Chapter 42

Although there were some minor incidents during the hot pot meal, it didn’t stop the teammates from happily eating to their heart’s content.

After all, Su Jianning had light-based healing abilities, and she easily healed the wound on her face, restoring it to its smooth, flawless state.

Everyone avoided mentioning any unpleasant matters and instead focused on complimenting the richness of the goose meat, the tenderness of the rabbit meat, the smoothness of the bamboo rat, and the aromatic sweetness of the wine.

After finishing the hot pot, Guan Yuanfeng took a few team members to wash the dishes, while Zhou Yun led Dong Kexin, Zhang Qi, Su Jianing, and the others who had unloaded their luggage from the helicopter upstairs to arrange their sleeping arrangements for the night.

The first floor had a guest room, which was originally the elderly’s room. Zhou Yun had already tidied it up, and it was now for Vice-Captain Jiang and Zhang Qi to stay in.

On the second floor, there were two rooms: the master suite and the secondary bedroom, which were for Guan Yuanfeng and Zhou Yun. They mostly stayed on the 30th floor of the building, and this floor was just for occasional rest. Since they had guests, neither of them mentioned the 30th floor.

The third floor originally had three rooms: a guest room, a yoga room, and a study. The guest room, which had a bed, was given to the only female team member, Dong Kexin. The study, which originally had a sofa bed, was given to Su Jianning because she preferred quiet surroundings.

The remaining room, the yoga room, had a carpet and was spaciously decorated. Zhou Yun took Tang Anchen to the neighboring villa and borrowed two large mattresses, which they put together for the remaining team members—Tang Ancheng, Wu Jun, and Liao Jinsheng—to sleep on.

Tang Ancheng, with his immense strength, easily carried the mattresses over. Zhou Yun then took out some brand-new high-quality bedding from the Guan family’s collection and distributed it to them. He privately handed Tang Ancheng a box of selected high-quality earth-type crystals. Tang Ancheng, excited and blushing, asked, “These are for me? Does Captain Guan know?”

Zhou Yun replied, “He got these while he was with Comet. We don’t know any other earth-type users right now, so you can have these. There are some lower-quality ones saved up too. You can exchange them for something else, no need to absorb them—they’re not pure enough.”

Tang Ancheng happily accepted them and immediately began eagerly absorbing the crystals. Zhou Yun thought to himself that with Tang Ancheng’s large size and his constant state of hunger after the apocalypse, he hadn’t had the chance to absorb sufficient crystals. Once he had enough, his progress would be substantial. And with Guan Yuanfeng leading him, once he reached a high level in the earth element, he would be capable of creating walls from thin air, performing meteor strikes, and launching sandstorms—an excellent combination of offense and defense.

When they reached the study, Su Jianing was sitting at the desk, writing something. Seeing Zhou Yun bringing in the bedding, she smiled and thanked him. “Dr. Zhou, you and Captain Guan are neighbors, right? It’s definitely safer to stay together during the apocalypse. But when we get to the base, Captain Guan will probably be really busy.”

She then looked at the bright red silk bedding in Zhou Yun’s hands, surprised. “What is this bedding? It looks so festive.”

Zhou Yun placed the bright red silk bedding on the bed. “It’s from Captain Guan’s house. You can use it.”

Su Jianing reached out and touched the embroidered surface: “It’s quite new, hand-embroidered. Thank you.”

Zhou Yun smiled: “I’m glad you like it. It’s just recycling.”

Su Jianing said: “When we get to the Zhongzhou base, I’ll recommend you to our research institute. That way, Captain Guan will be pleased too.”

Zhou Yun asked: “Is the research institute focused on studying abilities? Can someone like me, who studied traditional medicine, join? What’s the work mechanism of the institute? Are the experts all from Zhongzhou?”

Su Jianing replied: “Yes, it’s focused on studying abilities. There aren’t many medical experts from the apocalypse left. Right now, we’re recruiting top experts from various bases. Traditional medicine is fine, too. The institute is short-handed, and you could help with some experiments and data collection. Plus, you have an ability, so you’ll be treated well. At least housing is guaranteed, and the research groups will definitely welcome you.”

