After all, according to what was written in that book, Shen Hegui was very impatient with the original owner's behavior. But now, she felt that Shen Hegui's actions were teaching the original owner how to behave. Faced with her frequent confrontations with Lin Tingxue and the others, he didn't say much—he just reasoned with her like an old father. A young, distinguished CEO spending his days lecturing her like that was no easy feat. Of course, it was also because she knew Shen Hegui's reasoning wasn't preachy; otherwise, she wouldn't have listened. Now, she was increasingly looking forward to returning to Jing City. As long as she saw Father Shen's attitude toward her, she could confirm the authenticity of that book. Of course, she was already highly suspicious. Still, she had no intention of changing her current personality; she'd continue brainwashing Shen Hegui and the others. Having them more tolerant of her was a good thing. Ah no, she was just a bit arrogant and mischievous at times—what had she done wrong? She'd even offered many valuable suggestions.
Seeing her silent, Shen Hegui tentatively asked, "Are you angry?"
"No, I'm in a good mood." Jiang Yuntan said lightly, then casually pulled her hand out of his.
See, sometimes people were like that. If you were too well-behaved, they'd think you should always be that way. But if you gave them things to worry about every day, and then you stopped talking, they'd worry if you were angry. So, she really felt that the original owner's personality wasn't that bad. As long as she changed some ways of doing things, no one would fault her.
"I think you're just happy from picking a fight." Shen Hegui smiled. After she withdrew her hand, he belatedly realized what he had just done. What was going on? He actually felt a sense of loss?
Soon, they reached the car. Shen Hegui pushed aside the strange emotion and got into the car. Originally, they'd only planned for some to go to the research institute, but after what had just happened, Yu Ke and the others without abilities also wanted to go. Shen Hegui thought it over and agreed. Staying here didn't seem much safer for those without abilities. As for the safety of Lin Tingxue, Lin Xuan, and the other person left at the service area—what was it to them? If Lin Xuan and his group couldn't take care of their own safety, they deserved it.
-
After they left, Lin Xuan finally let go of Lin Tingxue's hand. She asked, puzzled, "Brother, why did you stop me from going with them? What were you thinking?"
Lin Xuan's face was expressionless. "I should be asking you what you were thinking."
Lin Tingxue turned away. "What do you mean by that?"
"Don't you know yourself?" Lin Xuan stated bluntly. "I know you've always admired Shen Hegui, but you weren't like this before. Now you think about him for everything good, even if you know information about the apocalypse, you tell him first. Including your Wood Element Ability's healing effect—I, your brother, wasn't the first to know. So why are you so eager to curry favor with him?"
He continued, "I remember before the apocalypse, you didn't say that. You said you'd make Shen Hegui notice you on his own, that you definitely wouldn't fawn over him."
Lin Tingxue wanted to say: How could before and now be the same? Before, although the Lin family couldn't quite match the Shen family, they weren't far behind. Now it was the apocalypse, and Shen Hegui was among the most powerful ability users, known in the future as the "Living Yan Wang of the World." It could be said that his proficiency with abilities and his lethality were immense. Soon, countless people would try to please him. If she wanted Shen Hegui to notice her and regard her differently, she had to do it during this period when he wasn't fully grown.
Lin Tingxue pressed her lips together. "Brother, didn't my previous approach fail to get Shen Hegui to notice me? So I wanted to try a different method. Jiang Yuntan is arrogant and domineering, while I'm poised and generous, even able to give him useful advice. Isn't the contrast obvious?"
Lin Xuan sneered inwardly. So this was why Lin Tingxue had cast him aside and not told him important information? No, he couldn't let her keep throwing herself at Shen Hegui.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Who treasures something offered too eagerly? Once you're strong enough, if you extend an olive branch then, would he refuse? Moreover, when we return to Jing City and the Lin family establishes a foothold in the apocalypse, if we propose a marriage alliance with the Shen family, would Shen Hegui and the Shens really reject it?"
"As a man, I'll tell you honestly: your current method is stupid." Lin Xuan's tone was very firm.
Lin Tingxue's face showed hesitation.
Seeing her waver, Lin Xuan continued, "In the past, didn't you dismiss those who pursued you too eagerly? For people like us, marrying for mutual benefit is most important. Besides, even if you try to move him with sincerity, look—does he need your sincerity? Since you already have an ability, why not get stronger first? Once the Lin family grows powerful, are you afraid he won't accept you?"
Lin Tingxue was silent for a while, then nodded. In short, she had to be different from Jiang Yuntan, even more outstanding.
-
On the other side, Shen Hegui and his group had a relatively smooth journey, only encountering a few zombies. But they also saw a few white rabbits, very conspicuous under the headlights in the dark night. The rabbits were twice as big as before the apocalypse, but their eyes were normal, and they showed no signs of zombification—just simple mutation. The mutated rabbits stared at their headlights for a few seconds, then quickly hopped away, leaving only afterimages. It seemed that not only their size had mutated, but their speed had increased as well. Seeing this, they understood: not all mutated plants and animals actively attack humans.
Two luxury cars that had only driven on smooth, bustling streets before the apocalypse were now driving on country paths overgrown with weeds. Just when they thought they'd taken a wrong turn, a flat concrete road appeared, and they finally stopped at an ordinary two-story building. The building had no lights on and seemed empty.
Qiao Chengming said, "This is it. I've been here before."
But as soon as they got out of the car, before the headlights could be turned off, suddenly, through the iron gate, they saw the building's inner door burst open with a bang. Several people rushed out, shouting, "Someone's here! Help!"
Jiang Yuntan followed the sound and saw behind them a pair of blood-red eyes.