Chapter 154: Do You Have Feelings for Him?

"Did you not even notice I had disappeared?"

Facing the double-barreled accusation, Qin Sheng, whose heart had been heavy with worry, instantly relaxed. Seeing Song Qing'an puffing out his cheeks in protest, she found him unexpectedly adorable.

It was truly maddening.

"Alright, alright, wasn't I just about to head out to find you?" Qin Sheng knew she had been in a rush after leaving the Life-and-Death Arena earlier and had forgotten to bring Song Qing'an along. Feeling a twinge of guilt, she offered a tentative, soothing reply.

Song Qing'an’s pouting lips relaxed at her conciliatory tone, replaced by an expression of pure, uncalculating delight.

"Fine, I won't blame you this time, but remember not to forget me again." Song Qing'an emphasized each word with earnestness.

"Got it, got it." Qin Sheng chuckled, gazing helplessly at the man acting so coquettishly toward her. To her surprise, she didn't find this side of him off-putting at all.

"I heard from the others that you're leading a team outside the Safe Zone to scavenge for supplies the day after tomorrow?" Song Qing'an had bumped into Lin Xing on his way upstairs and learned of the mission through their conversation. For Lin Xing and his group, it sounded like a fresh and thrilling adventure, but Song Qing'an knew that the captain, Qin Sheng, would have to handle everything, especially the safety of the personnel. The pressure must be immense.

He looked at Qin Sheng with a touch of heartache, wondering how he could comfort her and ease her tension.

"Yes, I only found out this afternoon. I just finished discussing it with them briefly," Qin Sheng admitted truthfully.

Song Qing'an nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Are you leading the team alone?" Given that she was a newly appointed captain taking on such a dangerous mission, he knew it wouldn't be easy. Even though he was confident in her strength, he couldn't help but worry.

Qin Sheng shook her head, the image of Yang Lin flashing through her mind. "Yang Lin, the captain of the Tiger Squad, is coming too."

Based on her brief exchange with Yang Lin earlier, she had suspected they might team up, and sure enough, the news arrived shortly after she returned to the Safe Zone. Yang Lin’s Tiger Squad would join forces with her Seventh Squad. However, Qin Sheng remained the overall mission commander, which doubled the weight on her shoulders. She wasn't too worried about her own people, as most of them had awakened their abilities, but Yang Lin’s team was different. They were ordinary people without powers; if they encountered zombies they couldn't defeat, it would be a death sentence.

The thought made the responsibility feel even heavier. She would have to be extra cautious and ensure her decisions were flawless—lives were on the line.

"Your district chief is quite the character. Your probationary period as captain hasn't even passed, and the missions are already piling up." Song Qing'an couldn't help but grumble. From the very beginning, he hadn't wanted Qin Sheng to become a guard captain—the work was endless, difficult, and high-pressure. But he knew she had her own path to follow, so he chose to trust and let go. In fact, it was he who had prompted Lu Qingyan to point her in this direction. He sighed helplessly; since he was the one who had set this in motion, he had no choice but to support her.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Seeing his furrowed brows, Qin Sheng tilted her head and offered a reassuring smile. Song Qing'an trusted her abilities, but he simply couldn't stand seeing her work so hard.

"I believe in you, and I will support you," he said, smoothing his brow and smiling back at her.

"Just wait for me obediently. I will definitely come back safely."

As soon as she finished, Song Qing'an’s expression shifted back to a look of grievance. He stared at her, blinking his eyes. "So, you’re still not planning to take me with you?"

Qin Sheng pursed her lips. She wasn't worried about her own team, but if Yang Lin found out Song Qing'an wasn't a member of the Safe Zone, he might become suspicious.

"Actually, it's fine, I won't be sad..."

Seeing those large, watery, puppy-like eyes fixed on her, Qin Sheng felt as though there was nothing she could refuse him. "But you have to agree to one condition."

As long as she was willing to take him, no problem seemed insurmountable to Song Qing'an. "What condition?"

"You can come with me, but you can't stay by my side," she said with a soft laugh.

