113

The next day, even a blind person could see the subtle abnormality between Ye Yin and Zhuo Chenglan.

At 7:30 in the morning, when the camp was making breakfast, the boiling sound of rice porridge and the soldiers’ laughter filled the air. White steam rose vigorously from the large pots, creating a vivid scene. Ye Yin’s fever had not completely subsided, and Zhuo Chenglan wouldn’t let her get out of the car to wander, so she could only listlessly lean against the window, watching the soldiers playing outside. The longing for freedom on her face resembled that of a prisoner serving a life sentence.

The kiss from last night flashed across her mind again, making her blush furiously.

He had said it was his first time too, but why was their performance so different? Within less than half a minute, she was already limp in his embrace, like drifting duckweed being guided and controlled by him, body and soul burning with intense flames, yet completely lost as to where to go. Could this be the legendary twin connection—where if one master a skill, the other can instantly and effortlessly reach full proficiency?

“Awake?”

Zhuo Chenglan noticed her and walked over with Feng Ying and the others to the car she was in. His expression and tone were as usual, and the looks the others gave her held no special meaning, but Ye Yin still turned her gaze away guiltily. “Yeah.”

“It’s windy outside. Close the window a bit,” Zhuo Chenglan said. “I’ll bring your food up in a moment.”

“Okay.” Ye Yin replied awkwardly, “One portion might not be enough. I’ll need three.”

“No problem.”

After the window was closed, Feng Ying hesitated and asked Zhuo Chenglan, “Sister-in-law, what’s going on here...?”

“Hm?”

“Nothing, never mind.”

Considering Ye Yin’s physical condition, today’s meeting was moved to the car where she and Zhuo Chenglan were resting. A napkin was spread over Ye Yin’s lap as she spooned fried rice from her lunchbox, listening to reports from the squad leaders.

“The cement and steel for the outpost construction have run out; the emergency construction team has temporarily returned to the base. We are now waiting for supplies to be transferred from the capital base. They fully support our plan, so these materials are provided free of charge.”

“Not far from the intersection with the Jing-X line is the Four Friends civilian base. The base leader there has agreed to provide permanent free station services for the Hope Road.”

“Some of the newly recruited refugees at the First Base have volunteered to become stationed troops along the route. They will use each outpost as a base and can also develop nearby farmland to achieve partial self-sufficiency...”

Ye Yin gradually began to grasp the details.

The people she had come into contact with had always been overwhelmingly imposing—either ruthless warlords in chaotic times or rare geniuses. Their astonishing feats and extraordinary methods had dazzled her so much that she had overlooked the light that shone from Zhuo Chenglan.

He was neither a superhuman nor a cultivator, yet he had survived the most difficult days, assisted his father in managing the First Base, and carried out various dangerous missions with order and calm. Amid the many fallen stars in this apocalypse, he remained standing silently, relying not merely on fortune but on his own abilities and indomitable will.

Everyone naturally assumed he could handle things well, yet they overlooked the fact that he had almost never made a serious subjective mistake. They subconsciously regarded him as merely “not bad,” without realizing that the real power lay in rarely making errors.

As Feng Ying spoke, his voice suddenly trailed off. Everyone looked at him and noticed he was staring at Ye Yin; they then all turned their gaze toward her, just catching her in the act of gazing intently at Zhuo Chenglan.

Zhuo Chenglan had been studying a map in his hand, but when the car fell silent, he looked up in confusion and scanned the surroundings before meeting Ye Yin’s eyes.

Ye Yin’s hand trembled, nearly dropping her lunchbox. “Hehe, it’s nothing. You guys continue.”

After the reports ended, the squad leaders smartly hurried off the vehicle, leaving only Zhuo Chenglan and Ye Yin inside. Feng Ying was in high spirits, slinging an arm around a comrade’s shoulder with a wide grin. “Come on, let’s grab a few drinks. It’s on the boss’s tab.”

“Deal!”

“Yeah, let’s have some fun, haha.”

Inside the car, Zhuo Chenglan gently covered Ye Yin with a blanket and quietly asked, “Are you full?”

“About seventy percent full,” Ye Yin replied. “I still want to eat some buns.”

