Chapter 156: Song Qing’an Is Nowhere to Be Found

Song Qing'an rushed out of the "Follow Fate" shop, a bouquet of flowers in hand, eager to see Qin Sheng.

"Master."

Hearing Xun Feng's voice, Song Qing'an stopped in his tracks.

"What is it?"

Xun Feng glanced up at the roses in Song Qing'an's hand, his lips pressed into a thin line, clearly struggling with how to begin.

"Speak plainly."

Xun Feng took a deep breath. "Master, the Otherworld Continent..."

"They want me back again, don't they?"

Xun Feng remained silent, which was as good as an admission.

Being summoned back to the Otherworld Continent was truly vexing. Song Qing'an frowned impatiently and nodded. "I understand. Take these flowers back to the shop for me; I am heading to the Otherworld Continent."

"Does the Master not intend for me to accompany you?"

Song Qing'an shook his head. "There is nothing major happening there. It is likely just a formality to show my face. Once you have returned the flowers, go back to the Safe Zone and continue to protect her."

"Understood."

Xun Feng bowed, acknowledging that his orders remained to protect Qin Sheng from the shadows. He stepped forward to take the bouquet from Song Qing'an.

Seeing Xun Feng take the flowers, Song Qing'an sighed helplessly. "Take care of these for me. Be very careful with them."

Xun Feng nodded and vanished.

Song Qing'an took a deep breath. If he did not go to the Otherworld Continent now, it would surely stir up trouble. The final active factor had yet to be collected, so he could not afford any rash actions.

For some reason, Song Qing'an felt a sudden urge to catch one last glimpse of Qin Sheng. He acted on the impulse, but she was nowhere to be found in the entire Safe Zone. He did not know where she had gone.

It felt as though fate had willed it—he would not see her before his departure. A sense of disappointment settled in his heart.

"Brother Song Qing'an?"

Having failed to find Qin Sheng and feeling the pressure of time, Song Qing'an was about to leave when a youthful voice called out from behind him.

Xiao Nuo was coming downstairs to help Yu Yong tidy up and happened to run into him.

Song Qing'an turned, offered a faint smile, and nodded at Xiao Nuo.

"Are you looking for Sister? We haven't seen her either. I'm not sure where she went, but don't worry—she’s perfectly safe within the Safe Zone." Xiao Nuo seemed to notice the anxiety on Song Qing'an's face and offered a word of comfort.

Song Qing'an knew she was safe, but he had a subconscious feeling that if they didn't meet now, the next time might be a very long way off.

"I see. When your sister returns, please tell her I had some matters to attend to and had to leave for a while. Tell her not to worry." Song Qing'an hesitated for a moment before deciding to leave the message with Xiao Nuo.

Xiao Nuo nodded obediently. "I understand, Brother. Don't worry."

Song Qing'an nodded with a smile and turned to leave.

Xiao Nuo watched his retreating figure until he disappeared completely. Only then did his expression shift.

"The Young Master of the Listening Wind Pavilion is certainly different toward Sister."

In an instant, Xiao Nuo seemed like a different person. The innocence and callowness in his eyes vanished entirely, and the slight curve of his lips carried a hint of sarcasm.

He wondered what the Pavilion Master truly intended by sending him to this world. It was exhausting to keep up this act of meekness for so long.

Xiao Nuo stretched his shoulders, a cluster of blue light gathering in his palm. If Qin Sheng were present, she would have recognized the glow as supernatural power.

***

Xiao Nuo watched the blue light in his palm intensify from pale to deep. Immense power surged within his grasp. Had the Pavilion Master not strictly forbidden him from using his abilities here, he would never have feared those zombies in the Zombie Forest.

He did not yet know the specifics of his mission and could only hide here with Team Seven for now. When the time was right, the orders would surely follow.

"Xiao Nuo, why did you come out?"

Wang Qiang's voice came from behind him. Xiao Nuo instantly clenched his fist, the blue light vanishing. The maturity and calculated gaze in his eyes were replaced by childishness and innocence.

"Brother Wang Qiang?"

"Xiao Xiao said you were helping Uncle Yu. I’ve come to bring you back. We can help him after training. We’re heading out of the Safe Zone tomorrow, so you need to step up your training—no slacking off..."

Wang Qiang, oblivious to the change in Xiao Nuo's demeanor, rambled on as he gently nudged him back toward the building.

Qin Sheng stayed in her spatial dimension until dark before emerging, bringing out quite a few things, including hot pot base and various hot pot meatballs.

She had remembered her promise to treat them to hot pot. Since some of them were heading out of the Safe Zone the next afternoon, regardless of whether they had perfect training attendance, she decided this meal would serve as a farewell feast.

Coincidentally, the Safe Zone canteen had delivered a good amount of vegetables today. While not exactly fresh, they would do. She also had some leftover self-heating hot pot ingredients, which were perfect for the pot.