Zhou Yun asked: “Have there been any breakthroughs in activating abilities yet? Are there clinical trials ready?”

Su Jianing answered: “It’s not that easy, more experiments are needed. We need volunteers, and we need people with stronger and higher-level healing abilities. That’s why I have to go out and get Captain Guan. The mentor was really angry and said it would affect the progress of the experiments. But I promised to convince Captain Guan to participate, so the mentor calmed down.”

Zhou Yun stared at him for a while. Su Jianing, for some reason, felt a chill in his gaze, and he paused: “You don’t think I’m repaying kindness with harm, do you?”

He explained: “Many of the methods to upgrade abilities, stimulate, and improve them were discovered by our research institute. Without scientific research, how could we progress? Captain Guan has now awakened a lightning ability, and he is General Tan’s direct subordinate, so he’s bound to be high-ranking and powerful. How could we harm him?”

Zhou Yun asked: “Your mentor seems impressive. What’s their name?” In his previous life, he had joined the research in Dark Valley, but he had never met Su Jianing. Since they started experiments so early, why were they not mentioned later?

Su Jianing answered: “My mentor is Wu Yurou. She has been leading this project for a long time, but there hasn’t been a breakthrough. However, I’ve heard that the Southern Base seems to have made progress, and my mentor said that after I return, she’ll go there to exchange ideas.”

Su Jianing looked at Zhou Yun, thinking he would be enlightened, as his mentor was a big name in the biological field. But seeing Zhou Yun absentminded, as if he had never heard of her, he felt a little disappointed. But then he understood—traditional medicine… and a small hospital in a place like this—it was no wonder he didn’t know anything about the academic world. He sighed: “Anyway, Brother Zhou, if you follow Captain Guan back, your future will be bright.”

Zhou Yun nodded and gave a few instructions before leaving Su Jianing’s room. After the room was arranged, Zhou Yun came downstairs and saw Liao Jinsheng rolling up his sleeves, diligently wiping the dining table with a cloth. When he saw Zhou Yun, he cheerfully greeted him: “Dr. Zhou.”

Zhou Yun glanced around and noticed Captain Guan was not there. Liao Jinsheng quickly explained: “Captain Guan and Deputy Captain went out. They probably have something to discuss privately.”

Zhou Yun saw the mischievous look in Liao Jinsheng’s eyes and sensed he was more clever than he appeared. He chatted with him for a while, asking about things Captain Guan had done when he was the leader.

“So, why did Su Jianing say sorry to Captain Guan?”

Liao Jinsheng looked around and whispered: “Captain Guan got his leg blown off by a bomb while trying to save him. Captain didn’t allow us to mention it… he said that we’re all teammates, and if anyone gets into trouble, he will save them. Also…”

Liao Jinsheng lowered his voice: “Su Jianing’s family is powerful. His brother-in-law is in the United Government, and several of their family members have connections. I’ve heard they have high-ranking positions in other bases as well.”

Zhou Yun then asked: “He mentioned the research institute wants to do ability activation experiments. Has anyone from your team signed up?”

Liao Jinsheng shook his head: “Everyone is a bit hesitant… actually, I kind of want to sign up. Anyway, my parents are gone, and I’m alone. If I can really get an ability, it would be great.”

“But Ke Xinjie says not to do anything reckless. She thinks the power might come from the same source as the zombies. If we’re not careful, we might become zombies. I’m just an ordinary person, and I haven’t married yet. If there are side effects, I would regret it.”

Zhou Yun nodded: “Ke Xinjie is right.”

Liao Jinsheng grinned: “Of course, Captain Guan always said that for team matters, we must listen to his orders. But for personal matters, we can listen to Ke Xin Jie.”

Zhou Yun nodded: “What about your Deputy Captain?”