“Seventy percent is enough. Don’t eat too much,” Zhuo Chenglan said. “You still have a slight fever, and conditions aren’t ideal. I’ll make you something once we get to the base.”

“You can cook?”

“I cook for myself often, so I learned.” Zhuo Chenglan thought for a moment. “Though everyone who’s eaten my food says it’s good, I don’t know if they’re just being polite or if you’ll like it.”

“No worries,” Ye Yin smiled brightly. “I’m not a picky eater.”

He seemed like a low-key treasure trove, his virtues unfolding one after another—a real gain.

The morning was unusually fine, the sunlight bright and pure. Some soldiers took advantage of the weather to spread their bedding on the ground to air out, in no rush to continue the journey. Zhuo Chenglan gently flipped through his work manual while Ye Yin leaned against his shoulder, dozing off. Feng Ying, passing by the window, caught sight of this warm scene and couldn’t help but quietly turn back and pass by again.

He wasn’t the only one wishing time would freeze in this moment.

Meanwhile, in a civilian house in Area C of the Third Base, the atmosphere was extremely awkward.

Fuyunzi’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Was this disheveled, grayish, bedraggled girl really his dazzling, splendid granddaughter?

“My poor child!” Fuyunzi wailed, grabbing Qiao Xinran tightly. “How did you end up like this? How am I supposed to face your father, mother, and grandmother in the future?”

“Grandpa, a little lighter,” Qiao Xinran struggled to break free. “Why did you only come to pick us up now? You should know better than anyone where I’ve been.”

“You silly child, do you think I didn’t want to come earlier?” Fuyunzi said. “The Light Cloud Temple was surrounded by experts. If I hadn’t found this incense burner during a thorough cleaning, you wouldn’t have seen me today.”

“Those people are so annoying, they just won’t go away,” Qiao Xinran said. “Grandpa, can’t you fight those experts?”

“I haven’t even asked you!” Fuyunzi suddenly lowered his face and scolded angrily. “Why kidnap the number one wanted criminal for no reason? Don’t you think you’re just causing me more trouble?”

“He’s been wronged,” Qiao Xinran argued. “I knew him before the apocalypse. He’s a big star, his TV dramas are super popular. He’s a really nice person. He even personally took Nana and me to the city back then. He never put on airs. How could he be a bad person?”

“You!” Fuyunzi was exasperated. “Haven’t you heard the old saying—actors are heartless and untrustworthy? Acting and singing are pretty much the same; they’re the best at faking feelings to fool you. Your grandpa once fell for a female opera singer, nearly shaved his head to become a monk. If I had really done that, there wouldn’t be you in the world!”

“Alright, grandpa,” Qiao Xinran coaxed. “It’s no use talking about this now. Please be merciful and help us.”

Though angry, Fuyunzi wouldn’t abandon his granddaughter. He growled fiercely, “Where is he? Let me see who’s causing my precious child such big trouble and refusing to repent!”

Qiao Xinran quickly pushed Bai Qing’s wheelchair out of the room. Fuyunzi was stunned upon seeing Bai Qing, then sighed and pursed his lips. “Ah, I thought the girl who’s always been so clever suddenly went stupid—elbow bent outward like that.”

“Grandpa, take a look at him,” Qiao Xinran said quietly. “We’ve seen several famous doctors but none helped. He still can’t see, hear, or walk.”

Fuyunzi reached out to touch Bai Qing but was repelled several steps back by some unknown force. His expression immediately turned grave.

“Ranran, stand back.”

Qiao Xinran nodded and walked away with a worried look.

Fuyunzi wielded his whisk, channeling a large amount of spiritual energy into it, then unleashed several beams of azure light toward Bai Qing. The sharp, piercing light howled toward him but dissolved a few centimeters from Bai Qing, vanishing like a stone sinking into the sea.

“So that’s it...”

“What’s going on?” Qiao Xinran asked anxiously.

“He’s not blind, deaf, or lame. Someone sealed these abilities in his body,” Fuyunzi shook his head. “The power is too strong for me to break for now. Seems I’ll have to ask my uncle for help...”

“Whoever you ask, grandpa, hurry!”