If they asked, she would just say Song Qing'an had brought them. Even if he were there, he wouldn't contradict her.

With this solid excuse in mind, Qin Sheng pulled more items from her space. When she walked downstairs carrying a large bag, the others were stunned.

"Sister Sheng, did you go rob someone? How do you have so much stuff?" Chu Xingyu teased as he stepped forward to help her with the bags.

Qin Sheng answered without missing a beat, "Song Qing'an brought it over. He heard we were planning a hot pot dinner and brought quite a lot."

Using Song Qing'an as a shield worked every time. They didn't question it further and happily began setting the table.

Wang Qiang leaned in toward Qin Sheng and whispered, "Captain, didn't we say only those with perfect attendance could have hot pot?"

The smell of the hot pot base was making him salivate; he had never imagined since the apocalypse began that he would get to eat hot pot again.

Qin Sheng chuckled as she watched everyone bustling about. "We are setting out tomorrow; let's treat this as a send-off."

Wang Qiang nodded, then went to join the others.

"Brother Qiang, why don't you set the table? There's no need for four of us to wash vegetables," Lin Xing said, seeing the crowd at the sink.

Wang Qiang went to set the bowls and chopsticks. Soon, everything was ready. Wang Qiang even pushed two tables together to fit everyone.

Qin Sheng only ever provided the ingredients; she didn't need to do the prep work. She found a seat, and Xiao Nuo obediently poured her a glass of water.

Since the children, Xiao Nuo and Xiao Xiao, had been helping, the others urged them to rest. Seeing Qin Sheng sitting alone, Xiao Nuo brought her a glass of water.

"Sister, drink some water. It’ll be ready soon."

Qin Sheng snapped out of her thoughts and took the glass. The water was the perfect temperature, soothing her dry throat. She set the glass down.

"Xiao Nuo, I’m heading out of the Safe Zone tomorrow. I’m leaving this place under your protection." Qin Sheng smiled and patted his head, looking into his clear, mirror-like eyes. It made her feel at ease.

Xiao Nuo nodded brightly. "Don't worry, Sister. I will protect our team!"

His earnest expression made Qin Sheng laugh. She took his hands and held them for a long moment, warming them until they felt comfortable before letting go.

"Your hands are so cold. Are you chilly?"

Even though the temperature wasn't extremely low, the temperature fluctuations in the post-apocalyptic world were severe, and it was easy to catch a cold. Qin Sheng felt a pang of concern.

Xiao Nuo was stunned as he watched Qin Sheng warm his hands between hers.

"Xiao Nuo?"

He blinked, snapping out of his daze.

"I'm not cold, Sister, really." Xiao Nuo smiled at her, then turned his hands over to hold hers instead. "Sister, now that my hands are warm, I can keep yours warm, too."

Qin Sheng smiled, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. Xiao Nuo was like a little angel, always offering her warmth.

"After we eat, I'll get you some cold medicine. You should take some; I’d be heartbroken if you caught a cold." She tapped his forehead playfully.

"Okay, Sister."

"The hot pot is ready!"

"Time to eat!"

The aroma filled the room. Everyone gathered around, chatting and laughing while they waited for the pot to boil.

"Since we are leaving tomorrow and the return date is uncertain, those of you staying behind must not forget your training. If anything comes up, go to Lu Qingyan or Secretary Xiao Li; I’ve told them to keep an eye on things here before I left," Qin Sheng said, standing to give a brief instruction.

"We understand, Sister. Don't worry, we will guard this place well and wait for your victorious return," Xiao Nuo said, clinking his glass against hers.

Qin Sheng patted his shoulder. "Then I leave it to our little Xiao Nuo."

"I'm not a little kid anymore, Sister." Xiao Nuo pouted, dissatisfied.

Qin Sheng laughed and humored him. "Alright, alright. Our Xiao Nuo isn't a kid, he’s a grown-up."

Only then was Xiao Nuo satisfied, revealing his little canine teeth in a grin.

"Uncle Yu, I leave things here to you."

Yu Yong offered his usual honest smile. "Don't worry, Captain. With me here, you have nothing to fear."

Qin Sheng nodded, feeling relieved, and sat back down.

The hot pot was boiling, and everyone began to eat with enthusiasm. Qin Sheng glanced at the empty seat beside her, realizing Song Qing'an hadn't come.

She felt her cheeks flush at the memory of that afternoon. Perhaps he had stayed away out of shyness. She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. If he wanted to appear, he would. Besides, she wasn't ready to face him directly anyway.

His absence actually made things easier; she didn't have to be so nervous.

She had spent the whole afternoon trying to figure out her feelings for him. She had never dealt with romance in this life or the last, and she didn't know how to handle it.

But the tingling sensation in her heart was something she wasn't quite used to yet.