Liao Jinsheng replied: “The Deputy Captain… he mainly coordinates things. He’s not great in combat, so he can’t really command the team. Ever since Captain Guan retired, our team hasn’t had a new leader, and Deputy Captain Jiang has been handling everything. Then… the apocalypse happened, and everything got messy.”

Liao Jinsheng’s eyes turned slightly red, as if recalling some sad memories: “The zombies were too strong. Our team has lost several members, and no one has replaced them. Even the former caretaker of Comet is gone. When we saw Comet today, it reminded us of him. If Comet saw him, he would definitely be very excited. We’ve lost contact with our families, and we don’t know when the bases will be able to communicate again. The winter snowstorms are too severe. We’re basically going on one mission after another, and no one has time to think about family.”

“Later, when ability users appeared, the special forces got a bit chaotic… Actually, this time, we are worried about Captain Guan. We’re afraid he doesn’t have anyone to look after him. On the other hand, things at the base are too chaotic now, unlike before. Everyone wants to see Captain Guan and hear his opinion… on how to move forward.”

He whispered: “Everyone can’t hold on anymore. It’s the end of the world, and we don’t know what the point of it all is… we want to break up.”

He looked at Zhou Yun with envy in his eyes: “We all thought Captain Guan must be struggling here. We were so worried. Although Captain was very strong before, he’s now disabled. He could have taken a military teaching job with good benefits, but he insisted on retiring and returning home. When the apocalypse broke out, we were all really worried.”

“Later, Captain Tan got in touch with him. We heard he was in a safe place, with reliable partners, and didn’t lack food or water. We were barely relieved, but before, we sent people to the nearest bases, like San Chu and Beiming, and they couldn’t find any trace of him. Captain Tan was uneasy, so when spring came, he sent us to check on Captain Guan.”

“I only found out now that the captain is living so well here, that’s great. Outside… don’t even mention meat, it’s hard to even get enough to eat. Last year, there were people who froze to death in the base…”

“In the Zhongzhou base, during winter, they accepted over a hundred thousand refugees, and no other base was taking in refugees. The pressure is all on us at Zhongzhou base. General Tan is bearing all this pressure while still having to provide unconditional rescue and shelter for the refugees, distributing food… Other bases must also take on the responsibility of rescue, or else, if this goes on, Zhongzhou base might face internal unrest.”

“This world… good people die too early…”

“We think General Tan might not be able to hold on much longer, even those who received his help are now resenting him. The supernatural beings resent him for not giving privileges, for not ensuring crystal core supply, and for the restrictions. The common people resent him for continuing to take in refugees. Even the refugees resent him, thinking he isn’t providing adequate assistance.”

“Being a good person is much harder than being a bad one. If we weren’t still thinking about the captain, wanting to find him, our team might have already scattered…”

“At that time, we all thought that if we couldn’t find the captain, or if something happened to him, our special forces team would probably disband.”

“Luckily, the captain is still here, and he even awakened his supernatural powers, his leg has healed, it’s really great!” Liao Jinsheng sighed deeply with relief and smiled sincerely at Zhou Yun: “Seeing the captain is like having a backbone.”

Zhou Yun smiled back: “You’re all good people, very great.”

Liao Jinsheng scratched his head, a bit embarrassed: “We’re just following orders… we didn’t know what to do, but now that the captain is here, it’s much better.”

Zhou Yun looked at the shiny table surface and the floor that had clearly been cleaned spotless: “You cleaned really well. It’s been tough on you. Go upstairs and rest. There’s hot water on the stove, wash up and get some sleep.”

Liao Jinsheng sighed: “Since the apocalypse, I’ve never had a peaceful night’s sleep. You and Captain Guan must have cleared out the zombies in the neighborhood, right? It’s so reassuring. Tonight, I can finally sleep peacefully!”

Just after speaking, the door to the backyard opened, and Jiang Rongqian walked in with a pack of cigarettes in hand. He looked a bit embarrassed when he saw Zhou Yun: “Doctor Zhou?”

Zhou Yun nodded and smiled: “Captain Jiang, I was just telling Little Liao about how you all had a long and tough journey. I was going to tell you to rest early.”