Song Qing'an pouted, knowing that was coming, but he couldn't refuse. After all, it wasn't just her team; there was that Tiger Squad to consider.

"I know you have a way," she said, her eyes bright and animated as she looked up at him.

Seeing her finally relax, Song Qing'an would have agreed to anything. "Fine, I agree."

"I knew you'd find a way," she said with a smile. It was rare for her to show such trust in him, and Song Qing'an decided he wouldn't press for any more conditions. As long as she was happy and comfortable, he would do anything.

"Shall we go eat?" she asked, tilting her head.

He nodded, and with a shared smile, they walked side by side toward the exit of the dormitory building. Qin Sheng walked briskly, but as they reached the stairs, she spotted a familiar face from her team. Without a second thought, she pushed Song Qing'an back.

Song Qing'an was stunned, only realizing a moment later that she was hiding his existence from someone.

"Wait here obediently. You can come out in a bit..." she whispered.

Song Qing'an’s interest piqued. He leaned in close to her ear and murmured, "What if I get too hungry and can't help but come out?"

Knowing he wouldn't be that well-behaved, she sighed helplessly. "If you dare, you'll be in for it."

Though her tone was meant to be a threat, Song Qing'an interpreted it quite differently. He raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly. "You say it like that, and now I'm curious—how exactly would you 'punish' me if I came out?"

The word "punish" seemed to take on a different meaning when it left his lips. Feeling her cheeks flush, Qin Sheng pinched his waist, forcing him to behave.

"Stay put."

Feeling the sting, Song Qing'an nodded obediently. "Understood."

Satisfied, Qin Sheng stepped out of the building.

"Captain Yang, what brings you here?"

She had only seen Yang Lin that morning; she hadn't expected him to show up in the afternoon. Perhaps he was here to discuss the mission.

Yang Lin held out a shopping bag from behind his back. Qin Sheng didn't know what was inside.

"This is?"

Yang Lin handed the bag to her, scratching his head with a bashful expression. "It's a camouflage uniform. I didn't know your size, so I just grabbed the smallest one."

Qin Sheng was taken aback. She remembered mentioning in passing earlier that day that his camouflage uniform looked nice, and he had gone out and gotten her a set by the afternoon. She smiled politely, pleasantly surprised. "Thank you. I didn't realize you were so thoughtful, Captain Yang."

Being praised made Yang Lin even more embarrassed. If he hadn't mentioned it to his team, he wouldn't have thought to get her a new set. "It's nothing, as long as you like it."

"Would you like to stay for a meal?" she offered.

Yang Lin shook his head gently. "No, thank you. I have things to deal with back at my post. I'll come by tomorrow to discuss the specifics for the day after tomorrow."

Since he declined, she didn't press. "Alright, let me walk you out."

"No need, go have your meal. I'll be going."

"Goodbye, Captain Yang."

"Goodbye, Qin Sheng. See you tomorrow."

"See you."

After Yang Lin left, Qin Sheng immediately turned back to find Song Qing'an. He had been obedient and stayed put; she found him sitting in a chair by the window, lost in thought.

"Alright, he's gone. Let's go eat." She tapped his shoulder, signaling him to follow, but before she could take two steps, he caught her hand.

She turned back, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What is it?"

Song Qing'an took a deep breath, meeting her eyes. "Does that man like you?"

The question caught her off guard.

"So I guessed right?" His eyes dropped, his expression filled with a melancholy that made it seem as if she had been the one to hurt him.

"Of course not. I saved him and his team before, so he was just showing gratitude by bringing the clothes." She didn't know where her patience came from, but she explained it to him calmly, even though she knew he was being difficult on purpose.

Song Qing'an’s eyes lit up upon hearing her explanation, but he clearly wasn't finished. "Then, do you have any feelings for him?"

The question left her even more bewildered.

"Song Qing'an? You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" She rolled her eyes at him.

He puffed out his cheeks and whispered, "I have to be sure you don't have feelings for him. Just in case..."