“Are there any other healers in the base? Even beginners, call them over to stop Keqing’s bleeding,” said the esper who had been carrying Zhang Keqing, his voice urgent.

“Coming, coming. There are two more beginner healers,” Sister Lan said, leading two beginner healers into the crowd, urging them to stop Zhang Keqing’s bleeding.

Zhang Keqing lay on the sofa, her face pale, still unconscious.

The two beginner healers did their best to close her wounds, but could only stop a small amount of bleeding. Blood continued to gush from the wounds in her vital areas, a gruesome sight.

“We’ve done all we can.”

The two beginner healers, exhausted, could barely breathe. They were helped to chairs to rest.

Zhang Keqing woke up.  Like she was having a nightmare, she shook her head from side to side, murmuring. Although weak, her words were understandable.

“…Brother Shen… don’t worry about me… run quickly… Brother Shen…”

She kept unconsciously calling Shen Luohan’s name. Many people felt sorry for her; even Sister Lan couldn’t help but cry.

“If Brother Shen hadn’t transferred Keqing to another team a while ago, this wouldn’t have happened…” a female esper who had been out with Zhang Keqing, implicitly blamed Qiao Yanrou.

“If Brother Shen were here, that high-level zombie wouldn’t have been able to hurt Keqing.  And Brother Shen’s team has a healer.  It wouldn’t be like this now… woo…”

Another female esper spoke up for Zhang Keqing, openly blaming Qiao Yanrou, accusing her of being ungenerous and unreasonable, causing Shen Luohan to avoid her, leading to the current situation.  Then she burst into tears.

The others looked at Qiao Yanrou with various expressions. Even Sister Lan didn’t dare speak up for her.

The atmosphere was heavy and suffocatingly awkward. Qiao Yanrou didn’t retort or offer comfort, but stood quietly to the side.

A group of people rushed in, their footsteps hurried. Everyone looked up.  Leading them was Shen Luohan, walking beside him was Ji Yuanchen.  Apparently, both teams had returned together.

“How could she be injured so badly?” Shen Luohan frowned, instructing a high-level healer to treat Zhang Keqing.

“Keqing almost died trying to lure away the high-level zombie.”

Several female espers cried as they spoke.  Those who hadn’t liked Zhang Keqing before now felt sympathy for her.

Zhang Keqing’s wounds healed quickly under the healer’s power, but her internal injuries were severe, requiring a long recovery period.

Although Zhang Keqing was saved, the incident caused many espers in the base to develop negative opinions, even hostility, towards Qiao Yanrou.

Many espers believed Qiao Yanrou shouldn’t mind the contact between Shen Luohan and Zhang Keqing, after all, they were comrades who fought together.

In short, they blamed the powerless Qiao Yanrou for Zhang Keqing’s injuries.

That evening, during dinner in the base, the atmosphere at the table was heavy.

Except for Shen Luohan, Ji Yuanchen, and Bai Xiaoyan, the other espers began to isolate Qiao Yanrou.  Many even rolled their eyes at her, thinking she was a burden, almost costing Zhang Keqing her life.

After dinner, Qiao Yanrou went to help in the kitchen. Sister Lan sighed deeply at her before leaving the kitchen.

Hearing Sister Lan’s sigh, she didn’t stop washing the dishes.  Her beautiful face showed no disappointment or sadness. Qiao Yanrou knew clearly that in this cruel apocalypse, weakness was a sin.  She didn’t want to argue, and there was nothing to say.  False accusations are easily made.

Bai Xiaoyan stood by Qiao Yanrou the whole time. Hearing the gossip about her, she got angry and argued with them in the main hall downstairs.

“What does Yanrou have to do with it? Zhang Keqing was injured by a high-level zombie. How can you blame Yanrou?”

A female esper confronted her: “How is it not her fault? If Qiao Yanrou hadn’t been jealous, would Brother Shen have transferred Keqing to another team? If Brother Shen hadn’t considered Qiao Yanrou’s feelings, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Bai Xiaoyan was flabbergasted: “Why don’t you blame Pangu for creating the world? Brother Shen and Yanrou are a couple.  Isn’t it Zhang Keqing’s fault for clinging to Brother Shen like that?”

“So what if they’re a couple? It’s the apocalypse. Who cares if you’re a couple or not?”

“If you’re weak, you shouldn’t interfere.”

Shen Luohan, who had been silent, coldly interrupted their argument: “Enough. If anyone has a problem, you can leave the base anytime.”

As soon as Shen Luohan spoke, no one dared to say anything.

He continued to warn: “This has nothing to do with Yanrou. Don’t let me hear similar remarks again.”

Then, with a stern face, he got up and strode into the kitchen.  He took Qiao Yanrou’s hand, who was busy working alone inside, and led her upstairs in full view of everyone.

Seeing this, the espers who were on Zhang Keqing’s side were furious.  Brother Shen was acting like he was under Qiao Yanrou’s spell.

Bai Xiaoyan proudly crossed her arms: “Did you hear that? If I hear you talking about Yanrou like that again, I’ll tell Brother Shen.”

The espers who had spoken up for Zhang Keqing, seeing her arrogant look, were filled with anger but dared not say anything more.

Upstairs, Shen Luohan held Qiao Yanrou in his arms, softly comforting her: “Don’t mind them.”

Qiao Yanrou gently shook her head: “I’m fine.”

“Don’t feel guilty. Zhang Keqing’s injury was an accident.”

She hummed, leaning against him, lost in thought.

The two silently embraced for a long time before a knock came at the door.

Within seconds, Shen Luohan opened the door. Qiao Yanrou sat on the sofa. She recognized the man standing outside as the one who had carried Zhang Keqing back.

Qiu Te, seeing Qiao Yanrou inside, hesitated, wanting Shen Luohan to step aside to talk.

Shen Luohan turned to Qiao Yanrou and said, “I’ll talk to him for a bit, I’ll be back.”