Jiang Rongqian smiled: “Thanks for the trouble, Doctor Zhou. Everyone is very close to Captain Guan, and we’re all excited to reunite after such a long time. Sorry to bother you.”

Zhou Yun looked at him with a smile: “It’s no trouble. I’ve already talked to Little Dong about the room assignments. There are guest rooms on the first and third floors, and also sofa beds and foldable beds. Captain Guan and I are staying on the second floor. If you need anything, you can look for either me or Captain Guan.”

Jiang Rongqian sighed: “Captain Guan’s house is really big. I heard he bought a villa back in his hometown, planning to live with his family. He even showed us the renovation design photos. As expected, there are so many rooms here.”

Liao Jinsheng said: “I’m sharing a room with Tang Anchen and Brother Wu Jun. It’s really comfortable, much better than our base.”

The two of them chatted and then said goodnight to Zhou Yun before heading upstairs.

Zhou Yun went out the back door. On the spring night, the garden was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers.

The moonlight was like water, gently casting over the tranquil earth. A light breeze passed through, and in the garden’s vegetable patch, the silver-glowing green leaves swayed gently, making a rustling sound.

Zhou Yun walked a few steps and then saw Guan Yuanfeng.

He was leaning against the stone table in the backyard, his left leg bent and resting on the back of the table’s leg, his right leg extended, with the tip of his thumb and forefinger holding a cigarette butt that was glowing and fading.

Guan Yuanfeng slightly tilted his head and exhaled a puff of smoke. After the smoke dispersed, his expression became somewhat melancholic, with his sharp brow bones and slightly squinting eyes, his jawline tight.

Zhou Yun had never seen Guan Yuanfeng smoke in front of him, whether in this life or the previous one.

Zhou Yun descended the stairs, and Guan Yuanfeng looked over warily. Upon seeing him, his first instinct was to extinguish the cigarette butt in a nearby paper cup: “Are they resting? Sorry for troubling you.”

Zhou Yun said: “No need to be polite.” He studied Guan Yuanfeng, whose brows were furrowed in a manner that he might not even be aware of. Ever since meeting his soldiers, an invisible aura of commanding authority had returned to him. This was the calmness of a commander, the pressure of an undeniable deterrent force, and the cold, serious attitude borne from responsibility and mission.

Zhou Yun reached out to take the cigarette on the stone table, but Guan Yuanfeng moved the box away: “Smoking is bad.”

Zhou Yun sat on the stone bench nearby, stretching his long legs and crossing his ankles, looking at Guan Yuanfeng: “Is there something bothering you?”

Guan Yuanfeng looked at the young doctor, whose handsome face appeared especially striking in the moonlight. There was still a suppressed cold anger on his face.

Guan Yuanfeng restrained his urge to light another cigarette: “Tonight… I’m sorry. Su Jianing is thoughtless. There are people like him everywhere, rich and self-righteous. Don’t mind him. I always thought of him as someone just here to boost his resume. He wasn’t like this before, just a little naive. It’s probably because, after the apocalypse, supernatural beings were elevated too much. He’s a rare healer, and works at that research institute, so he’s probably used to everyone, even other supernatural beings, cooperating with their research.”

Zhou Yun said: “You don’t need to apologize for someone else.”

His gaze fell on Guan Yuanfeng’s abdomen, his voice soft: “You promised me. Your legs are mine, and you won’t sign any experimental agreements.” He was furious tonight and needed to confirm it again.

Guan Yuanfeng fell silent. Had the doctor foreseen the future that day?

He asked softly: “About the activation of supernatural powers…”

Zhou Yun said: “I’m not sure.” He really couldn’t guarantee success with ordinary people, he was still too weak. The success in the previous life was because the person was already a supernatural being, and only their crystal core was removed.

And in this life, successfully activating Guan Yuanfeng’s powers was also based on the experience from the previous life. He knew that Guan Yuanfeng could be activated, and even after an unsuitable crystal core transplant, his abilities could still be activated and used. If given a more compatible crystal core, the process would go much smoother.

