Chapter 20: The Barbecue Gathering Turns Into a Hotpot Party

“He’ll definitely come.” Song Qing’an repeated softly.

Qin Sheng smiled and continued leaning against the railing, gazing up at the rare blue sky and white clouds that remained in the apocalypse.

Song Qing’an was as quiet as ever, occasionally turning to glance at Qin Sheng, who was savoring the moment’s air; her faint smile did nothing to disturb the peace.

After a while, Song Qing’an quietly slipped away as she had done before. Qin Sheng couldn’t be bothered to look for her and didn’t try, as if the two of them had developed their own unique understanding.

When Lin Xing and the others noticed that Song Qing’an had left at some point, their curiosity finally got the better of them.

“Sheng, when did you meet that handsome guy?” Chu Xingyu sidled up to ask.

Qin Sheng thought for a moment. She had met Song Qing’an just over a week before the end of the world, so it hadn’t been that long.

“About two weeks?” Qin Sheng offered a rough estimate.

“Two weeks!” Lin Xing found it hard to believe that this person had managed to capture his cousin’s attention in just two weeks. His resentment towards Song Qing’an only deepened. Subconsciously, he decided that Song Qing’an simply couldn’t be trusted—apocalypse or not, a scoundrel wouldn’t change his stripes.

After some internal debate, Lin Xing firmly classified Song Qing’an as a player. He would never stand by and let his cousin be hurt by someone like that!

“What do you think of Song Qing’an?” Chu Xingyu, picking up on Lin Xing’s cue, pressed on.

The question made Qin Sheng stop and think.

Since the day they met when she bought a knife, their interactions hadn’t been many. Most of the time, Song Qing’an would come find her for food. Other than a bit of narcissism, he wasn’t a bad person.

“He’s all right, aside from being a bit self-absorbed,” Qin Sheng answered honestly.

Lin Xing hesitated at this. After all, vanity was hardly a crime, and he couldn’t very well brand someone a scoundrel just for that.

Qin Sheng noticed Chu Xingyu fall silent, no longer asking questions, and stared at him curiously, waiting for whatever came next.

Chu Xingyu glanced back at Lin Xing, who was staring at the ground, lost in thought. He coughed loudly to prompt Lin Xing to continue.

Jolted back to reality, Lin Xing remembered his purpose and followed up, “So, cousin, do you have any feelings for that handsome guy?”

This question stumped Qin Sheng. In both her past and present lives, she had never given love much thought. There was so much left to do; she had neither the means nor the desire to waste time on fruitless things.

“We’re just friends,” said Qin Sheng, and with that, she left the rooftop.

Lin Xing and Chu Xingyu were left behind, still puzzling over what to ask next.

“Looks like Sheng doesn’t have any feelings for Song Qing’an. You can relax now,” Chu Xingyu said, clapping Lin Xing on the shoulder before heading off to join Jiang Miaomiao in training.

Lin Xing felt a vague discomfort. His aim had never been to break up or interfere with Qin Sheng’s love life—he simply wanted, as family, to see if Song Qing’an was trustworthy. Even with a clear answer, seeing her lonely figure as she left tugged at his heart.

“Forget it. I’d better get back to training,” Lin Xing muttered, comforting himself as he returned to their spot.

*

“Young master, the Lord insists you return today.”

Song Qing’an, busy rummaging through things in the Fate’s Way Shop, paused as a voice drifted in from the window.

“What difference does it make whether I go today or tomorrow, Xunfeng?” Song Qing’an lounged carelessly against a crate overflowing with goods, speaking in his usual languid manner.

The man outside hesitated before persisting, “Young master, the Lord is not one to be refused. Besides, you have nothing pressing today.”

Unconcerned, Song Qing’an pulled out two identical long-handled daggers inlaid with red diamonds from the crate, paying no attention to Xunfeng’s words.

“Young master…” Xunfeng began, but before he could finish, the two daggers came flying out the window. Xunfeng dodged them with ease.

“Xunfeng, don’t forget who you serve.”

Immediately, Xunfeng dropped to his knees and clasped his hands in a show of loyalty. “Young master, I overstepped.”

No further sound came from inside, and Xunfeng dared not rise, kneeling motionless like a statue outside the window.

Time passed before Song Qing’an finally spoke.

“Bring the daggers inside. There’s no need to speak of this again.”

Years of martial arts had hardened Xunfeng’s knees, so kneeling for hours was nothing. He quickly delivered the daggers back inside and left in haste.

They, the shadow guards, swore unwavering loyalty to one alone, destined to dwell in darkness unless summoned by their master.