Fuyunzi glanced at Qiao Xinran with a complicated look. “Tell me, what’s your relationship with him? Are you—”

“No, just friends,” Qiao Xinran shook her head.

Fuyunzi immediately grew angry again. “Oh, so you haven’t ‘settled’ him yet? Running around like a madwoman, risking your life for him, and you don’t even get a thing out of it? That’s not the style of the Qiao family!”

“Is it fun to say things like that all the time?” Qiao Xinran snapped. “These things need mutual consent. I’m not a female bandit. If he doesn’t like me, how can I force him?”

“Then make him like you! I’m warning you, if you want to ask Uncle to unseal the powers in him, it’s going to cost a lot. I won’t do it for some outsider who’s not related to us! Wait until you two are married before talking about it!”

“Grandpa!” Qiao Xinran was desperate. “You’ve always been a rascal, but just this once, consider it a good deed. Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish!”

Fuyunzi gave Qiao Xinran a hefty slap. “Who’s the rascal? I’ve raised you all these years and never seen you so worried about anyone. Don’t you dare say you don’t truly like him! If you really like him, you have to fight for him. Take advantage of his current misfortune and win him over. Use your brain. Once someone like him recovers, there will be plenty of others throwing themselves at him. Then your chance will be even slimmer! Enough talk. Time’s almost up. Decide before I come tomorrow, or I won’t care about you two anymore!”

With that, Fuyunzi vanished in a puff of blue smoke.

Qiao Xinran was troubled. After much hesitation, she carefully wrote a few words on Bai Qing’s palm:

“Pretend to marry me, or grandpa won’t help.”

Bai Qing smiled faintly. “It’s okay for me. Thank you.”

Qiao Xinran’s heart felt a bit bitter. She wanted to write more but eventually released Bai Qing’s hand slowly.

After traveling for three and a half dusty months, the advance team finally arrived at Hope Base in early June of the apocalypse’s fifth year. The people of the base greeted them with overwhelming enthusiasm. Everyone voluntarily brought out food for a three-day-long banquet. The many soldiers all ate until they were full, none left out.

The Blue Rose transgender bar members who had relocated to Hope Base were ecstatic—so many young men! No doubt each quickly found their target and pounced. Lily clung to Feng Ying, refusing to let go, completely ignoring those around them as she cried while Feng Ying hurriedly comforted him.

“Sister!” Ye Hua shouted happily, suddenly throwing herself into Ye Yin’s arms.

Ye Yin picked her up and spun her around several times. “Miss me?”

“Mm, really, really missed you!” Ye Hua beamed and said to Zhuo Chenglan, “Welcome to Hope Base, brother-in-law!”

Ye Yin stumbled, and Zhuo Chenglan steadied her, patting Ye Hua’s head. “Thank you. Long time no see. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Situ Fei’s mouth formed an ‘O’ shape as she grabbed Ye Hua. “Huahua, what did you just say?”

Pira looked at the smiling Ye Hua without speaking but laughed joyfully. “My Huahua is always clever. She naturally noticed the new situation between you two right away. Congratulations, my big niece.”

In public, he was still her uncle, so Ye Yin couldn’t retaliate. She could only roll her eyes at him when no one was looking.

“Looks like the rumor is true,” Jiang Wen smiled slightly. “Of course, it’s also possible that the fake has become real?”

“That’s good,” Commander Cao tried to sound solemn but ended up with an awkward official tone that made everyone laugh inside, though they tried not to show it.

“Oh my,” Situ Fei clapped her hands. “Now there are many reasons for celebrations!”

Under the management of Jiang Wen, Pira, and others, Hope Base had flourished. Not only had they built a tall, sturdy main city and defensive walls, but the surrounding affiliated bases were also thriving. The good atmosphere and prosperity attracted many civilian bases nearby to seek refuge here, increasing the population by over thirty percent since Ye Yin left.

Aside from the farming area, the city center was gradually forming a mature and stable commercial district. Though not as perfect as the Third Base, it was sufficient to meet the needs of the base’s people.

