Chapter Ninety-One: Offer Oneself in Marriage?

Song Qing'an naturally wouldn't expose Qin Sheng's little schemes; that girl carried many secrets, and even if he was curious, it wasn't his place to unravel them.

Qin Sheng quickly finished her breakfast and rose to speak to everyone, "I've finished eating. I'm heading up to the rooftop for training."

"Hey..." Jiang Miaomiao had barely begun to speak before Qin Sheng hurried away.

The culprit responsible for Qin Sheng's nervous haste was still leisurely savoring her bread.

"Why is Qin Sheng in such a rush?" A'zi hadn't caught what Qin Sheng said, and when she turned around, saw Qin Sheng leaving in a hurry.

Jiang Miaomiao shook her head. "Lately, Shengsheng spends almost all her time on training. I suppose she's very concerned about the upcoming tournament."

A'zi nodded thoughtfully. She herself had cleared the first round, but didn't feel confident about passing the second so easily.

But Qin Sheng was different. Her goal was to return from the zombie forest, so she naturally demanded more of herself, and the effort she needed to put in was that much greater.

"What is this tournament about?" Song Qing'an asked in confusion. He had just returned from another world recently, and was still unfamiliar with things here.

"You don't know about the tournament? Then you definitely haven't participated!" A'zi's eyes widened in surprise. Such an important event, and Song Qing'an was unaware.

Song Qing'an finished his bread, pulled out a handkerchief, and carefully wiped his hands. Judging by A'zi's reaction, it seemed the tournament was closely tied to why that young girl trained so early.

A'zi began to explain.

"There are very few guards in the Safe Zone, so they held a tournament to select new members for the guard force. Those chosen enjoy much better benefits than before..."

"So, in other words, the Safe Zone is recruiting cannon fodder?" Song Qing'an saw through the hidden layers immediately, speaking bluntly.

Indeed, being a guard in the Safe Zone meant going wherever danger lurked, walking side by side with death. Song Qing'an's words weren't without reason.

A'zi and Jiang Miaomiao were both left speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

But Chu Xingyu didn't see it that way.

"While that's true, neither Sister Sheng nor I intend to be mere cannon fodder or stepping stones for the Safe Zone. We just want a better life—in other words, we must live."

But not merely survive, powerless and unable to respond when zombies arrive.

Countless people had died since the apocalypse began, including many of their companions and friends.

To live was also to protect those they wished to protect, to live well.

Song Qing'an, hearing Chu Xingyu's words, raised his brows in surprise, his gaze tinged with admiration. For a moment, it seemed he saw the same resolve in Qin Sheng's eyes.

Sure enough, spending time together made them alike.

"She's taught you well," Song Qing'an said with a soft smile, then strode out, leaving Jiang Miaomiao and the others a bit dazed.

After Song Qing'an left, Chu Xingyu let out a breath. Though Song Qing'an seemed easygoing, his gaze carried an invisible pressure that made it hard to breathe.

"Xingyu, not bad. Such unique insight," A'zi couldn't help but laugh, giving Chu Xingyu a thumbs up.

Jiang Miaomiao nodded in agreement. Chu Xingyu had voiced their thoughts.

Competing for a place in the guard force wasn't just about the glory on the surface; it was mostly about the dangers lurking beneath.

There was nothing they could foresee; they could only improve themselves to survive the dangers ahead, and if possible, protect more than just themselves.

"Let's train after breakfast. We're still not familiar with the boxing techniques Shengsheng taught us yesterday," Jiang Miaomiao patted Chu Xingyu's shoulder and went to change into more comfortable clothes.

Chu Xingyu nodded quickly, finished his bread and milk in a few bites, and dusted off his hands before heading off to change as well.

A'zi was left sitting alone on the floor.

Her aim had always been just to clear the first round—the further she went, the greater the danger, and she knew that well.

But as her friends got up to train, she felt bored being alone. Training with them might help her toughen up for the second round of contests.

Of course, she wasn't about to admit this to Jiang Miaomiao, or she'd be teased for sure.

A'zi stood and brushed off her clothes, smiling at Jiang Miaomiao. "I'll join you. Mainly because I have nothing else to do—it's boring."

Jiang Miaomiao nodded and found A'zi a set of clothes that Qin Sheng had previously given her for changing.

When the three arrived at the rooftop, Qin Sheng was already deep into training.

