Chapter Twelve: Setting Out Once More

Before Jiang Miaomiao could say anything more, Yu Ziyue, overwhelmed and terrified, fainted on the spot.

“Tch, that’s no fun. Fainted already?” Jiang Miaomiao pursed her lips, clearly disappointed. Once she confirmed Yu Ziyue was truly out cold, she headed toward Qin Sheng.

“I haven’t even made my entrance yet,” complained Chu Xingyu.

Qin Sheng hadn’t expected Yu Ziyue to be so easily frightened either; just the appearance of Lin Xing and Jiang Miaomiao had been enough to make her faint. It was a shame, considering how much effort they’d put into their makeup and costumes.

“Let’s go back,” Qin Sheng said quietly, glancing expressionlessly at the unconscious Yu Ziyue before turning to address the others.

Like a gust of wind, the five-person team swiftly left the floor, leaving Yu Ziyue passed out where she’d fallen.

Half an hour later, they had removed their makeup and changed back into their own clothes. With the exception of Jiang Miaomiao and Lin Xing, Chu Xingyu and Wang Yu’s moods were noticeably low.

“Come on, just because you didn’t get your moment on stage, little brother Xingyu, doesn’t mean you need to mope,” Lin Xing said, clapping Chu Xingyu on the shoulder with a sly grin, pretending to console him.

Chu Xingyu rolled his eyes at Lin Xing, then looked helplessly at Qin Sheng.

Qin Sheng offered Chu Xingyu a comforting glance before heading to the bathroom. Out of sight, she quietly took five boxes of self-heating river snail noodles from her storage.

“Thanks for your hard work. How about river snail noodles for dinner tonight?” Qin Sheng said as she emerged from the bathroom, cradling the boxes in her arms.

Lin Xing’s eyes widened at the sight, and he hurried forward to take them, swallowing hard. “Are these really river snail noodles? Grand Lady, where on earth did you conjure these from?”

“Leftover stock from before,” Qin Sheng replied offhandedly.

“But seriously, Grand Lady, why did you keep food in the bathroom?” Lin Xing asked, glancing skeptically at the bathroom door, clearly puzzled.

Qin Sheng fell silent. She’d only wanted to secretly take the noodles from her storage, but had forgotten that the spot she chose was, in fact, the bathroom.

“Why do you ask so many questions? If Shengsheng puts something somewhere, she has her reasons,” Jiang Miaomiao said, taking two boxes from Qin Sheng and answering Lin Xing’s question at the same time.

“That’s true. Still, I can’t believe we get to eat river snail noodles today!” Lin Xing bounced over to distribute a box each to Chu Xingyu and Wang Yu.

Qin Sheng didn’t bother explaining further about the bathroom; she was relieved that Lin Xing didn’t keep pressing, as she really wouldn’t know how to explain it.

“Wang Yu, come help me move this table,” she called.

Chu Xingyu and Jiang Miaomiao took on the task of preparing the noodles, while Lin Xing enlisted Wang Yu to help set up the tables. In no time, the five of them sat obediently, waiting for the self-heating pots to finish their work.

Though it was her first time eating river snail noodles, Jiang Miaomiao was far more composed than Lin Xing and the others.

“Grand Lady, when will it be ready?” Lin Xing asked impatiently, the characteristic aroma already making his stomach growl with anticipation.

No sooner had he spoken than the self-heating pot fell silent.

“It’s done. Careful, it’s hot,” Qin Sheng said with a gentle smile.

Lin Xing, hearing only the first two words, excitedly reached for the pot lid, only to yelp as he burned his fingers.

Without missing a beat, he pinched his scalded fingers onto Wang Yu’s ear, just as Wang Yu was taking off his glasses to enjoy his meal.

Jiang Miaomiao burst out laughing.

Wang Yu glared at Lin Xing, exasperated. “Can’t you pinch your own ear when you get burned?”

Lin Xing grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, I forgot.”

Chu Xingyu, apparently used to this, shook his head with a helpless smile as he opened his own box.

The unique aroma of the river snail noodles spread through the room. Wang Yu, losing all interest in bickering, hurried to open his meal.

“Never thought I’d get to eat river snail noodles in the apocalypse,” Chu Xingyu said, savoring a bite and casting an admiring look at Qin Sheng.

Lin Xing and Wang Yu simply nodded in hearty agreement, too busy eating to speak.

Qin Sheng smiled softly. “Eat slowly.”

After that, only the sounds of slurping filled the air. There was no energy left for praise or exclamations; with a bowl of noodles in their bellies, the fatigue of the past days melted away.

When Qin Sheng finished eating, she went to the bathroom again, returning with five bottles of cola.

“I picked these up at the supermarket yesterday,” she said, distributing the bottles. This time, no one questioned her. In this world, only Qin Sheng could make river snail noodles and cola appear out of nowhere; so what was there to doubt?

After cleaning up, the five sat where they’d eaten, quietly sipping their colas.

“Grand Lady,” Lin Xing suddenly stood up, looking at Qin Sheng with uncharacteristic solemnity.

