Chapter Sixty: If You Win, Take Me with You

Zhao Tiantian was momentarily stunned. It was true that this was the reason in her heart, but she was willing to trust Qin Sheng; it wasn't just because Qin Sheng had helped her before. Qin Sheng lowered her gaze, a trace of mockery and helplessness flickering in her eyes.

She had tasted the coldness of the world thoroughly in her previous life. She once thought to become a person indifferent and unfeeling, but in the end, she still respected her own heart, always following its true desires. As for others, their actions no longer affected her.

"Qin Sheng, I believe in you," Zhao Tiantian nodded at her, the dimples at her lips deepening.

Qin Sheng nodded gently, her eyes burning with ambition.

Guo Ting wanted nothing more than to see them starve to death here. Well then, let’s see if she really has the ability to make that happen.

Taking things from her space too blatantly would arouse suspicion. Qin Sheng had already devised a plan to find an opportunity to take some supplies from her space.

"Ah Zhi, do you still remember the route you took when you ran out last time?" Qin Sheng turned and asked.

Ah Zhi furrowed her brows, thinking carefully before replying, "I remember it roughly, but I’m not sure if it’s still accessible after my last outing."

Qin Sheng replied, "Tonight, take me there. If possible, come back after."

"Sheng Sheng, are you planning to leave the safe zone?" Jiang Miaomiao stepped forward, grabbing Qin Sheng’s hand, her face full of worry.

Qin Sheng nodded, "Yes. I’ll go out and look for something to eat nearby. We’re right in the city center—there must be a supermarket."

"Then I’ll come with you. Otherwise, I won’t be at ease," Jiang Miaomiao immediately insisted, as if she’d be angry if Qin Sheng didn’t take her.

Qin Sheng placed a hand on Jiang Miaomiao’s shoulder, laughing softly. "Don’t worry about me. If I run into danger, it’s easier for me alone. If you come, I might not be able to protect you."

"Even if you can't, I can’t just let you go alone while I stay here," Jiang Miaomiao said, her voice growing more aggrieved. Last time, Qin Sheng had vanished for days after saying the same thing. If anything happened again, she’d feel even worse not going with her.

Qin Sheng was never good at comforting girls. She raised her brows at Ah Zhi, who quickly understood, stepping forward to pull Jiang Miaomiao aside and spoke earnestly, "Think about it, Miaomiao. Qin Sheng is so capable—if there’s danger, she might escape, but with you, she’ll be dragged down. We’re better off staying here, keeping the defenses strong. If the people from the safe zone come to check, we can buy her more time..."

Jiang Miaomiao clearly refused to yield, insisting on facing everything with Qin Sheng.

Qin Sheng smiled helplessly, knowing Jiang Miaomiao was worried for her. But since the apocalypse began, she hadn’t ventured outside; whatever they encountered would have to be handled on the fly. She couldn’t guarantee Jiang Miaomiao’s safety.

If things got out of hand, she could always retreat into her space.

"Miaomiao, stay here and look after everyone for me. That will put my mind at ease," Qin Sheng said, gently stroking her head.

Of course Jiang Miaomiao knew Ah Zhi and Qin Sheng were being reasonable, but she was genuinely anxious that Qin Sheng might be in danger again. She wouldn’t be able to face Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing if anything happened.

"Who needs your care?" Shen Mei, who had been silent at the far end of the sofa, suddenly stood up and strode over to Qin Sheng, her expression still cold. "I don’t need your protection. Unless you let me fight alongside you, take me with you tonight."

Qin Sheng rubbed her forehead. One was troublesome enough; now Shen Mei wanted in as well.

"You know my strength. If you don’t want me to go, fine—let’s fight. If you beat me, I’ll stay here. If not, you’ll take me with you tonight," Shen Mei put some distance between them, clenching her fists, ready for battle.

"One isn’t enough, and you want to join too? Do you think getting out is easy? No one’s going," Ah Zhi said, exasperated. Jiang Miaomiao tagging along was one thing, but Shen Mei joining was just chaos.

Ah Zhi pushed Jiang Miaomiao to the front of the sofa, urging her to sit quietly. "It’s not easy to get out. Just stay here and wait for Qin Sheng to come back. No arguments."

Jiang Miaomiao sighed, lowering her chin and obediently sitting down.

When Ah Zhi tried to pull Shen Mei over, Shen Mei deliberately took two steps back, never taking her eyes off Qin Sheng.

Qin Sheng pressed her lips together, knowing there would be no avoiding this fight.

"Alright. I’ll fight you," Qin Sheng said, motioning for Ah Zhi to step aside.

Ah Zhi pursed her lips and obediently sat next to Jiang Miaomiao, muttering, "I suspect Shen Mei just wanted an excuse to fight Qin Sheng."