Song Qing'an, on the other hand, lounged comfortably in a chair they'd placed earlier, looking every bit like a supervisor, occasionally pointing out when Qin Sheng's movements weren't quite right.

He had just finished his advice when he noticed the newcomers.

"Ah, you're here!" Song Qing'an waved at them with a smile.

"Hey..."

"Brother Song..."

After greeting him, the group slipped into training.

A'zi hadn't learned the boxing techniques Jiang Miaomiao and Chu Xingyu were practicing today, but she'd at least picked up a couple moves from Qin Sheng before.

Reviewing old lessons, she continued with those two moves.

A'zi quickly fell into training, and though her form wasn't always precise, she earnestly raised her legs and clenched her fists.

Sweat beaded on Qin Sheng's forehead as she paused. Noticing Song Qing'an holding an unopened bottle of mineral water, she stepped over and snatched it before he could react.

Song Qing'an blinked, and the bottle vanished from his hand. Turning, he saw Qin Sheng beside him, unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink.

From where Song Qing'an sat, he could see the pale curve of Qin Sheng's neck as she tilted her head.

Her fair skin glistened with sweat, and the two buttons at her collar had been undone from the heat, making her neck all the more alluring, tempting the imagination.

Song Qing'an quickly looked away, not realizing his ears had flushed red.

Luckily, his hair covered them, or Qin Sheng would have seen plainly.

"Finished the water. I'll bring you another bottle later," Qin Sheng set the bottle aside and spoke politely, intending to return to training.

"No need, I just grabbed that water from the table," Song Qing'an quickly reverted to his usual careless demeanor, smugly tilting his chin at Qin Sheng.

For some reason, Qin Sheng could see a trace of pride in Song Qing'an's manner.

She couldn't help but laugh softly, raising her brows. "Alright, then I owe you nothing."

"Actually, the water is mine," Song Qing'an switched his claim without missing a beat—the bottle was his now.

Qin Sheng smiled helplessly, thinking how childish Song Qing'an was.

"So you mean I owe you," Song Qing'an pressed, eyebrows arched.

Qin Sheng spun her Tang blade in her hand, hearing his tone and knowing he wanted something from her. She smiled, "How do you want me to repay you?"

"Exactly," Song Qing'an nodded enthusiastically, his smile betraying his intentional ploy.

Qin Sheng's lips curved, her eyes glinting mischievously. "How should I repay you? With myself?"

Song Qing'an's cheeks flushed uncontrollably, his hands nervously gripping his knees, palms sweating.

Qin Sheng had expected Song Qing'an wouldn't withstand that line, and with a sly smile, she returned to training, Tang blade in hand.

Song Qing'an hung his head, clearly flustered by Qin Sheng's suggestion, so much so he didn't notice when she walked away.

"If that's what you want... it's not impossible," he murmured, his ears so red they seemed about to bleed.

He waited for a reply, but none came.

Suddenly looking up, he saw Qin Sheng swinging her Tang blade, splintering a wooden board.

Song Qing'an: "..."

Qin Sheng had teased him again!

Annoyed at his own embarrassing reaction, Song Qing'an pounded his legs twice, then rubbed them to ease the pain.

Every motion was caught by Qin Sheng, who found the angry "little fox" utterly delightful, her smile deepening.

Song Qing'an's fury was rather cute.

Qin Sheng gazed at him, her smile blooming once more, sunlight illuminating her face and making her look especially endearing.

Her smile was bright as spring.

Song Qing'an glanced back to find Qin Sheng grinning at him like a child. That smile was etched in his mind, stirring the tranquil lake within his heart.

Qin Sheng realized she'd been smiling too broadly and coughed lightly, quickly returning to her usual cool composure.

She raised her Tang blade again, her moves flowing like a dance atop the blade's gleam.

Beautiful and deadly, lethal by the slightest margin.

Song Qing'an found a comfortable position, reclining against the chair, watching Qin Sheng play with her blade, admiration clear in his eyes.

Her sword dance soon drew the attention of Jiang Miaomiao and the others, who joined Song Qing'an to quietly watch Qin Sheng and the Tang blade move as one.

Song Qing'an's smile grew wider. In just a few months, she had mastered the Tang blade with uncanny skill.

It seemed the blade that had lain hidden for years had finally found its true master.

And its master would only grow stronger.

She would achieve all she set out to do—he believed it.