“What is it?” she asked.

Lin Xing looked at her seriously and declared, “I respect you. Thank you for saving my life so many times.”

Qin Sheng smiled, lifting her cola in a casual, carefree toast.

“I’ll drink to that, too, Sister Sheng,” Chu Xingyu said, standing and matching Lin Xing’s earnestness.

“Then let’s all toast together?” Jiang Miaomiao suggested with a smile.

They raised their bottles high and drank, exchanging smiles.

“By the way, Lin Xing, Xingyu, how did you two end up here?” Qin Sheng asked after a short rest, voicing her lingering curiosity.

Lin Xing’s expression soured at the memory. “It was all that Li Chengbin’s fault. He talked about duty and responsibility and pushed Little Brother Xingyu and me to join the rescue team.”

“We all should do our part to save people…” Wang Yu started to say, but seeing Lin Xing’s threatening glare, he reluctantly fell silent.

Qin Sheng frowned. “Then why only the three of you today?”

If she remembered correctly, yesterday’s rescue team had at least six or seven people.

“Li Chengbin said there was no need for so many here, so he sent the three of us,” Chu Xingyu explained immediately.

Qin Sheng narrowed her eyes. She was certain Li Chengbin didn’t fully understand the situation here; sending Lin Xing and the others was likely for his own reasons.

“What did Li Chengbin tell you?” Qin Sheng asked after a moment’s thought.

“He said the area had been cleared and there wouldn’t be any zombies. I actually believed his nonsense! If we hadn’t run into you, Grand Lady, I might’ve lost my life here,” Lin Xing said, clenching his fists, cheeks flushed with anger.

Qin Sheng’s gaze shifted to Wang Yu.

“You knew it wasn’t safe here.” Her eyes darkened, suspicion plain in her tone.

Lin Xing and Chu Xingyu turned to Wang Yu as well, their disbelief written across their faces.

“You mean you knew all along?” Lin Xing exclaimed, lunging at Wang Yu and grabbing his ear, nearly knocking his glasses askew.

Wang Yu struggled free, straightening his clothes before explaining helplessly, “Li Chengbin told me that the blue-roofed building had been double-checked and the stairwells blocked off. How was I to know zombies would show up on the roof?”

Lin Xing rolled his eyes, unimpressed. “How do we know you’re not in on it with Li Chengbin?”

Wang Yu’s face flushed with urgency. He jumped up, protesting, “If I was, why would I have come out here with you two?”

“You—” Lin Xing started.

Qin Sheng stopped him with a hand. From Wang Yu’s explanation, it seemed all three of them had been deceived by Li Chengbin.

“Tomorrow, we’ll go to the cafeteria together,” Qin Sheng said, then instructed everyone to find a place to rest.

It seemed Qin Mengchun’s search for a scapegoat wouldn’t be as easy as she imagined. She was clever, but Qin Sheng felt it was time to meet her.

As usual, Qin Sheng went to the balcony off the bathroom to observe the situation. This time, the person who came to speak with her was a surprise.

Wang Yu looked up at the short-haired girl sitting by the window, hesitated, then said, “I never meant to harm anyone. I just wanted to save as many people as I could.”

Qin Sheng drew her gaze from the window and fixed it on Wang Yu. “I know.”

“Mm.” Wang Yu pressed his lips together, turning to return to the room.

“Wait,” Qin Sheng called to his back.

Wang Yu paused, puzzled. “What is it?”

“Just one more thing—some people aren’t worth saving,” Qin Sheng said.

Wang Yu froze, but didn’t reply.

That night, Lin Xing slept better than he had in ages. If not for the gender issue, he’d have wanted to stay here permanently.

“Time to eat, Lin Xing. Afterward, put on the clothes Shengsheng prepared for you,” Jiang Miaomiao said, once she saw Lin Xing was awake, before finding a spot to practice her stances.

At the mention of new clothes, Lin Xing couldn’t help recalling last night’s zombie costume and muttered to himself as he went to take a look.

On the table lay a set of high-quality camouflage hiking gear, complete with matching boots and socks—all meticulously prepared.

Lin Xing made sure the bathroom was empty before happily changing into the outfit Qin Sheng had set out for him. It fit perfectly.

Just as he finished dressing, Qin Sheng returned with Chu Xingyu and Wang Yu from outside, all wearing the same gear. They looked every bit like a team of wilderness explorers.

“Not bad, fits you well,” Qin Sheng praised, nodding. Lin Xing’s muscular build really suited the outfit.

Flushed with pride at the compliment, Lin Xing struck a few poses, his six-foot frame suddenly shy. “Grand Lady, how did you know my size? Don’t tell me—”

Jiang Miaomiao shot him an exasperated look and smacked his head. “What nonsense. Obviously, she just got you the biggest size possible!”

After that, Qin Sheng and the others couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ready? Let’s get moving,” Qin Sheng said, regaining her composure.

“All set!”

“OK!”

“Just let me finish this bun!”