Song Qing’an carefully wiped the dust from the daggers and placed them in separate boxes. Before leaving, he also slipped two training manuals from the shop.

As he walked out, Xunfeng followed as always, but Song Qing’an stopped him after only a few steps.

“No need to follow. Just keep an eye on this place.”

Without hesitation, Xunfeng vanished in the blink of an eye.

Weighing the two boxes in his hands, Song Qing’an swaggered down the street, muttering, “Let’s hope I don’t have to eat compressed biscuits next time.”

Whistling as he walked, he drew the attention of countless zombies, their bloody maws wide as they chased after him in droves, eager to tear their prey to pieces. Yet he strode on, unbothered.

Every zombie that drew near was instantly reduced to ash.

Back at the Fate’s Way Shop—

“When did that rascal Song Qing’an swipe my Tiger-Dragon twin daggers, which I’ve treasured for twenty years?!” Lu Shenchen roared in anger, his fury rivaling any demon from hell.

Xunfeng leaned nonchalantly against a porcelain vase nearby, indifferent to Lu Shenchen’s glare.

“I have to ask, what’s with your young master’s penchant for petty thievery?” Now that his treasures were gone for good, Lu Shenchen drained his tea and eyed Xunfeng.

The moment Xunfeng heard Lu Shenchen badmouthing his master, he straightened up and said sternly, “Please refrain from speaking ill of the master behind his back. He was raised with the highest standards and is nothing like what you suggest.”

Lu Shenchen waved his hand in resignation. Having lost his beloved daggers, he could only joke, but Xunfeng was too serious. “Fine, I’ll stop. But those daggers he took are worth at least this much.”

Seeing the gesture, Xunfeng pursed his lips in embarrassment and disappeared in an instant.

Lu Shenchen rolled his eyes in exasperation and checked to see if anything else had gone missing.

In truth, Xunfeng was simply sitting on the rooftop, not daring to disobey Song Qing’an’s command. Even when he vanished, he remained within the shop’s bounds.

Before long, another wail rose from downstairs.

“Song Qing’an, you little thief! You even took two of my secret manuals?!”

Xunfeng merely scratched his ear, pretending not to hear. After all, if he had to repay everything Song Qing’an took, ten lifetimes of service wouldn’t suffice.

Meanwhile, Song Qing’an, striding boldly through the university gates, sneezed uncontrollably. He could guess who was cursing him.

Elsewhere, Qin Sheng, who had arranged to have barbecue with Song Qing’an, woke from her nap and started preparing. She could easily pull things from her space, but with Lin Xing, Jiang Miaomiao, and the others around, she had to make it look convincing.

So she dragged Lin Xing, the muscle of the group, to the supermarket.

“Cousin, you finally agreed to let us forage! Our training must be paying off, right?” Lin Xing asked eagerly.

Qin Sheng had meant to say she just needed a helping hand, but seeing the hope in his eyes, she could only nod.

“Knew it!” Lin Xing beamed.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back,” Qin Sheng said, leaving Lin Xing in a safe corner before slipping into the supermarket.

Lin Xing was confused. Hadn’t she said she’d take him along? How had he become the lookout?

Still, since it was her plan, he didn’t protest and kept watch dutifully.

Within five minutes, Qin Sheng emerged, arms laden with bags. Lin Xing was stunned by the haul.

She’d brought back crispy rolls, spiced chicken and duck feet, charcoal-roasted pig’s trotters, and just about everything fit for hot pot, even two packs of soup base—clear broth and spicy. Thoughtful, indeed.

“Are we having hot pot tonight?” Lin Xing stared at her in shock, then at the pile in his hands.

Qin Sheng gave an embarrassed smile. She’d gone in search of barbecue supplies, but most of the supermarket stock was instant food, so she’d done well to find even this much. Switching from barbecue to hot pot wasn’t so bad.

“Yes,” she replied firmly.

Lin Xing was excited at first, but then hesitated, “But cousin, we have no water, no electricity, and not even a pot.”

Qin Sheng waved it off. “That’s nothing to worry about. The only real problem is that hot pot without meat isn’t much of a hot pot.”

After a moment’s thought, Lin Xing leaned in and whispered something in her ear. Qin Sheng understood at once, and both faces lit up with mischief.

After stowing the supplies in their dorm, they headed to the cafeteria ten minutes later.

“As far as I know, there’s still plenty of meat in the cafeteria, but Li Chengbin said they’re saving it for Sundays to make it last longer,” Lin Xing explained, then added bitterly, “But from what I’ve seen, Li Chengbin and Qin Mengchun eat it every day!”