we’ve got a mountain of stuff here.”

Nan Muran knew full well—it wasn’t the supplies in the basement that mattered. It was her. She was their priority.

With Fei-ge’s current standing, he could’ve handled those supplies just fine somewhere else.

Suddenly, Guo Fei looked outside toward the street.

Two figures in military green had stopped in front of their villa, clearly checking the address.
“Who is that?”