After the new livestock enclosure was built, the Ma Yi tribe’s saintess led her people to graze cold-water sheep in the open spaces around the base. They could move wherever they wished, enjoying great freedom. With abundant energy from the new enclosure and no predators or zombie disturbances, the number of cold-water sheep greatly exceeded that at the Fourth Base. Although market prices were low, the strategy of small profits but large sales meant the Ma Yi tribe prospered, each member well-dressed and glowing with health. Marrying a man from this tribe became the pride of many common girls in the base; during matchmaking, the tribe’s young men gained more points than in college entrance exams, and Ma Yi girls had good prospects as well.

“You created a miracle,” Zhuo Chenglan said after touring Hope Base with Ye Yin. “This miracle exists because of you.”

“No one can do it alone,” Ye Yin smiled. “But I like it when you compliment me. Sincere words just feel good.”

“I’ll say as many as you want,” Zhuo Chenglan smiled. “Until you get tired of it.”

“Really hard to imagine,” Ye Yin sighed. “I always thought serious and upright people like you wouldn’t say sweet words.”

“Uh, have I been labeled that way already?”

“Yes, it’s ingrained.”

“Any plans soon?”

“I have to go to the Third Base,” Ye Yin said. “Lian told me some important information. I think something big might happen there, so I have to find out.”

“Be careful,” Zhuo Chenglan said. “I’ll finish my mission quickly and come find you.”

“Okay.” Ye Yin said, “I used to subconsciously think that once two people honestly express their feelings, it’s a happy ending and they’d always be together. I didn’t expect we’d have to part so soon.”

Unconsciously, the two walked to the edge of the Yunze Forest outside the base. Zhuo Chenglan stopped and solemnly asked,

“Can that label be torn off?”

“What?”

Zhuo Chenglan lowered his head and whispered in Ye Yin’s ear words hotter and more stirring than the passionate kiss they shared that night.

Ye Yin was stunned. She could clearly hear her heartbeat, faster and stronger, as if about to overload.

“So, after we finish clearing the zombie hordes, shall we get married?”

Ye Yin must have fallen into Zhuo Chenglan’s trap again. Caught off guard, she forgot to think carefully and weigh everything, and dumbly agreed.

“Okay.”

That night was destined to be sleepless.

The next day, Ye Yin regretted it deeply. Early in the morning, she found Zhuo Chenglan.

“Sorry, I want to take back what I said about getting married yesterday.”

“Hm?” Zhuo Chenglan paused his writing and smiled.

“The part where I agreed to marry you,” Ye Yin said. “Yesterday, your previous words scared me, so I couldn’t react in time and blurted out yes.”

“Words once spoken cannot be taken back,” Zhuo Chenglan said sincerely. “Besides, a person’s first reaction is the truest; thinking too much will stray from the heart.”

“That’s not the point!” Ye Yin was about to lose it. “Why should I agree to the most important thing in a woman’s life just like that? No flowers, no ring, nothing. Don’t you think we’re moving too fast? We’ve only been officially dating for less than four months!”

“Not four months,” Zhuo Chenglan said calmly, opening a drawer to find something. “I’ve wanted to marry you for over four years.”

Ye Yin blushed deeply and sat down beside him in frustration. “Fine. What’s this feeling of unwillingness about...?”

“How about this?” Zhuo Chenglan placed a ring in Ye Yin’s palm. “One of the Duchess Caroline’s collections, called the ‘Moon of Myanmar.’”

“Eh? Where did you get this?”

“When I was little, Lian and I used to massage grandma’s back. When she was happy, she’d bring out her jewelry box and let us choose something, saying these were all good things to give to a future wife.” Zhuo Chenglan said, “Luckily, I didn’t lose it. I found it before this trip.”

The ring was ancient and exquisite, set with a large, smooth diamond that shimmered with a mysterious and tranquil moonlight. Everyone’s idea of moonlight differed—some saw it as silver, others as a faint orange or even red. Ye Yin had no clear concept before, but upon seeing the ring, she thought to herself that no matter how, this must be the moonlight.

“I’ll put it on you.”

“Mm...”

Zhuo Chenglan gently slid the Moon of Myanmar onto Ye Yin’s left middle finger. After pushing it down to the base of her finger, he smiled. “Now that you’ve accepted my engagement ring, you can’t back out.”

“......”

“What’s wrong?”

“...I think I’ve fallen for your trap again.”