Zhao Tiantian knew her own limits. She sat quietly on the side, watching the others. She didn’t want to go out, nor could she. This safe zone was her sanctuary; as long as she stayed here, she’d be fine.

"Why did you stop me? I can’t just watch Sheng Sheng go out and do nothing. If something happens, how will I explain it to Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing?" Jiang Miaomiao whispered to Ah Zhi, her tone full of grievance.

But Ah Zhi didn’t answer her directly.

"Who are Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing?" Ah Zhi asked curiously.

Jiang Miaomiao answered helplessly, "They’re good friends of mine and Sheng Sheng’s."

"Are they guys?"

Jiang Miaomiao nodded again, waiting for Ah Zhi’s honest reply.

"Are they handsome?" Ah Zhi, oblivious to Jiang Miaomiao’s urge to throttle her, licked her lips and pressed on.

Jiang Miaomiao took a deep breath, clenched her fists, reminding herself Ah Zhi was just a kid and not to stoop to her level.

Ah Zhi watched Qin Sheng and Shen Mei, leaning against Jiang Miaomiao and continuing her questions about Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing.

"Handsome..." Jiang Miaomiao gritted her teeth, the word squeezed out through her back teeth.

Ah Zhi saw Qin Sheng and Shen Mei had reached an agreement and, before Jiang Miaomiao could hit her, quickly slipped over to Qin Sheng.

"What did you two agree on? Tell us," Ah Zhi, hiding behind Qin Sheng, raised her brows at Jiang Miaomiao, showing off.

Qin Sheng glanced at Shen Mei and obediently answered, "We’ll fight on the rooftop. Best two out of three, whoever falls loses."

Shen Mei nodded in approval, curling her lips at Qin Sheng, "This time, I won’t go easy on you."

Qin Sheng puffed out her cheeks and smiled, "Then let’s see."

One by one, the group climbed up to the rooftop. Unlike the school, there were no railings here; looking down was a seven-story drop. They didn’t dare move, fearing they might fall if they even stood near the edge.

Qin Sheng and Shen Mei weren’t afraid. They walked confidently ahead and found a spacious spot.

Ah Zhi’s trembling legs were the most obvious.

Though she’d climbed many tall walls, standing atop a high building without railings was frightening.

"This spot is good. I’ll stand guard for you," Ah Zhi chuckled, staying by the rooftop door, not setting foot onto the roof itself.

Jiang Miaomiao folded her arms and walked over to Ah Zhi.

Ah Zhi immediately gripped the door, pretending nothing was wrong and smiled at Jiang Miaomiao, "Why aren’t you going in? Sheng Sheng and Shen Mei are already fighting."

Jiang Miaomiao leaned against the door, scanning the trembling Ah Zhi from head to toe, raising her brows, "What’s wrong, Ah Zhi? Are you afraid of heights?"

"Ha!" Ah Zhi was delighted to be called a heroine, but she refused to admit her fear. "I’m not afraid. I’m just standing guard here. No one’s more suited for the job."

Ah Zhi nervously clutched the rooftop door, afraid Jiang Miaomiao might drag her out.

"Really?" Jiang Miaomiao raised her tone, teasing as she smiled at the door-clinging Ah Zhi, "Then I’ll leave the guard duty to you, heroine."

Ah Zhi forced a stiff smile, "Don’t worry, nothing will happen with me here..."

Jiang Miaomiao stopped teasing and quickly moved aside to wait for Qin Sheng and Shen Mei.

Qin Sheng and Shen Mei slowly walked to the center of the open area.

"Best two out of three. This time, you have to take me with you," Shen Mei called out confidently, sure of her skills.

Qin Sheng remained calm, even a bit nonchalant, smiling at Shen Mei.

"Sheng Sheng’s smile is a bit like someone’s," Jiang Miaomiao noticed, feeling a strange familiarity, but decided to focus on the match instead.

Qin Sheng and Shen Mei backed away a few steps, opening up a suitable distance.

"Let the match begin!" Zhao Tiantian, acting as referee, saw they were ready and announced the start loudly.

True to her aggressive style, Shen Mei launched herself at Qin Sheng the instant Zhao Tiantian called out, aiming a kick at Qin Sheng’s face. Qin Sheng dodged with a swift backward bend.

Seeing her roundhouse kick fail, Shen Mei tightened her fists and unleashed a series of side kicks. She was the national taekwondo champion, and each kick was powerful and precise—if any landed, there would surely be bruises.

Jiang Miaomiao’s heart was in her throat as she watched Qin Sheng’s agile dodges, terrified that one of Shen Mei’s kicks might hit her. Unconsciously, she clenched her fists to calm herself.

Ah Zhi, watching from the doorway, was captivated by their back-and-forth and momentarily forgot her own fear, stepping over to Jiang Miaomiao’s side. After a while, Jiang Miaomiao noticed someone beside her.

"Aren’t you scared? Why are you here?"