But when it comes to grafting onto other ordinary people, he had no confidence. He couldn’t risk experimenting with Guan Yuanfeng’s comrade; he needed more strength, more resources, and a gradual, safe, and steady approach.

If such a method were to get out, it would be like Pandora’s box. Once opened, what kind of demon would be released? What consequences would a doctor like Zhou Yun, who could successfully perform core grafting, face? These were terrifying thoughts.

Guan Yuanfeng looked at Zhou Yun’s cold expression and quietly promised, “I guarantee I won’t tell anyone about the ability activation, nor will I allow anyone or any organization to study my body.”

He looked at Zhou Yun, his expression softening. “With this, are you reassured?”

Zhou Yun’s expression relaxed slightly, and Guan Yuanfeng quietly added, “Don’t look at me with such a guarded expression. Zhou Yun, trust me. I am not someone who cannot tell right from wrong or is ungrateful. I am not someone who lacks common sense.”

Even though they were away from the crowd, the conversation with the team members today made it clear that, outside, ability users were subtly becoming a new power class.

A doctor who could successfully perform core grafting would bring Zhou Yun significant consequences. He understood this completely. He had to protect Zhou Yun.

“Man is hell.” In this moment, Guan Yuanfeng vividly recalled how Zhou Yun had once subtly hinted at his attitude toward life in front of him.

Zhou Yun lowered his eyelashes, falling silent.

Guan Yuanfeng had always known that Zhou Yun was full of mysteries, but he had always chosen to ignore them and not probe further.

Zhou Yun’s strong sense of insecurity, the feedback from the lack of a sense of safety, and the deep distrust of others etched into his soul, his rejection of society, and his loneliness—Guan Yuanfeng had always vaguely felt these emotions.

And now, as soon as an outsider appeared, he could feel Zhou Yun immediately building a protective wall. He hated seeing Zhou Yun look at him with suspicion, and his heart was filled with discomfort.

But what troubled him more at this moment was something else.

He rubbed his fingers, picked up a cigarette, rolled it in his hands, and then put it back, feeling irritated. “General Tan… He has a lot of pressure. I… I’m afraid I have to go back and help him.”

“The Zhongzhou Base is under great pressure to provide aid. They need a lot of manpower and the cooperation of other bases, or they won’t be able to accommodate all the survivors.”

Zhou Yun nodded, his expression calm. “Mm, I understand. When are you leaving?”

“Need to rest for a few days, gather some supplies,” Guan Yuanfeng answered briefly, then fell into silence.

The chickens quietly perched by the chicken coop, occasionally making low clucking sounds. The lake surface rippled, sparkling under the moonlight.

Everything seemed peaceful and harmonious, as if time had stopped in that moment. The scent of spring filled the air, with the fragrance of earth and the hope of new life. This isolated island in the cloud-topped mountains felt like a little world far from the hustle and bustle, where one could experience the softness and beauty of the spring night, completely forgetting the brutal reality of the apocalypse outside.

Zhou Yun felt like a king, strong enough to be invincible. In this paradise, he wouldn’t follow anyone’s orders; he was his own master.

Guan Yuanfeng remembered how Zhou Yun had casually said something before: “Snow won’t last forever, and it’s not just the two of us left in the world.”

He looked at Zhou Yun’s cold, handsome face and quietly asked, “You… will come with me to Zhongzhou Base, right?”

He looked at Zhou Yun’s lowered eyelashes, yearning for a positive response. Zhou Yun raised his eyes to look at him, his gaze bright.

But in that moment, he already knew the answer. His heart sank.

Zhou Yun looked at Guan Yuanfeng, his tone simple and definitive: “Brother Guan, I won’t go to Zhongzhou.”

Guan Yuanfeng looked at him, his expression a little surprised, but also not entirely unexpected. Zhou Yun’s sudden anger at the dinner table had been a clear sign.

Zhou Yun wasn’t the type to submit to someone else’s orders. He was a person with a strong personality who wouldn’t cooperate with others. If Guan Yuanfeng got along well with him, it was because Zhou Yun allowed it; once he no longer wanted to, he would immediately distance himself.

Zhou Yun said, “I’m fine here. I’m used to being alone, I don’t want to travel far from home, and I don’t want to meet strangers.”

Guan Yuanfeng didn’t speak.

Zhou Yun continued, “You don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself. I know Zhongzhou needs you, so just go ahead and don’t worry.”

How could one keep an eagle?

Captain Guan was always someone else’s captain.

He was only briefly held back on this isolated island because his wings were broken. Once he regained his strength to fly, he would surely go far.

Guan Yuanfeng remained silent for a long time before saying, “If you change your mind… come find me in Zhongzhou.”

Zhou Yun smiled. “Okay.”

He stood up from the stone bench, intending to return to his room. He feared that if he looked at Guan Yuanfeng again, he would be reluctant to leave. He felt like a lion about to be abandoned, his eyes full of sadness.

But he had to harden his heart. Giving up now was for a greater future. He couldn’t follow him, or he would always be behind, just like the others.

Too many people followed him, and the commander forged ahead, cutting through obstacles. He had to stand in front of him to make sure he always looked back at him.

But Guan Yuanfeng stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. Zhou Yun turned to look at him, and Guan Yuanfeng said, “I’ll leave Comet with you.”

Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow. “Comet is a powerful fighter. Taking it with you should help a lot.”

Guan Yuanfeng frowned. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone here.”

Zhou Yun: “…” So, how weak did Guan Yuanfeng think he was? How could such a strong man, a commander respected by so many, still be so reluctant to leave him at this moment?

He paused for a moment. “I’m not as weak as you think… I can protect myself, and no one really comes here. I usually stay on the top floor, no one can find me.”

Guan Yuanfeng shook his head: “Leave Comet with you.”

He tried to persuade Zhou Yun: “And you heard what they said, the supplies at the Central Base are scarce, and food is in short supply. I don’t think even Comet will be able to get enough food if it follows me, given how much it eats. It’s better off with you.”

This reasoning was so convincing that Zhou Yun couldn’t help but laugh: “Alright then.”

Guan Yuanfeng sighed in relief and walked alongside him: “Wherever you go, you have to take it with you. Safety first.”

Zhou Yun said, “Captain Guan, I didn’t know you could be this fussy.”

Guan Yuanfeng: “…”

Zhou Yun said, “Stay a few more days, and I’ll make some zombie repellent and bait powders for you. You’ll need them in the future.”

Guan Yuanfeng: “Thank you.”

Zhou Yun said, “It’s all to save people—if anyone asks about the formula…”

Guan Yuanfeng replied, “I’ll just say I don’t know, I bought it at the Beiming Base.”

Zhou Yun glanced at him, smiling: “Captain Guan has made a lot of promises to me.”

Guan Yuanfeng: “I will keep my word, never forget it.”

Zhou Yun looked up at Guan Yuanfeng, his gaze sweeping over his resolute and deep face. The commander’s features were sharply defined, without any unnecessary softness.

Under his gaze, any slackness or mistakes were exposed; any weakness, hesitation, or relaxation was not allowed.

His team members were so devoted and admired him. His presence was like the anchor of the team, like an indestructible shield. With him, his soldiers could march forward without fear, abandoning all weaknesses and uncertainties.

However, Guan Yuanfeng felt a sudden heart flutter from Zhou Yun’s focused gaze. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he suddenly wanted to make a vague promise about the uncertain future. He wanted to say he would return soon, to be here with him again, even though, with his usual strictness, he knew it was unlikely. He didn’t know the situation at the base, and he was probably going to be thrown into numerous tasks, unable to make promises that might be difficult to fulfill.

But his rationality was replaced by another, more overwhelming and impulsive emotion. He wanted to reassure this young man who had accompanied him for so long. He wanted to tell him that he was important, and he wanted to give him the most significant promise he could offer, one that matched his importance.

But what kind of promise could be worthy of the person in front of him? He hadn’t figured that out yet.